LvG drained a lot of attacking confidence from the squad,
Well... this article is well set up for more moaning and crying..
It is what it is... an average season, with an underperforming squad that could be salvaged by a Europa win. sometimes Jose has been to blame, sometime the players have been to blame. We need a few additions in the summer, but not an overhaul.
we aren't far away at all imo
1) I feel there's a few things here. We need goalscorers throughout the squad first of all, although in Pogba, Mkhi, Rashford, Zlatan. Martial you have a lot of players who came into the season scoring loads.
I also think we need a stronger midfield, Herrera is okay, Pogba has been inconsistent, but we need a midfielder who can dominate opposition and make things happen consistently.
In terms of tactics, we need to speed things up, we press poorly, we move the ball slowly, our movement is poor. We have quick players, so nothing stopping us here. If we are to stick to our tactics, we simply need individuals who can score a goal themselves, make things happen like a Hazard or Bale.
2) Unsure what this means really. The stats would suggest the games are being shared amongst the squad very well. We are over reliant on Zlatan though.
3) This season has been poor, no doubting that. If we can win Europa then it will cover a poor league campaign. Until we know the outcome there it's hard to tell. I'll give a proven winner the benefit of the doubt until next season.
4) As above.
5) Think we have a strong squad, contrary to popular belief. A top CB, a top CM and a top goalscorer (Griezmann?). De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone, our second best (Zlatan) could join him too.
Still too many players not up to the United standard of the Fergie era so United are still building back to that level.
If you win the EL whatever happens it's been a good season. Another window where top quality needs to be brought in and the dross moved on coming up.
Par for the course for Mourinho if he achieves a CL place.
1. What do you believe is stopping us from competing in the league for the title? (Using Europa as an excuse is not enough because we would have been in the CL and still had to deal with the extra fixture)
........................
Scoring goals.
.......................
2. Do you think the squad has been utilised well?
..........................
No. And Jose knows this. There has been plenty of times he could have rested Zlatan and Pogba.
..................
3. How well do you think the manager is doing considering his additions to the squad?
.....................
I would mark Jose at 6 out of 10.
.........................
4. If we finish the season out of the top 4, would you consider it a good season? (Cup dependant obviously)
..............................
It will be a good 'ish' season just on winning one trophy alone. But, imo, it could have been so much better.
......................
5. What improvements do you think can be made to the squad? Player additions or proper utilisation?
............................
We need a CM of a similar ilk to Herrera who is constantly buzzing around the pitch and looks to attack at much quicker speed than our other midfielders do.
We need a leader of the John Terry ilk. Jones and Mike are not reliable and one of them need to be sold.
We also need some spark up front. No idea who that is, so won't speculate.
'Spark up front'
--------
Spurs won't sell us Kane unless we offer £100m
Lukaku I am warming to a lot
Griezmann I'm not sure would suit us
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
comment by SouthLondonManc (U12028)
posted 5 minutes ago
'Spark up front'
--------
Spurs won't sell us Kane unless we offer £100m
.....................
Forget about Kane. It sin't going to happen.
De Gea looks to be off
...................
He looks no more likely to be off than he did last year.
Or does twatbook say something different?
Whatever happens from now until the end of the season it will be underwhelming for me. I thought we would be much higher in the league.
Of course Jose has made mistakes, but he has done good things too. I'm happy to see what improvements he can bring next year.
I would like to see a top winger arrive, a more mobile and younger striker. Yes Ibra has done well but he will be 36 next season. Fossu Menseh given games. Move the ball quicker, and be more attack minded.
comment by Better Call Ander - Football taught by Matt Busby (U11781)
posted 22 minutes ago
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
................
That does not equate to 'De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone' though, does it?
Correct, but a player who was a fax away from leaving 2 years ago, at a club may not be in the Cl again.....I think it seems likely.
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Better Call Ander - Football taught by Matt Busby(U11781)
posted 22 minutes ago
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But he hasn't, he said IF they are interested then we would obviously want big money and maybe a few of their players. There's been nothing coming out from the Spanish media about them wanting him. Nothing solid, anyway.
Even Sky Sports yesterday tried making a big deal out of it even though Jose confirmed on air that the guy was out injured. Just slow news day really.
Correct, but a player who was a fax away from leaving 2 years ago, at a club may not be in the Cl again.....I think it seems likely.
..............
I think Real Madrid's transfer policy will very much depend on how their season pans out.
They have a very good goal keeper as it is.
Like others have said the fact that we are hard to beat is a big positive.
In terms of what we are lacking it's simply taking chances. Whether we need to move Zlatan on in order to make the team work better has been questioned already so we maybe need a new CF, or one that can play across a front 3. I'm torn on this and maybe we should keep Zlatan for another season but if that's the case we need a specialist winger for either side to come in.
In terms of the midfield it seems ok but I think we need a deeper lying midfielder, someone to break up play and screen the back 4. This would free up Pogba and to a lesser extent Herrera.
No doubt that Mourinho should get another season but next year will be telling as to where we are heading. We should be at least challenging but our rivals won't be sitting still either.
Would be a shock if they didn't win La Liga now tbh.
