Yoro

The Joao Neves to PSG deal for 60m plus add ons seems very dodgy.

They wanted 120m, confirmed by Romano numerous times, they wouldn't sell for less than his buy out clause but PSG get him for half of that and a diddy on loan.

Palms were greased behind the scenes.

I don’t think that last part is gonna happen whilst our attack is spearheaded by Rashford, Nacho and Højlund.

We have transition forwards. Amad and Zirkzee might make a difference longer term; but for now, I don’t think dominating possession is going to be central to Ten Hag’s plans.

---------------------------------------------

It's less to do with dominating possession than it is to do with being able to demonstrate some control and composure with the ball when needed which will help us sustain attacks in the final third, take some pressure off the defence, conserve some energy and see out games with a bit more ease.

Even when we do dominate possession we never really look like we're in control. This needs to change.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 7 minutes ago
I don’t think that last part is gonna happen whilst our attack is spearheaded by Rashford, Nacho and Højlund.

We have transition forwards. Amad and Zirkzee might make a difference longer term; but for now, I don’t think dominating possession is going to be central to Ten Hag’s plans.

---------------------------------------------

It's less to do with dominating possession than it is to do with being able to demonstrate some control and composure with the ball when needed which will help us sustain attacks in the final third, take some pressure off the defence, conserve some energy and see out games with a bit more ease.

Even when we do dominate possession we never really look like we're in control. This needs to change.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think rather than a more patient control, ETH’s answer to sustaining pressure on the opposition and taking some of the load off the defence is going to be a more concerted counterpress and a look at the effectiveness of the mid “block” (using that last term liberally).

It’d be nice to see a little more measured composure, absolutely. But I expect we’re gonna see more basketball this season.

Composure with our midfield, attack and defence will be funny to watch.

I think rather than a more patient control, ETH’s answer to sustaining pressure on the opposition and taking some of the load off the defence is going to be a more concerted counterpress and a look at the effectiveness of the mid “block” (using that last term liberally).

-------------------------------------------------

I'm thinking about when the press doesn't work, we'll need something to fall back on.

----------------------------------------------

But I expect we’re gonna see more basketball this season.

------------------------------------------------

That's what worries me.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 2 minutes ago
I think rather than a more patient control, ETH’s answer to sustaining pressure on the opposition and taking some of the load off the defence is going to be a more concerted counterpress and a look at the effectiveness of the mid “block” (using that last term liberally).

-------------------------------------------------

I'm thinking about when the press doesn't work, we'll need something to fall back on.

----------------------------------------------

But I expect we’re gonna see more basketball this season.

------------------------------------------------

That's what worries me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------


I think we’re gonna be doing more counterpressing given what we saw in glimpses at the end of last season and in preseason.

But yeah, the same issue is gonna remain when the press fails: a poorly disciplined midfield, a defence sitting too deep leaving massive gaps to play into, and insufficient mobility and nous to deal with the three-on-three situations which emerge.

If we had a pacier CB next to Martinez (it’ll probably be Maguire on opening day, won’t it) and/or a sharper DM pairing than Casemiro and Mainoo, that’d help a lot.

Links to Sander Berge will go down well with our fans I’m sure.

If I ever have to watch Sander Berge and Harry Maguire in the same team I may just stop watching football.

comment by Darren The String Fletcher (U10026)
posted 4 hours, 52 minutes ago
If I ever have to watch Sander Berge and Harry Maguire in the same team I may just stop watching football.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Unless it is for Sheff Utd?

comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago
Links to Sander Berge will go down well with our fans I’m sure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Like a sore at middle of the butt crack