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19 Sep 2016 23:10:51
its been a up and down start to the season. Winning our first three, now losing three in a row. The right ideas are there but the execution is way off. Two things that stand out to me on the pitch is the lack of energy and urgency from players to receive and move the ball on quickly. Also, our defensive shape looks so un mourinho like.
I will start of with the shape, like a lot of people have suggested on here I believe the 4-3-3 is the way to go for now. Not to 'fit' Pogba in but to make the team more balanced. It keeps the midfield compact and allows the ball to be moved quicker due to more options in the middle and width on the flanks. Now the problem is, who plays where? I believe Carrick/ Blind should be our number 6. Carricks experiance and ability to dictate the tempo is vital, even though he is defensively vulnerable, he will have defensive coverage from the other two centre midfielders and also the two physical centre backs behind him. Blind is another who has really grown on me, over the past two years he has moulded into this cool head experienced player. His ability to pick a pass and to read a game has really improved. Even though he has underwhelmed in this position before I feel he could thrive with pace around him now. Herrera has done well every time he has played this season and I feel he deserved a run of games. He is technical and moves the ball quickly, also isn't afraid to stick a foot in. Then you have Pogba who will be on the left side, it's been a tough start for him. He looks like he is out there and not really knowing his role, constantly changing the formation every week isn't helping. Now this midfield has pace and power with someone holding who has the ability to dictate play, it gives us a protection of the back four allowing our full backs to bomb forward without being Exposed. Both Herrera and Pogba love running beyond Ibra which will allow Ibra to play his game more effectively rather than being isolated or having to take 5 or 6 touches to find a player.
But it's not all that simple, the team looks like it is lacking chemistry, there are no relationships on the pitch. We don't seem to press as a team or drop of as a team which leaves so much space in areas that the opponent can exploit. Now both Watford or Feyenoord weren't great, but the space we allowed them made them look good.
So I feel a compact midfield and more importantly TIME to settle into a system will be critical for moving forward because we have the coach and the players to do so. Roll on the next game.
1.) 20 Sep 2016 00:44:04
I agree wholeheartedly with the last part about the team lacking chemistry and that will take time for it to gel, but it can be done quickly, look at rival teams with inferior players playing nice quick football. It is difficult to dissect so soon, we try but there haven't been enough games yet. Bailly has looked great, so the only two added that play are Pogba and Ibra, who haven't done well at all and they are our two BIG names, so it is really bizarre.
Where I do disagree is that you say he has the "right idea but the execution is lacking", the only idea I can see is to allow the opposition the ball and hope we can catch them out with a very slow counter attack. I hate this system and style, it's even worse than under LVG because at least we didn't see inferior players dominate the ball under him.
I don't understand why Mourinho isn't asking the midfield to contribute to more phases of play and for us to press the ball further up. Fast intricate play is possible with the players we have, Ibra is the perfect foil, with a truly world class central midfield as well. But we seem to play to our weaknesses, it really baffles me.
We look lazy and predictable at the minute, simply not good enough (even the earlier games before this bad run) .
2.) 20 Sep 2016 09:38:29
The team lacks chemistry because of all the chopping and changing, I highly doubt over the last three years if we have named the same side three games in a row more than twice. There are many reasons from the fact we have sold or released around 40 players in three years, while bringing in around 20 new faces. We have changed formations and tactics on a weekly basis, as well as personel.
Until we get a settled team, playing in a settled style then it will be hard for anyone to build any chemistry. Several players have only been here for a few games, on the left Shaw and Martial have had only 6 games together, Valencia on the right doesn't know who he will be playing with. Bailly doesn't have a fixed CB partner. We haven't yet found the right shape or balance of players in midfield. And no one us used to playing with Zlatan up front.
3.) 20 Sep 2016 09:54:41
I agree beast it's really confusing and has been over the last few years, we've explosive pace up top in rash, martial, Lingard, Miki is quick, Memphis, even young or Toni but we don't seem to play to that. I don't like this chilling and changing after 1 defeat either, stick to a team and consistency will surely come, it's Jose's forte aswell a first eleven, he's the ideal players he brought in yet isn't playing to the best of them, totally bizarre atm.
26 Sep 2016 20:40:10
WHy so many dislikes on the above post? Bitter rivals, yes. But the quality they have and the team they have built it's good to watch. So much competition, I'm enjoying it.
26 Sep 2016 20:38:28
That midfield combination was perfect against Leicester. But I feel when they went to a midfield three with a CAM, our team got a little stretched. I think In them sort of games coming up against a two, Herrera and Pogba with mata just in front would run the show like Saturday. But against a team like city, we were stretched and outnumbered from the first minute, so with a holding player it would take the pressure of Herrera and Pogba.
26 Sep 2016 20:35:59
Juan Mata I feel would be a good manager because he has a great football mind and seems like he interacts with fans and fellow colleagues well.
From another club I would say Sergio Ramos, he will lose his head a lot but the guy knows how to play football and I think like Zidane would really suit a high profile club.