comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 49 seconds ago
Lukaku the missing piece? On Saturday he was just missing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The missing piece was found stuck under his boot unlike the last football he tried to control. Donkey at United and won't be any different at Chelsea. Score plenty against the lower teams but goes missing in the big games as his complete lack of technique gets found out.
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by TheFoxOutsideTheBox (U20459)
posted 33 seconds ago
I'd say Trent is. I think he's class, I imagine most managers would have him in their squad.
I'm a touch more loose with my definition to be honest though. For me, if you're in the top 10/15 in your posituon in the world, you're world class. I think Robertson is. There can be degrees within that class, I'd say both Lukaku and Lewandowski are world class. It doesn't mean I rate them at exactly the same level.
For example, Whether you think Ronaldo is now or not, you can't argue he was at at least one point. If you go to that point, him being world class doesn't mean someone like Hazard wasn't, even though there is a level between the two in terms of overall ability.
I think people are a bit too precious with the term and I'm not really sure what it achieves other than some imaginary binary ranking system that tends to differ between people anyway and that ultimately adds very little of value to the conversation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You see, in my opinion, of all of those you mention, Lewandowski and Ronaldo are the only ones who are/were world class. I think that TAA could get there - he has potential.
I don't think world class players are actually necessary. Look at Azpilicueta, he's getting on a bit now, but he's a top pro and gives everything for the team and a couple of years back was probably the best performing full back in the league - but he's never been world class. It doesn't mean he wouldn't get into my team (and most teams) every day of the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's fine. We just see it differently and I'm not sure that the term really adds anything to the conversation.
If I say I think Trent is world class and you disagree, we can bicker about that till the cows come home but whether some arbitrary definition of that word can be agreed upon or not, we can still see what he can bring his team. That doesn't change. Call it what you like, pretend I agree and that I label him as 'potential to be' if that then let's the conversation move on, it's irrelevant.
I'm not specifically saying about you or anything, just a hypothetical.
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spot on. People saying he's less mobile obviously don't watch him. Just because he plays as a number 9 now doesn't mean he's not mobile. It's the position he plays. He's more mobile than most and certainly Lukaku. He's just intelligent with his movement but put him in a foot race against most and he'll win.
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
Ronaldo is in better shape today than Rooney was at any point in his career
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He's still rapid as well. Still capable of the tricks and step overs as well as bursting past players. At 36 he ran 90 yards from defending a corner to scoring in 14 seconds.
Hes ridiculous.
comment by Dwight K Schrute (U22590)
posted 1 second ago
Ronaldo is in better shape today than Rooney was at any point in his career
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. If we had signed Rooney I would understand the comments but this is Ronaldo, its apples and oranges.
comment by Brexit Superfan #Rees-MoggForPM #ControlAreBorders (U19731)
posted 2 minutes ago
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't be bothered to type out but there are clear tactical decisions and plays from this team. If you can't see them, there are other ways of reading or watching about them. Even some YouTube channels do pretty good tactical breakdowns if MoTD didn't do a good enough job for you.
comment by Brexit Superfan #Rees-MoggForPM #ControlAreBorders (U19731)
posted 46 seconds ago
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pep has a style of play and the players to play it. They will miss that focal point but only in a few games where the opposition defence is good enough to defend the spaces and half spaces well.
Klopp has also got a very effective style of play and Mane and Salah are the right type of player for the system - or at least they were. However, for me they have very little depth.
For me, Tuchel's strength is his pragmatism. He doesn't mind having 70% possession or 30% possession and Chelsea have the players to play effectively with or without the ball.
United have some very good players and have signed well this window. Varane is your best signing imo. But what style or system of football do you play? It sometimes feels as if United are ad-hoc under Solskjaer.
