[simplyared]

His experience shows, no doubt. Love the way he threads the ball through those tight spaces. Always looking for options and plays with intent. Wants to make things happen. Grossly underrated player imo. Certainly worthy of his place in the team.

 

[kundalini]

Good performance. Kept possession well. Some super crossfield passes. Involved in the build-up to Dan James' goal.

 

[Tapori]

Why can't we have a 5 years younger Matic?

 

[Devil may care]

Poor in the first half but improved in the second, I do think he's struggling at PL level these days though.

 

[city-puma]

His legs have gone really. But still he made a difference to produce the second goal. He is a great servant to this club. But, next season the team needs a new personal. It’s sad.

 

[Borys]

His legs have gone really. But still he made a difference to produce the second goal. He is a great servant to this club. But, next season the team needs a new personal. It’s sad.

I don't see it. He looks fit, rarely gets dribbled past because he knows how to use his frame, decent at carrying the ball forward. He played 90' in two man midfield and didn't look out of breath.

We were always going to struggle with that setup against Newcastle mad pressing in the first half.

Matic is one of the few mismanaged players by Ole. Honestly I don't understand why he isn't part of first team, rotating with McTominay and Fred. He's our most versatile midfielder, decent passer, good on the ball, strong and very experienced.

 

[lex talionis]

Excellent today. He can’t play back to back games but when he’s rested he can put in a nice shift. Put in a good ball that found its way to James for the goal.

 

[city-puma]

I don't see it. He looks fit, rarely gets dribbled past because he knows how to use his frame, decent at carrying the ball forward. He played 90' in two man midfield and didn't look out of breath.

We were always going to struggle with that setup against Newcastle mad pressing in the first half.

Matic is one of the few mismanaged players by Ole. Honestly I don't understand why he isn't part of first team, rotating with McTominay and Fred. He's our most versatile midfielder, decent passer, good on the ball, strong and very experienced.

He is slower than last season. It’s very obvious. It’s one reason we were under such a pressure by Newcastle’s high pressing. The other reason is that he stayed in his territory zone too much, rather than making himself available to Fred. As a result, we were pressed deep in our half and couldn’t bring the ball out. In short, he and Fred lacks the connection in between. I think it due to his legs gone. He doesn’t have the mobility like before.
But I still praise him for his contribution. We don’t have anyone else at the moment and he did his job as best as he could and even found a way to bring us back in front.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

The other reason is that he stayed in his territory zone too much, rather than making himself available to Fred.

with Fred’s passing in that first half, it’s a bloody good job he stayed in his territory.

 

[city-puma]

with Fred’s passing in that first half, it’s a bloody good job he stayed in his territory.

I don’t think you get what I said.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

I don’t think you get what I said.

I got exactly what you said, but Fred’s passing to available players was so fecking terrible, it was probably best Matic waited for the inevitable turnover.

 

[city-puma]

I got exactly what you said, but Fred’s passing to available players was so fecking terrible, it was probably best Matic waited for the inevitable turnover.

Then, the difference in opinion is because we all see the symptoms but think differently the cause. Fair enough.

 

[Brightonian]

He is slower than last season. It’s very obvious. It’s one reason we were under such a pressure by Newcastle’s high pressing. The other reason is that he stayed in his territory zone too much, rather than making himself available to Fred. As a result, we were pressed deep in our half and couldn’t bring the ball out. In short, he and Fred lacks the connection in between. I think it due to his legs gone. He doesn’t have the mobility like before.
But I still praise him for his contribution. We don’t have anyone else at the moment and he did his job as best as he could and even found a way to bring us back in front.

Agree with all this. He was decent today but still showed the age-related weaknesses which are really setting in this season. Most of all he can't turn his body quickly enough, so when a midfielder or forward is running at him and he's shaping to send them one way, they only have to manage a little shimmy or chop to the other side and he's out of the picture turning like an 18-wheeler.

I don't want to criticise his performance today, because his positives outweighed his negatives and he was really important to the result. But it's crucial that we effectively replace him in the summer. Keep him around, of course, but I want to see a younger player taking over his role.

 

[Red00012]

Excellent today. He can’t play back to back games but when he’s rested he can put in a nice shift. Put in a good ball that found its way to James for the goal.

He’ll probably play Thursday

 

[Red Royal]

Nice praise for him on MOTD

 

[royboy16]

Played well, very calm and collected on the ball.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Dion Dublin raving about him on MOTD2. Thinks he’s man of the match. He was very good tbf.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Did well for our second goal.

 

[city-puma]

Agree with all this. He was decent today but still showed the age-related weaknesses which are really setting in this season. Most of all he can't turn his body quickly enough, so when a midfielder or forward is running at him and he's shaping to send them one way, they only have to manage a little shimmy or chop to the other side and he's out of the picture turning like an 18-wheeler.

I don't want to criticise his performance today, because his positives outweighed his negatives and he was really important to the result. But it's crucial that we effectively replace him in the summer. Keep him around, of course, but I want to see a younger player taking over his role.

Yeah, he is 198cm or so I think? It’s just too hard to be as agile and quick as before due to his age. So sad but it’s a natural process.

 

[acnumber9]

He’s a proper midfielder. Got better as the game went on. If he were a few years younger we’d have more points on the board.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I do feel more confident with him in the side.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

His legs have gone really. But still he made a difference to produce the second goal. He is a great servant to this club. But, next season the team needs a new personal. It’s sad.

He is fine for another couple of years in the role he plays. If we have to sell Pogba and end up buying a midfielder who is better suited to the formation we typically play than Pogba is then great but Matic is a great backup.

