Few thoughts.
1) The 3-5-2 is going to take a lot of stick today. However I'd remind people that what we saw today was a continuation of the entirety of last season, when we played 4 at the back. I'd also point out we have zero full backs available to us, which means we'd play two centre backs at full back, hardly ideal. Switching to a back 4 ain't gonna solve anything overnight. Which isn't to say there's no reasons to drop 3-5-2 because...
2) Our defense look as nervous as kittens. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is, but they look as nervous as hell. Maybe a back four would calm things down. As soon as an opposition player vaguely wanders in their direction, they hoof it. I actually think this is our biggest problem. The bulk of our play should be on the floor through the middle of the park. However it only ends up there when there's zero risk on the pass. Anyone in the way? Long ball to the strikers.
3) Valencia & Young are back. To their worst. I think Valencia has had an okay career on balance, but he looks long past the point of no return. Young I've never been impressed with, and while I wanted to be proven wrong after his good pre-season, he's back to his usual self.
The total lack of threat down the flanks, combined with the defenders' fear of playing the ball, means that the only route to goal is direct to the front 3. And that's far too easy to defend against. Mata, Rooney and RvP end up feeding on scraps and getting frustrated - and of course it means when they do get an opportunity their touch deserts them.
4) Di Maria - class. Pitied him being involved in that today. The only problem is that we need him in midfield, on the flanks and up front. Moar!
5) Don't overlook our injuries - Adding Shaw, Rafael, Blind, Carrick and Herrera would make a feck load of difference. If Rojo turns out to be decent too you're talking about replacing half the team with players who are major upgrades on what we saw today. That can only help.
1) The 3-5-2 is going to take a lot of stick today. However I'd remind people that what we saw today was a continuation of the entirety of last season, when we played 4 at the back. I'd also point out we have zero full backs available to us, which means we'd play two centre backs at full back, hardly ideal. Switching to a back 4 ain't gonna solve anything overnight. Which isn't to say there's no reasons to drop 3-5-2 because...
2) Our defense look as nervous as kittens. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is, but they look as nervous as hell. Maybe a back four would calm things down. As soon as an opposition player vaguely wanders in their direction, they hoof it. I actually think this is our biggest problem. The bulk of our play should be on the floor through the middle of the park. However it only ends up there when there's zero risk on the pass. Anyone in the way? Long ball to the strikers.
3) Valencia & Young are back. To their worst. I think Valencia has had an okay career on balance, but he looks long past the point of no return. Young I've never been impressed with, and while I wanted to be proven wrong after his good pre-season, he's back to his usual self.
The total lack of threat down the flanks, combined with the defenders' fear of playing the ball, means that the only route to goal is direct to the front 3. And that's far too easy to defend against. Mata, Rooney and RvP end up feeding on scraps and getting frustrated - and of course it means when they do get an opportunity their touch deserts them.
4) Di Maria - class. Pitied him being involved in that today. The only problem is that we need him in midfield, on the flanks and up front. Moar!
5) Don't overlook our injuries - Adding Shaw, Rafael, Blind, Carrick and Herrera would make a feck load of difference. If Rojo turns out to be decent too you're talking about replacing half the team with players who are major upgrades on what we saw today. That can only help.