Aubameyang, Griezmann and Dybala were favourites in a Marca poll apparently, De Gea in 4th.
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
This hard to beat nonsense when you look at the draws we had all the sides we have drawn against at home LVG beat them at least once at home in the league and a few 2 times are the teams we have been dropping points to.
Chelsea gained 17 points on us in last 25 league games despite us only losing 1 game. Thats like nearly 6 defeats of points they gained on us.
Its funny whole of last season people complained about 0-0 ht etc at home or ft but under Mourinho last 5 home games we scored 4 and conceded 2 lol.
"I honestly feel the manager has done a mediocre job this season"
I'd agree, he's made some improvements but also made quite a few mistakes this season. Jose sides are usually built on solid foundations and big characters who believe in the manager and I think these are 2 areas he's clearly trying to improve. The defence is better IMO although still needs improvements while he seems to be trying to make players come out and prove their worth (whether that's right or wring in public).
Offensively we are frustrating and since the turn of the year seem to have worsened. I'm sure Jose can see this and will try to rectify it in the summer. Martial has had a tough year and I genuinely feel Jose rates him highly but like others wants him to prove himself. With quite a few off field issues he's had to deal with I hope next season he can start a fresh and prove to everyone just how good he can be.
Truth is the club ever since Ferguson left has been a mess, partly due to the managers as well as the people up above. And like Moyes and LVG before I think most managers would have struggled to get their ideas across so quickly and have such a strong impact. With a season nearly under his belt I hope and expect a vast improvement from Jose and the club next season.
If we end up winning the EL but finish outside the top 4 I will still be happy with the season. 2 cups and signs of improvements and hope for more next season.
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 6 minutes ago
This hard to beat nonsense when you look at the draws we had all the sides we have drawn against at home LVG beat them at least once at home in the league and a few 2 times are the teams we have been dropping points to.
Chelsea gained 17 points on us in last 25 league games despite us only losing 1 game. Thats like nearly 6 defeats of points they gained on us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good grief. A draw is not a defeat... I would accept the point if you said that we were drawing too many games that we should have won, but to say that we're not hard to beat because of the amount of draws we have had is pure garbage.
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State of Affairs
Page 1 of 4
posted on 10/4/17
LvG drained a lot of attacking confidence from the squad,
posted on 10/4/17
Well... this article is well set up for more moaning and crying..
It is what it is... an average season, with an underperforming squad that could be salvaged by a Europa win. sometimes Jose has been to blame, sometime the players have been to blame. We need a few additions in the summer, but not an overhaul.
posted on 10/4/17
we aren't far away at all imo
posted on 10/4/17
1) I feel there's a few things here. We need goalscorers throughout the squad first of all, although in Pogba, Mkhi, Rashford, Zlatan. Martial you have a lot of players who came into the season scoring loads.
I also think we need a stronger midfield, Herrera is okay, Pogba has been inconsistent, but we need a midfielder who can dominate opposition and make things happen consistently.
In terms of tactics, we need to speed things up, we press poorly, we move the ball slowly, our movement is poor. We have quick players, so nothing stopping us here. If we are to stick to our tactics, we simply need individuals who can score a goal themselves, make things happen like a Hazard or Bale.
2) Unsure what this means really. The stats would suggest the games are being shared amongst the squad very well. We are over reliant on Zlatan though.
3) This season has been poor, no doubting that. If we can win Europa then it will cover a poor league campaign. Until we know the outcome there it's hard to tell. I'll give a proven winner the benefit of the doubt until next season.
4) As above.
5) Think we have a strong squad, contrary to popular belief. A top CB, a top CM and a top goalscorer (Griezmann?). De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone, our second best (Zlatan) could join him too.
posted on 10/4/17
Still too many players not up to the United standard of the Fergie era so United are still building back to that level.
If you win the EL whatever happens it's been a good season. Another window where top quality needs to be brought in and the dross moved on coming up.
Par for the course for Mourinho if he achieves a CL place.
posted on 10/4/17
1. What do you believe is stopping us from competing in the league for the title? (Using Europa as an excuse is not enough because we would have been in the CL and still had to deal with the extra fixture)
........................
Scoring goals.
.......................
2. Do you think the squad has been utilised well?
..........................
No. And Jose knows this. There has been plenty of times he could have rested Zlatan and Pogba.
..................
3. How well do you think the manager is doing considering his additions to the squad?
.....................
I would mark Jose at 6 out of 10.
.........................
4. If we finish the season out of the top 4, would you consider it a good season? (Cup dependant obviously)
..............................
It will be a good 'ish' season just on winning one trophy alone. But, imo, it could have been so much better.
......................
5. What improvements do you think can be made to the squad? Player additions or proper utilisation?
............................
We need a CM of a similar ilk to Herrera who is constantly buzzing around the pitch and looks to attack at much quicker speed than our other midfielders do.
We need a leader of the John Terry ilk. Jones and Mike are not reliable and one of them need to be sold.
