@finneh posted a diagram of the average positions against Spurs and Liverpool
Top one - Spurs
Bottom one - Liverpool
Top one - Spurs
Bottom one - Liverpool
27
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
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- Goals
- 7
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 7
- Red cards
- 1
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I typed out a reply and realised this is just getting into levels of interpretation. Either way, Fellaini is starting matches pulling out towards the left wing, playing with his back to goal and pushing onto the RCB and RB. By virtue of being our outlet ball, he spends a lot of time ahead of the ball. I can't see how you can compare that role to what Herrera does, or any other orthodox CM player. He did tuck back in into what was a more orthodox midfield 3 position against Liverpool and Tottenham in the second half, to be fair (where he was noticeably less prominent/effective in both games).
I think people are getting too fixated on trying to determine Fellaini's position. I don't think calling him an #8 or a #10 is really the right way to define it. For me he seems to be playing some sort of hybrid role. I have seen him take up positions as a #9, a #10, #8, and a winger. He sort of floats in and around these positions. An 'advanced #8' would probably be the best way to say it.
Just to weigh in on that @Walrus and @JPRouve debate, Fellaini's defensive contribution far exceeds Herrera's and I think that post from @Walrus was excellent.
Just to weigh in on that @Walrus and @JPRouve debate, Fellaini's defensive contribution far exceeds Herrera's and I think that post from @Walrus was excellent.
That's not true, Fellaini does things better than Herrera and Herrera does over things better than Fellaini. You can see it with your own eyes and the stats proves it too.
Fellaini is better in all the physical things (clearances, takles won) and Herrera his better in all the positional things hence his high number of interceptions.
None of them are perfect defensively but Herrera's strong points are more suited for the role that Van gaal gave him.
http://www.squawka.com/comparison-m...nterceptions/defence_score/fouls_committed#90
Fellaini's positional sense and tendency to switch off while defending worried me far more when we signed him than any lack of technical ability.
For the record my post that started this wasn't me saying we actually won games 5-4 regularly or scored record tallies every season. I was talking about the cavalier mentality we played with, not how well that actually panned out.
I agree with that. However I think that Fellaini's defensive qualities, the physical stuff as you said, is at a higher level than Herrera's defensive qualities.
@finneh posted a diagram of the average positions against Spurs and Liverpool
Top one - Spurs
Bottom one - Liverpool
de Gea's positioning was all over the place Vs Liverpool.
Shocking.
Seems van Gaal is really impressed with him.
Its what I have been banging on about for the last week - if it aint broke dont fix it.
And rightly so. He's been in terrific form, and gives us something very few teams can offer.
That is the quote from the conference (taking from the BBC).
Honestly not wanting to beat a dead horse with this one, but it backs up what I thought from when Fellaini came on against West Brom and scored his first goal for us, earlier this season. He listens and does what the manager asks - we saw in that game (it was West Brom or West Ham, cant remember which) that LVG was talking to Fellaini at length in the dugout, before he brought him on. It was clear that he was giving Fellaini various instructions, and Fellaini came on and changed the game around.
You can doubt many things about the afroman, but his attitude is not one of them. He has shown the balls, grit and determination to be a United player, and has shown that he will listen to the manager to good effect. At this point and based on these quotes I would be shocked if LVG sold Fellaini anytime soon.
The manager is completely right, there's no way he doesn't start every game on current form. He's been excellent and has no doubt won some respect and maybe even turned around some opinions recently. What's more, he also had a fantastic week with Belgium, pretty sure he scored three goals?
Looks like Fellaini has become a favorite for LVG.
It's the case with Young as well. The two players who got the most shit thrown at them last year. They both have exemplary attitudes and work their balls off for the manager and team.
I have personally been more surprised at Young's turnaround. I always thought that Fellaini would come good if LVG gave him a chance, but Young I expected to be one of the first out the door. Credit to him as well.
It was West Ham Big Sam was on about Long Ball Utd and LVG brought out a dossier to prove him wrong.
Ah yes, now I remember!
Yep, no chance of him being sold. Even if we sign someone to replace him in the first team he'll still be an excellent squad player to have around.
Expecting one of the gif masters here to do a Star Wars/Fellaini combo. "He will bring balance".
I agree, he deserves to be in the team somewhere. His 2nd goal against Cyprus was a peach too
His ability on here was often downplayed to a laughable extent. It was made out that he was some lug at Everton with no technique or actual footballing ability. This of course was far from the truth. He was actually excellent for Everton.
I wasn't ecstatic when we signed him but I thought he would be a good player for us. He was thoroughly underwhelming last season and I really started to doubt him. But fair play to him, he's turned it around and has been excellent lately.
I wasn't ecstatic when we signed him but I thought he would be a good player for us. He was thoroughly underwhelming last season and I really started to doubt him. But fair play to him, he's turned it around and has been excellent lately.
Always been a supporter of his, because I think he's always offered us something we have lacked. Aggression. He had a terrible season last year, but you can understand why. LVG has re-invigorated him and allowed him to relax and trust his ability. Very pleased for him, because I think he suffered the Moyes effect last year.
May the (aerial) force be with you.
I wouldn't disagree with this. The English game was helter-skelter end-to-end back then. Exciting, but useless against top European sides who could slow the game down and use skill (dastardly foreigners!!). And, when it came down to it, lack of skill was why so few goals were scored in the Prem despite all the effort. (Does that tell us something about the national team?)
I remember supporting Fellaini a bit last year and you get a lot of stick when you do that, so it's surprising to see so many "I knew he'd come good" posts, but fair play @togg, @Walrus and @Robbie Boy all don't seem to be that harsh on the lad (although Robbie Boy seriously doubted during the world cup)
That was my post on 3rd September, when we signed him, and I stand by every word
that comparison is a bit misleading seeing as he mostly played a more defensive midfield role last season
It's more an indication of how much his attacking play regressed last season, which is explained by the role he was used in.
Can't deny I doubted to him to the point that I wanted rid. The only reason I wanted to keep was because I knew we would have take a massive loss.
I didn't want to sign him as he wasn't what we needed but I thought he was a good player for Everton. I never necessarily doubted his ability as a footballer; it was more that he was a terrible fit that wasn't utilised properly. Fair play to him, he's winning me over and I hope he has another good game against Villa tomorrow.
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I agree with most of this - he wasnt the right signing for us at the time, and we overpaid, which is part of the reason for the animosity towards him.
Although he didn't get credited with an assist, he basically assisted the RvP goal against Chelsea. It was his header that forced Courtois to save and allowed RvP to score the rebound.
Eating my words here, which is a good thing in this case.
Fellaini is the result of having too many pussies in midfield. He brings physicality that we need to bring some balance in midfield. Hence why I want Carrick to be replaced with someone whose more defensive minded. It would allow us to release both Herrera and Di Maria in CM.
and your point is?
meant to be I am in total agreement with that :-)
Man Utd 3:1 Aston Villa
As soon as he goes off, we concede from a set piece. Coincidence? White text, but is it needed?
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