Does Bruno start against Liverpool?

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,353
Location
France
He should and we should test him in different roles. He has talent and we invested a lot in him, there is no point pushing him aside unless someone thinks that he is underperforming on purpose.
 

Random Task

WW Lynchpin
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
34,503
Location
Chester
He should and we should test him in different roles. He has talent and we invested a lot in him, there is no point pushing him aside unless someone thinks that he is underperforming on purpose.
I'm desperate to see Bruno in a false 9 role for a prolonged spell. His skill set is well-suited to the role - he's clever in and around the box, can shoot from distance, a quick thinker, good finisher on his day, etc. Why are we so reluctant to give it a try?

Also, the role would allow Pogba more freedom if he's the sole creative midfielder.
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
27,952
Location
Moscow
He should as we don't have any better options — and no, Lingard isn't one. And unlike most of our underperforming stars he at least retains his work-rate even when he's not playing well (and he hasn't for a while).
 

Jeppers7

Pogfamily Mafia
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Messages
7,287
You have to start Bruno against Liverpool, I don’t care how bad he’s been. In the big games you play your best players.
 

TrustInJanuzaj

'Liverpool are a proper club'
Joined
Mar 26, 2015
Messages
10,664
He shouldn't, he's been bloody awful for ages. Lingard seemed to be doing a better job as a modern 10 against Norwich.
Lingard had a worse game than Bruno and has been shocking in pretty much every game for years. Silly post really.
 

Corridor of Uncertainty

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Nov 6, 2021
Messages
1,875
Are there any stats to show how many goals and assists Bruno has registered against the other 'top' teams in the division?
 

Abraxas

Full Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2021
Messages
6,023
I think the answer is yes he does start regardless of what people on here think. He's getting picked. There aren't many options so the manager isn't going to not pick somebody that can theoretically produce something, even if it looks unlikely in this fixture and on current form.
 

UnofficialDevil

Anti Scottish and Preoccupied with Donkeys.
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Messages
18,902
Location
I'm not anti Scottish, I just wanted Moyes out.
Wide playmaker like David Silva or Mata used to play, false nine or even if we are extremely innovative as the attacking CM in a 433 with Matic and Mejbri.
Wide playmaker yes but only because Rashford and Sancho are of form, otherwise they shouldn't be sacrificed for Bruno. False 9 maybe but he misses too many easy chances and can't dribble, so he wouldn't be a very good one. Attacking CM he isn't good at quick short attacking passes.
 

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,353
Location
France
Wide playmaker yes but only because Rashford and Sancho are of form, otherwise they shouldn't be sacrificed for Bruno. False 9 maybe but he misses too many easy chances and can't dribble, so he wouldn't be a very good one. Attacking CM he isn't good at quick short attacking passes.
The point is to find out what we have, what I said applies regardless of the other players form. I don't care about the short term.
 

NewYorkRed

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Aug 11, 2021
Messages
1,609
Should Ronaldo start against liverpool? He can’t play a modern day sweeper keeper.

Should De Gea play against liverpool? He doesn’t press.

Should we play against liverpool? Idk prolly not.
 

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,353
Location
France
In that case, those wide positions belong to Sancho and Rashford, not Bruno. Let's not start messing up the team just to accommodate him.
I would do it for all the players that are supposed to be part of the future. And we should definitely accomodate our talented players, it's a frankly ridiculous idea that we shouldn't or that we should stick to the same failing formula and just change names on a teamsheet.
 

Paul_Scholes18

Full Member
Joined
Sep 13, 2014
Messages
13,891
We have no Fred and Mctominay right?

Matic, Pogba, Bruno midfield. Elanga, Sancho, Ronaldo.
 

UnofficialDevil

Anti Scottish and Preoccupied with Donkeys.
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Messages
18,902
Location
I'm not anti Scottish, I just wanted Moyes out.
I would do it for all the players that are supposed to be part of the future. And we should definitely accomodate our talented players, it's a frankly ridiculous idea that we shouldn't or that we should stick to the same failing formula and just change names on a teamsheet.
Rashford and Sancho are part of the future, and our most talented players. What's ridiculous is having to try Bruno in their positions in hope that he might be good. If he isn't good enough in his proper position, there is no need to experiment and waste time and games, points.
 

