Tom Cleverley | 2012-14 Performances

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This is so utterly overboard tonight. He was far better than Carrick, who was shite. I thought he had a pretty good half.
 
Yeah, blame Cleverley because Mata is the only player in front of him who looks like footballer in first half. Valencia can't control the ball to save his life, van Persie probably hasn't realised he is playing game yet, and Rooney spent the first time complaining to the ref. But yeah, all Cleverley's fault.
 
Hmm expected some positive posts. He's provided good energy, tracked players and made himself available. He's not really put a foot wrong and can't think of a "OMG pass quicker or forward" - Arsenal have done as good a job closing down so as long as he isn't giving up possession cheaply in a game like this, it's exactly what we need from him.
 
Clevs has been good tonight. Lot's of energy. This is like when Fellaini plays well and people get on his case for 1-2 misplaced passes. If you accept that Cleverly is not Iniesta you'll appreciate him more. Our midfield looks so much more energetic when he's in it straight away
 
He has been good so far, he is never going to be a world class player but maybe he is right when he says he feels as if he has been unfairly targeted. One of the reasons we're being able to push up so high is because of the hard work he is doing, his energy is crucial when you compare it to the lethargy Fletcher showed against Fulham.
 
He's been solid enough but feck me he offers little in terms of breaking down opposition teams.

Carrick's into his shell as well, as he's been for the whole season.

Such an unspectacular pairing in this mood.
 
I don't see how people can criticise him for his performance tonight. Even at the start of this second half he has shown his crucial his energy is. Much better than Carrick tonight and there is no doubt he won't get as much criticism even though he has been poor all season.
 
He's been fine tonight. No idea what people are on about. If the rest of the players were looking as 'okay' as he is (rather than shocking) we'd probably be winning.
 
Impressed with Tom tonight. His anticipation and workrate have been very good, and he's been decent in possession considering he's up against an energetic midfield three. One of his better performances this season.
 
One of his better games, but that final play summed him up. 20 seconds to play, we're attacking, and he passes it back. Spanish football my arse, at least they attack.
 
Good off the ball keeping the shape and condensing the space for Arsenal to play in, alongside Carrick playing the same role. His energy to do the defensive side that Fletcher hadnt shown in his games, shows why Cleverley deserves to be playing instead. He was mostly rubbish when he had the ball though.
 
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Best player on the pitch, contrary to Michael Owen's totally bent opinions.

So, so many interceptions, great passing, great movement. He looked braver. He usually shies away, and doesn't show for the ball, but he was so eager to be where the ball was, or be on the ball.

Good on him.
 
Slevs said:
One of his better games, but that final play summed him up. 20 seconds to play, we're attacking, and he passes it back. Spanish football my arse, at least they attack.
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This is what gets me. Go for the last 20 seconds where Arsenal would have no chance of making an attack after? No let's just hold it instead. Good performance, but really doesn't cut it for me as a productive player going forwards; breaks up our attacks far too much for my liking.
 
Was excellent I thought. Bit poor at the end when he should have gone for it but Carrick gets as much blame there in my opinion. Broke up a lot of Arsenal attacks
 
That last passage of play - Carrick passes the ball first time to him and even points to Smalling who has come forward but, Cleverley plays the ball back and you can just see Carrick throw is head back and "oh come on".

I think Cleverley had a good game but, those are the moments that I think frustrate so many. Then again if he plays the ball forward and it gets intercepted at the last second and they score .... it's a what an idiot too.
 
Red Shorts said:
This is what gets me. Go for the last 20 seconds where Arsenal would have no chance of making an attack after? No let's just hold it instead. Good performance, but really doesn't cut it for me as a productive player going forwards; breaks up our attacks far too much for my liking.
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Exactly. He played good today, but was absolutely lost in the attacking third most of the time, and broke up. along with Valencia, most of our attacks.
 
He was excellent. Reminded me a bit of the Fletcher of old. This is the sort of game he excels in where we're relying on a counter attack. Not the slow tempo, break down the wall of ten types.
 
I thought he did fairly well but nothing to write home about. This is what he should be doing most games, holding his position so that he's able to help out defensively. Going forward though I'd still like to see more from him, the combo of him and Valencia on the same side can be very annoying. But all in all it was certainly a better display from him, though personally don't think he played better than Carrick.

I really hope though at some point it will click that him actually holding his central position and not wondering towards the flanks as soon as we look like we're gonna get the ball works much better than when he's allowed to just drift.
 
He was ok in a good compact midfield with Rooney infront, easy to cover that you can't contribute anything to our play when we set up like that. Jesus we lack a player that can dictate and control our play. Carrick was great, how he covers for the fullbacks and positioning himself to make Arsenal play wide and sidewas is so Incredible to watch.
 
I thought Cleverley was dreadful. Can't believe people think that was a good performance.
 
So you are all basically satisfied with him because he have a good workrate? Offers almost nothing in the offensive half, no forward passes or penetration. Well I'm not satisfied with this. I can't believe I'm saying this but I prefer even Fellaini instead of this negative approach.
 
7even said:
So you are all basically satisfied with him because he have a good workrate? Offers almost nothing in the offensive half, no forward passes or penetration. Well I'm not satisfied with this. I can't believe I'm saying this but I prefer even Fellaini instead of this negative approach.
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In the first 10 minutes of the game he made 4 forward passes, 1 sideways and 1 backwards. What fecking game did you watch?
 
Much much better from him tonight. Seemed to win the ball back an awful lot. Please kick on from here Tom.
 
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