15 Sep 2015 15:27:36
Hated Gary Neville when he was a Manc but he is one of the best pundits in the business. If you haven't seen his MNF take on our midfield, then do yourself a favor and youtube it. While Ivanovic has been awful this season our midfield has done a terrible job in protecting our defense. Our midfield has gotten overrun in every game we've played this season and this is the crux of our issues. We've been missing Oscar and Ramires who are our primary workhorses in the middle of the field for most of the year. This has lead to Matic getting pulled out of position all over the field with no cover and our defense being exposed. I never thought I'd say this heading into the year but Ramires needs to be starting next to Matic until we can figure out our defense.
15 Sep 2015 16:41:46
The midfield, especially Matic, has to cover far too much space. The gap between our defense and attack is big because we don't have the necessary defenders to play a high line. That's why the acquisition of a centre back suited to such a system was mighty important. It would positively influence every phase of our play, from the defense to the attack.
Ivanovic and Terry especially are too slow to play a high line and it's hurting the midfield as they can't cover the vast amount of space between the lines when we try to press relatively high. Fabregas would probably look a lot better too if we had Varane in there next to Zouma.
15 Sep 2015 17:00:24
That's a very fair point Jackson. A lot of people ask for Jose to let the dogs off the leash but we can't do that with our current defense. A lot of people are making a big deal about bringing baba in so our fullbacks are on their natural side but I feel the added pace is huge.
15 Sep 2015 18:47:19
I really hope Baba impresses enough to convince Mourinho he can start in the league. Him on the left with Azpi on the right and Zouma and Cahill centre could allow us to play a high line. Cahill isn't the fastest, but I think he's got decent enough pace.
15 Sep 2015 21:41:40
Agree with Jackson. Still wanna see a 3 man midfield though, preferably Loftus-Cheek, Matic and Oscar I think it could work well.
16 Sep 2015 12:46:47
I partially agree with magicaleden, I think changes could be good, personally I hope Jose drops fabregas as I feel he has been more of a week link than matic. I think matic is struggling covering fabregas as he has been so poor.
Just hope what we have all been asking for baba lb and Dave rb comes off
Lastly I think I would put Eden as makeshift forward as opposed to remy, thereby leaving a space for him to play willian front three.
My hope for tonight
Begonia
Dave, zouma, Cahill, baba
RLC, matic, Oscar
Willian, hazard, pedro
Small in height but big on speed and interchanging.
Your thoughts
16 Sep 2015 16:38:56
Not bad Andrew, I'd just swap Oscar and Willian and put Willian in front of Dave because Willian is the better defender and Oscar the better goal threat/finisher/passer in the final third.