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2015-16 Performances


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@Devil may care

I think it's the other way round. He's got good acceleration which often allows him to get past players but hasn't quite got the pace (or strength) to keep it up.

Strength is an issue I agree, he sometimes can't protect the ball long enough to get a pass off, but he could negate that to a degree if he had good acceleration that gave him couple of yards breathing room to make his decision.
 
It just feels like we are seeing different players, I don't see speed as a big asset at all with Januzaj, to me his control and passing will be what allows him to hurt teams centrally like Silva, but he's not going to go past players and burn them off like Hazard or Sanchez as more often than not most have the speed to recover if he doesn't release the ball quick enough.

I wouldn't describe it as a big asset either, but nor would I consider it a weakness, and I don't remember ever thinking that it prevented him from escaping the attention of a man he'd beaten with his quick feet and tricks.

He certainly doesn't 'burn defenders off' like Sanchez; his pace isn't anywhere in that league. But I don't think Hazard does that either, because his pace, similarly, is decent rather than special. Hazard ensures he stays past defenders once he's beaten them through a dribbling style which really glues the ball to his feet, and his excellent balance and strength; he doesn't offer anyone else a glimpse of the ball, and certainly not a defender who is already behind him.

Januzaj, for his part, tends to escape cleanly because the way he beats defenders - with very pure trickery and unplayably fast feet - tends to really beat them. He'll put his man on the ground, or send him so decisively the wrong way that by the time he's got himself sorted out Januzaj is long gone. He only normally has to beat his man once.
 
His off the ball running is excellent, one of the few players in this squad who moves around off the ball
 
Hope he keeps his place this weekend. Would be great to see an academy player making it in the first team, and adnan undoubtedly has the talent.
 
Again being linked with Borussia Dortmund in today's BILD.

I think that would be a good move albeit I'm not quite sure what Dortmund gets out of developing one of our players but if they are really interested in loaning him I would take that in a heartbeat unless LvG is really planning with playing him for the majority of games.
 
It's a loan deal according to Bild not a full transfer. I think it would be a good deal for us unless we really can't bring in any attacker anymore which would leave us a bit short in attacking options if we would loan him out.
Oh. I didn't know that. If we do loan him out, BVB would be an excellent option I think. Plus if that helps us getting a better shot at Reus, I am all for it. My only concern is the same as yours. If we don't bring in someone this window it would leave us short in numbers and quality.
 
He'd find it hard to get games for dortmund on the evidence of their opening bundesliga game. Paticularly when you consider the fact that they have no interest on developing him, unlike us.
 
He'd find it hard to get games for dortmund on the evidence of their opening bundesliga game. Paticularly when you consider the fact that they have no interest on developing him, unlike us.

Well that's a reasonable concern. If Reus, Mkhitaryan and Kagawa stay fit and in form it would be hard to break into this team. On the other hand he is the only left footed attacker in that lineup and maybe exactly what Tuchel is looking for. Oh yeah and Tuchel in contrast to Klopp actually likes to rotate his team so I guess he would get game time, the question is just how much.

I would also prefer if he gets to start a lot of games for us and can find his footing here again. He showed some promising stuff int he first couple of games and I think he now just needs the playing time and build up his confidence. I just hope that LvG sees in him a player that if nurtured correctly can help us even in the short run or else I'm afraid he will find himself on the bench again.
 
Well that's a reasonable concern. If Reus, Mkhitaryan and Kagawa stay fit and in form it would be hard to break into this team. On the other hand he is the only left footed attacker in that lineup and maybe exactly what Tuchel is looking for. Oh yeah and Tuchel in contrast to Klopp actually likes to rotate his team so I guess he would get game time, the question is just how much.

I would also prefer if he gets to start a lot of games for us and can find his footing here again. He showed some promising stuff int he first couple of games and I think he now just needs the playing time and build up his confidence. I just hope that LvG sees in him a player that if nurtured correctly can help us even in the short run or else I'm afraid he will find himself on the bench again.

I don't see how he'd get any more games at Dortmund than he would at United? If he's going to get sub appearances at Dortmund he's just as likely to get as many here, if not more as we are in more competitions.
 
