[ThanhlongTDK]

He's not a CF. Sure he can play there but his lack of movement will be a big problem. He has difficulty finding himself in a good postion to receive the ball when playing upfront

He's no a LM either. Playing there cause him to be doubled marked.

I think he plays best as a wide forward, rêciving the ball in the left half-space to find himself a 1on1 situation and cutting ínide.

 

[Womp]

I wanted Griezmann here to play behind Martial. The goal tonight pretty much was the reason why, he's a Henry-esque talent as a striker and we should look to get him involved more centrally as opposed to being confined to the left wing.

Henry wasn't a proper striker though? He occupied similar positions to what Martial does.

 

[Lennon7]

This.

He needs to shed some muscle, such a slug

Do agree with this, he’s one of the bulkiest forwards we’ve had in a while. He’s still fast, but if he just sheds a bit he could utilise it more and be a bit more nimble on his feet. Still doesn’t sort out the fact he can’t control the ball, though.

I do rate Lukaku, I just think his flaws can be quite major at times.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

Henry wasn't a proper striker though? He occupied similar positions to what Martial does.

He liked to drift wide but was still the focal point of the attack and did most of the traditional CF job.

What I meant is that Martial should be afforded that freedom during game to occupy whatever space he feels suitable, especially given how good he is at holding up the ball, that's why a striking partner who is capable of exploiting the space he creates would get the best out of him.

 

[Harry190]

Do agree with this, he’s one of the bulkiest forwards we’ve had in a while. He’s still fast, but if he just sheds a bit he could utilise it more and be a bit more nimble on his feet. Still doesn’t sort out the fact he can’t control the ball, though.

I do rate Lukaku, I just think his flaws can be quite major at times.

I keep saying this, it's not the size of his body, it's the size of his feet that makes it harder for him to control the ball.

 

[SATA]

Read somewhere that he's very very highly rated at the club even by his own teammates and could go on to be a great player if he wants to. The obvious natural talent is there, it all depends on his application and desire to do that

So happy that we have one of the world's brightest talents ourselves

 

[KM]

Now a confirmed starter in Mourinho's eyes. Has started 4 games in a row, I believe. Onwards and upwards!

 

[Sayros]

Now a confirmed starter in Mourinho's eyes. Has started 4 games in a row, I believe. Onwards and upwards!

It's the reason I'm not mad at the early substitution. I feel like many others he is being rested for the next game. My question though is, why not Lukaku as well? He seems a bit out of it, but maybe because his confidence is so shot right now, Mourinho was trying to keep him playing and scoring. He was involved in the goals, but he was terrible with his own chances.

 

[bosnian_red]

Read somewhere that he's very very highly rated at the club even by his own teammates and could go on to be a great player if he wants to. The obvious natural talent is there, it all depends on his application and desire to do that

So happy that we have one of the world's brightest talents ourselves

Rio is the one that said that a few times the last few weeks whenever asked about him. Also Pogba I think mentioned how talented he is recently. Many other players as well. Loads have said that he's a huge talent, pretty obvious though when watching him.

Also I don't think his mentality is anything to worry about. Last season he had personal problems which he admitted affected him more then they should have, he wasn't focused, going through a split up like he did can affect anyone. Add on to that the 2nd season syndrome which hits young players all the time, new manager with a completely new playing style... It happens. This season he's been brilliant though. Will still have bad games now and then but I think he's really stepping up into being a top player. Just needs to be given the responsibility and he'll show it.

 

[ThanhlongTDK]

Even with this form, i'm still not confident about Martial starting for France in WC 2018. Right flank obviously belongs to Dembele or Mbappe, so France will need a playmaker who's able to do the ball retention job and provide key pases, which in this case is Thomas Lemar. Martial is probably the most gifted player in the national squad besides Pogba and Dembele, but in terms of intelligence and movement i don't think he's on the same tier with Lemar.

