[Lawman]

No, it's not. If it was non-existent then we wouldn't be getting regular assists and goals from the player who's playing on the right hand side of the pitch. I get that Mata can sometimes have fairly quiet patches in a game, but to argue he's non-existent in his role is ridiculous.

Our attacks from the right side are virtually non existent. Mata cuts inside and passes the ball back or square. His quality around the box is not in doubt but there is no way he is being utilised in his best position.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Our attacks from the right side are virtually non existent. Mata cuts inside and passes the ball back or square. His quality around the box is not in doubt but there is no way he is being utilised in his best position.

Apart from the fact that he's clearly done better for us from the right than in the centre?

 

[Cheesy]

Our attacks from the right side are virtually non existent. Mata cuts inside and passes the ball back or square. His quality around the box is not in doubt but there is no way he is being utilised in his best position.

Apart from when he, you know, assists or scores. Which he does quite regularly. I don't see what's wrong with him cutting inside/passing it to someone else as well if it's effective. I'd rather have that than Valencia constantly bombing down the wing but just booting it at the defender and ultimately creating nothing.

 

[Lawman]

Apart from when he, you know, assists or scores. Which he does quite regularly. I don't see what's wrong with him cutting inside/passing it to someone else as well if it's effective. I'd rather have that than Valencia constantly bombing down the wing but just booting it at the defender and ultimately creating nothing.

First off all its not effective we are so lop sided all our attacks come from the left. Secondly not suggesting we have Valencia doing that. Mata is effective in an around the box certainly not right wing, buy Mane for me and let Mata compete with Rooney for the 10.

 

[finneh]

First off all its not effective we are so lop sided all our attacks come from the left. Secondly not suggesting we have Valencia doing that. Mata is effective in an around the box certainly not right wing, buy Mane for me and let Mata compete with Rooney for the 10.

Must have been all those goals and assists that tricked us all into believing it was effective. Silly us.

 

[Mockney]

This looks like another example of that typical bias you get in football when you watch your own team's players in every minute of every game all season but watch rival players in highlight reels only.

I'm beginning to think that in general is a problem. Once upon a time only ST holders got to see every minute of every game, and until very recently most analytical armchair fans only got to see a good dozen or so games on telly, and a weekly highlights package. Now everyone is watching everything, and analysing the shit out of it, to the point where build up play that doesn't result in something amazing (which is probably 70% of even most good matches) is picked apart and treated like a warning sign of the apocalypse. Mata's sideways passes in particular get treated like this regularly, as if all players of any merit should be hitting gymnastic defense splitting through balls with every other touch...


None of which is to say we've actually been great or anything, we are still a bit pedestrian but a lot of the moaning this season does seem to be about amazingly trivial shit, which I can't imagine would bother many 5-10 years ago.

 

[JinnerJamie]

18 league goals in 55 appearances since joining from Chelsea is pretty impressive, I can't find his assist numbers but I'd imagine they're not too shabby either.

 

[Crumpsall Red]

First off all its not effective we are so lop sided all our attacks come from the left. Secondly not suggesting we have Valencia doing that. Mata is effective in an around the box certainly not right wing, buy Mane for me and let Mata compete with Rooney for the 10.

You are aware we're top of the league? If we are lop sided and top of the league after 38 games .... happy days

 

[Devil may care]

Stats don't show how often counters and attacking moves come to a halt when the ball reaches him on the right. It's obliviously an improvement when Valencia is on but if we are to persist with Mata out there than we really could do with getting a more productive RB in to utilize the space he opens up.

 

[clarkydaz]

18 league goals in 55 appearances since joining from Chelsea is pretty impressive, I can't find his assist numbers but I'd imagine they're not too shabby either.

sky sports news put up the stat he is the leading midfielder for goals/assists over last few years, above silva

 

[Cheesy]

First off all its not effective we are so lop sided all our attacks come from the left. Secondly not suggesting we have Valencia doing that. Mata is effective in an around the box certainly not right wing, buy Mane for me and let Mata compete with Rooney for the 10.

Yes, it is. He's scoring and getting assists for us on a regular basis. I understand that he can occasionally have quiet spells, but he more than makes up for it with his contributions in most games.

 

[DJ Jeff]

I'm still not convinced despite his numbers. It's clear to see that at times the flank he's on is worthless to us in our build up play. He effectively is a deep lying striker playing on the wing, using his good movement to get on the end of things or be the penultimate touch.

That's the thing though. When he isn't the final or penultimate touch he tends to be nowhere at all.

