Abraxas
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- Mar 6, 2021
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It was okay. Think he'll be useful this season but whether we go out of our way beyond that - we'll see. Probably not. Needs must.
So why haven't we or why couldn't we?Meh.
First half was a classic Cleverley performance. Looked better in the second half but I’m not convinced. Not a bad player but he looks like a player you can find 50 clones of across Europe.
There's a problem in this team that has existed for a while. And that problem is that we're not a team that is strong at defending large spaces. I've said many times in the past about signing players who can control or contain large spaces in defensive transition. But unfortunately our problem wasn't just containing large spaces, but also progressing the play. And after Pogba had left, we'd got even worse when it came to progressing from a deeper role. And Fred and McTominay did their bit out of possession but were never good enough on the ball to elevate our game in possession.I can see your point, but don't you think, if that would be the case, we'd be a little more compact? This is the thing, I don't get at all - I think being pragmatic with our injury list makes sense, play to our strength as long as thats the best bet. But why are we so out of sync all the time? There were many occasions, when McTom bombed forwards, Dalot went into midfield and pushed up. But the long, direct ball then is powerless and dumb which then comes back when we are completely out of balance.
Makes sense. I'd chip in the odd "they aren't in sync yet because they lack the chemistry just yet" but I guess thats just one of many factors. Out of interest: for fun's sake lets say we bring in Todibo and A. Onana next summer, whats the CB partnership you have in mind in terms of starting? And whats the starting midfield look like (lets ignore Mainoo and Mejbri for this exercise)There's a problem in this team that has existed for a while. And that problem is that we're not a team that is strong at defending large spaces. I've said many times in the past about signing players who can control or contain large spaces in defensive transition. But unfortunately our problem wasn't just containing large spaces, but also progressing the play. And after Pogba had left, we'd got even worse when it came to progressing from a deeper role. And Fred and McTominay did their bit out of possession but were never good enough on the ball to elevate our game in possession.
So the reason we can't stay compact is manly due to a lack of physical and athletic capabilities in the back line. Which has been made worse with injuries to Varane, Martinez and Shaw. So when we press high and the opponent manages to escape the first line of pressure, our CBs take a step back because the space has opened up for pacy players to run the channel. And the reason they take a step back is due to not having the physical and athletic capabilities to dominate in isolation imo. It's why I believe they wanted to sign Todibo and Amadou Onana to improve our rest defense capabilities in defensive transition .
McTominay was pushing forward with Maguire pushing up into midfield, Amrabat taking up Maguire's position and Bruno dropping deeper. It seemed like they were rotating positions depending on the game situation.
I think there's a strong case to made for a midfielder like Amadou Onana or Lucas Gourna-Douath to be brought in to raise the physical and athletic level in the team. And also a CB like Todibo or Diomande to progress the ball and dominate the channel in isolation.
Myself personally I'd sign four players if I was in charge of recruitment. Todibo and Amadou Onana along with Ousmane Diomande and Arthur Vermeeren would be the players I target. Todibo I first mentioned on the Caf when he was a teenager playing for Toulouse.Makes sense. I'd chip in the odd "they aren't in sync yet because they lack the chemistry just yet" but I guess thats just one of many factors. Out of interest: for fun's sake lets say we bring in Todibo and A. Onana next summer, whats the CB partnership you have in mind in terms of starting? And whats the starting midfield look like (lets ignore Mainoo and Mejbri for this exercise)
I noticed this, I think our best midfield 3 might end up being Amrabat, K Mainoo and C Eriksen or M Mount, only time will tell ?Looked far better when Erikson came on. I personally think he is a good signing and will prove to be a top CDM.
That doesn’t answer our inability to be a free flowing scoring team but in principle I like the thought of Onana in midfield.Myself personally I'd sign four players if I was in charge of recruitment. Todibo and Amadou Onana along with Ousmane Diomande and Arthur Vermeeren would be the players I target. Todibo I first mentioned on the Caf when he was a teenager playing for Toulouse.
All four players are realistic targets and they have the potential to collectively raise the technical level in possession, as well as having the ability to dominate defensive transitions. Todibo I'd sign as a RB/RCB who starts wide but tucks inside to form a 3 man defense in a higher defensive line.
