LVG's latest words on Rooney...

One of my biggest concerns for the season is that we limp into 4th place and he players like Herrera, Mata and Rafael will look for a move.

I don't get how he thinks Rooney is better suited in CM than replacing the under performing Falcao.

I like Blind and Carrick and Fellaini has even played well this season. But I am still of the opinion that Herrera is our best CM. Yet LVG picks the first 3 in midfield, but completely ignores Herrera as an option. It is absolutely puzzling me. I just can't get my head around it. Herrera is probably our most complete CM in that he is creative, but also does the defensive work. Pair him with Blind FFS and lets see what they can do.

"you have Herrera, Blind, Carrick and even Fellaini who are the solution to the problem in midfield. Not our soon to be record goalscorer."

Urm...nope? Carrick is out. Fellaini is cabbage. Blind and Herrera are decent. Nothing more, nothing less. Blind is the Phil Neville of our midfield, Herrera much better technically, but not the answer.

LVG got it right when he said we have a problem. But that makes things worst, seen as he's just had a month to try to fix that problem....

comment by Rage of Reaper (U4088)
posted 32 seconds ago
"you have Herrera, Blind, Carrick and even Fellaini who are the solution to the problem in midfield. Not our soon to be record goalscorer."

Urm...nope? Carrick is out. Fellaini is cabbage. Blind and Herrera are decent. Nothing more, nothing less. Blind is the Phil Neville of our midfield, Herrera much better technically, but not the answer.
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I find it hard to agree with your appraisal of Blind. He has much better positioning than Neville, is a better passer and can also finish.

And why isn't Herrera the answer? He gets the ball forwards early, retains possession (as does Blind) an is prepared to do the defensive side of things too. I think that him and Blind would make a good partnership - perhaps even great. I am actually struggling to believe that you have watched them play this season as they have been two of our best performers, but each to their own.

But even if they are average, as you suggest. How is average any worse than what Rooney has been churning out in midfield? He has been the epitome of average in that role. Surely it would be better to replace the average Rooney with the "average" Herrera and then push Rooney up top where he performs and dislodge one of Falcao or RVP - who have both been average all season?

Just to clarify, I don't believe Rooney is the answer either, I don't believe we have an answer within our squad (Although I'd like to see Di Maria a little deeper)

I believe over the years, our expectations of players has, inevitably based on our brand of football, gotten to the point now where players like Blind are seen as above average.

"I am actually struggling to believe that you have watched them play this season as they have been two of our best performers, but each to their own. "

I actually cant argue with that, but then, it's not been overly difficult really given the performances around them.

All I'm saying is that the moment we start to believe that our answer to the Fabregas', and the Toure's of the world, are Blind and Herrera, is the moment we really do admit we've been forced into a corner of incredibly low expectations.

Every day of the week I'd rather see them in midfield over Rooney, and RVP or Falcao taken round back and shot, but, even then, they are only the answer to the question 'what's the best we have', not 'how to we actual become a dynamic team capable of winning a midfield contest'.

Ok, that is more in-line with how I see things. I think you are still being overly harsh on Herrera and Blind, but don't disagree that we could do with a top CM.

That said, with the attacking players we have at our disposal, a solid CM of Blind and Herrera alongside someone like Mata is good enough to challenge in the PL.

................Rooney
..Di Maria..Mata..Adnan
.............Blind..Herrera
Shaw..Rojo..Smalling..Rafael
..................DDG

That line-up for me is strong enough to give anyone a game. Granted we could do with a dominating CB, but it is still good enough to try to actually play football. LVG is just making excuses for me. I just hope that after the summer when he has hopefully made a few more signings, we actually see some decent football.

Sorry, I should have clarified a little!!

And to be fair, perhaps when i call Blind average, I should perhaps be saying 'average under the current system', which of course is down to LVG.

I'd love to see that team under Jose. Not because I believe we'd suddenly be top of the table (I do a little though, haha), just to see what another manager of calibre, known for creating a strong team difficult to break down, would do with that squad of players. I cant figure out if our failings are down to the managers awful tactics, or his inability to properly address, and put investment into an area that was calling out for it.

Either way, I like that team. I think the center of the pitch is physically weak, but capable of ball retention, if not offering much protection to the center backs.

Hmm, maybe a little weak in the middle. I actually think Blind is pretty strong physically and he uses his body well to protect the ball. Herrera is physically lightweight, but does put himself about. I guess Pogba would be the ideal solution. He'll be like YaYa once he fills our a bit more (hopefully not as much as YaYa).

Pogba, and a chap like Song? There's so much protection and athleticism there. A proper base to start an attack? Speculation of course. But that's the kind of midfield partnership I'd love to see.

I hope when van Gaal goes, we aim for a young hungry manager who's fearless and has something to prove.
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So you want Moyes back then? I thought these were the reasons we appointed DM in the first place.