Team v ManU

[Cottager58]

Away from home, even when Jol selects an offensive team (at least on paper) his tactics tend to be defensive, namely playing deep and isolating the sole striker. In the two games when he started more with defense in mind we did surprisingly well - away to Arsenal and Chelsea.

The format in both games was 4-2-3-1 allowing us to compete in midfield (the Chelsea game was of course the first time Dembele played deeper with Murphy; Ethu did the job against Arsenal). In both games Ruiz played what must be his best this season so far.

Against ManU I suspect Jol will go for much the same. So, Murphy will start and the only other change will be Hughes for Kelly.

 

[Bandit]

I would go with this

GK: Schwarzer

RB: Baird
CB: Hughes
CB: Hangeland
LB: Riise

CM: Etuhu (If Murphy isn't fit)
CM: Dembele

RM: Duff
LM: Dempsey
AM: Ruiz

CF: Pogrebnyak

Jol will however go with

GK: Schwarzer

RB: Kelly
CB: Hangeland
CB: Hughes
LB: Riise

CM: Murphy
CM: Diarra

RM: Ruiz/Johnson
LM: Dempsey
AM: Dembele

CF: Pogrebnyak

 

[FFC4L]

GK: Schwarzer

RB: Davies
CB: Hughes
CB: Hangeland
LB: Riise

CM: Murphy
CM: Dembele

RM: Frei
LM: Dempsey
AM: Ruiz

CF: Pogrebnyak

 

[Super Brian McBride]

GK: Schwarzer

RB: Davies
CB: Hughes
CB: Hangeland
LB: Riise

DM: Baird/Senderos

CM: Murphy
CM: Dembele

AM: Dempsey
AM: Ruiz

CF: Pogrebnyak

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks Davies could do a job at right-back

 

[fulhamish1977]

We played 4-2-3-1 against Man Utd at home and got slaughtered, so I'd go for more of a 4-4-1-1: Schwarzer - Kelly Hangeland Hughes Riise - Duff Murphy Dembele Frei - Dempsey - Pogrebnyak. For all his faults, Kelly has more pace than any of the other options at RB, while Duff gives better protection on the right than Ruiz. It means moving Dempsey in behind Pog, but I'd take a gamble on Frei at Old Trafford. He's capable of running 50-60 yards with the ball to take the pressure off when we're having to defend for long periods.

 

[GeraScores]

We have nothing to lose, so I'm with you Fulhamish.

It's a matter of getting a bit of luck, and giving Pogrebnyak and Dempsey some freedom. Danny and Moussa in the centre of midfield could be critical. Old Trafford is not the place to play Diarra (until he's got used to the PL) nor Ruiz. We have to play Kelly and Riise, but restrict the latter from roaming forward too much. I'd pair Hangeland with Hughes, but suspect MJ will keep with Senderos.

Anyhow - Glass Half-Full - C O Y W !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FFC4L]

Ruiz would be useful in a withdrawn role behind the striker. Against United you need players capable of those magic moments. Frei, Dembele and Dempsey with Pog up top. 4-2-3-1 but with more pace in it and more of an outlet with Frei. That has a lot of potential in it.

 

[Take Me Home Al Fayed]

I'd love to see MJ giving Frei 90 min. We are save and aren't in a position to threaten for a PL Europa spot so why not give him the minutes.

I hope he gives him more time on the pitch over between now and the end of the season.

 

[Bidley]

I want to see more Kasami!

 

[Cottager58]

I want to see more Kasami!

Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry.

 

[Bandit]

Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry.

Link? I can't find anything.

 

[SAMOC]

You're going to get smashed

 

[Bandit]

You're going to get smashed

Calm down Richard Keys.

 

[SAMOC]

Calm down Richard Keys.

Damn it, my cover is blown. Don't let Andy know he wont bum me for a month

 

[Bidley]

Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry.

I didn't know that! Hope he's getting on well.

 

[Bandit]

Damn it, my cover is blown. Don't let Andy know he wont bum me for a month

Different men, different strokes etc.

 

[Cottager58]

Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry

Link? I can't find anything.

There's no Link Bandit. It's common knowledge that Kasami has been sidelined by Jol. Following the Carling Cup penalty affair, his agent flirting with stories about Real Madrid and so on. he has quite simply been benched.

 

[Bandit]

Likewise Bidley. Unfortunately he's been sent to Coventry


There's no Link Bandit. It's common knowledge that Kasami has been sidelined by Jol. Following the Carling Cup penalty affair, his agent flirting with stories about Real Madrid and so on. he has quite simply been benched.

His agent was seriously touting him to Madrid?!?

 

[Bidley]

Wasn't it Juventus?

In any case, he looked good at the beginning of the season, I hope he gets another chance.

 

[Alan]

Good luck lads.