 

[Pexbo]

Stats don't show how often counters and attacking moves come to a halt when the ball reaches him on the right. It's obliviously an improvement when Valencia is on but if we are to persist with Mata out there than we really could do with getting a more productive RB in to utilize the space he opens up.

We get just as much productivity out of the right wing as we do the left wing. The only difference is that Mata puts in less pointless crosses and doesn't dribble aimlessly to the touch line or hit the first defender. Instead he's more economical and recycles the ball quickly by passing it back to a CM or RB because he tends to read quicker than most whether anything useful might develop and he's less speculative.

Doesn't make him any less productive, that's for sure.

 

[Devil may care]

We get just as much productivity out of the right wing as we do the left wing. The only difference is that Mata puts in less pointless crosses and doesn't dribble aimlessly to the touch line or hit the first defender. Instead he's more economical and recycles the ball quickly by passing it back to a CM or RB because he tends to read quicker than most whether anything useful might develop and he's less speculative.

Doesn't make him any less productive, that's for sure.

Highlighting the shortcomings of a 21 year old new to the PL doesn't negate Mata's flaws though, Memphis needs to add consistency there's no question about that, however his stats are no worse than Mata's whose whole "defense" on here is built on his stats. I think we need to get more out of both flanks, Memphis maturing and Mata being paired with a fullback that can craft a chance would be the immediate route IMO.

 

[Cheesy]

Highlighting the shortcomings of a 21 year old new to the PL doesn't negate Mata's flaws though, Memphis needs to add consistency there's no question about that, however his stats are no worse than Mata's whose whole "defense" on here is built on his stats. I think we need to get more out of both flanks, Memphis maturing and Mata being paired with a fullback that can craft a chance would be the immediate route IMO.

Memphis' stats were largely boosted by the games against Club Brugge if I remember correctly, though, who were very poor opposition and a team we'd effectively already beaten after the first leg. Mata's not only been delivering this season in regards to goals and assists, but has mostly been doing so when he arrived. Not to mention that Memphis' stats are actually quite good, even if his overall performances have been mixed.

Mata does have quiet spells and could arguably be involved in more of the game at times, but I feel like some of the complaints are overly harsh: he's ultimately productive in front of goal for us, and has been one of our most useful assets in attack.

 

[Eckers99]

I'm beginning to think that in general is a problem. Once upon a time only ST holders got to see every minute of every game, and until very recently most analytical armchair fans only got to see a good dozen or so games on telly, and a weekly highlights package. Now everyone is watching everything, and analysing the shit out of it, to the point where build up play that doesn't result in something amazing (which is probably 70% of even most good matches) is picked apart and treated like a warning sign of the apocalypse. Mata's sideways passes in particular get treated like this regularly, as if all players of any merit should be hitting gymnastic defense splitting through balls with every other touch...


None of which is to say we've actually been great or anything, we are still a bit pedestrian but a lot of the moaning this season does seem to be about amazingly trivial shit, which I can't imagine would bother many 5-10 years ago.

That's right, things were very different in 2010. United fans only ever complained about the Glazers, the Ronaldo money being spunked on nobodies, the failure to buy a central midfielder, Berbatov slowing the side down, Michael Owen wearing the no. 7 shirt, us failing to beat a side like Leeds at home in the cup, finishing 2nd in the league, relying on Rooney to score all the goals... Hardly any moaning back then. Great days.

 

[Pexbo]

Highlighting the shortcomings of a 21 year old new to the PL doesn't negate Mata's flaws though, Memphis needs to add consistency there's no question about that, however his stats are no worse than Mata's whose whole "defense" on here is built on his stats. I think we need to get more out of both flanks, Memphis maturing and Mata being paired with a fullback that can craft a chance would be the immediate route IMO.

I wasn't even thinking of Memphis actually. I was thinking of Valencia and Young.

As for Mata's stats:

Goals and assists are kinda important in football. 4 goals and 3 assists in 8 games is a great return.

His 90% passing accuracy shows how little he gives the ball away.

1.4 tackles per game is twice as many as the combative Rooney (0.7), much more than the "defensively aware" Young (0.4) and much more than Memphis (0.6). Also more than Carrick (1) and Herrera (0.8) (amongst others)

He makes more interceptions per game (1.3) than: Young, Shaw, Herrera, Valencia, Rooney, Fellaini and Memphis (amongst others)

He plays more key passes than anyone else in our squad (2 per game). In second is Herrera with 1.3 followed by Rooney with 1.2 and Young with 0.8.




