Manchester United Banter Archive August 24 2015

24 Aug 2015 23:29:19
Still hoping for an exciting player, Fillipe Anderson was mentioned on hear a few weeks back good option but expensive. We will also need to keep Smalling fit now.

25 Aug 2015 07:23:30
Agreed!

25 Aug 2015 10:04:20
Whilst I don't think we will get Neymar I believe there is more to it than normal newspaper trash. I think maybe agents are maybe trying to push it forward think of the money that can be earned by him moving not just the agents fees, but image rights and shirt sales would be the most lucrative deal by far. the one problem being Neymar seems very happy at the current best team in the world and he idolises Messi so why would he personally want to leave not sure he is worried about money so much.

24 Aug 2015 22:48:16
Thoughts on Mahrez from Leicester? MOTD fever or a legit decent option for RW?

25 Aug 2015 08:04:37
Don't know if we have any interest but he is certainly a fantastic player, he was great last season but this season so far he has stepped up another level.

25 Aug 2015 09:36:10
In a month I don't think he will be talked about. He has looked good, but he started last season similarly then dropped off rapidly. A bit greedy as well, we already have Depay & Januzaj and got rid of Nani who hold on to the ball a split second too long.

Still better than Mata for RW position, but we should be aiming higher imo.

24 Aug 2015 20:10:13
Ramsey was not offside there. Liverpool lucky, again

24 Aug 2015 20:36:38
Looking at this if we can sort out some goals we have nothing to worry about from either of these

24 Aug 2015 20:51:07
Luck of the draw isn't it, if we'd got any Saturday Rooney would be off the mark by now and we'd be top of the league.

24 Aug 2015 20:55:51
Tbf Liverpool are looking dangerous

24 Aug 2015 20:56:03
Both sides have far more pace than us and there is a lot of c ISO and pr cise passing. I do not think we should underestimate either of them.

24 Aug 2015 21:28:36
I seriously think Liverpool buy players after seeing their 100 meter dash times.

24 Aug 2015 21:40:55
We are a lot better against teams who play open against us neither of theses will park the bus against us.

24 Aug 2015 22:39:08
I don't know Jamie, arsenal parked the bus against us last season in the FA cup, and beat us 1-0. And they parked the bus against Chelsea in the second half of the community shield game.

24 Aug 2015 23:16:42
2-1 they beat us in the cup mate so I don't think you could call that parking the bus

25 Aug 2015 00:16:52
Yes the Arsenal goal should never have been offside, but to say that LFC got lucky with a point from the referee is very biased imo. Both look better than us atm.

25 Aug 2015 00:27:21
Yes your right sorry Damon, but if i remember correctly they played very defensively and we only lost because of a mistake by valencia which let welbeck through. I think most teams play that way against us these days however, because of how difficult it is to break down LVGs teams, and how much better we are at retaining the ball than other teams.

25 Aug 2015 00:55:36
In the fa cup jones was as much to blame as valencia. He tried chesting a ball down to a player not 3 feet away from him while bein closed down. As much as i hate to say but if it was terry, cahill or even somelike skirtle, i would have been headed clear

24 Aug 2015 18:58:35
I am a first time poster and I would like to commend the EDs and all of you who take the time to post on here as it makes a good read for me and throughly enjoy it so thought I'd take the time to post myself regarding this summers dealings.

I'm pleased and disappointed at the same time.

Depay great potential and wil turn into a brilliant player no doubt


The rest bar schweinsteiger doesn't exactly strike out at me and get me excited to watch them play. Chelsea have hazard, Pedro to name a few, city have aguero toure, silva and even sterling.

Am I the only one who is looking at us and thinking we are no closer to these type of teams. the team looks slow and very defensive. We could so do with a flare player like bale or Neymar but who can ever foresee that happening. So apologies to those who don't agree I can't help but feel slightly deflated right now. Feel free to shoot me down but I'm sure you all agree as Utd fans that that kind of player is needed to boost that team and strike fear into those were playing against.

