Louis Van Gaal - Press Conference vs Tottenham - 13.03.15
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I've been very pleased with Ashley Young's attitute this season.
He's been awesome. Such a turnaround.
I'm impressed too. I think he sees himself as a senior figure in the squad now, coupled with the fact that he's played well this season.
At full back he has. He was rubbish on the left wing on Monday.
He'll probably be at full back again on Sunday though.
And yeah, his attitude has been excellent.
We should have got him on the ball more and running at Bellerin after his yellow. Tbh he did that and Bellerin should have gone for his second yellow.
Why is it so late today?
I wonder how the press will be with him today. It was feisty after the cup game, but some of them might have been the London boys. Will the local hacks be kinder?
Doubt it - Shaw will be fit. Monday was a precaution.
I expect a similar team with Januzaj replacing Di Maria and Carrick coming in for either Blind or Herrera.
Just hoping someone questions him about Rafael's continued omission from the playing XI TBF.
Nothing against Tony - but as fit and dedicated as Valencia is, Rafael is by far the better and natural fit at right back, something that was particularly evident against Arsenal. He's a crock and not part of the club's long term plans ? Good. Move him on in the summer. But play him now that every point dropped can end up costing the club millions and a chance to boost the squad with top shelf additions on top of prestige in terms of missing out on the Champion's League for successive seasons.
Even if he lasts 5 games but plays at par, that's a definite upgrade over Valencia for half of the remaining fixtures. It's the manager's duty to utilize every resource available to make sure we're in good health results wise come late-April and May.
Nothing against Tony - but as fit and dedicated as Valencia is, Rafael is by far the better and natural fit at right back, something that was particularly evident against Arsenal. He's a crock and not part of the club's long term plans ? Good. Move him on in the summer. But play him now that every point dropped can end up costing the club millions and a chance to boost the squad with top shelf additions on top of prestige in terms of missing out on the Champion's League for successive seasons.
Even if he lasts 5 games but plays at par, that's a definite upgrade over Valencia for half of the remaining fixtures. It's the manager's duty to utilize every resource available to make sure we're in good health results wise come late-April and May.
How do your define par? The average performance over the last two seasons would be reasonable, no? If so, I'd say there's a very big doubt over whether he's an upgrade on Valencia.
If we're talking about his form way back in 2012/13 then there's no doubt he'd be a big upgrade. That shouldn't be how the manager picks his team though.
I've noticed that when certain players dont play, their stock seems to rise (with fans). Kegawa was a great example. Reading some comments, when he was out of favour with all our managers, anybody would think that this guy was the greatest player in the World. And his ability seemed to grow, with every game that he did not play (which in itself, is bizarre).
The fact was that this guy was not liked by Fergie, Moyes or LVG. When all these top managers decided that this guy didnt deserve a first team place, I trust their judgement over others.
The same thing happened with Falcao earlier this season, when he wasnt being played. Some said that he'll score for fun if he was on the pitch. Well, he was played regularly, a few weeks ago and he was terrible. He is now playing in the reserves and he is struggling against teenagers. He is dire.
The new name seems to be Rafael. He is our great hope and some are making out that if he plays, he will somehow transform our team and our results. The truth is that if the manager decides that this guy isnt worth a first team place, he is probably right.
The fact was that this guy was not liked by Fergie, Moyes or LVG. When all these top managers decided that this guy didnt deserve a first team place, I trust their judgement over others.
The same thing happened with Falcao earlier this season, when he wasnt being played. Some said that he'll score for fun if he was on the pitch. Well, he was played regularly, a few weeks ago and he was terrible. He is now playing in the reserves and he is struggling against teenagers. He is dire.
The new name seems to be Rafael. He is our great hope and some are making out that if he plays, he will somehow transform our team and our results. The truth is that if the manager decides that this guy isnt worth a first team place, he is probably right.
He was pretty impressive at the start of the season where he was one of our better defenders, with only that rash pen (a dive tbf) against Leicester being an obvious blot on his record. He got injured some time later and just vanished thereafter.
He has certainly delivered better performances than Valencia at RB this season but if LVG wants a more reliable presence, fitness wise, at RB then fair enough. I have nothing against that given Rafael's unreliable durability. However, Rafael's performances earlier this season were impressive or better than average at the least, if memory serves me right.
I think I'm in a minority of one on this whole Rafael/Valencia thing so I don't think I'll argue the toss any more. I just think Valencia has been extremely consistent and - for some reason - people insist on ignoring his really good performances (e.g. Liverpool) to wax lyrical about Rafael's one or two good games against crap opposition. Then they jump all over an error like the Arsenal game (where he played well bar that one bad mistake) while ignoring games in which Rafael was genuinely awful (e.g. Cambridge away) It's all the more frustrating because I do think - on his day - Rafael is the better fullback. He just needs to stay fit long enough to get a decent run of games, as he did in 2012/13 but hasn't managed this season. He was a bit up and down, then got injured and his replacement has been more consistent in his absence and has retained his place on merit (bar giving McNair a few games to help his development)
Anyhoo, like I said, I'm done arguing about it. I hope!
Anyhoo, like I said, I'm done arguing about it. I hope!
That's fair - I just wanted neither being our first choice right back next season. Is that too much to ask of our club?
Maybe..
