He's set to return for Roma and apparently it's a big boost for us.
Kevin Strootman
- Thread starter Someone
- Start date
- Status
He's set to return for Roma and apparently it's a big boost for us.
Ah right. Back on Sunday, apparently.
If we were to replace Fellaini with Strootman in the team we played vs City and Chelsea, we'd be better in attack but wouldn't lose much in defence. There was a few times Fellaini had the ball facing the City goal and I didn't really expect anything to come from it(and often nothing did), which is disappointing. Strootman is no David Silva, but from what I've seen of him, he can play a better pass than Fellaini.
Thanks, don't think we will go for him in Jan after 8 months out, should see how he does full season, besides we are in dire need of defenders rather than a midfielder.
Pretty much this, Strootman would be a real upgrade all things considered. He is sort of a blend of Sami Khedira's relentless workrate + a touch of Xabi Alonso's passing ability and positional awareness. Both at a slightly lower level in terms of execution of course at this stage in career, but as a combination it's pretty potent with room for improvement under Van Gaal's tutelage. He could take up Blind's role, maintain the same passing ability and tactical intelligence if not more, while injecting some much needed bite, pace (a big criticism of Blind) and physicality to it. And of course he's used to the manager's system, so there won't be much of a transitional period on the training pitch.
That said, his injury is a bit worrisome. We should maybe monitor his recovery to full fitness for the 6-7 months rather than jump the gun too quickly and squander a significant portion of our budget on acquiring a potential crock. A loan package like Falcao's would be ideal though I Roma and its management might not be receptive to the idea. But no doubt, if we really want him then we'll get him. There's the Van Gaal and Van Persie (Strootman's idol) factor, the opportunity to play at United and be part of the revival, and on Roma's side - they already have Strootman's replacement in Naingollan and would be compensated handsomely to invest in other areas of their squad. Win-Win really for all parties concerned.
Something like this, do you mean?
De Gea
Rafael - *two players here* - Shaw
Blind
Di Maria - Herrera - Strootman - Januzaj
Rooney
Rafael - *two players here* - Shaw
Blind
Di Maria - Herrera - Strootman - Januzaj
Rooney
That's what i think is the best option.
Yeah, and with two very mobile and industrial central midfielders who like to play quick football, I'd be pretty content with Di Maria out wide (even though I do believe he's best through the middle). The only issue offensively I'd have is that Januzaj sometimes dwells on the ball for too long. If he fixes that, a side like that could be a brutal, pacey side which we haven't had in a while. Edit: Also the small issue of van Persie, too... I personally think he's past his best but he seems to be playing every match possible.
Thats a pretty solid lineup and one that can win us alot.
Quite a bit depends on who our CB's will be, Rojo would be ok as long as he has a seasoned veteran alongside him.
If we are to sign Strootman I hope we wait until the summer so we can properly assess his comeback from injury.
Didn't know he switched agents to RvPs. Sounds like this will happen unless his fitness is a concern.
not once Falcao gets going.
If that ever happens.
On the bench tonight for Roma's Serie A game vs Torino.
you forgot RvP, van Gaals inoffical son and Strootmans inofficial brother.
Di Maria's form has dipped too much since been switched out wide, he is potentially our best player and needs to be played in best position, right now I would rather get a top winger than get Strootman.
Short term get Nani back, and put Di Maria where you have put Strootman.
My thoughts exactly. If anything, Strootman's role in our team would be as a challenger to Herrera's position, or possibly Blind's. Moving Di Maria back inside and investing in a quality wide-man would improve the team more than keeping Di Maria out wide and buying Strootman IMO.
I said this on the Blind post last night, but I was soon shot down in that Strootman is a box, to box player and wouldn't challenge Blind's position, so if Strootman came as you say he would knock Herrera chances of games even more, and certainly put a kibosh on Di Maria moving back inside, this not to mention Felliani.
Just can't see the point at all.
He's probably more effective box to box but is adaptable to play a more defensive role.
I think Strootman could do a job in Blind's position but it'd be a bit of a waste of his talents in the same way sticking Di Maria out wide is a waste of his.
I think the personnel affects how he plays out-wide. With Herrera and Strootman in this hypothetical side, he'd get a lot more of the ball zipped about, as opposed to the ball given to him following 5 zombie passes, for him to do everything alone, which is far tougher out wide, so he is forced to cross at the big tree in midfield.