24 Aug 2015 19:04:46
To be fair Memphis is a player to get excited about, Mata could be if played right, De Gea I loved watching him last season but we are missing that one player who makes you know you will win a game (Ronaldo etc)

24 Aug 2015 19:20:42
RonnyRed84

Welcome to the madhouse

I think you are right and along the lines with what a few of us have said, my point though would be that we need two players, one wide pacy creative and the other a top striker. At the moment I look at the team and there isn't the fear factor there especially as Memphis is too new and inexperienced to really have that profile yet

24 Aug 2015 19:25:56
Ronny, e needed a RB and brought 1 who looks quality. We needed more control in the middle and bought Morgan and Basti. Depay has huge potential. We are short up front and need more pace on the RW but you seem overly down mate

24 Aug 2015 20:10:00
Totally agree with all your comments and yes I do seem overly down but that's after watching Chelsea, Man City (of all teams) even arsenal develop over the past couple of seasons and I look at their players. hazard,Sanchez,silva, Pedro to name a few and I look at United and it just smacks of slow football.

Yes agree with di Maria and falcao even I thought at the time wow! But something doesn't sit right with me and this is my worry. they are not at the club any more after one season. Superstars are very few and far between now especially when they play for barca and real but to not even nail down Pedro who was second fiddle at barca half the time. Everyone laughs at us because these stars are no longer attracted to Utd and it worrys me that we're going to fall further behind and end up like Liverpool. Maybe I am being pesemistic and I hate it but I'm not totally satisfied seen as Rooney (my fav player should I add) seems to be lacking as the seasons go on. Maybe I'm just to used the units of old the attacking Utd who would terrorise teams down the wings or splitting defenses open with a sublime or deft pass from attacking mid. just my thoughts really I'm happy with what we have done I just think the club needs a star to turn things back to a little more exciting down OT.

25 Aug 2015 08:55:17
United are in no way interested whether the fans think it is exciting or not, they are building a football team not a circus act.

24 Aug 2015 17:52:23
Hi all

Been a long admirer of this page for a few years now and a fantastic page to come and read others comments, Al the EDs posts keeps you entertained wether rumours are true or not.

I felt the need to post my thoughts on this window and the handling of the clubs transfers since SAF's departure and I must say although some fantastic signings this summer, some which are still to show fruition but I am impressed with the business we have down however I can't help but feel slightly deflated after looking at the likes of Chelsea, Man City etc and there signings. I'm not one for throwing money to the cause but I do believe that is the way football has gone is merely a given formality.

I'm slightly frustrated in the lack of business regarding a CB and especially a forward. We all like signings and the excitement it brings but I can't help but feel anxious that this window is just going to pass by. I'm fed u with all the names being thrown around like a child's unwanted toys such as Neymar, Miller, cavani etc.

I am a united fan through and through and would love for us to sign someone who will make other teams look and think wow, what a signing we haven't had that since god knows how long and before people say CR7 he was unknown at the time so wasn't an immediate warning shot to others but I just can't help but feel we are lacking in that cutting edge, game changer of a player. There is still time and I will keep my hopes up no matter what but it would be nice to know other "fans" thoughts and feelings regarding this window as I for one was gutted about the Pedro deal. Bale is never going to happen and neither is Neymar. when are UTD going to be that force they once were in football!?

24 Aug 2015 18:56:46
Di Maria? Falcao? I thought they were wow signings.and 2 years without a title. blimey we are truly rubbish. If we had made all of this summers signings this week instead of at the beginning of the transfer window, we would hailing this as the best transfer window in a decade.if we don't make any more signings I'll be satisfied, 1 or 2 more and I'll be over the moon!

25 Aug 2015 00:24:35
Can we stop this Ronaldo was unknown when we bought him thing, he was easily regarded as one of the brightest talents in Europe while at Sporting.

24 Aug 2015 14:56:45
Ok genuine question, I know all of us want a new world class striker signed but say we are not able to sign one in time for the next 2 games.


With Fellaini available what will our strategy be?

