Player Development

TheReligion

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One thing I think is obvious is how Ten Hag and his staff are developing a number of our players. De Gea, Dalot, Shaw and Rashford being the main ones, all of which are now key players again. It’s also obvious how much work these individuals themselves must have been doing to develop. De Gea trying to improve his ball playing, Rashford heading etc. That in itself shows motivation levels are high currently with the squad wanting to go on this journey under Ten Hag together.

Many have said this squad was better than it was showing under Rangnick/Ole and I do feel when you look at certain individuals now it’s clear they are thriving under the current set up and environment.

It was also interesting how Rashford openly commented that the feeling around the place is very positive. You can again see the team is playing for each other front to back. Seeing everyone swarm De Gea at the final whistle following the save from Rice again emphasised this and our best feature, the defence, seem to really enjoy what they do and most of all playing with each other. The passion from them all when they get things right in game is fantastic.

What is holding us back is we haven’t got a set functional front three yet and this area of the pitch is equally important in terms of understanding and rhythm. Ours is going to remain disjointed until we can settle. When you think of the best teams they are all built on partnerships and to improve again this needs addressing. Such a shame Martial has been so flakey and both Ronaldo and Sancho in poor form.

That said you absolutely have to build from the back first, especially given how the season started. We can’t expect everything at once.

When you look at the forwards we have though I’m not betting against some improvements internally for individuals before the season is out.
 
Don't want to be a party pooper here but wasn't the same said at certain point during Ole's tenure? Especially with regards to Shaw, Martial, Pogba, Rashford ( the first couple of seasons) and how they look so much better than under Jose.

I think we need to manage our expectations of certain players. While the likes of Dalot have certainly improved, let's wait and see how it unfolds over the rest of the season. Similarly with Rashford and Shaw they have shown in the past what they are capable of, it's about maintaining that consistency over the course of a season.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that people like Rashford and Martial will always have patches where they look world class before reverting to type, irrespective of the manager. In the long run if we want to win titles we will have to dip in the market to buy elite forwards. But until that time I hope ETH can continue getting a tune out of them and making their purple patches last longer.
 
If Martial was fit at the moment I think it would make a huge difference. Playing with Ronaldo is killing us, Rashford not great in striker role either. Put Harry Kane in the team and I think we would be challenging for the league.
 
King7Eric said:
Don't want to be a party pooper here but wasn't the same said at certain point during Ole's tenure? Especially with regards to Shaw, Martial, Pogba, Rashford ( the first couple of seasons) and how they look so much better than under Jose.

I think we need to manage our expectations of certain players. While the likes of Dalot have certainly improved, let's wait and see how it unfolds over the rest of the season. Similarly with Rashford and Shaw they have shown in the past what they are capable of, it's about maintaining that consistency over the course of a season.

Personally, I'm of the opinion that people like Rashford and Martial will always have patches where they look world class before reverting to type, irrespective of the manager. In the long run if we want to win titles we will have to dip in the market to buy elite forwards. But until that time I hope ETH can continue getting a tune out of them and making their purple patches last longer.
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Fair comment, I guess I’m aiming it at more than just good form but the actual changes and development of these players?
 
TheReligion said:
Fair comment, I guess I’m aiming it at more than just good form but the actual changes and development of these players?
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Yeah I get that and there are promising signs especially with the likes of Dalot. On the other hand, Bruno continues to be like he's always been, so it's clear there's a long way to go before ETH gets everyone on the same wavelength.

What I'm particularly interested in seeing, and what for me would be a real barometer of our progress, is how we deal with pressure once we are actually competing for the title. Right now our aim is top 4 and in that race there's always a bit of margin for error. If and when we do get involved in a title race ( no matter how briefly) I'd like to see how many of these players step up then, when the margin for error is virtually non-existent. We saw players like Rashford go into a shell the last time we flirted with top spot ( Jan-Feb 21) and I'd be interested in seeing how they react the next time.
 
Talking of player development ... Only yesterday a mate and I were saying how Fred has not improved on his long shots in all the time he has been with us. In fact, am not sure he has improved any other areas of his game.
 
