The search for a left back...

[romufc]

Although I sort of agree with the idea I think that would be a mistake.

Shaw is the fullback we often leave exposed because Rashford doesn’t come back. Fred is the one who has to scurry across to come try and help out, where on the opposite side the better one on one defensive Fullback has James and McT that come back and help him.
If anything we need Bissaka to be left footed and an offensive RB. If we had a really offensive LB I think we would find ourselves in serious trouble. Even now when Shaw does push forward there are times when moves break down and we are exposed on that side.

Fred covers so much ground he’s not always in position to cover, Rashford doesn’t trek back and Shaw can’t afford to be so cavalier in pushing forward.

This. Many fans see Liverpool's flying full backs and think lets get one who can attack without realising that isnt our style of play.

We can have a full back go forward, and then what? put the ball into the box where none of the attackers actually attack the ball?

If we want our full backs to bomb on we need to change system because a 2 CM wouldn't work. We would need to put 3 in midfield to cover the ground.

Before we start having a go at Shaw, when he is fit he is decent - his link up with Rashford is quite good, numerous times he has played the ball over for Rashford.

 

[crossy1686]

This. Many fans see Liverpool's flying full backs and think lets get one who can attack without realising that isnt our style of play.

We can have a full back go forward, and then what? put the ball into the box where none of the attackers actually attack the ball?

If we want our full backs to bomb on we need to change system because a 2 CM wouldn't work. We would need to put 3 in midfield to cover the ground.

Before we start having a go at Shaw, when he is fit he is decent - his link up with Rashford is quite good, numerous times he has played the ball over for Rashford.

Shaw is good defensively but getting forward he is poor. He is often behind Rashford and looks uncomfortable overlapping, he only seems to do it for half the time of each half and then he retreats to the safety of the back line. Whether this is something psychological since the leg break or a fitness thing, I'm not sure. Either way, we need attacking fullbacks that pin opposition fullbacks in their own half if we want to create more.

 

[Ikon]

Full back is far far from a priority in my opinion.

Shaw, Williams, Dalot, Wan Bissaka, Laird..

Spend the money elsewhere.

Nail on the head.
Enough said.

 

[romufc]

Shaw is good defensively but getting forward he is poor. He is often behind Rashford and looks uncomfortable overlapping, he only seems to do it for half the time of each half and then he retreats to the safety of the back line. Whether this is something psychological since the leg break or a fitness thing, I'm not sure. Either way, we need attacking fullbacks that pin opposition fullbacks in their own half if we want to create more.

Before his leg he was good at attacking, he just needs game time and his confidence back. We can attack and pin full backs back but with 2 midfielders it will leave us completely open at the back.

There are other areas of the pitch that need improvement first before getting a LB, that will probably just top it off.

We can all name LB's from other leagues, not knowing how good they actually are.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

If Young leaves this summer, you'd all better be prepared for Brandon Williams to be our first choice LB (despite proving he isn't ready for the big time, yet, and may never will be). Shaw cannot be relied upon - he'll spend 50% of the season at least, injured or unfit in some capacity.

That being said, we don't have an unlimited budget. Shaw stands for me in 'Tier 2' of being replaced - summer 2021, unfortunately. We do have bigger priorities but I would bet anything that we spend 2020/21 bemoaning our LB slot as being the latest 'major problem area' that needs fixing.

 

[Andersons Dietician]

This. Many fans see Liverpool's flying full backs and think lets get one who can attack without realising that isnt our style of play.

We can have a full back go forward, and then what? put the ball into the box where none of the attackers actually attack the ball?

If we want our full backs to bomb on we need to change system because a 2 CM wouldn't work. We would need to put 3 in midfield to cover the ground.

Before we start having a go at Shaw, when he is fit he is decent - his link up with Rashford is quite good, numerous times he has played the ball over for Rashford.

Even last year when it was a 3 at times he was still left exposed as it was Pogba and Martial and weirdly Martial probably did a better job of getting back than Rashford currently does but I guess Rashford not tracking back is by instruction.

I remember a game last year I think vs Newcastle where that side was Sanchez, Pogba and Shaw and they constantly hung Shaw out to dry and he was up against 2 and often 3 players as Sanchez wasn’t bothered and neither was Pogba.

I just saw someone mention if we want to pin teams back we need offensive fullbacks but we are set up as a counter attacking team and like you just said if that is what people want then we need to change a lot more than just a LB.

