[antohan]

Think you are looking too hard at the goals assists tab. Greenwood should have had two assists last night, one of which was the pass of the entire match. Against Villa the whole team was garbage and yet he still created pretty much every chance we had. Talk of dropping him is absolute madness, he's arguably been our best player this season at 19!

Eh? I'm saying

IF he is having issues with Ronaldo and that is making him less of a teamplayer and more of a solo operator

THEN I don't think benching him would do much good (i.e. likely perceived as "either you get along or you are surplus")

And INSTEAD I'd like to see Ronaldo-Cavani-Greenwood and see if that gets him back on track.

Nothing further from a statso observation or approach.

 

[antohan]

Left. Pretty sure he has done the same for Uruguay

Started out on the right in WC2010.

That team set up as a 4-4-2 (Cavani right mid, Forlán-Suárez up top), and switched to 5-3-2 (Suárez-Cavani with Forlán behind them) or 3-4-3 (Forlán-Cavani-Suárez) depending on how the game was shaping up.

Made a fantastic assist from the right in one of his first games for us last year.

 

[antohan]

That's an amazing run. Thanks

It is. Doesn't surprise me at all when I have also often seen him making the last ditch tackle in our box after a rival counter. That's Edi for you. Rooney was very much the same actually.

As with Wazza, it's the sort of thing sometimes I wish he avoided. Not last night, completely fresh, but with 80 minutes on like Cristiano had on him you are gassed and know you have maybe 2-3 good sprints left in the tank. Is such an unlikely/hopeful one worth it? Probably was last night regardless (stale game, drawing and hanging on for dear life, rousing the stands and through them the team... well worth it).

I'd argue both players went about it the right way. That said, Cristiano probably wouldn't chase it in minute 10 either, and Edi would likely waste valuable energy if he had been on 80 minutes, and probably wouldn't have made it.

 

[Strelok]

Maybe it was him being found out then, it can't be that now though, surely.

I just know he really improved in the second half of last season (yes, after that bench time, I don't credit it with any impact other than a bit of a shakedown and reflection time). Cavani clearly was a factor as you could see him guiding him, gesturing and Greenwood paying attention.

Last few games he has gone back to his form one year ago and, personally, I would like to see Cavani as #9 and observe the effect on Mason. I would expect him (and our attack) to get back to his best.

Recently I don't think it's a problem of form but rather him being selfish. Last year he took the shot because he didn't have much choice or simply didn't know what else to do. The match against Villa he clearly had many choices like to pass to Bruno, Ronnie but he still took the shot. It's different. Anyway we're a bit off topic here I think.

 

[ColvaleGoa]

If you didn't love the King Of Uruguay any more!

 

[DWelbz19]

What a guy, man.

 

[Jaxa]

Imagine we signed this guy 5 or 6 years ago

Fantastic footballer, brings so much energy to this team and loves a bit of shithousery, what more could you want

 

[Ronaldo's Fan Boy]

Three years ago, Ronalo helped Cavani when he is injured: youtu.be/TFmvwHO-zkM

Then after Ronaldo scored, Cavani didn't let his shirt fall into the ground: youtu.be/lty1JyuBiQw

Life is a cycle.

*I'm not allowed to post dirrect link yet, so please copy and paste the links above to your bar.

 

[Strelok]

I know it's really hard for Ole to drop Ronnie but tbh I'd really want to see Sancho - Cavani - Greenwood up top for once. Cavani is great in hold up and link play, and has a lot of energy. He'd suit Sancho and Greenwood better than Ronnie imo.

 

[Jacko21]

If you didn't love the King Of Uruguay any more!

Ah, I wondered why Cavani was warming up towards the East Stand rather than the Stretford end.

 

[Strats]

If you didn't love the King Of Uruguay any more!

The level of shithousery

 

[iHicksy]

I know it's really hard for Ole to drop Ronnie but tbh I'd really want to see Sancho - Cavani - Greenwood up top for once. Cavani is great in hold up and link play, and has a lot of energy. He'd suit Sancho and Greenwood better than Ronnie imo.