1 year ago I would never have imagined I would say this but I wouldn't be completely against starting Fellaini.

I know Rooney needs time(ideally experienced players should be able to get ready early, isn't it?) but we all know his flaws so I won't repeat them.

Fellaini's biggest advantage is that his hold up play is extremely good. He will never get bullied off the ball and unlike Rooney he will also win the ball off opposition.

I think we should be able to get a result in the Brugge game but in the Swansea game our defence will see the real test and it will be a very close game and I don't think we can afford to drop points there given the result we had against Newcastle.

If we do not sign a striker in time for that game I think we should seriously consider playing Fellaini as a forward. He will stretch their defence more then Rooney(in his current form).

Depay, Darmian, Shaw are good crossers and if Fellaini is in the middle both their CBs will worry about him which could lead to them losing shape.

24 Aug 2015 16:00:22
I never thought I would agree with this, but I do.

Felaini is would unsettle any back four and despite him being quite slow, he does provide a huge threat up top. Giving Rooney the space to try and take a few shots.

I think he will start Wednesday.

24 Aug 2015 16:18:20
I have nothing against Fellaini but the 3 good crossers that you listed have put in 3 good crosses in 4 games, that isn't what i would call good.

24 Aug 2015 16:23:16
I completely agree! Except for the fact that Shaw is a good crosser. I've not seen him find a man with a cross the entire time he has been here

24 Aug 2015 16:49:12
Do you bring a ladder to feed a Panda?

You bring a ladder to feed a Giraffe.

24 Aug 2015 19:36:39
And a long stick to feed a lion.

24 Aug 2015 22:56:59
I honestly think Fellaini is a top player, and he proved that for us last season. I for one cannot wait till next weekend when he's back in the squad. he's so underrated with the ball at his feet and his close control and quality passing, purely because he's so good in the air. The only player I can remember being as good as him at both (for United) is RVN. Now i'm not comparing them as they are two very different types of players, but have similar attributes in this regard. When he has the ball lofted in to him, very very few players can compete. Its not just his height its his strength and how he holds off defenders, and then brings others into play with clever but simple passes. As I said his first touch, be it with his head, chest or feet, is brilliant, maybe not on Matas level with his feet, but quality nonetheless. And if we are struggling to win a game, just put him in the area and you have the worlds best target man to aim for IMO. He was pivotal in almost all our best performances last season, and was arguably our best player. I can't wait to see him back in the league, as we have looked light in the final third without him.

24 Aug 2015 13:28:32
Hypothetically speaking, if at the end of the season we decide to terminate lvgs contract. Who would be your favourite manager to take over next year?

24 Aug 2015 13:38:37
carlo ancelotti

24 Aug 2015 13:39:34
Klopp or Ancelotti would be the 2 to choose from in my opinion. Maybe Pep if he leaves Bayern. Others like Conte, Blanc and Simeone will likely be linked but the first 3 are most likely for me.

Maybe Moon now he has his coaching badges?

24 Aug 2015 13:42:15
Pep or giggs for me.

24 Aug 2015 13:42:43
Guardiola

24 Aug 2015 13:50:10
Ancelotti

24 Aug 2015 13:42:49
Well both Klopp and Ancelotti have decided to have a little time out of the game, so I would assume they would both be high on the wish list. Plus Pep could be available next summer.

Personally I think next summer will be a vital one for our club. Do we stick or twist? Much will depend on this seasons results.

24 Aug 2015 13:53:54
Jurgen Klopp. Attacking football, and a big personality.

24 Aug 2015 14:04:08
Klopp for me

24 Aug 2015 14:09:54
It's got to be a young one. Giggs, pep or Klopp

24 Aug 2015 14:11:30
The special one, anyone who tells a microphone off has my vote.
Or Pep :-)

24 Aug 2015 14:14:05
Think guardiola,klopp and ancelotti are the top 3 candidates which simeone an outside bet. I'd personally take guardiola and keep giggs as number 2! I think theyd work really well together and guardiola would listen to giggs ideas more

24 Aug 2015 14:24:36
Diego Simeone

24 Aug 2015 14:37:18
The logical choice would be pep due to LVG and Peps similar systems. Did anyone read Tierry Henry's peice about how Peps system is similar to that of LVG's? It was mainly about Pedro but it was pretty interesting.