We also need some spark up front. No idea who that is, so won't speculate.
posted on 10/4/17
'Spark up front'
--------
Spurs won't sell us Kane unless we offer £100m
Lukaku I am warming to a lot
Griezmann I'm not sure would suit us
posted on 10/4/17
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
posted on 10/4/17
comment by SouthLondonManc (U12028)
posted 5 minutes ago
'Spark up front'
--------
Spurs won't sell us Kane unless we offer £100m
.....................
Forget about Kane. It sin't going to happen.
posted on 10/4/17
De Gea looks to be off
...................
He looks no more likely to be off than he did last year.
Or does twatbook say something different?
posted on 10/4/17
Whatever happens from now until the end of the season it will be underwhelming for me. I thought we would be much higher in the league.
Of course Jose has made mistakes, but he has done good things too. I'm happy to see what improvements he can bring next year.
I would like to see a top winger arrive, a more mobile and younger striker. Yes Ibra has done well but he will be 36 next season. Fossu Menseh given games. Move the ball quicker, and be more attack minded.
posted on 10/4/17
comment by Better Call Ander - Football taught by Matt Busby (U11781)
posted 22 minutes ago
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
posted on 10/4/17
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
................
That does not equate to 'De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone' though, does it?
posted on 10/4/17
Correct, but a player who was a fax away from leaving 2 years ago, at a club may not be in the Cl again.....I think it seems likely.
posted on 10/4/17
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 13 minutes ago
comment by Better Call Ander - Football taught by Matt Busby(U11781)
posted 22 minutes ago
De Gea looks to be off, so that's our best player gone,
why do people keep peddling this nonsense out? How the hell does it look like Dave is off?
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose has spoken about Madrids interest himself.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
But he hasn't, he said IF they are interested then we would obviously want big money and maybe a few of their players. There's been nothing coming out from the Spanish media about them wanting him. Nothing solid, anyway.
posted on 10/4/17
Great if not Arab.
posted on 10/4/17
Even Sky Sports yesterday tried making a big deal out of it even though Jose confirmed on air that the guy was out injured. Just slow news day really.
posted on 10/4/17
Correct, but a player who was a fax away from leaving 2 years ago, at a club may not be in the Cl again.....I think it seems likely.
..............
I think Real Madrid's transfer policy will very much depend on how their season pans out.
They have a very good goal keeper as it is.
posted on 10/4/17
Like others have said the fact that we are hard to beat is a big positive.
In terms of what we are lacking it's simply taking chances. Whether we need to move Zlatan on in order to make the team work better has been questioned already so we maybe need a new CF, or one that can play across a front 3. I'm torn on this and maybe we should keep Zlatan for another season but if that's the case we need a specialist winger for either side to come in.
In terms of the midfield it seems ok but I think we need a deeper lying midfielder, someone to break up play and screen the back 4. This would free up Pogba and to a lesser extent Herrera.
No doubt that Mourinho should get another season but next year will be telling as to where we are heading. We should be at least challenging but our rivals won't be sitting still either.
posted on 10/4/17
Would be a shock if they didn't win La Liga now tbh.
Aubameyang, Griezmann and Dybala were favourites in a Marca poll apparently, De Gea in 4th.
posted on 10/4/17
Comment deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 10/4/17
This hard to beat nonsense when you look at the draws we had all the sides we have drawn against at home LVG beat them at least once at home in the league and a few 2 times are the teams we have been dropping points to.
Chelsea gained 17 points on us in last 25 league games despite us only losing 1 game. Thats like nearly 6 defeats of points they gained on us.
posted on 10/4/17
Its funny whole of last season people complained about 0-0 ht etc at home or ft but under Mourinho last 5 home games we scored 4 and conceded 2 lol.
posted on 10/4/17
"I honestly feel the manager has done a mediocre job this season"
I'd agree, he's made some improvements but also made quite a few mistakes this season. Jose sides are usually built on solid foundations and big characters who believe in the manager and I think these are 2 areas he's clearly trying to improve. The defence is better IMO although still needs improvements while he seems to be trying to make players come out and prove their worth (whether that's right or wring in public).
Offensively we are frustrating and since the turn of the year seem to have worsened. I'm sure Jose can see this and will try to rectify it in the summer. Martial has had a tough year and I genuinely feel Jose rates him highly but like others wants him to prove himself. With quite a few off field issues he's had to deal with I hope next season he can start a fresh and prove to everyone just how good he can be.
Truth is the club ever since Ferguson left has been a mess, partly due to the managers as well as the people up above. And like Moyes and LVG before I think most managers would have struggled to get their ideas across so quickly and have such a strong impact. With a season nearly under his belt I hope and expect a vast improvement from Jose and the club next season.
If we end up winning the EL but finish outside the top 4 I will still be happy with the season. 2 cups and signs of improvements and hope for more next season.
posted on 10/4/17
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 6 minutes ago
This hard to beat nonsense when you look at the draws we had all the sides we have drawn against at home LVG beat them at least once at home in the league and a few 2 times are the teams we have been dropping points to.
Chelsea gained 17 points on us in last 25 league games despite us only losing 1 game. Thats like nearly 6 defeats of points they gained on us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Good grief. A draw is not a defeat... I would accept the point if you said that we were drawing too many games that we should have won, but to say that we're not hard to beat because of the amount of draws we have had is pure garbage.
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