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
in arguably our most 'one man' Ronaldo season, Rooney and Tevez both hit double figures in goals and assists with Nani also chipping in just under double figures in both
16 different league scorers and 18 different league assisters
if Ronaldo gets 25+ and we get similar output to what Rooney and Tevez got that season from Greenwood/rashford/sancho with 12 other goal scorers we'll do just fine
comment by Dwight K Schrute (U22590)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
in arguably our most 'one man' Ronaldo season, Rooney and Tevez both hit double figures in goals and assists with Nani also chipping in just under double figures in both
16 different league scorers and 18 different league assisters
if Ronaldo gets 25+ and we get similar output to what Rooney and Tevez got that season from Greenwood/rashford/sancho with 12 other goal scorers we'll do just fine
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Too right, and for those saying we have a good squad but are weaker because of our manager, I'm pretty sure that Ole has a better record against Pep and Klopp (tuchel is an onknown with regards to this really at this point) than they have against him? Uniteds problem last season was not against the top 5 or 6 sides, it was drawing or losing to lower placed teams that parked the bus and we couldn't break them down. Anyone who thinks Ronaldo and Sancho won't make a difference in this respect is deluded. I'm not saying we will win the league but we have the ability to be in the mix come the end of the season.
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
Lots of people coming on saying Liverpool but I feel they have no depth in their squad. I'm surprised at their lack of transfer activity this year. They've lost Wijnaldum and Shaqiri who was useful. Konate is a good signing but is it enough?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This.
Plus players like Mane and Firminio have declined massively since then. Their fullbacks also seem to have loss that spark. Wijnaldum is a big loss for them imo.
I find it ridiculous Pool owners didn't give Klopp another £70-80m to properly improve their squad. Now they have zero depth and most of their key players are in late 20s / early 30s.
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not too sure the sitting role is McT's best position, he is in his element being mobile, running with the ball, arriving late into the box or smashing it in from outside the box. But like you say he's young and learning, he's an OK CB too so maybe could do the CDM role justice, who knows.
Problem is Ole. Ole is hell bent on two holding CMs. But maybe now we have Varane Ole will have more confidence to play one sitting, let's hope so!
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 1 second ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not too sure the sitting role is McT's best position, he is in his element being mobile, running with the ball, arriving late into the box or smashing it in from outside the box. But like you say he's young and learning, he's an OK CB too so maybe could do the CDM role justice, who knows.
Problem is Ole. Ole is hell bent on two holding CMs. But maybe now we have Varane Ole will have more confidence to play one sitting, let's hope so!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That one sitting role should never, I repeat ever, be given to Fred. An absolute liability. I'd be tempted to experiment with Lindelof, as much as I despise him, he can play a bit but just not in defence. Could do a job in CDM.
Between Chelsea and ourselves for the title I think. City and United 3rd/4th.
Chelsea are the team to beat. They have a good squad and their team operates like a well oiled machine. It’ll be very difficult to stop them.
We have the best squad on paper imo, hamstrung by the manager and poor coaching staff. We’ll have too many performances like the one against wolves to have proper title challenge. We’ll probably finish third or fourth.
My top four is Chelsea, Man city, Man utd and Liverpool in that order. Expect Spurs to challenge for fourth spot.
City are still favourites for me. They may not have made huge moves in the summer, but they’re so much further into their development as a team than Utd or Chelsea.
I know we didn't sign a striker and it will hurt us badly in the Top 6 mini league and the Champions league but I will be shocked if we come 4th.
Only once did Pep come 4th and thats when he was trying to teach the team to play his way. We dont really need a striker to beat the pther 4 teams.
But I get it, its nice to talk of teams like chelsea and united forgetting that to win a 38 game league you need a known and understood style of play.
If you put my head on the chopping block we could be runners up but Im not sure to who because united and chelsea dont convince me against bus parking teams and liverpool are a bit of an unknown at the moment. They will either be first or 4th.
Salah and their home form will be key.
I agree that City have to be slight favourites because they are champions and they have their squad in place. They had an underwhelming window and probably need a striker but there is no point buying a player for the sake of it - he must fit into the system. Remember Pep bought Ibra for Barca and discovered that no matter how good you are, mobility is key to his system.
I think Chelsea will be stronger. Good, deep squad. Proper centre forward - we only need hi to score 15-20 goals, as long a he holds the ball up and helps build play around him - he's a battering ram forward not a cultured striker. I also think Havertz, Mount, James et al will improve tis year, with age and experience.
I also think United have signed well. I like Varane and Sancho will give them something else. I don't think they are or will ever be world class but they are very very good players. Ronaldo will give them a lift too.
