The [non] use of Van de Beek - Ole's player?

Fortitude

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Bit weird how he's not really getting a sniff given the tactical flexibility he provides.

Why's he not getting playing time?

Acclimatization issues? Not impressing in training? Long term plan to slot him in? Rotation option?

There was some talk on here of the player being a Woodward signing and not an Ole one. Nothing to think much of from the outset, I'd say, but the games are coming thick and fast now and Van de Beek is proving to be our last option, which is a surprise, or is it?
 
We’re not even in November yet, it’s a long season. He’ll work his way in to the team I’m sure.
 
We need to stop this shit about X, Y and Z being the managers player or not. Quite frankly, it doesn't matter at any other fecking club.

They need to get the feck on with their job and make best use of the resources at his hand.
 
Some bullshit excuse for why he's not got more than 40 minutes in total this season and yet James has had more than that in this game alone.
 
Fred’s good but McTominay should not be starting ahead of VdB
 
Many said when he was signed that he was brought in to offer depth, and its looking like just that at the moment. He'll end the season with plenty games im sure.
 
Lennon7 said:
Fred’s good but McTominay should not be starting ahead of VdB
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Cemetery different kind of player. McT plays because he offers a lot defensively in midfield.
 
Something isn’t right

you don’t pay £40m then not use him. I’ve wondered if this was Ed’s signing and Ole didn’t need/want him.
 
I think he was signed mostly because fan uproar was at the highest; we hadn’t signed a single player and the league was about 3-4 weeks away, and Ajax were extremely easy to work with — player wanted the move, Ajax had a fee in mind, both clubs have a good relationship with each other.

Whether he was an “Ole player” or not, eh. I’m sure he was on the list and I doubt Ole was going to say ‘nah, not him’ when it looked very possible to do the deal.

He’s a good player though, and should definitely be playing more than what he has done.
 
It's fine. We are not in the relegation zone yet. Keep supporting the club, be a top red, etc.,etc.
 
PoTMS said:
Some bullshit excuse for why he's not got more than 40 minutes in total this season and yet James has had more than that in this game alone.
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James and vdb play in different positions ffs
 
Ole wanted Grealish, and then we landed with him. He is not better than Bruno/Pogba, and that is the position we want to use him in.
 
Don't know, it was a lot of money to spend on a player when transfer budget was so slim.

I think all the signings made this summer, none of them were Oles' first choice (or even 2nd/3rd). Think, it's more our Scouts suggestion and players availability which made us sign certain players.
 
I don't see anything that James can offer that VDB can't. James isn't even playing as a winger staying wide, he's coming in as well. Might as well put a much more superior passer in VDB
 
We're four league games into the season. He's competing with Bruno for the attacking midfield spot. Possibly also for a deeper midfield slot, but we're currently playing Fred and McTominay to give us some defensive solidarity after a horror defensive start to the season.

He'll get opportunities as the season progresses, and it'll be up to him to impress enough to then push for more.
 
It's clear Ole sees him as a rotation option for Bruno and no one else. If Bruno plays, Donny doesn't. Simple.
 
PoTMS said:
Some bullshit excuse for why he's not got more than 40 minutes in total this season and yet James has had more than that in this game alone.
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Well James is playing because Martial/Greenwood absence provides him opportunity.
We are stacked in mf so VdB will have to be patient. He has 5 years to make his mark
 
He should be started next league game alongside Fred or Matic.
 
VdB plays in Bruno's position doesn't he?

He's not going to displace Bruno.
 
Neville was moaning about it on the Sky Sports commentary but I don't get it. It's a squad game. It was 0-0 and we were going for the win - why would we bring on VDB instead of Greenwood, or even Cavani or Pogba?

It's a long old season, Donny will get his chances. At the very least, it's refreshing to have a player of his quality sitting on the bench rather than the likes of Pereira or Lingard.
 
Hell play 30 plus times this season. Very early days
 
It’s not weird at all. Look at the 3 players that actually came on and you’ll see why. We have competition for places.

Pepe, Fabinho, Naby Keita and more were all integrated gradually. Gary Neville as usual was trying to create drama when there is none.
 
Ludicrous decision by Ole to freeze out Donny this long. He’ll get his chance soon, but time is being wasted.
 
He competes with Pogba and Fernandes and they're both better than him. Pointless transfer, unless there's an injury crisis.
 
Been saying it for a few weeks now. I don't think all is well behind the scenes with Ole n Woodward. Don't think Ole wanted Donny at all.
 
Relax. Most of you have played football manager. You know how this goes with a deep squad.
 
Will be fed to us as the Pogba replacement next season when they pocket the pennies on the pound we get for him.

From what I saw at Ajax a good player but a truly unnecessary purchase given other areas.
 
Not so sure about Pogba being better than VDB on current form. The former had half an hour to influence the game today and did feck all.
 
Lennon7 said:
Fred’s good but McTominay should not be starting ahead of VdB
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Fred isn't good, he can't get the ball out of his feet quick enough for his role and he is poor when tasked with being the defensive midfielder. VDB and Fred would be a disaster. VDB and Mctominay may work, but it required VDB to adapt to premier league midfields
 
Fred, McTominay and Mata deserved a chance as backups ahead of him and they've taken it. Bruno's too productive to drop, Pogba has too much potential to not have on the pitch one way or the other, and we need pace to complement the others. He was never going to slot straight into the first team because he was never that good. If we wanted a first team player in his position it would've been Grealish for twice the price. Not much to see really. None of the signings are Ole's players.
 
He actually looks good when he does get on the pitch
 
DWelbz19 said:
I think he was signed mostly because fan uproar was at the highest; we hadn’t signed a single player and the league was about 3-4 weeks away, and Ajax were extremely easy to work with — player wanted the move, Ajax had a fee in mind, both clubs have a good relationship with each other.

Whether he was an “Ole player” or not, eh. I’m sure he was on the list and I doubt Ole was going to say ‘nah, not him’ when it looked very possible to do the deal.

He’s a good player though, and should definitely be playing more than what he has done.
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We also needed the depth. You've seen the difference Bruno has made. If Bruno gets injured then what? VDB wil get his games but when Bruno is playing he won't be playing against a side like Chelsea when the squad is at good health.
 
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