Weird take dude. I don't see any world where Sancho or Greenwood get a spot over Ronnie. If anything what you'd want is Sancho/Greenwood - Ronaldo - Cavani. Cavani played on the right of a three for PSG for years with Zlatan as the main man and with his work rate energy and fitness i think he could still play there easily. I simply don't see how you can leave him out of the team. It reminds me of when we had Rooney/Tevez chasing everything down. What's more he can get subbed off for one of Sancho/Gwood once he tires. Undroppable for me when fit.

 

[antohan]

Recently I don't think it's a problem of form but rather him being selfish. Last year he took the shot because he didn't have much choice or simply didn't know what else to do. The match against Villa he clearly had many choices like to pass to Bruno, Ronnie but he still took the shot. It's different. Anyway we're a bit off topic here I think.

Agree and that's why I think playing with Edi would do him the world of good, they had a very good understanding.

 

[antohan]

Three years ago, Ronalo helped Cavani when he is injured: youtu.be/TFmvwHO-zkM

Then after Ronaldo scored, Cavani didn't let his shirt fall into the ground: youtu.be/lty1JyuBiQw

Life is a cycle.

*I'm not allowed to post dirrect link yet, so please copy and paste the links above to your bar.

That clip from WC2018 has made for great photos but let's not fool ourselves, Cristiano was just trying to get him off the pitch quicker because Portugal were 2-1 down.

To his credit, he could tell Edi was in pain and injured and not just taking his time so didn't drag him off, but the whole good samaritan take is bizarre.

 

[antohan]

Weird take dude. I don't see any world where Sancho or Greenwood get a spot over Ronnie. If anything what you'd want is Sancho/Greenwood - Ronaldo - Cavani. Cavani played on the right of a three for PSG for years with Zlatan as the main man and with his work rate energy and fitness i think he could still play there easily. I simply don't see how you can leave him out of the team. It reminds me of when we had Rooney/Tevez chasing everything down. What's more he can get subbed off for one of Sancho/Gwood once he tires. Undroppable for me when fit.

I agree but think it's more a case of Cavani at #9 with Ronaldo left and Greenwood right. Shaw/Telles provide width on that side so it's not like you are asking him to play winger.

Furthermore, IF we follow the logic that both must play then we are stuck with Pogba in an imbalanced midfield two (effectively a three with a single pivot), as Ole won't bench him. Forget tactics and results, you bench Pogba, he doesn't sign and leaves on a free (along with his Instagram and whatnot). That's a giant no-no for the owners.

Now, since you now have Shaw/Telles and Pogba on that side, Cristiano is actually free to roam which, let's face it, he is much more inclined to and effective at than playing as a proper #9 not just looking at scoring but unsettling defences.

Only Greenwood/Sancho can make enough happen on the right AWB side and have the attributes to hold their own there. Anyone else and we go stale and back to not having much going on there.

 

[iHicksy]

I agree but think it's more a case of Cavani at #9 with Ronaldo left and Greenwood right. Shaw/Telles provide width on that side so it's not like you are asking him to play winger.

Furthermore, IF we follow the logic that both must play then we are stuck with Pogba in an imbalanced midfield two (effectively a three with a single pivot), as Ole won't bench him. Forget tactics and results, you bench Pogba, he doesn't sign and leaves on a free (along with his Instagram and whatnot). That's a giant no-no for the owners.

Now, since you now have Shaw/Telles and Pogba on that side, Cristiano is actually free to roam which, let's face it, he is much more inclined to and effective at than playing as a proper #9 not just looking at scoring but unsettling defences.

Only Greenwood/Sancho can make enough happen on the right AWB side and have the attributes to hold their own there. Anyone else and we go stale and back to not having much going on there.

I agree. I personally think Cavani is just as important as Ronaldo is to this team. I also think they would compliment each other immensely, Cavani's work rate can make up for Ronaldo saving himself for sprints/attacks. One of our current dilemmas is that we signed Sancho to walk straight into the team on the right wing. With the signing of Ronaldo and the form of Greenwood he's not getting as many starts as expected. I personally think he's been excellent when played and offers fantastic ball retention and passing between the lines. We looked at our most fluid in attack with him in the lineup.