It's Liverpool who I doubt. Let's be quite frank - their success came off the back of a system which the excellent Klopp implemented. But it is a very physical system and Liverpool looked jaded after their efforts over two fabulous seasons. I have my doubts as to how good Salah actually is - I know it sounds stupid - but he's just fast and scores lots of penalties. Mane was the star for me but he looks shot at the moment. They didn't sign anybody of note either and are a top midfielder or two short in my opinion. Maybe they will prove me wrong but I don't think they will win this year. I do think Klopp is a great coach though.
So - too close to call but City slight favourites for me.
I have my doubts as to how good Salah actually is - I know it sounds stupid - but he's just fast and scores lots of penalties.
__________________________
Yeah that does sound pretty stupid
We'll be up there again this season I expect. Injuries facked us over big time last season, we won't (or shouldn't) lose our entire central defence again.
Sign in if you want to comment
Top 4 looking closer than ever....
Page 3 of 4
posted on 31/8/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 49 seconds ago
Lukaku the missing piece? On Saturday he was just missing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The missing piece was found stuck under his boot unlike the last football he tried to control. Donkey at United and won't be any different at Chelsea. Score plenty against the lower teams but goes missing in the big games as his complete lack of technique gets found out.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by TheFoxOutsideTheBox (U20459)
posted 33 seconds ago
I'd say Trent is. I think he's class, I imagine most managers would have him in their squad.
I'm a touch more loose with my definition to be honest though. For me, if you're in the top 10/15 in your posituon in the world, you're world class. I think Robertson is. There can be degrees within that class, I'd say both Lukaku and Lewandowski are world class. It doesn't mean I rate them at exactly the same level.
For example, Whether you think Ronaldo is now or not, you can't argue he was at at least one point. If you go to that point, him being world class doesn't mean someone like Hazard wasn't, even though there is a level between the two in terms of overall ability.
I think people are a bit too precious with the term and I'm not really sure what it achieves other than some imaginary binary ranking system that tends to differ between people anyway and that ultimately adds very little of value to the conversation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You see, in my opinion, of all of those you mention, Lewandowski and Ronaldo are the only ones who are/were world class. I think that TAA could get there - he has potential.
I don't think world class players are actually necessary. Look at Azpilicueta, he's getting on a bit now, but he's a top pro and gives everything for the team and a couple of years back was probably the best performing full back in the league - but he's never been world class. It doesn't mean he wouldn't get into my team (and most teams) every day of the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That's fine. We just see it differently and I'm not sure that the term really adds anything to the conversation.
If I say I think Trent is world class and you disagree, we can bicker about that till the cows come home but whether some arbitrary definition of that word can be agreed upon or not, we can still see what he can bring his team. That doesn't change. Call it what you like, pretend I agree and that I label him as 'potential to be' if that then let's the conversation move on, it's irrelevant.
I'm not specifically saying about you or anything, just a hypothetical.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Spot on. People saying he's less mobile obviously don't watch him. Just because he plays as a number 9 now doesn't mean he's not mobile. It's the position he plays. He's more mobile than most and certainly Lukaku. He's just intelligent with his movement but put him in a foot race against most and he'll win.
posted on 31/8/21
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
posted on 31/8/21
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
posted on 31/8/21
Ronaldo is in better shape today than Rooney was at any point in his career
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Elvis: King of Cult (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 4 minutes ago
In which case Ronaldo has to be world class (and he is) given that he outscored Lukaku in the same league last season in a team that finished 4th. I think people are seriously underestimating Ronaldo and his impact on the entire squad. Wasn't it only a few months ago he ran 60 metres in not far off a world record time? He may be 36 but compared to "normal" players he might as well be 30.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I was having this conversation with my colleague today. He's probably in better physical shape than 95% of top flight footballers around the 30 mark. Maybe more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He's still rapid as well. Still capable of the tricks and step overs as well as bursting past players. At 36 he ran 90 yards from defending a corner to scoring in 14 seconds.
