[Mike Smalling]

I thought he did give his all so that’s what I posted. His quality is regularly questioned and rightly so sometimes, but you could see how proud he was to be captain today. Im not sure why you’re laughing at the ”spoke well” comment? He did speak well, so I posted that he spoke well.

For a couple of reasons. First of all, who cares if he speaks well, when he puts in performances like that? If that's what we are including in our assessments of a players performance, that just speaks to how low we have fallen. Make him our spokesperson and get him off the field. Second, the last time McTominay spoke well was after we beat Chelsea and he scored twice. He came out with the whole "we wanted to show a reaction after Newcastle, we know we need consistency, bla, bla, bla". He then disappeared for two games, that we lost. Honestly, it means feck all to me what he has to say, because he doesn't have the performances to back it up.

 

[Bobski]

Can’t remember him ever touching the ball.

He was more involved that Amrabat or Mainoo in terms of touches, 53 to 44 to 30. Many of them were shit touches but he also did some decent stuff that people don't want to recognize.

You had a poster coming in at half time claiming he had completed 1 pass and had fewer touches than any other player, which was just a flat out lie, don't understand that mentality.

 

[Red & White]

For a couple of reasons. First of all, who cares if he speaks well, when he puts in performances like that? If that's what we are including in our assessments of a players performance, that just speaks to how low we have fallen. Make him our spokesperson and get him off the field. Second, the last time McTominay spoke well was after we beat Chelsea and he scored twice. He came out with the whole "we wanted to show a reaction after Newcastle, we know we need consistency, bla, bla, bla". He then disappeared for two games, that we lost. Honestly, it means feck all to me what he has to say, because he doesn't have the performances to back it up.

I care if one of our players spoke well after the game today. That’s why I posted it. If you don’t care what he says, why are you quoting me commenting on what he said in his post match interview? Just scroll on by.

 

[DJ_21]

He was more involved that Amrabat or Mainoo in terms of touches, 53 to 44 to 30. Many of them were shit touches but he also did some decent stuff that people don't want to recognize.

You had a poster coming in at half time claiming he had completed 1 pass and had fewer touches than any other player, which was just a flat out lie, don't understand that mentality.

More involved than Amrabat and Mainoo? Don’t get how. Them 2 you seen a lot of the game as they was defending and although Amrabat was crap at it he was passing. Mainoo in the first half played a nice pass out wide to Antony and did the same in the 2nd half to Garnacho.

 

[Mike Smalling]

I care if one of our players spoke well after the game today. That’s why I posted it. If you don’t care what he says, why are you quoting me commenting on what he said in his post match interview? Just scroll on by.

I thought it was laughable.

 

[Trequarista10]

What summed it up for me was one time when he received the ball just in Liverpools half, facing our own goal and with his back to Liverpools goal. He attempted a terrible turn and lost control completely. My point is that he simply can't be playing higher up the pitch, because he doesn't have the technique to be receiving the ball facing his own goal. Its also a problem when he's deeper, as he's uncomfortable receiving the ball from the defence. He is a specialist who can neither receive the ball from defence, nor recieve the ball high up the pitch. He is only useful when he has space in front of him to drive into (both in the middle of the pitch, and into the box).

It's just not good enough at this level. But we need probably 3 new CMs in the next year or two before he's far enough down the pecking order where we don't need him.

 

[Bobski]

More involved than Amrabat and Mainoo? Don’t get how. Them 2 you seen a lot of the game as they was defending and although Amrabat was crap at it he was passing. Mainoo in the first half played a nice pass out wide to Antony and did the same in the 2nd half to Garnacho.

And who played the very good pass to Mainoo that set up his pass, and then set up Hojlund for the best chance of the game. McT also made more tackles than Mainoo and Amrabat put together, won more aerial balls than them put together, made 4 clearances to Amrabats 5, and Mainoo's 1.

None of those stats have to mean he played well but if people start with the "Hiding from the ball" thing today or Caspar McT they weren't paying attention.

Now if you want to criticize him for his lack of technical ability and execution that would be fine.

I don't even rate the guy, just can't abide the scapegoating that this fanbase participate in.

 

[lost7]

He's shyte, full stop. The fact that he's been playing here since 2018 and has almost 200 appearances and he's still here starting games shows everything that's wrong with the club.

 

[Borys]

Just realized he was the captain today. What a fantastic career he's having, you have to admit he's squeezing all he can from that limited footballing ability he has.

