The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - - - - - - - - - - - Part 49

[DeadPresident]

Everton making their lives really difficult for themselves, 1-0 down to Burnley.

 

[Iceman]

Damn, Coutinho puts Liverpool 1 up against the Toon.

 

[Iceman]

I'll be happy if it ends up 1-1 but even the 2nd might be on..few mins left.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Congrats to Iceman on the point.

 

[Iceman]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with 3 wins and a draw against Liverpool in our first 7.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Thanks! I'm pretty happy with 3 wins and a draw against Liverpool in our first 7.

Must feel pretty good after the poor start to the season.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah, ideally Carrick can be used in all cup games and CL group stage matches from here on out so we can spare Matic for the Christmas fixture period where things go quite crazy.

If that's the plan then I think it will work well if Carrick maintains form and fitness. You'll get the best out of Matic too this way and Carrick won't be too stretched.

I think he'll either retire or maybe move to a smaller club and play a bit part there, he's probably still capable of doing that.

Yeah, would be interesting to see how he gets on at another club.

Yeah, he would definitely be able to swing a game against the likes of Liverpool, City or Chelsea, so we'll miss him. But to be fair even the old -Fellaini-Carrick-Herrera midfield under LvG managed to stifle the big teams, so we should manage with Herrera and Matic as the two pivots.

Yep. I think Pogba's drive could turn some of those games from a draw to 3 points so the sooner he comes back the better.

 

[Iceman]

Must feel pretty good after the poor start to the season.

Oh yes. Coming up from the championship you never know where you're going to settle at this higher level and if all the players that did well down there will be as effective on the move up. Still need time to know where we are but we know at lot more than we did after 2 games at least and I'm glad it's not all bad.

 

[Iceman]

How do you feel about the Liverpool match this afternoon Ice? I'm thinking it might be a good contest, I'm interested to see how the team's confidence might help them put in a good show against decent opposition.

Sorry just saw this. I thought Liverpool would either win or we'd get a point about 50/50, so I'm happy with a point.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Munich, man....

http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=487199

 

[Hunter Rider]

It kind of sounds like what I'd expect Jose to want from Carrick and how I'd expect him to use him. How long has Herrera got left?

Oh I forgot about Ibra. That's gonna be a nice reinforcement mid-season. Imagine you got Griezmann then too! That could be a serious boost (although I think you said you don't want him any more?).

Herrera has one more season on his contract, so we need to get him a new one to replace it IMO, such a good team player.

The thing with Griezmann is I thought he'd be ideal toi boost our goal output, but now we've started firing I think it's a different type of player we need, especially with Lukaku as the striker.

Yeah, ideally Carrick can be used in all cup games and CL group stage matches from here on out so we can spare Matic for the Christmas fixture period where things go quite crazy.

I was hoping that was what we'd do but Carrick has disappeared since the Burton game with a mystery injury, the thing was yesterday Jose coulds have played Herrera and Fellaini and we'd have still won IMO, he's rotating the wings and the defence but overplaying Matic.

Ah okay that does help, yeah. Bailly, Matic and Mkhitaryan are integral pieces, though, so hopefully if we can get them back for the Liverpool game safe and sound we should be in good shape.

I think Matic is the key one, I'm not sure what formation Mourinho will use or which attacking and CB's he'll choose, but Matic is nailed on to be a key piece of the puzzle for whatever gameplan he has.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Worrying times for Everton, they are so lacking in pace in attack and look toothless in front of goal, I don't know why Koeman bought Klaassen and Sigurdsson, they both play pretty much the same game, he should have bought a wide player with some pace instead of one of them.

Good point for Newcastle, the game was fairly even for the first 20 minutes or so, then they somehow survived that scramble in the box before Coutinho opened the scoring and I thought they could be in trouble, however Liverpool's awful defense gifted them a way back in and set things up nicely for Benitez tactics in the second half.

Truth is in the second half Newcastle looked as likely to score a second as Liverpool, for all their posession the only really clear cut chance they got was when the CB miss-kicked it and Salah duffed the chance.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I still don't think we will buy Griezmann to be a 9. He'd be a SS or even a 10. Taking up that place behind Lukaku.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Worrying times for Everton, they are so lacking in pace in attack and look toothless in front of goal, I don't know why Koeman bougfht Klaassen and Sigurdsson, they botgh play pretty much the same game, he should have bought a wide player with some pace instead of one of them.

Good point for Newcastle, the game was fairly even for the first 20 minutes or so, then they somehow survived that scramble in the box before Coutinho opened the scoring and I thought they coulds be in trouble, however Liverpool's awful defense gifted them a way back in and set things up nicely for Benitez tactics in the second half.

Truth is in the second half Newcastle looked as likely to score a second as Liverpool, for all their posession the only really clear cut chance they got was when the CB miss-kicked it and Salah duffed the chance.

I can't believe we were so wrong about Rooney. Look at how good he still is, the amount of legs he has. He looks 22, not 32.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I still don't think we will buy Griezmann to be a 9. He'd be a SS or even a 10. Taking up that place behind Lukaku.

He was always going to play there or off the right, but what I'm saying is I think a different type of player would be a better option behind Lukaku, more of a creative, skillful passer, rather than a SS.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I can't believe we were so wrong about Rooney. Look at how good he still is, the amount of legs he has. He looks 22, not 32.

Yes, clearly we were too harsh on Wazzaldinho.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

He was always going to play there or off the right, but what I'm saying is I think a different type of player would be a better option behind Lukaku, more of a creative, skillful passer, rather than a SS.

I don't know honestly. Because I feel like Griezmann can do all those things rather well, while being a crazy good goal scorer. With Pogba, Martial and Mkhi, I think we will have plenty of creativity.

