Clean sheets alongside more and better chances.
What ARE we missing?
- Thread starter manunited1919
- Start date
Its surely clear as day we need to be clinical in from of goal. Zlatan being the main culprit, he takes a few chances and our season looks totally different, I'm not laying the blame squarely on him but certainly his are the most glaring in my mind. We could do with a few others chipping in as well, apart from Mata. I don't think it's a case of personnel though, we have guys who can score, they just ain't doing it right now.
Ronaldo. I know it's a stupid post but we need that one player to lead us. The one who steps up and gets us that goal when we need it.
Fergie's team always had it (except maybe '99 where we had multiple players stepping up). Cantona, RVN, Ronaldo, Rooney, RVP.
I think we have tried for Ibra to be that guy this year, but it hasn't really worked out.
Fergie's team always had it (except maybe '99 where we had multiple players stepping up). Cantona, RVN, Ronaldo, Rooney, RVP.
I think we have tried for Ibra to be that guy this year, but it hasn't really worked out.
what are we missing? a proven goalscorer. I thought we had one in Zlatan but we need something more.
Selling Hernandez was an unforgivable decision from LVG
Leadership, quality, less mercenaries, a manager who can motivate the team, score goals . . either way it's looking like another season out of the top 4.
Back in 2013 this time the season had soured and a few months later we were praying Liverpool won't win the title . . We go again
Back in 2013 this time the season had soured and a few months later we were praying Liverpool won't win the title . . We go again
That can still be the case this season. Hopefully it all ends in the last match of the season at Anfield against Boro, they just need to win in order to win the league, but can only get a 0-0 draw with Milner missing his only penalty of the season in the 95th minute.
What we are missing the most is striker that act as one, who is fast and strong. A lot would change if we had that I think. Ibra is OK, for one game or sub in last 30 minutes, but not for 90 minutes every 3 days.
What would help as well is CB who is leader.
Would not mind some full backs who can cross.
We miss also starting lineup that won't change every week (speaking about PL). I thought that Mourinho will give a chance in League Cup and Europe League to second team, and keep first team fresh for PL. That did not happen, and we won only one game out of 5 after EL midweek games. That was mistake I think.
We miss 25-years old Carrick who can play every game.
We miss self confidence, we would really need one or two comebacks and couple of wins in a row (with big margins even better). That would make a miracle for us. I thought that we will get the first one yesterday.
What would help as well is CB who is leader.
Would not mind some full backs who can cross.
We miss also starting lineup that won't change every week (speaking about PL). I thought that Mourinho will give a chance in League Cup and Europe League to second team, and keep first team fresh for PL. That did not happen, and we won only one game out of 5 after EL midweek games. That was mistake I think.
We miss 25-years old Carrick who can play every game.
We miss self confidence, we would really need one or two comebacks and couple of wins in a row (with big margins even better). That would make a miracle for us. I thought that we will get the first one yesterday.
I don't think Mourinho is following a track, he spent money during the summer because he could and if he had a plan it was a sloppy one. As for what we are missing, consistency, skill and firepower.
Proper wingers and a clinical striker. We'd be 8 points better off if we had both.
An actual strikeforce to score, one striker up front who isn't that fast is simply not enough.
Simple, a very good goal scorer close to or at the peak of his powers. Someone with an age between 25 and 30.
Hernandez.
LVG you bastard.
LVG you bastard.
I think we're doing fine, we just can't find the net. A change of formation won't change this. When we get our chances, we need to put them away. Simple as that!
I guess player wise, any team could do with a Bale/Ronaldo/Neymar winger - a player who you'd put your house on in a one v one situation.
We could also do with a world class striker, who will finish 9/10 chances.
Where do we get these players, though?
Was hoping, and still am hoping Martial can be moulded into a Bale/Ronaldo/Neymar winger. I really do believe he has the ability to score 20 plus from the inside forward position. Mourinho seems set on playing a 4231, as opposed to a 433, though.
Striker wise, there's not many out there at the moment.
I guess player wise, any team could do with a Bale/Ronaldo/Neymar winger - a player who you'd put your house on in a one v one situation.
We could also do with a world class striker, who will finish 9/10 chances.
Where do we get these players, though?
Was hoping, and still am hoping Martial can be moulded into a Bale/Ronaldo/Neymar winger. I really do believe he has the ability to score 20 plus from the inside forward position. Mourinho seems set on playing a 4231, as opposed to a 433, though.
Striker wise, there's not many out there at the moment.
We badly need someone to replace carrick.
It's not only a goal scorer. We need a new CB and CDM to replace Carrick. Dare I say we need a proper winger??
