That's a good point. I still think he'd make a bigger impact on the game playing as the central striker though.
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That's a good point. I still think he'd make a bigger impact on the game playing as the central striker though.
Plus I think Martial won our POTM the month before, so there may have been a wee bit of fixing from our side. The votes were 44% Mata and 42% Martial.Ah I see....Was sitting here trying to remember what Martial done in the CL
We looked better upfront with him being deployed as a winger. He has the pace and the skill, and it's not a role that is foreign to him at all.
LVG probably put Rooney in front to handle the finishing, letting the young Martial do all the work. It's kind of funny when you realise that Martial is being over utilised, in order to support a man who performed a similar task for the team for almost a decade, which will inevitably have an effect on his end product, but make the team better,overall.
Hopefully, this doesn't become a permanent role, as it could lead to exhaustion and a decline in performances in his late 20s, and ultimately, and if history is anything to go by, his goal scoring is going to be heavily criticised in the "Is Martial a legend and where does he rank, if yes?" thread in 2025.
LVG probably put Rooney in front to handle the finishing, letting the young Martial do all the work. It's kind of funny when you realise that Martial is being over utilised, in order to support a man who performed a similar task for the team for almost a decade, which will inevitably have an effect on his end product, but make the team better,overall.
Hopefully, this doesn't become a permanent role, as it could lead to exhaustion and a decline in performances in his late 20s, and ultimately, and if history is anything to go by, his goal scoring is going to be heavily criticised in the "Is Martial a legend and where does he rank, if yes?" thread in 2025.
Usually you'd say people are going overboard when they say a 19 year old is a nailed on future superstar, but this guy is too good. He does everything with ease that a lot if top footballers don't start doing until well into their twenties. He's actually a sensation.
Silky.
Which is strange as I remember reading that he may be a bit lazy when we signed him. This doesn't appear to be the case at all so far
Done a brilliant job tracking back! Completely shut down Everton's right side and gave Coleman nightmares.
Should play on the left against City too. I fancy him up against Zaba.
Should play on the left against City too. I fancy him up against Zaba.
Its not Martial as wing that people are worried with, its rather Rooney as a 9, especially based on what he has shown this season. Martial offers us more as 9 compared to our captain, he also offers a lot as a winger..so yes.
Sagna seems to be first choice this season.
I don't want to involve myself in the whole argument of where to play Martial, but for me it was pretty clear that starting him on the left was circumstantial. Van Gaal clearly wanted another body in midfield so he started with Herrera behind Rooney. Martial on the left was the obvious choice as Rooney can't play there, Young is injured and Memphis is currently shit.
Playing Martial on the left isn't exactly playing him out of position as he played there for Monaco quite a lot and was very good, but I think he already confirmed that his prefered position is the centre forward. Playing the odd game on the wing in certain games against certain opponents is perfectly fine, if there aren't better options - as was the case yesterday.
Playing Martial on the left isn't exactly playing him out of position as he played there for Monaco quite a lot and was very good, but I think he already confirmed that his prefered position is the centre forward. Playing the odd game on the wing in certain games against certain opponents is perfectly fine, if there aren't better options - as was the case yesterday.
And Rooney as a striker offers us a lot more than Rooney as a #10, while Martial also offers more than Memphis. If Memphis performs well we have to bench Rooney and put Martial upfront.
perhaps they would be wiser to not moan after a 0-3 victory where rooney scores one, is unlucky not to score from a martial long ball down the flank and is unlucky not to have an assist for Martial to his name
I'm not sure about him offering more as striker..but , if its between him and Memphis, then Rooney edges it..and lets just hope his striking improves.
They are possibly not basing their entire opinion on one game..I think. But Rooney's past perfomance as striker in LVG's system.
Rooney offers more as striker than Rooney as a #10. You don't really think that he is a superior #10, right?
