Cheech Wizard
Liverpool fan
Wouldn't be surprised if he loses the semi-final to Southampton next week. He blew a good chance with us to Villa in 2015.
Yep, that sums up Rodgers. Maybe he will become a world class manager eventually when he's old and grey from his years of near failures.Wouldn't be surprised if he loses the semi-final to Southampton next week. He blew a good chance with us to Villa in 2015.
Fair enough, you should back your own. But, hand on heart, the only united defender I see getting in, is Shaw, and that's only because Justin is injured. He is younger, quicker and amazingly versatile. Harry is no way budging any of our centre backs, Evans made him look good. As for Wan Bissaka, a full back who gets nose bleeds in rhe opposition half, is no kind of full back in the modern game. Castagne every time, until Ricardo returns to his previous, near world class level. Bruno, with Ndidi and Tillemans behind him would be the choice midfield. Cavani, Vardy and Rashford up top. Martial would be no where near this team. That all said, my specs are probably as blue, as yours are red.
I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.Simply no way is AWB a better full-back than Ricardo.
From my biased Leicester perspective, the only shoe-ins from Man United would be Bruno (for sure), Rashford and Pogba (if it's the decent Pogba). I'd say the jury is out on Shaw / Justin (I'd say Shaw for longevity, though Justin was nailed on to get our player of the season had he not got injured).
As for center-backs, I'd go for any of Evans/Soyuncu/Fofana over Maguire.
As for the Cavani / Vardy debate. Vardy hasn't been in great form - he's been coming back from his hernia operation - and I can see why people might choose Cavani, but even if you discount goals, Vardy has 7 assists this season, which is nearly as many as Cavani's goals and assists combined (8). I suppose neither are particularly outstanding up front options this season though.
If Rashford could play as a striker, I'd take our Vardy and put another Leicester midfielder in there. Either way, this'd probably be my ideal team (at least player wise - I accept the formation may be a little iffy).
Kasper
Ricardo, Soyuncu, Evans, Shaw
N'didi
Tielemans Pogba
Bruno
Barnes Rashford*
*(Barnes and Vardy have played as a front 2, so maybe Rashford could play the Vardy role)
This is why we probably wont target Ndidi. He goes around everywhere to defensively influence the game - a bit like a better defensive version of Fred.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
A double pivot =/= two defensive midfielders. Maguire frequently plays behind 1 defensive-minded midfielder, usually that DM is either Fred or McTominay, who aren't really DMs, they're box to box CMs being shoe-horned in as defensive mids. Unless the implication is that Pogba's a defensive midfielder because he's playing in the double pivot, but that's a disingenuous line of thought. The usual formation is Pogba - and one of Fred or McTominay.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
Evans is a mess and fails constantly at keeping players offside, it's not something new either.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
when they were playing together for us he was but now no, his natural regression and Maguire's progression has swapped that around, next season I don't think Evans will be starting for us, Fofana and Soyuncu would be my first choice pairingEvans is a mess and fails constantly at keeping players offside, it's not something new either.
He's never been better than Maguire who I don't really rate very high.
What's the word on the street about the omission of Maddison and co?when they were playing together for us he was but now no, his natural regression and Maguire's progression has swapped that around, next season I don't think Evans will be starting for us, Fofana and Soyuncu would be my first choice pairing
broke covid protocol after the Man City game, 3 were dropped from the West Ham game as punishment 2 were injured anyway, the 3 will be back involved next week, not sure what will happen to Barnes and MorganWhat's the word on the street about the omission of Maddison and co?
I'm curious. Not the first time there's been issues like this.
By that logic, Moyes is even better. Also, Pereira is one of the best right backs in the league, and I'm sure lots of top teams have time for Tielemans.Leicester in no wise have a team that eclipses United's for quality. It's a strong testament to how good a job Rodgers has done. Only players I'd imagine slotting into a United team is Ndidi and Vardy.
West Ham dismantled your defence twice this season.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
We don't play any sitting DM at all. We play with 2 CMs.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
They're third?People can keep on defending him by downplaying their squad but surely it is inexcusable to bottle a top 4 twice.
Great bump.I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
The mental gymnasticswell we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
As usual with most of these combined 11s, timing matters. That was day after Leciester beat us in the cup game.I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
While acknowledging he was great today, I'd have Tielemans over Fred. Same as you I'd have Ndidi in the team. Fofana maybe, he does look like he will be quality but still very young, I'd probably say yes. If this was last season then Pereira would be an easy yes for me, but he was unfortunate with that bad injury. Assuming he'll get back to his best I'll say yes. That's 4-7, Justin has been great but he's unfortunate that Shaw has been class. think Leicester have poor depth in a lot of positions as the United backups are better than their counterparts too.When you see the class that the likes of Greenwood showed coming on today. The quality Luke Shaw has shown all season and the determination and desire Fred brings to the team, I think it’s clear that very few Leicester players get in United’s first eleven. Ndidi and possibly Perreira/Fofana. And those last two are very debatable.
Just as Arsenal are now underrating their players in a bid to defend Arteta, Leicester fans are now overrating their own. Rodgers is doing a fantastic job. Leicester are where they are because of a solid squad and an excellent coach.
They are in the top 4 because of him.
I'm presuming you'd take Rodgers over Ole too which tbh isn't a controversial opinion.Simply no way is AWB a better full-back than Ricardo.
From my biased Leicester perspective, the only shoe-ins from Man United would be Bruno (for sure), Rashford and Pogba (if it's the decent Pogba). I'd say the jury is out on Shaw / Justin (I'd say Shaw for longevity, though Justin was nailed on to get our player of the season had he not got injured).
