[Red Stone]

If he was from any other country than Holland he wouldn't play. At least he should've been off instead of Falcao today. Falcao was actually getting into positions, even if he took his time to get the goal. I have a feeling that first goal will open the floodgates, though, and he deserved to stay on to see if he could've added to it.

RvP did nothing at all and has been poor for a while, even if he's managed to nick a couple of goals. Falcao has been consistently better, though.

 

[RuudTom83]

Rooney gets slaughter after a bad touch so I'm not too bother if everyone gives RVP some stick.

But personally i judge him as a goal scorer! he didn't score today so he had an average game.

But his striking partner did score so the criticism shouldn't be too severe.

 

[Lynk]

He should've went off instead of Falcao. But I don't think he had a bad game. Was actually doing a lot of hard work in the first half, winning tackles and had some neat build up play. I don't think he can play 90 mins currently though.

 

[SmashedHombre]

He'll be our top scorer at the end of the season. He's still quality, he's just playing in a team that hasn't settled yet and he's surrounded by completely new players. Him and Falcao are still learning each other's game- which is probably doubly difficult since they both play in the same position. He no longer has the luxury of being the focal point of our attack, ala Costa at Chelsea. We're spreading the goals around the team a lot more now, and that's due in large part to RVP and the like working hard off the ball and opening up space for the likes of Di Maria and Herrera.

 

[DWelbz19]

I'm not sure how neat his build up play actually was. He lost the ball a few times and did his ever present ball dither when in a dangerous position that he seems to like this season. It was a 6/10, all in all.

 

[itso 7]

When Rooney comes back, he will have competition in that LVG could move Rooney up front and drop RVP for Mata to play in behind, even though Mata has demonstrated little more than RVP to warrant a place in the side. If LVG really wanted to drop him, he could play Wilson up front.

I really think people are overstating the bias LVG has when picking players. People were saying this about Rooney a couple of weeks back, for example. We've got plenty of attacking players, and while RVP hasn't been brilliant, he's still managed to grab a couple of goals in the two games leading up to today. If he was playing appalling stuff and not scoring I could understood frustration at LVG not dropping him, but that's not really been the case.

Adnan Januzaj, I believe he will give us an extra outlet if he was used in a role similar to that played by Robben at the WC. He will offer us something different which could hopefully occupy defenders and free up room for Di Maria and Rooney. RVP should be dropped as his performances do not warrant an undroppable status.

 

[krazyrobus]

I don't think RVP will improve as long as he is playing alongside Falcao. Too many cooks.

 

[Jed I. Knight]

Shocking performance today! Something isn't right, you don't go from performing like a world class player 3 months ago at the WC to then suddenly looking old and past it. My bet is that he's plagued by an injury that he's not letting on and that's affecting his performance. I don't buy the disinterested aspect because he simply has no reason to be. He's played in every game since he was fit, he's scored a few goals and we are winning. That doesn't equate to a disinterested player.

I thought he wasn't anywhere near his best at the World Cup either. Much of the same as we've seen from him for us so far this season. The Dutch were all about Robben at the WC.

 

[buckooo1978]

He looks slow, ponderous and this was exemplified by his chance in the second half

His movement was good and he and Falcao seem to be on a good wave length

A bit like Falcao I think we need to be creating a few more chances and we'll see a lot more goals and more sharpness

We are lacking a bit of pace and had Falcao not picked up a knock I think RVP would have been subbed

 

[matherto]

I thought he wasn't anywhere near his best at the World Cup either. Much of the same as we've seen from him for us so far this season. The Dutch were all about Robben at the WC.

Yeah people seriously need to stop peddling that shit.

He was decent against Spain but his performance will be exaggerated by THAT goal, then didn't really do much of note after that.

As you said it was all Robben, RVP was pretty invisible throughout the tournament really.

I just think he's lost any pace he had (he was never lightning quick) and injuries have taken their toll on his acceleration and agility too. This is just the Robin we've got now.

That said we could do with creating a bit more so he can get more involved. His link up play in 12/13 was excellent but we seemingly don't let him move from right up top now so he doesn't come deep and get on the ball.

 

[Cheesy]

Adnan Januzaj, I believe he will give us an extra outlet if he was used in a role similar to that played by Robben at the WC. He will offer us something different which could hopefully occupy defenders and free up room for Di Maria and Rooney. RVP should be dropped as his performances do not warrant an undroppable status.

I like Januzaj, but I think you're overrating the presence he's going to have in our team. He'll certainly be useful, but he's certainly not going to have an impact similar to someone like Robben. I'd like to see Januzaj get more time, but where's he going to play? RVP for Januzaj is hardly like for like.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Signs of age are slowly getting to him but I believe he can have two maybe even three decent seasons of football... coming from the bench.

As much as I love him team needs to progress constantly to catch on with the football world. He may be in trouble if he won't sharpen his poacher skills.