Superunknown

Full Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2019
Messages
8,174
Our options are pretty rubbish, so he starts by default. He's also one of more likelier players to actually produce something, so he has to start. It's not like we have 3 or 4 better or comparable options.
 

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,353
Location
France
Rashford and Sancho are part of the future, and our most talented players. What's ridiculous is having to try Bruno in their positions in hope that he might be good. If he isn't good enough in his proper position, there is no need to experiment and waste time and games, points.
If I follow your logic Bruno owns his position. You can close the thread.
 

SadlerMUFC

Thinks for himself
Joined
Dec 7, 2017
Messages
5,746
Location
Niagara Falls, Canada
I've said it before and I will say it again. Bruno is not a midfielder. Please play him on the wing. We keep rotating a promising young player and an out of form player. The former has done well with no expectations, but still not great. Give Bruno a run on the wing with Sancho on the other wing and CR7 in the #9. I guarantee that not only will CR7 get more service, but Bruno will score and assist more
 

Giggsforever

Full Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
3,133
Player Chances createdChances created from set pieces AssistMin played
1stTrent Alexander-Arnold7735112,313
2ndBruno Fernandes771162,404
3rdKevin De Bruyne601731,615
4thJames Ward-Prowse593742,497
5thRaphinha581932,341
6thSon Heung-Min5323102,341
7thMohamed Salah530102,330
8thMartin Ødegaard52931,892
9thBernardo Silva51022,421
10thBukayo Saka49952,145
 

UnofficialDevil

Anti Scottish and Preoccupied with Donkeys.
Joined
Aug 5, 2006
Messages
18,902
Location
I'm not anti Scottish, I just wanted Moyes out.
Player Chances createdChances created from set piecesAssistMin played
1stTrent Alexander-Arnold7735112,313
2ndBruno Fernandes771162,404
3rdKevin De Bruyne601731,615
4thJames Ward-Prowse593742,497
5thRaphinha581932,341
6thSon Heung-Min5323102,341
7thMohamed Salah530102,330
8thMartin Ødegaard52931,892
9thBernardo Silva51022,421
10thBukayo Saka49952,145
Set-piece chances created? what how many corners he won us? What does that even mean?
 

Yagami

Good post resistant
Joined
Jan 27, 2013
Messages
13,472
Now, sure, why not. He's a liability in them but so are the majority of our options.

In the long run he shouldn't be starting any games against top opposition, though. Hopefully our next manager learns that sharpish.
 

Dansk

Full Member
Joined
May 7, 2017
Messages
1,377
The only way we get anything on Tuesday is if our best players play a great game. Despite current form, Bruno is one of our best players. I would even start Pogba, because while he doesn't deserve it after the abysmal season he has had, he is technically capable of a 10/10 performance. If there's a 5% chance Bruno, Ronaldo and Pogba all play to the full extent of their abilities, that's the best shot we've got. If we show up without them, we won't win even if the alternate options play the best game they've had all season. We only win if we use every player we have who's capable of a world class performance, and we only really have three of those. They almost certainly won't deliver, but unless they do, we're simply not getting anything out of that game.

It's a Hail Mary move, but that's our only option. On current form and with a title race to fight for, Liverpool are just about the best team in the world and we're currently one of the worst in the league. We can only get anything out of this game if we roll the dice and hit all 6's. That's the reality here.
 
Last edited:

Greck

Full Member
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
7,099
Yes but only by default. Otherwise he's probably the worst big game 'star' in club history. Like who will actually be shocked to be back in the thread lamenting his terrible performance after that game?
 

Rightnr

Wants players fined for winning away.
Joined
Jan 25, 2015
Messages
13,881
He shouldn't but that's the case for at least half our starting 11 and you cannot play the youngsters.
 

Sandikan

aka sex on the beach
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
52,710
He shouldn't, he's been bloody awful for ages. Lingard seemed to be doing a better job as a modern 10 against Norwich.
Does a modern 10 just run about a bit? Or is it reasonable to look at least some sort of threat against the might of Norwich?