 

[Santoryo]

He's not a CF. Sure he can play there but his lack of movement will be a big problem. He has difficulty finding himself in a good postion to receive the ball when playing upfront

He's no a LM either. Playing there cause him to be doubled marked.

I think he plays best as a wide forward, rêciving the ball in the left half-space to find himself a 1on1 situation and cutting ínide.

He doesn't lack movements as a striker, not at all. His goal against Tottenham pretty much showed how well he can move and anticipate, not to mention his goal against Watford had him moving around the right place to receive a ball for a good sight at the keeper.

Martial has far better movement as a striker than when playing on the wing where he mostly prefer ball to feet and hardly opens himself up to receive the ball.

 

[Kapardin]

It's the reason I'm not mad at the early substitution. I feel like many others he is being rested for the next game. My question though is, why not Lukaku as well? He seems a bit out of it, but maybe because his confidence is so shot right now, Mourinho was trying to keep him playing and scoring. He was involved in the goals, but he was terrible with his own chances.

That's absolutely the reason. See how Mourinho was trying to make light of his non-scoring run by talking about boot sponsors. Its' clear that Lukaku's mood is very low and he might be very depressed, so Jose was careful in trying to cheer him up. Substituting him does no good.

As for Martial, he is very good for his age. If he continues playing this way, he will be a special talent like de Bruyne in a couple of years. We all knew that though.

 

[Sammyjunn]

Took the goal well but wasnt that good imo.

 

[kouroux]

Even with this form, i'm still not confident about Martial starting for France in WC 2018. Right flank obviously belongs to Dembele or Mbappe, so France will need a playmaker who's able to do the ball retention job and provide key pases, which in this case is Thomas Lemar. Martial is probably the most gifted player in the national squad besides Pogba and Dembele, but in terms of intelligence and movement i don't think he's on the same tier with Lemar.

It matters because ? Only injuries will make him start IMHO and it's not even nailed on he'll be part of the squad yet.

 

[Raees]

I wanted Griezmann here to play behind Martial. The goal tonight pretty much was the reason why, he's a Henry-esque talent as a striker and we should look to get him involved more centrally as opposed to being confined to the left wing.

I disagree.. think he's more of a second striker at this stage of his development. Free roam attacker suits him best .. Lewandowski or Kane in front, with Martial feeding them and receiving from the flicks etc. That type of striker.


Martial permanently in front could work but not sure Jose trusts him to that extent just yet.

 

[prtk0811]

Even with this form, i'm still not confident about Martial starting for France in WC 2018. Right flank obviously belongs to Dembele or Mbappe, so France will need a playmaker who's able to do the ball retention job and provide key pases, which in this case is Thomas Lemar. Martial is probably the most gifted player in the national squad besides Pogba and Dembele, but in terms of intelligence and movement i don't think he's on the same tier with Lemar.

SO dembele gets in but not him?

 

[OldTrevil]

If he keeps showing great hold play, which he showed a lot in his first season, then you would expect Mourinho to give him chances as a 9. He's so much more dangerous through the middle that's obvious. Overall just a joy to watch.

 

[prtk0811]

Martial permanently in front could work but not sure Jose trusts him to that extent just yet.

Martial is a better forward than a winger. Ofcourse he is not a player who plays as a sole striker but he is more of a left forward or a player who plays on the left in 2 man up front than a winger and his best comes when he's played in a 3 man defense with wingbacks without defensive duties.

Jose has to use him as a forward in big crunch games because of his composure finish and ability to take on any defender or defenders. He 's improving his work rate and movement on the wing Which if improves then great , then he could be any body he wants to be but Should not be used as a winger long term like a franck ribery type his entire career or atleast at the moment. He's more henry esque.

 

[InfiniteBoredom]

I disagree.. think he's more of a second striker at this stage of his development. Free roam attacker suits him best .. Lewandowski or Kane in front, with Martial feeding them and receiving from the flicks etc. That type of striker.


