10 Feb 2018 19:02:39
Lot of empty seats at the Etihad today.
Believable3
Unbelievable0
Manchester United Banter Archive February 10 2018
Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.
10 Feb 2018 14:39:56
So City decide to have a meeting with the refereeing body. Can you imagine if United or Mourinho has made this statement? We would've got absolutely slated.
If you watch Barcelona and City, the moment any of their players loses the ball, they go to ground. And 9 times out of 10, the referees will give them a foul.
Instead of complaining, they should shut up and count their lucky stars that the refs are on their side most of the time.
Surely the FA must step in and take action against City. Because they're influencing the referees.
Believable10
Unbelievable0
10 Feb 2018 16:53:39
Also in city's case whenever they lose the ball they foul the opposition to stop them breaking.
Agree6
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 19:40:46
Perhaps the referees should be informed that tactical fouls to prevent teams breaking should be a booking.
Agree1
Disagree1
10 Feb 2018 19:50:12
Players should ask the ref before they play them. Can we tackle them ref. Or will we stand back and admire them, it's a man's game .
Go way and play a game of tennis or something.
When I played if I was up against a right good player my manager told me, make it hard for him and believe me 1 or 2 remembered leahy.
Agree4
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 21:53:48
The game has gone far too soft. You even have so called "hard men" pundits like Souness, Savage, Keown rambling on about technical parts of the game (something they showed very little expertise in as players) and criticising pansy-esque challenges for being too "agressive". The one thing they were meant to excel at was being men in a man's game, yet they have to pretend to be disgusted by a hard challenge now to appease their pay masters and wimpy audience.
I imagine that in the school yard these days the kid that is "too rough" gets picked last, and the kid that is best at Fifa on the PlayStation is picked first in a game of football these days. In fact are kids allowed to play football at lunch any more, or has that been outlawed for being too 'rough and unsupervised'?
Agree3
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 21:54:46
Was a 'man's' game Leahy. can't do much tackling these days.
Agree1
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 22:11:43
True, I hate the way it's gone now, I don't care what team you have, you can have the best flair players in the business but if you haven't a Roy Keane type player that drives a team on, the last minute of the game still playing like there's no tomorrow. A nut job if you like, football maverick.
Imagine if George best played today with the protection from the refs. great pitches. And the like. He would go up another level.
Agree3
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 22:29:53
I think it's called constructive fouling, Barcelona were fantastic at it, it's done before an attack is in full flow so it doesn't look exactly like a professional foul. It's full blown cheating but hard to ref the situation as it's not a violent foul or a foul in a part of the pitch where the opposition are close to goal or cohesively moving as a team in attack. they don't protest when the foul is awarded, they just track back knowing the job is done and the move is gone, quite often another player from the same team will help the fouled player up. This is accepted, because it would be 1) difficult to prove and 2) who would be despicable enough to do it. Football has a long way to go in weeding out the cheats, VAR is a great start, but it'll take time for this type of crap to stop.
Agree3
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 22:57:33
The absolute master at 'constructive fouling' is David Silva, he was doing it long before Pep came along to an amazing standard, but he has gone up a notch since Pep has guided him.
He gets away with twice as much as any other player as his pleading rat face is pitied by refs, and he has the deserved reputation of being a wonderful creator (so media and therefore fallible refs fall for the creator over destroyer) . The fact is, he is a crafty sneaky rat and is forever clipping heels of opponents or scything them down to stop attacks often with no punishment.
Wish the media would point it out more and maybe refs will have the balls to pull him up for it.
Agree6
Disagree0
11 Feb 2018 09:14:54
Agree with all the posts above.
I feel that if football is played without the tough tackles then might as well fight for the PL title over table soccer!
Mind you I say tough tackles and not rough. Once in a while there will be rough tackles but if it gets out of hand I am sure the referees are there to ensure it doesn’t escape yellownor red cards.
We should trust the referees to handle the situations and that also the referees need to up their game handling skills. There is already a committee on retrospective punishments and appeals so just trust in the system. Pep making a molehill out of nothing is just trying to get away with smacking others and not punished if they smack people. What a “kitten” 😡🤦♂️. He should just p off.
Agree0
Disagree0
11 Feb 2018 11:54:32
It jasmine got a bit ridiculous, the slightest contact in the box commands a penalty nowadays, no contact is allowed in the area it seems.
However, whilst Pep was whinging, there are some tackles that don’t get punished enough, every week I see cynical fouling that risks causing an injury and the ref just gives the player a talking to. Refs need to understand the difference between a tough tackle and a dirty one, many of them don’t seem to.
Agree0
Disagree0
11 Feb 2018 13:14:11
Reducer fouls.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 13:55:47
{Ed's Note - MancMan has posted a new article entitled, Revamping the Manchester United midfield
Believable0
Unbelievable0
10 Feb 2018 14:50:11
Good analysis Manc.
I agree about Fel moving on but not sure if Herrera should head out. I think Herrera needs to get his confidence back and become who he was before. He is being overshadowed atm I feel.
