29 Aug 2017 23:10:55
Although I'm happy with the players we have brought in this summer, is still slightly underwhelmed if our business is complete. Lukaku and Matic are brilliant signing and instantly improve the starting 11. Lindelof will not impact the first 11 in the same way, for now at least. So really it's two improvements to the side. We finished 6th and a long way off the pace setters last season. I think we still lack quality at full back, Blind is no left back although can't fault his effort. We also still lack that X factor, the Sanchez, Hazard, Bale type player to win the game with a moment of magic. The number 7 shirt needs filling with a world class talent. Until we address both positions I feel we're still not strong enough to win the league. If city sign Sanchez ill be even more confident of the title going there come May. Would love a surprise big signing this week but I don't see it happening.

1.) 29 Aug 2017
29 Aug 2017 23:26:52
Agree with all that.

2.) 29 Aug 2017
29 Aug 2017 23:37:04
Think left back is despo for us tbh, not sure if Shaw will ever really make it and we've been shoehorning people in there for the last few years. We do lack that X factor like you say, but Griezmann would of been that, but that got taken out of our hands. Hopefully we get another in before Thursday, preferably LB, but doubt it now. Still, a good window, if not an exciting one like last year.

3.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 07:22:12
Stand, I understand your point and Red Man also makes it regularly and I don't necessarily disagree with the view that 2 players doesn't move us from 6th or Champions. However, I remember when Keane left and we only singed Carrick and then won the League after a sparse spell.

The whole mood seems different this year, Rashford and Martial both look hungry and dynamic, Pogba looks a much better player already, Jones has been very solid (he needs to stay fit) so I am hoping for a general bounce. It's all about direction and momentum and if you look at the top 6, some are stagnant, some are sliding, and some are on the up. We are clearly on the up.

We have a strone bench now, I have us down as finishing 2nd but I think it is tight at the top and a true worldie make a big difference.

4.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 08:35:19
I disagree that one or two players can't transform a team.

Consider players in a team like cogs in a watch. If one or two are missing then no matter the quality of the others the watch doesn't work well. But add the one or two missing cogs and suddenly the watch works perfectly.

You don't necessarily need to make wholesale changes to a team to dramatically improve results.

Last season Chelsea won the title the year after they finished 10th, they didn't make wholesale changes to their side or buy half a dozen new players for their first team. They brought in a few new players and grew and adapted and found a way of playing to get the most out of the players they had.

If you look at our squad and our first team we have a strong enough team to win the league. Could it be stronger? Of course, that is true for every team at all times. Barcelona's great team of a few years back were phenomenal, but they could still have been better, defensively suspect at times and lacked an ability to alter their approach. Could this current Real Madrid side be better? Having won back to back UCL titles they still have areas they could improve.

So yes I see a lack a depth and quality in the full back positions, and yes a star player who can change a game in a moment would improve us.

But Matic in midfield has completely changed how our midfield functions, Pogba has been set free to play like the 90m player he is. Also Matic has provided a shield in front of our defence that just wasn't there last season.

Lukaku has transformed our attack, we are no longer one dimensional and predictable going forward.

Add to that that younger players such as Rashford, Martial and Lingard have another's years experience and growth under their belt and the team as a whole have learnt how to win with two trophies won last season.

It would be nice if we signed one or two players that would help strengthen our weaker areas, but I would rather wait for the right players in January or next summer than buy the wrong ones now just because the window is closing and our competitors are buying players.

5.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 09:00:54
You are correct in saying we need fullbacks, I would say we need a full set of four top quality ones to rotate on both sides. I also agree we could benefit from a 'star man' to fill the No7.

However, I'm happy with the progress we are making and I expect we will make more signings next summer to address these areas. Also, Shaw may come good this season and we might be waiting until we can go back for Griezemann.

6.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 09:21:56
Left back and an X factor would be nice but we have to be realistic. The targets we wanted haven't materialised so I hope we don't settle for our 5th or 6th choices when we could wait a year.

7.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 09:46:05
I don't think think we will drop that many points due to blind playing lb.
Lukaku has all ready give us a new dynamic in attack as had matic in cm but this was always about Jose getting the best out of the players we have .
Pogba Mata martial rash miki have all started very well.
The squad underperformed in the league last season but if Jose can get us playing to our potential we Will do well.

8.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 11:18:11
I'd Lukaku picked up a big injury are you confident we would score goals? I'm not sure we have enough goals. That's why I'd like a Sanchez for instance who chips in with 25 from out wide.

As for blind there has been plenty of times already we have been to narrow with Rashford and mata coming inside, that's where we need fullbacks who exploit the space out wide to give us that option. So far we have had enough to open teams up although always late in second half. Against better teams we may struggle and width gives us another option. Blind doesn't provide it.

9.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 12:42:45
Stand
In your opinion we are to narrow, but it's very clear Jose has set us up to play like like with the players doing what they are told .
10 goals in 3 games .
Jose won't have his fullback playing on the halfway line either .
3 clean sheets in 3 games .

We look a very Jose team at the moment imo.

10.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 12:44:33
Also every team has a star player but when given the opportunity others step up .
Very often the team that gets a bit of luck with injuries is the one that wins the league, that's foot ball .

11.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 12:45:44
On Sanchez, I think we will sign griezmann either January on next summer so don't need him.

12.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 13:37:14
Jred there has been times in all 3 games we have been too narrow, it took a set piece to get the first against Leicester who were fairly well disaplined apart from that set piece. Once we get the goal teams have to come at us and that when's we can exploit the space. If we don't make he break through we need to try other ways. Against Leicester there was acres of space out wide time and time again but nobody willing to use it. I can't imagine Jose will want Blind playing high up the pitch as he lacks pace to get back. I don't want the full backs playing on the half way line, but it would be nice to have that option if we're struggling through the middle.

13.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 14:18:12
Instead of shiny new players, I think Jose is beginning to get the beat out of our squad and earn his money. Valencia, Miki, Jones, Fellaini, Martial, Rash, Pog look miles better. Wholesale changes and new additions not needed.

14.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 14:23:03
Stand 3 clean sheets as well, we did get the break through and the balance between attack and defence looks very good .
Movement looks good players finding space working the ball well,3 attacker's with a 10 behind them I like this kind of football .
Not that bothered about players hugging the touch line .

15.) 30 Aug 2017
30 Aug 2017 16:27:21
Stand, I couldn't have put it better myself. A left back, tierney, and Sanchez will lift us to the next level. Without them, we're only top 4 material.