The club have changed a lot of things from scouting to formations and style of play in the youth ages put in a lot of structure to support these changes. You would assume the club would consider all this during their selection. To undo two years of rebuilding would be madness.

24 Aug 2015 14:43:53
Ronnie, by gosh we'd have the best team in 2020.

24 Aug 2015 15:06:38
Don't make me say it. Y_o_u_r_i T_i_e_l_e_m_a_n_s! Damn, couldn't keep it in!!

24 Aug 2015 15:21:37
Guardiola for me. I'm currently reading his auto biography. Great read. It has also made me appreciate that much more what he did at Barcelona. He took over a squad which was all over the place and had the balls to do what he needed to do. Tactically he is up there with the best. Not to mention, he is the perfect man to take over from an LVG system.

24 Aug 2015 16:22:01
Lucien Favre or Thomas Tuchel. Both have done fantastically recently, play attractive football and I think either of them would be ready for the step up.

{Ed007's Note - What about Mark Warburton? The Scottish press are saying he's a future England manager!

24 Aug 2015 16:25:14
I agree, 100% it should be me.

24 Aug 2015 16:27:03
Pep or Klopp for me.
Pep would give you short term success

Klopp would give us longevity, attacking football and has the personality capable of handling the Utd job.

24 Aug 2015 16:51:07
Ozzy, you're having a laugh right?

24 Aug 2015 16:54:21
The only thing about klopp is his last season at dortmund wasn't great. Not saying that was his fault but it could be seen as a blemish

24 Aug 2015 21:05:39
Tis a toughy.

Queue the haters.

I would rather Garry Monk than Ryan Giggs

😎thuglife

25 Aug 2015 00:33:03
Thank you Patzi for telling it like it is. I would even have Brendan Rodgers over Giggs, great player but has no manager experience what so ever, and he isn't the most likeable guy around.

24 Aug 2015 12:02:37
What is it with posters constantly talking about signing a striker to play back up to Rooney. "We should get . He'll be happy to sit on the bench and play now and then" ?? It's ridiculous. How will that ever help us finish higher in the table? We need to strengthen the first 11. Our first team is not strong enough to compete for the title or Europe, therefore we need to improve it. Rooney has carried on where he left the last few seasons, ban average. He's not good enough to lead the line for a top European club. Why should we suffer with results just to keep him in the 11? We need a WC forward. One to start week in week out and add to our pretty dire attack. 3 prem games, 2 goals, one an own goal and one a deflection. And people say be happy we have 7 points. We currently have one World Class player, and he's about to leave the club in the next 7 days. We have made good signing yes. But we still lack that star signing, on to get us off our feet and to actually worry the opposition. We constantly hear how United have endless pots of money to spend, well with the sale of De Gea, Di Maria and the rest we've basically spent nothing this summer. Time to put our money where our mouth is and make a statement.

Also one thing bugging me is Hererra missing out. He should be one of th first names on the team sheet. I don't think against 90% of our opposition we need two holding CM's. I'd rather see Schneiderlin beside Hererra. Get some energy into the team. I'd also drop Rooney and play Mata in the 10 role. Much better player than Rooney and wasted out wide.

Big week for LVG this IMO. Make one if not two WC forward signings, otherwise it will be his last season. 4th won't save his job this year.

24 Aug 2015 12:47:49
Nice to hear someone talking sensibly

24 Aug 2015 12:57:49
You're a spoiled brat Stand-United. We have brought in four players already this summer. We are unbeaten in the league. And you want more!

We are Manchester United we don't buy players we make them!

We are the biggest club in the world and will always bounce back to the top!

We are not susceptible to buying into our own marketing slogans, and our supporters would never resort to crude irony!

