Manchester United Banter Archive January 31 2013

 

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31 Jan 2013 23:43:44
Quite a few points here,

Nani :
I rate him highly but he is exactly like berbatov. He has the ability to be one of the best in the world he has so much talent but he only seems to show up when he wants too. He is unplayable when on form like berbatov but when he's off form he is absimal. I think now that zaha has signed it will have a negative affect on him. We can see he wants to go but hopefully zaha signing makes him get the finger out and rediscover his form.

De Gea: an unnamed poster made very similar points to what I'm going to say. He is the best shot stopper I've ever seen, he isn't brilliant on crosses but if he makes a mistake everyone jumps on him because he plays for the biggest club in the world. I wouldn't swap him for anyone in the world. He will win us more points than he will lose us. FACT.

Patrice Evra: Had his critics at the start of the season including myself but he has really shut me up recently starting too return to his former self. Even scoring goals and he is still chipping in with the assists. Hopefully he can continue his form. At the minute I would say he is Mr Man United. Never misses a game and he loves this club.

Macheda: I just hope he has a good loan spell so when summer comes he can find himself a decent club. If he stays it will be the same story as usual a decent pre season and when we think there is some hope he just fades away again.

Finally Mr Rooney: Still not firing on all cylinders this year but this is always the time of year he steps it up usually in his goal scoring and at the moment he is on a good run. 7 in 6 I think? But if he gets back on form to the Wayne Rooney who would run games by himself I have no doubt we will win the title and the at least the FA cup.

So lets just hope we can continue or run of form and win the title, the FA cup and dump Madrid out of the champions league and climb them steps at Wembley to recieve the champions league again. BELIEVE.

Caolán.

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Great post Caolan

Don't forget Michael Carrick, I have never ever liked him, but this season he has been Utds most consistent player. Raphael was unstoppable at the start of the season, have we swapped twins around with QPR.

Other than the players you mentioned, Dea gea will be outstanding, I just hope he does not get home sick.

With the integration of Smalling, Jones and Clevs they have big boots to fill and at times look to be putting in the effort.

The great servants Giggs, Scholes and Rio are getting well on and utd need to stop relying on them. We all know the input Giggs and Scholes have imput to our game but its 2013 not 2003 and if we retain the PL, I am sure we all agree that they should retire on a high.

Rio and looking too Agile and alto he gives it his all, time is against him and he should be used sparingly.
I am however increasingly worried about NV, he is becoming more and more injury prone. All the above are great loyal servants and I wish the below par players would lift there game.
I have begun to dismiss watching Utd vs lower table teams as I find them very boring and watching players on a fifth of some utd players salary out play them really annoys me. At least in fergie we trust and the team move through the gears against top of the table teams.

Reddevilfan

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I think a lot to do with evra's form has to do with buttners arrival, and actually having to fight for his spot

dags

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Evra has improved offensively this season, but he is still lacking defensively.

Sydney!

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31 Jan 2013 23:31:21
Michael Carrick

"I just didn't get enough of it. Its totally my fault and I take the blame for that".

"To be honest we defended well, it was my mistake that led to that goal and you can't really legislate for that. It wasn't really a defensive error in terms of the team".

Love the fella, I really do. Real team player!

Deeps.

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31 Jan 2013 23:17:08
Jono

You've been pretty critical of DDG in recent weeks. I don't think it's that unreasonable because he has shown a lack of ability to command his area at times. I'll admit that. But I think it's important to look at things in perspective and not be too rash with our judgement of current squad players.

Recently you listed keepers who would be better than DDG. I think they included Begovic, Scezney & Hart amongst others. I'm not one usually to highlight specific faults/errors but seeing as you have done so with DDG so often what did you make of:

1) Begovic's positioning for that free kick the other day.
2) Scezney's performance against Livrpool (as well as a few other times ths season). He made 3 or 4 comical errors on Wed.
3) Hart's number of mistakes this season including Johnson's goal for Sunderland, his poor display for England v Sweden and a couple of high profile, costly mistakes in the Champions League.

I'm not saying DDG is better than them. At this moment in time I'd rank them Hart, Begovic, DDG, Scezney. But I think DDG will develop to be much better than Begovic and I think Scezney will never be as good as our keeper.

Hart is a good example. Sure he has already improved himself in the EPL (he has that over DDG) but he's made probably more costly errors this season whilst playing for a team of equal current ability and is of a similar age. You wouldn't expect Hart to be shippd out by City because they'll trust in him to improve with age and iron out the mistakes. Perhaps we should do the same with DDG til at least the summer?

Gav

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You should say DDG is better than them because he is. If DDG was English, he'd be lauded by the media as the best of all time. Hart is good but as many mistakes as DDG and is not as good a shot-stopper.

Hart is not of a similar age. He is 3 years older and has played in way more games in England than DDG. His mistakes therefore are inexcusable.

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Gav

Begovic has had 1 highlighted mistake this season and while keeping for a far worse team than the other two. Sezczeny seems to want to personally prove me wrong after I mentioned his name ha but in him I see all the attributes of a keeper I want and he is still The same age as DDG so you could argue he can reach the same level as DDG. As a physical specimen he is more like what I want. Hart, well he has made that mistake v Sunderland but Jesus his champions league exploits ensured City were not hammered in every game. His first 2 games he must have saved about 30shots. Hart is so far ahead IMO as he is suited to the league and that will always shine over a great shot stopper. Hart is a top keeper in all areas DDG is only in shot stopping and distribution.

I have always maintained Adler was my choice and anyone who watches the Bundesliga will be in unison with me and Mike saying he is back on a par with Neuer. If his injury hadn't robbed him of the euro spot he IMO would still be germanys No1. Muslera has also really impressed me and I would also rate him very highly.

Now everyone has their favourites and most don't want to see the frailties in our keeper but they are there and made obvious by other teams targetting him. Do teams target hart, begovic or Szczesny nope and there is a reason why.

I think allot of recent press coverage has pin pointed his mistakes to the tune where Saf will close ranks at least until the seasons end. Then, well heads could roll.

If either big guns in spain ask in the summer I'm sure we will quote a price. Plus wi added speculation we have scouted other keepers and stoke already set a contingency plan for the undoubted summer exit of begovic we could well see SAF making the chop himself. So I wouldn't buy into anything he says in the coming months as all could be a smokescreen to keep his price the highest. OR he could stay for ages but I just can't see it.

The biggest thing for me is this world class tag and everyone claiming he is guaranteed to be world class. That is never the case with anyone's career. So many factors will effect that statement that it's only guess work. On top of that though is the type of keeper I want. I want the big, strong, commanding, in your face, comfortable with catching, good at shot stopping and brave keeper. DDG fails in a number of those areas plus has shown little progression in those areas in 18 months. An interesting fact I seen recently was that DDG and big Pete were actually the same height so at 22 he has little or no growing to do yet has no comparison in the air.

Overall I think DDG is a good not great keeper that is not what we needed at this time and so will always have me thinking what if.

Maybe he stays maybe he goes I don't know but I just hope if he does stay he starts improving drastically for EPL type attributes instead of hoping shot stopper will get him through.

Jono {Ed007's Note - Put the Red Bull down Jono, some of us have had a long day. I had to go and talk Jim Shyte down of Sly's roof earlier, someone told him The Rangers were under a transfer embargo and he started a rooftop protest.}}

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Haha

As long as he is doing it topless and roped Natalie sawyer into it aswell!

Here what times mrs McQueen on these days? Not seen her in ages or is she back in your 'spare room' underground ;-)

Jono {Ed007's Note - Ssshhh ed002 has been travelling. You will get me hung with that talk!!! And it is Miss McQueen, or ma'am when her glucoma is playing up and she wears her specs...

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01 Feb 2013 13:02:12
sky should do a charity calendar like the womens institute did. Only the birds though. Wouldn't want to wake up looking at paul merson

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Lol love that last one. maybe could be just sports journo's in general though as not sure Sky would have enough. Could get Hazel Irvine in for Bond ;)

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31 Jan 2013 22:11:49
Odemwingi what a man. did he really just turn up at QPR? LOL

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Lol! I couldn't believe it when it happened. he is going to get some stick now!