So while he might not be a physical beast charging down the line, he's doing his fair share of everything while scoring and assisting more than anyone else.

 

[Akshay]

Stats don't show how often counters and attacking moves come to a halt when the ball reaches him on the right. It's obliviously an improvement when Valencia is on but if we are to persist with Mata out there than we really could do with getting a more productive RB in to utilize the space he opens up.

This I can agree with. Now I can see how good Dani Alves would have been in this setup it really is a shame we couldn't land someone like him. I also admit to pining a bit for Rafael; maybe he would have done much better for LVG in this season's team than the shambling mess we were the first half of last season?

 

[Devil may care]

I wasn't even thinking of Memphis actually. I was thinking of Valencia and Young.

As for Mata's stats:

Goals and assists are kinda important in football. 4 goals and 3 assists in 8 games is a great return.

His 90% passing accuracy shows how little he gives the ball away.

1.4 tackles per game is twice as many as the combative Rooney (0.7), much more than the "defensively aware" Young (0.4) and much more than Memphis (0.6). Also more than Carrick (1) and Herrera (0.8) (amongst others)

He makes more interceptions per game (1.3) than: Young, Shaw, Herrera, Valencia, Rooney, Fellaini and Memphis (amongst others)

He plays more key passes than anyone else in our squad (2 per game). In second is Herrera with 1.3 followed by Rooney with 1.2 and Young with 0.8.


So while he might not be a physical beast charging down the line, he's doing his fair share of everything while scoring and assisting more than anyone else.

I know goals and assists are important, and him being better than the two average wingers we've been using for nearly half a decade is not in question, what I am saying is that his shortcomings also hurt the team and we could look to remedy that, some are acting like he's immune to criticism and a team never progresses like that. The problem too often on the Caf is you get "fanboys" vs "haters" which is pointless.

 

[Devil may care]

This I can agree with. Now I can see how good Dani Alves would have been in this setup it really is a shame we couldn't land someone like him. I also admit to pining a bit for Rafael; maybe he would have done much better for LVG in this season's team than the shambling mess we were the first half of last season?

It's hard to weigh up exatly what the deal is with Rafael, other than Fergie he doesn't seem to have won over many managers, he's even been dropped already at Lyon I believe. Dani Alves certainly would have worked for us as Mata really needs a converted winger more so than a pure fullback like Darmian, I don't think it's any coincidence that the latter had his best attacking game paired with Memphis.

 

[Shimo]

I've been guilty of convincing myself that Mata needs to play as a #10 but, his current role as the RW (which he really isn't) is perfect for him. Some people have called it a forgotten man role. Basically he is just free to go where ever he wants. This suits him very well versus the pure #10. In the #10 role he I think he has a more defined job and it does seem like he is easier to get defenders on him when he plays that position for us, reducing his effectiveness.

The one problem I see with him though is when he sticks to that RW and we are so focused on trying to create down the left, he goes "missing". He isn't out hugging the side to open up the the space but, he is not close enough to the play on the left to contribute. I think he needs to come looking for the game a bit more when this happens.

As for the argument that we don't create from the right. I think it's a valid point of view. Those statements are not that the person that plays on the RW is not contributing but, he himself is not directly creating a lot of opportunities or threatening situations from the right side. Not making killer passes or putting opposing fullbacks under pressure or getting into the box with the ball on that right side. That is completely true and it is also true that opposing teams know that when he gets the ball out wide right, he is going to look to come in or try and feed the fullback - making it easier to defend. Simply put, the types of plays that happen from the left side with Depay/Young is something we just don't get from Mata as a RW.

For what he is doing though, he is very effective, so we need to figure out how do we create from out wide right when Mata is on the pitch. For that to start happening perhaps once in a while Rooney / Mata need to switch even though Rooney is not a winger he can still do the job of one at times or even let players like Depay/Young come overload the right much like we've tended to do with Mata helping do the same on the left. That would help change things up and provide a different angle of attack for defenses to worry about.

 

[Pexbo]

I know goals and assists are important, and him being better than the two average wingers we've been using for nearly half a decade is not in question, what I am saying is that his shortcomings also hurt the team and we could look to remedy that, some are acting like he's immune to criticism and a team never progresses like that. The problem too often on the Caf is you get "fanboys" vs "haters" which is pointless.

Of course it's pointless to have fanbois and haters. Its worth noting though that I did a search for Mata through your posts and read back through them and you've been moaning about him for a long time....

Here's a few....