It's a loan deal according to Bild not a full transfer. I think it would be a good deal for us unless we really can't bring in any attacker anymore which would leave us a bit short in attacking options if we would loan him out.
I can't see Dortmund agreeing to a loan deal without an option to buy him for good after a year. It doesn't make sense for them at all.
 
If he's good enough for Dortmund then he's good enough to stay here. Keep him and play him as much as possible, it's the only way he can develop consistency in his game. My only gripe is I'd swap him and Mata around but Adnan's future probably lies centrally so maybe it's for the best to let him play there. Less of this Chelsea and City shit of not giving our talented youngsters the chance to prove themselves.
 
I don't see how he'd get any more games at Dortmund than he would at United? If he's going to get sub appearances at Dortmund he's just as likely to get as many here, if not more as we are in more competitions.

I think it depends. If we end up buying Mane and Griezmann before the window closes his game time might be cut short, if we don't sign anyone we can't loan him out as we will 100% need him.

I can't see Dortmund agreeing to a loan deal without an option to buy him for good after a year. It doesn't make sense for them at all.

Yeah like I said I'm not sure what Dortmund has to gain by developing one of our players, they aren't really the kind of team that should go for a loan deal so probably Bild is just talking out of their ass.
 
Think he's started really well but i was just watching highlights from tuesday night and i didn't previously notice he turned his back on the free kick and deflected it. Should have blocked it really.

Hope he starts today.
 
I think that would be a good move albeit I'm not quite sure what Dortmund gets out of developing one of our players but if they are really interested in loaning him I would take that in a heartbeat unless LvG is really planning with playing him for the majority of games.

If they want to give us Reus they can have him on loan, otherwise do one
 
Not convinced by him in the #10 at all. Would prefer him out on the right with either Mata or Pereirra more centrally.
 
Not convinced by him in the #10 at all. Would prefer him out on the right with either Mata or Pereirra more centrally.

His runs beyond the striker are neccessary
 
His runs beyond the striker are neccessary

Agreed. We need someone with pace and dribbling ability in that role to make up for Rooney's lack of it. Probably why we tried Depay there too.
 
Agreed. We need someone with pace and dribbling ability in that role to make up for Rooney's lack of it. Probably why we tried Depay there too.

yup
 
Not convinced by him in the #10 at all. Would prefer him out on the right with either Mata or Pereirra more centrally.
Agreed, he kind of looks like he isn't sure what he's supposed to be doing and doesn't sync well with Rooney at all.
 
His runs in behind are just one attribute and don't make up for the amount if turnovers he's responsible for in that area. Also, runs in behind can and should also be done by wide players. Adnan would be just as capable doing that from wide positions, much like Memphis does.
 
Not convinced by him in the #10 at all. Would prefer him out on the right with either Mata or Pereirra more centrally.

Agreed. His decision making is still far below the standard expected. Far too many dribbles to nowhere and possession donated to the opponent against all other reasonable actions. That said, he won us the game vs Villa too so there are caveats and improvements over last year's dire, dire efforts.

Still think he's better off switching with Mata. If he can't restrict those individuality expression brain fart moments, it's safer for the team wider than central.
 
Agreed. His decision making is still far below the standard expected. Far too many dribbles to nowhere and possession donated to the opponent against all other reasonable actions. That said, he won us the game vs Villa too so there are caveats and improvements over last year's dire, dire efforts.

Still think he's better off switching with Mata. If he can't restrict those individuality expression brain fart moments, it's safer for the team wider than central.

Yeh he's a brilliant and exciting talent. Really enjoy watching him play, just don't think he's suited to the 10. Especially in games where the space is really tight.

I've seen posters really focus on this "run beyond the striker" argument. I agree it's a useful trait but the focus on that particular trait is way too large. Only seems to have started since it was mentioned by a pundit too...

David Silva is probably the best #10 in the league and he's not constantly sprinting past his striker. The position is about much more than that.
 
Yeh he's a brilliant and exciting talent. Really enjoy watching him play, just don't think he's suited to the 10. Especially in games where the space is really tight.

I've seen posters really focus on this "run beyond the striker" argument. I agree it's a useful trait but the focus on that particular trait is way too large. Only seems to have started since it was mentioned by a pundit too...

David Silva is probably the best #10 in the league and he's not constantly sprinting past his striker. The position is about much more than that.