Hes ridiculous.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Dwight K Schrute (U22590)
posted 1 second ago
Ronaldo is in better shape today than Rooney was at any point in his career
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Agreed. If we had signed Rooney I would understand the comments but this is Ronaldo, its apples and oranges.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Brexit Superfan #Rees-MoggForPM #ControlAreBorders (U19731)
posted 2 minutes ago
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I can't be bothered to type out but there are clear tactical decisions and plays from this team. If you can't see them, there are other ways of reading or watching about them. Even some YouTube channels do pretty good tactical breakdowns if MoTD didn't do a good enough job for you.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Brexit Superfan #Rees-MoggForPM #ControlAreBorders (U19731)
posted 46 seconds ago
Utd have signed good players on paper but I dont see a patern of play there. At City I can see the false 9 dropping deep to create space for a midfield runner through the middle or a clear buildup when the fullback moves inside to create a numerical advantage in midfield. At Utd there is none of that.
Chelsea, City and Liverpool have better coaches who will make the difference.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Pep has a style of play and the players to play it. They will miss that focal point but only in a few games where the opposition defence is good enough to defend the spaces and half spaces well.
Klopp has also got a very effective style of play and Mane and Salah are the right type of player for the system - or at least they were. However, for me they have very little depth.
For me, Tuchel's strength is his pragmatism. He doesn't mind having 70% possession or 30% possession and Chelsea have the players to play effectively with or without the ball.
United have some very good players and have signed well this window. Varane is your best signing imo. But what style or system of football do you play? It sometimes feels as if United are ad-hoc under Solskjaer.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
in arguably our most 'one man' Ronaldo season, Rooney and Tevez both hit double figures in goals and assists with Nani also chipping in just under double figures in both
16 different league scorers and 18 different league assisters
if Ronaldo gets 25+ and we get similar output to what Rooney and Tevez got that season from Greenwood/rashford/sancho with 12 other goal scorers we'll do just fine
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Dwight K Schrute (U22590)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Posh Mufc Great Hafi Not Arrogant Just Better (U6578)
posted 59 seconds ago
I remember when most rival fans and pundits used to say Man Utd were a one man team in 2006-2009 period. Lets hope they start saying it again in 2021-2024 at least if he stays 3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Actually, if you became a one-man team, it would be detrimental as you have some very good players. It's important that Ronaldo doesn't stifle players like Pogba and Fernandes. Ole's job will be to balance the team - the most difficult thing to do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
in arguably our most 'one man' Ronaldo season, Rooney and Tevez both hit double figures in goals and assists with Nani also chipping in just under double figures in both
16 different league scorers and 18 different league assisters
if Ronaldo gets 25+ and we get similar output to what Rooney and Tevez got that season from Greenwood/rashford/sancho with 12 other goal scorers we'll do just fine
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Too right, and for those saying we have a good squad but are weaker because of our manager, I'm pretty sure that Ole has a better record against Pep and Klopp (tuchel is an onknown with regards to this really at this point) than they have against him? Uniteds problem last season was not against the top 5 or 6 sides, it was drawing or losing to lower placed teams that parked the bus and we couldn't break them down. Anyone who thinks Ronaldo and Sancho won't make a difference in this respect is deluded. I'm not saying we will win the league but we have the ability to be in the mix come the end of the season.
posted on 31/8/21
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
posted on 31/8/21
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
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Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
posted on 1/9/21
comment by Eric_Draven (U20260)
posted 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
Lots of people coming on saying Liverpool but I feel they have no depth in their squad. I'm surprised at their lack of transfer activity this year. They've lost Wijnaldum and Shaqiri who was useful. Konate is a good signing but is it enough?
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This.
Plus players like Mane and Firminio have declined massively since then. Their fullbacks also seem to have loss that spark. Wijnaldum is a big loss for them imo.
I find it ridiculous Pool owners didn't give Klopp another £70-80m to properly improve their squad. Now they have zero depth and most of their key players are in late 20s / early 30s.
posted on 1/9/21
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
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I'm not too sure the sitting role is McT's best position, he is in his element being mobile, running with the ball, arriving late into the box or smashing it in from outside the box. But like you say he's young and learning, he's an OK CB too so maybe could do the CDM role justice, who knows.
