[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Oh, yes they are. One was showing under SBNation on AMP and Busby Babe on normal search, my bad. Just the 7 then. So many assertion that he was 'decent' seems a little overstated. Whoops.

Not 7, it's 6 then right? and Squawka too man? sorry but that has to get a As does you adding two different ratings (a 4 and a 5) from the same source trying to play it off as 2 low ratings.

Or here's a few that match up a little with what people praising him have said here. Matic adds some balance and composure and helps us concede less.

Independent - 6
ESPN 6 - Nemanja Matic, 6 -- It was another gritty midfield performance from Matic who spread himself around the pitch well, controlled the pace of the game and made a few questionable tackles on Traore.
Express 7 - Good display with huge shift in middle. The odd mistake but generally worked hard to make amends.

No-one was saying he put in a monster performance man.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

It's probably because he got robbed on the ball twice in our own half that lead to half chances.

He wasn't perfect, but 2/10? He was quite slow at times in possession and got mugged twice as you said but he was composed elsewhere, involved in the move for Mata's other first half chance dribbling past halfway to find Martial on the left, he broke up play a few times and was more mobile than I've seen him in ages (admittedly that's from a very low bar). I'd say 5/10 in the first half, rising to 6/10 overall, I thought that 2 stuck out like a sore thumb.

 

[EireRed_GS]

He's been decent enough this last few games, but one thing that really drives me mad about Matic is how he drives forward with the ball quite alot, only to turn and pass it back to Lindelof or Maguire every time.

He does play alot of cross field passes also, but I know most of the time hes on the ball we will end up playing it out from the back all over again.

 

[ivaldo]

Not 7, it's 6 then right? and Squawka too man? sorry but that has to get a As does you adding two different ratings (a 4 and a 5) from the same source trying to play it off as 2 low ratings.

Or here's a few that match up a little with what people praising him have said here. Matic adds some balance and composure and helps us concede less.

Independent - 6
ESPN 6 - Nemanja Matic, 6 -- It was another gritty midfield performance from Matic who spread himself around the pitch well, controlled the pace of the game and made a few questionable tackles on Traore.
Express 7 - Good display with huge shift in middle. The odd mistake but generally worked hard to make amends.

No-one was saying he put in a monster performance man.

No, first 7 ratings. 8-1 is 7. Mind blown?

So let me get this straight. You laugh at the credibility of Squwaka (ignoring I simply said first ratings) but then scratch around for positive reviews and offer up The Express?! Not just that, you offer up the Independent as well, both of which I had already shared. That deserves 2

 

[ivaldo]

He wasn't perfect, but 2/10? He was quite slow at times in possession and got mugged twice as you said but he was composed elsewhere, involved in the move for Mata's other first half chance dribbling past halfway to find Martial on the left, he broke up play a few times and was more mobile than I've seen him in ages (admittedly that's from a very low bar). I'd say 5/10 in the first half, rising to 6/10 overall, I thought that 2 stuck out like a sore thumb.

Yeah a 2 is a little ridiculous. I'd say a 4 in the first half and a 6 in the second, with a rating of 5 about right.

 

[Bestietom]

We don't have anyone else to play this position atm and he has done OK in last few games. It was Fred who was bad last night and Matic had to cover for him also.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Yeah a 2 is a little ridiculous. I'd say a 4 in the first half and a 6 in the second, with a rating of 5 about right.

Fair, so the upshot is since Matic has been back in the fold I've gone from thinking he should be blasted out of the club in a cannon to seeing his worth, particularly when we're in dire straits with our current midfield options. There seems to be beef between yourself and RAB over Matic which I don't want to get involved in, but the uptick in the player's worth is worth noting for me.

 

[ivaldo]

Fair, so the upshot is since Matic has been back in the fold I've gone from thinking he should be blasted out of the club in a cannon to seeing his worth, particularly when we're in dire straits with our current midfield options. There seems to be beef between yourself and RAB over Matic which I don't want to get involved in, but the uptick in the player's worth is worth noting for me.