24 Aug 2015 12:59:32
I have to say SU that is a very good post. I am also of the belief that a proven striker should be targeted to push Wayne not someone who aspires to be Wayne.

24 Aug 2015 13:07:47
Well said Danny.

24 Aug 2015 13:17:08
Then in my mid fifties despite watching us be relegated I am a spoilt brat by Danny's definition.

It's about time people woke from their slumbers and pack in this "we make players" nonsense. Manchester United had a good period in the 90's but since then the cupboard has been bare. Going back as long as I can remember , which for information regarding United is 1968, we have, bar a period in the early seventies bought top players and mixed them with youth if it was good enough. In the early 70's the same "we make players " garbage was trotted out, just back then it was "another set of babes will come through". It got is relegated.

We are staring down the barrel of mediocrity whilst City are getting together a potential European winning team and people on here call for back up to a player who hasn't scored for 10 games, our standards are slipping and it is being accepted by too many on here. It's time we got several top level players to put the verve, the excitement and the fear back in our play or become a top four chaser only. Wake up people

24 Aug 2015 13:25:22
Amen.

I did try to agree twice.

24 Aug 2015 13:03:27
Rooney is a WC forward , isn't he?

I'm assuming the abbreviation WC means "toilet"? :)

24 Aug 2015 13:47:43
Danny , you're going to need a bigger boat!

24 Aug 2015 14:38:36
Danny how was your fishing trip?

24 Aug 2015 14:41:32
Sorry Betty, but people always seem to think that getting a big shiny new boat is the answer. Just because my boat doesn't have a fancy foreign name or cost £100m people think it can't do the job. But why not give it a chance and just get behind the boat we already have?

24 Aug 2015 15:21:55
Danny , we haven't had a strong attacking front line for years. The season we won number 20 was down to rvp alone, and he's gone. The last time we Turkey frightened teams was with ronaldo, a young Rooney and tevez. How many years do you want to realise this attack of ours is not good enough?

Sterling, aguero, Bony
Hazard , Pedro, Costa
Neymar, Suarez, Messi
Ronaldo, bale, benzema
Robben, Muller , lewandowski

Janazaj, Rooney, mata.

Yeh your right we don't need reinforcements

24 Aug 2015 15:39:02
Ah , but Danny that I where you are wrong. We have spent £250 million on our old boat. It is American owned and run by a Dutch operator. But it still has a rubbish captain. The stern is week , the hull is old but in good shape. The engine is OK , but nowhere near fast enough to compete with other boats on these shores.
And the main problem , we are going in the wrong direction. We are a rudderless ship. The portside propeller is much faster than the starboard side , meaning we are just going around in circles and not making any progress.

Our ship is sinking fast , and we are all doomed.

24 Aug 2015 15:57:46
Rooney - Club legend, one of the most prolific goalscorers in the league.
Hernandez - Supersub, fox in the box and clinical finisher.
Wilson - Most talented young striker in the league, will be better than Kane if given the chance.
Fellaini - Best hedder of the ball in the league.

Plus we have Januzaj and Depay who can do a job up top.

You would struggle to find a better forward line in the league.

24 Aug 2015 16:11:12
Your problem SU is that u seem to think that buying a player is akin to buying a second hand car, u get your cheque book, haggle and then pay the agreed price. Trouble is a footballer unlike a car can say no even if his owner says yes and also some owners of high performance footballers prefer to keep their assets whatever price is offered. If we offered Bayern £150m for mueller and lew do you seriously think they would sell when they don't need the cash? PSG could offer Barcelona a billion for messi neymar and suarez and barcelona wouldn't sell because the players are irreplaceable. We can only try and purchase what is available and that means being realistic and not optimistic.

24 Aug 2015 16:17:31
You are deluded

24 Aug 2015 17:17:13
Stand,

Are you still biting? Bloody hell.

