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Post by viking22 on Dec 17, 2023 22:42:21 GMT
Agree I wouldn't give Erik too much credit when the team selection was forced. Bruno was suspended. Maguire was injured. And that led to the selection of Varane who was excellent against Bayern and Liverpool-both good teams even if they weren't on top form when they played us-and Bruno's suspension forced him to play Mainoo and Amrabat who without being spectacular made our midfield more solid.
If Maguire gets back into the team at Varane's expense when fit, and Ten Hag goes back to playing Bruno and Scotty in the same team (which is suicidal against half decent opposition) then he will have learnt nothing.
But if he has learnt something then 2nd half of the season should be a lot better as Varane and Martinez should resume their strong partnership and playing Mainoo alongside Casemiro will hopefully extend Casemiro's lifespan and allow him to use his experience to influence games. Varane not starting when fit was always a ridiculous decision, glad ETH came back to his sense. That backline instantly looked better. 2 defensive midfielders are a must, Casemiro and Mainoo will do a good job. Scott despite his recent goals is such a limited player. Michael Oliver is a cunt Maguire, Lindelof and Martinez are all injured. It was less coming to his senses and more being forced by circumstance. Agree on Casemiro and Mainoo, I'm looking forward to seeing them together, just hope he's brave enough to keep Mainoo in and not drop him for McTominay, Eriksen or Mount. He's raw and needs to learn a lot, but the kid has ability and deserves a run in the team, not starting every game, but 4 or 5 starts from 10 games type run.
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Post by Karma on Dec 17, 2023 23:08:40 GMT
Wasn’t it Oliver that sent off Di Maria against Arsenal and let Hart practically chin him when he was at City and remain on the pitch.
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Post by Kojak on Dec 17, 2023 23:32:30 GMT
Yet another decision against us that has never and will never happen again in the history of football. Put that alongside Herrera’s red for accumulation of team fouls, Rooney’s ban for swearing and Rooney and Scholes missing league games for cards in pre-season. It’s actually the same ref as the Herrera incident. Also allowed Hart to stick a nut on him but sent Di Maria off for two bookings in two seconds. |
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Post by Karma on Dec 17, 2023 23:43:52 GMT
Varane not starting when fit was always a ridiculous decision, glad ETH came back to his sense. That backline instantly looked better. 2 defensive midfielders are a must, Casemiro and Mainoo will do a good job. Scott despite his recent goals is such a limited player. Michael Oliver is a cunt Forced into it with injuries. Should be first on the team sheet when fit. Has probably cost us a few results that. |
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Post by Kamilo on Dec 18, 2023 1:07:20 GMT
Wasn’t it Oliver that sent off Di Maria against Arsenal and let Hart practically chin him when he was at City and remain on the pitch. Don’t forget the Herrera “cumulative yellows” incident. Makes it up as he goes. |
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Post by Paul on Dec 18, 2023 10:05:16 GMT
I love how irate they all are about us "parking the bus" 😂.
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Post by Stretty on Dec 18, 2023 11:07:15 GMT
I love how irate they all are about us "parking the bus" 😂. Marinez Maguire Victor Case Eriksen Mount All injured Along with Bruno suspended and a team out totally out of form, what else did they expect us to do? |
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Post by johnboy14 on Dec 18, 2023 11:09:12 GMT
I love how irate they all are about us "parking the bus" 😂. Marinez Maguire Victor Case Eriksen Mount All injured Along with Bruno suspended and a team out totally out of form, what else did they expect us to do? Lose 4 nil. You think that pissed them off, look at their reaction to Keanes post match comments. Keane absolutely nailed it. |
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Post by Stew on Dec 18, 2023 12:10:31 GMT
Mainoo starts every game for me for now on.
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Post by king nothing on Dec 18, 2023 12:58:27 GMT
Marinez Maguire Victor Case Eriksen Mount All injured Along with Bruno suspended and a team out totally out of form, what else did they expect us to do? Lose 4 nil. You think that pissed them off, look at their reaction to Keanes post match comments. Keane absolutely nailed it. Roy was magnificent after the game! No messing, boom, have it. Sick note Sturridge couldn't match our Roy. |
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Post by seanie on Dec 18, 2023 13:00:10 GMT
The most annoying thing about that game apart from it being dreadful in quality, was the three glaring open chances we created. They should all have been converted, never mind one. I thought the Dippers huffed and puffed and created little of real danger
That's the real problem for me, the terrible return from all of our forwards even if you get back Casemiro, Martinez and Mount along with Shaw and Varane. It's going to be a massive struggle without these guys actually scoring fucking open goals or creating chances for each other. The same thing happened in the last part of the season once Rashford stopped scoring. It's been a huge problem and the McTominay thing is not a solution. It just adds to the problems in midfield and he was terrible yesterday and in previous games.
If we get 8 points from these 4 games it will be a Christmas miracle.
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Post by GeniusCantona on Dec 18, 2023 13:17:21 GMT
Mainoo starts every game for me for now on. Mainoo and Casemiro is the midfield we all deserve. |
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Post by viking22 on Dec 18, 2023 13:33:17 GMT
I think defence will be a lot more solid once Varane and Martinez resume their partnership and midfield will be more solid if Erik wises up and starts playing a double pivot (any two of Amrabat/Casemiro/Mainoo). And if we start keeping clean sheets then that is half the battle.
But I cannot really see our attack improving second half of the season. Antony will never have any end product. Garnacho will continue to be inconsistent because he's still very young. Rashford is quite capable of sulking for the rest of the season. Hojlund isn't getting the right service and that will ultimately affect his confidence and sharpness in front of goal. Scotty can score the occasional goal but we concede more goals with him in the team so there is little net benefit. And Bruno's stats are well below what he usually produces with and he's another one whose lack of discipline and positioning often costs us goals.
We all know that what limited funds are available in January won't suffice to buy anyone who can make a difference. So onus should be on improving service to Hojlund. Mount might make a difference. And if that doesn't work our only hope is to play Rashford as a striker and hope that he can hit a purple patch if he is one again the focal point of our attack.
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Post by Karma on Dec 18, 2023 14:07:56 GMT
Yeah even my husband who’s as cynical as me when it comes to the academy thinks Mainoo might be a bit special.
I agree.
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Post by Tatty on Dec 18, 2023 14:34:53 GMT
There was enough in that performance for reasons to be hopeful for the future. They did the bare minimum, which hasn't always been the case, and we weren't easily bullied. But we really need more depth at 10. Bruno doesn't have the discipline to hold the position and the less said about the McTom diasasterclass, the better.
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