Right now, when the options are Matic or Andreas/Garner, then he probably needs to play. Ultimately, as long as we pick up the points we need until McTominay comes back, then I can tolerate him. But claims that the criticism he received in the past and those that still think he's well below standard are wrong, are way off the mark.

Oh it is over Matic only. Not sure his views on me but RAB is one of the best posters on the site and we agree on a lot. Just when it comes to Matic he's a delusioned maniac.

 

[12OunceEpilogue]

Right now, when the options are Matic or Andreas/Garner, then he probably needs to play. Ultimately, as long as we pick up the points we need until McTominay comes back, then I can tolerate him. But claims that the criticism he received in the past and those that still think he's well below standard are wrong, are way off the mark.

Oh it is over Matic only. RAB is one of the best posters on the site and we agree on a lot. Just when it comes to Matic he's a delusioned maniac.

Agreed 100%.

Then let me add a for the effort

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

No, first 7 ratings. 8-1 is 7. Mind blown?

MEN: 5
Evening standard: 4
Mirror: 4
Independent: 6
SB Nation: 5 (aka The Busby Babe)
Squawka: 4
The Busby Babe: 4

If the above -1 = 7, then yeah, mind well and truly blown

What a terrible debate this is. The bottom 3 classed as real news outlets is funny, 2 of them with different ratings actually being the same fan outlet just shows how transparent your desperation is to try and back up your point.
3 actual news outlets (shit ones all 3) agree with you (MEN, Evening Standard, Mirror), 3 actual news outlets (Independent, Express, ESPN) give him a 6 or above. Who gives a shit really? I can see for myself as can the large majority in this thread besides yourself.

As for Squawka, this fecktard gave Andreas the same rating as Matic. That tells you all you need to know about a guy trying to play the clever cnut.

@ivaldo, I don't know how we've both managed to be such damn deluded maniacs on this one, but I do think there'a chance we both are. My thoughts on you are that you're normally an absolutely brilliant poster, hence why one, or most probably both of us are complete plebs regarding Matic.

 

[Fracture90]

Caid has already admitted he prefers a player to just try and force it.
Strange really considering how poor we have been this season when we try to force things and have zero composure, but each to their own.

Agenda is strong with that one (and some others).

 

[ivaldo]

MEN: 5
Evening standard: 4
Mirror: 4
Independent: 6
SB Nation: 5 (aka The Busby Babe)
Squawka: 4
The Busby Babe: 4

If the above -1 = 7, then yeah, mind well and truly blown

What a terrible debate this is. The bottom 3 classed as real news outlets is funny, 2 of them with different ratings actually being the same fan outlet just shows how transparent your desperation is to try and back up your point.
3 actual news outlets (shit ones all 3) agree with you (MEN, Evening Standard, Mirror), 3 actual news outlets (Independent, Express, ESPN) give him a 6 or above. Who gives a shit really? I can see for myself as can the large majority in this thread besides yourself.

As for Squawka, this fecktard gave Andreas the same rating as Matic. That tells you all you need to know about a guy trying to play the clever cnut.

@ivaldo, I don't know how we've both managed to be such damn deluded maniacs on this one, but I do think there'a chance we both are. My thoughts on you are that you're normally an absolutely brilliant poster, hence why one, or most probably both of us are complete plebs regarding Matic.

And the Express... which is 7.

Yeah you're right. Let's let this one lie and direct our ire towards some other poor sap!

 

[Andersons Dietician]

As a long time member of the Matic needs to go club have to say since he has come back bar one game he’s been really good. It’s probably stuff not many people would notice but hes been an absolute rock for Williams.

Gets across protects him and covers for him when he’s out of position which is often, he really makes an effort to help him out. Taking proper responsibility to help the kid and see him through.

Even when he’s not been doing that just the fact he is quite happy at times to sit in the middle and allow Fred to get about and destroy has really worked out for us. Slips in to defence to make it a back 3 at times effortlessly as well and has been quite good at retaining possesion.