Also be careful about using the b2b word and Jose has a different explanation for that 🤣🤣😂.
Good stuff Manc 👏.
Agree1
Disagree3
10 Feb 2018 17:02:18
Id use TFM as a defensive mid in that pool, with McTominay also as an option. Matic an Pogba of course and i'd go for either Jorginho or Weigl.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 17:12:20
Thanks 666, TBH I didn't know I was writing an article; it was just getting some thoughts down on paper.
The thing about Herrera is that he's had a lot of opportunities and he's never really done the business and definately not consistantly. Sure, he huffs and he puffs but he doesn't ever blow the house down. I love him for his effort but he lacks the quality to be first choice for us and like I said I don't want less than top quality players near the centre of our midfield. For me, it's the one area where you need the absolute best every week, even if the rest of the team is less than perfect.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 13:38:57
So, I've been thinking about the new fifa directive that from next season all players can only have their first names and less than four letters on the back of their shirts. We already have Alexis leading the way although the new regulations say this will need to be shortened to just 'Alex'.
In goal we will have Dave and in defence its Tone, Eric, Phil and Luke. Nemo and Paul in the midfield with Tone, Alex, Roma and John up front.
Much easier for commentators and saves the fans money when printing names on shirts which is also good for the environment because it uses less resources.
Believable0
Unbelievable2
10 Feb 2018 14:34:29
Less than four letters will be 3,2 or 1 right. 🤣🤣🤣
Ale, Dav, Ton, Eri.
Lol.
Agree1
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 20:56:02
How about something really radical and just have numbers?
Agree0
Disagree0
11 Feb 2018 12:29:28
Who is lol yaz?
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 08:18:20
I read Shappy's article with interest and agree in the main. However I think there is one area where Shappy didn't feel we needed to strengthen, centre of defence. Shappy suggests we don't need anyone, yet I feel the spine of the team isn't there yet. I feel we miss command and power at the back, a Vidic. A Vidic because we have other players who can play alongside such a player, Bailly, even Tuanzebe if he develops.
A few weeks ago people were talking about Harry Maguire, I wondered if he would cope with smarter clever forwards but the more I see the more I think he may be someone who could command our defence. Rumours are just that but I think we need a commanding central defender and Maguire is that plus English. Interesting.
Believable1
Unbelievable11
10 Feb 2018 09:15:36
We have many options at the back but short of qualities.
Agree1
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 10:49:56
I agree that there is a shortage of top level quality in our defence. Bailly I'm very happy with. Jones if he can stay fit has been excellent this season and Lindelof if he can adapt has excellent ball playing qualities. Then Tuanzebe looks a fantastic prospect.
The real reason I'm not too sure about buying another centre back is I just don't think there are many out there at the moment that are a massive improvement on what we have.
Who is there out there at the moment who is fit to lace Vidic's boots? I don't see them, I see potential, but we have potential, why spend 50-60m on another potential player when we have several in there with that?
I think our efforts are better focused on areas we need to improve where there are actual players we could sign to improve us.
Agree6
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 11:06:31
Red Man - All our CB's appear to be injury prone so I agree we have lacked that consistent presence at the back. I have been very impressed with Bailly since he signed and I think Jones, Rojo, Smalling and even Blind have all played well in spells. We don't really know what Lindelof is capable of yet and I have high hopes for Tuanzebe.
I don't think this is not a priority area and I think the midfield and full back areas need strengthening first.
I would only sign another CB if one become available that was significantly better than what we already have. In my opinion I'm not sure Harry Maguire falls into that category unfortunately.
Agree5
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 11:30:48
Agree Shappy and Danny. We could do with a quality cb addition but there is a shortage of quality and it is not a priority as we need a midfielder and full back more. I would have loved Laporte he would have complimented bailly’s combative style really well. Apart from that it’s varane and Umtiti but I would rather see us blood Tuanzebe in and give Lindelof a proper opportunity because his ball playing ability is very good.
Agree5
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 12:15:05
Rather than bringing in more CBs, I think it's more important that we move on a couple so that the good young players we have can get game time and experience.
If we want better players from the potential we have, the only way they will improve is with game time.
I think if we move on Blind and Smalling we will have a decent pool of players to choose from who are all better than those two.
Agree6
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 13:29:47
Could we move for Alderweireld? Don't think he has signed a new deal at Spurs yet and his current one runs out in 18 months. Obviously very unlikely but for me he is one of the best CB's in the world now.
If it was up to me, next season we would have Bailly, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, a new top quality CB and one of Blind or Rojo as our CB options (probably Rojo) . Jones has been good when fit but I feel like we have been saying that for 5 years. He doesn't stay fit and hasn't shown any sign that will change. Smalling is the player in the squad who can't do anything right imo. I think every fan of every team has a player in their team's they just have no confidence in. Smalling is that for me. Zero ability with the ball, pulls shirts more than any other defender in the league and has mistakes in him.