Strootman has been excellent tonight, I don't think we have a player in the squad that can sit on the bench and chew the way he can, impressive stuff.
This is a good point, and it may well help his game out wide, but for Madrid he played his best stuff through the middle, so other why meddle with it, he could be the premierships best if things are built around him, with him in best position.
Our problem right is an embarrassment of riches in certain positions, and just no cover in others, to have Herrera, Mata and maybe Falcao,( or RvP) sat on the bench is a bit criminal when you look at other areas of the squad, just hope we don't get Strootman to add to it.
Uneventful return to action. Subbed on in the 84th. Got a few touches.
Yeah, but I fear that "squad balance" in van Gaal's recent interviews/comments = Di Maria not through the middle. Until we sort out a capable back line, I don't think we'll play Di Maria centrally. I do agree that he's best through the middle also, it's just a real predicament for us.
Well he'd be an obvious improvement over Fellaini just like Ander is.
Having he and Ander on the two sides of the diamond would have 2 dynamic players who do a good job winning the ball back, and able to make things happen going forward.
Strootman is stronger than Blind but I dont think he brings anything else to the role in front of the defence. And we certainly dont need to spend a lot of money on a player to play that position when Blind does it well already.
He got a fantastic response from the Roma crowd, must have felt great after 8 months out.
Yup, they cheered every time he had the ball. Great to see him back.
Will we actually sign a midfielder now, given that we are already struggling to fit Herrera back into the team? Plus our greater priority is defence, I.e centre back and right back. After that, maybe a wide attacker also before CM.
Not at all convinced this guy is the type of midfielder we need.
I wouldnt say we are struggling to fit Herrera in, Id say we have a healthy competition for places in midfield now, which is something of a novelty for us, but Im confident Herrera gets into a full strength Van Gaal team. I also think while the midfield is a lot stronger than it has been for quite a few seasons now, there is still room for improvement.
But I agree it is no longer the area in most urgent need of attention. So it all depends what we want to spend. New defenders are a higher priority and we are weak in wide areas so strengthening there would make more sense. Then the question arises, if money was no object should we reinforce in all those areas, including midfield? Would the benefit of adding quality in the middle outweigh the implications for squad cohesion - all the new players needing a load more time to get used to each other? Or would it be better to try to slow things down and add players a bit more gradually?
What do we need more right now, quality or stability?
I probably gravitate to the latter, Id like to see us pick up a defender or two in January, and if possible a fast and powerful winger. Any more than that and we're going to spend the second half of the season looking like a team of strangers. That might happen anyway, but the more players we add the greater the risk.
Its a difficult one though, and the impact will vary from player to player. Some might slot right in and really improve us, others might disrupt things more in the short term before the benefit of their presence is felt. Where Strootman (or Vidal, for that matter) would be on that scale I have no idea, hopefully Van Gaal would be well placed to judge it though.
But I agree it is no longer the area in most urgent need of attention. So it all depends what we want to spend. New defenders are a higher priority and we are weak in wide areas so strengthening there would make more sense. Then the question arises, if money was no object should we reinforce in all those areas, including midfield? Would the benefit of adding quality in the middle outweigh the implications for squad cohesion - all the new players needing a load more time to get used to each other? Or would it be better to try to slow things down and add players a bit more gradually?
What do we need more right now, quality or stability?
I probably gravitate to the latter, Id like to see us pick up a defender or two in January, and if possible a fast and powerful winger. Any more than that and we're going to spend the second half of the season looking like a team of strangers. That might happen anyway, but the more players we add the greater the risk.
Its a difficult one though, and the impact will vary from player to player. Some might slot right in and really improve us, others might disrupt things more in the short term before the benefit of their presence is felt. Where Strootman (or Vidal, for that matter) would be on that scale I have no idea, hopefully Van Gaal would be well placed to judge it though.
Was it his first time back in the line-up? I was there and wow, the reception he got.. Even got bigger cheers than Totti pregame and the fans were unbelievable when he came on, great to watch.
He could be a very useful player for you guys, I hope he decides to stay at Roma. Think Holland's national team is anxious to have him back in the squad as well.