I would love to see more intensity from him in his movement to get in to space to offer himself but I’ve been pleasantly surprised and impressed with what he has done since he has found a way back in to the squad.

 

[Foxbatt]

To me his worst play was the non goal we conceded. He just stopped. If he had continued his running the Wolves player may not have even got the ball to score. He did save a goal though in the first half. It was dropping in the corner and he headed it out from almost under the bar. Maybe he has played too much without a break but when he plays our midfield and defence looks more solid than without him. Yes he needs to be replaced by a player who can be the DM but a much better quality player now.

 

[thepolice123]

The same ivaldo who doesn't rate Carrick?

Not surprised at all.

 

[Thiagoal]

As a long time member of the Matic needs to go club have to say since he has come back bar one game he’s been really good. It’s probably stuff not many people would notice but hes been an absolute rock for Williams.

Gets across protects him and covers for him when he’s out of position which is often, he really makes an effort to help him out. Taking proper responsibility to help the kid and see him through.

Even when he’s not been doing that just the fact he is quite happy at times to sit in the middle and allow Fred to get about and destroy has really worked out for us. Slips in to defence to make it a back 3 at times effortlessly as well and has been quite good at retaining possesion.

I would love to see more intensity from him in his movement to get in to space to offer himself but I’ve been pleasantly surprised and impressed with what he has done since he has found a way back in to the squad.

This is the key point! Less nuanced fans maybe can’t spot the overall effect Matić has on our game! His positioning is excellent and he plugs holes that are abundant when he (or McT) don’t play!

Yes, his output with the ball at feet isn’t perfect, but he brings so much organisation to the team that he needs to play every game until Scott’s back or we buy another midfielder of similar ilk

 

[MadDogg]

This is the key point! Less nuanced fans maybe can’t spot the overall effect Matić has on our game! His positioning is excellent and he plugs holes that are abundant when he (or McT) don’t play!

Yes, his output with the ball at feet isn’t perfect, but he brings so much organisation to the team that he needs to play every game until Scott’s back or we buy another midfielder of similar ilk

When he's playing well he does that. When he's not playing well he is very easy to bypass and his passing tends to be pointless sideways balls.

He's been good these last few games and hopefully he continues like that as it makes a huge difference. But he has history of starting well when something changes (re-joining Chelsea, joining us, when Ole took over) before falling away quite dramatically. And the period that his good form lasts has been declining each time. A season or two with Chelsea before dropping away, 6 months when he joined us, and only about a month when Ole took over. Hopefully this time it at least lasts until McTominay comes back, and maybe after that he can actually maintain it if he actually gets rotated instead of playing every game.

 

[11101]

This is the key point! Less nuanced fans maybe can’t spot the overall effect Matić has on our game! His positioning is excellent and he plugs holes that are abundant when he (or McT) don’t play!

Yes, his output with the ball at feet isn’t perfect, but he brings so much organisation to the team that he needs to play every game until Scott’s back or we buy another midfielder of similar ilk

Individually hes been doing relatively well but that ignores the negative effect he has on the team. We are at our best with a high pressing, fast passing game where players quickly release the ball to exploit gaps. Matic cannot do that, and the whole team slows down as a result.

 

[DocRockter]

A very good performance.. I'd pay my own money for him to be 5 years younger..

 

[MAME DIOUF 32]

Best I've seen him play in quite some time, I think. Pulled all the strings but none of them responded.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

We are at our best with a high pressing, fast passing game

High pressing, fast passing....

Funniest thing I've read all week. News for you mate, we can't do any of that, we're shite.

I doubt @ivaldo will care to admit it but he's still one of our best players as shown again today, and that should tell you all you need to know. I'm still so angry at how we culled the squad this Summer and alienated the likes of Matic for this fecking manager of all people.

 

[DamoK]

Individually hes been doing relatively well but that ignores the negative effect he has on the team. We are at our best with a high pressing, fast passing game where players quickly release the ball to exploit gaps. Matic cannot do that, and the whole team slows down as a result.