Someone who can actually stay composed and finish chances that every top team in the league would stick away. We are getting left behind because we can't score goals or beat teams our 'rivals' are beating and scoring against.
At least one quality winger. I'd say a striker as well, but Zlatan getting benched is never going to happen so it would be a bit pointless.
Ignore demands for defence. Not a pressing need in my opinion. We don't even need to go for new signings, just make better use of current options (mainly Martial and Mkhitaryan).
A) The stats suggest that we're creating as many chances as our main rivals but we can't convert them. As things stand we're third in the Shots on Target category, fourth in Shots from the Penalty Area and first in Attempts in the 6 yard box. That's good enough but the goals aren't coming. Whether that is a case of bad luck or not, we'll be able to draw safer conclusions by the end of the season. We look in control of our games most of the time and therefore, if it's only bad luck, the tide will turn at some point. You can't always choose to hit on 16 and get busted every single time, after all.
Otherwise, we'll have to go back to the drawing board. This can be interpreted in two different ways, the Mourinho haters will tell you that it's solely Mourinho's fault while the ones who really want him here will tell you that the players are the ones to blame. The truth, as always, lies somewhere in the middle. Anyway, the actual fact is that what we're currently watching isn't a typical Mourinho side. I'm not arguing if we're good or bad or if we're progressing, i'm just saying that the stereotypical characteristics of a Mourinho side aren't there yet. The transition in the first 2/3 of the pitch isn't quick (we have created nothing on the counter), the defensive organization is constantly leaking (for instance, yesterday we conceded because we gave away the silliest possible set piece opportunity to one of the best players in the PL in this type of situations) and the famous Mourino backbone is nowhere to be seen (2 solid CBs, a world class #6, a play maker, either an advanced or a deep lying one, where are all these players?).
I am of the opinion that this set of players can play much better in a more direct and urgent style and that's why i turned on LvG in the early months of 2016. We can be aggressive, we can pick up many second balls in the attacking half in order to sustain our pressure and we have attacking/creative players who have enough quality in them to win most PL opponents, if they are offered spaces to exploit with or without the ball. What we don't have is players who are good in tight areas (Zlatan, our best in hold up play can't link up well with anyone), which leads to very few successful one-twos in front of the box, and players who can't create something on their own or unbalance defenses by taking on their man (10th in dribbles pg).
In other words while the quest for the 'perfect pass angle' has gone away along with LvG, the lack of first time balls in dangerous areas, the lack of penetrating runs down the channels and the inability to beat the opponent's defensive transition results to our players trying patiently to find an opening in the opposition defense. And this isn't either the manager's or the players' cup of tea. Now, if we go down that way, it's the quality of the chances that's the problem and not the quantity. If you had put Fergies last title winning side to play this type of football, they would be in the same predicament. That particular side, despite not exactly oozing with talent, did the simple things quite well. We won at the Bridge, at Anfield and at the Etihad because we could rip opponents to shreds on the counter on our day and we turned many one point situations to three (2-3 vs Southampton, 4-3 vs Reading and Newcastle) because we kept testing defenses with first time crosses and continuous runs down the channels.
I really hope it's a case of bad luck and some key players under-performing.
B) Your midfield options are always the ones which determine the relative strength of your formation/tactics. The counter attacking/direct 442 (flat) demands quality on the wings and we don't have much (for certain players it could be a lack of form). Either it's provided by out and out wingers with FBs underlapping or by overlapping FBs with inverted wingers cutting inside in the half spaces, you must have quality in the wide areas in order to play one touch football, put first time balls in the box and generally create openings for good runs. In any other case you just waste a midfielder for a forward for no reason.
Another thing of notice is the CMs, can your two man midfield do the job effectively in both phases of the game? Under Ferguson we didn't have any problems with 2v3 disadvantage in the midfield because of Keane and then Carrick. Different players, different tactics but a side that revolved around both playes' exquisite positional awareness and terrific defensive contribution. Our best midfield options right now are Ander and Pogba and they benefit from having a player in front of them (Mata and Rooney play deep and operate as actual midfielders) or behind them (Carrick).
We should also take into consideration that Mourinho's sides like to go through the middle in the build up phase, much more than Ferguson's sides. This is one of their main differences in terms of tactical approach and that's the main reason why Jose hasn't experimented with 442 much throughout his career.
C) Right now we should invest on both Martial and Mkhitaryan. There's enough end product in both of them. Martial has to improve his off the ball movement instead of hugging the touchline and staying there until the ball comes to him and Miki must get his confidence back. I'm not a fan of constantly changing players, especially when we've broken the bank to sign them.
