United (A) - Sat 14th Jan, 12:30 | Pre-Match Thread

[tolmie's hairdoo]

I must admit I'm getting pissed off with the way we play out from the back these days, side to side, side to side, back to the keeper. Then we start again side to side back to the keeper. Its doing me fucking head in. Other teams bring the ball out and move it forward, then get on with play it about, I'd rather go route one than that side to side shit

One of the most pertinent factors is that teams don't press Eddie anymore, they know it isn't worthwhile and the striker instead should stand right on Rodri.

We have lost the overloads coming out from the back, which is why the ball is now much slower coming forward, been like that for about a year.

Whereas previously Eddie's skillset was essential to us creating a spare man, it stands to reason we have now lost that advantage?

Possibly another reason why the inverted full-backs are asked to make up the extra man in midfield, but that is still too far advanced upfield for the first stages of build-up play.

Walker isn't reliable enough in possession.

Rico is certainly more accomplished on that front.

On the opposite side, we might start to realise just how good Zinchenko was helping to get us out on the left?

Cancelo, for whatever reason, has dropped off big time for a while and his flaky defensive ability doesn't make up for what he can give inside the middle.

 

[Blue Feather]

As it stands I'd go: Ed; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Ake; KDB, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden

 

[Claytop]

Worrying that for large parts our passing around at the back is similar to watching England do it, aimless & slow. Can we at least start passing it just infront of the player with a bit of pace on it so the receiving player isn't always having to check back.

 

[FantasyIreland]

As it stands I'd go: Ed; Walker, Stones, Laporte, Ake; KDB, Rodri, Bernardo; Mahrez, Haaland, Foden

I think thats the team,although second guessing Pep is impossible.

Maybe the only decisions needed are the inclusion of Alvarez,and the fitness of Stones.

 

[B\connellblue]

Yes, those 2,possible 3 less games may become a blessing in disguise.

Ah yes the old chestnut of being a blessing in Disguise that has worked so well for us in the past Culminating in the monster performance against Chelsea in the champions league final. Losing is never a blessing in disguise, losing in the manner we did is something else entirely.

 

[waspish]

I'll be honest, I'm expecting us to get beat.

Just too inconsistent this season. Far too many occasions where we look lazy. Far too many top players off their game. Far too many instances where the manager has shit the bed.

I don't see us winning any thing if I'm honest. As long as we get top 4 and finish above the rags and Scouse vermin, that's about as much as we can expect.

Where would a team who is inconsistent be in the league after 17 games?

Consistency not the problem in the league it’s performances!

 

[Blu1]

Rico will start in this. We need his energy.

I can see pep going top heavy to take an early lead & keep them pegged in, however very risky & their first counter could lead to a goal

We need a bit of luck on Saturday as confidence is down

 

[FantasyIreland]

One of the most pertinent factors is that teams don't press Eddie anymore, they know it isn't worthwhile and the striker instead should stand right on Rodri.

We have lost the overloads coming out from the back, which is why the ball is now much slower coming forward, been like that for about a year.

Whereas previously Eddie's skillset was essential to us creating a spare man, it stands to reason we have now lost that advantage?

Possibly another reason why the inverted full-backs are asked to make up the extra man in midfield, but that is still too far advanced upfield for the first stages of build-up play.

Walker isn't reliable enough in possession.

Rico is certainly more accomplished on that front.

On the opposite side, we might start to realise just how good Zinchenko was helping to get us out on the left?

Cancelo, for whatever reason, has dropped off big time for a while and his flaky defensive ability doesn't make up for what he can give inside the middle.

Zinchenko is a huge gap/loss but in fairness,it wasnt unreasonable to think after all this time....we were finally going to sign a proper top class left back as a replacement,and not some extremely raw left winger who had been coverted to a wing back in a farmers league.

 

[tolmie's hairdoo]

Zinchenko is a huge gap/loss but in fairness,it wasnt unreasonable to think after all this time....we were finally going to sign a proper top class left back as a replacement,and not some extremely raw left winger who had been coverted to a wing back in a farmers league.

I always felt Zinchenko was good enough.

Very few world class talents at left back around.

For what we need, I'm not sure we can do much better in the present market?

 

[AliBobbyJ]

I can't believe (well, OK I can) the negativity on here. It's true City were bad on Wednesday night and equally true they've only played really well in a few games or parts of games all season. But come on, this is the derby, win and we're two points behind Arsenal. We've got the world's best midfielder and world's best striker in a team guided by the world's best manager and the best goal difference in the league.
Arrogant rag red bastards 0 Manchester City in beautiful sky blue 4.