I think a parting of the ways may be best for the club and Mata in truth, he wants to play regularly and the box to box CM we buy will have to do an exceptional amount of work to allow him to start week in and week out.

You have to take the context of the opposition into consideration, Liverpool are a very fast team who play possession football, we will need pace to counter them and Mata has none, where as Di Maria's biggest strength is his counter attacking ability.

This made me laugh considering Mata timed a great run from wide to score a great counter attacking goal.

Not more messing about with formations, the 4-3-3 worked well for us and Mata can't play as an actual winger.

This seems to be a theme in your complaints about him. You do realise that he's not being asked to play as an actual winger and it's proving quite effective.

Well Mata is part of the problem, it's why we are so lopsided.

Attack is slightly improved by Memphis but Mata and Young are no great shakes as the wide options in attack

I'm not a fan of Mata on the right, he's slower than a Snail dosed up on Nyquil, but that's no reason to get crazy! Young is his cover and while not great he's still better than the shin killer who should remain as the RB back-up.

I'd say it's fair to say that you've been set in your opinion of him for a long while now and you're basing your complaints on these preconceptions rather than objectively based on his actual contributions this season.


He's not a conventional winger, maybe forget about your fast, tricky crossers and start appreciating him for what he does bring? It's purely an aesthetic thing imo, he's absolutely producing the goods this season.

 

[prath92]

He is very good there in the wing. For example, in the very first minute or so against Sunderland, he made a delicious dinked ball to Valencia which completely bamboozled van Aanholt. Valencia messed it up yes but his vision was spectacular. The pass to Memphis vs villa or Spurs I forget which was equally brilliant. He is our best creator and has played really well this season.

 

[JPRouve]

In isolation I like Mata on the right, but when I look at how to improve the team the #10 is the the priority and there is two options, bring a player that play on the right or bring a player that play in the middle, I like Pereira and Januzaj and think that they are both suited to that right inside forward role with Mata playing in the middle in a fluid front 4. I also think that if we wanted to had numbers and quality we should do it with the purchase of a wide player.

 

[Devil may care]

Of course it's pointless to have fanbois and haters. Its worth noting though that I did a search for Mata through your posts and read back through them and you've been moaning about him for a long time....

This made me laugh considering Mata timed a great run from wide to score a great counter attacking goal.

I have had a negative opinion of him for a while as I think he's a hindrance a lot of the time, I don't consider that a hater, simply sick of seeing moves stop dead when the ball reaches him and he has a one on one opportunity.

I think you'll find I praised him after that game, but I realize you weren't looking for those posts. In fairness though it was hardly a stretch to say that overall Di Maria is a player more suited to the counter attack than Mata.

This seems to be a theme in your complaints about him. You do realise that he's not being asked to play as an actual winger and it's proving quite effective.

Yes I realize how he is playing the role, but how much more effective would be with a Robben or Reus out there? It's as if the flaws he brings to our attack are to be totally ignored.

I'd say it's fair to say that you've been set in your opinion of him for a long while now and you're basing your complaints on these preconceptions rather than objectively based on his actual contributions this season.

He's done nothing to change my opinion, I have said more than once he has moments of contribution to the team, but I think that side is a definite area we can approve, I don't see what is outlandish about that.

He's not a conventional winger, maybe forget about your fast, tricky crossers and start appreciating him for what he does bring? It's purely an aesthetic thing imo, he's absolutely producing the goods this season.

I never said I wanted crosser, I want someone out there that can take on a fullback and drive at the goal, not a player that goes horizontal most of the time, I like to see wide players that can force the opposition back and make something happen on their own. Again I have acknowledged when he has had a decent game, but I don't see why we can't improve that position to one that is effective when things aren't precisely as that players limitations require.

 

[Maagge]

Yes I realize how he is playing the role, but how much more effective would be with a Robben or Reus out there? It's as if the flaws he brings to our attack are to be totally ignored.

Well, we would also be better if we had Ronaldo playing on the other side, but you can't just pick whoever. It would be more constructive choosing someone in his place from our current group of players.

I never said I wanted crosser, I want someone out there that can take on a fullback and drive at the goal, not a player that goes horizontal most of the time, I like to see wide players that can force the opposition back and make something happen on their own. Again I have acknowledged when he has had a decent game, but I don't see why we can't improve that position to one that is effective when things aren't precisely as that players limitations require.

Running at the defence is not the only way to force them back. Good passers (like Mata) can often force the opposition back merely by being in possession of the ball. Defences are coached to drop deeper when there's no pressure on the opposition player in possession.

