30 Aug 2014 14:57:56
Thoughts on the game.

Formation doesn't work or suit the team or even the Premier League. When the CBs have the ball opposing team's forwards drop back and there are no passes on. The wing backs struggle to offer the width as they are too deep to receive the ball in a effective position and have no option on the overlap.

Also the formation should be changed depending on the opposition Burnley away doesn't need 5 at the back but perhaps Liverpool away 532 would work?

Evans really seems to be struggling, Jones was ok and Blackett whilst caught out of position a couple of times brought the ball out well, tried to spread the play and looked calm and assured. Best of the three.

I though di Maria looked good, Mata was missing and when he did turn up he was slow, killed tempo and failed to track back. Mata looked better when he was deeper and I wonder whether he should be played deeper to give Rooney some space? Like Scholes used to.

RVP and Rooney lacked any service but I am concerned that Rooney seems undropable now with the captaincy and is with Mata slowing our attacks.

I think Fletcher offered nothing going forward or going back, I would hope Blind takes over the deep CM role.

Never thought I'd say this but Anderson has actually looked ok. Moving the ball at pace, tracking back and getting his foot in shows how important Herrera is going to be. Offered more than Mata or Fletcher has done all game.

Valencia has been very poor, sometimes there is a benefit in being direct but running then stopping then tuning again then kicking the ball as hard as you can doesn't count.

Young was ok.

All in all we deserved at least one penalty and adding Herrera, Blind, Rojo, Shaw, Rafa and Carrick we should look a lot better. We need that break or bit of luck to play into form.

I really don't think the formation suits us at all and a 4231 or 4321 would suit us much more.

Cuarado looks a must and an organiser/leader like Hummels (or an experience leader at the back - Vlaar?) look like what we need by Monday night!

What do you guys think?

1.) 30 Aug 2014
Good summation. I think vlaar and Vidal would be great, whether we get them is another matter.

2.) 30 Aug 2014
Pretty fair analysis of the game although I think had either of the penalty shouts been given it would have been incredibly harsh on Burnley.

The return of Shaw, Herrera and Rafael and the addition of Rojo will improve the side - but I don't think Shaw and Rafael offer enough going forwards to make the formation work and I worry about Rafael's fitness. Cuadrado would be a great signing for his defensive qualities but I'd sooner we switched to 4-3-3 and signed an out and out winger (I appreciate that Cuadrado is a winger by trade - but think there are much better wingers out there from an attacking point of view).

I don't think Blind is the answer to our midfield problems either and think we need to sign a good midfielder rather than an average utility player. Unfortunately I think Blind will be our last business in this window though.

3.) 30 Aug 2014
30 Aug 2014 16:33:47
I agree with most of your analysis other than Blackett. His passing today for horrible and he gave the ball away virtually every time he tried the long ball out, which was allot of times.
Disappointing because I think he was been the watch out of all the youngster so far.

Really hope we switch to a back 4 sooner rather than later.