So my midfield 3 would be Onana and Vermeeren occupying holding roles in a double pivot in the build up phase . With Mount as the advanced central midfielder. I think next season will be Bruno's last season as a regular starter.
So why haven't we or why couldn't we?
The judgement of the only proper midfielder we currently have in here is insane, especially when you have McT going ghost, Bruno going erratic and Case being the newest scapegoat.
He's been fine, consistent and done what has been asked of him, some of you need to lower your expectations of what we've got Vs what was available to us.
He's an upgrade on McT, Sabitzer and hasn't had that much of a run in the team a) in his preferred position, b) in a consistent 11 and c) with a competent backline behind him, he's not a big problem and can be a very useful player.
Free flowing teams who score a lot of goals have the ability to play through the thirds against the press in confined spaces, can then press high effectively in a compact high block and also have the ability to control large spaces in defensive transitions. The players I've mentioned above take the team towards that goal.That doesn’t answer our inability to be a free flowing scoring team but in principle I like the thought of Onana in midfield.
He played a lot better when Eriksen came on to help support him. Not sure why ETH can't see the unbalance in midfield when he keeps playing Bruno or Scott.
Really?He struggled in the first half, mostly as he had no help in midfield.
Instantly improved once he had help from Ericksen in midfield. He is doing fine overall.
IMO.......................No, but it's still early days, he struggled against what is basically a championship side and got bossed against Sheffield.Is he really better than Fred?
Really?
His first couple of games he runs around like a headless chicken trying to cover every blade of grass.
Than against Sheffield he disappears into the shadows, does so little you wonder if he's playing.
I probably demand much better performance than you?
Is he really better than Fred?
Was okay but needs other midfielders to be closer to him, he's a bit slow, only twice as fast as Casemiro.
It's a shame ETH has such a hard on playing #6 and two #10s, because seems to me like we should have two (Amrabat - Eriksen/Mainoo) or even three (+Mount) players in midfield area. I would identify our main problem is we don't move the ball well from defense to attack. Obviously it would've been easier with Martinez, but he's out now and we have to adjust.
Really.
His first couple if games he was playing LB, and he was still one of our better players in a crap team.
And against Sheffield he was the only player in midfield, both McTominay and Bruno were awol. His performance was much better once he got some help inidfield.
No you are just clueless.
I was looking at our game against city next week and the previous one we beat them at OT and Fred started. He’ll be a big miss against city, they’re one team that he usually turned up against and tried to unsettle their midfield with his pressing.Is he really better than Fred?
Seems like we're doing that exactly. Casemiro doesn't sit, Bruno and Mount/McTominay play very advanced. No wonder this is not effective.Was not the rumor last year he would like to play without a traditional 6 but with two 6/8 hybrids like de Jong and one more advanced midfielder? However, it feels asif we just recruit the midfielders who are getable and now struggle to find a balance.
Is he really better than Fred?
You are supposed to critique the post, not personally attack the poster, but hey, it seems that rule only applies to newbies.Really.
His first couple if games he was playing LB, and he was still one of our better players in a crap team.
And against Sheffield he was the only player in midfield, both McTominay and Bruno were awol. His performance was much better once he got some help inidfield.
No you are just clueless.
I think you're doing him a major disservice here.You are supposed to critique the post, not personally attack the poster, but hey, it seems that rule only applies to newbies.
I am like you entitled entitled to an opinion, mine is no more wrong or right than yours.
You could argue that in his first couple of games he was playing left back, however he spent very little time there, and was as I said running around like headless chicken trying to cover every blade of grass.
Against Sheffield, he was in his "natural" position, he looked lost, at times without a clue.
He is no better (or worse) than any current midfielder we have.
That is my opinion, if you don't like it, keep scrolling, don't resort to personal attacks to justify your opinion.
Fair play that's a good set of stats! I thought he was just kind of there linking play a little. But I think that's what we need to improve.I think you're doing him a major disservice here.
His stats from yesterday
Better than bad Fred, not as good as good Fred...maybe a middle of the road Fred. Sunday will be interesting, we could see Amrabat in his preferred position against the strongest opposition, he's going to have a real test, Fred had some good games vs City/De Bruyne.Is he really better than Fred?