Can't speak to too much of that, but FYI David Bellion was signed before Ronaldo......
Both signed in 2003.
I was thinking of that disaster signing "spree" using the CR7 funds. From memory Obertan, Valencia, Owen....Diouf?? That's writing on the wall in terms of how the Club positioned itself in the Glazer era.
If Gomes is fit I would definitely start him centrally over Mata but it won't happen. Think Lingard will play just because he seems to do alright against Arsenal. Certainly the weakest United-Arsenal match-up in my living memory.
As long as David Luiz is playing we have a chance.
I mean, going back to that fateful 8-2 day - our First XI included the likes of Jenkinson, Djourou, Traore, Coquelin with stars like Chamakh and Henri Lansbury off the bench.. definitely not the weakest on our side!
a.haak
Sadly I think this is how we will line up tomorrow. God save us all. What an awful looking side. The hands down worst thing that could happen is if Ole decides its not worth the risk of starting Greenwood. I presume then Lingard becomes our centre forward and Mata comes in.
De Gea
AWB Lindelof Maguire Young
McTominay Matic*
Lingard
Pereira Greenwood James
*Pogba if fit
Sadly I think this is how we will line up tomorrow. God save us all. What an awful looking side. The hands down worst thing that could happen is if Ole decides its not worth the risk of starting Greenwood. I presume then Lingard becomes our centre forward and Mata comes in.
De Gea
AWB Lindelof Maguire Young
McTominay Matic*
Lingard
Pereira Greenwood James
*Pogba if fit
I can't believe we haven't won at OT since that Adebayor goal. Surely you'll pull something out of your ass again.
a.haak
Not that it improves it much but I'd have Fred in for Matic (although I think Ole will play Matic). Pereira has been horrible all season but will get another go by virtue of there being nobody else.
I’d have Fred in a heartbeat too, just that Ole won’t do it.
I want Fred to succeed but the goal is so hit and miss. He'll play well for 30 minutes then misplace a simple pass at the back (he's guaranteed to do this at least once a game).
We don't get to see him week in week out at training, but my inkling is the likes of Matic still outplay him on the training field.
Edit: Fred* note Ole
Decent hit from McSauce. We really had to score on the counter, don't look like breaking down Arsenal at all.
Curious as to who others think should have the armband - Maguire should have it already I think.
Valley FC til I die?
Shark game, highlights being McSauce's banger and... not a lot else. Tuanzebe isn't a fullback - are AWB, Dalot, and Shaw all injured? Cos all 3 are ahead of Ashley Young (& Tuanzebe out of position) for me. Would almost rather give Brandon Williams a start.
Valley FC til I die?
On VAR - if there's one thing I actually want to see VAR used for, it's getting on top of cynical off the ball bullshark.
A prime example is Xhaka pulling down Lingard in the build-up to our goal. Also thought Xhaka should've been sent for charging Greenwood in the head. That kind of content would get you a red in rugby.
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Dalot, AWB, and Shaw are indeed all injured. Young is a 4th or 5th choice LB/RB currently but we just had 3 players out.
Valley FC til I die?
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
a.haak
On VAR - if there's one thing I actually want to see CAR used for, it's getting on top of cynical off the ball bullshark.
A prime example is Xhaka pulling down Lingard in the build-up to our goal. Also thought Xhaka should've been sent for charging Greenwood in the head. That kind of content would get you a red in rugby.
Ah fudge off, Utd got away with murder for most of the first half.
a.haak
On VAR - if there's one thing I actually want to see CAR used for, it's getting on top of cynical off the ball bullshark.
A prime example is Xhaka pulling down Lingard in the build-up to our goal. Also thought Xhaka should've been sent for charging Greenwood in the head. That kind of content would get you a red in rugby.
Ah fudge off, Utd got away with murder for most of the first half.
Excuse me for thinking grabbing on to a player running into the box for a tap in and elbowing someone in the head should be treated more harshly.
lol
On VAR - if there's one thing I actually want to see CAR used for, it's getting on top of cynical off the ball bullshark.
A prime example is Xhaka pulling down Lingard in the build-up to our goal. Also thought Xhaka should've been sent for charging Greenwood in the head. That kind of content would get you a red in rugby.
Ah fudge off, Utd got away with murder for most of the first half.