 

[city-puma]

He is fine for another couple of years in the role he plays. If we have to sell Pogba and end up buying a midfielder who is better suited to the formation we typically play than Pogba is then great but Matic is a great backup.

I do hope we can keep him at least for another season.

 

[Norris]

MOTM for me. His forward passing was excellent and he was mostly calm and composed. Nice to see players who are rotation options stepping up and making a huge impact on the game.

 

[Ekeke]

Strong performance. He's good at making and using his space going forward, including in the buildup for James' goal and when he isnt running with the ball into that space he often looks for a progressive pass when he's involved with the ball in the opponents half.

 

[GoldanoGraham]

His composure with the ball at his feet and ability to pick a decent well placed pass is the polar opposite to Fred

 

[rron10]

MOTM for me. His forward passing was excellent and he was mostly calm and composed. Nice to see players who are rotation options stepping up and making a huge impact on the game.

I agree.
He really bossed the midfield yesterday and offered passes to our forwards wich in many occasions they don’t get.

 

[Mr Smith]

Really has shown he can still be a class player when given the opportunity. I think a lot of credit has to go to Ole for managing him this season; by not playing Matic every game, he's kept him fresh and hungry and he seems to produce whenever he does play, even if it's rare these days. To have someone who can step in at short notice and bring quality and experience is a great thing to have in a squad.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

His composure with the ball at his feet and ability to pick a decent well placed pass is the polar opposite to Fred

Yeah the strengths of those two merged into on, that would be a helluva player.

Good game, credit where it’s due.

 

[Borys]

He is slower than last season. It’s very obvious. It’s one reason we were under such a pressure by Newcastle’s high pressing. The other reason is that he stayed in his territory zone too much, rather than making himself available to Fred. As a result, we were pressed deep in our half and couldn’t bring the ball out. In short, he and Fred lacks the connection in between. I think it due to his legs gone. He doesn’t have the mobility like before.
But I still praise him for his contribution. We don’t have anyone else at the moment and he did his job as best as he could and even found a way to bring us back in front.

He might be slower than a season ago, but still fast enough to pull away with a ball at his feet (if he has space), and nimble enough to dribble in crowded area. He must be about 10x more mobile than Carrick last few years. Like I said - I don't see any issue with his mobility. He never relied on it anyway. This "problem" is often raised when he plays with Pogba, can't think of the reason why...

He might not be able to play every game, but so isn't McTominay who usually gets a week rest so that doesn't seem like an issue as well.

The pressing issue has more to do with big distance between back 6 and front 4 (happens very often). Plus, we are not well coached in beating pressing. Your conclusions are too far fetched, we struggle against pressing whoever plays in midfield. It's a collective issue, not personal. And if anything Matic is actually the first player I'd pick against intense pressing team.

He was very good yesterday, he's actually quite decent whenever he plays this season and I can't wait to see him paired with McTominay.

 

[Borys]

So, do people still think his legs are gone? 180' in 4 days, one of the best players on the pitch each game.

 

[el3mel]

Guy is class when on form. One of my most favorite players in the team even when not playing much.

 

[Sylar]

So, do people still think his legs are gone? 180' in 4 days, one of the best players on the pitch each game.

But what would happen if he plays the next game?

Anyway yeah good game especially when he had the ball. Did like him dropping between the defenders to push them out and thus push the fullbacks on

 

[Poborsky's hair]

So, do people still think his legs are gone? 180' in 4 days, one of the best players on the pitch each game.

Are you kidding right? yeah he managed to stay on the pitch however this game was so dreadful after Fred left and without any kind of control. Not that it needs to be confirmed again that he's a second rate player who should be replaced, certainly not even a palyer of the ilk we would want if we want to progress with our so called style.

Shame about Garner, still too early for him..

 

[Borys]

But what would happen if he plays the next game?

Anyway yeah good game especially when he had the ball. Did like him dropping between the defenders to push them out and thus push the fullbacks on

No midfielder in our squad plays every game. Fred and especially McTominay get rest every 2nd game usually.

Are you kidding right? yeah he managed to stay on the pitch however this game was so dreadful after Fred left and without any kind of control. Not that it needs to be confirmed again that he's a second rate player who should be replaced, certainly not even a palyer of the ilk we would want if we want to progress with our so called style.

Shame about Garner, still too early for him..

Yeah it was a dreadful second half, but he still was one of the best players (if not the best overall) and lasted 90' without looking particularly exhausted.

 

[Sylar]

No midfielder in our squad plays every game. Fred and especially McTominay get rest every 2nd game usually.

Except Bruno you mean
This match and Newcastle shouldn't be used to make a case for him saying he can do two games in 4 days regularly

 

[KW2006]

Still one of our most handsome player.

 

[tomaldinho1]

He’s always been our best DM when fit and also best in possession. However, let’s not for a second pretend the Pastor and the McTerminator won’t be starting against Chelsea.

 

[Borys]

Except Bruno you mean
This match and Newcastle shouldn't be used to make a case for him saying he can do two games in 4 days regularly

Bruno is not a midfielder but yeah, he is the exception in our team.

As I said in previous posts, we don't need him to play every game because Ole rotates midfielders a lot. What I can't see is why people say his legs are gone.

 

[Sylar]

Bruno is not a midfielder but yeah, he is the exception in our team.

As I said in previous posts, we don't need him to play every game because Ole rotates midfielders a lot. What I can't see is why people say his legs are gone.

Because there are games where it looks like it and players bypass him
Saying that for me it's mostly when he plays back to back games

I agree that we don't need him to play every game like Jose used to use him. We're using matic well and he looks fresh when he does play