24 Aug 2015 17:48:20
Allan, how is that my problem? I'm fully aware of how the footballing world works. Unless you know these players personally , how do you know none of them would be interested in a move to us? And if we can't attract a single better striker than what we have, with out facilities and pay packets, plus history of the club, well that shows how far behind we really have fallen

24 Aug 2015 20:25:58
Totally agree Red man. My first game at ot was 69.lets not go back to the 70s although watching the docs team was far more exciting than this

25 Aug 2015 00:49:55
Danny pug are you serious when saying that? Rooney haven't looked good for couple seasons, even if he is scoring a decent amount of goals. Hernandez is quick yes, but that's it . James Wilson, i am surprised i haven't seen anyone say this, but if he was not a Manchester United player noone would even know who he is, and he is just as hyped as Macheda was. Fellaini is prob one of the best headers in the prem yes i agree, but so is Gestede. I don't like saying this, but even Liverpools attack looks stronger than ours. Sturridge, Benteke, Coutinho, Firminho. And after them you have Markovic, Ibe, ings and origi. i'm abit scared that this is going to be a though year.

24 Aug 2015 11:00:26
louis van gaal should watch man city and take tips on how to play that formation. they play exactly the same formation but whenever they attack yaya is always there in support just outside of the box or sometimes run in the box .our midfielders both stand far away from the box and that's why we can't create anything

24 Aug 2015 13:37:12
Fully agree. I was shouting for one of them to get at edge of the box against Newcastle as when attack was breaking down there was no one to immidiatly restart. but I don't know LVG always want otherwise than Fans and Pundits feel.
He did same in friendlies and we were hoping to change him to 4-3-3 but even against low profile teams he is playing 4-2-3-1.

I ll say
Gk,darmiyan,smalling,rojo,shaw,basti(holding), Herrera(center advance),schinerline(center advance),depay,Rooney,parreira

I ll drop mata as I feel since his purchase our managers are selecting teams and formations just to accommodate him anyhow, I m not saying he is bad, but not just suiting the style of play.
In current formation he is batter fitted to No10 than wide right. Game goes pedestrian when it goes that side

24 Aug 2015 15:41:08
Yaya did next to nothing yesterday I thought he had a bad game.

24 Aug 2015 10:29:21
Yesterday saw the City game. Although they are good they are beatable and their defence can be breached. Sterling did nothing to justify 50m price tag. Still I think we have a chance of title if we sign two or three quality players.

Bayern in for De bruyne which means Muller for us? That transfer if happened may be a master stroke, denying City to strengthen further and making us stronger.

24 Aug 2015 12:46:17
Bayern don't want him til next season if we are to believe reports,maybe we could get Muller next Dawson that's why they don't want to spend a lot on one this year. Would make sense but then let's get Zlatan on loan as a temporary fix. Problem being can LVG cope with someone who has an Ego as big as his.

24 Aug 2015 12:50:50
City do look good but I have a feeling Sterling might be their downfall if they are to be beaten this season. £50 million is a lot to spend on a player who runs like a girl and has no end product, and because they paid so much it will take a while before he is replaced in the first team. He has a hell of a lot of potential and could turn into a great player, but at the moment he isn't great, he doesn't score or assist enough but they could get away with it as long as Silva and Aguero stay fit.

24 Aug 2015 13:04:27
Completely agree about City. They look very good going forward, but they give up a lot of space in the midfield and their final third.

24 Aug 2015 13:55:25
Whoever disagreed with my post about Sterling, tell me something he did for Liverpool or has done so far for City that disproves what I say about him?

24 Aug 2015 15:04:27
GDS, I thought Sterling's role at Liverpool was more conducive to his overall playing style. That said he will probably improve as the season goes on. His pace and directness will be a major asset for City this season.

24 Aug 2015 16:14:01
sam,

He is going to have to learn to do something once he gets there to be an asset. If this happens then I agree he could be an absolute star, at the moment I would rather have Memphis, he is more likely to win you a game than Sterling, it will be interesting to see how both of their careers develop.

24 Aug 2015 10:16:30
I'm so glad we have Memphis he's what we've needed for a while but I don't think we've seen anything near the best of him and hope not too because I feel he really frustrates me I feel he loses the ball far too easy, I don't know why sly sports are raving about pedros performance a deflected goal and a shot off target that turned into a assist

24 Aug 2015 12:55:07
Bpr,

Sky would have raved about Pedro's performance yesterday even if he scored 2 owl goals mate, he was nailed on for man of the match.

