If alien overlords enslave us all tomorrow, and cancel all the sports competitions -- save for Biathlon world cup, of course -- Zaha would be the more accomplished player of the two.
Oh dear, what's all this that Martial has achieved that Zaha never will?
No, because he should have cost 12m pounds and been a little cheeky youngster punt. I wasn't actually saying he is though - It was a tongue in cheek comment in reply to his comments. I've seen the phrase "The Dutch Zaha" before and I thought that "The French Zaha" was apt.
You're so right! it's both disrespectful and ungrateful. Even they have become one or two years older, they would have still done the job enough to make things exciting for fans, if not challenging for titles. At the end of day, it's football and you move on when you're less productive for a team ambitious of achieving the highest possible. Calling them deadwood is so unnecessary and inappropriate. They have paid great part in bringing fans the joy and excitement and they don't deserve that!
Absolutely this. Annoys the feck out of me.
Was arguably the best player on the pitch against Valencia in the champions league qualifiers, became a starter for Monaco at the age of 19, starting in the champions league round of 16 and quarter finals, and had a very good game (and got an assist) away to Arsenal in the champions league knockout rounds, scored 8 goals in his last 12 games of last season, made his national team debut for France at 19 (Zaha was 20 by a day
).I don't remember how he played in the home game but he definitely played well at the Emirates.. Especially taking into account his age. Monaco killed you on the break, and while he wasn't the main part of that (think it was Carrasco or whatever who was the main threat), he still played his role and got an assist.
Was he any good out of interest?
He really didn't mate. I was watching him closely because I was aware of his hype and the fact he came from Les Ulis (the club that produced Sanogo and Henry) so figured there's a chance we'd buy him. I was disappointed with him that night and truly didn't want us to invest in him after. He got the assist yes, but that was because of our defensive naivety (only one defender behind the half way line). It was a simple pass across to Berbatov after dribbling without any challenge. Truthfully, he was back pocketed by Bellerin on both legs.
Not against us mate but has shown many glimpses of quality in Ligue 1. By the way, don't take my Januzaj comment above as an insult. When you read it, remember that Januzaj has shown many glimpses of quality for United.
Fair enough, I remember him catching my eye in that game but not really focusing on him much. Watching back his individual highlights from that game certainly weren't bad though.
How is being wary of potentially poor decision making in the transfer market being a "negative cnut"? Just because some choose not to blindly delude themselves into thinking this kid will be the beez neez because of his transfer fee and a few times kicking the ball around at club level? Settle it down a bit eh?
People who predict/hope young Martial will become an instant success are lying to themselves. First of all, he's going to have to adapt to a rigid philosophy. Secondly, he's in a foreign country trying to learn the language and gel with new team mates (quite a few of them are not the most experienced, in playing nor in winning trophies, to mentor him anyway); moreover, it's a new competitive league in which he's going to have to be on top of his game to be able to excel. These are just a few things he will be encountering. He's still young and learning and needs to be nurtured and protected (from physical players trying to target him for example), and not being given the burden of playing full game week in week out. He simply is too inexperienced to become an instant superstar and hero. Handling him appropriately we may have him for years to come. But like you said he can also be just average. I am not being negative but he needs time. Is all
Fair enough observation as a rival fan. I believe Januzaj still has a lot of hidden (unexplored) talents and ability to excel (at times he looked like he's frustrated rather than not being good enough. I don't agree loaning him out is the best for him nor the squad.
Oh boy, wasn't aware that it's this close. Obviously, fairly many variables and different factors counting in (no, for me 'but moyes tookl champinos lole!!!' is not one) but it's frankly shit to watch.
Just seems a bit strange. He prefers pace down the middle but doesn't mind using Mata on the wing. How long before he goes back to playing Memphis as a no.10 with Young on the left?
Revisionism around here, it's rampant.
He's an Arsenal fan.
This is like the "Why is Rooney beyond criticism" remark. Do you really think van Gaal is considered to be someone that can do no wrong?
I know?
So you are crediting Moyes with Herrera and Shaw signings (I'm assuming they are the 'targets identified by Moyes' ) but adding the £55m that we had to pay for them as 'money spent by LvG'? If they were not LvG signings per se, then shouldn't the amount we paid for them be not included in the money he spent too?
He has played well against them, especially in the away leg though.
I watched both legs and don't remember him standing out. Maybe some watched him intently and genuinely took notice of him but I'm sure you know yourself; plenty are just trotting it out because they can. In saying I didn't notice him, I also wasn't looking out for him. I'm in no place to give a proper assessment. My standout memory is the first leg and Fabinho playing DM and having an excellent game alongside Kondogbia.
Yea he wasn't a standout player but it doesn't mean that he didn't play well, which is what Purist is implying.
Sack LvG for not delivering quality dreams unlike Fergie?
Oh most definitely. I'll be using this against LvG.Sack LvG for not delivering quality dreams unlike Fergie?
Oh I know. My comment was kind of tongue-in-cheek to be honest. Just because I didn't notice him means feck all. I was just saying that for everyone who genuinely did notice him, there's just as many using that match, that didn't notice him, because they can.
Except for the fact we got turned over by nearly every half decent team we played under Moyes. Our only win against a top team coming at home to Arsenal when we actually defended like a mid-table team away and nicked a goal from a corner. Yeah apart from that very similar
Those stats are misleading and don't really give us a true picture of things, like most stats they don't account for the context. Moyes racked up some of his wins in easy games against teams in the CL and League cup Van Gaal had only one game in either competition last season.
He clearly didn't do an okay job, but I believe he got a rawer deal than van Gaal in taking over Sir Alex's direct squad - for a number of reasons.
Looking at his youtube videos, I share the same sentiment. But on the other thought, at 19 Monaco were willing to make him their first choice number nine over the course of a season including Europa league. They are probably not that stupid to rely on a stutterer in front of goal (if he is) for a whole season as their main source of goal. I am kind of divided between the two opinions right now. No sane manager makes a 19 year old a first choice without being pretty sure about his potential.
I just don't understand this part. Moyes was said to be a bad manager and the squad underachieved because of him and finishing 7th was basically his fault. If that was the case then, probably with a decent manager we could have finished fourth, right? Then how come LvG's task was much bigger?
The thing is, everything can be argued either way.
