28 Aug 2015 10:54:32
I think it should be a good game against the Swans this weekend. Swansea, as we know like to play their style of football and won't be content just sitting back and "parking the bus".

This just might suit us better given that we have played our best when the opposition has tried to attack.

I would put Herrera along with Carrick and Schniederlin in the middle. The usual suspects up front as i do not think LVG would drop his love child Mata and still play him far away from his natural position.

Anyways, i am hoping for a good game and a favourable result for us. Putting my money on our #10 to score first.

1.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 12:21:20
Why is Mata his love child? He was dropped plenty of times last season and our best run of form last season came with Mata on the right, and this season we have yet to lose a game with Mata on the right, so maybe he is doing ok there?

2.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 12:37:14
I think we have all agreed on this part that Mata is not a winger and like it or not, LVG does not favor him in his #10 slot. And he is not being dropped. As someone stated down below "our attack is lopsided" due to Mata being played on the wing.
I don't really have a problem with Mata in the team. Just have a problem with him being played on the wings. As it is i think Mata doesn't provide much cover to Darmian. Montero would torment him bad.

3.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 12:41:04
His love child? Have a word!! Mata creates more scoring chances per minute played that anyone else!! Just because he can seem quiet and ineffective, it's not the case!! Ashley Young looks busy every time he plays, and everyone says how much he's improved, yet he doesn't actually create many scoring chances. Mata will create 2/3 big possibilities most games, so don't be fooled by how 'busy' an attacking player looks!

4.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 13:00:18
LVG likes Mata simply because he doesn't lose the ball much, and he has shown more eagerness to defend than his entire career, he is a deadly finisher, and have you seen his through balls?
A good right winger and Mata would certainly play through the middle.

5.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 13:03:32
GDS2 - Mata is doing fine, i keep waiting for the day he plays badly and everyone on here says he's shite and should be sold.

In my eyes, if it isn't broken, don't fix it.

6.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 14:17:28
Guys this want a Mata hate post to start with. I am not anti Mata. On the contrary i was excited when we signed Mata (although he wasnt required and was/is a luxury).
But like it or not, Mata is not a winger. Play a right winger and then see the difference in the play. Everyone here has complained of our slow lethargic play. Ever noticed how many of them have been due to Mata being one-dimensional. Have a read at Shappy's excellent post and you will understand what we lack when Mata plays on the wings.

My simple statement is either play him in his favored position i.e the #10 position or don't waste his talent. Defending teams will just kill our attacks by doubling on the left hand side as they know that the right winger will just cut inside everytime he has the ball.

Remember this was the constant criticism that Young got last season even though he was very good at running past defenders. How many times has Mata put a cross in from the touch line?
Play him in the #10 slot to see the actual Mata magic.

7.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 17:57:20
Not slating Mata he's a great player but like LVG said earlier on the best teams in in better leagues have 2 pacey wingers either side of a striker. Think about it Barca, Bayern, RM, Chelsea, City, Dortmund, PSG. He's not suited to counter attacking football, although we're playing possession based football sometimes you have to adapt and he can't. He'd do well behind the stiker with a pacey winger either side but playing out wide he's purely a stop gap.

8.) 28 Aug 2015
28 Aug 2015 18:54:54
Had to get my bit in on this. Fully agree mata is excellent and in the #10 position would be Quality! Jus think if City now with Silva, do some of us forget what he was like for chelsea before mourinho joined!