When was the last time we were so incredibly reliant on a particular outfield player?
I've loved having Ibra to the club: he's a joy to watch on and off the ball, a joy to listen to, and just so brilliantly prolific. And contrary to my earlier instincts, in the last few months I've come around to the idea of him staying on for another season.
But there's still an argument to be made that whilst replacing his goals, presence and leadership would be an incredible challenge for the summer, the problem would be better addressed sooner, rather than a year down the line.
Do we want to risk relying so heavily once again on his seemingly age-defying athleticism and conditioning? Might Martial and/or Rashford benefit from additional responsibility and time in the number nine role? Do we need to focus in on how we can change our play to draw more goals out of the other forwards and supporting midfielders, and if so might hanging on to Ibra work against that? Do we want - or need - to invest in fresh blood; a new out-and-out striker approaching their prime (cough, Lukaku, cough)?
Right now I'm still swaying towards the idea of working to persuade Ibra to re-sign, but would absolutely want to see him used more sparingly next season, if that were to happen. The problem is, that ain't Jose's MO, and I wouldn't expect this leopard to change his spots in this particular respect.
What are people's thoughts? Should he stay or should he go?
The Ibra dilemma
posted on 2/4/17
The other thing I'd add about Martial's movement is that when he does make off the ball runs, it tends to be for the sake of it rather than with any intention or purpose.
I've noticed this several times with him, but there was one instant yesterday where Young had the ball, and Martial made a sort of half-arsed run in behind. Young actually played it earlier and it was a decent enough ball that ran out of a goal kick. Had Martial a) ran with purpose and b) anticipated getting the ball, he'd have got there.
posted on 2/4/17
comment by Robb Chappelle (U21234)
posted 2 hours, 5 minutes ago
Martial is becoming far too one dimensional.
His entire game seems to be..
Make a run on the left, cut in and try to curl the ball into the keepers left hand corner. Very easy to defend against.
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It's very easy to defend against because firstly, it's very predictable, and secondly, when we're dominating possession and camped in the opposition's half, he's not coming from deep and running at backpedalling defenders; he doesn't have the opportunity to use his pace and put opposition players on the back foot off balance.
I wonder what a Ryan Giggs in his early twenties would be valued at nowadays. The beauty of Giggs was that he was an absolute menace coming from deep, cutting inside, then outside, then inside again, but then he could also work at walking pace with next to no room, bamboozling defenders with his quick feet and unreal agility.
How many players are there about nowadays that can do that at Giggs' level?
Ryan
posted on 2/4/17
Ryan was a legend. Bale was the closest thing I ever saw to him in the PL
posted on 2/4/17
If Wales is producing one of these every ten years, we have to find the next one
posted on 2/4/17
comment by rossobianchi #EquipaLulaDaAlegria (U17054)
posted 6 minutes ago
If Wales is producing one of these every ten years, we have to find the next one
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We can dream
posted on 2/4/17
Rooney - cannot remember which season, but there was one particular one- it was near the end of SAF era. Think it was the one where he got all those headers?
posted on 2/4/17
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 2/4/17
comment by #4zA (U19575)
posted 23 minutes ago
comment by Cantona 7 (U11258)
posted 27 seconds ago
Rooney - cannot remember which season, but there was one particular one- it was near the end of SAF era. Think it was the one where he got all those headers?
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was probably using performance enhancing rugs
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Grate stuff
posted on 3/4/17
I think the problem is that the team has to be built to support Zlatan.
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I see this written a lot and disagree completely with it.
I don't think we are set up to play to Zlatan's strengths at all. For starters, we don't have a single player who can cross the ball.In fact, delivery in the final third is consistently poor. We don't play with proper wide men or a consistent no.10.
So in what way are we set up to support Zlatan?
I think it is far more accurate to say that we simply play better with Zlatan because he is a quality CF who links well with midfield and scores goals.
Our other strikers, and attackers in general, have simply not been good enough. To blame that in any way on Zlatan's inclusion in the side is absurd. We would be facked without him imo.
"Zlatan is great in the air, and has a ferocious shot. There is a problem with his movement. He hasn't got any."
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Zlatan's intelligent movement and passing have been arguably his biggest strengths this season imo. More so than his shooting. Also, he hardly scores any goals with his head because we can't cross the ball for chit.
posted on 3/4/17
comment by redmisty (U7556)
posted 3 hours, 29 minutes ago
I think the problem is that the team has to be built to support Zlatan.
_____________
I see this written a lot and disagree completely with it.
I don't think we are set up to play to Zlatan's strengths at all. For starters, we don't have a single player who can cross the ball.In fact, delivery in the final third is consistently poor. We don't play with proper wide men or a consistent no.10.
So in what way are we set up to support Zlatan?
I think it is far more accurate to say that we simply play better with Zlatan because he is a quality CF who links well with midfield and scores goals.
Our other strikers, and attackers in general, have simply not been good enough. To blame that in any way on Zlatan's inclusion in the side is absurd. We would be facked without him imo.
"Zlatan is great in the air, and has a ferocious shot. There is a problem with his movement. He hasn't got any."
________________
Zlatan's intelligent movement and passing have been arguably his biggest strengths this season imo. More so than his shooting. Also, he hardly scores any goals with his head because we can't cross the ball for chit.
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Spot on. Nothing more to add.