Martial permanently in front could work but not sure Jose trusts him to that extent just yet.

Note: 'wanted'. He was turning in some excellent, mature no.9 performance for us during his first season but the development went off the rail in his 2nd season with Ibra arrival and his personal issues. As of this moment with the purchase of Lukaku it's unlikely he'll ever be our starting no.9 but I'd still look to get him more involved centrally.

This guy has it all and I do believe he'll be a top player anywhere across the front 4, but his output imo will suffer in the long term if we confine him to the left wing. He should be given CR-esque freedom in that position.

 

[ThanhlongTDK]

SO dembele gets in but not him?

You talk as if Martial is better than Dembele. If Dembele stays fit the right flank is his. The only young attacker in the world i consider having better technical skills and gifts than Martial is Dembele (Mbappe is incredible but it's his maturity and intelligence which make him special)

 

[Escobar]

If he keeps showing great hold play, which he showed a lot in his first season, then you would expect Mourinho to give him chances as a 9. He's so much more dangerous through the middle that's obvious. Overall just a joy to watch.

He would have the same problem as Lukaku though, just wouldnt get enough service

 

[Damien]

Read somewhere that he's very very highly rated at the club even by his own teammates and could go on to be a great player if he wants to. The obvious natural talent is there, it all depends on his application and desire to do that

So happy that we have one of the world's brightest talents ourselves

Yes, Rio has said that a few times - that the feeling at the club is he could be anything he wanted to be. He repeated it last night too.

 

[zenith]

Martial and pogba are the players we look to, to create something out of nothing. One on one he is capable of beating any defender in the world and that's why it is so important that we get him in those situations. The guy is a game changer

 

[Glanville95]

He is such an exciting player. Glad he’s starting games consistently under Mou now, but it was always a matter of time when you do the business like he does. I think I saw his goals-per-minute ratio is better than more or less everyone in the top-scoring charts.

Play him consistently and he could rack up 15 PL goals. He’s our attacking player that I have the most faith in - goal scoring wise.

 

[royboy16]

Hopefully he will feature against Arsenal

 

[VanGaalEra]

Hilarious ball control, open goals missed and zero headers won.

Rooney left in the summer, lad.

 

[Raees]

Martial is a better forward than a winger. Ofcourse he is not a player who plays as a sole striker but he is more of a left forward or a player who plays on the left in 2 man up front than a winger and his best comes when he's played in a 3 man defense with wingbacks without defensive duties.

Jose has to use him as a forward in big crunch games because of his composure finish and ability to take on any defender or defenders. He 's improving his work rate and movement on the wing Which if improves then great , then he could be any body he wants to be but Should not be used as a winger long term like a franck ribery type his entire career or atleast at the moment. He's more henry esque.

Note: 'wanted'. He was turning in some excellent, mature no.9 performance for us during his first season but the development went off the rail in his 2nd season with Ibra arrival and his personal issues. As of this moment with the purchase of Lukaku it's unlikely he'll ever be our starting no.9 but I'd still look to get him more involved centrally.

This guy has it all and I do believe he'll be a top player anywhere across the front 4, but his output imo will suffer in the long term if we confine him to the left wing. He should be given CR-esque freedom in that position.

Agree with both of you.

 

[redIndianDevil]

Martial is good when played centrally but he definitely won't play as a lone striker in Mourinho's system, a tall strong player holding up the ball or winning headers is absolutely must for Mourinho, so the best way to utilize him is by pairing him up with Lukaku. 3-5-2 works very well for us, Young and Valencia as wing backs, Martial and Rashford alternating as second strikers, Ibra and Lukaku alternating as our main CFs. Problem is an injury to Young or Valencia would unbalance us as none of our actuall fullbacks are good enough to play as wingbacks.

 

[Tom Van Persie]

Now a confirmed starter in Mourinho's eyes. Has started 4 games in a row, I believe. Onwards and upwards!