Wasn’t Dalot also supposed to be one of the most promising fullbacks in Europe who made his name playing at LB covering for an injured Telles.

 

[romufc]

Even last year when it was a 3 at times he was still left exposed as it was Pogba and Martial and weirdly Martial probably did a better job of getting back than Rashford currently does but I guess Rashford not tracking back is by instruction.

I remember a game last year I think vs Newcastle where that side was Sanchez, Pogba and Shaw and they constantly hung Shaw out to dry and he was up against 2 and often 3 players as Sanchez wasn’t bothered and neither was Pogba.

I just saw someone mention if we want to pin teams back we need offensive fullbacks but we are set up as a counter attacking team and like you just said if that is what people want then we need to change a lot more than just a LB.

Wasn’t Dalot also supposed to be one of the most promising fullbacks in Europe who made his name playing at LB covering for an injured Telles.

Exactly, it is matter of people comparing our left back to say Chilwell or Robertson but the style of play is completely different. Liverpool have a midfield 3 of workhorses and Fabinho holding. We play a 2 with both allowed to venture forward, so who will cover for LB?

I would rather us spend our time and money on getting CM's and RW over the LB position. Do any of our strikers make a run into the box to allow for our full backs to cross? Tbh none of our forwards can even head the ball.

Last season, according to PL stats on big chances created:

Paul Pogba - 7
Marcus Rashford - 7
Luke Shaw - 7
Dalot - 5
Young - 6

In comparison to other teams apart from liverpool because we know they go through the full backs alot:

Azpilicueta - 5
Mendy - 4
Ricardo Pereira - 10
Chilwell - 2
Kolasinac - 10
Ben Davies - 4

The problem is not our full backs, it is our midfielders who struggle to create.

 

[Rozay]

Exactly, it is matter of people comparing our left back to say Chilwell or Robertson but the style of play is completely different. Liverpool have a midfield 3 of workhorses and Fabinho holding. We play a 2 with both allowed to venture forward, so who will cover for LB?

I would rather us spend our time and money on getting CM's and RW over the LB position. Do any of our strikers make a run into the box to allow for our full backs to cross? Tbh none of our forwards can even head the ball.

Last season, according to PL stats on big chances created:

Paul Pogba - 7
Marcus Rashford - 7
Luke Shaw - 7
Dalot - 5
Young - 6

In comparison to other teams apart from liverpool because we know they go through the full backs alot:

Azpilicueta - 5
Mendy - 4
Ricardo Pereira - 10
Chilwell - 2
Kolasinac - 10
Ben Davies - 4

The problem is not our full backs, it is our midfielders who struggle to create.

Liverpool’s ‘workhorses’ are no more so than ours. And Fabinho ventures forward plenty, as do the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain who regularly plays in there, and Wijnaldum, who offers more attacking threat typically than Fred and McTominay, or at least no less. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum and Keita are not defensive midfielders. Nor are Henderson and Milner for that matter. They are just hard working.

 

[bosnian_red]

Problem is that with Rashford as our left winger/inside forward, you really need a wing back on the left. Someone who will push up and provide the width but also most importantly quality while holding the width (at least in their runs, so that we can have a constant source of penetration with overlapping runs to provide low crosses from the byline or cut backs).

 

[Adnan]

Problem is that with Rashford as our left winger/inside forward, you really need a wing back on the left. Someone who will push up and provide the width but also most importantly quality while holding the width (at least in their runs, so that we can have a constant source of penetration with overlapping runs to provide low crosses from the byline or cut backs).

This.

We don't necessarily need our fullbacks to cross the ball. We need them to provide a constant outlet which would provide width, open space and offer extra passing options for the midfield and attack which would be key to breaking down teams who defend deep.

 

[WR10]

Yes we're going to need someone to allow Williams to develop. Shaw has one of the worst attitudes on the pitch. He seems to half arse everything and offers absolutely no creativity in the final 1/3. What's the point of him?

Williams has the tenacity and determination to make things happen. That alone puts him miles ahead of Shaw. He just hasn't ironed out the defensive mistakes that Shaw use to make early on in his career. That will come with time.

Dalot has fecked knees.

 

[sherrinford]

Problem is that with Rashford as our left winger/inside forward, you really need a wing back on the left. Someone who will push up and provide the width but also most importantly quality while holding the width (at least in their runs, so that we can have a constant source of penetration with overlapping runs to provide low crosses from the byline or cut backs).