 

[SteveW]

I like Januzaj, but I think you're overrating the presence he's going to have in our team. He'll certainly be useful, but he's certainly not going to have an impact similar to someone like Robben. I'd like to see Januzaj get more time, but where's he going to play? RVP for Januzaj is hardly like for like.

Januzaj for RVP would make the team far more balanced. We're too top heavy and narrow

 

[Jed I. Knight]

Yeah people seriously need to stop peddling that shit.

He was decent against Spain but his performance will be exaggerated by THAT goal, then didn't really do much of note after that.

As you said it was all Robben, RVP was pretty invisible throughout the tournament really.

I just think he's lost any pace he had (he was never lightning quick) and injuries have taken their toll on his acceleration and agility too. This is just the Robin we've got now.

That said we could do with creating a bit more so he can get more involved. His link up play in 12/13 was excellent but we seemingly don't let him move from right up top now so he doesn't come deep and get on the ball.

Agreed on all parts. The bolded bit has confused me a bit, as I would have expected Falcao to be the one leading the line, but he seems to move around and get involved more than Robin does.

 

[JUPITER]

I like Januzaj, but I think you're overrating the presence he's going to have in our team. He'll certainly be useful, but he's certainly not going to have an impact similar to someone like Robben. I'd like to see Januzaj get more time, but where's he going to play? RVP for Januzaj is hardly like for like.

No, it's not. But should we be trying to force two number 9s into every stating line-up?

Should we even be contemplating it, in fact?

 

[caisenma]

Adnan Januzaj, I believe he will give us an extra outlet if he was used in a role similar to that played by Robben at the WC. He will offer us something different which could hopefully occupy defenders and free up room for Di Maria and Rooney. RVP should be dropped as his performances do not warrant an undroppable status.

Completely agreed. No player should be undroppable anyway, and Adnan deserves a shot already. This is getting a bit ridiculous how little gametime he's seeing, but perhaps that's for another thread.

 

[The Azzurri]

Got himself involve in an alcaration with Tim Howard towards the end there...

 

[Nighteyes]

I think some of you are being harsh on him. He did notably slow down the play a couple of times but he's still the best striker we have in terms of playing with his back to goal.

 

[NoLogo]

No, it's not. But should we be trying to force two number 9s into every stating line-up?

Should we even be contemplating it, in fact?

I actually would like to see us go back to a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 in the long run. While I think that playing with two out and out strikers can work for some games I would be more comfortable if we managed to go back to a 5 man midfield and only one striker in the long run.

 

[itso 7]

I like Januzaj, but I think you're overrating the presence he's going to have in our team. He'll certainly be useful, but he's certainly not going to have an impact similar to someone like Robben. I'd like to see Januzaj get more time, but where's he going to play? RVP for Januzaj is hardly like for like.

Replacing Van Persie with a like player is only going to compound the imbalance, Januzaj will offer something different to RVP, Mata, Rooney or Falcao. His ability to run at defenses with the ball, his creativity will make us function better as a team enabling us to get more from Falcao, Rooney and others. The beauty of playing him as a support striker is that he could pop up in any position creating a degree of uncertainity for the defense, how do you mark him out?

 

[Devil may care]

I think he looks physically weaker then before, like it's an effort for him just to play, he used to glide around the pitch effortlessly. I also don't think playing with a partner suits him or Falcao.

 

[roykeane19]

I dont understand for a former winger, why does he never try to get past his man, or make something happen, hes almost becoming valencia like in that dithering on the ball he does, and then just turns around and passes it to someone else, needs to try taking some long shots, instead of waiting for the ball to fall to his feet

Dont understand how hes dropped in quality so much

 

[KiD MoYeS]

It's funny, for all the Rooney criticism, he's comfortably our best forward as of now.

I think van Persie was poor again today, he is capable of sticking it in the net though...

 

[matherto]

I dont understand for a former winger, why does he never try to get past his man, or make something happen, hes almost becoming valencia like in that dithering on the ball he does, and then just turns around and passes it to someone else, needs to try taking some long shots, instead of waiting for the ball to fall to his feet

Dont understand how hes dropped in quality so much

It's not a stretch to suggest he's over the hill. 31 is the back end of someones peak but that drop can come sooner and sharper if you've had injuries throughout your career which Robin obviously has.

Look at Henry. He went from a brilliant year in 2008/09 with Eto'o and Messi to absolutely useless in such a short space of time.

 

[Cheesy]

It's funny, for all the Rooney criticism, he's comfortably our best forward as of now.

I think van Persie was poor again today, he is capable of sticking it in the net though...

You could argue that Falcao will take that slot if he continues to improve, although a lot of Rooney's criticism is often over the top.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Very poor performance today. Slowed down the attack far too many times, lost the ball unnecessarily and did nothing to add to possession or a defensive shift.