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31 Jan 2013 21:38:08
Getting a bit sick and tired of the constant De Gea bashing. At a young age he was big enough to accept the challenge of playing for the biggest team in England not to mention replacing someone like Van De Sar. The press can't see past Joe Hart no matter how many mistakes he's made and there are quite a few! De Gea is an exceptional shot stopper, he is composed with his feet and, more importantly, he doesn't shy away if he makes a mistake. His stats back all of that up. I can accept that at times he struggles with crosses but again he doesn't shy away from them and picks himself up for the next one. Now I've never seen a keeper who enjoys coming for crosses and throughout a weekend of football a fair percentage of premier league keepers will flap at at least 1 cross. The criticism depend on the shirt you wear! De Geas ability to use his feet when a ball is deflected at the last minute is astounding and quite unique. Long story short, he's a young man playing for a massive club, under unfair scrutiny every week and he still pulls on the shirt and puts himself out there. For me in terms of keepers there is Courtois at Athletico on loan from Chelsea, Hart and De Gea, all of similar age and ability. Courtois, in my opinion, will be top class and Hart is up there too but I wouldn't swap De Gea for either. If you don't want to support your own teams goalkeeper and you can't see the obvious abilities he possesses then there's a cocky keeper with an itchy scalp across the way who would love a hand to wash his hair!

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Well said, maybe a no name but talking sense unlike a lot of people on here.

Brendan

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Agreed, really good post. De gea will get better and better. he has the raw talent and a great attitude. the rest will come with time and experience.

for a 21 year old keeper, he's already doing really well. I hope he stays utds keeper for the next 15 years.

Andrew b

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Sorry that was me.

MarktheRed

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Well said then Mark

Brendan

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MarktheRed I think you will find the above is in fact my post, the eds could confirm, though I'm flattered that it good enough to claim as your own!

Big G

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31 Jan 2013 21:19:33
just confirmed west ham have recieved a bid from an unamed premier league club for diamme? who knows it could be us, we were interested in the summer until his medical history showed some knee problem. maybe we have seen enough this season to take a gamble.
johndenton

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Believed to be done by Fulham.

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31 Jan 2013 21:50:27
its arsenal or qpr

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Or Everton. Not us anyway I wouldn't think.

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 21:12:39
Davide Petrucci's loan deal at Posh extended. . exciting times at United on transfer deadline day ;)

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 20:37:42
Ed do you know where Begovic will be moving next summer, is there an agreement in place? He must be going somewhere because Butland wouldn't have signed to be no. 2 he made that pretty clear.

Dan {Ed002's Note - There is no agreement in place.}

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31 Jan 2013 21:01:57
just for traditions sake, united to sign sneijder in an hours time, spotted at the air port, got into a black limo with three men in black. Medical underway. You know the rest. {Ed007's Note - I just got a text from two different sets of twins at the exact same time saying Shnyder, Scjeinder, Scheinder S...(ach you know who) was at OT and Bridgewater.... Here comes the MIB......}

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31 Jan 2013 20:42:30
Willian to Anzhi for 35 million euro's! No wonder Chelsea and Spurs dropped out. .

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31 Jan 2013 20:08:21
Since there aren't much going on at Man utd.
Couple of things to discuss about!

Nick Powell
He came back from injury and now training. I know that training with likes of Scholes will definitely help him but he really needs more game time and not u21! Next year I am pretty sure we will sign at least one Midfield most likely Strootman(maybe) or whoever. Seeing the coming of age Scholes! and we are heavily relying on Carrick! If we did bring someone in wouldn't it be good for him to go for a loan? Premier league or different country or atleast championship! Even Tunnicliffe and W. Keane(when he gets back) should definitely go for loan! Our youth system, as great as it is. Players like Scholes and Giggs are very hard to find. Time is changing, we should adapt. And we have to be more clever in terms of Loan and retaining players. I am hopeful that we will succesfully retain the likes of Daelhi, Januzaj and Pereira.


Begovic
He definitely looks like he going to move this summer. If we do buy him, would that hinder De gea( I do see De Gea being our Keeper for very long time)?

What do you guys think?


Red Samurai

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I do feel Powell needs game time and wouldn't be against him going on loan for the 2nd half of this season. I think the Championship loan window opens when the transfer window closes? Best case scenario, he gets a team near the top of the Championship, plays 15+ games and really impresses. If that were to happen perhaps he would be ready for our 1st team squad next season. He's very a very talented youngster but most of his experience so far has been in League 2, he needs to build from there.

Gav

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If he did go on loan I'd definitely want it to be to an English club. Maybe to Wigan depending on how succesful Henriquez's loan is.

AvidDevil

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31 Jan 2013 19:57:59
Well it looks like the gooners are signing a very good LB in monreal
Chris the REDman

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Better than Gibbs and Santos, nothing special though.

420United

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31 Jan 2013 21:47:56
Yes guess he's crap compared to Evra and Buttner.

Stoner

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Stoner, glass houses and all that, Arseanal's defensive display v Liverpool midweek was the worst I've seen in a while. Keeper and the whole of the back 4 were awful.

My nan would improve that defence TBF. But unfortunately she's not a young, unknown continental type, so I guess it's a no go.

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 23:07:45
Not really the point Gav, it was just a mindless post, the guy is a Spanish international and can't fail to be a cut above that clown santos. And yes we were pathetic against Liverpool as you were 2nd half against the Saints.

Stoner

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Difference is we won stoner

ms85

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31 Jan 2013 19:10:32
Class act from David Beckham, didn't want to play for any premiership team unless it was man utd.

It's rumoured him and Fergy don't get on anymore, shame. . He's a true club legend in my eyes. And no, I don't want him back other than in the stands, but it's a shame if Fergy blanks him.

DodgyBanter

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Agreed they are both legends, if fallen out i'm sure they will make up in the future

bazzacs

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If they don't get along, at the unveiling of the statue, why was there a video of Beckham?

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31 Jan 2013 18:29:41
Could someone please tell me why Cleverley is referred to as 'the brand'?

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When he was out injured for a big portion of last year he began branding himself and the TC23 brand in much the same way as Rio Ferdinand has with #5.
People like RFT/KLOOT call him The Brand because of this and think he has gotten a little ahead of his own success, others think it was a prudent business move to look after his own interests. That's basically it, in a nutshell.

TK-Red

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31 Jan 2013 19:08:09
I'd love to but I'd get a right load off the regulars!


Stoner

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Well explained TK. And then there are those (like me) who couldn't give a sh!t what he gets up to SO LONG as it doesn't detract fom his level of performance. I don't read gossip/celeb magazines so wasn't even aware he'd set it up initially TBH.

Gav

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Stoner I bet you get a right load off the regulars!

Ross

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Nor me Gav. If he plays well for the club then he can brand himself with a giant vagina has his official logo for all I care.

TK-Red

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31 Jan 2013 20:41:19
Clevs and a Giant vagina. I never said that.

Stoner

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Lol TK, I'd definitely buy into that brand TBF, sounds class. You should go into marketing!

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 18:21:05
Deeps, Gav

Iwas only commenting on rooneys performance alone. I wasn't saying he was pish in cOmparrison to other just he was as pish as the rest in the second half especially. Yeah he was involved in playin a couple of good passes ala that cross but at the same time he was also guilty of sloppy short passes and miss control more times than doing good constructive things. So for that reason I would sy his performance was as bad as the others despite his 2 goals.

Plus Rooney didn't have to outfox a defender to score his tap in or make a great or mindfully run all he did was wander into the natural goal scorer position and ended up in the right spot exactly like RVN used to do for half of his goals a season. He was another who could score 1 or 2 to win a game but still have a rubbish overall game.

So I'm not picking him out I was just continuing the thread which had moved onto Rooney alone.

Jono

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Jono

You think that's what happened for the first goal as well? I mean, wander into the natural goal scorers position. I think and I will say it again, if Rooney and Kags were not on the same wave length, the chance would never have been created.

Deeps. .

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Deeps

No for the first he did a decent run and it was a great dinked pass from Kags to reach him. Great run? Not for me, it was a good run and it deserved the goal but that was never my point mate. He could have went on and bagged a hat trick but his overall 90 mins was far from what we expect from our highest earner and supposed talisman.

