RoM Reads

16 Comments

1. March 13, 2013 at 15:04

   denton davey says:

   Two really interesting articles – “width” and “Cleverley”.

   I like the one on width, I suppose, because it repeats what I believe and have written about in my messages – that two of the current wingers (Young and Valencia) add little to the team’s forward play (zero goals so far this year for the two of them !) while taking playing time away from KagawaBunga and also, indirectly, from Chicharito.

   The other article – on YoungTom – takes a somewhat different view of Cleverley’s contribution from mine. The author seems to think that there’s more flash than substance in his play whereas I believe that YoungTom just isn’t the right guy to partner MC16.

   Since most of us believe – in our infinite wisdom – that UTD only lose matches because of “midfield problems”, these two articles give one reason to think about how the various parts of the team interact.
2. March 13, 2013 at 15:08

   FletchTHEMAN says:

   Biggest story not even on here! WT!!!

   Times Mirror and Independent all have stories that the Qatari royal family are to start and
   “Dream Football League” based in Qatar.

   Story appears to have started in France by someone who is described as fake by some football journalists.

   But the fall out is going to be huge and some people are saying the Qatari Royal family is going to release a statement. They never release statements, so that sounds a hoax as well!

   As I put up in the last tread, it would be terrible for football and essentially eliminate FFP issues for the likes of City and PSG.
   But this doesn’t take into account the impact on players with clubs requiring players to play in a World cup every summer.

   Here is the story from the Times
   http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/europe/article3712126.ece
3. March 13, 2013 at 15:08

   denton davey says:

   I also liked the article in TheGuardian on the “away goals” rule. Last night, for example, if Meeeeelan had scored one then Barcelona would have needed four to advance – sure, the tikka-takka outfit got a fourth in the last seconds BUT would their opponents have been as open if they had one in the bag ? There’s no perfect solution to the “away goals” conundrum – I had a sneaking feeling that RVP’s two misses at the Bernabeu would come back to haunt TheLads (and they did bite us in the arse !) but it creates a kind of jeopardy that makes second-leg ties at home really, really interesting. I do agree with the author (and a lot of commentators) that if the tie is level at the end of 180 minutes then the “away goals” rule is incredibly unfair to the home team because they have to score two in the event the visitors score one.
4. March 13, 2013 at 15:16

   FletchTHEMAN says:

   Davey Cheers mate. Been reading your posts on the MF for some time. Don’t know what to think myself. But I would suggest one heretical idea, if it was just down to midfield would be at the level to coast to CL finals? I don’t think so. We have serious issues right through the team. Unless our reserve team has some surprises. There are up to 6 senior players who might be gone in 1-2 years. Given the success at replacing Keane, Scholes and Ronaldo, I am not sure we can count on purchases.

   Hope we have some surprises coming through the ranks. I personally think we will all be raging Cleverley fans in a couple years. But that’s just one.
5. March 13, 2013 at 15:23

   FletchTHEMAN says:

   Independent reporting that the “DREAM FOOTBALL LEAGUE” story is a hoax!

   http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9926412/Hoax-claims-surround-Qatars-plans-for-Dream-Football-League.html
6. March 13, 2013 at 15:26

   greenhoff77 says:

   I want Cleverley to be the next big thing at Old Trafford ….but i dont see it, not yet anyway.
7. March 13, 2013 at 16:41

   denton davey says:

   FletchTheMan @ 15:16: “if it was just down to midfield would be at the level to coast to CL finals? I don’t think so.”

   Sure; there are always “problems” BUT for this collection of players, the real issue has been that since the illness/injuries to DarrenFletcherinho/Owen Hargreaves UTD have been lacking a ManchesterTerrier in midfield. None of Giggs/Scholes/YoungTom/Anderson provides the kind of partner that MC16 requires – that’s why SAF has gone for MrJones on key occasions. The way I see it – to repeat myself – is that TheWayneBoy would be just about perfect, assuming that he can regain his mojo.

   Looking at the midfield issue a bit more widely, the other element that often gets missed is that UTD have usually played with four wide-men – two attacking full-backs and two wingers – which often leaves the midfield pair over-run (i.e., against Spurs @ OT and RentBoyz on Sunday, after FSW replaced PhatPhwank with a proper holding midfielder thereby releasing Ramires to play havoc.

   I wonder whether Zaha was signed to be a conventional winger or a new-version of an inside-forward (which is similar to the role in which Nani plays best and KagawaBunga is most comfortable). The appalling quality of play from AshleyBloodyYoung and AV7 (NO GOALS and only 8 assists in 2/3rds of a season on the EPL’s highest-scoring team) makes the question of persisting with orthodox wingers almost irrelevant.

   Playing Young/Valencia is almost like playing with a man-disadvantage since they just don’t contribute, as evidenced by their statistics. I say this – again ! – in light of the article on the future of wing-play discussed by Doron in the first cited article. What makes the question more significant’ is Doron’s discussion of the way in which the u18 and reserves play – quick, tricky and through the middle.

   In contrast to those who see major in-comings of midfielders in the summer, I see a re-jigging of the “formation” and personnel (i.e, TheWayneBoy -> ScholesRole to partner MC16) and more playing time for KagawaBunga, Chicharito, and DannyTheLad as SAF can redistribute Rooney’s playing-time to these guys (and, hopefully, to Nani as well).
8. March 13, 2013 at 16:42

   Sparkz says:

   Absolute tosh in my opinion. It wasn’t too long ago that Fergie said he saw Cleverley as potentially one of the best midfielders in Britain.