It's funny I think he did better as a midfielder today than an attacker that he was deployed to be in the first place. But surely ETH has realized by now we don't really need him and he should be a super sub for Hojlund/Amrabat/Bruno (in that order) if noone else is available?

 

[DJ_21]

And who played the very good pass to Mainoo that set up his pass, and then set up Hojlund for the best chance of the game. McT also made more tackles than Mainoo and Amrabat put together, won more aerial balls than them put together, made 4 clearances to Amrabats 5, and Mainoo's 1.

None of those stats have to mean he played well but if people start with the "Hiding from the ball" thing today or Caspar McT they weren't paying attention.

Now if you want to criticize him for his lack of technical ability and execution that would be fine.

I don't even rate the guy, just can't abide the scapegoating that this fanbase participate in.

Fair enough. I was mainly criticising him as an overall player. Just doesn’t have the technical ability we need in midfield. He had some loose touches when the ball was being played into him. If he’s used right then he’s halve decent. He’s a b2b midfielder who poses a threat in the opposition area.

 

[RedDevilCanuck]

He fecked numerous openings. He's a terrible midfielder. Nice pass to Hojland though.

 

[Remember the geese]

Captain McTominay. Talks a good game, but sell sell sell.

 

[bond19821982]

Not good enough. But we dont have a better option and he won't start when we have our full team.

Put a lot of effort today.

 

[Plant0x84]

We know he’s not a No.6, now we know he’s not a No.10 too. He offered nothing in an attacking sense today, was barely in the game. Time for a sit on the bench I think, leave Mainoo and Amrabat in the middle and reinstate Bruno.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

He is new scapegoat since de gea left and Maguire was initially dropped. People just come in here and made up stats today. Comical.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

And who played the very good pass to Mainoo that set up his pass, and then set up Hojlund for the best chance of the game. McT also made more tackles than Mainoo and Amrabat put together, won more aerial balls than them put together, made 4 clearances to Amrabats 5, and Mainoo's 1.

None of those stats have to mean he played well but if people start with the "Hiding from the ball" thing today or Caspar McT they weren't paying attention.

Now if you want to criticize him for his lack of technical ability and execution that would be fine.

I don't even rate the guy, just can't abide the scapegoating that this fanbase participate in.

Fair play mate. But you are talking to mindless robots. They don't want facts, they want to kick and cry about our new king scapegoat

 

[saivet]

And who played the very good pass to Mainoo that set up his pass, and then set up Hojlund for the best chance of the game. McT also made more tackles than Mainoo and Amrabat put together, won more aerial balls than them put together, made 4 clearances to Amrabats 5, and Mainoo's 1.

None of those stats have to mean he played well but if people start with the "Hiding from the ball" thing today or Caspar McT they weren't paying attention.

Now if you want to criticize him for his lack of technical ability and execution that would be fine.

I don't even rate the guy, just can't abide the scapegoating that this fanbase participate in.

Yep, today was not a day to criticise him in isolation to the other midfielders. That's not to say he was great but he did contribute and as you've mentioned, played a key role in the best two chances in the match.

 

[kundalini]

Poor first half performance. Lost possession too often. Good 2nd half. Set up big chance for Hojlund with a nice pass. Also involved in other counter-attacks. Shot wide from distance from Antony's pass.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

He was more involved that Amrabat or Mainoo in terms of touches, 53 to 44 to 30. Many of them were shit touches but he also did some decent stuff that people don't want to recognize.

You had a poster coming in at half time claiming he had completed 1 pass and had fewer touches than any other player, which was just a flat out lie, don't understand that mentality.

And who played the very good pass to Mainoo that set up his pass, and then set up Hojlund for the best chance of the game. McT also made more tackles than Mainoo and Amrabat put together, won more aerial balls than them put together, made 4 clearances to Amrabats 5, and Mainoo's 1.

None of those stats have to mean he played well but if people start with the "Hiding from the ball" thing today or Caspar McT they weren't paying attention.

Now if you want to criticize him for his lack of technical ability and execution that would be fine.

I don't even rate the guy, just can't abide the scapegoating that this fanbase participate in.

This has me reassessing my opinion on him today. Kind of thought it was more of the same. But those are impressive stats. Dare I say it, a captain’s performance?

 

[RonaldoVII]

His first half was amongst the worst we've had for a long time

 

[ZainCRse7en]

We know he’s not a No.6, now we know he’s not a No.10 too. He offered nothing in an attacking sense today, was barely in the game. Time for a sit on the bench I think, leave Mainoo and Amrabat in the middle and reinstate Bruno.

