Mike Smalling
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2018
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- 13,661
Playing out from the back missing both Shaw and Martinez is so painful.
I think it’s more bad luck than him being injury prone- his last couple of injuries have been through contact rather than recurring problems.
A lot harder to move on players that are forever injured. That’s why we had to stick with Phil Jones.I like him but I’m not sure I like him enough to put up with all the injuries. I’d like to see the club start moving sicknotes out, I feel like we have too many.
Thought he didn’t travel at all.Feck.
Cordoba would be 80m+ in today’s game. He was fecking rapid.Still think he’s class and will do well under Amorim. He’s so good on the ball and I don’t worry about his pace. — he’s quick, even if he’s not Ivan Cordoba (how much would he be worth today?).
Educated guesses based on the info available.Where are you pulling this from? Shaw is back in training, Yoro should be in the squad for the Ipswich game and Malacia played for the U21’s the other night.
It looked to me as it was a back injury. He pressed his lower back on right side several times and also after Amad jumped on him he rubbed his back in pain.A hip injury? At least it's not a recurring one, but I really do worry his body isn't keeping up with his physically.
Lindelöf out injured today.Ruben's biggest challenge this season will be having 3 CBs fit.
Cordoba would be 80m+ in today’s game. He was fecking rapid.
Yeah good point.Thankfully Shaw is a fantastic replacement. Hoping he stays fit.
Maguire could potentially be used as the middle man, of a back 3 - but agreed with the overall point. We were more solid once Ugarte and Shaw came on for Evans & Casemiro. Think having very athletic players is seemingly a must in Amorims system (as it is in most systems these days).Yeah good point.
Shaw De Ligt Yoro should be the three.
Just a bit thin beyond that at the moment. Mazraoui can perhaps slot in.
Looking at how Evans struggled to close space I’m not sure him, Maguire and Lindelof will be effective unless they adapt quickly.
Maguire could potentially be used as the middle man, of a back 3 - but agreed with the overall point. We were more solid once Ugarte and Shaw came on for Evans & Casemiro. Think having very athletic players is seemingly a must in Amorims system (as it is in most systems these days).
Excited to see Yoro slotting in at the RCB role, even though Mazraoui did a decent enough job covering on Sunday.
Yeah, another couple of important characteristics. Especially the intelligence bits - quite a few of our players seem to lack in this area. Something Amorim alluded to with his stinging "...you don't coach that with players at this level...". I'm sure as you mentioned, some will adapt and thrive, some will surprise us and then quite a few will need to leave (& there'll probably be a surprise or 2 in here as well).I think athletes are important but I suspect intelligence will be key and front foot aggression.
So Martinez naturally plays high and tight. That should work even though he isn’t quick or a monster athlete.
I suspect some players will adapt to this and others won’t. Will be interesting to see as someone like Casemiro is good at reading the game.
Absolutely agree with that mindset. We will be inconsistent but hopefully progressive and it will allow RA to fully assess what he needs.Yeah, another couple of important characteristics. Especially the intelligence bits - quite a few of our players seem to lack in this area. Someone Amorim alluded to with his stinging "...you don't coach that with players at this level...". I'm sure as you mentioned, some will adapt and thrive, some will surprise us and then quite a few will need to leave (& there'll probably be a surprise or 2 in here as well).
I dared to dream about top 4 still, this season, but I think i should actually just forego all expectations and enjoy the ride for what it is this year. That'll be more reasonable from my side. Anything on top of it, really should just be a bonus. It's definitely going to be an inconsistent few months, will some highs & lows.
Have a decent clear out over the summer plus a few key additions who can take this team/formation to the next level.
Yeah, it's vitally important we rather get the inconsistent results/performances, but he sticks to his approach (which he said he will, & I am confident he does) no matter what, over chasing short term results but lacking the longer term vision/progress. I think EtH made that massive miscalculation and was never able to recover from it - & rightfully so. You were hired because of the work you've done at your previous club(s)....so why change it?Absolutely agree with that mindset. We will be inconsistent but hopefully progressive and it will allow RA to fully assess what he needs.
I suspect we will get a player in January for him actually irrespective of what others think.
We may nick a trophy or get to a final but yeah it will be a feeling out period for sure.
No issues mate.Yeah, it's vitally important we rather get the inconsistent results/performances, but he sticks to his approach (which he said he will, & I am confident he does) no matter what, over chasing short term results but lacking the longer term vision/progress. I think EtH made that massive miscalculation and was never able to recover from it - & rightfully so. You were hired because of the work you've done at your previous club(s)....so why change it?
Everyone should be on board with this approach and the sooner we forget all serious notions of "top 4" - & view it only as a "nice to have"....we'll be better off for it. That's not lowering expectations, that's just being realistic and reasonable, with the added benefit of actually looking after your own mental wellbeing when we hit the "lows"
Ps sorry for the typos TR, bud. Trying to multitask here whilst working.
Spot on. We're in much better shape then the league position suggests and I think adding 2/3/4 of the "right" profile players...and all of a sudden our first XI can match most of what is out there. Hoping the new structure can identify those players, together with the manager, whilst also raising some more funds/lowering the wage bill by getting rid of the ones we don't need/doesn't fit. They've made a ton of right moves thus far (barring perhaps giving EtH more time, but even then, there was a little bit of method to the madness), so here's hoping that continues into the next couple of transfer windows and we'll be golden.No issues mate.
I was really happy that RA explicitly said the above post match as it was exactly what I wanted to hear. We have to start adapting at some point and that point needs to be now as why drag it out just to paper over issues. This is exactly the point Ten Hag set himself up to fail really. Focussing purely on making things fit to get results and moving further and further away from what he initially set out to do.
I’ve just said in another thread though I really don’t think we need some huge overhaul. If we had a goalscorer in the side now things would already feel differently. It’s obvious RA will bring in some system players with the support of the club but that happens everywhere and should be expected. Look at Arteta now though. 4 plus years in and still seemingly missing that little bit of something. It can take time but I feel we will steadily see progress this next few months and at the very least identify exactly what is needed, and who isn’t.
Agreed! I’m pretty positive. You also have to recognise just how well we are looking in the lower age groups. Some really good talent coming through and whilst they all won’t make it at United I do feel a couple will be good squad additions.Spot on. We're in much better shape then the league position suggests and I think adding 2/3/4 of the "right" profile players...and all of a sudden our first XI can match most of what is out there. Hoping the new structure can identify those players, together with the manager, whilst also raising some more funds/lowering the wage bill by getting rid of the ones we don't need/doesn't fit. They've made a ton of right moves thus far (barring perhaps giving EtH more time, but even then, there was a little bit of method to the madness), so here's hoping that continues into the next couple of transfer windows and we'll be golden.
Amen...Agreed! I’m pretty positive. You also have to recognise just how well we are looking in the lower age groups. Some really good talent coming through and whilst they all won’t make it at United I do feel a couple will be good squad additions.
A few shrewd signings to supplement the spending (I like the idea of Gomes coming back on a free for example) and we will look different again in a few months time.
Its not a mountain that can’t be climbed.
Rubbish. He was pretty solid today. 79 out of 79 passes as well.Doesn't look good. Has also regressed on the ball. He seems to have lost a lot of agility with this injury.