As for center-backs, I'd go for any of Evans/Soyuncu/Fofana over Maguire.
As for the Cavani / Vardy debate. Vardy hasn't been in great form - he's been coming back from his hernia operation - and I can see why people might choose Cavani, but even if you discount goals, Vardy has 7 assists this season, which is nearly as many as Cavani's goals and assists combined (8). I suppose neither are particularly outstanding up front options this season though.
If Rashford could play as a striker, I'd take our Vardy and put another Leicester midfielder in there. Either way, this'd probably be my ideal team (at least player wise - I accept the formation may be a little iffy).
Kasper
Ricardo, Soyuncu, Evans, Shaw
N'didi
Tielemans Pogba
Bruno
Barnes Rashford*
*(Barnes and Vardy have played as a front 2, so maybe Rashford could play the Vardy role)
I've answered that a few times in this thread already. So I will give you the abridged version.I'm presuming you'd take Rodgers over Ole too which tbh isn't a controversial opinion.
So just three of our players make it in your combined XI and yet we've scored more goals than you, conceded less goals than you and have a seven point lead. How the feck is that possible?
I will maybe cede the point on Evans. He does seem to have got shakier as this season has gone on. Would still take Fofana over Maguire (Maguire does have more experience at the moment, but he's just so slow!). And - unless I'm reading this wrong - you say "even Soyuncu", as if he isn't the best out of the 3 defenders. IMO Soyuncu is the best out of all 5.I think it's time to realise that this is probably not true. @FriendlyFox I know you said from your 'bias perspective' and I know Maguire played under you (Evans played here too) but I've seen you guys have so many defensive collapses this season. And a lot of the time it's Evans and Fofana in particular at the heart of it. Fofana will be awesome one day but he's not mastered the art of defending yet. Doesnt read the game well and is regularly out of position. Evans on his bad day has all the worse things about Lindelof and Maguire. Slow, meandering, unconvincing, etc. The idea that any of these two and even Soyuncu are better than Maguire is beginning to look more and more delusional with time.
Come on! Everyone has had injuries - sure you don't have the depth to deal with them as well as us for FBs but surely you need to acknowledge that either at least one of the statements is true "Utd have better side" or "Utd have a better manager". You have been recruiting as well as any other side in Europe for the past 5 odd years that has helped you reach these heights, but you have to acknowledge as good as some of your players are/potentially are, our players are better.I've answered that a few times in this thread already. So I will give you the abridged version.
To sum up: Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Injuries, Pogba/Bruno/Rashford are very good, injuries, injuries.
Also, it's now clearly apparent that Vardy is done.
Maybe you should start, enjoy Europa.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
Eurgh, I didn't really want to write this all out again, because like I said, I've answered this before.Come on! Everyone has had injuries - sure you don't have the depth to deal with them as well as us for FBs but surely you need to acknowledge that either at least one of the statements is true "Utd have better side" or "Utd have a better manager". You have been recruiting as well as any other side in Europe for the past 5 odd years that has helped you reach these heights, but you have to acknowledge as good as some of your players are/potentially are, our players are better.
I mean we were ahead of you even before Justin got injured. And before you bring up Soyuncu's injury, I can do the same for Cavani missing some games at the start, Pogba not being fit enough, Rashford playing with an injury, and so on.
Yes, play a back 4 then talk.well we haven't had that many defensive collapses at all and unlike Harry ours play behinds only a single dm, play only 1 at United then judge Maguire
I want us toYes, play a back 4 then talk.
Who do you think misses out if you do switch to a back 4 with everyone fit?I want us to
probably Fofana for the rest of this season, next season I think it would be EvansWho do you think misses out if you do switch to a back 4 with everyone fit?
probably Fofana for the rest of this season, next season I think it would be Evans
I know the results lately let you guys feel down but I don’t think you need to be pessimistic to make a top 4. Madison is available and your team finds the way to play Iheanacho. These two players are the most important to your team for the overall performance and they play. Some might underestimate how important Madison is to the defensive part of your game and think his contribution is solely on offensive part.I will maybe cede the point on Evans. He does seem to have got shakier as this season has gone on. Would still take Fofana over Maguire (Maguire does have more experience at the moment, but he's just so slow!). And - unless I'm reading this wrong - you say "even Soyuncu", as if he isn't the best out of the 3 defenders. IMO Soyuncu is the best out of all 5.
There's a lot of recency bias in here - we've been letting them in left, right and center at the moment, but we've still only conceded 3 more goals than you this season. And that's with all the injuries and unsettled back lines. We're playing with Amartey in a back 3 at the moment (Soyuncu has covid). I still honestly believe that, could our defence stay injury free and get a run of games together (we've played so many different formations and combinations to accommodate injuries, which doesn't help), it's the stronger of the two, albeit not by much.
It's your attack which really blows us out of the water. Vardy is finished, Barnes is good, but not Rashford, Perez is useless, Maddison can pull off a worldy but is inconsistent. We're only hanging on by a thread thanks to our Lord and Saviour, Iheanacho. We don't have anyone of Bruno's or Pogba's quality.
I don't think we'll get top 4. Think we're looking at a last-season-like melt down. Something seems quite mentally fragile with this team, but I don't know if that's the players or Rodgers, or both.
Edit: Another point I should probably make. Ricardo still hasn't really looked the same yet, since coming back from his ACL injury. Pre-injury, I'd definitely put him above AWB, but now I'm not so sure.
they don't, it expired years agoIheanacho has to be in the team, he is showing his class now. There’s a reason Man City have a £50 million buy back clause