So the conundrum is we have Ronaldo, who is undroppable and rightly so. Cavani is imo in the same Bracket and we have Bruno and Pogba who are both seen as undroppable by the manager. Now Pogba cannot really play in a midfield two, everyone knows this. He's best when near the goal or offering defence splitting passes in the final third.

My solution to this is a formation change to a 4-1-2-3 or 4-3-3. The three in midfield would comprise of McT holding in the centre and pogba to the left with Bruno on the right. Incidentally Bruno played this position when he first joined and I think his move to a pure 10 has seen us regress. This would allow a front three of Sancho/Gwood - Ronaldo and Cavani. in whatever order is most well suited.

 

[Member 122739]

I really wish that we had singed him back in 2013 when he went to PSG. Absolutely cracking player.

 

[ColvaleGoa]

The level of shithousery

Yup missed it since Herrera left!

 

[antohan]

My solution to this is a formation change to a 4-1-2-3 or 4-3-3. The three in midfield would comprise of McT holding in the centre and pogba to the left with Bruno on the right. Incidentally Bruno played this position when he first joined and I think his move to a pure 10 has seen us regress. This would allow a front three of Sancho/Gwood - Ronaldo and Cavani. in whatever order is most well suited.

That's really the only solution to our cummulative "must plays". Problem is, that's pretty much what we saw on Wednesday and it wasn't pretty.

Only Matic has ever had the attributes for that role, but no longer has the legs. I'm not one to want 100 signings per window but Trippier right and a young Matic and we would be formidable. Instead we have McT or Fred who simply don't have the positional awareness to pull that off.

It's questionable whether you can even try that with Pogba being so tactically indisciplined, but sure as feck can't without a monster of a single pivot.

 

[RooneyLegend]

Should be starting ahead of Ronaldo. Atleast he won't get bullied.

 

[Strelok]

Weird take dude. I don't see any world where Sancho or Greenwood get a spot over Ronnie. If anything what you'd want is Sancho/Greenwood - Ronaldo - Cavani. Cavani played on the right of a three for PSG for years with Zlatan as the main man and with his work rate energy and fitness i think he could still play there easily. I simply don't see how you can leave him out of the team. It reminds me of when we had Rooney/Tevez chasing everything down. What's more he can get subbed off for one of Sancho/Gwood once he tires. Undroppable for me when fit.

Cavani - Ronnie - Greenwood is probably what Ole will play. Cavani did play winger for PSG but tbh that's exactly what I don't really want to see, he's never a winger he's simply a striker. Imo Sancho - Cavani - Greenwood is more balanced and suit our players better. Both Sancho and Greenwood really needs a focus point to hold up and link with them to be effective I think.

Agree and that's why I think playing with Edi would do him the world of good, they had a very good understanding.

Yeah agreed. He'll do Sancho a lot of good too I think.

Recently when we're in possession teams generally sit very deep and our wingers usually have to face 2-3 opponent players. You simply can't expect them to beat all that alone and pass to Ronnie to score. That's just basically impossible. Our current attacking movements are too easy to read, anticipate and nullify. You keep an eye on Ronnie, double on the wingers and that's it. Our attacking players are too static and don't have much of an understanding or working rymth between them for my liking.

Our wingers would need someone to work with, someone who can hold the ball and link with them, play the one twos so our wingers can move into the box to receive and return the ball or score. Someone who regularly interchange their positions with Bruno, Sancho, Greenwood to drag out the defenders, create space and force the defenders into making mistakes. Our attacking movements will be much more unpredictable I think.

 

[dabeast]

Cavani - Ronnie - Greenwood is probably what Ole will play. Cavani did play winger for PSG but tbh that's exactly what I don't really want to see, he's never a winger he's simply a striker. Imo Sancho - Cavani - Greenwood is more balanced and suit our players better. Both Sancho and Greenwood really needs a focus point to hold up and link with them to be effective I think.

Yeah agreed. He'll do Sancho a lot of good too I think.

Recently when we're in possession teams generally sit very deep and our wingers usually have to face 2-3 opponent players. You simply can't expect them to beat all that alone and pass to Ronnie to score. That's just basically impossible. Our current attacking movements are too easy too read, anticipate and nullify. You keep an eye on Ronnie, double on the wingers and that's it. Our attacking players are too static and don't have much of an understanding or working rymth between them for my liking.

