[Bebestation]

There is no way VDB will start in a 3 with Pogba and Bruno, if that's what you want give your head a wobble.
Fred, Matic or Scott will always play, VDB should play further up the pitch, hopefully he can get 20 mins in the mid week game.

I don't think he should start in that set up - but I think if we are struggling to break down a team then a

Bruno
Pogba- VDB
Mctominay
​

Type diamond set up should be used more in our second halves. VDB is good at drawing out the players with his movement.

 

[georgipep]

Great arguement... what exactly did Matic do that makes it so that he deserves to start? Matic hasnt been great... to say the least.

Matic is the only midfielder (other than Pogba) that we have who consistently makes line-breaking passes. He is also press-resistant and makes himself available for passing lanes. If only he had legs he would a definite starter in the midfield two.

 

[Devil may care]

He was involved in a goal in his 5 minutes, not bad, but we'll never know if he's good enough without a run of starts.

 

[Foxbatt]

I think he may play on Tuesday.

 

[shamans]

What a pity he didn't play. If it's not against a low block vs Newcastle then ....when ?

Here's hoping he does vs young boys.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

He'll definitely play vs Young Boys. Hopefully he does well.

I am guessing Bruno won't be rested, so Donny will play in a double pivot with someone.

 

[elmo]

He'll definitely play vs Young Boys. Hopefully he does well.

I am guessing Bruno won't be rested, so Donny will play in a double pivot with someone.

That's what everyone said about the Leeds and Newcastle game. Leeds game reasoning was the starters weren't match fit and Newcastle game because of injuries and international players might need more rest.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

That's what everyone said about the Leeds and Newcastle game. Leeds game reasoning was the starters weren't match fit and Newcastle game because of injuries and international players might need more rest.

To be fair, I didn't think he'd play in either of those games

 

[Red00012]

When Ronaldo got his 2nd there’s a video of a cameraman pushing Donny to one side so he can get a shot of Ronaldo

 

[Alemar]

He'll definitely play vs Young Boys.

To be honest with you, this is far from definite. Very far…

 

[DWelbz19]

He'll definitely play vs Young Boys. Hopefully he does well.

I am guessing Bruno won't be rested, so Donny will play in a double pivot with someone.

Nah. Pogba and Fred in midfield.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Nah. Pogba and Fred in midfield.

Wouldn't complain if that's what we go with for the game.

 

[HBFSTR00]

I wasn’t sure but did they sing his song when he use to play for Ajax when he came on? Did anyone notice that?

 

[OrcaFat]

If we’re bossing the Young Boys game at half time, I wouldn’t be averse to him coming on for the whole second half. I still say he has to earn his minutes but if Ole has any faith in him, he must be keen to give him a run out.

His best chance of getting into the team is as an 8 (or 8-style CM in a 4231). But he doesn’t seem to be used that way, he’s like a utility sub but usually 10-ish rather deeper, probably it is dictated by the in-game situation. He does get used here and there though, he just can’t seem to deliver a compelling performance (we don’t make it easy for him, of course).

 

[Donut]

Hopefully he gets seven minutes against the Young boys.

 

[Ali Dia]

I also think he’ll start v young boys. Himself Sancho Lingard Lindelof Martial etc. Players who are still finding their feet this season.

 

[P-Nut]

I'm expecting him to start next to Fred against Young Boys.

 

[TheRedHearted]

Look at that run he made after he passed it to Pogba (which pogba ended up passing to lingard, can’t blame pogba at all as a poor decision as it ended in a goal) perfect position for a one touch strike to the far corner.

Can’t blame pogba of course since it ended in a nice goal but it’s representative of what happens a lot with Donny.

Thing is our players do not pick up DVBs runs. So is it the coaches don’t trust him or also the players don’t as well??

 

[elmo]

Look at that run he made after he passed it to Pogba (which pogba ended up passing to lingard. Perfect position for a one touch strike to the far corner.

Thing is our players do not pick up DVBs runs. So is it the coaches don’t trust him or also the players don’t as well??

Pogba saw the interview where VDB didn't pick him for his 5 a side.

But on a serious note, I think VDB's run was being tracked by the defender which opened up space for Lingard to get the ball and time to shoot.

 

[TheRedHearted]

Pogba saw the interview where VDB didn't pick him for his 5 a side.
Yeah
But on a serious note, I think VDB's run was being tracked by the defender which opened up space for Lingard to get the ball and time to shoot.

How do i embed a photo? I have the screenshot


Have no idea why my option to bold or add links is not usable - is it cause I’m on my phone?

 

[SAF is the GOAT]

If we had a decent DM - I wouldn't cancel him and Jesse against young boys tomorrow in order to rest the players that played in Saturday.

 

[Bilbo]

I'm not sure I'd bank on him starting tomorrow. Young Boys are weaker opposition than Newcastle but its a more important game. It'd take a very brave manager to take any risks with tomorrow nights game. Unless he sees Donny as a player that can handle European football better than domestic I don't think he starts him.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I'm not sure I'd bank on him starting tomorrow. Young Boys are weaker opposition than Newcastle but its a more important game. It'd take a very brave manager to take any risks with tomorrow nights game. Unless he sees Donny as a player that can handle European football better than domestic I don't think he starts him.

I think the GK and Defence will remain the same. I expect it will be Fred next to Van de Beek. Many of us aren't counting on Matic to play two games consecutively and McTominay is still out.