We need Rashford to hold the width more and/or threaten in behind more. More often than not this season he has been interpreting the role in the way that a Hazard/Payet/Iniesta would, moving laterally into typical no.10 areas and playing with his back to goal coming towards the ball into congested areas. It doesn’t suit him - he comes alive during games, or moments in games, where he plays to his strengths more by offering penetration through running. He needs to be looking at Salah and Mane at Liverpool, or at the way in which Eto’o and Villa operated in the equivalent role for Barcelona, to make the most of his talents from that position.

Shaw can’t overlap if there’s no-one in front of him. Too often this season our left wing has resembled last season’s right side - with our full back devoid of reasonable support.

 

[andersj]

This. Many fans see Liverpool's flying full backs and think lets get one who can attack without realising that isnt our style of play.

We can have a full back go forward, and then what? put the ball into the box where none of the attackers actually attack the ball?

If we want our full backs to bomb on we need to change system because a 2 CM wouldn't work. We would need to put 3 in midfield to cover the ground.

Before we start having a go at Shaw, when he is fit he is decent - his link up with Rashford is quite good, numerous times he has played the ball over for Rashford.

And if want to break down teams with a low block, we probably should make adjustments to the system when we get the players we need. Looking at Liverpool, they get their creativity from Robertson, TAA, Firmino, Salah and Mane. Man City get their creativity from two central midfielders, and three attackers (Sterling, Aguero/Jesus and Mahrez/Sane/whoever). Right now, Rashford and Martial are the only two players who gives us flair on the last third of the pitch. Two players that are not quite consistent enough yet and who regardless will need "creative passers" behind them. You could maybe add James, but on the right side, against a lower block team, he does not add much creativity in my opinion. Not yet, anyway.

I would like to see us play the same system we did with great success last season under OGS. The 4312. IMO, we need a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder. Furthermore, we do need more creativity from our fullbacks. With a DM that should be possible. Shaw is a really good passer, but he is injured a lot and it obviously hurts his fitness. Being a fullback is demanding physically and I do think we need to upgrade in this position. Williams could benefit from a loan. We would probably still lack a bit of creativity, but in this system, I also think Fred and McTominay would give us more going forward. Right now they do a good job protecting the CBs, but that task is a shackle for both of them. McTominay has it in his locker to make some great, surging runs into the box, but in the system we play today he cant.

In an ideal world, I guess it could look something like this:

AWB/Dalot/Laird---Lindelof/Tuanzebe---Maguire---Chilwell/Shaw
-----------------------------------------New DM-----------------------------------
-------------------------------McTominay----Fred--------------------------------
------------------------------------------Maddison---------------------------------
--------------Greenwood/Haaland----Rashford/Martial-------------

 

[romufc]

Liverpool’s ‘workhorses’ are no more so than ours. And Fabinho ventures forward plenty, as do the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain who regularly plays in there, and Wijnaldum, who offers more attacking threat typically than Fred and McTominay, or at least no less. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wijnaldum and Keita are not defensive midfielders. Nor are Henderson and Milner for that matter. They are just hard working.

If you look at the players who play most games for Liverpool you will see that the regular team is.

Fabinho, Henderson and Wijnaldum. The reason they you see them venture forward is because they push teams back with the CB at the half way line. Fabinho is a holding mid, he doesn't venture forward often. The combination of Wijnaldum and Henderson is such that one of them attacks and one sits during different times of the game depending on which full back is further up so they can cover. You cannot adopt the same way of football when you have one less body in there.

3 workhorses > 2 workhorses last time I checked.

Lastly, Liverpool cross the ball in much more than we do, hencewhy the full backs are so useful. Why do we need a new LB when last season, Luke Shaw created same amount of clear cut chances as Pogba and Rashford?

 

[WolfInSharp'sClothing]

Full back is far far from a priority in my opinion.

Shaw, Williams, Dalot, Wan Bissaka, Laird..

Spend the money elsewhere.

The best/most consistent sides in the PL so far this year have the best full backs and holding midfield combos. Trent, Robertson, Fabinho. Pereira, Chilwell, Ndidi. Walker/Cancelo, Various, Rodri. Your could even argue that it's City's imbalance and lack of a consistent/fit left-back that's thrown them out so far this season in comparison to others.

Having that player that can sit in as an extra centre-half at times, allowing the full backs license to bomb on and help to create, is a model proven to work in today's game.

United seem to be taking a different approach though, with solid defensive full-backs, allowing a more creative attacking midfield player.