 

[shabadu84]

I have had a negative opinion of him for a while as I think he's a hindrance a lot of the time, I don't consider that a hater, simply sick of seeing moves stop dead when the ball reaches him and he has a one on one opportunity.

Yes I realize how he is playing the role, but how much more effective would be with a Robben or Reus out there?

You mention players like Reus and Robben but are they really attainable? How many traditional wingers are there in world football that contribute with goaos and assits like he has? We had di Maria and he did keep Mata out of the side for some time but Mata earned his way back in on merit. Think you're underappreciating his commitment and contribution. LVG has come up with a creative albeit imperfect solution but it's paying off.

 

[Bloxy]

shocking how some people will never be happy. Mata is an effective player, scores, assists, intercepts, passes well and doesn't give the ball away much. maybe they should support real or barca.

 

[Lawman]

shocking how some people will never be happy. Mata is an effective player, scores, assists, intercepts, passes well and doesn't give the ball away much. maybe they should support real or barca.

Behave yourself we have to support a different team as our opinion doesn't match yours?

 

[VanGaalEra]

He's not quite appreciated enough when you watch him on the telly.

When you go to the ground and watch him, you're left drooling over him at times, looks the best player on the pitch.

 

[Eckers99]

shocking how some people will never be happy. Mata is an effective player, scores, assists, intercepts, passes well and doesn't give the ball away much. maybe they should support real or barca.

That you Fergie?

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Can you imagine how pissed off people would be with Beckham?! "Oh sure he crosses the ball perfectly now and then and gets the assist, but he drifts inside far too much to have these 25 yard shots (and yeah they go in, but so what?) and because he's so often inside, he's killing our attacks!! And even when he's on the wing he never runs at his man or tries to beat them in a one on one... he's far too reliant on Gary Neville making these overlapping runs, because he never bloody dribbles for himself either... it's stifling our right wing!"

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Can you imagine how pissed off people would be with Beckham?! "Oh sure he crosses the ball perfectly now and then and gets the assist, but he drifts inside far too much to have these 25 yard shots (and yeah they go in, but so what?) and because he's so often inside, he's killing our attacks!! And even when he's on the wing he never runs at his man or tries to beat them in a one on one... he's far too reliant on Gary Neville making these overlapping runs, because he never bloody dribbles for himself either... it's stifling our right wing!"

Very true, I blame the FIFA Generation. Requirements of a winger seem to be pace, pace and pace these days.

Mata really does offer us something great, he retains possession very well, has the ability to play a killer pass, pretty clinical finisher and he's unpredictable in the sense that he drifts everywhere and playmakes.

 

[Santiago_KinderBueno]

Very true, I blame the FIFA Generation. Requirements of a winger seem to be pace, pace and pace these days.

Mata really does offer us something great, he retains possession very well, has the ability to play a killer pass, pretty clinical finisher and he's unpredictable in the sense that he drifts everywhere and playmakes.

It's got nothing to do with fifa.

Before the season started; i said mata would eventually struggle when some of our squad gets finalised. Luckily for him; that still seems a while away.

My biggest problem with him comes from something alot of people dont think about which is - symmetry.

You just dont have a winger like memphis on the left and a midfielder like mata on the right. It allows the opposition defence to lean towards memphis side as the only player who can utilise width. Even if valencia or darmian do enter the width's of the right side; the defence is already in the best position due to them having to be more central in the marking of mata.

It not only makes memphis's job harder but also the fullbacks and the central attacking midfielder as the opposition defence leans towards the centre.

You look at bayern & barcelona who still utilise some of van gaals basic tactics. You have robben/ ribery & neymar/messi. The similarities between each two of those wingers causes the opposition back 4 to be flat and more spaces start to appear as the left back in this case is kept wide as possible - leading to spaces inbetween CB's and fullbacks.

All because you have a winger who utilises width.

 

[Mockney]

I think you'll find I praised him after that game, but I realize you weren't looking for those posts.

Again I have acknowledged when he has had a decent game.

Well fair play, at least you acknowledged that a player who scored both goals and a scissor kick wonder winner away at Anfield had a decent game. If that's not objective, I don't know what is.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

It's got nothing to do with fifa.

Before the season started; i said mata would eventually struggle when some of our squad gets finalised. Luckily for him; that still seems a while away.

My biggest problem with him comes from something alot of people dont think about which is - symmetry.

