2011-2012 football (soccer) thread - Page 123

It was Valencia and Mame Diouf's refusal to stick to their wings that really hurt our attacking ambitions in that game, as evidenced by the final few minutes were Valencia created a bunch of chances by finally going down to the byline. The lack of width this created meant that the Palace defence were more than able to cope as they weren't being stretched. The players in the centre of the midfield didn't actually play that badly, especially Morrison and Gibson, and it wasn't as if the two defensive players on the pitch for Palace's first goal (Fryers and Amos) could do much about that ridiculous strike from 35+ yards

Ferguson to realise that Rooney is not a prolific finisher and never will be. Either play Rooney behind a poacher in a 4-4-1-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation or up-top in a 4-4-2 formation but never up-top on his own. Hernandez is obviously perfect for this poacher role, but his current injury means that a second player of such calibre is required. Owen can work as a stop-gap but is also injury prone and obviously not a long-term solution, Berbatov is a link-up player like Rooney and can't be a poacher, Macheda probably isn't good enough, and Diouf is a donkey.

Bring in a creative midfielder to supplement Cleverly. Carrick is getting some confidence back but he doesn't get forward enough (and I wouldn't expect him too since he is definitely a defensive-midfielder). Giggs isn't good enough to play in the middle because he simply isn't Scholes even if Ferguson wants him to be, much better used out wide despite his lack of pace. Morrison is creative, quick and good on the ball, but he isn't good enough/experienced enough yet and he has an explosive temper. Gibson can hit cracking long-balls out to the wing and his shots are obviously a massive boon, but he is a bit slow and so is a defensive liability when not played alongside a dedicated defensive midfielder - still, as an attacking-midfielder I think Gibson can make it at United, people should really lay off him. Anderson can worry defences with his attacking runs, but his passing and link up play are lacking - possibly a good option alongside an attack-minded Gibson/Cleverly/Morrison due to his pace and strength, though!

Tie Valencia to the wing, literally if needs be. When he came to United he was amazing, even if he was one-dimensional, because sometimes a player only needs to do one thing over and over if they are good enough at doing it!

Work out a way to get the best out of Ashley Young consistently.

Jones is clearly a defensive-midfielder rather than a centre-back, play him there more often!

What I would play with the current squad (4-2-3-1)!

GK: Lindegaard,
RB: Smalling,
CB Vidic,
CB Ferdinand,
LB Evra,
DM Jones,
DM Cleverly,
RW Nani,
AM Rooney,
LW Young,
ST Hernandez

Bench: De Gea, Rafael, Fabio, Carrick, Gibson, Berbatov, Owen