Problem is Ole. Ole is hell bent on two holding CMs. But maybe now we have Varane Ole will have more confidence to play one sitting, let's hope so!
posted on 1/9/21
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 1 second ago
comment by SJS81 (U3898)
posted 56 minutes ago
comment by Plump CR7 (U22314)
posted 7 minutes ago
Ole has now spent 441m ! Fully backed in the market yet can't believe we are so thin on quality in CM. I think next summer our prime focus will be CF, CM (should be) and RB.
Let's see what we can do this season, sufficient personnel at the club to do very well. Performances can and should be better as the season wears on.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's see McTominay can do in that role. He's still young and learning his craft. He's had some great performances from us and is only going to get better. He's usually been given a bit more freedom but if given a more defensive role he might excel. Look at Fletcher in 08/09. Previously he was given a lot of stick but that season he was excellent and I still believe we would have been much closer to Barca in the champions league final had he not been unfairly suspended.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I'm not too sure the sitting role is McT's best position, he is in his element being mobile, running with the ball, arriving late into the box or smashing it in from outside the box. But like you say he's young and learning, he's an OK CB too so maybe could do the CDM role justice, who knows.
Problem is Ole. Ole is hell bent on two holding CMs. But maybe now we have Varane Ole will have more confidence to play one sitting, let's hope so!
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That one sitting role should never, I repeat ever, be given to Fred. An absolute liability. I'd be tempted to experiment with Lindelof, as much as I despise him, he can play a bit but just not in defence. Could do a job in CDM.
posted on 1/9/21
Between Chelsea and ourselves for the title I think. City and United 3rd/4th.
posted on 1/9/21
Chelsea are the team to beat. They have a good squad and their team operates like a well oiled machine. It’ll be very difficult to stop them.
We have the best squad on paper imo, hamstrung by the manager and poor coaching staff. We’ll have too many performances like the one against wolves to have proper title challenge. We’ll probably finish third or fourth.
My top four is Chelsea, Man city, Man utd and Liverpool in that order. Expect Spurs to challenge for fourth spot.
posted on 1/9/21
City are still favourites for me. They may not have made huge moves in the summer, but they’re so much further into their development as a team than Utd or Chelsea.
posted on 1/9/21
I know we didn't sign a striker and it will hurt us badly in the Top 6 mini league and the Champions league but I will be shocked if we come 4th.
Only once did Pep come 4th and thats when he was trying to teach the team to play his way. We dont really need a striker to beat the pther 4 teams.
But I get it, its nice to talk of teams like chelsea and united forgetting that to win a 38 game league you need a known and understood style of play.
If you put my head on the chopping block we could be runners up but Im not sure to who because united and chelsea dont convince me against bus parking teams and liverpool are a bit of an unknown at the moment. They will either be first or 4th.
Salah and their home form will be key.
posted on 1/9/21
I agree that City have to be slight favourites because they are champions and they have their squad in place. They had an underwhelming window and probably need a striker but there is no point buying a player for the sake of it - he must fit into the system. Remember Pep bought Ibra for Barca and discovered that no matter how good you are, mobility is key to his system.
I think Chelsea will be stronger. Good, deep squad. Proper centre forward - we only need hi to score 15-20 goals, as long a he holds the ball up and helps build play around him - he's a battering ram forward not a cultured striker. I also think Havertz, Mount, James et al will improve tis year, with age and experience.
I also think United have signed well. I like Varane and Sancho will give them something else. I don't think they are or will ever be world class but they are very very good players. Ronaldo will give them a lift too.
It's Liverpool who I doubt. Let's be quite frank - their success came off the back of a system which the excellent Klopp implemented. But it is a very physical system and Liverpool looked jaded after their efforts over two fabulous seasons. I have my doubts as to how good Salah actually is - I know it sounds stupid - but he's just fast and scores lots of penalties. Mane was the star for me but he looks shot at the moment. They didn't sign anybody of note either and are a top midfielder or two short in my opinion. Maybe they will prove me wrong but I don't think they will win this year. I do think Klopp is a great coach though.
So - too close to call but City slight favourites for me.
posted on 1/9/21
I have my doubts as to how good Salah actually is - I know it sounds stupid - but he's just fast and scores lots of penalties.
__________________________
Yeah that does sound pretty stupid
We'll be up there again this season I expect. Injuries facked us over big time last season, we won't (or shouldn't) lose our entire central defence again.
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