These players have not had quality coaching since van gaal was here, this is more than just good form, you have de gea doing things we have not seen from him in terms of rushing out of his box, rashford looking threatening in the air which we haven't seen since he burst on the scene under lvg, dalot's complete transformation in both personality and defensive qualities that we didn't see even when ragnick was playing him consistently.

Martial has also looked promising in his few chances this season and really hope he can get fit and see if ten hag can transform his mentality
 
Agree with OP. Alo agree with another poster who said Ronaldo is killing us. Nothing we can do this season, but in the summer we need to buy a WC or as near as dammit striker and promote either Mcneil or Hugill as his deputy, as in on the bench and some game time.
What we have now is Ronaldo who will be gone and not exactly setting the attack on fire, an injury prone Martial, who either plays well, or crap. Nothing inbetween. Rashford, Sancho and Antony all wide forwards and not prolific. Greenwood should be let go regardless.
We need a CF not Gakpo, who is another wide forward.
 
wolvored said:
Agree with OP. Alo agree with another poster who said Ronaldo is killing us. Nothing we can do this season, but in the summer we need to buy a WC or as near as dammit striker and promote either Mcneil or Hugill as his deputy, as in on the bench and some game time.
What we have now is Ronaldo who will be gone and not exactly setting the attack on fire, an injury prone Martial, who either plays well, or crap. Nothing inbetween. Rashford, Sancho and Antony all wide forwards and not prolific. Greenwood should be let go regardless.
We need a CF not Gakpo, who is another wide forward.
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Those players are nowhere near ready for first team football! Hugill hasn’t been able to get a game or score a goal for the U21’s in nearly a year
 
To state the obvious, need a consistent scoring threat. And can stay healthy. And doesn’t sulk. And doesn’t storm out of the stadium before the full time whistle.
 
Player development also includes being at a consistent and reliable performance level. That's where Shaw and Rashford have returned to, but even then, they still haven't hit their previous best levels for a prolonged period under EtH, which is a good thing. If they can reach another level of performance and be much more consistent, then they are moving towards that top quality bracket that has been needed from them.

Marcus has some very clear issues like heading, decision making, and some techincal skills. He's improved and is entering his prime age, but consistency is key. Dalot is developing and he's improved, but also that comes with age and of course better coaching. He's benefitted the most because of his age and development bracket.

Overall, player development isn't just down to coaching. Players also develop on their own like mentally, physically, emotionally, and dedicate time and resources to improving. Time and experience plays into the development and cannot be rushed for most. Garnacho, Elanga, Malacia, and possibly Laird are important fringe players to see how they develop and contribute to the first team going forward. Antony and Sancho will continue to develop as well.
 
Although, I always believe ten Hag can develop players, which one of his strength at Ajax but I wouldn't draw in conclusion about players have been developed at this stage as we won't know whether players have develop something until they can do stuff they develop in good amount of period.
 
Not so much player development I think as juat having actuql tactics and instructions that players can follow, and standards where if you don't follow thrm or do your job you're not in the team for the next game. We had none of that under Ole.

Development wise I don't think Rashford for example has developed as such. He's just less shite than last season. Still not playing anywhere near the level he was at that season Ole kept playing him with a broken back. Dalot I think has benefitted a lot from having Martinez and Varane next to him. He's really bought into the defend with your life attitude those two have.

Outside of that ETH has mainly developed the problematic players from last season by not actually playing them as much and signing/picking better ones. Or by them now playing for a different team.
 
Another thought that has crossed my mind a few times is the impact of expiring contracts and playing your best football to make it to the world cup squad. I consider Dalot (expiring contract) and Rashford (WC selection) as a primary examples of players that have an extra bit of motivation to continue to play well for the aforementioned reasons. I would say Shaw (Chilwell competition) and a few others fall in that category as well. But, I really hope that this is just my imagination and that ETH has actually been able to make an impact and has improved their performances.
 
Anyone been watching Hugill in reserves? Ready for the step up to first team and support rashford and martial?
 
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