Was taken off around the 60 minute mark last night which could mean that he's starting on Saturday against Arsenal.

 

[Silas]

Martial is good when played centrally but he definitely won't play as a lone striker in Mourinho's system, a tall strong player holding up the ball or winning headers is absolutely must for Mourinho, so the best way to utilize him is by pairing him up with Lukaku. 3-5-2 works very well for us, Young and Valencia as wing backs, Martial and Rashford alternating as second strikers, Ibra and Lukaku alternating as our main CFs. Problem is an injury to Young or Valencia would unbalance us as none of our actuall fullbacks are good enough to play as wingbacks.

Lukaku isn't too good at either really.

 

[nemanja15]

Mourinho on Martial and the sub yesterday. He's averaged around 70 minutes in the last four matches:

“Yes, I am pleased. I think he suffers a little bit with accumulation of matches.

“I could feel that in the second half he was going down and down and down.

“He’s still a young guy and his body, his biological situation has space to improve but in the first half, during the time, he had strength and explosion in his legs.

“He was dangerous and [scored] an important goal.”

 

[Bwuk]

He's our best attacker.

I'd been harping on for a while now that Martial should play just off of Lukaku. You get more out of Martial centrally than you do when he's restricted to the left.

 

[Pacificgi]

The benefit of last nights formation is that we get to see him through the middle more. Hes good from the left, but hes our best finisher and sometimes when rashford or lukaku get into positions and miss, can't help but think if it were martial then it would be a goal.

 

[Zoo]

He has a natural understanding with Lukaku.

People were talking about Rashford and Lukaku being the new Yorke and Cole but it's more likely to be Martial and Lukaku.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Do agree with this, he’s one of the bulkiest forwards we’ve had in a while. He’s still fast, but if he just sheds a bit he could utilise it more and be a bit more nimble on his feet. Still doesn’t sort out the fact he can’t control the ball, though.

I do rate Lukaku, I just think his flaws can be quite major at times.

I think my issue is we were crying out for either pure pace (we already have Rashford & Martial) or someone with a bit more guile, finesse. Lukaku is a good all round striker and has improved in our build up play to be fair to him but if you compare him to other PL top strikers (Kane, Aguero etc) his technical skills are seriously sub par.

Shedding some weight would improve his agility, reaction time and also allow him to use his size more in the air - I swear he should be a lot more aerially dominant than he is

 

[T A]

Yeah Martial showed that must-have connection between two up front attackers. You can see he always tried to link up with Lukaku first, minimum 2 situations this match in which Martial drew the pass to Lukaku instead of Pogba, who occupied similar spaces.

That the mentality needed, you believe your partner and you two are the main goal scorers, because in some tight games, maybe just only two of you versus whole opponent defence.

Although Martial still needs to improve his work off the ball. On Lingard tapped-in after Lukaku's shot, Martial completely could and must close the gap to the goal post immediately, he should be the guy appeared firstly in that moment, not Lingard on a further distance.

Scoring in bouncing balls is popular and typical, when you are deadly duo, you must always have in your hand this kind of exploitation. Simple but phenomenally effective, just like the way Andy Cole put final decisive goal in the back of Juventus net

 

[AshRK]

It matters because ? Only injuries will make him start IMHO and it's not even nailed on he'll be part of the squad yet.

And that is sad. He is surely better than coman. It would be a shame if he doesn't go to russia 2018.

 

[Home&Away]

Told you guys from day one that LVG was trying to go back to 352

Rashford & martial up top with lingard behind.

Alot of our squad as a whole fit the 352 better; I'd say even lukaku is better when he has a partner because even though he wasnt his best a forward like martial can ensure he does not get isolated.

 

[United_We_Stand]

 

[haram]

That's good to hear, but reading the article, I don't see the basis of it changing our transfer plans? We will probably still go after another attack minded player. It talks about Griezmann, Perisic and Bale, but they dont even play in the same positions.