Its not so much that Ole should start more.....

[Rory 7]

.......its that Ruud needs a striking partner!

Ole has proven that he can start matches and score goals. But I don't think we should underestimate the pshycological benefits of bringing Ole on from the bench. It must spook opposition defences.

But surely the real story of our forwards is that Ruud needs to be partenered by someone. He seems to be the type of player that gets lost far too easily if he plays the loans striker role. He is great a holding up the ball and playing off other players runs etc. He is the main striker and we should play to his strengths. He needs a friend up front.....

 

[dmode]

Ronaldinho maybe?

 

[Rory 7]

Forlan?

 

[An Extremely Boring Man]

Ole is happy with his role as it is.

He said in yesterday's papers in Norway that he doesn't expect more starts than he's previously had, and that he knows his role in the team and is happy with it. He said there's always a reason for it when he's playing from start, and when he's kept on the bench for then to come on later on - and he added that only the players and the coaching staff knew and understood this. When asked to explain, he refused.

 

[kkcbl]

Ruud needs to be partenered by someone. He seems to be the type of player that gets lost far too easily if he plays the loans striker role. <hr></blockquote>

Totally agree with you Rory.

But why not Ole?

Ole/Ruud started a total of 19 games together in all tourneys for the season 2001/2002.

They couldn't have got off to a worser start than at Anfield where United lost, what was to be FOR THE ONLY TIME whenever the pair started, 1-3. ( Ole was taken off in the 57th minute! And who cud forget the Barthez howler? )

United subsequently tasted 15 victories in the balance 18 games, failing to win only 3 times - drawing against Derby away( 2-2 ), Bayern at home 0-0 ( inconsequential match ), & Leverkusen at home 2-2 ( where both Ole & Ruud scored! )

United lost a total of 9 times in the EPL - of which the Ole/Ruud partnership contributed to only one!

When the duo started in Europe, United NEVER LOST!!!

 

[Rory 7]

I'd say Ole is happy at United. But surely we should be trying to get the best out of our 18 million pound stiker and IMO he needs a partner more often.

 

[Rory 7]

Originally posted by kkcbl:
<strong> When the duo started in Europe, United NEVER LOST!!!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well they lost last week as a partnership.
You see I don't subscribe to the view that 4-5-1 is a dead duck. I think we have to be more flexible with our tactics and sometimes 4-5-1 is the right way to go into a game. We still offer plenty of threat.

You're right, Ole and Ruud formed a great partnership last year. But the reality is Ruud isn't going to start every game and Ole definitely brings us something different when he comes on off the bench.

I would like to see us nuture a different partnership with Ruud and someone else. I just think Ruud needs to play with someone regularly for us to get the very best out of him. He was great last year but I think Ruud is going to astound United with the amounts of goals he scores over the course of his United career. Lets help him do that.

 

[Rory 7]

I suppose the real crux of this argument is that we spent most of last year trying to adjust the team to play to the strengths of Veron. When we should have tried to play to the strengths of Ruud and given him a regular strike partener.

Basically all of the United midfielders are going to have to start thinking a bit more like Ole. That their place isn't guaranteed and that they will be used at different times for different reasons. All of them except Keano of course

 

[Lynott]

Originally posted by Rory 7:
<strong>

You see I don't subscribe to the view that 4-5-1 is a dead duck. I think we have to be more flexible with our tactics and sometimes 4-5-1 is the right way to go into a game. We still offer plenty of threat.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

I like the 4-5-1 formation when we play away from home, but at home I think as we are usually attacking, there is no structure to the attack. I prefer 4-4-2 at OT. The players aren't bumping into eaxh other so much and the right player is in the box when the crosses come in. Last week Keane was on the end of more of the crosses than Ruud.

 

[kkcbl]

Well they lost last week as a partnership <hr></blockquote>

lol, yeah! But my point is that they play well together, & last Wednesday was only the first time they lost in Europe - did you see how Ruud 'sparkled' as soon as Ole came on last Saturday? ( tho' only for a few minutes )

As to 4-5-1, of course the system has it's pluses, especially as you all have indicated, in away matches - but the constitution of players are just as important & there has to be a flexibility so that the players can immediately switch to 4-4-2 when the need arises.