[Edy2]

The point was this is not our first 11, not whether our backups are good enough or not.



It is but I'm getting far more worried about out fullbacks/wingbacks right now. Young and Valencia aren't anything close to defenders. Our centre backs are having to adapt to a new system, the last thing they need is guys either side of them that need bailing out or aren't going to cover the space properly.

Shaw/rojo and rafael provided he stays fit will do fine there I think. It's an exciting system to play if we can pull it off. I hope he perseveres.

 

[Oneunited26]

The point was this is not our first 11, not whether our backups are good enough or not.



It is but I'm getting far more worried about out fullbacks/wingbacks right now. Young and Valencia aren't anything close to defenders. Our centre backs are having to adapt to a new system, the last thing they need is guys either side of them that need bailing out or aren't going to cover the space properly.

Ashley young's first contribution was his pass in the first few minutes, which almost cost us a goal. That CM and winger signings cannot come any quicker

 

[Iron Stove]

That was depressing. Get Januzaj on wherever.

 

[Juansar_07]

Our midfield is a Joke.Our defense is so agitated.The front 3 hardly got a decent ball.Hopefully we bring another 3 players in 7 days.Else,we finish at 7 again.

 

[Dylan94]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we ended up loosing this game.

 

[Ando's Fat Face]

Was just thinking the same, we constantly look like we have less players on the pitch.

 

[manufanatic]

Christ its crucial we win this 6-pointer. Vital vital points.

Juts kidding

This

 

[Fluctuation]

People like you can never be a leader. Or successful in things....
No offence, but it's true. Mentality like this will disgust Fergie.

Wow.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Thank god that's finished. LVG hairdresser time please.

Some fresh hair-do's should get the confidence flowing through the team.

 

[Orton]

And to think people were turning their noses up to cabaye for 20 mil last winter.

 

[The Red Thinker]

Neither have kept possession. Valencia and Fletcher need to be playing further up as wingers but that won't do us any good unless we keep the bloody ball in midfield. You saw what happened when Valencia ran at his man but he's not getting the chance to do that. LVG will sort it out. Teething troubles are bound to happen but he's on the right track and will make his system work. Might need a few players to leave and some to come in but it will.

Yes I agree. Although, I would argue that 60% possession does indicate that we've kept the ball better than what you suggest.

 

[Andre Kagawa]

We need Shinji in. How ppl can't see that is beyond me. I'd rather play him in CM instead of that excuse of a footballer TC23

 

[Loublaze]

Two thoughts: wouldn't Reece James be better on the left than Young? And we could do with the invention of Januzaj on the pitch.
I do feel that Mata and Rooney are going to have to support the midfield more because we are gonna get nowhere with the inept Fletcher and Cleverly. I honestly can't believe how bad Cleverly has become. If it doesn't involve passing the ball 5 yards sideways then he can't do it. What a skill-set that lad has got!

Hes about to be given a raise as well. New contract worth 70k a week smh

 

[Snafu17]

In all fairness to Clevs he made one bad pass and a stupid foul. Apart from that he hasn't been a problem

Won't stop the idiots in this thread blaming him though. Seriously it's like people like bashing him or something. Even though he actually didn't had a shit half by any definition.

 

[George Beast]

Imagine Di Maria watching this. It's almost bad enough to convince him he's better off on the bench at Real. Feckin hope he'd already signed the contract before this game

 

[Maestro14]

Is Anderson injured again?

Shockingly, he is. Injured in pre-season training.

 

[Sandikan]

The CM pairing and the WBs not good enough.

The CMs are hiding and the WBs are not attacking enough.

a few times, Mata has been free, only for Fletcher to burst past him with the ball. Found that most bizarre.

we might have to go 4-3-3, Blackett and Valencia at full back

 

[Irrational.]

That midfield is too weak to protect an even weaker back four. They would get over-run. I almost didn't reply when you put Mata in CM, honestly thought you were joking.

I know, I got a bit desperate with that lineup

I think Mata would do a better job than Cleverley is currently doing anyway. Plus we don't have many more options coming off the bench.

In a sentence: I think we're very short of options at the moment and playing a new system is not helping our chances.

 

[pseudo_canadian]

I think it's clear that the players are not at all comfortable with 3-5-2 just yet. Serious teething problems at the moment.