Excuse me for thinking grabbing on to a player running into the box for a tap in and elbowing someone in the head should be treated more harshly.
lol
Guendouzi got smashed about 4 times. Young went diving in with two feet when he was never going to get the ball. Glass houses..
a.haak
For the first time in 40 years I go into each game expecting we might lose. Even before Fergie there was the belief we would win games. We feel like a mid table side when watching.
Valley FC til I die?
Greenwood getting clattered by Xhaka: https://streamja.com/bzQ6
Reckless and excessive force = red card for me.
Greenwood getting clattered by Xhaka: https://streamja.com/bzQ6
Reckless and excessive force = red card for me.
Valley FC til I die?
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
It is more about both teams having very few quality players. The best manager in the world would not be able to help either of these sides.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
For the first time in 40 years I go into each game expecting we might lose. Even before Fergie there was the belief we would win games. We feel like a mid table side when watching.
I think this season it's REALLY hit home for me too. I think in other seasons I looked at the squad and thought that we had the quality to challenge for 4th at the very least (even 13/14 when we finished 7th) or bring someone off the bench to change a game. This year is the first year I've looked at the squad and really, really panicked. I think any or all of West Ham/Leicester/Everton/Wolves could realistically finish above us.
For the first time in 40 years I go into each game expecting we might lose. Even before Fergie there was the belief we would win games. We feel like a mid table side when watching.
I think this season it's REALLY hit home for me too. I think in other seasons I looked at the squad and thought that we had the quality to challenge for 4th at the very least (even 13/14 when we finished 7th) or bring someone off the bench to change a game. This year is the first year I've looked at the squad and really, really panicked. I think any or all of West Ham/Leicester/Everton/Wolves could realistically finish above us.
Oh well you will be happy that they have moved up to 10th then
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
It is more about both teams having very few quality players. The best manager in the world would not be able to help either of these sides.
On paper, the currently Chelsea team is nowhere near either Arsenal or ManU when it comes to quality. But their manager has them playing some surpisingly good football (going forward at least). I think the big dfference for Lampard is that due to the transfer ban there is far less pressure to win at all costs from the fans, the media and the owners. This will enable Chelsea to properly rebuild without throwing the baby away with the bath water. Allowing the manager to get to where he needs to be without the pressure of winning everything all the time, will allow Chelsea to catch up to Liverpool and ManC in a year or to I would wager. Too bad Arsenal and ManU didn't end up with this the same blessing in diguise and will most likely end up in another sack the manager merry-go-round where nothing really changes.
Weird to be agreeing with Leggy but he's right. Both teams appear to have little plan other than to rely on moments of brilliance from individual stars, but without the stars to actually do it as in earlier EPL seasons. We have one but there's only so much he can do if we can't get the ball to him.
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
It is more about both teams having very few quality players. The best manager in the world would not be able to help either of these sides.
On paper, the currently Chelsea team is nowhere near either Arsenal or ManU when it comes to quality. But their manager has them playing some surpisingly good football (going forward at least). I think the big dfference for Lampard is that due to the transfer ban there is far less pressure to win at all costs from the fans, the media and the owners. This will enable Chelsea to properly rebuild without throwing the baby away with the bath water. Allowing the manager to get to where he needs to be without the pressure of winning everything all the time, will allow Chelsea to catch up to Liverpool and ManC in a year or to I would wager. Too bad Arsenal and ManU didn't end up with this the same blessing in diguise and will most likely end up in another sack the manager merry-go-round where nothing really changes.
Disagree. They have Kante,Willian and Pulisic and Abraham who can score goals. Pedro and Mount are not exactly bunnies.either.
Can't comment on Arsenal but the management of this club is piss poor. I certainly cannot be bothered to go back and see( a few years ago) I have been on about the lack of quality players for a long time. Even other team supporters mocked me within the last few years when I suggested that we needed to get rid of at least 6 players. Some of the ones I wanted out are still there.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Well to make matters worse we now have to go and play on a plastic pitch in Alkmaar before an important game at Newcastle on Sunday. Hard to predict what sort of squad is going to be getting on the plane. Sounds like Martial is definitely out and would be surprised if we don't see Shaw, Gomes, AWB either.
Looks like it's going to be another opportunity for the likes of Chong and hopefully Fred puts in a good showing as he's bound to get a start.
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
It is more about both teams having very few quality players. The best manager in the world would not be able to help either of these sides.
