Bulking up for the sake of it is pointless, look at David Silva, he ain't a strong guy but he plays a very clever type of football.
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Then they need some muscle in there, that is the only thing Fellaini is useful for as it sure as hell isn't his creative play, but I want those players playing and not ruining their form by turning them into brick outhouses.
It was probably a shock to Silva when he first arrived. Ander will have to learn to be a bit canny and anticipate when he is going to get clobbered.
And it lacks discipline.
You'd find so many occasions where Herrera and Di Maria struggle to contain there urge to move about and float about, leaving Blind isolated and the defence open to counters.
It may be okay for games against 'weaker' sides like yesterday at Old Trafford. But it's not a long term midfield at all. Especially if we're playing in Europe any time soon.
Of course, I'm sure he trained harder and gained more strength since his arrival. I just meant that he still looks like a player who uses more his brain than his muscles (I know it's an exaggeration). Modric wasn't a physical beast either. Herrera will be fine.
He brings balance, which is crucial. It isn't his job to be the main creative outlet.
I'm sorry, but stuff like this drives me crazy. It's the Rob Ford style of posting. Taking something that has rarely, if ever, been said by anyone, and posting it is a fact. As for the last bolded sentence, I'm assuming that 'carras' is meant to be 'Carrick'. Yet, if that is whom you are referring to, then it's one of the most ridiculous things I've read.
Herrera's only bad performance was a game in which he played with a broken fecking rib. Should be starting as far as I'm concerned.
The that is the problem, not so much Di Maria and Herrera that Blind maybe needs another body beside him. I would play with one up front and pack the midfield until he can sign some decent injury free defenders. If that isn't done in January, then the problem won't go away.
Was he on the bench yesterday?
That's fine, but I don't want it to be him or Herrera. We need his energy and creativity as well as Fellaini's strength. Some like him should be able to partner Blind, but not sure he can.
Modric is significantly smaller, so has a lower center of gravity. Plus Modric legs are massive, you cant just push him away easily. His balance is fantastic too. You dont need a lot of msucles if you have the other things, but Ander has none of them.
Yep, yet again. If we had scored a few goals early he might have got on. That has been the problem. They have not been comfortable enough in games to ease Ander back in.
I'd like to see Hererra playing as the furthest forward of a midfield three against Arsenal. With Rooney up top and Blind/Carrick the other two in central midfield. We would boss the centre of the pitch, all day long.
Never going to happen but a guy can dream...
Never going to happen but a guy can dream...
I want Herrera, Fellaini and Blind. But that would involve doing something with Rooney that isn't going to happen.
What? I would play Rooney up top on his own, all these people who say he can play in midfield are nuts. Would LvG drop RVP probably not, he has a blind spot there.
Yeah I'd have Rooney take RvP's spot but it isn't going to happen. LvG seems pretty determined to play Rooney in midfield and play RvP no matter what.
If Rooney was scoring goals Rvp could get away with his performances as he would be contributing and vice versa. Unfortunately neither have been great and we cannot afford to shoehorn them both into the side.
If United get back into Europe next season the constant worrying about 'this player' or 'that player' getting into the team goes away.
After yesterdays game, you'd have thought Mata had been on the bench all season with the media's questions to LVG.
Mata(7), Rooney(8), Herrera(5) have all played enough games between them, some more than other due injuries and suspensions.
Herrera fractured his ribs not long ago so it is sensible to ease him back into the team.
After yesterdays game, you'd have thought Mata had been on the bench all season with the media's questions to LVG.
Mata(7), Rooney(8), Herrera(5) have all played enough games between them, some more than other due injuries and suspensions.
Herrera fractured his ribs not long ago so it is sensible to ease him back into the team.
Hope he plays instead of Adnan against Arsenal on the right of a diamond, the quality into the forwards whoever it is needs to be much better.
Not being in any form of european competition has made it difficult this season to give players games. The don't care attitude of some ex players against MK Dons also robbed LvG of giving players games in the Capital One Cup. We could do with a good run in the F.A. Cup.
Why would it? What's the alternative?
