We have been blessed with the last two centre pairings we have had (Pally/Bruce and Rio/Vida), we are unlikely to see the same again so soon What are your thoughts on Rojo, not there yet but still young for a centre half?
we do need a centre back but the defence has performed well. In theory a new cb would replace blind and improve us. Assuming he's of the required quality. As I said, if it continues to provide a stable platform, van gaal needs to loosen the reigns. I believe he will but tonight, in the Bilbao game, we saw a great example of what a shoddy defence can lead too. Regardless of the attacking talent. A decent side can tear you apart.
Generally pleased with him. He's raw but he's not been phased by the prem. Also think in time he'll be a physical fcker who'll be hard to beat. But then again, he also needs a leader next to him to develop. Rio next to him in his hey day wpuld have been excellent for someone like Rojo"s development.
Evening lads. Playing sh*te and winning is a good omen. Just wish van Gaal would have a word with SAF and get advice on how play these players in the best formation and style for their talents. We need a striker and a centre half - get some speedy players and the title is not an impossibility. Wishful thinking?
They haven't been great but then Spurs learned from last season and were more compact. They pressed us well and packed the middle which along with our rustiness, stunted the game. Villa too pressed but ultimately tired in both halves. Both teams ran out of steam in the creativity department though.
You can see where Fergies thoughts lay, Smalling, fast and a good ball player (Rio/Pally), Jones, strong and fearless (Vida/Bruce). I believe he would have developed them this way if he had more time
Yeh I think so too. In the U21 tournamemt before we signed Jones both were considered the best CB pairing and showed real quality. Think that opportunity has been wasted sadly. Thoughts on Rojo?
I think he just needs to trust the players ability and intelligence more. Fergie used to set the team up in a system but let them play the game. Maybe once van Gaal feels they all know what is required of them he will give them some freedom.
Smallings starting to look pretty good. Defensively anyway. His footballing ability in general isn't quite there yet but hopefully that will come. He already looks more composed when he brings the ball out.
I like Rojo a lot, started out very impetuous and dived in when in dangerous situations, he has shown much more composure over recent months and I have high hopes for him. Still think Jones and Smalling would work with a consistent run as a pairing. Smalling was dead to me 9 months ago but has proved me very wrong since.
Read that hererra and schweinsteiger had almost double the number of passes as Januzaj and carrick. In half the time too. Worth starting next time?
It's not the number of passes, it's where they are to. It must be said that Herrera and Bastian made most of their passes forward.
You can only play what's in front of you. If they were Chelsea or City we probably wouldn't have got 6 points. Fair enough. I would have taken 6 points not playing at 100% any time. And as I've said many times in the past, when mid table teams play their best game against you (like in the season post-SAF breaking 20-30 year old records) I get worried. I sense something is right when the so called pundits pillory these teams as useless after they played United.
Spurs had the 5th best attack last season, only beaten by the 4 teams that finished above them and 12 goals ahead of Swansea
Positives: Romero, Smalling, Darmian Negatives: Like last season, no idea on the best formation, personnel, style, tactics. Unfortunately, the negatives outweigh the positives. Van Gaal is looking for a marquee signing. He needs a Ronaldo to make up for the other shortcomings and to give the rest the confidence to play their own game.
They passed with intent. Herrera added some drive and schweinsteiger added quality. We looked better with them imo. Just need someone in form up top to make the most of it. I saw depay make a few good runs during the game but nobody noticed. Young made one late on and Herrera missed it. The pieces of something great are there. For me, a midfield of schweinsteiger, schneiderlin and Herrera gives us everything. Harsh on carrick but I would like to see those 3 get 90 minutes.
Therein lies the problem, van Gaal has us passing to keep possession first and foremost, a risky/inventive pass is seen as a possibility to lose the ball
