Before writing him off? Eh. Still think he has a big part to play, his positional awareness could be a key attribute, but don't think he'll be tearing it up like he was before the injury. Anyone who has watched him live since his return can clearly see a difference, does not look like rust to me.
Sorry HR I didn't mean that you were writing him off but I've seen a few posts from others that seem to think he's a spent force.
You are quite right, have seen plenty of comments that give the guy no credit. Just coming back into the fold after that injury is remarkable, I'm hoping its that determination that gets him to the best form he can achieve. I do think that five year deal we gave him was a massive vote of confidence by the club.
I knew there was something else I wanted to comment on. Corners today, and in the other pre-season games, seem to have become too predictable. Every one seems to be an inswinger to the mid point of the goal, just outside the 6 yard box. Today the Spanish keeper watched the first two or three, then decided he could come off his line and cut out most of the others, simply because there was no variety. Premier League teams will soon wise up to this and winning corners will be of little value to us, because even a half decent keeper will clear/claim the ball.
Best preseason performance by far today - particularly impressed that all our sub's were so seamless. I think I'm beginning to understand the diamond formation too.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/southampt...ing-quizzed-man-united-move-praises-mourinho/ Ignore.wrong thread
I would guess we're not putting much effort in set pieces for pre season. Too many personnel changes to start bringing out training ground routines
Would have posted tweets from Nathan, but a bit too much about him. Has retweeted every good thing he did in the match....not a good look, Nate.
One player that's impressed preseason is Sam McQueen, particularly on Wednesday. His switch to LB seems to have suited him well.
Perhaps we won't bother with corners this year due to the lack of height! What do people think will be our tactics against park the bus sides, as it sounds like we are very much going to be a counter attack & high press & win the ball back quickly side!
No doubt Watford would have sent their scouts along. Would be pretty daft to give away any planned set-piece moves in a meaningless game. We tried a different corner in one of the Dutch friendlies that almost led to a goal. I'm sure Claude has a few ideas up his sleeve.
Yes, I was impressed with the constant movement off the ball- lost count of the 1-2s and the way that the team were always in motion, giving an option for a short pass. We seemed to be pressing more than under RK. It should be an interesting season, and potentially very easy on the eye.
I was impressed by the passing and by the constant harrying of the opposition. A few on Saints Web described Bilbao as only being in training mode.....I think that was how we made them look.....pretty sure they were trying to keep the ball, but difficult when they were constantly being confronted by 2-3 Saints players. The fouls on our players showed how frustrated they were getting....hope Virgil is OK. Reminded me a bit of Poch's first game....the 0-0 against Everton. Another criticism I see being bandied about is that we have only played poor teams....come a long way, haven't we? I think we'd have regarded Espanyol and Bilbao as tough opposition in the past. As I said before, you want decent opposition when trying out new formations, but you don't want top opposition so it all falls apart and players lose confidence. Yesterday's game made me feel more confident of the coming season....the team looked fit and up for it. Still work in progress, but very promising.