You were in Rome for the game?
Yeah, first game since the injury, he got a beautiful reception.
Im torn about this one, I would like him to stay at Roma but on the other hand he would come in really handy for United..
Roma fans like loyal players and Strootman stated few times he loves it there but that can of course change in a second..
Yes, was in town for a citytrip, couldn't book tickets online beforehand but fortunately, the people from the hotel gave me the adress of some betting place nearby the stadium were they sold tickets on matchday
Expected a little more from the atmosphere though, stadium was far from sold out and it was pretty quiet during some periods during the game. However, I was on the complete opposite side from the Ultras so it could be I just didn't hear them Very happy to have attended the game (Roma's my second favorite team after Liverpool) but Torino might as well bend over before the start, they did literally nothing all game. I know Roma away is a very tough game, especially being down 1-0 so early, but at least give it a try... Roma has a very, very strong midfield right now. I expect Strootman to be in the starting XI as soon as he's fully fit, probably for Keita? Can't see Garcia dropping De Rossi or Pjanic there. He already had to move De Rossi to CB when Nainggolan came on. I hope they'll keep up with Juventus as long as possible and Strootman could be a key factor in doing so.
Yes, was in town for a citytrip, couldn't book tickets online beforehand but fortunately, the people from the hotel gave me the adress of some betting place nearby the stadium were they sold tickets on matchday
Roma has a very, very strong midfield right now. I expect Strootman to be in the starting XI as soon as he's fully fit, probably for Keita? Can't see Garcia dropping De Rossi or Pjanic there. He already had to move De Rossi to CB when Nainggolan came on. I hope they'll keep up with Juventus as long as possible and Strootman could be a key factor in doing so.
Bolded part, Great stuff.
Well in some games atmosphere is not all that but in other Ultras can be great.
Yeah, midfield is really nicely packed, Garcia will probably mix them all but Strootman will surely come in the starting lineup. In some games maybe instead of De Rossi cause De Rossi hasnt been in particulary good form till now. But De Rossi usually plays as DM and Strootman as CM.
But lots of great options in midfield. Defense is good too although I think Garcia is mixing CB pairs too much.
fullback positions are not that great, esp. the left side. There are some rumours Roddriguez from Wolfsburg could come.
All in all Roma must win and win to keep up with Juve cause it seems they hadnt degressed since Conte left as it was predicted. It will be a hard fight but Roma must do everything in their power to keep up with Juventus.
Still a chance too progress in CL too.
Never been to Roma home game nor in Rome so that's one thing to do in the future, soon hopefully.
I was at Udine for Udinese-Roma game and it was great fun.
Last edited:
I think their best CB partnership is Castan-Manolas but they haven't played it that much this season (only one time against Empoli if I remember correctly). I like De Rossi as CB as well from what I've seen from him at Italy's national team, but not convinced it's his best position. I actually think Cole has done all right, and Holebas is also a very good left back. I'd have nothing against Rodriguez signing for Roma though, he's one of the best left backs in the world right now, imo.Bolded part, Great stuff.
Well in some games atmosphere is not all that but in other Ultras can be great.
Yeah, midfield is really nicely packed, Garcia will probably mix them all but Strootman will surely come in the starting lineup. In some games maybe instead of De Rossi cause De Rossi hasnt been in particulary good form till now. But De Rossi usually plays as DM and Strootman as CM.
But lots of great options in midfield. Defense is good too although I think Garcia is mixing CB pairs too much.
fullback positions are not that great, esp. the left side. There are some rumours Roddriguez from Wolfsburg could come.
All in all Roma must win and win to keep up with Juve cause it seems they hadnt degressed since Conte left as it was predicted. It will be a hard fight but Roma must do everything in their power to keep up with Juventus.
Still a chance too progress in CL too.
Never been to Roma home game nor in Rome so that's one thing to do in the future, soon hopefully.
I was at Udine for Udinese-Roma game and it was great fun.
I think it might go down the wire in this year's title race. I still get angered when I think about the game in Juventus, fecking referee. Roma just have to keep winning their home games and get as much points as possible from their aways, I've got a feeling Juventus is there for the taking this year. They're the only conterder for the Scudetta though, all the other teams are way off.
Last edited:
- Status