Comments on: Our Best Midfield Four – Who Is It?

By: DK

DK — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:49:38 +0000

Choose who ever you want to choose but dont leave carrick out. This guy is exceptional, he plays well both defensively and offensively, he is by far our best miedfilder altough he is very underrated by the english team. The rest have some catching up to do

By: Rxpaul

Rxpaul — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:29:52 +0000

@Patrick..thats exactly what I was telling one of my freinds last weekend about Park that we hardly ever have a bad game when he plays.. The guy was awesome against Barca and didnt give up.. I hope he gets fit real soon, as he is a class act especialy for European ties.
About Nani I agree with the comment that his decision making needs improvement (quite a bit) as he’s too much of a cowboy (headbutt anyone?) though he works hard no doubt. Carrick though should start ninety percent of our matches as he is easily our best midfielder.
The first choice starting midfield is too complex for me.

By: Patrik

Patrik — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:32:34 +0000

Park-Scholes-Hargreaves-Ronaldo. We haven’t lost a bloody game the last two seasons when Park has been on the pitch, and even if he isn’t on the same level as Ronaldo for example it isn’t exactly a coincidence that we are hard to beat when Park plays. He runs more than anyone, he’s got good decision-making and he has experience. Nani could take his place in games when we need more attacking options, and Carrick and Anderson should get a lot of games as well, but against Chelsea, Arsenal and other tough teams this is the four players I’d prefer. Btw Giggs is possibly one of the best players ever, but I don’t consider him a regular starter anymore even though I love the guy.

By: Drew Vader

Drew Vader — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:45 +0000

Tre i disagree man….One of Nani’s best qualities I think is his determination to work for the team. I am always impressed at how hard he tries to win back possession after he loses it, which is very unlike his Portugese teammate who just throws his hands up in the air and looks at the ref.

By: Tre

Tre — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:19:45 +0000

There are so many good midfield combinations at SAF’s fingertips this season, and last season, and great arguments could be made for many of them. But when Scott asks which is our best line-up, as in a must win, backs to the wall game, we want a balance of experience and attack. In that case, the tried and true four of giggs, scholes, carrick and ronaldo should be top of the list. Scholes, ronaldo and giggs offer some great attacking verve while Carrick anchors the midfield brilliantly. Could easily substitute Hargreaves in there for Carrick, where he would just win the balls and distribute immediately.

We don’t want Nani and Ronaldo in the same midfield against stronger opponents because neither offer strong defensive cover. Against lesser sides, in home games especially, those two can absolutely terrorise teams with less of a need to get back and help on defense.

Anderson is on the verge of something great, I’m just waiting for him to nick his first goal for the club. He’s a great weapon to have off the bench and once he shows more consistent attacking ability he will be able to replace Scholes, once Scholesy heads of for Oldham.

For all the competitions we want to win, it’s great to have Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick and Hargreaves in the midfield pool, because any one of them have the ability to change games on their day.

By: suhayl

suhayl — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:03:56 +0000

choices choices choices..hmmmmmmm tasty

By: denton davey

denton davey — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:57:18 +0000

Amazingly, I forgot Three-Lung Park.

So, make that six first-choice players – Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Hargreaves, Nani, Ronaldo, and Scholes [in alphabetical order] – and the two left out are still outstanding; plus THREE squad/depth players: the goal-machine-that-is-Fletcherinho, the outstanding potential that is Rodrigo Possebon, and the energy bunny that is Ji-Sung Park. And, of course, there’s even more depth with the much-maligned John O’Shea and, in a pinch, Patrice Evra.

As I said before, choosing four from that group is a delightful dilemma.

By: kramer

kramer — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 08:43:53 +0000

I’d like to see just two midfielders, Carrick and Anderson, behind a front 4. The wingers, Ronaldo and Nani should not be burdened with too much defensive responsibility.
It’s real fucking hard to choose though. I’d like to crowbar Scholesy and Hargreaves in somehow, but it seems very hard.

By: Tom F

Tom F — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:56:03 +0000

That question is just far too difficult to answer. I will attempt to anyway:

Ronaldo – Carrick – Scholes – Nani

One thing I’d say though, is that I’d still rather have Nani starting on the wings over Rooney or Tevez, even if we do sign Berbatov.

After years of us moaning about Rooney being played out of position, to deny Nani a chance to get a few starts under his back flips will be crazy!

By: OMelhorDoMundo

OMelhorDoMundo — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 21:26:04 +0000

Carrick over Hargreaves in my opinion. Hargreaves’s energy is valuable but the ease with which Carrick spreads the ball, his perfectly weighted passes, selflessness, and the distance he covers (which besides Park Ji Sung, is consistently the highest) distinguish him from any other “defensive midfielder” out there.