I know they don't always play to the top ability every week but Rooneys continued poor performances are a cause for concern as he is a focal point in the attack and if he can't control 99% of the balls to hi, and play the best pass more accurately then he will have a serious problem on his hands.

I'm not saying he is crap and I don't like him, far from it but with the score sheet reading Rooney 2 doesn't and shouldn't mean he is automatically put down as played well and not available for criticism. You will see from my picking apart of DDG that maybe I have higher standards on a consistent basis but they play for Manchester United where top performances and quality for 90 minutes is demanded every week and IMO Rooney should be playing far, far better overall this season.

Jono

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Jono

We were responding to KLOOT who mentioned Rooney specifically. Then you replied to us to say he played bad. The point we were making was everyone played bad yet KLOOT singled out his arch nemesis over the rest.

I disagree with your comment "his performance was as bad as the others DESPITE his 2 goals". I can't see how that makes any sense? Goals in games. No goals don't win games.

I also agree with Deeps, how can you discredit his first goal when it was a good, all round goal? Decent interplay, decent chip, decent run, decent fiish. Does it have to be a 30 yard screamer for Rooney to get ANY credit?

Gav

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Rooney got 9 goals in his last 9 games

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Jono

Rooney 23 games(3 sub apps) - 12 goals 10 assists.

Look at those figures in isolation and tell me, if Wayne's name wasn't tagged to that, how will you call it for a season? Very very poor as you say?

And the contributions have been vital as well. We have won 20, drawn 1 and lost 2 out of the 23 games he has featured in. This inspite of the numerous stop starts.

I would put my hand up and say it hasn't been vintage Rooney this season, but boy he makes a difference and is not as poor as people make out.

Deeps.

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Gav

I don't understand how you can't fathom what I'm saying?

I'm saying Rooney played no better than any player, he was just as bad as the rest. He didn't play well (again).

He scored two goals so he did that right, he played a few good balls so he did that right he also miss controlled a fair few passes, he also lost possession a few times he also didn't do the right runs on occasions so for a player of his quality and standing his overall game was not good. That is what I have said all along. So despite the fact he scored two he didn't play well!

I never discredited the first goal I said he made a good run but the only great part of it was Kags scholesesque dink ball to him and IMO the second he was in the right place ;-). So the credit for me in the first goal goes to Kags for the ball to him.

I understand goals win games mate but look within our team right now, we have Evra this year and Nani previously that have popped up with goals in games yet have still played poorly and correctly been criticised for the rest of their performance. So why is it different for Rooney when he played poorly but got 2 goals?

Jono

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Jono

The only thing I couldn't fathom was the singling out of Rooney's contribution (in the original thread) when he was no worse in general play than the rest, yet he managed to strike the 2 telling blows.

TBH Deeps' last reply sums up how I feel about Rooney. He has not been 'vintage' this season by any stretch but the stats alone show he still makes a very telling contribution even when not at his best. I agree his touch has become rusty but from watching United games closely I can appreciate that Rooney provides a good portion of our 'driving force' when our back is against the wall. I wouldn't disagree that Rooney looks less sharp than in previous seasons but he is still a very important player and he proved that again on Weds by slotting away the crucial goas (even when playing badly and even with RVP on the pitch).

I'm glad he was on the pitch at the Etihad earlier in the season too otherwise things could be looking very differerent for us right now!

I agree he has a lot to prove this season but it feels like he might be coming back into form recently. If he does, he and RVP could strike a lethal partnership. Which can only be a good thing for all of us. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.

Gav

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Deeps those stats look good especially considering he has missed a few pens but stats don't tell us everything. We would need stats like, passing, accuracy, possession turn over etc to true ly get a grip on his performance overall.

Yeah a striker is to put the ball in the net but Rooney is the hole man, the heartbeat of the team and I think that player who is the the important focal point in creating and finishing needs o have a far better consistency rate overall than rooney does.

Just my opinion?

Jono

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Gav

I agree if they strike it off and both fire at the same time god help the opposition but we have seen a top RVP 6 months but Rooney has failed to reach his top level and has only shown glimpses Of it when you would have thought it the other way around in his first year.

I just think for the hole position we need someone who is amazingly consistent as well as top class, I think we have him in Kags but will SAF ever plonk him in there ahead of Rooney? I think so far we can safely say nope.

Jono

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Through out his career Rooney has played well after a run of games something he hasn't managed this year due to injuries if he can get a few more games under his belt I think everyone will see an improvement
Jred

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31 Jan 2013 18:02:35
Has RFT really resorted to praising the few people that actually agree with him? I never took you as someone who was desperate for support.

TK-Red. . . . . . . . Of course he has especially for a sweet and tender hooligan. I AM KLOOT

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So its a case of 'when in doubt, quote The Smiths' is it? Well its a pleasant change from your usual revolutionary tosh I suppose.

TK-Red

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The Smiths would explain a lot. .

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31 Jan 2013 17:15:18
I've been keeping tabs on Lazio Midfielder Ogenyi 'Eddy' Onazi this season.

He's only actually played 4 times for them but he looks like he's miles above Pogba while also being a year younger.

Okay, so he plays more of a DLP than the Box 2 Box type player we crave but in all honestly the 4 games he's played he's look incredibly composed and unfazed.

If anybody gets a chance to watch Nigeria at the ACoN then seriously watch out for this guy.

I'm assuming a few of the scouting posters would have an idea of who he is but does anybody else have an opinion on him?

He really does look incredibly gifted.

Ed, have you heard of the lad?

The Moon.

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31 Jan 2013 17:49:27
Well Done, David Beckham, fair play.

MPez

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31 Jan 2013 17:21:27
I see all the supermarket football managers are out in droves. Sell the entire team and buy a new one. Well I can see how this has helped the likes of Chelsea and QPR. Again, it's why not everyone with an opinion qualifies to be a manager, and many that are 'qualified' can't keep their jobs.

Fans complain that our team is worse than it was 20 years, ago, and that we don't boss games like we used to, which suggests that our team is worse and less talented than in former years. However, couldn't it be that other teams are now more talented than they used to be? I put it to you all that our current team would have thrashed our treble winning team from 1999. The fact is that players are much better now than then, with better training, (many won't agree) the aid of technology with sophisticated equipments. Football is now filled with world class athletes, and teams now have to rely on, not just physical skill and ability, but chemistry and intelligence. That's why revolution (as opposed to evolution. . as someone mentioned a few posts down) is not the way to go.

I am not opposed to us getting additional players, especially a good CM/DM, but I believe we have good players that can do a job (apparently they have, has we are top of the BPL by 7 points, beating all the 'top' teams the BPL has to offer). What we need is better tactics/awareness and the right combinations going forward. If there is one thing I agree with, it's that we need a better backup for SAF, as the current #2 isn't convincing me at all. I am not in the business of dictating who is or isn't a good enough player for us tho, and who will or won't even be better than they are in a while. . cause. . simply. . I'm not God.

Bernidre

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One of the very best posts I've read here in a while. Not dishing out criticism left right and center. Appreciates that we all enjoy a good little analysis on what's going on, some more than others, Mr Shappy. Yet clearly understands that none of us are qualified to, or probably capable of running a football team.
I especially liked the point about many qualified managers still aren't able to keep their jobs.
Share your opinions on what you think would improve our club, but tread very carefully when questioning Sir Alex Ferguson and his ability to run this club to the best of its potential.
Finally, what's with all the flack for Phelan? What do you lot know that I don't about his ability and input into the running of the club. Its a bit like many of you speculating on who would make the next best boss of Scholes, Giggs, and Neville, Solksjaer. I can't see where you're finding any justifiable reasons for any. Ole apart.

Nizza

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It's hard to compare teams or players from different times due to many of the points you have raised but
The 1999 team was for me the best team in Europe I don't think this one is.
The 1999 team had more world-class players and to be honest even though players are fitter etc I would take the 1999 team to beat the current one
jred

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Nizza, for me that is a top, top post. The OP was good too.

Gav

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Bernidre, I think you are now my new BFF - sorry AJH.

Quality post mate.

StevieK

ps Nizza, your's wasn't too shabby either.

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31 Jan 2013 17:10:50
about the transfer of beckham to PSG.