So if that is going to continue, you're spot on about spending the money elsewhere and you're priority has to be an attacking/creative midfield player to play in place of where Lingard and Mata have been recently.

 

[WolfInSharp'sClothing]

And if want to break down teams with a low block, we probably should make adjustments to the system when we get the players we need. Looking at Liverpool, they get their creativity from Robertson, TAA, Firmino, Salah and Mane. Man City get their creativity from two central midfielders, and three attackers (Sterling, Aguero/Jesus and Mahrez/Sane/whoever). Right now, Rashford and Martial are the only two players who gives us flair on the last third of the pitch. Two players that are not quite consistent enough yet and who regardless will need "creative passers" behind them. You could maybe add James, but on the right side, against a lower block team, he does not add much creativity in my opinion. Not yet, anyway.

I would like to see us play the same system we did with great success last season under OGS. The 4312. IMO, we need a defensive midfielder and an attacking midfielder. Furthermore, we do need more creativity from our fullbacks. With a DM that should be possible. Shaw is a really good passer, but he is injured a lot and it obviously hurts his fitness. Being a fullback is demanding physically and I do think we need to upgrade in this position. Williams could benefit from a loan. We would probably still lack a bit of creativity, but in this system, I also think Fred and McTominay would give us more going forward. Right now they do a good job protecting the CBs, but that task is a shackle for both of them. McTominay has it in his locker to make some great, surging runs into the box, but in the system we play today he cant.

In an ideal world, I guess it could look something like this:

AWB/Dalot/Laird---Lindelof/Tuanzebe---Maguire---Chilwell/Shaw
-----------------------------------------New DM-----------------------------------
-------------------------------McTominay----Fred--------------------------------
------------------------------------------Maddison---------------------------------
--------------Greenwood/Haaland----Rashford/Martial-------------

If you could take Ndidi, Maddison and Chilwell off Leicester, you'd be competing.

 

[TheReligion]

The best/most consistent sides in the PL so far this year have the best full backs and holding midfield combos. Trent, Robertson, Fabinho. Pereira, Chilwell, Ndidi. Walker/Cancelo, Various, Rodri. Your could even argue that it's City's imbalance and lack of a consistent/fit left-back that's thrown them out so far this season in comparison to others.

Having that player that can sit in as an extra centre-half at times, allowing the full backs license to bomb on and help to create, is a model proven to work in today's game.

United seem to be taking a different approach though, with solid defensive full-backs, allowing a more creative attacking midfield player.

So if that is going to continue, you're spot on about spending the money elsewhere and you're priority has to be an attacking/creative midfield player to play in place of where Lingard and Mata have been recently.

Good post. I agree.

 

[NoPace]

Although I sort of agree with the idea I think that would be a mistake.

Shaw is the fullback we often leave exposed because Rashford doesn’t come back. Fred is the one who has to scurry across to come try and help out, where on the opposite side the better one on one defensive Fullback has James and McT that come back and help him.
If anything we need Bissaka to be left footed and an offensive RB. If we had a really offensive LB I think we would find ourselves in serious trouble. Even now when Shaw does push forward there are times when moves break down and we are exposed on that side.

Fred covers so much ground he’s not always in position to cover, Rashford doesn’t trek back and Shaw can’t afford to be so cavalier in pushing forward.

Left back a bit forward, left center back is wider on that side to cover and the right center back is damn near central to fill that gap and Wan-Bissaka is also more central than a normal RB. James supports him well on that wing.

Otherwise we're just playing Wan-Bissaka at right back and he can't cross and doesn't really get in behind and out left if that fullback isn't going to create, even a great deeper crossing FB who doesn't need to get forward to help out creatively isn't probably going to create much considering we have no aerial threat really.

I'm less worried about balance defensively than how bad we are at attacking apart from counters involving Rashford or James' pace, which is (with Pogba out, but I assume he's gone in the summer unless the right new manager can change his mind) conservatively speaking, all of our attacking play.

If you assume Pogba is our #10 or gone, our first choice back 6 is McTominay-Fred in front of Shaw-Maguire-Lindelof-WanBissaka which provides very little creativity or threat in building play and helping create chances for goals, apart from Maguire being a threat on set pieces himself and I guess McTominay can finish a chance and Lindelof can pick a pass at times.

