NMF
New Member
- Joined
- Nov 6, 2013
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He better not be a starter for us next season.
Lots of people are going over the top, he can still be usefull squad player to us, but what exactly do you expect that people will write about him after two horrible seasons?Heh. The sheer volume of utter horsheshit posted in this thread never ceases to amaze.
Completely agree. We fail to get enough players into the box to receive any crosses that do come in. Usually we're clearly outnumbered. Hopefully that'll change as soon as we start to push forward and close the gaps more and better next season. Even if Valencia continues playing the same as he does at the moment, he'll look much better with more targets to aim for. More targets inside also mean more space outside for his pace and his 1vs1s. I think LvG could and would use him in a useful way.I know that his crossing has been woeful in the last couple of seasons but all the other forwards don't help him either. When we attempt crosses, most times we don't have more than 2 players in the box.
Ffs He's going to be called this from now on isn't he?Turn back Tony had 2 very dissapointing seasons. I hope LvG can make him his old self again.
It's perfect to be fair.Ffs He's going to be called this from now on isn't he?
Nonsense.I wouldn't be averse to bringing him more central. He's combative and good with the ball in tight situations seen as his crossing ability seems to have completely evaporated. I think bringing him central could offer him a new lease of life.
Why is it nonsense? He's played centrally for Ecuador and excelled. Thanks for offering well thought out objections thoughNonsense.
I actually think as long as he sorts himself out defensively (since he had some howlers there last season) he can do a job as back up if Varela isn't ready and we don't sign back up for Rafa. I'd prefer him over Smalling. But making a one-two with whoever plays on the right wing is a better way to allow him in behind the defense, he just doesn't do it enough on his own right now, and considering Smalling offers so little going forward it's no wonder we look shit when the two of them are paired together.Should be converted to our full time back up RB. His attacking often looks better from there as he's allowed that extra two or three seconds to get up to full speed.
For Ecuador against South American fodder.Why is it nonsense? He's played centrally for Ecuador and excelled. Thanks for offering well thought out objections though
Honestly I couldn't disagree more. Every attribute you'd want in a central midfielder is an attribute Valencia measures up poorly in.I don't agree with the first line at all.
I didn't say as a regular starter either. It's quite clear we need at least two central midfielders, players who are capable of coming straight into team.
However, if we are to start playing with 3 in midfield then we do need cover and I think he'd be good cover, far more suited to running at people from deep and centrally than out wide because like you said he's extremely one-footed and he does need to look up more but he's more than capable. He works hard and is capable of putting his foot in which are qualities we lack in the middle since Fletcher became ill and Fellaini being shite.
I don't disagree with you that he has a lot of failings but the way I'm seeing it is that he wouldn't be an orthodox central midfielder, he'd just be more central. I'm not saying stick him in front of the back 4 and ask him to dictate play or anything of the sort. But I think he could be useful in a 3 and in a box-to-box role where he could run at players from a deep position rather than on the wing where full-backs can easily deal with him. Central players don't expect to get caught with people running at them.Honestly I couldn't disagree more. Every attribute you'd want in a central midfielder is an attribute Valencia measures up poorly in.
I agree. I've always said Valencia has got the attributes to be a good centre midfielder. I reckon he could be a similar player to Ramires there.I don't disagree with you that he has a lot of failings but the way I'm seeing it is that he wouldn't be an orthodox central midfielder, he'd just be more central. I'm not saying stick him in front of the back 4 and ask him to dictate play or anything of the sort. But I think he could be useful in a 3 and in a box-to-box role where he could run at players from a deep position rather than on the wing where full-backs can easily deal with him. Central players don't expect to get caught with people running at them.
Energy wise perhaps, but that's about it. Ramires is a far more technical player than Valencia, it's not even a debate.I agree. I've always said Valencia has got the attributes to be a good centre midfielder. I reckon he could be a similar player to Ramires there.
Van Gaal transformed Schweinsteiger from a winger to one of the best box to box midfielders in the world. That's not to say Valencia would be world class, but like you said, I feel he could do a job there.
It would be a somewhat similar move to Schweinsteiger coming in, and Valencia's speed and power would be great assets in the middle, but not having a left-foot might be too much of a hurdle to overcome. Also, it seems like LVG has switched players' position at younger ages (Alaba, Badstuber).I wouldn't be averse to bringing him more central. He's combative and good with the ball in tight situations seen as his crossing ability seems to have completely evaporated. I think bringing him central could offer him a new lease of life.
I think it's a debate. Ramires looks worse in terms of ball retention when playing out wide than Valencia. Maybe with the increased options that a central midfielder has, Valencia's short passing game would make him look technically more proficient than Ramires.Energy wise perhaps, but that's about it. Ramires is a far more technical player than Valencia, it's not even a debate.