My first complaint would have to be why he chose Daley Blind over Luke Shaw. We all knew that Chelsea would be playing in a 3-5-2, and so our full back had to be very agile as he would be playing against the pacey wingers/wing backs Chelsea were playing with. Playing Blind against lesser opposition is fine, but against a team that can stretch you out like Chelsea, it was a suicidal mission.

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Disagree.

Blind had a nightmare but he played well against Mane the other night. In fact he was superb. Mane has just as much pace if not more.

Blind just had a very poor game like about 9 others. He's been the best thing to come from the LVG era for me. He's a good player. Very consistent for us.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

It failed but it wasn't that strange seeing as 10 of the same players kept Liverpool at bay 6 days earlier. We were too slow and the early goal radically changed the game plan and Jose failed in dealing with it.

Although I don't want to use it as an excuse as we were easily beaten but I'm sure us paying twice since Chelseas last games didn't help.

I actually think with the additions you've made van gaals methods would have been decent this year.

Your best players are your attackers, a lot of whom a fairly slow. It makes no sense to set up for the counter.

Would any utd supporters want Carrick starting? He's exav and what you need I think but maybe his legs are gone?

Although I don't want to use it as an excuse as we were easily beaten but I'm sure us paying twice since Chelseas last games didn't help.

...............

I wouldn't use it as a total excuse myself, but it is very much a factor.

Before yesterday, Chelsea's last game was Saturday the week before. We have played twice since then.

With a lot of the same players.

Fellaini. He's been done to death on this board, so there is literally no point expanding on how much of a liability he is to our team. During the second half he was running around like a headless chicken in the opposition's half, with zero effect.

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Running around like a headless chicken where? In the dressing room? He was subbed at half time.

Andre

He's never really had the legs to begin with, never been part of his game. I think a Carrick still has a part to play in this squad and I'm sure Jose does too as he gave him a contract extension but Carrick historically starts seasons poorly so many that's in the back of his mind?

He ain't the player he was 5-8 years ago but he's still useful in certain games.

Running around like a headless chicken where? In the dressing room? He was subbed at half time.

.............

Coffee over the screen moment.

I dont think Carrick starting the previous seasons slowly is holding back Jose in putting him consistently in the starting 11.Think it's more of the case that Carrick is 35 years old and cant play over a succession of games.

Really,really need to start searching for a replacement.

Really,really need to start searching for a replacement.

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IMO we need to be searching for a Robbo, Keano type player.

I know 1982 won't agree with me here, but yesterday was another example of us clearly lacking leadership on the field of play.

Apple

I'd say Herrera's doing a good job of it so far, he's operating it differently but is still the one screening the defence and recycling the ball.

There are other areas of the field that of more concern for me.

Also regarding Fellaini, while I prefer to not see him start games let's not forget he was a starter in pretty much all of LVGs best games for us and yesterday was operated in the same role he was under LVG in those 3 excellent games in the 2014/15 season.

1. Because shaw has cost us goals this season where as blind has probbaly been one of our top 3 performers.

2. cant argue the fellaini or winger points. they are well made.

3. Pogba has been annonymous when those two have played. Mourinho needs to have a word because he looks like he needs dropping.

VC

Don't get me wrong, I love to see leadership and it can only help. My point is more the way the game is evolving is creating less and less leader type players, Spurs for me are an example of a modern day side, 11 athletes, little to no egos and no real leaders, just working as a unit. Herrera has pleased me with his constant communication but yesterday we did look lost and a Keane/Robson would have helped immensely.

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 2 minutes ago
Really,really need to start searching for a replacement.

...................

IMO we need to be searching for a Robbo, Keano type player.

I know 1982 won't agree with me here, but yesterday was another example of us clearly lacking leadership on the field of play.
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Think it's easier to find a Carrick type midfielder than a Keane/Robbo one, if we're being honest.

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 38 seconds ago
Really,really need to start searching for a replacement.

...................

IMO we need to be searching for a Robbo, Keano type player.

I know 1982 won't agree with me here, but yesterday was another example of us clearly lacking leadership on the field of play.
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Exactly how I feel. We are missing that element of cunntishness that successful teams tend to have (forgive the French but I don't think there's another term that adequately describes this).

Fergie, Keano, Scholes, Vidic, Rio, Young Rooney, Tevez, GNeville were all huge c-bombs. Leicester have there share. Chelsea have them. I thought Mourinho would be able to bring that level of passion but it seems like he isn't getting through to some of the players.

My first complaint would have to be why he chose Daley Blind over Luke Shaw. We all knew that Chelsea would be playing in a 3-5-2, and so our full back had to be very agile as he would be playing against the pacey wingers/wing backs Chelsea were playing with. Playing Blind against lesser opposition is fine, but against a team that can stretch you out like Chelsea, it was a suicidal mission.

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Disagree blind is s far superior player to Shaw, but had a bad game. Shaw probably would not have made any difference.

Nah, Carricks a very unique player, he screens the defence and also creates, I can't think of many who do both. That's why I've said for so long replacing Carrick will be tricky and we will have to adapt our midfield to who we do bring in.

We've got a c.nt in Fellaini but just not a footballer.

Spurs for me are an example of a modern day side, 11 athletes, little to no egos and no real leaders, just working as a unit.

.............

While this is true, when it went pear shaped for them at the end of last season, leadership was what was probably required. A Gary Mabbut type who you knew would run through a brick wall for you.

I do get your point as well by the way.

comment by Genius_AppleCart_Space_Dude_Featuring_Zorak (Doom merchant) (U19099)
posted 1 minute ago
We've got a c.nt in Fellaini but just not a footballer.
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He isn't though. Remember a couple of seasons ago when Jack Wilshere head butted him and he just looked at the Ref with a quizzical look on his face? A proper c.nt like Costa would have dropped as if he'd been shot. When Luiz raked him with his studs yesterday the rest of the team should have been making a deal out of it and surrounding the ref, because guaranteed Chelsea players would have if the shoe were on the other foot. Our players just don't have that in them and other teams do.

Disagree blind is s far superior player to Shaw, but had a bad game. Shaw probably would not have made any difference.

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I think Shaw's pace and ability to carry the ball would have made a difference for a kick-off.

This side needs more pace and guile and Shaw along with Martial and Mkhitaryan really need to be involved more from the start.

Hopefully all three will play more prominent roles soon.

VC

Yeah, not saying Spurs way is the correct way, just how football seems to be going. I do like Potch but have felt his desire to not have big characters could hinder them, sometimes those big character are what take you from an average side to a great side.

Jose seems to like big character and when he gets the right ones they can be perfect, when Jose's Porto played Marseille, he supposedly went up to Drogba after the game and told him one day he will be his and will be one of his worriors (something like that) and he was right. Not sure we have them at our club yet?

IMO we need to be searching for a Robbo, Keano type player.

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In terms of current personnel Fosu-Mensah is closest to Robson and Keane and I wouldn't mind seeing him more involved in midfield.

Enjoyed his cameo against Fenerbahce. Played like his only purpose was to win the ball back. He covers the ground so well and has the ability to drive a team forward.

Bottom line is, I think we need a natural screener sitting in front of the defence. I want to see Herrera used further forward, providing energy higher up the pitch and a link between midfield and attack.

This side needs more pace and guile and Shaw along with Martial and Mkhitaryan really need to be involved more from the start.


__

More pace, but Shaw certainly does not offer more guile.

Too early for the Fosu-Mensah hype to begin,imo.
He's still all potential.