Let's give Memphis a bit of time, you remember the game only 6 days ago right? Like all good young players he will have games where he struggles but you can see a great player there. I like how quickly he turns, we haven't had anyone with that ability for a long time, turns from back to goal into an attacking position in no time at all, this is going to be such an asset.

24 Aug 2015 13:59:09
Owl goals, they would be a hoot.

24 Aug 2015 14:17:04
Agreed

24 Aug 2015 10:08:45
Just out of interest would most people be happy to sign a winger who bangs in goals like Bale for an extraordinary amount of cash or prefer to go for two 'lesser' players to fill the winger and striker slots.

Now I don't want this to turn into a "but I'd rather split that cash and sign x,y,z for £40m and a,b,c for £50m". I am just wondering what it is going to take to appease you lot. One top bracket winger or two very good attackers?

The reason I mentioned Bale above is because in my humble opinion signing Bale, and Bale alone, could win us the league as he is step ahead of almost every footballer in the PL for me.

24 Aug 2015 12:36:50
I'm actually going to agree with u JMB. Bale would win us the league and to be honest i'd chuck 80-90m at Madrid

24 Aug 2015 12:52:24
I would prefer to sign a striker and a right wing as it address' the problems in the starting 11. Bale would want to play centrally so wouldn't fix our problem areas. For right wing Berardi for the striker I have no idea as there seems to be a real lack of top top strikers out there.

24 Aug 2015 12:57:43
As much as it probably pains most of us who would like a swift return to winning trophies, I think this season will be pretty similar to lasts. We have sorted our defence and Central midfield out and look a harder to team to beat. I have no idea what has gone on in the attacking felartment as we have significantly reduced our goal scoring threat and not replaced them. we only have Rooney, Chicarito wasn't good enough for LVG last year, Wilson nowhere near that level yet and Januzaj isn't a the answer as a striker. I think we may miss out on the stealer signings this year but I think the club are probably looking at next season now hence where these Muller and Neymar stories come from. there is no way Barca can afford to sell another player whilst they have a transfer embargo and Munich look like they want KDB next season possibly freeing up Muller or Lewandowski. it makes a little sense as to why we aren't all out for a RW or Attacker when every man and his dog can see we are woefully short in these areas. So champs league qualification and good cup runs are probably the target for LVG. I think we need a good showing in Europe to attract top draw players and think that's why our team is set out as it is so that we can perform better in slower, more posession dominated European format. I think we can actually do well in Europe as it's similar to international format in tempo and style.

24 Aug 2015 13:02:49
Well that depends Harry. Would the manager play him left back or right wing? For me he has that Xfactor

24 Aug 2015 13:03:24
JMB,

This is a great question and one I have been thinking about myself over the last couple of days. I think if the winger was Bale then that would be enough.

I am under the impression that we won't be signing 2 players between now and the end of the window though, I think we might be lucky with 1, so if that one was Bale then I would be happy, but if that one was a top striker I would also be happy!

24 Aug 2015 13:44:47
If we could get a player like bale, neymar or muller then they would do us wonders and we would only need them for our team to improve tenfold! I think greizman could also have this effect but I think if we don't get 1 of these then we would need to get a couple of good players rather than the 1 world class one. If we didn't sign 1 of these i'd love to see us sign Reus and someone like higuain

24 Aug 2015 09:34:59
Morning all. I watched the City game yesterday and the Spurs game, also the games involving Rm and Barca and its glaringly obvious what we are missing. I know we've all been shouting out for a right winger but even someone that's never watched football could see our team is missing pace on the right wing. So many times to see a player run the wing, and maybe go nowher, but still stretches the defence and creates spaces. Not just that but playing Mata there has the opposite effect, him cutting inside is actually causing the defence to become more compact. Not everyone has love for LVG but surely he can see this and address it. Yes? Maybe? Hopefully!