   After RVP, Carrick and Rafael – he’s been our best player this season.. He’s given us real energy and pressing in midfield,as well as the ability to play quick, one-two touch passes. Watch him, he rarely takes more than 2 touches on the ball.

   Yes he was shocking against Chelsea, like a lot of players, but that was fatigue more than anything.
9. March 13, 2013 at 16:44

   Sparkz says:

   @Fletch – You can’t just replace players like Keane, Scholes and Ronaldo. These are once in a generation type players.

   But considering we’ve won 4 Premier Leagues and got to 3 CL finals since Keane left….it’s safe to say we coped without him no? You’re not gonna get another Ronaldo – but Nani and Valencia are bloody good players in their own right.

   Too many people try and make out that there’s severe problems with this team, despite the success we’ve continued to have after key players leave.
10. March 13, 2013 at 16:51

    Daniel88 says:

    Red Flag Flying High wonders whether time is running out for Tom Cleverley

    Tom Cleverley clearly isn’t good enough. I have to reject a part of this article for me it doesn’t matter if he doesn’t break up play or do all that much in the final third. When he first broke into the team before the injury he wasn’t doing that he was knitting the team together. The short passing and movement through the middle keeping the team moving. Working hard in the middle and feeding the wide men and the strikers. He was excellent but now he doesn’t seem able to connect even simple passes on a consistent basis. I wouldn’t get rid of him ( yet ) because he is young and can do a job in numerous positions. As far as partnering Carrick in next seasons assault on the CL … lets hope not.
11. March 13, 2013 at 17:00

    FletchTHEMAN says:

    Regarding once in a generation.

    Erm We used to have that type of player all over the park and replaced them as well.
    People who would put the fear of god in ya. All the way from 1990-2010 or so.

    We have a squad now. We don’t have generals, we don’t even have a Sergeant-Major!
12. March 13, 2013 at 17:37

    BuddyJackson says:

    Cleverley Ariticle – I don’t see the issue. How is anyone expected to cement a place in the outfield starting line up when we have 19 internationals (plus Giggs and Scholes). Rotation is key to our success and always will be.

    The first name on the team sheet, as long as he’s fit, should be De Gea. The remaining 10 will always be chosen based on form, match fitness and rest period. Would we really want to see any of our players run into the ground just to be able to call them a regular? Everyone can choose their perfect starting 11 but the premier league season is not a series of exhibition games on PES/FIFA, it’s a gruelling marathon of matches, sometimes 3 in 7 days.

    As Giggs told GNev recently, as a youngster it takes 2 days to physically and mentally recover from a match, extending up to 5 days for the older players. SAF’s rotation policy is the reason Rooney, Chico and Welbeck will not become old crocks when they pass 30, like Owen did. It’s also how he’ll get the best out of Van Persie.

    In summary, I expect Tom to get more game time over the next couple of years when Scholes and Giggs retire, but until then any reports that he’s running our of time should be treated with the same disdain as claims that Rooney’s time is already up.
13. March 13, 2013 at 18:43

    Daniel88 says:

    @ BuddyJackson

    ” How is anyone expected to cement a place in the outfield starting line up when we have 19 internationals (plus Giggs and Scholes). Rotation is key to our success and always will be ”

    - Patrice Evra, Rafael Da Silva, Michael Carrick and Robin Van Persie have all cemented a place in the outfield starting line up. Is it a coincidence that these players are many peoples picks for player of the season ?. Nobody can play every game in every competition but these players are rarely subject to rotation. Our central midfield is hardly a wash with competition. This is the PERFECT time for a young English midfielder come through the ranks and earn himself a permanent shirt.
14. March 13, 2013 at 20:37

    King Eric says:

    Yeah the typical knee jerk shit from some United fans. 9 days ago everyone was happy. We get dumped out of Europe and have a shocker against Chelsea and suddenly it’s time to replace everyone. It is laughable. Oh and I don’t mean any posts on here, just in general. Sunday truly was a bad day at the office, that’s all. Everyone just about had a poor game. You can get away with carrying one or two but not 9 or ten.

    Sparkz – Saw you comment on the Red Flag Flying High topic. I also see that fucking abu cunt John Tring did masquerading as a United fan like he does on here, the Mail and various sites. A tosser.

    Cleverley running out of time? What the fuck? He has only just got going at United.
15. March 14, 2013 at 00:36

    Sparkz says:

    @King Eric – Hi mate, yeah I don’t often comment on Utd blogs apart from this one, but that really got my goat! And yep, that Tring fella’s always popping up to troll Utd stories, pathetic.
16. March 15, 2013 at 13:05

    AlphaRS says:

    United moving in the right direction here.
    If this system was implemented in the first team who would fit where?
    Carrick would the holding midfielder, we currently lack a box to box midfilder, and Rooney or Kags in the free role?

    “Rene’s impact on the coaching side has bred players with a much greater emphasis on control, skills and intelligence than ever before. It’s seen at both U18 and U21 level United use one holding midfielder, one all rounded box-to-box midfielder and one with a free role; whilst the wide players also have license to find the space.”