You just dont have a winger like memphis on the left and a midfielder like mata on the right. It allows the opposition defence to lean towards memphis side as the only player who can utilise width. Even if valencia or darmian do enter the width's of the right side; the defence is already in the best position due to them having to be more central in the marking of mata.

It not only makes memphis's job harder but also the fullbacks and the central attacking midfielder as the opposition defence leans towards the centre.

You look at bayern & barcelona who still utilise some of van gaals basic tactics. You have robben/ ribery & neymar/messi. The similarities between each two of those wingers causes the opposition back 4 to be flat and more spaces start to appear as the left back in this case is kept wide as possible - leading to spaces inbetween CB's and fullbacks.

All because you have a winger who utilises width.

This is just wrong. Regardless of how wide you're right winger is, if the ball is on the attacking sides left wing, your left back will ALWAYS be tucked in... regardless of who is out there. Defenders should really be no more then around 10 yards apart, at all times... this is just basic defending, it's got nothing to do with Mata, or Memphis.

It doesn't make Memphis' job any harder, at all, he still has one full back to deal with. It's not like he has an extra defender coming across to him or something. Teams when they play against United will always keep their defence and midfield compact, regardless of how wide your wingers are. It literally wouldn't make any difference. The only thing you could say is that Mata drifting inside brings his full back with him, thus creating less space for Rooney/Martial - but a) this has no effect on Memphis and b) it just leaves more room for your full back to penetrate, which should - in theory - be a good thing. Also, if Mata is drifting inside to create and score goals, then that is literally the best way to break down teams who are trying to be compact and tight.

 

[Santiago_KinderBueno]

This is just wrong. Regardless of how wide you're right winger is, if the ball is on the attacking sides left wing, your left back will ALWAYS be tucked in... regardless of who is out there. Defenders should really be no more then around 10 yards apart, at all times... this is just basic defending, it's got nothing to do with Mata, or Memphis.

It doesn't make Memphis' job any harder, at all, he still has one full back to deal with. It's not like he has an extra defender coming across to him or something. Teams when they play against United will always keep their defence and midfield compact, regardless of how wide your wingers are. It literally wouldn't make any difference. The only thing you could say is that Mata drifting inside brings his full back with him, thus creating less space for Rooney/Martial - but a) this has no effect on Memphis and b) it just leaves more room for your full back to penetrate, which should - in theory - be a good thing. Also, if Mata is drifting inside to create and score goals, then that is literally the best way to break down teams who are trying to be compact and tight.

We've had this conversation before, haven't we? The lack of symmetry in my eyes makes it painfully obvious what mata is going to do. It is however less obvious what memphis can do as he had the same ability to cross as he does to shoot.

Mata though can only pass and though he scores goals; this is nornally down to finishing moves off rathen than really getting in to space by dribbling himself.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

We've had this conversation before, haven't we? The lack of symmetry in my eyes makes it painfully obvious what mata is going to do. It is however less obvious what memphis can do as he had the same ability to cross as he does to shoot.

Mata though can only pass and though he scores goals; this is nornally down to finishing moves off rathen than really getting in to space by dribbling himself.

Not that I'm aware, and even if we have, it still doesn't make sense. If defenders know what Mata's going to do, why don't they stop the passes he makes to create chances/goals? Or track his runs? And how does he constantly find space in the box if he's so predictable?

Also, as per the bold... what a weird, weird criticism. You basically want him to score the goal by doing all the work himself? Or not score goals but make chances for other people, who might not be as good as finishing as him so might not score?

 

[sullydnl]

Stats don't show how often counters and attacking moves come to a halt when the ball reaches him on the right. It's obliviously an improvement when Valencia is on but if we are to persist with Mata out there than we really could do with getting a more productive RB in to utilize the space he opens up.

When we were talking about potential RB signings in the summer I did wonder if a less defensively sound but more attack minded RB like Coleman might suit the side better with Mata playing as a false RW.

Obviously I'm delighted that Darmian has settled in well and he was certainly a bargain compared to all the other RBs we were linked with but even still I can't help but wonder how much better we'd look with a serious attacking threat from RB.

Of course if we had gone down that route we may well be complaining about a lack of defensive solidity on our right flank instead....

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I have been critical of him, but he has been in good form these last couple of games. He can be found missing in some games, but suddently he pops up with a goal or assist.
The truth is that not many top class right wingers is around, looking, in premier league Mahrez is the only one who has been better so far.

3 goals and 3 assists from 7 games is very impressive, he looks to have gained some confidence from our last two games also, long may this form continue!