Vranny

Feels like you're talking to a bot or something Matt It's all a bit surreal.

Soft as butter that decision.

 

 

 

Brazil 2(1) Croatia 1(1)

Mexico 1(0) Cameroon 3(1)

Spain 2(0) Netherlands 0(0)

Chile 4(3) Australia 0(0)

 

Colombia 1(0) Greece 0(0)

Uruguay 2(2) Costa Rica 1(0)

England 1(0) Italy 1(1)

Cote d'Ivoire 3(1) Japan 2(1)

 

Switzerland 2(1) Ecuador 0(0)

France 2(0) Honduras 0(0)

Argentina 3(2) Bosnia Herzegovina 1(0)

Germany 3(1) Portugal 1(0)

 

Iran 1(1) Nigeria 1(0)

Ghana 2(1) USA 0(0)

Belgium 2(1) Algeria 0(0)

Russia 2(2) Korea Republic 1(1)

I'll give it a go as well in due time if that's alright Steve

Haven't seen anything of him tbh, but I've heard he has mostly played out wide in a 4-3-3, which might go someway to explaining his lack of goals. Wouldn't be surprised if a decent chunk of his appearances have been from the bench as well, so I wouldn't say we can completely write off his ability yet.

I do, but hes one of my favourite players and has been for a few years! How they got him for 12m I dont know...

He was on the last year of his contract when Spurs picked him up (as was Dembele coincidentally), but I'm still surprised that there wasn't more of a bidding war for him. The deal sort of reminded me of when they picked up Van der Vaart for £8M or something ridiculous! I don't know how they do some of these deals without more fuss...

Though would he be in the same position as Barkley?

Tends to play a bit of a deeper playmaking role, but could easily provide cover for Barkley in that more advanced position as well. The main issue with him in the deeper role is that he's not known for providing the most defensive cover, so we'd probably have to pair him Baines on the left and get Leighton to play a more balanced game. Or play with 3 in defence with wing-backs to limit his defensive responsibilities.

 

He's also really fallen away with his form this season. Ended up getting loaned to the Argentine league to build up his form before the World Cup, but has looked half-arsed in most games from all accounts. Loan with an option to buy might be the best way forward if we're interested.

I'd still be wanting him to play the bulk of his football at left-back (depending on how he'd fair in the centre), but surely Oviedo deserves a decent chance at left-back himself next season following his performances in Baines' stead?

 

May as well find something else for Baines to do rather than benching him for Oviedo when he's one of our fittest players

The discussion of who was more valuable this past season is an interesting one. Between Lukaku and Barkley, I would say Lukaku. Even when having a quiet game, he can score. Barkley on an off day doesn't. I realize that scoring goals is only one aspect of the game, but it's a crucial aspect.

 

Barkley has been outstanding sometimes this season, but he's also had some really inconsistent patches. This is, however, his first full season, so he will improve. Over the next ten years, which player has more potential? It's really difficult to say. I'd prefer to keep them both and find out that way.

Completely agree. Lukaku was definitely more important this season in my mind, but it was Barkley's first proper season for us in all reality. He should only be getting more consistent from here on in.

 

I'd back Barkley to be the better player over their careers, but that could be my bias talking...

We have the fewest number of free transfers. What does that imply? The other team with a low number is Swansea.

We already have a small squad and we'll need everyone we can for Europe next season.

Bringing back an old debate here, but I'd be really curious to see how Baines would go in the centre of midfield. Some of his greatest strengths are his engine, ball retention and incisive passing, the later of which is rarely allowed to be displayed from left-back. It'd also allow him to show off his long range shooting a lot more, which is another skill of his starved from playing out wide.

 

At the same time the only skill of his that would conceivably diminish from playing centrally would be Leighton's mostly excellent crossing ability, which has seen a decline in frequency under Martinez anyway.