What we need is more quality, attacking wise, in the FBs positions. Shaw will eventually become the player we all wish he'll become but until that day comes, it's a bad decision not to have and out and out LB who can deliver the goods. On the other side, Valencia is doing most things right up until the final ball.
D) I don't believe it's a lack of commitment. I can't blame the players for not trying on the pitch. They don't look like they don't care to me.
E) We can't tell right now because we've taken many bets with the hope that things will eventually fall into place. Will Herrera become a top holding midfielder? Will Martial and Mkhitaryan put on consistent performances at the level we all know they can play? Will Rahsford become the obvious choice when Zlatan runs down his contract? Will Shaw overcome the psychological factor of his injury?
I'm not a fan of massive overhauls. Right now we can create solutions for many of our problems, it's within the manager's responsibilities to work with what he has at his disposal. But if we really need something in the next transfer windows, i would prioritize the play maker (whether it's an advanced or deep lying one depends on Pogba's role in Jose's 4231) and a FB able to consistently provide end product and constantly be an attacking option for us. Secondary, an experienced leader at the back to partner Bailly. These three players, we simply don't have in the squad*.
* i don't consider Mata to be a play maker in the mold of Ozil, Fabregas or even Sneijder and Deco or Lampard. And when i say a quality FB, i mean one that will do everything that Valencia does but also put the right drilled crosses in the box.
Loads of things from a macro standpoint, but if you had to pinpoint one aspect in particular - then a 9 who's in his true peak and can come up with decisive goals when things become stale, or atleast one who's in red hot form and finishing chances with aplomb. Our attack is pretty profligate as a whole, but that one change would make a massive difference in terms of results because the overall performances have been good (by and large). If you hypothetically plug in someone like Aubameyang instead of Ibrahimović, or even lesser players like Modeste/Džeko going by in-the-moment productivity - we'd have probably won the last 4 games and been just 3 points off the top of the table.
One of these fabulous Dutch monsters.
The difference between this team and SAF's winning combinations is the lack of quality strikers. In fact, except Zlatan we don't have a single striker who has played consistently in that position in the past few seasons. I always thought it would hamper us at some point in the season, but boy are we hurting bad and early. Zlatan is having a not so expected return of goals and we don't know where the goals are going to come from.
Whenever we were chasing a game under SAF, we could always look at the bench for a 'pure' striker who offers something different. Something the defenders were not used to marking for the past 60-70mins. A difference in pace, movement or strength which makes the change more potent and often find the decisive goal. Now, we look at the bench and we have false wingers, false 9s, 10s, but not a striker. So we get a plethora of chances, but not enough goals often.
No Chicharito, Tevez or Solksjaer waiting to come on and get a scruffy goal or a poacher's one. You need those kind of players who can sniff a chance or be a nuisance to the defenders and score one. We are at least one starting striker short. Rooney, Martial etc are just not strikers at this point. We only have Zlatan and Rashford and it doesn't help that Jose starts Rashford on the wing. I hope he gets more sub appearances or cup appearances up front.
We brought on fecking Fellaini to score a goal last game (and have done it multiple times). And to be honest, I couldn't think of anyone else given our starting line-up. Given Henrikh was on, Mata was going to be surplus. What would I give to have some one like Cheech or even Welbeck coming on!
A quick fix to this situation could be to start Henrikh and Martial on the wings and bring Rashford in place of Zlatan when chasing a goal. Rooney/Mata can play No.10.
Whenever we were chasing a game under SAF, we could always look at the bench for a 'pure' striker who offers something different. Something the defenders were not used to marking for the past 60-70mins. A difference in pace, movement or strength which makes the change more potent and often find the decisive goal. Now, we look at the bench and we have false wingers, false 9s, 10s, but not a striker. So we get a plethora of chances, but not enough goals often.
No Chicharito, Tevez or Solksjaer waiting to come on and get a scruffy goal or a poacher's one. You need those kind of players who can sniff a chance or be a nuisance to the defenders and score one. We are at least one starting striker short. Rooney, Martial etc are just not strikers at this point. We only have Zlatan and Rashford and it doesn't help that Jose starts Rashford on the wing. I hope he gets more sub appearances or cup appearances up front.
We brought on fecking Fellaini to score a goal last game (and have done it multiple times). And to be honest, I couldn't think of anyone else given our starting line-up. Given Henrikh was on, Mata was going to be surplus. What would I give to have some one like Cheech or even Welbeck coming on!
A quick fix to this situation could be to start Henrikh and Martial on the wings and bring Rashford in place of Zlatan when chasing a goal. Rooney/Mata can play No.10.
