A lot hold that opinion. Some really do not like him, granted, but that probably comes in part from the brigade that's popped up in the past month or so who are determined to defend everything he does and cannot seem to accept that some people don't think he's an overly great footballer. Both extremes are as annoying as the other to be honest. He's decent and has his uses, but leaves a lot to be desired as a midfielder.
27
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 31
- Goals
- 7
- Assists
- 2
- Yellow cards
- 7
- Red cards
- 1
- Status
A lot hold that opinion. Some really do not like him, granted, but that probably comes in part from the brigade that's popped up in the past month or so who are determined to defend everything he does and cannot seem to accept that some people don't think he's an overly great footballer. Both extremes are as annoying as the other to be honest. He's decent and has his uses, but leaves a lot to be desired as a midfielder.
Dire first half. 2nd half much better. Amazed LVG didn't substitute him early on after the yellow card given the chance of him getting sent off.
Absolutely agree. I think that the role where he's got two creative players alongside him suits him the best because he can pick the easiest option and just let them do the work. That's why I as well think he looks the best in the diamond because he can have even three creative players alongside him in the midfield.
Yes, he is. At their best, these three shit on Fellaini from a distance when it comes to not being sloppy. RVP's been brilliant to watch the past couple of games, and Mata's a player who could arguably do with being a bit more sloppy and taking more risks sometimes.
I agree we've got to probably play him there at the moment, but again, I don't really want to see him in the role long-term.
Yep, fair comments.
If you think he's just 'decent' I can't argue with you but like he's been proving many wrong this season he'll eventually change that opinion as well. And yes they came in part from the brigade who have been defending him nonsensically because there were no such haters last season
He improved dramatically in the second half.
At this moment with the squad he has, LVG obviously sees Fellaini as a key part of his midfield, and I can't disagree.
At this moment with the squad he has, LVG obviously sees Fellaini as a key part of his midfield, and I can't disagree.
If you think he's just 'decent' I can't argue with you but like he's been proving many wrong this season he'll eventually change that opinion as well. And yes they came in part from the brigade who have been defending them nonsensically because there were no such haters last season
He really hasn't, though. He's had some very good performances, was worryingly bad against Southampton (although most were), and gave a mixed performance today. I don't see anything wrong with calling him decent to be honest.
It's a bit frustrating that some (only some) Fellaini supporters seem to feel that everyone else is just stuck in their opinion of him, but as soon as someone points out a valid criticism, they don't listen and simply respond by saying he's been brilliant and we're all wrong.
Fellaini played in front of the defence. It's pretty natural to have bigger %. Go through the highlights in the first 30 mins and see how many times he lost the ball or was off in terms of position, not to mention he is lucky to stay on the pitch for 90 mins.
It was Fellaini's zone. Herrera was in a more advanced role since he came in.
Horrible passing in the first half - was very lucky not to give away a goal and his touch reminded me off last season.
Second half was a lot better - defensively anyway. Made some brilliant tackles.
Second half was a lot better - defensively anyway. Made some brilliant tackles.
No argument from me there, once Blind and Di Maria are back I would like to see Fellaini dropped and brought back to play against teams like Arsenal where he can play the enforcer role which he excels at.
But why can't we play someone who's both better from a defensive point of view as well as got a great range of passing? (Carrick)
And why can't we complement that one player with players who can move their feet in defense, doesn't get overrun easily and actually provides movement and creativity when attacking? (Herrera, Di Maria, Rooney)
What I'm asking is: Why do we need to play someone who needs to be carried by his partners?
Fellaini can be useful when we close out games and we're packed in the back.
True. I think it's where Fellaini works best at the moment when we do play him, although long-term it's partly why I want to see us upgrade.
As I mentioned before he had the 3rd worst passing percentage behind De Gea and Wilson in the first half, it was at 70%
In the 2nd half everyone passed the ball better and everyone's percentages except Evans went up. Wilson went up to 76% for example.
Fellaini finished with a very respectable 81.3% to show he dramatically improved his success rate in the 2nd half, from absolutely abysmal to good. In the 2nd half Liverpool's attacking players werent pressing as fast as in the first half, typical of that way of playing players run out of energy and our players could feel more comfortable with the ball at their feet in midfield
In the 2nd half everyone passed the ball better and everyone's percentages except Evans went up. Wilson went up to 76% for example.
Fellaini finished with a very respectable 81.3% to show he dramatically improved his success rate in the 2nd half, from absolutely abysmal to good. In the 2nd half Liverpool's attacking players werent pressing as fast as in the first half, typical of that way of playing players run out of energy and our players could feel more comfortable with the ball at their feet in midfield
Yep, this shows the dangers of just relying on stats all the time.
Thats the whole problem isnt it. He had a bad first 30 minutes and that is translated to him always being a bad passer.
So you think he hasn't proved a lot of the doubters from last season wrong? Many would disagree with that.
And I'm not some of those supporters so I'm not sure but I do see genuine criticism of him being a bit of a rarity.
So who do you see as an upgrade? Remember we can't afford to have world class players in every position.
Precisely. He struggles against really quick pressing, we keep seeing it time and time again in games when people point out he has played better as the match went on, because the opposition tires and they don't press as much (not just this game, several times this season).
Abysmal 1st half, better 2nd half, but his passing ability makes him incongruous with Van Gaal's supposed possession-based philosophy. Still useful on occasion, but shouldn't be a mainstay of the side in my view.
Carrick and Blind's better defensive midfielders. By far.
Herrera's a better complement to Carrick/Blind in a two-man midfield. Unless you just play both of them.
Herrera/Di Maria/Rooney's better options in the box-to-box-role.
