Litch
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- Dec 23, 2013
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He'll get his football but he's no longer first choice and the big games I can see it will be the two big fella's in front of back four with Pogs in front of them.....
I think big games will see a midfield 3 of Pogba, Herrera and Matic, Fellaini the 2nd half sub. Herrera was ahead of Fellaini in the pecking order all last season under Mourinho. I don't believe that will have changed. But both are still important.He'll get his football but he's no longer first choice and the big games I can see it will be the two big fella's in front of back four with Pogs in front of them.....
This.Herrera's been one of our best players for the last 2 seasons and was brilliant for us last season. I was one of those who definitely wanted to see him in the team going into this season but I can't argue with what I have seen from Matic and Pogba so far. Herrera will still have a part to play in some on the bigger games but apart from that unfortunately for him he will likely become a squad player now. Let's hope he's still happy to stay here while playing a lesser role.
The question isn't whether Herrera himself excels, it's whether the team improves with him in it.Let's wait and see where we are in 3 months before people start writing him off as a squad player. Herrera statistically was up there as one of the best midfielders in the league last season....and that's being partially held back from his attacking instincts. There is no reason to believe he couldn't excel along side Matic and Pogba with more freedom. We are 2 games in....now is not the time to dismiss what Herrera brings to our team.
But where does he fit in in a 4231?Feel a little for him if he's lost his place for the long term. Matic was fantastic last week but I would have swapped them over at half time today; not because he had been terrible but our performance in general had been rather slow and labored and Herrera could have helped improve that.
Unfortunately for him, Matic came in and had a great debut, in the seasons opener, in a game when the team played very well and Pogba scored. This combination of factors could potentially mislead people when comparing the two players. We should remember:
So I remain unconvinced Herrera should have lost his place.
- Herrera won the POTY award last season for a reason.
- Pogba had strong performances last year without Matic.
- Lukaku has changed us
He doesn't really. Jose's found his next Ramires.But where does he fit in in a 4231?
Dembele and Wanyama would trample Mata underfoot. Let's see when we actually play a decent side before saying we won't need a proper midfielder in with Matic and Pogba.The question isn't whether Herrera himself excels, it's whether the team improves with him in it.
Early days but based on what we've seen so far there's a strong argument that we're as well off playing an extra attacker (Mata, say) over Herrera in most PL games as we simply won't need that third midfielder alongside Pogba and Matic. Which would make Herrera a squad option by default.
The majority of PL teams aren't really "proper sides" by that measure though. If we only need Herrera for the tougher games then he is a squad player, no?Dembele and Wanyama would trample Mata underfoot. Let's see when we actually play a decent side before saying we won't need a proper midfielder in with Matic and Pogba.
I very much disagree that he offers more going forward than juan, but i do agree that he is a great option to have. We have a squad that allows a few different formations now.He doesn't really. Jose's found his next Ramires.
My hope is that after how we turned the Swansea game by going 4-3-3 Herrera will get more chances to play. I think he offers us a lot. That ball over the top for Pogba down the touchline being a case in point. He has it within him not only to break up play but play killer passes. With the pace up front I think that's probably more valuable than what Mata offers, which is harsh on Juan.
Still, its good to know we have real depth this year.
It depends on the system. Juan is a better attacking player. However, I would argue we gain more from having Herrera play in a 433 than having Juan play in a 4231.I very much disagree that he offers more going forward than juan, but i do agree that he is a great option to have. We have a squad that allows a few different formations now.
Without a doubt.He will get more than enough games
Wouldn't argue with that, just think in Matic we have a bit of both Herrera and Felliani. Just think it's not that straight forward anymore and whilst I think he'll play, just not a shoeing like previously. I can see Felliani and Matic in big away games screening the back four like the end of the game yesterday....I think big games will see a midfield 3 of Pogba, Herrera and Matic, Fellaini the 2nd half sub. Herrera was ahead of Fellaini in the pecking order all last season under Mourinho. I don't believe that will have changed. But both are still important.
Herrera definitely still has a role to play, a big one, especially when 2 games a week start to come in.
Matic does all that you have described. And no, I wouldn't sacrifice Mata, a better goal scorer, for Herrera. 4-2-3-1 allows us to have an extra attacker and in a squad which was goal shy last season, that is important.He doesn't really. Jose's found his next Ramires.
My hope is that after how we turned the Swansea game by going 4-3-3 Herrera will get more chances to play. I think he offers us a lot. That ball over the top for Pogba down the touchline being a case in point. He has it within him not only to break up play but play killer passes. With the pace up front I think that's probably more valuable than what Mata offers, which is harsh on Juan.
Still, its good to know we have real depth this year.
He's missed two games, he's clearly finished here...I know what you mean- he could be carrying a knock or anything for all we know.Don't understand this place.
He will be back in the team soon.
Widely reported the club have begun negotiations.Did United offer him a new contract yet?
This. And I do hope he starts instead of Mata against Leicester. We will need the grit and bite in midfield against them; can't afford a passenger.Herrera had to be the fall guy and I am glad jose didn't try to fit 3 midfielders when we play lower level side. No point having 3 midfielders , but in tough away games he will play instead of mata so technically herrera is far from a squad player . He and mata will rotate among themselves .
Its exactly what needs to happen if we are to improve. We need squad players of Ander's quality and starters who are better quality (Matic).Herrera's been one of our best players for the last 2 seasons and was brilliant for us last season. I was one of those who definitely wanted to see him in the team going into this season but I can't argue with what I have seen from Matic and Pogba so far. Herrera will still have a part to play in some on the bigger games but apart from that unfortunately for him he will likely become a squad player now. Let's hope he's still happy to stay here while playing a lesser role.
Matic is a better player. Its clear to see. It lifts the team to a higher level, as does the inclusion of Lukaku because of his pace and power. This however does not make Ander a poor player.Assuming that Pogba and Matic are first choice and we play 4-2-3-1 is most games, Herrera would still get plenty of minutes because he will:
- Come on as a substitute when we need to protect lead or change tactics (although Fellaini is better suited for later)
- Start when either of first choice needs a rest
- Start when either of the first choice is injure or suspended
- Star tough fixtures because he really helps the defense while not taking away too much away from attack
Of course he'll get competition from Fellaini for minutes along with the first choices but given that we played around 65 games last season, there'll be plenty of opportunity for Herrera to play.
I see his haters are saying how he is average and improvement is obvious with Matic coming in team, well, that's because Matic is better partner for Pogba, not because he is a better player than Herrera. I'd rate them equally, if not Herrera ahead of Matic but its a team sport and Matic suits the team better right now.
Lets not forget he was arguably our best player last season. Beside all that, we are winning because we are actually finishing our chances unlike the horrible showing in front of goal last season and that's not down to the Matic Herrera switch.
I can only the imagine the reaction from some posters if you'd said that while the "Herrera is actually better than Kante" argument was being pushed last season.Matic is a better player. Its clear to see. It lifts the team to a higher level, as does the inclusion of Lukaku because of his pace and power. This however does not make Ander a poor player.