So we're currently sitting 7th on the EPL table. We lost in horrible circumstances to Watford, and away to Feyenoord midweek. Many fans/pundits are criticising our team selection in particular; and while it's VERY early and most certainly a knee-jerk reaction, it doesn't mean that we're doing everything right. What I want to do is quickly (not really) run through our team selection so far; what we're doing right, and what's gone wrong, position by position.
Last game vs. Watford we lined up:
Ibrahimovic
Rashford Rooney Martial
Pogba Fellaini
Shaw Smalling Bailly Valencia
De Gea
Now, before I join the 'I Hate Wayne Rooney Club', I want to say that I think Wazza is a champion. He's done great things for this club and this will never be forgotten. That being said, he's not in the best form, and there's no denying he's had some bad games recently. I don't think he's a bad player nor do I agree that with the 'sell him now!' mentality. But I do think that he and the team might benefit from a stint on the bench. So how should we line up vs. Leicester?
Ibrahimovic
Rashford Pogba Herrera Martial
Blind
Shaw Smalling Bailly Valencia
De Gea
IN:
Herrera-how this guy isn't getting a gig is beyond me. Actually, it's criminal. Ander Herrera is a great player. He's industrious, works hard to win the ball back, while also being able to play incisive balls to the attackers. Did I mention he loves getting the odd goal? He's definitely not given enough credit for his defensive contribution, an attribute that lets Marouane Fellaini make the team ahead of him. Yes, Herrera isn't as strong as Fellaini, but he's a much better player.
Blind-While I haven't placed him in his more recent postion of CB, throughout his career Blind has been placed in the center of midfield on plently of occasions. Recently we have lacked his accurate, long passing out of the backline, not to mention the need for a midfielder to calmly recycle possession. Yes, Michael Carrick can do these things, but Blind is young and has many years ahead of him, why deny him the experience? Having him in front of the back four is perfect; he can utilise his high defensive IQ, play long balls up the pitch, or link with Pogba or Herrera who would play slightly in front of him.
OUT:
Rooney: See above; loses ball at critical moments, not very creative, played in wrong postition IMO
Fellaini: Clumsy, clumsy, clumsy. Yes a set piece threat but the downsides aren't really viable, especially considering that there's better players in his position.
I don't claim to have the answer for everything, nor do I think there's a 'crisis'. But this is what I think will help the team, what do you all think?
[–]digitagCarrick 1ポイント2ポイント3ポイント (0子コメント)
[–]Pigeon_AssholeGerrard = 0 0ポイント1ポイント2ポイント (0子コメント)