24 Aug 2015 12:16:36
You can see with City how the pace of Sterling and Navas on the flanks has opened more space for Silva in the middle, and it could do the same for us with Mata.

Of course LVG can see it and it is why we were in negotiations for Pedro. The question is why we haven't signed a player to resolve this issue. The eds say that we didn't sign Pedro because his clause was higher than our valuation. This suggests that money is the issue and maybe that's why we shifted our attention to Mane (naively thinking we can get him on the cheap). However, we've also been repeatedly told by the club that money is available to bring in world beaters (we've been looking at Bale, Muller, and Neymar or haven't you heard?).

It's a confusing situation because we could have signed an experienced player who would have given us pace and width for a relatively low price. Mane won't come any cheaper, and none of the big names being bandied about will be coming in the next few days. I think we're in for a frustrating few days until the window shuts, and then a frustrating season in which we can see the makings of a top team, but it's being held back by a few obvious issues.

24 Aug 2015 12:22:32
Good post that. Right on the point Darren. Mata is not a winger. If anything, play Valencia there. Atleast he stretches the defence by running at them. Mata should either play at #10 or not at all.
I think someone rightly explained this Mata cutting inside in detail. He is using up the space where Januzaj has to or even Rooney has to.

I support LVG, but this is baffeling to say the least. People keep on saying Rooney has been poor. Mata has been equally poor if not more. He is supposedly the "intlelligence" and the "magic". He hasn't provided that yet.

For me, If LVG insists on playing this way, play Herrera there instead of Mata and there will be a positive effect.

The Moon put up an excellent article a few days ago explaining the LVG philosophy of inside forwards and half zones. So i think unless we get that desired winger, we will be watching this slow death week in week out.

24 Aug 2015 07:44:03
Watching the videos above, I've just had a eureka moment.
We need to put a big marathon bet sign in front of goal with a hole in the O. We'll score ever shot then!

24 Aug 2015 03:14:13
Would anyone turn down pato for £10M not bad person to get in imo would be happy to sit on the bench and play every now and again better footballer than chicharito.

24 Aug 2015 07:21:16
He's not better than chicharito at all

24 Aug 2015 07:58:54
I think he would be a great pickup for 10M. As you said, superior player to chicharito and can also play out wide as part of a front 3. who knows, maybe he could even become close to the player everyone expected him to be

24 Aug 2015 08:08:43
Its worth a punt IMO.
He did in the past show flashes of brilliance.

24 Aug 2015 08:53:45
Why oh why do we need to buy a pkayer to warm the bench? Shouldn't we be buying players to improve our team and not to just sit on the bench.
Paton was a superb player but he had injuries and his form went out of the window. Very similar to Falcao in fact !!@

24 Aug 2015 09:04:08
I would defiantly in opinion to take him as a gamble. If it works. best, if not he can surely allow space for Wilson to get important loan where he can get game time and flourish.
Pato had great time at Milan, before get into injury trouble. But he looks out of injury rues now, please any of the Ed can confirm this? He has potential and still at good age to realise it.

{Ed001's Note - he is a drunken party boy who skips training on a regular basis and has suffered injury problems because he is never fit. Avoid at all costs, he makes Andy Carroll seem professional.}

24 Aug 2015 09:14:39
If we're taking a punt on a striker rather than buying someone who is proven to be top quality over a number of years we'd be much better off going for Austin or Berahino rather than Pato.

24 Aug 2015 09:35:40
Somebody obviously hasn't followed his career at all since Milan. He went downhill fast after starting well. Not better than Chicharito. Not good enough for us at all.

24 Aug 2015 13:41:59
Thanks Ed.
Nice insight.
But do u feel a move to a big club might motivate him? He went downhill and just to digest his frustration he's drunken and partying.
I know players don't recover. there are very less chance

{Ed001's Note - he was a drunken bum while at Milan, I would suggest they are a big club. It is nothing to do with frustration, the lad is a waster and will never achieve his potential.}