He's a good player with qualities but I'm yet to be convinced. I think our desperate nature of getting midfielders in means anything was an upgrade on what was here. I'm not convinced he was LVG signing, think this deal was done before he got here. I've seen him get overrun physically in midfield and only response is to foul players. He could have been set off on numerous occasions with multiply continuous fouls in games.
That's not to say he's not got qualities but LVG said it in an interview that he realised that he had to change his approach about the lack of physicality in midfield. I predict that he may not be here next season, in the same way Kagawa struggled. It's this that's open the door for Fellaini, but ideally when need to find a player that has both attributes. Problem is the best modern player that offers both is wearing a city shirt.
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I find it quite funny that Ander has lost all his grittiness, love for a challenge, and general aggression since "physical presence" Fellaini has come into the side. He doesn't need to bulk up, he's just as good defensively as Fellaini. And am I really the only one who doesn't buy the fact that we 'look stronger defensively' without Ander? We look just as much of a bag of nerves at the back, it's just the other teams haven't created as much.
Nothing to do with his physicality imo, they just wanna make sure his rib is 100%. He's a tenacious player who isn't afraid of putting his foot in so he's clearly not bothered about the physical side of the game.
I agree, he is on the bench if desperately needed. As you say by the time the international break is over, that rib should be well and truly mended and he can get stuck in again.
I actually think LvG might be the same way with Rojo, that is another injury that it might reoccur if not left to mend properly.
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I agree. I'm convinced his absence is LvG wanting to let his rib heal properly. I hope that's all it is anyway. He's key to our fluidity and tempo. Fellaini might be a more robust presence that is useful in a few games, but Herrera isn't afraid to get stuck in.
That, and put Di Maria as second striker.
Totally agree. Can't wait to have him back at 100%, he's proving to be one of our best signings.
All the players coming back from injury are going to pose some serious questions ahead of the Arsenal game. But those are good problems to have.
Who is expected back in terms of defenders more importantly for the Arsenal game....can see Sanchez running riot regardless.
Smalling obviously, Rafael and Evans might be back?
what about Jones?
From what I've read about shin splints it could take longer than we like. Depends really how bad it is for him, I guess.
The team is stuck, we have an unbalanced side the problem is the fact that we are still too slow. It makes too easy to defend against and always vulnerable in transition. I think he hasn't played because he is not fully fit. Felliani helps the dm but he offers very little going forward so the player who is meant to feed the attackers has to drop deeper to create and dictate. Our striker ends up being isolated and when it is one who is as immobile as RVP you will have problems.
He just needs to gain a little strength for the physical battle in the middle. But i'm more worried about the work he does defensively to help Blind. Herrera has a very good tactical mind and he's good technically. We need him to play and dictate play in the middle.
He just needs to gain a little strength for the physical battle in the middle. But i'm more worried about the work he does defensively to help Blind. Herrera has a very good tactical mind and he's good technically. We need him to play and dictate play in the middle.
Yeah, I cracked a rib and you don't realize how much when you move you use that part of the body. There is no way you can play at full strength, as you are constantly worrying bout hitting it or trying to avoid touching that side. I couldn't even fully breathe in or out without getting a sharp pain.
It took me a good 4 weeks to stop it hurting, and even then it felt a bit funny for a while after.
I think Ander should be OK for Arsenal though.
Yeah and thats before you factor in nasty feckers deliberately sticking their arms into your ribs to gain an advantage!
Oh hell naw ! 
It is my opinion too. I said it a few days ago, i think if he played against West Brom (still not 100% etc.), he could have played against City or Palace. If he wasnt fit, he wouldnt sit on the bench. It is clear to me that LvG doesnt rate him and he wont play against Arsenal. With a possibility of Strootman coming in, Mata and Ander should look for new clubs, they wont be starters here. It sounds dramatic but that is the way i see it. Otherwise i cant explain why he didnt play at least some minutes in those other games. Dont tell me he wasnt fit, he certainly was fit enough to sit on the bench for 3 games. Falcao and Young arent fit, he is.
The next Kagawa? I certainly bloody hope not. I really, really like him as a player, hopefully his lack of game time is precautionary and in relation to his injury. Want to see more of him after the international break
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