The goal 
Beards. Not enough beards in the team
Any one or two of the following :weigl , Griezmann , Aubameyang , Alaba ,Pulisic , Verratti ,etc. etc. seriously its these type of signings that would have us going in right the direction, we need to sign Quality not just squad players (we have enough talented youth coming through to cover that in Rashford , Tuanzebe , TFM, Lingaard etc..) . Don't think we are far off being a top top side Just need to add a few of this calibre signing.
So our current player of the season and our best outfield player from last season are not good enough? Ffs, this place knows how to grind my gears.
------------------- DDG ----------------
Valencia - Bailly - Smalling - Shaw
Backup: Blind and Rojo.
This is arguably the best or second best defense in the league. It's clearly not the issue.
_________________________________________________
Our problem so far has been bad luck and bad finishing. Sure, we've conceded a couple of pointless goals on set pieces and crosses, but I blame that on our best defenders rarely being fit at the same time. Such situations are all about team work and understanding. You just don't get that with the backline changing every game.
The only area with significant room for improvement(by PL standards. We can't compare ourselves with the best in Spain and Germany yet), is our wings. Mata is the only one who has done his job well in this area. But with Mkhitaryan showing great promise and Martial and Rashford both having great potential, I'm sure this will turn eventually.
We could easily be 9 -12 points higher if we would just finish the chances that are practically sitting there for us.
Why is there no question mark at the end?
1. Wingers that can hit the touchline
2. FB that can deliver a good swirler
3. CB's who can defend from a set piece , expect for one who's injured.
4. Players who genuinely loves playing here and not just for the money.
5. Player who can deliver a good set-piece ball.
2. FB that can deliver a good swirler
3. CB's who can defend from a set piece , expect for one who's injured.
4. Players who genuinely loves playing here and not just for the money.
5. Player who can deliver a good set-piece ball.
Cristiano Ronaldo
There are many well thought responses here, but I see responses range all the way from:
we are playing well, have patience.
all the way to:
we need a new striker, new fullbacks, new wingers, and a CDM.
I am more in the we are playing well camp, but I still think something is missing. Maybe it's just the confidence of going on a run. I have seen our team play some great games this season, but mostly it has been in the EL or other competitions. Perhaps playing on Thursday & Sunday is affecting us, and players such as Pogba, Ibra, Mata and Herrera should be rested midweek. But no, these professionals should be able to handle it.
we are playing well, have patience.
all the way to:
we need a new striker, new fullbacks, new wingers, and a CDM.
I am more in the we are playing well camp, but I still think something is missing. Maybe it's just the confidence of going on a run. I have seen our team play some great games this season, but mostly it has been in the EL or other competitions. Perhaps playing on Thursday & Sunday is affecting us, and players such as Pogba, Ibra, Mata and Herrera should be rested midweek. But no, these professionals should be able to handle it.
Carrick, blind or bastian sitting in a 433. Herrera isn't a holding midfielder. Play him to the right of the sitter and play Pogba to the left in the role he was best at at juve.
Mata or Mikhi on the right. Martial or Rooney on the left. Lingard and depay as backup.
Ibra or rashford up top.
Do this in all games. 433 is still the best formation and it isn't overkill against lesser sides when you can just push higher up.
Pogba to link with the left side and be closer to goal and ditto herrera on the right side.
Teach Shaw how to overlap and use his pace the way Valencia does.
To me this is our best formation and option without having out and out wingers. In theory should make midfield harder to play through while allowing herrera and Pogba closer to the goals where we need them
We have played some lovely football this season, we just need players in the right places to consistently do that.
If martial and Mikhi can pick up their form and rashford can perform like last year as a striker we'll be laughing. Mata is playing well and current Rooney is a good option to have if he keeps his form up.
Hell even scniedrlin and fellaini are decent back up to herrera and Pogba in theory.
Mata or Mikhi on the right. Martial or Rooney on the left. Lingard and depay as backup.
Ibra or rashford up top.
Do this in all games. 433 is still the best formation and it isn't overkill against lesser sides when you can just push higher up.
Pogba to link with the left side and be closer to goal and ditto herrera on the right side.
Teach Shaw how to overlap and use his pace the way Valencia does.
To me this is our best formation and option without having out and out wingers. In theory should make midfield harder to play through while allowing herrera and Pogba closer to the goals where we need them
We have played some lovely football this season, we just need players in the right places to consistently do that.
If martial and Mikhi can pick up their form and rashford can perform like last year as a striker we'll be laughing. Mata is playing well and current Rooney is a good option to have if he keeps his form up.
Hell even scniedrlin and fellaini are decent back up to herrera and Pogba in theory.
A top quality goalscorer, which we should have got in the summer, instead of paying a fortune in wages & changing the system to accommodate an overrated has been.