He said that he had offers in England but said he wouldn't play for any english team apart from Man Utd.
He will always be a legend at the club and its a shame he went madrid.
There are not many people like him who actually have 100% passion in wearing the red jersey, hopefully we'll find some in the future.
I wish beckham good luck.

TRUMORS

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31 Jan 2013 17:52:28
Also he's donating his wages to charity. Top bloke.

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N respect for giving his 5 months wages to charity. TRUMORS

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His a credit to england a great embassitor for are country

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Fair play he's gone up a lot in my estimation with those 2 gestures.

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 16:30:38
Another poor performance and another lucky win. But at least we've learned a few things from last night.

De Gea was responsible for the goal. Yes, Carrick's pass was awful, but if De Gea had dived on the ball like a keeper should the problem would have been solved. The advantage a keeper has is they can use their hands, De Gea had time to dive on the ball but didn't, and that is an unforgivable error. Was he afraid of getting a kick?

Rooney did okay. He took two goals, but didn't do a lot else. Again I wonder why he keeps dropping back into midfield positions when is far more effective as a striker. Especially because Kagawa is starting to look a bit more lively. He's not a winger and if played there he will gravitate toward the centre, but he was the only real bright spot.

Jones is not a full back, every time he got forward I wished it was Rafael. Fergie needs to stop dicking the lad about and give him an opportunity to play regularly in his best position. Anderson is simply not cut out to play more than once a week. Looked tired and disinterested. If Clevely wasn't risked because he wasn't fully fit, then plonking a tired Anderson in in his place isn't the solution. Carrick was poor, but again he is being played far too much and will need a rest every now and then. RVP wasn't at the races, but he can hardly be blamed during the second half when he was left isolated again.

The biggest thing to take from last night is that the reason we are being hammered in the second half of games recently is down to tactics. The manager is clearly telling the players to sit back and defend the lead, and this should be obvious for how we've been playing for the past month. It's happening every time we have a goal lead in the second half, the team drops deeper and deeper trying to hang on instead of taking the game to the opponents. Last night we were playing a weak team who we could have easily stuffed. Instead the manager has given instructions to defend the lead at all costs. He has learned nothing from the Spurs game.

Danny Pughnited {Ed004's Note - pretty sure if he touched the ball it would have been a back pass? Then everyone would blame him for that. The poor lad can do nothing right apparently}

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If De Gea had dived he would have got a red card. . stop slating you own team. . if you see yesterdays results all the clubs with so called better teams than utd did only manage to draw. .
Aravinda(srilanka)

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I didn't even think of that Ed, but to be honest, an indirect free kick and a yellow card is a better outcome than a goal. But yeah that adds some perspective.

Danny Pughnited

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Oh dear, I stopped reading after the de gea comment, like ed says if he had used his hands it would have been a back pass, think before you post, any excuse to have a go at the lad, I wouldn't blame him if he did go back to spain.

phil

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Ed I guess you could argue whether this was a "controlled" back pass lol!

But true, DeGea could not die for it, since it would most probably have been seen as a back pass.

I can't see any fault from DeGea, besides maybe jumping, he should probably have stayed grounded to have a chance to react.
But this goal is 99% Carrick's fault.

Jonny8

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Danny what are you going on about?? You want him to pick up a back pass and give away a free kick so you can come on and slag him off for it?? If he had gone in fully for it he could have brought him down then we are likely 1-0 down and down to 10 men and again you would come on and slag him off. It was carricks error and if De Gea had been a bit luckier he may have nicked it away.
I'm sick of persons coming on at every opportunity having a go at De Gea. We have players like Young, Nani, Welbeck at the club who are either not good enough or far too inconsistent. Yet, a quality young keeper like De Gea is blasted continuously. It's beyond a joke.

Brendan

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Are you guy's for real!

You would rather he did what he did and concede instead of conceding an indirect free kick in the box!

That is the worst defending of him I have seen yet! If he had dealt with the ball first then took the indirect free kick against I would not have had any qualms with that at all but to think his only other thought was to run out then jump in the air like a fanny (god knows what he thought the striker was going to do) then that speaks volumes about him not wanting to get stuck in about people's feet.

The striker was ONLY going one way. He couldn't change direction so he should know to shield the ball going to the goal line OR come get the ball OR stay on his line at the worst. Not come out and make zero attempt to get the ball!

Saying all that it was Carricks fault for the daft pass but the keepers got to deal with that either way!

Also see his attempt at catching a shot? Haha if he keeps that up he is a goner this summer!

Jono

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See what I mean? The only thing De Gea could have done was try to get lucky, which is why he jumped because he anticipated a chip. He couldn't dive or touch the ball. Of course, this means nothing to those that grab every opportunity to says crap about him. The goal was 99% Carricks, and 1% Rodriguez.

Bernidre

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Jono if he came out and grabbed it you would whinge that he didn't try and kick it, if he gave away a penalty and got sent off you would say why didn't he grab it or try and kick it. Lets face it you just want to have a go at the lad no matter what. He is going to be class and if he goes it will be because people like you and the media have pushed him out and a few years down the line you will finally realise what an ass you were.

Brendan

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Right so Brendan if I'm an ass for having my red tinted specs off and looking at the 'possible' future of a younger GK then so be it.

I would refer to myself as a realist but each to their own.

If he had come out and went for it with his hands he would have had to do two things either shield it out to the goal line as the player was only going that way or grab the ball and give away the indirect free kick, then scream at Carrick for the shocking pass. But instead he runs out and jumps for some reason? Why? What did he think was going to happen? What could the striker do there other than try and shoot? He should be able to judge that situ and deal with it not run out then jump in the air like a half wit.

If he leaves it's because he wants or SAF wants him too, nothing todo with a few fans not thinking he was good enough other wise he would be here for life after reading all you tinted glassed supporters who want to lay blame at everyone else's feet for goals conceded.

Btw I did say it was carricks fault but DDG should have dealt with it far better for a 'world class' keeper in the making.

Jono

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Theres no way any keeper would react to a pass back instinctively by going with his hands. Your only thought would be - I need to stop this with my feet/body. When he did come out I thought his effort was a little weak TBF, he should have just stood his ground more IMO or put his foot through it at a low angle. But I would never suggest he should have gone for it with his hands, you just wouldn't do it in that situation.

Gav

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He pulled aout and bottled it nuff said

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I think De Gea will be a top keeper but he did look like I'd imagine my Mrs would look in that situation, a bit on the flappy side. However much any of us wants him to succeed people have got to admit he's not exactly commanding which is such an important attribute in the PL. I really do hope he sorts that side of his game out.

snakey {Ed007's Note - Do you have any pics of this 'flappy' wife you speak of?}

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Jono if you watch the goal again properly you will see that as De Gea was coming out Rodriguez jumps forward and it looks like he is about to try and lift the ball over De Gea which is why De Gea has jumped, I think Rodriguez made a split second decision not to do this as he saw De Gea was going to block it. I think Rodriguez did well to nick it past De Gea and put it away any blame being put on him is ridiculous. It isn't about tinted glasses it is about watching it properly and understanding what has actually happened.

Brendan

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31 Jan 2013 15:58:27
Jack butland being loaned back to birghmingham is interesting. Especially with begovic saying he will stay at stoke for now. Could we snap up begovic in the summer and butland replace him at stoke? Solid keeper but I'd rather we stick with de gea.

Caolán.

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Cao
IF hope to god begovic does not come in the summer or ever if and to my mind it should be a big if dgea is driven out or leaves to go back to spain then we have to sign a world class number 1 because we can't do what we did when trying to replace the great dane. we can't keep buying nearly good enough keepers and hope it works out because it won't. like you I hope dgea stays and proves his doubters wrong
Onecut

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31 Jan 2013 14:14:12
Picking up on a post earlier from Brendan that is now quite far down the page. My thoughts on what we will do in the summer. For me there are two options, one option involves Ronaldo. Now, if we sign Ronaldo then there is a maximum of 1 or 2 extra players to come in. With Nani departing, Scholes retiring and perhaps Fletcher too, then I could see Wanyama being the other player coming in as their departures would pave the way for Wanyama's transfer fee and wages whilst we use our normal budget on Ronaldo who I think we could get for £60 million.

