[Everest Red]

Typical he in injury free in his poorest season with us.

He played 38 league games in his first season. That's as injury free as it gets.

 

[kouroux]

The lack of service argument is really stretching. Let's ignore the Danny Welbeck finishing debate for a moment, but his work rate, motivation and will to get involved in the game yesterday was on another level to Van Persie's. He put him to shame. Rooney playing at #9 wouldn't have managed only 12 touches yesterday, no way on earth.

Lack of service can be true but if the player doesn't provide that many runs or is too slow on the ball and during linking up like RVP currently, he's never going to get enough chances. Welbeck is not a good finisher but he gets chances because he also moves, creates space and displays energy.

 

[Man-United]

He reminds me a bit of Rooney at the start of the 2010 season were nothing goes his way.

 

[Sandikan]

Christ, is this a criticism? Nani was booed for being slow to get off, RVP getting criticized for coming off quickly, this place.

normally if you're winning and under the cosh, players slope off, applauding people, shaking hands etc. he just promptly sped off...

should take lessons from my other team Wycombe's players, we're legends at time wasting.

 

[Sandikan]

The lack of service argument is really stretching. Let's ignore the Danny Welbeck finishing debate for a moment, but his work rate, motivation and will to get involved in the game yesterday was on another level to Van Persie's. He put him to shame. Rooney playing at #9 wouldn't have managed only 12 touches yesterday, no way on earth.

This is true, but at the top level, you need more than what Welbeck gives.
Who would you feel more secure at a chance falling to? Welbeck or VP?

Welbeck had about 3 chances, VP didn't get any.

 

[JPRouve]

This is true, but at the top level, you need more than what Welbeck gives.
Who would you feel more secure at a chance falling to? Welbeck or VP?

Welbeck had about 3 chances, VP didn't get any.

Probably because he didn't created them for himself, the striker needs to provoke the opportunities, at the moment RVP does nothing for himself or the team.

 

[Sandikan]

Probably because he didn't created them for himself, the striker needs to provoke the opportunities, at the moment RVP does nothing for himself or the team.

Don't remember Welbeck creating any for himself?

Headed a cross over the bar, pissed about with a crazy backheeler when played in, and from Oz's pass was blocked.
Probably a couple of others I'm forgetting.

Reminds me a bit too much of how I used to play, but it worked for me because it was the bottom level!

 

[Blue always red]

Probably because he didn't created them for himself, the striker needs to provoke the opportunities, at the moment RVP does nothing for himself or the team.

Agreed. Look at Aguero or Suarez, the two best strikers in the world, have the work-rate of Welbeck with the finishing ability of RVP.

 

[Speak]

It's a two-way street. van Persie could do more for the midfield, and the midfield doesn't create enough good quality chances.
I just don;'t believe that if you put Aguero, Suarez, even Rooney, and a few others up top in this side every game, they'd suffer like van Persie, despite the midfield deficiencies.

He has to do more. Problem is - I don't believe he can offer much more consistently these days.

 

[Kag]

This is true, but at the top level, you need more than what Welbeck gives.
Who would you feel more secure at a chance falling to? Welbeck or VP?

Welbeck had about 3 chances, VP didn't get any.

Welbeck made chances for himself and contributed to the chances of others, while Van Persie did nothing at all. It doesn't even need to be Welbeck we're discussing here, he was just an example because he was the opposing forward yesterday. Merely an attacker that will push, press and actually look like making a positive impact on the game would put Van Persie to shame at present.

 

[Amethyst]

Still think he's got time to get back on form even if never quite reaches his 2011-2013 best. At least he's said recently he's not happy with his form and knows he needs to improve. Dropping him for Hull might just give him the kick up the arse he needs.

 

[Sandikan]

Welbeck made chances for himself and contributed to the chances of others, while Van Persie did nothing at all. It doesn't even need to be Welbeck we're discussing here, he was just an example because he was the opposing forward yesterday. Merely an attacker that will push, press and actually look like making a positive impact on the game would put Van Persie to shame at present.

I'm holding off agreeing until the next 2 games.
I want to see how he does in games we'll have the majority of the possession in.

We've often gone to Arsenal in recent years and not had much of the ball, so it's not a great game to compare in.

 

[JPRouve]

Don't remember Welbeck creating any for himself?

Headed a cross over the bar, pissed about with a crazy backheeler when played in, and from Oz's pass was blocked.
Probably a couple of others I'm forgetting.