 

[Ali Dia]

It’s not a banker he’ll start but in this kind of game we surely don’t need Matic. We know Ole is not a risk taker so if the likes of Pogba and Fred are fit he’ll probably still go for them to start to kill off the game asap but I do think Donny will get at least 30 minutes once the game is close to wrapped up and I can understand it. Win the first 3 games and we are in great shape for rotation with the league cup around the corner too. Ole needs to bring the best 11-15 to the boil and a chance to figure each other out while also giving the squaddies a chance to push the main group. I expect a strong team but longer on the pitch/possible starts for Martial Lingard Lindelof and VDB. I expect Sancho to score or assist in this. I was saying in his thread. I think he’ll catch form in the slower pace of the CL and start to bring it back into the league. We have a tasty squad now!

 

[VP89]

I'm not sure I'd bank on him starting tomorrow. Young Boys are weaker opposition than Newcastle but its a more important game. It'd take a very brave manager to take any risks with tomorrow nights game. Unless he sees Donny as a player that can handle European football better than domestic I don't think he starts him.

Newcastle I think was very important too. Just as important I'd argue.

I think Donny starts tomorrow but wouldn't be surprised either way. Thing is, I don't see him as being a risk to be honest. Ole had no problem starting him to Leipzig last year who are a much sterner test.

 

[Bilbo]

Newcastle I think was very important too. Just as important I'd argue.

I think Donny starts tomorrow but wouldn't be surprised either way. Thing is, I don't see him as being a risk to be honest. Ole had no problem starting him to Leipzig last year who are a much sterner test.

Don't get me wrong. I'd like to see him get 90 minutes tomorrow. I'm just not sure that this is a game where Ole will want to take any chances or see this as a rotational situation. Beating Young Boys home and away is vital. The dream scenario is 10 or 12 points from four games and then two dead rubbers.

 

[Samid]

Don't get me wrong. I'd like to see him get 90 minutes tomorrow. I'm just not sure that this is a game where Ole will want to take any chances or see this as a rotational situation. Beating Young Boys home and away is vital. The dream scenario is 10 or 12 points from four games and then two dead rubbers.

How is Young Boys home vital if the ideal scenario is two dead rubbers? That’s one of those dead rubbers.

 

[kouroux]

It's sad though, to hope to get 10/12 pts for him to start. This is usually done for youth players

 

[Bilbo]

How is Young Boys home vital if the ideal scenario is two dead rubbers? That’s one of those dead rubbers.

No what I mean is if we can get 10 or 12 points from the first 4 matches then matchday 5 & 6 are essentially dead rubbers

 

[Terranova]

this is hilarious, you guys are acting as if VDB can't do anything.

A weaker Ajax than the one VDB played in, had absolutely no trouble with Young Boys. But to play VDB against them is a liability?

You guys are seriously overestimating opponents or criminally underrating VDB.

And i said opponents because it was the same case for the Leeds match, while a weaker Ajax also absolutely no trouble against Leeds.
An Ajax where VDB would be a starter.

 

[lex talionis]

All we can realistically expect at this point is that Donny is subbed on at the 60th minute, not right before stoppage time. With Donny having only a total of 8 minutes of competitive playing time this season starting him in over Bruno or Pogba (assuming they’re both fit) in our first CL match of the season just going to happen.

 

[OrcaFat]

It’s not a banker he’ll start but in this kind of game we surely don’t need Matic. We know Ole is not a risk taker so if the likes of Pogba and Fred are fit he’ll probably still go for them to start to kill off the game asap but I do think Donny will get at least 30 minutes once the game is close to wrapped up and I can understand it. Win the first 3 games and we are in great shape for rotation with the league cup around the corner too. Ole needs to bring the best 11-15 to the boil and a chance to figure each other out while also giving the squaddies a chance to push the main group. I expect a strong team but longer on the pitch/possible starts for Martial Lingard Lindelof and VDB. I expect Sancho to score or assist in this. I was saying in his thread. I think he’ll catch form in the slower pace of the CL and start to bring it back into the league. We have a tasty squad now!

Yeah, good post.

 

[Varane around town]

Surely, surely, surely he's going to get a start tomorrow.

 

[Samid]

Surely, surely, surely he's going to get a start against tomorrow.

Is that why he never starts? Tomorrow never comes.

 

[Varane around town]

Is that why he never starts? Tomorrow never comes.

 

[Cnaiür urs Skiötha]

Not sure if that joke has already been made but Donny does not even make a five a side team picked by himself.

Pretty sure this is a lost case. He came on 7 minutes playing in an advanced role (instead of 6/8) where he will never get a whole lot of playing time for us.

 

[Borys]

I think it's a valid point we don't need Matic tonight, so van de Beek might play. Pogba should stay in the team so it'll be interesting for sure.

 

[KirkDuyt]

I can't imagine him starting tonight. Might not be the best opponent, but it's the opening match in the CL. You field your strongest team surely?

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

If I look at the overall squad, I am thinking players like Lindelof, Fred, Martial & Lingard will start, I can also see CR7 and Bruno starting to ensure the attack has the best quality.

So in defence, I hope Maguire and Shaw are rested, and I don't mind Varane and AWB starting.

If my assumptions above are right, then maybe there is a chance here for Donny to start along side Fred

DeGea
AWB Varane. Lindelof. Telles/Dalot
Fred. VdB

Lingard. Bruno. Martial

CR7​

This is the only way I see him start.

Do we get to make 5 subs in the CL? If so, then Pogba /Sancho/Greenwood/Matic can be brought in to rest Bruno and CR7

However, I think Ole will go full strength, at least in midfield and Fred+Pogba will most likely start

 

[11101]

I hope that he does play tonight. We need to start finding out if he's really good enough or not, put him in a strong side against weak opposition and let's find out. He's done little so far but it's always been shoehorned in to random sides. Matic should not play twice in a week so it leaves a spot open for him to fill.