Option 2: We sign perhaps 4 players, Rodriguez, Wanyama, Fischer & Zouma. This option depends on Ferdinand leaving & Nani leaving. I also think there will be interest in Cabaye if the price is right.

You'll probably have noticed that there is no new left back in my ramblings - well as I have said all along I think that Fabio & Evra will battle it out next season with Buttner going out on loan. I also think there is a possibility that Lindegaard will leave and will be replaced with Begovic if we can get the price to £10 million - or maybe even a swap deal plus cash.

I do think the Ronaldo deal is highly plausible though, so as for summer in coming I'm going to say:


- Wanyama £15,000,000
- Ronaldo £60,000,000

And then varying levels of interest in the following:

- Zouma £8,000,000
- Cabaye £20,000,000
- Fischer £8,000,000
- Rodriguez £25,000,000
- Begovic £10,000,000 - £15,000,000

Fresh!

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The only possibility about Ronaldo is if he wants to leave, which me personally don't think he does. Would love it if he does. If he were to cost say £60 million how much would we make off shirt sales alone. Personally I would like to see 2 class midfielders Ronaldo & lewandowski, yes I know i'm dreaming. Ship out Young & Welbeck. Fletcher & Scholes most likely retiring. Giggs & Rio & possibly Evra gone the year after bring in a centre half & a left back, job done. I WONT HOLD MY BREATH
Blackpool Red

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Why would madrid sell ronny for 20 mill less than they paid, when he's probably playing some of the best football of his career ? his wages would also be beyond our reach.
johndenton

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31 Jan 2013 15:15:13
Fresh you seem totally obsessed with signing zouma and fischer. I get that they have a lot of potential but neither of them would get near our starting eleven for two seasons. By which time the likes of keane and januzaj would be in a similar position. So I really don't see the point in spending sixteen million on two young players we don't particularly need when that money could be better spent on a player who can come into the first team now, like strootman or baines. MrE

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Garay
Dinge
Rodriquez
Cabaye

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Johndenton, I think Ronaldo would be sold for £10-20 million less than we sold him for. My reasons for this are that he has 4 years less playing time left than when we sold him and they won't want him to leave for nothing in 2 years which is basically what he has said he will do. Him doing this has basically said he wants to leave. Real can either run his contract down and get nothing or sell him this summer when they will get the highest possible return for him as the summer after he will only have 1 year left.
Wage wise he said not long ago that money wasnt the problem and that we would realise that in the future. I think he would come on £250-300k per week but nike could also possibly subsidise it by giving him a bigger deal to get him at the biggest club in the world and wearing their kit.

Brendan

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They would have to sell for £20 million less if he wanted to leave & only wanted to come to utd. The older you get the more the price comes down, I thought that would be obvious plus only having 2 years left on his contract. If he doesn't sign in the summer then he will have to be sold
Blackpool Red

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Think the posts above explain why they would have to sell for 60 million. A combination of him forcing his way out the club and having not long left on his deal could result in him coming home.

Fresh!

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31 Jan 2013 18:01:30
sixty million on ronaldo or for the same money bring in baines, strootman, wanyama and lewandowski.

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No name we won't bring in a left back I don't think as we don't particularly need one, we will get EITHER Wanyama or Strootman and not both and I think Lewandowski will replace Welbeck so Ronaldo IF he wants to come back is a real possibility.

Brendan

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I would rather have him then all them CESAR RAFA HUMMELS VIDIC MARCELO

VIDAL STROOMAN

ROONEY KAGAWA RONALDO

RVP
im not saying this would be are team but would love it to be. . these are the rumours people been saying. I IWSH wiganred

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Brendan I disagree on the left back issue, Evra is still dodgy and all the goals and assists cannot hide that he is still highly culpable for a lot of defensive errors. Someone like Baines would eliminate that, give us someone capable of doing the job 3-4 years whilst Blackett trains up.

And whynot Strootman and Wanyama, both play different roles. Strootman could be Carricks long term successor. Lets afce it Carrick has only a couple of years left and then we're in schtuck having to replace him. Wanyama would be great to have in as well.

We'd have a good quartet there, Carrick, Cleverley, Wanyama & Strootman. Scholes & Fletcher retired, Giggs back to cover for the left, Powell as up and coming. Anderson a maybe if he doesn't get sold as well.

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I don't think Evra is up to it defensively either but I don't see Fergie spending £12-15 million on a left back when we have Fabio to come back, Blackett coming through as a very good left back and Buttner as cover.
I'm not saying I wouldn't get Strootman and Wanyama as I would buy 2 CM's if possible but I am saying that Fergie wont. He will get one CM this summer but 2 I think is highly unlikely as we have Carrick, Cleverley, Powell, Anderson, Jones when needed and some youngsters coming through.

Brendan

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31 Jan 2013 12:23:49
looking at the game again, I think our biggest mistake was not bringing on clev when we were being pressed so highly,
carrick has been one of our best performers this season but, I would argue that cleverly is at least partly responsible for this, it is his movement that gives carrick an outlet so when pressed he is not forced to go looking for a pass and making mistakes as is what happened last night.

on another note is it just me or has motd in particular become very overly critical of utd recently? other teams have had poor games but do not seem to get anywhere near the same sort of flack, and often will try to find positives in the game, where as with us they will often go looking for negatives with ours.

casing point with de gea, over several games they have spent a lot of the allotted time focusing on his mistakes and not the many fantastic saves he has made, thus making him out to be poorer than he actually is

dags

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Cleverley picked up a knock against Spurs and had to come off. He missed the Fulham game and was not 100% for last night.

Sydney!

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Dags, you are correct about the Carrick/Clev partnership, that is why Modric and Carrick would have been a great combination. Carrick is a good player when he isn't backed into a corner.

Sydney!

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Agree fully with you both, Carrick is playing so well because of Cleverley's movement, he will always play the easy pass and when the easy pass is right next to him (Scholes), or not playing well like last night (Anderson) he can either look like all he does is play sideways or become rushed and struggle to find his man.

Dags, you have seen the scousers that come on here, they can't give United credit for anything, Alan Hansen is just one of them but on the tv. Don't really need to say anything about Shearer do I? The only thing that isn't football you need to pay attention to is the league table, that will give you all the analysis you need.

GDS

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I'm in agreement too. When Carrick has options ahead of him he is class, but he needs someone to keep providing him with those options. He's not so sharp when closed down strongly as we've seen many times. I would be interested to see a 3 man midfield in some game with Carrick as deep lying playmaker, Cleverly as the linkup man and Anderson as the attacking force. With maybe RVP, Rooney & Kagawa up front? Not saying we should play that way permanently though. .

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 14:33:07
Its no coincedent that Anderson and Carrick play there best when alongside Cleverley. I always look at Cleverley like engine oil, by itself it doesn't seem to do much compared with all the moving parts of the engine, but if you take it out then the engine doesn't run smoothly.

He allows other players to play at there best by doing all the unseen work. He drags players away to create space for other players to play in. And he is always available for a pass to relieve pressure and to play triangles with open up teams.

He isn't the DM who'll go crunching into tackles, or the driving B2B player who'll push the team forwards nor is he the AM who'll assist and score goals. But he is the players who make any of these players play at their best.

Shappy

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31 Jan 2013 12:17:34
Seeing as it's that time of year, good luck to all the ed's for dealing with all the random crap that will no doubt be posted.
Personally I have no insider information but would love a move for a top class midfielder. . commence daydreaming. .

i'm just waiting for the "I just saw (insert player) flying into/parking up outside/shown around Old Trafford" etc.

I have just seen that Stoke have made a formal bid for Jack Butland. . whether that means a bigger team has gone in for Begovic remains to be seen

Stay positive everyone

NTRed

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Begonia said he is staying at stoke so maybe a summer move?

Caolán.

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Begovic was never going to leave during this window. Butland would need a bedding-in period so Begovic will move in the summer if Butland is signed.

Sydney!

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31 Jan 2013 15:33:14
have any of you geniuses considered that it might be sorensen who might be leaving and they want buttland to replace him?