Would be great to see Martial up front with Herrera behind. I think he would get a lot of chances created for him
No, no at all. My argument is that he offers less as a striker than Martial. The way Martial played as striker suited us perfectly, and as not every stiker can thrive in this system, not necessarily because they are poor players as Falcao and RVP showed last season. But I understand that we dont have much a choice, so hopefully he steps up. Martial's hold up play was particularly impressive and I felt that is something we solely missed . But if its Memphis v Rooney, Id choose Rooney.
Hasn't Zaba played the last couple of games? Don't know who started yday though.
Saga started.
At left back.
Saga
Fecking iPad.Can Martial play the number 10 role @kouroux ?
Would destroy both Zabaleta and Sagna who both aren't the quickest.
Out of interest is Martial getting similar gushing praise from the media/oppo fans as he receives on here? I've somehow avoided football analysis all season so far.
Against City I'd hope Martial would play up front, drifting wide as he does, and have Rooney on the left. That way Martial can go on either side or through the middle and cause damage like that.
People really think Rooney would play on the left? Not a chance. He will either play as a striker or behind under van Gaal.
He played on the left 2nd half of the Arsenal game and looked the best he looked all season - the brugge game. Still not great though.
Was called poor man's Origi on RAWK.
I have never seen him play there so I don't know for certain (I don't think so anyway).
I know he has in France but that's mostly the good appearances he's had for the national team.
When you think of all the possible combinations with Martial/Rooney/Herrera/Memphis in those 3 positions (striker, left winger and 10), I think what LVG did yesterday was the best.
Every time I see him, it appears as if he is angry or couldn't be bothered...just looking at his face. He goes about the pitch with a stone face, not much emotion, but then puts it into gear and plays incredibly.
Hope he continues to develop and become a world beater for us.
Hope he continues to develop and become a world beater for us.
In the last 20 minutes, he madean absolute fool out of Coleman, could have gotten 2-3 assists as well, such an incredible player, especially at getting past players, and its his decision making that sets him apart from Depay, even though hes 2 years younger, does the right moves, dribbles tricks all at usually right times
Well that's the thing. You live for the past, you forget the present
Two quick wingers either side will suit Rooney. Sure he's had bad games but the teams reshaping itself and people should grow up. After all as main striker, Martial would be expected to get goals too but he's not scored in a few. So in that respect, he not only looked creative and tested the full back but he got into goal scoring areas of the pitch.He's not scored in a few, but you can see why one would want him as main striker, he is still very good without the goals. And creates opportunity for the rest of his teammates. I guess will see, Rooney cant possibly get any worse. Anyhow, lets stick to Martial.Well that's the thing. You live for the past, you forget the present
Great player in the making. His dribbling is fantastic and I like how he can play as a winger.
The things that are holding him back is his decision making and his shot, but that will get better with age.
The things that are holding him back is his decision making and his shot, but that will get better with age.
That's not the Memphis thread, mate. His decision making has been one of his main strenghts so far - he knows when to dribble, when to shoot and when to pass the ball. He's so confident in his abilities and he's showing some unbelievable maturity in his play. Can't believe he's 19 years old.
Yeah but when he makes his mind to dribble, most times he will keep dribbling until he loses the ball. Then sometimes he will lazy and sloppy passes at times. As I said, all these things will get better as he gets older.
His decision making has been great so far. It's not like Memphis where when he starts dribbling he runs into dead ends. He has most of the time passed it at the right moment, dribbled at the right time, and generally just picked the right option most of the time. No player is perfect with his decision making, so you can't fault him for losing the ball occasionally when dribbling, it happens to Messi, it'll happen to Martial. It could just be a great run of form, but his decision making (and overall game) has been at the level of a top class player in his prime really. Not a youngster.
He hasn't really properly shot all too often so we've yet to see how good of a shot he has really. Looking at his overall game, there's nothing really that sticks out as holding him back. He's been playing brilliantly and his overall game is very complete and at a very high level already. Which is ridiculous to say as he's just 19 years old, but he really doesn't have any weaknesses in his game. Probably his passing is the one thing, which is a bit inconsistent at times. Was hardly a problem though and has shown quality passes as well (like the ball up to Rooney for his chance).
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