Our wingers would need someone to work with, someone who can hold the ball and link with them, play the one twos so our wingers can move into the box to receive and return the ball or score. Someone who regularly interchange their positions with Bruno, Sancho, Greenwood to drag out the defenders, create space and force the defenders into making mistakes. Our attacking movements will be much more unpredictable I think.

Agreed. There is a great, unselfish, player out there who can do that better than anyone else. His name is Donny can de Beek.

 

[Strelok]

Agreed. There is a great, unselfish, player out there who can do that better than anyone else. His name is Donny can de Beek.

 

[SAFMUTD]

If you didn't love the King Of Uruguay any more!

Lovely player

 

[JPB]

Three years ago, Ronalo helped Cavani when he is injured: youtu.be/TFmvwHO-zkM

Then after Ronaldo scored, Cavani didn't let his shirt fall into the ground: youtu.be/lty1JyuBiQw

Life is a cycle.

*I'm not allowed to post dirrect link yet, so please copy and paste the links above to your bar.

The Username

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Three years ago, Ronalo helped Cavani when he is injured: youtu.be/TFmvwHO-zkM

Then after Ronaldo scored, Cavani didn't let his shirt fall into the ground: youtu.be/lty1JyuBiQw

Life is a cycle.

*I'm not allowed to post dirrect link yet, so please copy and paste the links above to your bar.

That gets posted a lot as an example of Ronaldo being such a top sport, but isn’t he actually just trying to get him the feck off the pitch asap because his side were a goal down?

 

[Lord SInister]

If you didn't love the King Of Uruguay any more!

Now this is what I call, the dark arts

 

[Marwood]

Right now, at this moment in time, is Ronaldo better than Cavani?

 

[kouroux]

You would think that Ronaldo with his muscular body would have more presence than Cavani, but it's Cavani the one that has the body presence and don't let defenders bully him. Maybe it was the extra amount of energy he had.

Ronaldo has a very low body fat percentage which makes him look very ripped but it doesn't translate into strength on the pitch

 

[kouroux]

That clip from WC2018 has made for great photos but let's not fool ourselves, Cristiano was just trying to get him off the pitch quicker because Portugal were 2-1 down.

To his credit, he could tell Edi was in pain and injured and not just taking his time so didn't drag him off, but the whole good samaritan take is bizarre.

This. Ronaldo fans spun that moment very hard The fact that no Uruguayan players helped him is also very telling.

 

[Strelok]

Right now, at this moment in time, is Ronaldo better than Cavani?

This is a difficult question. I'd say as a goalscorer yes, as a #9 in our system no.

 

[Orton]

Hope he starts today.

 

[VidaRed]

Unjustly subbed. Our attack and linkup up the pitch went to the dogs after he was subbed.

 

[Sylar]

Unjustly subbed. Our attack and linkup up the pitch went to the dogs after he was subbed.

Yeah, thought he deserved another 10-15 minutes. He was still chasing and harrying the opposition defence, who seemed to have an easier ride once he went off.

 

[VidaRed]

Yeah, thought he deserved another 10-15 minutes. He was still chasing and harrying the opposition defence, who seemed to have an easier ride once he went off.

Ole should have just brought on sancho for martial.

 

[Judge Red]

His work rate is second to none and it was when Ole decided to take him off.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Probably subbed a bit early but honestly he wasn’t good today.

 

[antohan]

Ole should have just brought on sancho for martial.

Or Cristiano seeing as he kept dropping out of the box to help with build up and we wound up having McTominay as a false 9.

 

[Strelok]

I'm very disappointed with the decision from Ole to sub him off that early. You only sub a player that early if he has a really bad game or desperately need to chase the game. Cavani wasn't having a top game but he's been more than ok with his energy and was considerably involved in our play both offensively and defensively. He deserved to play at least till 80' imo.

Imo it's merely a political move to keep his superstar happy. It made no sense at all football wise. Cavani hasn't played much recently and imo it was really disrespectful to him. I feel really bad for him and really disappointed with Ole.

 

[VidaRed]

Cavani and Donny should hand in a transfer request in january, they have been treated badly by ole.