Agree1
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 13:47:29
I don't see us going for a cb in the summer we have more than enough all ready.
Agree1
Disagree3
10 Feb 2018 14:47:45
Smalling has been playing very well recently. I think Jose trusts him because of his height. As a back up CB I think he is okay.
If Bailly had been fit all season I think we would have looked far better at the back. I also like Rojo this season and agree that Lindelof needs time to adapt - he is very rash in the challenge, but also very cultured with the ball.
Clearly Aldevereld would be a step up, but I'm not certain Umtiti is guaranteed to come in and be an instant success.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 15:52:58
I don't think there is any point in having talented young players at the club only to bring in new players which block their progression. If you have the younger players with potential then you have to play them to assess whether they are likely to realise the potential and then develop them into a first team regular, or you decide that they will never be good enough and move them on.
Otherwise, they just hang about not going anywhere and it's no good for their career and it's no good for us because they haven't got any experience to draw upon when they might be needed to play. You might as well bring in benchwarmers who at least have experience.
As for Smalling, he's a liability because he is so uncomfortable on the ball. Teams are now starting to target him by pressing. I think we have better.
Agree2
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 06:47:50
RIP Liam Miller who has tragically passed away at 36. We get ourselves over excited about a game and can sometimes forget the important things in life: family, someone to love us, a roof over our heads, food on the table, and our health. Cancer has no favourites, it takes who it wants. A top level professional footballer in the prime of his life was unable to beat it, very very sad.
Believable10
Unbelievable0
10 Feb 2018 07:21:19
here here, another cork boi to play for United, I remember the excitement of him coming to us, he had the privilege of playing for Celtic and United, a great feat in a short life. R. I. P.
Agree4
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 08:44:14
Very very sad! I didn’t even know the lad was poorly. Thoughts are with his family and friends. From the joy and pride of seeing their loved one doing the thing they loved for England and Scotland’s two biggest clubs, to losing him at 36 years of age. Devastating!
He’s my age too, which brings home how fragile life really is. I’ll give my little girl and wife, who is carrying my second little girl, an extra big hug today. You just never know what is around the corner.
RIP Liam, once a red, always a red.
Agree3
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 09:24:37
So heartbreaking and so young. RIP Liam.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 09:28:01
RIP
Very sad, at 36 he should still be playing
Condolences to his family and friends.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 10:07:58
So sad Rip - met the lad when he called into my place when he was living up here (north East) and he was a polite young fella, quite shy. Such a young age; condolences to his nearest and dearest.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 10:49:33
Very sad - RIP.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 13:29:09
Very heart . Rip.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 14:32:53
Really sad news. Always gave his best. Rip.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 06:38:30
{Ed's Note - Tris Burke has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 10th February 2018
Believable0
Unbelievable0
10 Feb 2018 08:58:04
Good review Ed/ Tris.
Particularly liked the part about your comments about Pep whining about tackles. Pep is looking for trouble if he continues to bitch about that and trying to blame on referees.
Agree1
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - Pep is getting on my nerves now, his team are at least as bad as any, probably worse when you take into account the little time they cede possession. He is clearly just trying to get favourable decisions.}
10 Feb 2018 10:04:16
666, you know you can comment on other posters’ posts right? 😀.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 10:41:43
Another good read ed and I am 100% with you on pep and poor little city every time I watch them either last ditch nic (otamendi) or fernandinho are leaving one on someone yet pep constantly gripes and whines .
Agree1
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - it is not just those two either, the whole team will do it to ensure they cannot be broken on, it is a tactical ploy to protect that creaky defence. Funny how he always forgets those when he whines though.}
10 Feb 2018 11:40:16
Glad it's beginning to get light shed on it. Man city are the most persistent for fouls when losing the ball. The surrounding of the referee with hands in the air is getting on my t*ts too.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 11:44:28
Yeah there does seem to be an awful lot of "technical" fouls .
I will go on to say all of the great teams have that dark side and I do believe city are a great team atm the difference though is their holier than thou approach always complaining like they are the only side who get fouled.
Maybe it bugs me so much because I really do not like guardiola one bit if I'm being honest I can't stand the bloke I find him rude and dismissive and very selective with his truths.
Agree1
Disagree0
{Ed001's Note - he is a hypocrite.}
10 Feb 2018 13:06:51
It's nothing that we haven't seen before.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 14:08:23
Have said for years that when a player ' takes one for the team ' he should be sin binned for 10 mins. Getting booked is meaningless and not a way to punish a deliberate foul.
Agree0
Disagree0
10 Feb 2018 14:41:53
AJH I do know thanks 🙏😉☺️.
I usually “like” the posts or “unlike” if I don’t agree. I know our posters are all very passionate and I just love reading the banters and comments. I still wake up everyday looking forward to reading all the banters. These days I spend plenty of time on this site reading the reviews.
I really enjoy all the banters and all the contributions including questions from our dear Ronnie 🤣🤣🤣.
Agree0
Disagree0