Match Day Thread General matchday thread.

You'll still walk top four. Just had you down as certs for second a fortnight ago. Not so sure now.

 

That Greenwood and Shaw

 

I don't know. Hard to tell.

 

Worry not, City will sort that out for you on Sunday.

 

Things aren't that bad but the comparison is a fair one.

It's funny because Moyes thought all we were about was pinging the ball out wide and chucking in crosses. Ole can't even get that far

 

It’s not a coincidence that when Fernandes either doesn’t play or is off form United are very ordinary.

 

That's because like all our players, he's being limited by the lack of any tactics other than "pass it around the back a million times and then give it to Shaw".

In pockets we're ok but there is no thinking at all about how we transition the ball from defence to midfield to attack. He (Ole) honestly just expects it to happen. And relies on the likes of Fernandes to make it happen. It's so poor from a manager it's unreal.

 

Well yeah cos then our midfield is Matic, Nobody and Fred so there’s about as much flair & creativity in that as you’d find in an accountant’s pencil case.

 

All hanging back about a mile behind the front men.

 

Tbh I think Fernandes arrival took what was a decent if often uninspiring side and transformed it, as he’s that good.

Could a better manager than Oleball get more out of that group of players? Probably, but that fella would still be key imo. He’s the best signing you’ve made in absolute beards.

 

I wouldn't disagree with much of that but the squad is capable of much more than what we're seeing. It's decent like you say and a better manager would be performing and achieving more.

Not only that but as far as player development is concerned the reverse is happening. You look at the likes Bruno, Rashford, Greenwood, Fred, even Maguire they're all getting worse as the season goes on. None have improved as players in the past 12 months. Van De Beek has been non-existent, not even on the bench today.

 

It’s man the life boats time at the Toon.

I’m starting to believe that they’re truly ****ed tbh.

 

Van De Beek is an odd one. I mean who actually decided to buy him, and why? Where was he ever going to fit in to that side? I didn’t get it at the time and I still don’t.

 

He's apparently not wanted by Ole and never was. He's not impressed in training either tbf or on his rare match appearances. Rumour is he'll be gone in the Jan transfer window and those are coming out of the club. If he was brought in to replace Pogba then it aint happening.

I hope we can keep Pogba. In the few months he was playing before his injury, him and Fernandes were linking up really well together and we were creating much more. They both bring the best out in each other. If we kept that midfield, added a decent RW, CB and centre forward we wouldn't be too bad, not much to ask for

 

Doesn't look trusted by the other players either, they seem to avoid passing to him.

 

donnys always looked okay when hes come on. a progressive passer and energetic player

surprised matic hasn't been taken out back to be put down yet. he was already pretty bad in mourinhos latter years

 

Donny's progressive passing is only any use if it's accurate (he does have what i cal very fast feet in tight situations though), Matic (from what i see) is only used against a team that has a powerful striker/attacker because our CBs are a bit weak/lightweight.

 

Naby van de beek

 

Not sure what your point is here ... those days lost would presumably take into account Covid postponements? (we haven't had any) ... and the relevant point is what those teams are 'competing' for in terms of it's impact on where they will finish etc ... up until last week we were still fighting on 3 fronts ... and with a squad that does not have the quality depth of the Big 6 (yet)