Reminds me a bit too much of how I used to play, but it worked for me because it was the bottom level!

By creating chances for himself i don't mean dribbling the entire opposition or something like that, but at the moment RVP is not trying to bother the defenders by moving around them, running behind them, coming back deep or things like that, he stays in the middle, make some runs and expect the perfect pass.
I think that he needs to be more active, but i also think that he is tired, he needs some rest.

 

[Sandikan]

Still think he's got time to get back on form even if never quite reaches his 2011-2013 best. At least he's said recently he's not happy with his form and knows he needs to improve. Dropping him for Hull might just give him the kick up the arse he needs.

I'd give him a couple of games, then take action if needs be, depending on how Falcao is physically.

Mata must really wonder how his future is going to pan out though. Not starting all the games when Rooney was out suggests he's in danger long term

 

[thejtrain]

He should be brought on as a sub for a game or two. And I'd like to see what he can do with a decent bit of service.

On another note, I would still have this RvP over Welbeck any day.

 

[Amethyst]

I'd give him a couple of games, then take action if needs be, depending on how Falcao is physically.

Mata must really wonder how his future is going to pan out though. Not starting all the games when Rooney was out suggests he's in danger long term

As I mentioned on our podcast (shameless plug) his game vs. Latvia shows he's still capable of being effective and involved in the play. In his first season he went through that run of 10 games without scoring too. He also has a manager that believes in him (some would say van Gaal is too fond of him) and that's a positive for him mentally.

 

[Kag]

I'm holding off agreeing until the next 2 games.
I want to see how he does in games we'll have the majority of the possession in.

We've often gone to Arsenal in recent years and not had much of the ball, so it's not a great game to compare in.

I think I've seen enough this season. Even if he scores, something he will always have in his locker, his play style just doesn't compliment the other players we have in the squad, in my opinion. We can be all about pace and energy going forward, yet we're being made to watch a lumbering Dutchman bang out of form.

 

[Sandikan]

I think I've seen enough this season. Even if he scores, something he will always have in his locker, his play style just doesn't compliment the other players we have in the squad, in my opinion. We can be all about pace and energy going forward, yet we're being made to watch a lumbering Dutchman bang out of form.

I hate that word "transition" but we're in it, and you can tell Van Gaal is dealing with what he has in a lot of players. Next summer window will see some further decent changes I'm sure.

VP may well be on the exit list by then, as Van Gaal is ruthless. I wouldn't be for/against either way. If he stays, it's because his form has lifted, if he goes it hasn't.
Either way he'll have 1 year left come the summer, and you can't imagine we'll be gagging to extend a 250k contract at turning 32

 

[Kag]

As I mentioned on our podcast (shameless plug) his game vs. Latvia shows he's still capable of being effective and involved in the play. In his first season he went through that run of 10 games without scoring too. He also has a manager that believes in him (some would say van Gaal is too fond of him) and that's a positive for him mentally.

The goal drought was different. His all round game was still routinely superb throughout that period. People are always quick to point out the chances he missed against Madrid, but his all round performance at the Bernabeu was an incredible demonstration of leading the line. Every decision he made was a correct one. He looks a million miles away from that performance right now.

 

[FromTheBench]

Hernandez got slaughtered on here for better all round games than yesterday by almost all and his game was more dependent on service if anything.

Since when did RVP become a striker that totally has to be spoonfed ? Hell even for that he isn't making that many threatening runs these days and he refuses to link up with anyone up top properly either.

 

[Trizy]

Funnily enough he's our most injury prone player yet he hasn't been injured in this nutty season.

 

[JohnDoe]

Seems to have aged a lot these past two years. He's slow and predictable, and lacking the x-factor that made him such a threat. Symptoms have been there for a while, I doubt we'll see him back to his best.

Falcao should be given a run now.

 

[FromTheBench]

Don't remember Welbeck creating any for himself?

He did beat Mcnair for pace once or twice. One leading to a save by De Gea in the 2nd half at the near post.


Anyway as i said above RVP is playing like a less mobile version of Hernandez these days than Welbeck. Don't even remember the last goal he scored which was out of nothing ?

 

[Amethyst]

The goal drought was different. His all round game was still routinely superb throughout that period. People are always quick to point out the chances he missed against Madrid, but his all round performance at the Bernabeu was an incredible demonstration of leading the line. Every decision he made was a correct one. He looks a million miles away from that performance right now.

