There has been some talk of the reaction for van Gaal if he doesn't get his transfer targets. An excellent read from Miguel Delaney pretty much sums up the situation (http://www.espnfc.com/blog/espn-fc-united-blog/68/post/1991460/manchester-uniteds-transfer-window-travails-under-louis-van-gaal-and-ed-woodward). I for one would lose no respect for the man if he decided to walk away from the job, in fact I would applaud him because it would be exactly what we deserve, not the fans, but the club and it's internal staff.
I watched City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea play this weekend and thought the first three weren't convincing, although looking at their squads, I can only be envious. Their starting XI's would have at least 2 players going forward with pace, something that this league demands.
Arsenal - Sanchez, Walcott
Chelsea - Hazard, Willian/Schurlle
City - Aguero, Navas
Liverpool - Sterling, Sturridge
We have Young, Valencia who have already been converted to wingbacks due to their lack of ability and I'm not even going to start with Nani. Januzaj a top talent can do a job but I see him more as a #10.
I'll reserve my judgements on the 3-5-2 until I see more of it but I think the pace of the PL may be too much for it to be effective, and I think LvG may know this already.
Moving onto midfield, each of the above teams has a midfielder that either has extremely high energy or is a animal.
Arsenal - Ramsey
Chelsea - Matic
City - Fernandinho
Liverpool - Henderson
We have Fletcher/Carrick/Cleverley, again I'll reserve judgement to see Herrera but with Mata in front of him we are way too lightweight and we will get dominated in midfield again with no one to partner Herrera.
The defence doesn't need to be talked about but it's clear we are short in numbers and Blackett's inexperience/stupidity showed that this weekend for the 2nd goal. I believe that our CB's if fit and weren't put under so much pressure due to the midfield deficiencies would look a lot better. No matter how good a defender you are, if you're constantly getting attacked, law of averages comes into play and you will get shown up. I'm talking generally BTW, not in relation to this weekend, I'll forgive Young/Blackett for even being in our defence and hope it never happens again.
In essence, to compete with the above teams we need di Maria and Vidal, at least to get on paper competitive starting XI's. We all know that the chances of this happening are next to nothing, and IMO I think 7th is where we are really at. We have 2 world class players (debatable) to produce those moments of magic and get us out of situations but that's not going to happen every week. I would go as far as saying that Tottenham and Everton are better placed than us in terms of a balanced squad, they may not have the couple of world class players we have but have decent quality throughout, for example, Everton as a 3-5-2 would be better suited than us.
Howard
Jagielka Distin Stones
Coleman Barry McCarthy Baines
Barkley
Miralas Lukaku
Or have I completely lost it with the depression of what is happening with us? Thoughts.
Miles behind.....
posted on 19/8/14
Did anyone actually read the article. They said we dawdled over Vermaelen and he chose Barcelona which is BS.
We made a bid, Arsenal wanted Smalling in exchange and we said feck off and pulled out of the transfer.
Why the need to tell lies?
posted on 19/8/14
I personally have more faith in Smalling than Jones. People drool over the Hummels, Benatia's etc of this world. How did they become good, with games.
Provided a player has the tools, with games he will improve.
posted on 19/8/14
Theyve had plenty of games., this played out of position nonsense is just that, nonsense.
Its more beenfifcial to play out of position than it is too sit on the bench
posted on 19/8/14
comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 2 minutes ago
Theyve had plenty of games., this played out of position nonsense is just that, nonsense.
Its more beenfifcial to play out of position than it is too sit on the bench
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So how can you specialise in a position when you are played out of position?
posted on 19/8/14
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 10 minutes ago
comment by Stretty - VidalsBarnet (U3123)
posted 2 minutes ago
Theyve had plenty of games., this played out of position nonsense is just that, nonsense.
Its more beenfifcial to play out of position than it is too sit on the bench
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So how can you specialise in a position when you are played out of position?
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specilaise is one thing but looking complete dross in said position is not accetpable and being played out of position is not a valid excuse.
posted on 19/8/14
Stretty come on, you are exaggerating, Jones, Smalling and Blackett did not look absolute dross
posted on 19/8/14
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 19 seconds ago
Stretty come on, you are exaggerating, Jones, Smalling and Blackett did not look absolute dross
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They actually played pretty well. It was the midfielders that cost us.
posted on 19/8/14
How Fletcher remained on that pitch is a mystery
posted on 19/8/14
comment by ManUtdDaredevil (U9612)
posted 18 minutes ago
Stretty come on, you are exaggerating, Jones, Smalling and Blackett did not look absolute dross
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In general jones is dross. smalling is average and blackett is a yoiungster, i havent got any faith in our defence.
Wouldnt get in any of the top four sides.
posted on 19/8/14
Not a single starter on Sat would get into Chelsea team,a team that has won the league once in 9 years. That in itself as a statistic is testament to the catastrophic dealings over the last few years including the pogba debacle when he should have been played and paid what he was worth and not forced to watch scholes come out of retirement.
If you want rid of players don't pick them in matchday squads and tell them they are finished. Better to use decent youngsters. Would rather Anderson than fletcher/cleverley even if carrying 20 kilos of takeaway.