26 Jan 2014 09:18:37
Hey Ed 001 cheers!. I read another ed saying you think our nick Powell is a special lad. if u have time can you tell us what you think about the lad!.
Thanks for your comments.

{Ed001's Note - Nick Powell is a bit special, Dario Gradi says he is the best player to go through the Crewe Academy in his time there. Even as a kid he stood out in youth games as a real talent, his self confidence, which is vital to reach a player's best, shone through.

He was never outstanding in the way some youngsters stand out, such as Freddy Adu, in their physical development. Adu was a grown man playing with kids at the age of 14, he was that far ahead physically, but technically he was never anything worth talking about.

Powell, on the other hand, is technically excellent. He has a great first touch and his striking of the ball is usually clean and true, which is why he is good at the dead ball situations. That is a very good indicator of technique, which is why clubs, usually, put their best striker of a ball as their dead ball specialist.

He has good vision, it could be seen as awareness of his team mates, but I am not so sure his awareness is outstanding, as he is not so good defensively, and can pick out a pass either short or a 40 yard pin point ball. He is always looking to get into space to receive a pass, or showing for it when marked to help out his team.

He doesn't have the burst of acceleration Torres and Owen once had, that allowed them to create that split second of space to put the ball in the back of the net. He doesn't have the pace of Walcott, or the pure brute strength of Drogba, nor the height of Crouch. Because of that, I don't think he would suit a wide role, nor is he cut out to be a striker long term (though that is no slight as Scholes started out the same, he just didn't have the physical attributes to be a striker so moved back, and he did alright!).

I am also not convinced his defensive awareness and positioning are good enough to play in a deep lying role, at least not in the short term. For me, he needs to be played behind a striker, in an attacking midfield/second striker role. He has an excellent shot, he can score from anywhere within 40 yards of the goal, he has the ability to beat his man to create space, as well as the vision to play in others.}

1.) 26 Jan 2014
Quality input ed001, thanks and keep up the good work.

2.) 26 Jan 2014
Ed but with Mata, Rooney, RvP and Januzaj in the team how are we going to accommodate Powell?

Welbeck, Lingard there too. And possibly with another midfielder coming would we be able to give him playing time?

{Ed001's Note - Welbeck? If the manager is stupid enough to play Welbeck in the hole, and Powell is available, then he deserves the immediate sack. Welbeck is not suited to that position, he is barely decent in a position he is suited, it would be sheer idiocy to play him somewhere he is not suited.

Rooney and Mata I see as the main issues. Januzaj can push out wide, RvP plays further up, Lingard is not quite as good. If he can learn off Mata, working with him in training should enhance his game, and he can provide injury cover and rotate with him when there is a busy period. Plus he can come on as sub to keep Mata fresh as the season goes on.

I do think that Rooney is an issue, he will struggle to get game time while Rooney is there as an option. Though I personally would think the time is right to shove Rooney and his horrible attitude and scummy family as far away from Old Trafford as possible, right now. He is far too temperamental and allows it to affect his game badly, but that is a different matter.

I do think Powell has a problem, Mata and Rooney becomes a veritable road block ahead of him, one that I don't see him being able to get around. I really don't see how you can get him enough game time, while keeping all the other players happy too, to enable him to reach his peak. If I was advising him, I would tell him it was time to consider a move away, if Rooney was to sign a new contract. Unless a chat with the manager shows him wanting a different role for Powell, which I just don't see.}

3.) 26 Jan 2014
Ed001

Great analysis and thank god someone agrees with me on Welbeck :) In your opinion is he good enough for top 5 team in the pl and do you see him as United player long term?

{Ed001's Note - no and no. He is technically awful, he is as likely to trip himself up as he is to control the ball. It is a wonder he ever got into the United first team, even though you started the season with the weakest United team I can remember, he was still simply not good enough. Shame though, because he has such pace, if he can sort out his close control and technique he could be brilliant. Has a decent leap and is tall to begin with, so could be a real aerial threat too, if he works on it.}

4.) 26 Jan 2014
Exactly ED.