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We may not be geniuses but at least we remember to put our names

Technically you are right, but Butland has already said that the only way he would move is guaranteed first team football (Hence rejecting Chelski) If Begovic stays at stoke I can't see him being shifted to the bench as in my opinion Begovic is the superior keeper at the moment.

I'm not saying I want him at OT, Personally I am happy to stick with De Gea (Unless he actually requests a transfer) and see how he improves.

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Hypocrisy at its finest! No names. . I'd be gutted if we went for the 'average' Begovic. And lost one of the worlds finest keepers. . Evry1 chatting about it will turn the young man back to Spain. . So SHHHHHHH!! lol

Patzi

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"We may not be geniuses but at least we remember to put our names"

signed. .

doh!

StevieK

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31 Jan 2013 12:13:52
I don't know if this topic has already been discussed. Anyways how many of you guys think that fabio's future might depend on us buying a left footed winger. Lets say we do play with kagawa/young/nani/zaha as our left winger and with fabio behind them as Lb almost all our wingers/wingbacks would be right footed players making us predictable. Maybe for one year he can play backup to evra but eventually unless we buy lets say a rodriguez, fabio might have no future in a couple of years.

Desired.

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31 Jan 2013 12:02:30
How many of you United fans are refreshing pages & opening stories about transfer deadline day.

I am still hopeful we could sign someone. A CM. Fletcher out, I don't want to see Rooney or Kagawa playing in a midfield 2.

Anyone who could play against weak teams in PL and do decent enough job.

Flamini ? Granero ? Tymschuk? Malouda?
6-month deal and we'd be better off.

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Not me.

I've been fooled for the past 2-3 windows, and been refreshing my internet page(s) til gone 1am.

Not this year. We will not be in for anyone and I'll be asleep by 10. 30 tonight as I'm knackered.

RED_SKY

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Fletcher out?

Sorry you are ill and have just had a major operation, off you pop?

GDS

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Malouda in CM? Wouldn't want any of those players

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 11:58:10
Well, as games go by it becomes more obvious that there are a few players that need to be moved on in the summer. Nani is obviously one of them, yes he has been injured but even when not he is far far too inconsistent. With Zaha I can't see him being any worse than nani so for what will initially be half what we could get for nani he is definitely worth giving a chance.
Next is Welbeck, lots of energy and running but finishing and passing are shocking and I can't see these improving enough to warrant him staying. Get rid and give Keane a chance when he is fully fit again.
Personally I would move Young on, again ridiculously inconsistent and just is not united quality in any way.
Now most controversially no doubt is Rooney, yes on his day he is a great player but his great days are becoming very few and far between. He has been getting a lot of injuries and is never in the shape he should be. The argument that he is united through and through evaporated the day he handed in a transfer request. No matter what his reasons and who initiated it, it proved he wasnt that bothered about the club or supporters.
If the 3 above except for Rooney were at another club where we watched them regularly would we want to sign them? I'd have to say no.

With Welbecks sale we could get Lewandowski, we have Zaha for Nani and personally I would do anything possible to get Ronaldo back for the left side in place of Young. He would help Zaha improve as a winger hugely and we could have some seriously amazing wing play again.

Brendan

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Would agree but cannot see ronaldo comming home.What about bale for the left?

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31 Jan 2013 12:15:24
Dont worry about Welbeck, he will make it. Be patient.

Whistler.

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Bale for not much less than ronaldo money wise? No thanks. Welbeck will be sold this summer or latest next summer. Not good enough even if people come on with rose tinted glasses saying he is a local lad and doesn't moan. So what? I want a player who can make a difference in a game not a local guy who doesn't moan but also does little else. Let Keane have his place and see if he can do a better job.

Brendan

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Firstly, I do not think there is a chance in hell of us signing ronaldo back!
nor do I see us selling young.
personally I too would sell rooney, he simply not living up to his wage bill, esp when it could be used to get some quality in elsewhere (ie midfield)

i too would like us to sell welbeck and bring in lewandowski, he would be a long term replacement for rvp, good finisher (something welbeck isn't) and has proven link play with kagawa. welbeck is young, and will be a good player but for me, just not quite good enough for us, I could realistically see him doing really well for teams like everton or sunderland tho (and I don't mean that in a bad way lol)

dags

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We won't make that many major changes, we never do. Evolution not revolution. I could see a maximum of 2 first 11 players coming in. Hopefully a CM and either LB or LW.

Gav

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We will have no choice but to make considerable changes as I think Rio, Scholes, Giggs and Fletcher will be gone. We know Nani is likely to go too. Swapping Rooney and Ronaldo wouldn't be a huge problem as he knows the club so well anyway. We'll have Zaha as a young player to develop, Lewandoswki as Van Persies eventual successor and a midfielder that we are desperate for anyway. Not exactly revolution.

Brendan

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31 Jan 2013 11:51:30
Just think about the uproar on a web site when the news breaks that we have a bid for Ronaldo accepted in the summer!

RD19

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News to break on April 1st by any chance ?

DesiRed.

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I for one am hoping that that day comes. He would take us back to the next level again. Our games at the minute are just boring and we get into trouble far too easily against mediocre teams.

Brendan

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Am sure we will be continuously linked with us but I just can't see him ever playing for us again (except in a testimonial)

dags

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31 Jan 2013 11:45:56
Out tactics seem to be that we back of to the edge of our own box then try and catch teams on a quick break. This might have worked if we played with wingers last night or if Rooney hadn't lost any of his original pace after his injuries. Judging by this guy who has taken over at Southampton there are quite a few young spanish managers who are tactically very astute. It would be nice if one of them had been given some time as Sir Alex's no 2 rather than that gormless dome headed buffoon who just sits there writing down the sandwich orders. What difference does it make? I will tell you, If that had been Barcelona last night or Real Madrid we would have all been glowing about what a team they were and how they closed the space down, but they were Southampton and were coached into looking tactically far superior to us. How many of you would love to see us play that high up a pitch and close teams down we would destroy them. I hope that Sir Alex learnt a lesson last night I certainly did. I AM KLOOT

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First time I have ever agreed with you KLOOT, Phelan is a waste of space and why Fergie hasn't moved him on is beyond me. Watching United at the minute isn't particularly enjoyable, yes we are top and clear but as games goes on I find myself wanting the fulltime whistle to come as we end up struggling. This isn't the united way, this isn't what i've seen the past 25+ years and I don't know what is happening. I start the game full of hope and as the minutes tick by I get more and more nervous and disillusioned. We need to change something tactically or personnel wise.

Brendan

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A lesson you should have learned last night was that players like 'The Brand' are important to this club. Pass and move players, players always willing to receive the ball and always looking to find space to receive the ball. Not players hiding, scared to receive the ball, forcing the defenders to kick the ball long. Carrick has looked good this season, but he looks better next to Cleverley, that is not a coincidence. Carrick got backed into a corner last night and was forced to make a mistake, against Fulham the same thing happened although his mistake never cost us a goal. When Carrick is backed into a corner Cleverley is always there to receive the ball. That is why they are a good partnership in midfield.

I am not saying Cleverley is the answer to our midfield issues or that we shouldn't buy a top midfielder, I am saying that players like Cleverley are important to our squad and it's the things that go unnoticed that he does that he doesn't get credit for. Something Carrick has also had to deal with as a player. Cleverley needs to add goals and he needs to consistently move forward, something that he is getting better at. He is our 4th highest goal scorer this season. The Brand isn't the answer to our midfield, but he sure is part of it. And the way he plays is the way Southampton, Wigan (last season) Bilbao & Barcelona play. Closing down off the ball, something we never did last night.

Sydney!

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I think our first change this summer has to be for phellan, there are many candidates, maybe our next manager but even if not phellan is no no. 2

anyone know what queiroz is upto these days?

dags

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RE: Phelan.

Don't expect Mike to go anywhere. Sadly, SAF is too stubborn nowadays and all he wants/needs as a no 2 is a yes man. He's too old and set in his ways to be challenged by a younger, fresher assistant manager so expect Phelan to be an ever-present until SAF retires.

RED_SKY

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31 Jan 2013 11:33:35
Gav,

You know we could all actually picture you laughing out loud at the Eds Joke, we are happy that we did our bit for those less fortunate than ourselves.