 

Also I feel like one of the main concerns many people would have with playing Baines as a DM would be his lack of stature in the middle of the park. One thing to consider is that he is actually the same/similar height to other masterful defensive midfielders such as Lahm, Edgar Davids and Makelele himself

Can see the united fans being chuffed to bits if they swaped fellaini with milner...

True. I think I've already adapted to the idea of United as a mid-table team

 

Not saying anything about his ability as it has all been said but apart from that, why would we want him?

 

I mean where would he fit in?

Box-to-box midfielder next to McCarthy. Would be able to provide more of a goal threat than Barry or McCarthy, and goals from centre midfield were something we greatly missed last season.

 

He'd also be able to play on the right as a more defensively secure option than Mirallas when the situation called for it. Could even provide cover for Coleman at a stretch if Roberto desired a more attacking option over the more defensive Stones, Browning and Hibbert.

I think the best way of saying it is that Rom is £20-25M striker, but not really worth £20M as a striker to us.

 

As a counter attacking forward, who's very lethal when given space, he'll bang in 20+ goals for at least the next 5-7 years for a team matching his style. But with our slow build up, high possession style there are plenty of strikers out there that are much more suited to us than Rom at the moment. Whether they're plausible signings for us is another matter.

 

I'd still be quite keen to get him on a permanent deal, but doubt we'll be able to afford him once the bidding war starts.

I think Henderson already does a similar job with Liverpool as a box-to-box mid with a good engine, so I can't really see him going there.

 

Not sure where he'll end up (might even be United after the Fellaini failure) though I think he could do really well for us in the centre of the park. I remember him putting in some stella performances there for Villa before his move to City. Also scored a ton of goals from that position, something we massively lacked last season with the deeper sitting Barry and McCarthy in the side.

Not really sure what happened to Cleverley after his injuries in the 11/12 season. He was actually a talented player for a bit there. Looked great with his ability to pass and move initially at United (never had the composer in the prem to score regularly though) and his loan spells at Watford & Wigan also seemed quite promising, but he's lost all confidence in himself since over the last two seasons.

 

I'd be willing to gamble a few million pounds on him with his contract finishing up, though getting him on loan with the option to nab him on a free in a year would be absolutely perfect (but obviously unrealistic ). Might just be needing some time out of the harsh Man U spotlight to build his confidence back again and could provide a good CM option and Pienaar back-up if his old form is rediscovered.

Appreciate the work Steve The change in the rules for first goal scorer nominated also seems fine to me for next season.

Would still want Barry, but he'd be a good back up for both Gareth and McCarthy.

Soton 0 - 2 Everton

Naismith

Reminds me of the unspoken powers most female companions have over us blokes

I'm also thinking of possibilities for our transfer dealings for the end of the season. I reckon if our funds need to be mostly saved for one big spend on a top quality striker in the summer I'd be quite content for these to be our transfer dealings:

 

Lukaku (or another top quality striker)

Barry on a permanent deal

Colback/Mutch/Cork

& Deulofeu on loan again.

 

Add in someone like a Roberto Firmino as a Pienaar long term replacement and I'd be absolutely chuffed too.

I think the big fella has been excellent this season. He's been much more consistent than in recent years and has usually saved our arses (or kept the score line respectable) during the few matches where the rest of the team has played shite. I still think he can retain the no. 1 keeper spot for 2-4 years depending on how he continues to age.

Everton 2 - 0 Crystal Palace

Baines

Not a game of outstanding performances, but went with Barry. Just did the basics right and nipped out a lot of Sunderland's attacks. Stones was a close second, with Naisy the most impressive attacking option (just needed to bury his chances).

Lambert's still quite a beast in the box if used in that manner. Soton's original tactic under Adkins was pretty much to get the ball out wide and put in crosses towards the far post because of Lambo's dominance in the air. I think with Rodriguez now out that a forward combination of Rooney, Sturridge, Lambert & Welbeck is pretty much nailed on.

Sunderland 1 - 3 Everton

Lukaku