I agree with you, I think he was still playing well. However, his relief at scoring scoring the penalty vs. Stoke when he went over to Ferguson showed he felt as though he needed to score and it was preying on his mind somewhat. Hopefully if he can get a few goals in the Christmas/New Year period when the games come thick and fast the rest of his game will come on.

 

[Browniee]

It's really awful to see him so off form. Praying he gets back to his best.
He needs to be dropped for the next couple of games, he seems nakered and hopefully to drop will give him a kick up te arse

 

[Shark]

Hernandez got slaughtered on here for better all round games than yesterday by almost all and his game was more dependent on service if anything.

Since when did RVP become a striker that totally has to be spoonfed? Hell even for that he isn't making that many threatening runs these days and he refuses to link up with anyone up top properly either.

Agreed. I think a lot of posters have forgotten how threatening RVP really was at his best, which he's nowhere close to and hasn't been for a very long time. Some are even saying that he hasn't declined at all, which is ridiculous.

 

[golden_blunder]

Bring back Hernandez

 

[2 man midfield]

Not worried really. Give him service and he will score. We've been very poor at doing so lately. He's as clinical as always, see Leicester, Chelsea.

 

[Gerald G]

Not worried really. Give him service and he will score. We've been very poor at doing so lately. He's as clinical as always, see Leicester, Chelsea.

He's not as clinical as always. I'm sorry but that is false. He missed a few chances before that Chelsea goal and missed a couple chances before the Leicester goal.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

I thought that LVG arriving would spark RVP back to his best, but it doesn't seem to be happening.

I think we have to consider the possibility that he has just reached that age and he has hit the wall. He has a lot of wear and tear given all his injuries.

 

[2 man midfield]

He's not as clinical as always. I'm sorry but that is false. He missed a few chances before that Chelsea goal and missed a couple chances before the Leicester goal.

He's never been RvN clinical- see those chances at the Bernabeu that time. What i'm saying is i think he's getting criticism that isn't really justified, people saying he's finished etc. We've been tighter recently, and haven't created chances for him. Now with the toughest games out the way for a while, i can see us creating more, and hence him proving people wrong.

 

[iBoss]

Bring back Hernandez

Why?

 

[Utd7]

His most marked deterioration in him being pushed off the ball so easily and a slight loss of pace too. Not good signs, what's clear though is that he's being kept in for his poacher abilities and perhaps van Gaal's belief that he needs game to turn it around. But he's not giving us anything at the moment. A break would do him well, Rooney and Wilson/Mata upfront for me.

This is true, I first noticed these qualities reflected in FIFA 15 which further proves it's realistic.

 

[golden_blunder]

Why?

Because he'd offer more than RVP at this point

 

[iBoss]

Because he'd offer more than RVP at this point

Or we just use Falcao, Wilson, Mata, Rooney...

 

[golden_blunder]

Or we just use Falcao, Wilson, Mata, Rooney...

Falcao who's perma crock, Wilson who's just a kid and mata who he clearly doesn't rate? Sure

 

[Gerald G]

He's never been RvN clinical- see those chances at the Bernabeu that time. What i'm saying is i think he's getting criticism that isn't really justified, people saying he's finished etc. We've been tighter recently, and haven't created chances for him. Now with the toughest games out the way for a while, I can see us creating more, and hence him proving people wrong.

It's not just his finishing though it's his overall game. I remember his performance at the Bernabeu, forget the fact he missed that chance, his overall game was superb. He has deteriorated badly in my opinion, gets bullied, can't hold it up well at all. I hope it is just form but I don't think so.

 

[2 man midfield]

It's not just his finishing though it's his overall game. I remember his performance at the Bernabeu, forget the fact he missed that chance, his overall game was superb. He has deteriorated badly in my opinion, gets bullied, can't hold it up well at all. I hope it is just form but I don't think so.

His general play isn't the sort of thing that should deteriorate with age though, it should just be form/confidence. Which as i say should improve once we create some chances for him and he gets scoring.

 

[GE]

Wonder if his personal life has changed in anyway? Is he still with his wife? Any deaths in the family?

Just seems very strange that he has literally become useless.

 

[MancFanFromManc]

RVP is one of those pure class acts who is a joy to watch. The fact that he only had 9 touches, in open play, yesterday is truly shocking. Hoping we can get Falcao fit so he can have rest and get back on top form