We don't have many players who can do that m8! I thought he played well today, it's our lack of an Amf that is killing us

 

[limerickcitykid]

His composure and ability to actually pick out a pass are just so far ahead anyone else in the side. What we’d do for a prime Matić.

 

[Master Yoda]

Fred or Matic Motm. We have the most overrated attacking players Ive seen in my life.

 

[Amar__]

Back to playing quick touch football which is always good to see, but anytime he plays more football he starts to slow it down until he turns into midfield Maguire which makes us play terrible and predictable football. But this Matic is good Matic to watch.

 

[Isotope]

Second best United player after Fred. He used his body well. He and Fred control the midfield against so many Liv midfielders, which is commendable.

 

[RedIan]

Played very well and looks quality. Made odd error but hes been massive for us since MCT injured.

 

[Godfather]

He is able to pass the ball to a teammate which seperates him from most of our team today. Decent game from him.

 

[ivaldo]

High pressing, fast passing....

Funniest thing I've read all week. News for you mate, we can't do any of that, we're shite.

I doubt @ivaldo will care to admit it but he's still one of our best players as shown again today, and that should tell you all you need to know. I'm still so angry at how we culled the squad this Summer and alienated the likes of Matic for this fecking manager of all people.

I won't admit it because it isn't true. He's been largely shite since signing. He's fortunate he has Fred next to him to do the running for two. That being said I thought he had a decent game today. Used the ball well and didn't dawdle on it. If he puts this performance in every week then I'd be content with him being a placeholder until McTominay returns.

 

[ivaldo]

The same ivaldo who doesn't rate Carrick?

Not surprised at all.

Yeah, you keep pretending that's what I said if it makes you feel better. Don't be a craven and tag me next time. I thought Carrick was overrated, but you don't win as much silverware and he has without being a good player. I rated him, just not as much as everyone else.

 

[The United]

I thought he had an average game.

There were a few times he passed to the pool's players straight a few yards in front of him and putting us under a lot of pressure.

 

[kundalini]

One good moment early on but after that I thought he was poor.

Been surprisingly impressed by him most PL games he's started this season.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I won't admit it because it isn't true. He's been largely shite since signing.

Except that season where he helped us to second of course.

He was shite last year though. I mean, except for when he started pretty much every game in the run that got Ole the job.

 

[ivaldo]

Except that season where he helped us to second of course.

He was shite last year though. I mean, except for when he started pretty much every game in the run that got Ole the job.

Not going to get into this again RAB! He was decent today so you'll hear no complaints from me.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Not going to get into this again RAB! He was decent today so you'll hear no complaints from me.

Come on, let's go all night. ha ha.

Seriously though, I'm stupidly over the top about Matic because for me he sums up our reckless approach to clearing out unpopular players despite how much weaker it makes us.
I'm furious that we went into this season threadbare with Ole Gunnar Solksjaer as manager. Had we done it with Klopp, Pep, Simeone, hell even fecking Conte I'd have understood it, but risking this on Ole? fecking idiotic.

 

[Ace of Spades]

He was okay. He can pick a pass and still has his strength, but he is just so slow. Against top teams that is a big negative as you can't afford to carry passengers in games like this. He also had some sloppy moments, like the time he keeps the ball too long. That usually ends up with him being closed down and he can't get out of those situations. He is best when the teams don't press,or when they do he keeps things simple and one touch.

 

[starman]

Thought he played well, has looked more agile than he has for a long time since he’s been back.
Out of contract at the end of the season, with a option to extend, I know people want him gone, (I was one of them in the past), but I would sign him on for another year, especially with being so short in midfield and can’t see us signing 4 new ones (what’s needed,IMO) within this and the next window....

 

[charlenefan]

Activate that clause in his contract ASAP

 

[Red00012]

Decent game , if only he was able to use his right foot.

 

[Cliche Guevara]

Thought he was good today. Second half he and Fred played the double pivot really well.