 

[Speak]

You could play him up top with Falcao for every minute of every game, and the partnership will barely improve. He's just not a partnership striker, and he labours too much to be the solo striker.
He's done what he was bought for, and we'll still see some special goals, but I'd entertain letting him go in the summer.

And that's not even based on the games this season, let alone today.

 

[Kraftwerker]

The fact is, he'll score around 20 goals this season. And it's bloody hard to find 20 goals a season players.

Don't think the partnership with Falcao is an issue - Falcao has set him up twice now afterall.

Van Persie will be fine and will undoubtedly make a big contribution to anything we achieve this season.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Surely Falcao would be better up front on his own now, sad as it is to say but RvP just doesn't look as good right now, and is a bit of a luxury we can't afford, would rather see an extra body next to Blind, Herrera, Rooney, Di Maria, and Falcao are more than adequate to score the goals.

 

[Galactic]

On current form, it should be Rooney and Falcao up front and Mata as the Number 10. Mata is not that convincing as well but he is somewhat better than Van Persie at the moment.

If Van Gaal does indeed rate Januzaj as a forward, then the WBA game is surely a good time to use him there, considering Van Persie's form.

 

[FromTheBench]

On current form, it should be Rooney and Falcao up front and Mata as the Number 10. Mata is not that convincing as well but he is somewhat better than Van Persie at the moment.

If Van Gaal does indeed rate Januzaj as a forward, then the WBA game is surely a good time to use him there, considering Van Persie's form.

I think problem is not not rating Januzaj but benching RVP considering his relationship.

He's been invisible 2nd half of last 3 games and not been taken off while we've had to carry him as a luxury.


LVG has to show his famous balls in this sooner rather than later.

 

[Cheesy]

On current form, it should be Rooney and Falcao up front and Mata as the Number 10. Mata is not that convincing as well but he is somewhat better than Van Persie at the moment.

If Van Gaal does indeed rate Januzaj as a forward, then the WBA game is surely a good time to use him there, considering Van Persie's form.

Is he? I've not been overly convinced by RVP as of late, but he's managed to grab a couple of goals, which is his primary job as a striker. Mata's job is largely to create and dictate the play, but he was anonymous today and with the exception of the QPR game, has been fairly poor this season overall. I'd rather have Rooney as the number 10 for this side than Mata, to be honest.

 

[bugmat]

He should've went off instead of Falcao. But I don't think he had a bad game. Was actually doing a lot of hard work in the first half, winning tackles and had some neat build up play. I don't think he can play 90 mins currently though.

How long until he gets match fit? He's played more than all our strikers and keeps looking worse. Once minute 65 congress around every game he's done. Falcao definitely should have stayed on.

 

[Galactic]

Is he? I've not been overly convinced by RVP as of late, but he's managed to grab a couple of goals, which is his primary job as a striker. Mata's job is largely to create and dictate the play, but he was anonymous today and with the exception of the QPR game, has been fairly poor this season overall. I'd rather have Rooney as the number 10 for this side than Mata, to be honest.

In my opinion, Rooney is more effective as a striker and not as a No 10. Van Persie's goals were not that impressive as well. His overall contribution is my main concern, though. But I am aware of his actual ability, it's just his form isn't that great on the eyes.

 

[Cheesy]

In my opinion, Rooney is more effective as a striker and not as a No 10. Van Persie's goals were not that impressive as well. His overall contribution is my main concern, though. But I am aware of his actual ability, it's just his form isn't that great on the eyes.

Arguably, although when you take Rooney out of the number 10 role, you often reduce the overall impact he can have on the game as when he performs he can be a superb number 10. He's been looking impressive as of late, and I'd feel much more confident with him in the role than Mata. RVP has been managing to do his primary job of scoring on a couple of occasions, but Mata has been fairly anonymous in his creative role.

 

[bugmat]

I think some of you are being harsh on him. He did notably slow down the play a couple of times but he's still the best striker we have in terms of playing with his back to goal.

Falcao had looked better sing this and bringing people into plays. RvP is worryingly looking like he's a busted flush except if he gets it within 18 yards of goal.

 

[Empire]

He is probably going to get injured this season so you guys will get your wish eventually.

 

[mattsville]

Very poor today when you expected him to be fitter and better, don't know what to make of him at them moment.

 

[matherto]

Don't think the partnership with Falcao is an issue - Falcao has set him up twice now afterall.

There's certainly more to suggest these two work better than Rooney and RVP at least, they seem to adapt to each others runs and actually pass to each other.

Similarly Rooney and Falcao looks like it works a bit better in terms of actually linking with each other, though Rooney has been playing deeper obviously.

 

[Bwuk]

I still think RvP will score more for us this year than Falcao or Rooney.

He's just a classy player. Even if he got injured and never played for us again, I'll always love him for winning us #20 with his sheer brilliance along with Carrick.