Chris The breadvan. . see what we did there. . you know like the kn instead of M and the unusual w on the end of hey, is that like Jakew. .oh how we laughed at your quick wit and repartie! GDS you are one funny guy, looking that is.

Is sarcasm the lowest form of wit. .I'm not sure one of you will no doubt correct us on that one.

No name, pack of lies mmmm, use the search function as the Eds like to say.

Again it's safe to say you have no argument to our salient points, none the less you are trying and for that we salute you.

Now on to other matters, season tickets, we found that very interesting that the "Worlds biggest club" can't sell all their season tickets, Disney! (apologies, stole that one off of Puzzled, was it?)you seem up on that kind of thing, how does that work then, do they give them away on the door to fill up that old stadium. We're of the opinion that's why there is no real atmosphere there as probably filled with passing trade as it were instead of real fans. Apologies Johndenton and KLOOT.

Talking of the Old Stadium, do you all think that the bog, sorry pitch will hamper you at all in your run in for the title and do you still ground share with one of those rugby league teams? We heard there were complaints about the pitch last night. By all accounts Old red nose may be summoned by the FA to explain those remarks!!

Kind Regards

The Anthill Mob

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Alright calm down calm down! See wot I did there? God some kids just crave attention, why do you keep pretending to us that you have any1 else writting with you? We all know your writting this on your school lunch break haha I do love the post you left where you said you far from went to school, well duh!! Sorta obvious that LA!
So in all your drivel why dnt you grow a pair and just admit to us you support Liverpool, are only 14, have mo friends thus having to constantly mention WE in ure posts yet all your post arr from u! Wot will you do next? Reply pretending to be another member of ure kn. .mob?
I wait with baited breath for ure next pathetic post!
Chris the breadvan--- so clever that

Chris the REDman

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So we'll presume you support rubbishty then, if that is the case, can you explain why you can't fill your own stadium, I thought all football fans in manchester were city supporters?and can you explain why you can't sell out your away allocation and please, don't give me the excuse that there to expensive, your away support is a joke compared to ours and lastly, if you are a city supporter, i'm struggling to find anything to be bitter about, can you enlighten us please?

phil

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Yawn yawn yawn.How boring are you mickey.Have you seen the state of anfailed, its an absolute dump.Stick to mid table mediocrity.Dont worry it'll be your year next year
Blackpool Red

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Ant, you are in no position to talk about old stadiums and boggy pitches when you have the old tin shed on Merseyside. United have a capacity of more than 76,000. We sell over 50,000 season tickets every season without fail. That is well more than your stadium can even hold. In a couple of years you will have a 55,000 seater stadium, a revamp of Anfield. We revamped years ago and we are due a revamp of the South Stand in the future. How does a 95,000 seater make you feel as that is what the future hold for us.

Sydney!

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Saying somebody is 'funny looking' when you have neven seen their face isn't really offensive it is?

It is also the kind of 'joke' a 14 year old would tell. Given your age away. Anyone that calls themselves a 'Mob' is clearly actually a "Knob" in all walks of life.

GDS

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Oh no, is there like a whole gang of you losers out there somewhere?

Is that supposed to intimidate in any way?

I'm embarrassed for you that an entire group of people couldn't come up with better posts!

Yes, yes OT is a library and we can't sell all our season tickets (shock, horror) - I'm sure when we are picking up the league title at the end of the year I won't be able to enjoy myself from thinking about the number of season tickets we sold.

Ha!

Gav

p. s. Our stadium provides us with the highest match day revenues in the EPL, so I'm sure we can live with that!

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Just going to say something the W at the end of my name stands for my surname, serious how stupid can you get?

Pathetic banter.

-JakeW

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Sorry lads he can't reply atm he's in detention
Chris the REDman

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31 Jan 2013 11:01:00
I wam gutted that we don't appear to be looking to bring in a quality midfielder who can control the game. Last night it was proved that we don't have the quality in that position. We need someone to accompany Cleverley who me missed last night and we need to offload Anderson and a few others who just don't do it despite their numerous chances

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I cang believe we didn't go after mateo kovacic . he just got signed by inter.

singh {Ed002's Note - Manchester United did show previous interest in Kovacic but a move to Manchester was clearly never going to happen.}

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If we have options of Carrick, Anderson, Cleverly, Kagawa, Powell and one other I will be very happy going into next season. By the sounds of it, the 'one other' could well be Wanyama, although I would prefer it to be Lars Bender.

Fresh!

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Excuse me! We didn't miss cleverly last night at all. Anderson was doing the good job. Evry1 was helpless against heavy pressing.
We were missing keane.FIT hargreaves. Or ( witsel/wanyama/m villa) who can break the play. Carrik again showed his horrible back pass. Robbed many times whilt thinking to much where to pass. He could simply kick it far rather loosing ball while thinking in own half and then waving hands.
Never mind. I guess carrik. Cleverly.anderson are similar players just run nd pass. their quality need to be accomplied with tough tacklers to get best of those player.
Carrick sitting dip is not the solution as he just pass. He does not provide physiacal presence needed.

Rodio17

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Nonsense Rodio, we were not missing a Keane last night, we had Jones and Carrick on the field, what we were missing was a Scholes. Someone to take the ball from the defenders and find the width or strikers. Something Cleverley has been doing all season. Because there was no outball for the defenders they resorted to hitting the ball long and giving possession back to Southampton. We were clearly missing that midfielder who will receive the ball from the defenders. We were missing Cleverley. That is why when Cleverley is 100% fit again, he will play.

Sydney!

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Anderson has got numerous chances? b*******, with the match yesterday, that was his 5 start in the PL. This season he has been looking better than ever. Sadly, SAF does not use him in an offensive midfield-role, which is what he was when he came from Porto, and still is. Only 24 years old as well, I believe he will turn into a great midfielder if used correctly, and if he stays fit.

ZigZag

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31 Jan 2013 10:20:50
Good luck today Eds! That time of year again.

Gar

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31 Jan 2013 09:38:12
Relegation threatened QPR who have the smallest stadium and most likely the smallest turnover in the EPL sign Samba an average CB on a 4 year deal for £100,000 a week. What a farce. They are so ridiculously desperate! Its reading things like this that make me, at times, glad Fergie digs his heels in every so often.

Stuey

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They are persons I hope they go down shows everything wrong with football at the minute

ms85

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I hope they go down too as it's irresponsible IMO. I remember reading at one point the total of their players wage bill was close to 200% of their revenue! And they've just seemed to try and buy anyone they can get their greedy hands on.

They did us a favour Tues night now I hope they struggle from here. .

Gav

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31 Jan 2013 09:38:09
What a load of rubbish again tonight.

Midfield again is killing us especially Carrick. This guy is so bad its unbelievable. He is not too bad when we are on the front foot and he has space. But when he decides to drop off and sit in front of the centre halves he causes chaos. How many times did he give away the ball 20-25 yards from goal. His sloppy backpass was at fault of the goal.How can a team like Southampton( No offence ) run us ragged for 45 minutes??/ We need an enforcer in midfield. .someone to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and drive us forward. When we sit back we just seem to go to pieces.

I suppose I will have to listen to Carrick is our best midfielder. . . what a load of Crap. He would struggle to get into any other top class team

Bullseye50

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I must agree.
Our midfield is so boring, like. Seriously, we have the most limited, slow, predictable midfield players in the top half of the league.

I dread us going up against the likes of Real (soon) and Barca (probably later should we get past RM). We will get EMBARASSED. Badly.

And SAF will look at the floor while giving an interview, stating that "that will never happen again".

Then Giggs and Scholes get 1yr extensions, Fletcher makes another comeback and we sign a) a 17yr old Brazilian winger and b) another striker.

Mark my words.

PS - As for the game last night, 3pts is most important. But again, we played horribly and I'm getting so bored of it. Southampton, hats off, played well but we should be beating teams like that 4-0 at home.

RED_SKY

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Our midfield yesterday got a taste of a barcelona style set up where they deny you of any meaningful possession and press hard by flooding the middle of the pitch. It is not a only a personnel issue but also tactics and style of play.

SAF philosophy has always been based on playing with wingers and two cm and great strikers up front. We have been extremely successful for yonkers domestically with that approach.

However I would argue and he has admitted that we have probably underachieved in Europe.