On paper, the currently Chelsea team is nowhere near either Arsenal or ManU when it comes to quality. But their manager has them playing some surpisingly good football (going forward at least). I think the big dfference for Lampard is that due to the transfer ban there is far less pressure to win at all costs from the fans, the media and the owners. This will enable Chelsea to properly rebuild without throwing the baby away with the bath water. Allowing the manager to get to where he needs to be without the pressure of winning everything all the time, will allow Chelsea to catch up to Liverpool and ManC in a year or to I would wager. Too bad Arsenal and ManU didn't end up with this the same blessing in diguise and will most likely end up in another sack the manager merry-go-round where nothing really changes.
Disagree. They have Kante,Willian and Pulisic and Abraham who can score goals. Pedro and Mount are not exactly bunnies.either.
Can't comment on Arsenal but the management of this club is piss poor. I certainly cannot be bothered to go back and see( a few years ago) I have been on about the lack of quality players for a long time. Even other team supporters mocked me within the last few years when I suggested that we needed to get rid of at least 6 players. Some of the ones I wanted out are still there.
Not sure what point you are trying to make there, and what you are disagreeing with, exactly. Those four players score on average 0.16 goals per game between them. Lingard, Rashford, Pogba and Martial score 0.23 which is far more. Chelsea clearly has a weaker squad on paper, and is right now able to go through a rebuild seemingly without the pressure that would otherwise be on the coach, in different circumstances.
I thought Tuanzebe had a good game except their goal. He was the main reason Pepe was non-existent.
Pepe is the reason Pepe was non existent. He had tonnes of space but did nothing with it.
Both teams were terrible and a shadow of their former selves. Two crap coaches, and it shows.
It is more about both teams having very few quality players. The best manager in the world would not be able to help either of these sides.
On paper, the currently Chelsea team is nowhere near either Arsenal or ManU when it comes to quality. But their manager has them playing some surpisingly good football (going forward at least). I think the big dfference for Lampard is that due to the transfer ban there is far less pressure to win at all costs from the fans, the media and the owners. This will enable Chelsea to properly rebuild without throwing the baby away with the bath water. Allowing the manager to get to where he needs to be without the pressure of winning everything all the time, will allow Chelsea to catch up to Liverpool and ManC in a year or to I would wager. Too bad Arsenal and ManU didn't end up with this the same blessing in diguise and will most likely end up in another sack the manager merry-go-round where nothing really changes.
Disagree. They have Kante,Willian and Pulisic and Abraham who can score goals. Pedro and Mount are not exactly bunnies.either.
Can't comment on Arsenal but the management of this club is piss poor. I certainly cannot be bothered to go back and see( a few years ago) I have been on about the lack of quality players for a long time. Even other team supporters mocked me within the last few years when I suggested that we needed to get rid of at least 6 players. Some of the ones I wanted out are still there.
Not sure what point you are trying to make there, and what you are disagreeing with, exactly. Those four players score on average 0.16 goals per game between them. Lingard, Rashford, Pogba and Martial score 0.23 which is far more. Chelsea clearly has a weaker squad on paper, and is right now able to go through a rebuild seemingly without the pressure that would otherwise be on the coach, in different circumstances.
Obviously someone else thinks the same.
The players I mentioned are much better than most of our players.
You are pretty naive if you think there is no pressure. Chelsea have had six managers in six years and most of them were sacked by Abramovich .There is plenty of pressure.
If you are old and wise you were probably young and stupid
Well to make matters worse we now have to go and play on a plastic pitch in Alkmaar before an important game at Newcastle on Sunday. Hard to predict what sort of squad is going to be getting on the plane. Sounds like Martial is definitely out and would be surprised if we don't see Shaw, Gomes, AWB either.
Looks like it's going to be another opportunity for the likes of Chong and hopefully Fred puts in a good showing as he's bound to get a start.
Travelling squad for AZ: David De Gea, Sergio Romero, Lee Grant; Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Axel Tuanzebe, Marcos Rojo, Brandon Williams; Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Fred, James Garner, Andreas Pereira, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard, Angel Gomes, Daniel James; Tahith Chong, Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood.
As expected, Martial, Shaw and AWB all out and Pogba "requires a period of further rest and conservative treatment" which sounds worrying. Phil Jones also out but Gomes makes it. Looks like Young hasn't travelled either.
Could be (4-2-3-1): Romero; Dalot, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Rojo; Matic, Fred; Mata, Gomes, Chong, Greenwood
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