We may end up in a situation similar to the Cech-Courtois situation at Chelsea.

We may have to keep on loaning him year after year.

{Ed001's Note - that is a good short term option, but long term, players need to either get a chance or move on really.}

5.) 26 Jan 2014
Hi everton fan in peace I think Powell would suit everton and would develop under Martinez have we shown any interest on him.

Thanks

{Ed001's Note - He would be good behind Lukaku or Traore, but Everton showed no interest in the summer. Mind that was with Martinez getting his feet under the table, and now he is out on loan for the season, he won't be moving for him right now anyway.
I do know that Martinez does speak to staff at Wigan a fair bit, to keep up with things and often asks how Powell is getting on. That is the only interest Everton have shown, but it is an indication he is keeping an eye open.}

6.) 26 Jan 2014
Ed1 I couldn't help but chuckle at your opinion on Rooney. Ed how do you envisage us playing formation wise if mata and Rooney both are there? Do you believe Rooney will stay long term?

{Ed001's Note - I can't see how they can play together, unless as a very fluid and narrow attacking midfield trio, similar to the way Citeh play (apologies for bringing them into it on here!). One forward of theirs drops deep and Silva and Nasri are always floating about in a similar area. Trouble is that involves quick thinking and short, sharp, quick interchanges, which would suit Mata, but not sure it would Rooney.
Though it would allow him to have the freedom of the pitch, allow him to chase back and not leave you short up front when he does so. With Januzaj or Kagawa as the 3rd member of the trio, it should certainly be very creative.
It would require the full backs getting forward far more, which would put a lot of pressure on the central midfield and centre backs when the opposition breaks. Not sure Vidic nor Rio are physically up to that any more. If you get it right it is very easy on the eye and creates opportunities galore.
Oh and Rooney would also be able to move up front if you fall behind or drop deeper if you are defending a lead late on. It does allow a lot of small tactical tweaks without huge changes confusing your players.}

7.) 26 Jan 2014
SAF made it abundantly clear that if Powell hadn't suffered an injury last season, he would be in the MU team for this season. Whether Moyes feels the same isn't clear, but the feeling I get is Moyes sees him as a MU player next season as he wanted to send him to Hull on loan to speed up his progression. In the end they decided to keep him at Wigan as he is doing so well. Perhaps an EPL loan next season, then I fully expect him to be a MU first team player. He is too good to sell or leave out.

8.) 26 Jan 2014
Thanks ed001. How do you see things pan out for Rooney given what looks like an overhaul of the current squad.

Is there any substance to the 300k a week stuff or just pure lazy Journos. for personal reasons I believe we will sell him the summer but interested to hear your views.

{Ed001's Note - I very much doubt he will be given 300k a week, what would that do to United's wage structure? I do think he will stay, because only Chelsea seems a viable option, though you never know, as Jose would like him.}

9.) 26 Jan 2014
26 Jan 2014 15:50:19
Personally I'd get rid, as you say his attitude stinks. He's served us well yes but he does think he's bigger than the club. Its time to go and I think Mata is first step in life after Wayne. I think his attitude will be a bad influence on young players that we can do without.

I agree with Syd on Powell, prem loan next year.

Interesting view on Welbeck, I do think there's a player in there if he can sort his technical issues but not sure if he has time on his side. Robin is getting on, Wayne could go so we need him to step up. Add to that there's some good strikers coming through he's got I think two seasons to show he has a future here.

10.) 26 Jan 2014
26 Jan 2014 15:50:19
Personally I'd get rid, as you say his attitude stinks. He's served us well yes but he does think he's bigger than the club. Its time to go and I think Mata is first step in life after Wayne. I think his attitude will be a bad influence on young players that we can do without.

I agree with Syd on Powell, prem loan next year.

Interesting view on Welbeck, I do think there's a player in there if he can sort his technical issues but not sure if he has time on his side. Robin is getting on, Wayne could go so we need him to step up. Add to that there's some good strikers coming through he's got I think two seasons to show he has a future here.