We badly need some actual creative ballplayers in our back 6 and LB (Shaw is alright but basically finds a way not to have good seasons) and a Kroos or De Jong type distributing and constantly comfortable on the ball and conducting play seem like the obvious first signings since we've just spent on Wan-Bissaka and Maguire and I'm not sure there's a Bonucci type CB around who can also defend.

 

[SteveW]

This search does not exist.

 

[Bebestation]

If we get Haaland I'd like us to build toward an extra attacking two upfront in a 352.

Put AWB at RCB, Daniel James at RWB for crosses in for the Strikers. Get chillwell or preferably Alphonso Davies if Alaba shoehorns him out at LB in Bayern.

Whilst it's obviously not realistic but something like this in a year & a half's time makes my boxers drop.

Rashford/Martial - Haaland/Greenwood

Sancho/Martial​

Grealish/Fred- Mctomminay/Pogba​

Davies/Williams - James/AWB​

Maguire-Rice/Garner-Smalling/AWB​

De Gea/Henderson​

 

[Member 117152]

We don’t desperately need a new LB with Shaw and Williams atm. If we get some creativity in the middle and up front then LB is next priority.

I personally thought Grimaldo was one of the finest full backs / players we’ve faced in the last couple of years. He impressed me so much in 2017 against us. Better than Shaw from what I could tell.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

Why does williams play left back and not right back, being right footed and all?

Not sure how viable his long term prospects at lb are, think he should be swapped to the other side.

Who was the last wrong footed fullback? Irwin is the only one i can think of

I don't understand it either. I get it in the "Irwin era" where a FB's first job was to defend in a 4-4-2. But unless we are going back to that formation I would like to see a left footed LB and right footed RB. It would be one thing if Williams was right footed but also able to whip in crosses with his left, but we haven't seen that. Williams should be playing at RB when he comes in...

With that being said, injuries aside, I don't think LB is a real position of importance as Shaw is more than capable in that position...

 

[Rozay]

We don’t desperately need a new LB with Shaw and Williams atm. If we get some creativity in the middle and up front then LB is next priority.

I personally thought Grimaldo was one of the finest full backs / players we’ve faced in the last couple of years. He impressed me so much in 2017 against us. Better than Shaw from what I could tell.

I was similarly impressed tbh, he was brilliant against us. I reckon he could play #10 at some teams, he’s that good on the ball.

 

[AmanNits04]

I think we need a new LB, someone who is good technically, as in close control and skilled etc, Shaw is good defensively but we can't have two full backs who don't attack that much.
By the looks of it, Rashford is going to be our left forward/winger in the future (which I am really happy about), but he has this habit of going in, which in all fairness is his strength, so we need someone to hold that width and provide good crosses in the box, someone in the similar mould of Andy Robertson, someone who has a good engine and good crossing abilities.
Is there anyone out there like this?

 

[stepic]

not a priority right now. maybe after a RW, midfielder, and striker.

 

[Rozay]

not a priority right now. maybe after a RW, midfielder, and striker.

It seems the full back role is very underrated.

 

[stepic]

It seems the full back role is very underrated.

not denying the importance, just that personally i think we have more needs up front and in midfield. left back can be upgraded in the next round of upgrades.

 

[poleglass red]

not denying the importance, just that personally i think we have more needs up front and in midfield. left back can be upgraded in the next round of upgrades.

exactly.

 

[Maccataq]

Why does williams play left back and not right back, being right footed and all?

Not sure how viable his long term prospects at lb are, think he should be swapped to the other side.

Who was the last wrong footed fullback? Irwin is the only one i can think of

I believe it is because Laird was ahead of him in the youth team so Neil Ryan(?) converted him to play left back.

Denis Irwin, for me, is the best left back we've had so no huge issue in Williams being a right footed left back and on the evidence so far, I don't think it has been an issue. Of course, Maldini is another great example of that. The last one for us would be O'Shea presumably but he could play a number of positions so was hard to define him as one thing.

I suppose where it could become a problem is that we tend to have a right footed, inside forward in Rashford, James or historically Martial playing on that side and it would be helpful to have a natural left footer to overlap and give us width but not to say Williams can't do that. Either that or you bring a left footed, left winger in. Maybe one of the reasons it worked with Irwin (apart from him being so good) is because we had Giggs and Sharpe to play ahead of him providing natural width.

 

[Rozay]

I believe it is because Laird was ahead of him in the youth team so Neil Ryan(?) converted him to play left back.

