*Official* English Football Season 2014-15

[grecian]

When my brother told me yesterday about Di Maria I wondered if I would need to revise my 'won't make the top 4' prediction

But after today, I don't think one player will make enough of a difference

I think the chasm between whisky breath and ginger bollocks' abilities meant nobody really knew how good the squad was. Obviously a few key players have moved on/retired over time but now the scale of LVG's job is becoming clear.

I'll probably look really stupid like I have done in the past when I've written United off but for me, they'll do well to finish above Everton and Spurs

Hmm, there's part of me that thinks LVG is putting out a deliberately awful team, so he can get funds, bit like Jose has done before. Cleverly, Young at wing-back?

They actually could have won today, even with the bizarreness of selection.

 

[Uppercut]

When my brother told me yesterday about Di Maria I wondered if I would need to revise my 'won't make the top 4' prediction

But after today, I don't think one player will make enough of a difference

I think the chasm between whisky breath and ginger bollocks' abilities meant nobody really knew how good the squad was. Obviously a few key players have moved on/retired over time but now the scale of LVG's job is becoming clear.

I'll probably look really stupid like I have done in the past when I've written United off but for me, they'll do well to finish above Everton and Spurs

Yeah I tend to agree. It's not just that we're dire. Spurs especially look very good this year.

Although tbf it's not just one player that we're hoping might make a difference. Still have Shaw, Evans, Smalling, Herrerra, Rafael and Rojo to come back, plus probably one more signing plus Di Maria, and RVP is only just back from injury.

 

[Uppercut]

Hmm, there's part of me that thinks LVG is putting out a deliberately awful team, so he can get funds, bit like Jose has done before. Cleverly, Young at wing-back?

They actually could have won today, even with the bizarreness of selection.

He's not doing it deliberately. That was genuinely the best XI we have fit, or something close to it.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah I tend to agree. It's not just that we're dire. Spurs especially look very good this year.

Although tbf it's not just one player that we're hoping might make a difference. Still have Shaw, Evans, Smalling, Herrerra, Rafael and Rojo to come back, plus probably one more signing plus Di Maria, and RVP is only just back from injury.

Yeah and I certainly think that if you keep yourselves in touch until Xmas you'll get the business done in January. Liverpool and City weren't great last week, nor Arsenal, but I think it's a long way back from United to those three and Chelsea have looked outstanding thus far, albeit against two teams fresh out of the Championship

I don't think the top four will change this season tbh. As you say, Spurs look good, Everton looked decent yesterday but threw it away.

Who knows.

 

[Pothas]

Welcome to life as a football fan for about 88 clubs

Soon as I saw that post I knew this would be the reply and that it would probably come from you.

 

[Pothas]

I think left wing-back would suit him best of the positions we have. You look at the amount of space Young got today and think surely Di Maria would do something with it, since he can both go past players and cross very well. But I doubt Van Gaal agrees, and we have Shaw, Rojo and possibly Blind for that position anyway.

But CM suits him better than CAM, because he's better running from deep than receiving the ball high up the pitch.

There any chance Van Gaal may scrap the 3 at the back?

Thought Di Maria was brilliant in the 4-3-3 Real played last year, think that could work nicely with Herrera. But then I have no idea how Rooney, RVP and Mata works in that system.

 

[GIMH]

Soon as I saw that post I knew this would be the reply and that it would probably come from you.

True though innit

 

[Tangles]

Rooney, RVP, Mata, Welbeck, Hernandez, Kagawa and Januzaj are all competing for 3 spots under this new system. Di Maria just adds to that. It doesn't make sense unless someone else is moving on because it just puts another attacker on the bench in an unbalanced squad.

Just Herrera, Carrick, Fletcher and Cleverly as cover for midfield. Not terrible if the first 2 stay fit.

Central defense is the real problem with Evans, Jones, Smalling and now Rojo covering 3 spots. Wing backs is a problem with Valencia, Shaw and Young (lol) the candidates.

We have the talent to score goals but we will concede with that defense and can't afford Herrera and Carrick to not play. Midfield or defense is where the Di Maria money could be better used.

 

[Pothas]

True though innit

Without doubt.

Last couple of years I have not had this feeling, takes some getting used to (not complaining it is bloody great.)

 

[Uppercut]

There any chance Van Gaal may scrap the 3 at the back?

Thought Di Maria was brilliant in the 4-3-3 Real played last year, think that could work nicely with Herrera. But then I have no idea how Rooney, RVP and Mata works in that system.

Yeah he was great there. Sort of shuttled between CM and LM.

The current formation suits Rooney, RVP and Mata perfectly at the expense of the rest of the team. So if it keeps comprehensively failing to produce anything going forward, those guys will just have to make way.

 

[GIMH]

Yeah he was great there. Sort of shuttled between CM and LM.

The current formation suits Rooney, RVP and Mata perfectly at the expense of the rest of the team. So if it keeps comprehensively failing to produce anything going forward, those guys will just have to make way.

Brave if he does that. Moyes would have been crucified for it. But you're probably right.

 

[Furball]

Rooney, RVP, Mata, Welbeck, Hernandez, Kagawa and Januzaj are all competing for 3 spots under this new system. Di Maria just adds to that. It doesn't make sense unless someone else is moving on because it just puts another attacker on the bench in an unbalanced squad.

Just Herrera, Carrick, Fletcher and Cleverly as cover for midfield. Not terrible if the first 2 stay fit.

Central defense is the real problem with Evans, Jones, Smalling and now Rojo covering 3 spots. Wing backs is a problem with Valencia, Shaw and Young (lol) the candidates.

We have the talent to score goals but we will concede with that defense and can't afford Herrera and Carrick to not play. Midfield or defense is where the Di Maria money could be better used.

Januzaj really isn't all that ftr.

 

[Energetic]

Man U dominance is finally over and people need to accept that. Soon it will be Arsenal and Chelsea and you will for the next 30 or so years will have many unheard names winning the Premiership. That's the beauty of time that nothing stays the same forever.

 

[Pothas]

Januzaj really isn't all that ftr.

Really?

Like when you did not 'get' Coutinho?

 

[Tangles]

Really?

Like when you did not 'get' Coutinho?

The kid has promise. The rest is up to him and LVG.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Without doubt.

Last couple of years I have not had this feeling, takes some getting used to (not complaining it is bloody great.)

Great isn't it

 

[Nate]

Don't give us much hope at the Etihad tomorrow, but can't wait to watch it.

Rumours are that Johnson will start ahead of Manquillo though.

 

[NUFAN]

Yeah let's end it there imo.

Yep, agree. COYS!

 

[Ikki]

Yeah he was great there. Sort of shuttled between CM and LM.

The current formation suits Rooney, RVP and Mata perfectly at the expense of the rest of the team. So if it keeps comprehensively failing to produce anything going forward, those guys will just have to make way.

Di Maria's decision making is awful though.

 

[Uppercut]

Brave if he does that. Moyes would have been crucified for it. But you're probably right.

Maybe by a few journos, but they gave him an easy ride in general so probably not. The fans would have overwhelmingly just been glad to see him show some balls. One of Moyes's biggest failures was failing to drop (or even sub) the big names. Ever. There was the time he broke RVP by playing him too long because "people would have asked questions about him" if he subbed him off. Then he left Rooney on the pitch away to Bayern despite admitting afterwards that he was so injured he "couldn't kick a ball properly".

Januzaj really isn't all that ftr.

Right now or long-term? He is one of our best players already, but the rest make anyone who doesn't aimlessly pass the ball across the pitch look like a superstar.

His potential is genuinely incredible, though.