Herrera/Mata/Rooney are better options as an attacking midfielder.
Fellaini's probaby got the position nailed on if we're looking for a second striker who we can lump it long towards, or if we don't have confidence in our midfielders and defenders to pass it out of the back and decide to go long.
Other than that, though? And why should the above be our ambition - in any game? It nullifies so many of our best players.
I don't know for definite - someone like Vidal I imagine would be perfect, although whether or not we'd get him is another matter. Strootman could be another excellent option that has been discussed a lot.
And we should be aiming to have world class players in as many positions as possible - I don't see what's ridiculous about that.
Fellaini was shocking in the first half. He must have got an earful at half time to improve in the second. His first touch and passing are way off the mark for a midfielder at this level. He did break up a few Liverpool moves.
I don't think the problem to be his passing actually. The biggest problem for me is his awareness, positional sense and movement. He's slow, needs time to adjust on the ball to pass it. He needs several options and slow pace and he will look competent. I think he's a decent passer to be honest. When the game is at our half with 2-3 options for a short pass and space for a long one he'll def have a good option for a pass. Not to mention if he has 1 or 2 players around him that can cover ground and prevent more versatile and pacy players run past him, he is a big lad and much more able to intercept a pass or make a successful tackle. In more congested midfield he's a good option to have, as he provides physical presence.
Improved somewhat in the 2nd half. But overall not a good match for him and the first thirty or so was plain awful.
Don't quite get the logic. I'd rather play McNair and let Carrick take care of that role (who is actually very good at it) if we are to persist with three at the back (don't think we should, but that's another matter). Fellaini looked completely out of place for longish spells today.
When we built up from the back our own half looked so bloody congested at times that having a cool head in that role who wasn't likely to mishit a single pass seemed like an absolutely necessity. The only one who fits that description is Carrick, so again - I don't get it. Fellaini was poor but I don't understand why the hell he was given that task in the first place.
Don't quite get the logic. I'd rather play McNair and let Carrick take care of that role (who is actually very good at it) if we are to persist with three at the back (don't think we should, but that's another matter). Fellaini looked completely out of place for longish spells today.
When we built up from the back our own half looked so bloody congested at times that having a cool head in that role who wasn't likely to mishit a single pass seemed like an absolutely necessity. The only one who fits that description is Carrick, so again - I don't get it. Fellaini was poor but I don't understand why the hell he was given that task in the first place.
Completely agree. Fellainis got much bigger issues than his passing, so I hope that doesnt become an area of focus for him. As others have stated, he is sloppy with his first touch, bad positioning at times, poor vision, too easily pressed, etc. Still miles above where he was last year and deserves a spot as a squad player, but yeah hes got bigger issues.
Stats are terrible when they prove you wrong, yeah
Think he was saying they dont tell the whole picture. But if you can average over 80% passing over the course of a season, youre at a good starting point from which to build into better more creative passing.
This is the critical point with Fellaini. He cannot play quick football, he makes stupid mistakes and loses the ball repeatedly when pressed. Looked better 2nd half cause he had time.
He may be serving a purpose for LVG right now but I can't see him in the team beyond this season.
For me it's down to LvG working with him. He has improved in lot of areas compared to last season. Agree on above. For the poor vision he needs to have his head up when he has the ball in control and under pressure. He looks awkward and lacks confidence under pressure. However having said that he's much better in that respect compared to last season.
80% passing success rate is good, for a midfielder nonetheless? Especially considering that hardly any of them were high risk balls he played.
He was excellent in the second half, good but shaky at times in the first.
He was big boss man today defensively. Bit iffy in posession at times.
I do agree, but its also true that most players and especially those of a similar type to Fellaini - the Wanyamas, Tiotes, etc are all going to do better when they arent immediately closed down as soon as the ball goes near them. Because they dont have the touch and technique to perfectly get away from those hunting. Thats where you'd want to see them use their power to hold off someone if his touch is a bit loose, but he doesnt really do that as well as the rest and you cant always rely on it either.
He played well when he was on a yellow card. I was worried he'd be off before half time. He was brilliant at winning the ball cleanly for the most part.
His passing is erratic. Sometimes he looks slick in possession, playing one touch pass-and-move stuff with Mata and co, then he goes and fluffs up a simple square pass under no pressure.
His passing is erratic. Sometimes he looks slick in possession, playing one touch pass-and-move stuff with Mata and co, then he goes and fluffs up a simple square pass under no pressure.
Well he had an awful start but it's the first time he turned things around and went from having a poor game to a pretty solid performance. When I saw a few misplaced passes and a booking I thought here we go again. I was certain he was going to get sent off but he didn't and kept calm turning his game around and being very useful. Well done to him for that.
Above 80% is where a midfielder should be at. Whether he can add to this by adding killer passes, better positioning and improve his build up play all while maintaining this success rate will determine whether he will have a place on the team long term.
If he can do all that and maintain his excellent tackling, then he will be quite a useful squad player for us.
You really don't like him ... At least you have been 100% consistent in your opinion!
Reminds me of how you hounded poor Hargreaves
With Fellaini we just got to make sure we don't ask him to do things that don't play to his strengths. His first touch isn't that great so we should try not to play him into trouble i.e. when he's marked, his vision isn't great so we shouldn't have him in a role where he has to pick the ball up and start things off. Fellaini is effective in and around the final third, bringing the ball down and bringing people into play. He did that well a number of times today. He is also good at being a physical and putting himself about, but he can get sucked out of position so its a bit unfair to him to ask him to play the Carrick role. Give him the freedom of the third man in midfield, so he can roam about and be a nuisance, without compromising our shape.
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