Denis Irwin, for me, is the best left back we've had so no huge issue in Williams being a right footed left back and on the evidence so far, I don't think it has been an issue. Of course, Maldini is another great example of that. The last one for us would be O'Shea presumably but he could play a number of positions so was hard to define him as one thing.

I suppose where it could become a problem is that we tend to have a right footed, inside forward in Rashford, James or historically Martial playing on that side and it would be helpful to have a natural left footer to overlap and give us width but not to say Williams can't do that. Either that or you bring a left footed, left winger in. Maybe one of the reasons it worked with Irwin (apart from him being so good) is because we had Giggs and Sharpe to play ahead of him providing natural width.

It’s a different game to Irwin’s days. He played in a 442 era, where wingers were expected to cross the ball. This doesn’t exist anymore. Full-backs need to provide consistent quality delivery from their side ideally.

 

[RedorDead21]

not a priority right now. maybe after a RW, midfielder, and striker.

How is another striker a priority when we have at least 3 players who want to play there and can play there over a position where we have injury prone shaw and a young lad as options? Anyone mentions Young I may cry into my tea.

 

[RedorDead21]

DM and LB are what we really need in Jan. AM Pogs can play when fit and the other positions can wait until the summer.

 

[stepic]

How is another striker a priority when we have at least 3 players who want to play there and can play there over a position where we have injury prone shaw and a young lad as options? Anyone mentions Young I may cry into my tea.

Rashford isn't a natural striker so i'm excluding him, even though he can do a job there. so really all we have is Martial, who is inconsistent, and Greenwood, who is a kid. and i think the striker position is more important to improve than left back. Shaw when fit can do a job for now. if Haaland is available, it would be silly to miss out on him because we chose to upgrade a different position.

 

[poleglass red]

How is another striker a priority when we have at least 3 players who want to play there and can play there over a position where we have injury prone shaw and a young lad as options? Anyone mentions Young I may cry into my tea.

we've 3 lads who can play there but one only one is a genuine number 9 in Greenwood. We know Rash's best position, we aren't exactly sure what Martial is, he's not a number 9 who will get on the end of crosses and score tap ins. We need to get players who play their position, this concept of he can fill in here and also play there esp as a striker isn't great. I'd love a new left back and centre half, and maybe the club will address that in the summer. Right now we've an opportunity to sign an exciting young player in a key position we need to upgrade, this is unusual in Jan window.

 

[RedorDead21]

Rashford isn't a natural striker so i'm excluding him, even though he can do a job there. so really all we have is Martial, who is inconsistent, and Greenwood, who is a kid. and i think the striker position is more important to improve than left back. Shaw when fit can do a job for now. if Haaland is available, it would be silly to miss out on him because we chose to upgrade a different position.

Ignoring the guy scoring all our goals lately seems abit unfair. The “supposed” best young talents in Europe choosing us right now? We don’t need another young striker we have Greenwood. We are crying out for a starter who’s an experienced head in afew positions. So that would mean 2 strikers presumably coming in when are top heavy already. We need an AM which is well documented and everyone was clear on a month ago. Everything points to this. A YouTube video and some Riola tactics and suddenly everyone forgets the strategy (after banging on we are a club with no strategy for 6 years) and we can’t miss out when a young player who has scored some goals becomes available.....

 

[stepic]

Ignoring the guy scoring all our goals lately seems abit unfair. The “supposed” best young talents in Europe choosing us right now? We don’t need another young striker we have Greenwood. We are crying out for a starter who’s an experienced head in afew positions. So that would mean 2 strikers presumably coming in when are top heavy already. We need an AM which is well documented and everyone was clear on a month ago. Everything points to this. A YouTube video and some Riola tactics and suddenly everyone forgets the strategy (after banging on we are a club with no strategy for 6 years) and we can’t miss out when a young player who has scored some goals becomes available.....

Rashford has been playing on the left wing, which is his best position. he's not an out and out striker.

if you can name an experienced striker that fits the bill let me know. there's not many around. Haaland fits the bill. a 10 would be nice too, but i think a RW is a bigger priority. if Pogba leaves in the summer, then we can replace him with a top 10. but we can't play 4231 with a new 10 and Pogba in midfield, it's way too unbalanced.

 

[Rozay]

Will say again. No quality at all in this area, we need urgent improvement.

 

[Adnan]

Will say again. No quality at all in this area, we need urgent improvement.

I've been saying the same for years now.

 

[VorZakone]

Tagliafico.

 

[Svartzonker]

What kind of player is Grimaldo at Benfica?