MOTD2 made an interesting point about when Smalling or Jones came forward from the back, they appeared to be following instructions to be cautious and play the shortest, safest, most sideways ball possible. If this is a pattern that remains, it's going to work about as well for them as AVB's sideways passing tactics of last season.
Jones has actually been doing quite well. Staying on his feet to make good interceptions rather than sliding in and injuring himself. God knows how bad it would be if he hadn't performed.
He did continue to provide his consistent comedy value, too: please log in to view this image He's a decent defender, but a far better gurner.
Fat Frank has decided to retire from international football, as he will no longer have the opportunity to stink up England's midfield with Steven Gerrard.
Premier League: QPR manager Harry Redknapp set to be offered a contract extension http://www1.skysports.com/football/...app-is-set-to-be-offered-a-contract-extension
I think they had to offer him a new contract as with Hoddle in the background many believed he was there to take over, but thats not the case. Redknapp is an old man and wants more help with the coaching etc but I gather from what SC said, that Hoddle doesn't sound very committed, more interested in his pundit work.
I can't say di Maria looks like a £59.7M footballer to me. He can carry the ball at pace but Arsenal paid only £35M for Sanchez, who scores goals too.
I don't see how your best players now fit into van Gaal's current 3-5-2 system. Surely he'd be better off using something similar to what we're using at the moment, with Rooney, Mata and di Maria playing in behind van Persie? Not sure where Herrera fits into that, though. Don't really understand the overall plan behind the signings or the balance of the squad. Weird.
Before Bale arrived, Di Maria was talented but not world class. He had that outstanding season after being fired up by the arrival of Bale but Utd are getting 75 million a season so we're quite happy to see you get ripped off!
Everton have signed Samuel Eto'o on a two year deal, which will take him up to the age of 972, in Jose Mourinho's opinion. I mentioned that they were a little short in that position during their game with Arsenal on the weekend, so this is probably a sensible move, if he's not being paid too much.
We should have made some temporary Academy loans to the Os too, to see what mischief they can cause with Villa.
I'm so glad Van Gaal turned us down, I find myself disagreeing with everything he does. Given their poor start he really could've done with bouncing back here. I know it wouldn't have counted much to the outside World but playing a few more senior players, getting the system working and battering a team was just what they needed. Too many players, young, inexperienced, coming back from injury or just plain no good and it's heading for another embarrassing result. When we're lifting the PL trophy at the end of the season we should commission a statue of Van Gaal as he made it all possible