A complete different philosophy and tactical approach by big european teams and now we are seeing quite a few premiere league teams trying to introduce what I call 5 man midfields either at the expense of a traditional back 4 or a lone striker upfront.

Although carrick had a poor game by his standards this season, the set up yesterday was too many attacking players and not enough steel in the middle and we were over run in the middle of the pitch.

I am firm believer we need Carrick and 2 other proper cm at the expense of a winger, striker or going to a back 3.

It is an issue given our personnel as that means rooney, kagawa, van persie in the same starting line up does not work very well.

Needless to say Welbeck is very poor at the moment and in my view has gone backwards compared to last year.

Shahram

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Oh god, Red_Sky is back. Carrick has been our 2nd best player this season and there aren't many players I would have swapped him for. One bad game / one bad back pass and he is suddenly 'so bad it's unbelievable'.

Talk about motd fever, you have a bad case of reverse motd fever.

Last night was poor but the night before City were just as poor and lost 2 points. The difference? We got 3 points and go 7 points clear.

I was listening to the radio Tuesday after the City game and some of the 'fans' ringing in were embarrassing, slagging the team off, and I thought 'I am glad United fans don't embarrass us like that after 1 poor display'. Maybe I am wrong.

GDS

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GDS you have selective viewing or selective memory.

I will give you on the whole CArrick has been great for us this year goign forward, however at least once per game he either gives it away cheaply infront of the back. .4/3/2 with our fullbacks having pushed forward or he dithers on teh ball and gets closed down. It has happened in I think every game I have watched the full 90 mins off this season. Fortunately for him half teh time the opposition seem to waste the chance. .I don't see a Real or Barca doing so. .

not saying we have better at the mo, but if you think it was his first mistake of the season I suggest you watch the full 90 mins of just about any game this season and you'll see its most definately not!

Red Bear

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GDS

I deliberately avoid responding to you nowadays. Our truce still stands. All I'll say, is I'll see you in May good boy. Then we'll chat about how good our midfield options are again - for the second summer running.

Didn't say Carrick has been bad - I said we've got a shocking array of CM options compared to any other big team, and that I stand by.

RED_SKY

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Red Bear,

I have watched the full 90 minutes of every single game actually. Nowhere in my post did I say it was Carrick's 'first mistake of the season' either.

GDS

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GDS I agree with your point

"Last night was poor but the night before City were just as poor and lost 2 points. The difference? We got 3 points and go 7 points clear. "

We play bad but still win, that is surely a positive thing to be capable of? No team plays well in every game, not even close.

RED_SKY I find your posts negative and defeatist. If you think things are really that bad then I could handle the negativity but to say "I'll see you in May" as if you're looking forward to us losing out in the league again? Well I never understood fans who take more heart from being right than supporting the team.

Gav

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Carrick does dwell on the ball for far too long which is why having someone like Cleverley suits him well. He always has an outlet with his partner around. When Carrick is backed into a corner he flaps. He has played well this season and it has been his purple patch, but he does still make dangerous mistakes in our final third during games when he doesn't have an available player to pass it to. Yesterday he was punished for it, but he has got away with a few this season too. I think Carrick is a good player and he is playing his best football right now, but he does make mistakes still and they do go unnoticed at times or conveniently forgotten about due to his overall better performances this season. Still been our best midfielder this season though, but that just goes to show how lacking we are in midfield.

Sydney!

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31 Jan 2013 09:06:18
KLOOT mate - About the previous conversation re the difference between a fan and a customer, obviously, I Started Something.
I don't really understand your take on this but Why Pamper Life's complexities when the leather runs smooth on the passenger seat. In any case, What Difference does it Make ? :) Ha ha.
PerthDave

ps After the second half last night, the team is crying out for your favourite player and mine, Tom "The Brand" Cleverley. Did we miss him last night or am I Still Ill ?

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Thank heavens for PerthDave. I AM KLOOT

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Heaven knows KLOOTs miserable now?

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Has RFT really resorted to praising the few people that actually agree with him? I never took you as someone who was desperate for support.

TK-Red

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31 Jan 2013 07:51:55
Fianlly we can say kagawa is finding and settling at some position and well its much needed and almost vacant left wing. He was very good with his movement and incisive runs and through passes.

But I never seen a reason to shift him to the rightside.
Anyone any thoughts on this?
Rodio17

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30 Jan 2013 18:35:38
Lets play a game. See if anyone can guess who may come in tomorrow, if anyone. The winner gets a virtual cookie ;)

I'm going for 1 player, perhaps Strootman.

MEF

Ps. What do you think Bond? {Ed007's Note - James McCarthy....}

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Wanyama, strootman or mccarthy ;) I took the genie route lol. looking at tonight we really need a midfielder

nano

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Nobody

Kuala

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Looks like its belhanda.

Rodio17

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Ill go with someone we're not even linked with and say Ince.

AvidDevil

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Kurt zouma

YankSAW

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31 Jan 2013 00:04:49
Thoughts on tonight after having time to calm down.
4231 does not suit RVP.
Carrick plays better with Cleverley.
No matter what Rooney, Wellbeck and De Gea do, they will get slagged off.
No team that comes to OT gets any credit.
We did enough in the first half to be at least 5-1 up.
We don't take our chances.
Vidic was back to his best.
The pitch is a hinderance.
Southampton tactics (of bringing us down to there level) was spot on and I congratulate them on that. When you play any game against a better team, it's the first thing you do.
We were our own worst enemies tonight, if we had punished Southampton like we should have done in the first half we wouldn't be moaning now. Playing badly and winning is the foundation to win leagues, being able to rough it with the relegation teams is more important than playing pretty tippy tappy football and getting nowt, like Stockport city last night.

Dishforth Red

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Well said.
We must admit southhampton pressed us really really well in the second half. We never returned to game

Rodio17

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Top post I agree with most of that! We should praise Southampton and the pitch is embarrassing.

Gav

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Whilst I agree with the majority of the post, I disagree with the statement "we did enough in the first half to be 5-1 up" - no we didn't, otherwise we'd have been 5-1 up! We did enough to be nearly 5-1 up, but we only have ourselves to blame if we don't do the final bit and put the ball in the net. Let's be honest we made bloody hard work of beating a relegation threatened team at home; yes, grinding out results is how you win the league sometimes, but I do worry that we are going to be given an absolute pasting by somebody at some stage - just hope a) I'm wrong and b) if I'm right it's not Citeh (again!).
RedSince68

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The reason Southampton looked good is because of the way we set up and our personal on the pitch.

The pitch things works for both sides and a silly excuse.

Shahram

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Shahram I am not naive enough to use the pitch as an excuse, it was a comment on the pitch, not the players on it, its shlt end of! Southampton pushed really high up the pitch last night and were there to be countered with a ball into the channels for us to run on to. It never happened, look back on the game and look for what I am talking about. Everytime we tried a pass over the top we never got a true contact on the ball and it ended up looking like we were just giving their centre halves the ball back and making (quite rightly as you point out) Southampton look good. I was a CB when I played and I would have been rubbing my hands at that kind of service. The problem was we didn't punish S'ton when we should have, I said that we didn't take our chances in the first half and it nearly cost us. (Redsince68). The worrying part is we had no answer to the hustle and tempo of S'ton in the second half, they succeded in bringing us right down to their level and we had no answer to it.

Dishforth Red

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Sharham, nobody said the pitch was a disadvantage to us, in particular, last night. Though I think it will be when we play teams who don't like to get the ball down and play as much as us. Our next home EPL game is Everton I believe :/

Gav

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Dishforth

We had no answer to Barca who suffocated us twice in the last 5 years with much better personal. Southampton with obviously a completely average personnel but employing the same style showed again how we suffer when teams employ that sort of formation against us.

Even your solution of a long ball over the top or down the channel does not work because our strikers are not speed demons and will not beat a pacy centre back even if they get a couple of yards on them.

If I am Mourinho and watching the game last night, I would be making notes on how you can just nullify our attacking play and with their personal carve us open through sustained pressure and flooding the midfield.

I just don't think a welbeck, rooney, kagawa, rvp combination works and prefer a carrick cleverly anderson/jones in midfield and dropping one of the attacking players.

Shahram

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