Who would you go for instead Hunter?

 

[Hunter Rider]

I don't know honestly. Because I feel like Griezmann can do all those things rather well, while being a crazy good goal scorer. With Pogba, Martial and Mkhi, I think we will have plenty of creativity.

Who would you go for instead Hunter?

Griezmann is a great goal scorer but the bulk of his best work is done without the ball, his movement in the final 3rd is superb, but there is a reason Mourinho plays Mata almost every game, one of the 3 in behind Lukaku has to be able to control things and link with the midfield, you see Silva and De Bruyne do it for City, Eriksen for Spurs, Ozil or Sanchez for Arsenal and so on...to me we need an upgraded version of Mata with more pace and better dribbling but who can link things like he does.

I'd go for Dybala and get Pulisic for the RW, but if we get Griezmann I expect Mourinho to look for a different type of option for the RW.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Yes, clearly we were too harsh on Wazzaldinho.

It's like watching someone in slow motion and the pundits still praise him. It's insanity.

 

[Iceman]

Herrera has one more season on his contract, so we need to get him a new one to replace it IMO, such a good team player.

The thing with Griezmann is I thought he'd be ideal toi boost our goal output, but now we've started firing I think it's a different type of player we need, especially with Lukaku as the striker.

Yes, keep that guy on your books as long as possible. I hope Mourinho appreciates his talents and gets plenty of use out of him.

Although he'd obviously cost a lot in fees and wages, and even with you scoring freely at the moment, adding him to the squad could give more options of attacking another way when plan A doesn't work and unlocking the best defences out there which may be less susceptible to your current tactics. Would certainly be a significant boost to your squad at the very least.

 

[Iceman]

Good point for Newcastle, the game was fairly even for the first 20 minutes or so, then they somehow survived that scramble in the box before Coutinho opened the scoring and I thought they could be in trouble, however Liverpool's awful defense gifted them a way back in and set things up nicely for Benitez tactics in the second half.

Truth is in the second half Newcastle looked as likely to score a second as Liverpool, for all their posession the only really clear cut chance they got was when the CB miss-kicked it and Salah duffed the chance.

Yes, as long as we can be competitive against the top teams I'll gladly take that for now. This was good to see after the Brighton game.

 

[DeadPresident]

If that's the plan then I think it will work well if Carrick maintains form and fitness. You'll get the best out of Matic too this way and Carrick won't be too stretched.

Yeah, rotation will be key for Mourinho and United this season, the likes of Lukaku, Mkhitaryan, Matic, and Valencia will need to be managed well so they don't fatigue or get opened up to any injuries.

Yeah, would be interesting to see how he gets on at another club.

He's 36 now so I think if he leaves he'll only have 1 season more in him at the top flight in any case, maybe a league like MLS would be a better option for him.

Yep. I think Pogba's drive could turn some of those games from a draw to 3 points so the sooner he comes back the better.

Definitely, he's got a lot of energy and presence. I think we'll be fine coasting against teams like Palace or Swansea, but in gritty games like the Chelsea v City ones Pogba could work some magic to turn a defeat into a draw or a draw into a win.

Sorry just saw this. I thought Liverpool would either win or we'd get a point about 50/50, so I'm happy with a point.

Np You guys played really well I thought, but for some wayward passing in the final third you could've threatened Liverpool's goal more - and the defenders were alert and took initiative to keep Liverpool quiet, great display.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Griezmann is a great goal scorer but the bulk of his best work is done without the ball, his movement in the final 3rd is superb, but there is a reason Mourinho plays Mata almost every game, one of the 3 in behind Lukaku has to be able to control things and link with the midfield, you see Silva and De Bruyne do it for City, Eriksen for Spurs, Ozil or Sanchez for Arsenal and so on...to me we need an upgraded version of Mata with more pace and better dribbling but who can link things like he does.

I'd go for Dybala and get Pulisic for the RW, but if we get Griezmann I expect Mourinho to look for a different type of option for the RW.

I would not say no to those signings. Especially Pulisic. First American footballer I have really liked since Brian McBride.

 

[DeadPresident]

I was hoping that was what we'd do but Carrick has disappeared since the Burton game with a mystery injury, the thing was yesterday Jose coulds have played Herrera and Fellaini and we'd have still won IMO, he's rotating the wings and the defence but overplaying Matic.

Yeah I think he's unfortunately just not got the legs or urgency to really keep pace with a game for 90 min. Matic and Fellaini are both lanky but they cover a lot of ground in a match, not in terms of speed or sprints but they're constantly moving and covering gaps. Matic is definitely his safety net, and I have to admit watching him play Matic has made our defense look amazing because of how much he shields our defenders by snuffing things out in midfield.

I think Matic is the key one, I'm not sure what formation Mourinho will use or which attacking and CB's he'll choose, but Matic is nailed on to be a key piece of the puzzle for whatever gameplan he has.

Definitely, he's effectively become our Busquets this season, he's constantly hovering near the last line of defense, but he's comfortable carrying the ball and finds some good forward passes very often. For the PL he's definitely Mourinho's go-to, he's precisely what you need in a PL midfielder, the same way I think Lukaku is that archetypal #9 for us too.

Matic made 41 appearances for club and country last season, and 44 the season before, so it's definitely necessary to spare him in games like yesterday's where we could've rolled to the win easily. I still feel like one of Pereira or Fosu-Mensah should've stayed, but obviously this is in hindsight and the Pogba injury was unforeseen.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Everton making their lives really difficult for themselves, 1-0 down to Burnley.

We were dreadful, got exactly what we deserved, nothing.