If we had a proper striker making proper runs it wouldn't be such a big point. However since Rooney is not doing what he should be, we need someone in there who will. Mata wont do it either. Or we bite the bullet and play Hernandez up top.

Januzaj makes mistakes, but I like the fact he has a free role, he pops up on the right, left and through the middle. Very difficult for the defenders to pick up.

Issue with his atm is he dwells on the ball for too long, but he does create and he will score when played centrally, needs to be more careful with the ball, but he'll get there
 
If we had a proper striker making proper runs it wouldn't be such a big point. However since Rooney is not doing what he should be, we need someone in there who will.
He's playing as a hold up striker, he's not going to make runs because that isn't his role.
 
He's playing as a hold up striker, he's not going to make runs because that isn't his role.

That's nonsense to be fair. Yes, he's playing with his back to goal but to suggest he can't make runs as well is a bit silly. Especially when we dominate the ball in the areas we do.

It's a balancing act and at the moment he's not even nearly getting it right. I'd question whether he's capable of it at all.
 
He's playing as a hold up striker, he's not going to make runs because that isn't his role.

Thats a nonsense. He needs to make runs, especially with Carrick/Bastian/Mata on the field
 
That's nonsense to be fair. Yes, he's playing with his back to goal but to suggest he can't make runs as well is a bit silly. Especially when we dominate the ball in the areas we do.
I'm no saying he can't make runs, I'm saying he's not going to do that. From the start of the season that has been pretty obvious that it isn't his directive. When he holds up play and the 10 runs through is when players start to look for the ball in behind. The problem is that both Adnan and Memphis kind of struggled to read those situations properly. When Adnan did it resulted in a goal.

Basically we have inverted wingers, there is little to no point in making runs in behind looking for passes over the top unless the line is high. But if the line is high then the wingers are pushed up and creating anyway. It is a catch 22, he's not going to look to endlessly make runs in behind because it is a low percentage pass that nobody is going to try in the first place. It is wasted energy.

Bastian has played one single ball to him in the first two league games. That to me says it is pretty obvious that is not our directive for the striker.
 
I'm no saying he can't make runs, I'm saying he's not going to do that. From the start of the season that has been pretty obvious that it isn't his directive. When he holds up play and the 10 runs through is when players start to look for the ball in behind. The problem is that both Adnan and Memphis kind of struggled to read those situations properly. When Adnan did it resulted in a goal.

Basically we have inverted wingers, there is little to no point in making runs in behind looking for passes over the top unless the line is high. But if the line is high then the wingers are pushed up and creating anyway. It is a catch 22, he's not going to look to endlessly make runs in behind because it is a low percentage pass that nobody is going to try in the first place. It is wasted energy.

Bastian has played one single ball to him in the first two league games. That to me says it is pretty obvious that is not our directive for the striker.

I'm sorry but I really don't agree. I'm not talking about being in the shoulder and balls being played to him over the top, that's not his game. I'm taking about when we're in the final third, dominating the ball, and he's just stood there, waiting for the ball to feet so he can do his usual pass back to the player who passed it to him or spray it out wide.

He should be peeling away and making runs in those situations. Even if you don't get the ball you occupy defenders and make space for others. It's a basic requirement for any striker.
 
I'm sorry but I really don't agree. I'm not talking about being in the shoulder and balls being played to him over the top, that's not his game. I'm taking about when we're in the final third, dominating the ball, and he's just stood there, waiting for the ball to feet so he can do his usual pass back to the player who passed it to him or spray it out wide.

He should be peeling away and making runs in those situations. Even if you don't get the ball you occupy defenders and make space for others. It's a basic requirement for any striker.
Feel free to provide some examples in one of the Rooney threads. I'd like to see what you are talking about, as I was mainly talking about playing on the shoulder, you are correct.
 
His runs in behind are just one attribute and don't make up for the amount if turnovers he's responsible for in that area. Also, runs in behind can and should also be done by wide players. Adnan would be just as capable doing that from wide positions, much like Memphis does.

Not sure where this idea comes from.
 
Not sure where this idea comes from.
Considering how deep Mata has been playing, also how direct Depay has been. It kind of takes the context of how out of position the two players playing at 10 have been and how out of sync they have been with Rooney out of the equation. I still think Adnan needs a just get him in space and get him going at players role to spark him. Not sure if 10 is the right position for that.
 
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