 

[Slevs]

United out early waiting for the Sunderland team. I remember that used to happen when Ferguson would use the hair dryer...

 

[peterstorey]

I'm sorry but this thread is hilarious, people moaning how the midfield is league 1 standard, keep up the good work people

I wouldn't be bigging them up after that.

 

[Sandikan]

Shockingly, he is. Injured in pre-season training.

How the hell does Anderson get injured so much. He never plays.

 

[TonyTheYank]

I reckon Rothwell and Lawrence can"t do worse than Fletcher and Cleverley in our midfield today.

I agree. If we are going to play this bad, we should be playing the kids. They could not play any worse than clevs and fletch have today.

 

[Buchan]

We are basically playing.....
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Give de Gea an emoticon like Blackett and you've got yourself a winner!

P.S. I'm not so sure that Mata deserves a happy one either, mind. Lots of improvement from him required, too.

 

[justboy68]

I can't remember the last time Valencia hasn't directly cost us a goal when he's played. The idea he is good defensively is laughable to say the least.

 

[Oneunited26]

Shaw/rojo and rafael provided he stays fit will do fine there I think. It's an exciting system to play if we can pull it off. I hope he perseveres.

If di Maria is signed, both the latter and janazaj do not fit this system. I would rather Rooney or RVP were dropped if it meant, playing janazaj mata and di Maria in a 4231 system

 

[Suli]

Only 4 of our players would start if everyone was fully fit.

 

[Lou-is Red]

Midfield is non exsistent because our 2 cant dominate their 3 and there for geting overrun. Young is unbelievably predictable and we havent got our front 3 involved enough. Jones and Blackett have done well but apart from that nobody has done well

 

[JSC]

Footage from the dressing room.

 

[Skills]

Shockingly, he is. Injured in pre-season training.

Amazing

 

[Golo]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we ended up loosing this game.

I'm expecting that if anything.

 

[BEST No7]

Absolute crap.

On the evidence so far this season we're getting nowhere near the top 4. Disgraceful tbh.

 

[shaggy]

And to think people were turning their noses up to cabaye for 20 mil last winter.

How we could do with him right now, christ.

 

[Dinghy]

Please get Welbeck and Januzaj on. Don't really care who goes off to be honest. It's obvious to everybody this team needs pace...

 

[EricaNo7]

It's painful to watch the demise of this football club. Never thought it was gonna be this bad after SAF.....

Exactly what I said in 1973 except I said Sir Matt

 

[The United Irishman]

The last laugh? Grow up, I'd like nothing more than to see us win here today.

It's not a matter of "LVG vs Moyes"

You can't polish a shit, LVG has been forced to play those four players, there's no other options.

Excellent description!

 

[Fluctuation]

Here's hoping that Van Gaal's half time team talk inspires a change!
We have been decimated by injuries and a lack of leadership. The departure of our 3 veterans looks significant.

 

[pwsincd]

Hope Di Maria aint watching .. ffs

 

[redevil2]

The last laugh? Grow up, I'd like nothing more than to see us win here today.

It's not a matter of "LVG vs Moyes"

You can't polish a shit, LVG has been forced to play those four players, there's no other options.

It is Moyes vs LvG for sure. Assuming LvG buy a few players but they don't bring instant success. This place will be a total meltdown. And you will think of other ways to criticise, for sure

 

[revel911]

Sunderland don't have half a team injured, Young and Valencia are playing out of position, Blankett and Keane are lacking experience (However Blankett has been the best defender today) but have bagfuls of potential. Cleverly shouldn't be anywhere near the team let alone Fletcher (actually is he playing) So ill give you that.

RVP's looking so slow and predictable at the moment and has been for the past 12 months, I'm praying his injuries haven't finally ruined him. 3-5-2 doesn't have a future either, I don't think it's worth us twisting our team about so much just so we can get Rooney and RVP playing together..

I think until we get a proper winger (di maria) we are stuck with trying this formation.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Welbeck and januzaj on just to inject abit of pace in the team we are painfully slow.

Di Maria is probably questioning joining us now.

 

[Ducklegs]

Bringing on reserve team midfielders isn't a bad shout.

At least there is a chance they would put themselves about and try and make a difference.

fecknuts and Dingle Berry don't seem to give a toss.