Consistency isn't a good thing if it means being consistently mediocre. Which is Valencia down to a tee (and that's on a relatively good season like this one)
I'll admit though I've never really been a fan as he's probably the least exciting player in the history of football. Robot's have more creativity.
I would like him to answer questions about
1. Arsenal’s defeat and the half time tactical changes
2. How he will respond against the Spurs on Sunday
3. I would ask question about Fellaini vs Mata and Valencia vs Rafael
4. I would ask him also about his central defense and the nervousity showed last Monday
1. Arsenal’s defeat and the half time tactical changes
2. How he will respond against the Spurs on Sunday
3. I would ask question about Fellaini vs Mata and Valencia vs Rafael
4. I would ask him also about his central defense and the nervousity showed last Monday
I don't want to nitpick but he was at fault for both goals. The first goal he was horribly dragged out of position, randomly into the centre. Smalling then should have done a better job moving out to cover wide but didn't, and allied with the fact Di Maria didn't bother tracking it all led to the goal. But first mistake in my opinion, which led to it all, was Valencia being completely dragged out of position.
Injury update, match rhythm, ball possession and maybe a mention of philosophy with ok dotted between sentences.
I tend to agree. Val has been good overall in that position this season. He is the kind of player that most managers would want: quiet, professional and has enough quality.
I wonder if Van Gaal think that Rafa is a little out of shape too and genuinely wants him to prove that he can stay fit, that some of the blame for his injuries lie with him.
I would like to Rafa get another shot before he is booted out as he is the type of player that makes the game great to watch.
Agree with every word. Big fan of Rafael, but I've been impressed with Valencia's defensive solidity and consistency. I thought his form was unflappable up until the Arsenal game, which he unfortunately had a bit of a howler. But all players have one. He's had a good season regardless, and I think his consistent yet largely un-glamorous performances have slipped under the radar.
Indeed. His positioning was disgraceful the other night. Pogue's wider point is correct, however, Valencia has been good this season and the game against Arsenal was hopefully a standalone situation.
He is only personally responsible for the goal, if you ignore the fact that all the midfielders didn't do their shielding, pressing, tackling and tracking back duties.
Hmm, I think I'd disagree that he's been good. I think he has been serviceable, I don't think he has been good. I think Rafael can frustrate the life out of you, but he can have excellent games at right back. I'd personally like to see him back in there, but in fairness to Tony V, he's really improved back there the longer he's been there.
That just doesn't apply in the least, Rafael has always been praised quite consistently on here.
As an argument, the manager thinks so therefore it must hold true is a ridiculous argument to make in general never mind on a football forum. Especially considering the managers history win Brazilian players.
Its just easy for those who have never rated Rafael to justify their opinions at the moment. Injuries/reliability is a valid argument anything else is just bullshit
I think numerous players were at fault .. but, I think Valencia's positional play was the main culprit. He was the one who lost the shape of the side at the crucial moment, causing confusion in the team. Granted, Smalling as I said should have done a better job and moved wide to cover for him. And Di Maria's lack of tracking back was just dismal.
But in my opinion, it was our right back's positional sense that caused the biggest problem. Then again, I'm not exactly an expert or ex playing tv pundit etc! Just my opinion.
He can't be the main culprit when Chamberlain passed three players and none of them tackled him and when the midfielders weren't positioned correctly in the first place, Valencia had a poor judgement who was provoked by the half of dozens of mistakes made by his teammates.
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I guess I look at it from a bit further back in the move. When the ball was played up from midfield to Ozil, for some reason Valencia was inside Smalling. Perhaps it was Smalling who was dragged out of position? I'm not sure. Ozil plays a 1-2 with Monreal and heads across goal. Smalling stays with Monreal and Valencia pulls across in front of Ozil. At this point, when Ozil releases it, Valencia keeps ambling inwards. I don't think he should be, I think he should drift back to the far post.
I agree that it was weak from the rest when Chamberlain walked past them all, but for me, Valencia's positional play was an absolutely huge factor in it. His and Smalling's actually, as I watch it back, both culprits.
Most predictable conferences.
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Missing the blunt words regarding Falcao that are being reported on BBC.
BBC said:
Meanwhile, over at the United website, LVG praises Rafa.
Man Utd site said:
First time in ages he has said something noteworthy about players, hope Rafa gets his chance.
Tough words on Falcao.
But sounds like Rooney is back up top for good. Yay.
But sounds like Rooney is back up top for good. Yay.
I believe that van Gaal thinks Rafael is a free kick in a dangerous area, penalty, or sending off waiting to happen. As enjoyable to watch as he is, I'm afraid van Gaal is right.
Also, I agree with Pogue about Valencia.
That loss at Leicester has set us back in more ways than one. Someone looking back at this season wouldn't believe how important a game that was for Van Gaal's confidence. He's totally gone into a shell since then.
Van Gaal seems to believe anyone remotely adventurous is dangerous, just look at Monday night's subs. Yes, we were open first half but we actually looked more dangerous than Arsenal. Van Gaal's unforced changes at half time just let Arsenal come onto us and gave us no out ball. Increasingly Van Gaal's fear of getting beat is helping teams to beat us.
I'd rather run the risk of Rafael giving away a free kick than put up with a functional, not even that good, Valencia at right back.
I hope we see this apparent positive reaction of the players on Sunday, and good to hear him praise Rafael and be direct about Falcao.