Not a 6, not a 10 and definitely not a 8. Then what the feck is he? He has been starting games for us for 7 years ffs under various managers yet we still have yet to figure out what his best position is.

 

[thepolice123]

He's just so limited and he doesn't compensate it with footballing IQ. Knew he was going to take a shot (and miss) once he received that pass from Anthony.

 

[Ace of Spades]

He is not good enough, but at least when he lost the ball higher up the pitch, we could still stay in shape and not leave a gaping hole in midfield for them to run through.

 

[Freak]

So fecking shit.

 

[mikeyt]

Effort was there but his touch and all round midfield game was horrible

 

[Slevs]

Did the best he could, which isn't much. Good for a goal here and there, but he isn't the starting box to box midfielder you want in your team. I know he was playing number 10 yesterday but the rest of the games he's playing box to box.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

On the plus side - him being out of the midfield two was MUCH better for the team. He also did really well for the big Hojlund chance - was a lovely little through ball he played.

On the negative - he was pretty crap otherwise on the ball, couldn't really hold it at all.

Nice that he got to be captain at Anfield though - good for him - does this make him our vice captain? Or is it Casemiro? (Who I think captained us in the League Cup?

Oh and it says a lot about his shooting that I was disappointed with him for putting that 25yarder over the bar - genuinely expected more from him there.

 

[Champ]

Another decent performance from him yesterday, done exactly what was required in a shape that was designed to frustrate and nullify Liverpool's build up.

 

[Ghirahim]

Amrabat was just as awful yesterday.

 

[ForFuchsSake]

He’s painfully limited on a technical level and looked so laboured and cumbersome at times yesterday breaking down so many attacks.

He lacks the football IQ to make quick, intelligent passes, find the right pass or react quickly. He’s a trier and undoubtably an excellent striker of the ball but if we’re unable to utilise that more effectively whilst having a functioning, competent midfield, there’s simply no place for him here.

Still should have flogged him to West Ham when we had the chance. Despite his goal scoring exploits, I doubt his resale value will be higher than what we would have got.

 

[Gordon Godot]

He’s painfully limited on a technical level and looked so laboured and cumbersome at times yesterday breaking down so many attacks.

He lacks the football IQ to make quick, intelligent passes, find the right pass or react quickly. He’s a trier and undoubtably an excellent striker of the ball but if we’re unable to utilise that more effectively whilst having a functioning, competent midfield, there’s simply no place for him here.

Still should have flogged him to West Ham when we had the chance. Despite his goal scoring exploits, I doubt his resale value will be higher than what we would have got.

He's now ETH first choice on team sheet. Guardian on Sunday called out how he flip flops. Maguire from 5th choice to first choice, Varanne from very good to 4th choice. Varanne was outstanding last night. McT he wanted to see now he starts every game. ETH is clueless

 

[Gordon Godot]

Amrabat was just as awful yesterday.

Yes, another terrible ETH signing, remember we were after him all summer. Utterly unsuited to the Premier league, as many people said at the time

 

[MadDogg]

His first half was an absolute joke. Second half he improved and was decent, both while he was playing at #10 and later when he dropped deeper.

 

[BorisManUtd]

He's obviously good at getting in good position to score and already done that this season on different occassions but his overall game and passing ability is not good enough. Like Amrabat, can be useful for us until summer but should sell him after that, we'd get decent money probably.

 

[lex talionis]

Unbelievable he keeps getting starts for Manchester United. I seriously doubt clubs like Palace or Fulham would have any use for him. Maybe Burnley.

 

[OldRed1]

So fecking shit.

Funny, he said the same about you.

 

[Freak]

Funny, he said the same about you.

He said the same about your mom too,

 

[Stadjer]

Unbelievable he keeps getting starts for Manchester United. I seriously doubt clubs like Palace or Fulham would have any use for him. Maybe Burnley.

Dyche his Burnley yes, Kompany his Burnley? No. Kompany wants to play a certain type of football that McT isnt capable of playing.

 

[lex talionis]

Dyche his Burnley yes, Kompany his Burnley? No. Kompany wants to play a certain type of football that McT isnt capable of playing.

Point well taken. Thanks!

 

[Ghirahim]

Dyche his Burnley yes, Kompany his Burnley? No. Kompany wants to play a certain type of football that McT isnt capable of playing.

I disagree. He would be a star man for the likes of Burnley. He would shine in a team like Burnley. But like Amrabat and Maguire he just isn't good enough for United.