Bailey

Think it will be 4-5-1 like normal tbh. Stones at CB and Heits in midfield.

Should see Osman do a bit better today as well as he will be played at least slightly more advanced than he has been.

Strong team and bench. No Vic at all though which either means that he is off or that he is injured.

Well I completely disagree with that Yes form should be taken into account but you want players you know can do a job and aren't just thriving for a small period of time for whatever reason. Otherwise we would have all sorts of shite players turning up to be a one-cap wonder because the media thinks they are doing well (because lets me honest, that is what will happen and is happening). I think you should be picking the players that turn up every week and play well consistently. If people aren't in form then I agree they shouldn't be playing, and unless you play under Moyes its unlikely that you will be playing for your club side anyway. The Wilshere's and Gerrard's do it week in week out and whilst neither are playing to the best of their ability their average performance is still miles ahead of most others and that is what you need at international level. Players that have done well for the previous couple of months (which is invariably the gap between games anyway) should get the nod as well but a couple of games isnt enough.

But he started on the bench which suggests he wasnt even first choice for them, despite Hodgson being in charge. He must have improved a lot since then it seems!

I actually agree. To play for your country you should be consistently good for your club. Barkley has done well in pre-season and on his first two competitive starts but surely we should at least be giving him a few more games to get that maturity into him before he gets his call up, especially as he hasn't even been a regular for the U20's or U21's. I have no doubts the lad is capable of being in the England team for years to come, but let him compete at the right level and gain his stripes at club level and with England U21's. When he has shown he isnt a flash in the pan the give him a call up.

I would tbh. He didnt play him when he had the chance and he has Kagawa rotting on the bench who is better in that position anyway (currently). Plus I think Rooney will play that role as well.

Apparently he is back in training now but doubt he will be ready for at least a couple of weeks. Not sure he has the healing ability of Distin!

Would have been a lot softer than the one of the Liverpool player earlier in the first half.

Didnt see the Liverpool turnaround coming! I havent watched it since half time... I might have to do that more often!

Yeh they have. Used their squad well, brought in a couple of younger players but also kept the important ones in the line-up too.

Liverpool look very good as well. The midfield are really well balanced and the two wingers cutting inside look very threatening.

True!

I still think this one or a variation of it embroidered onto the shirt would look the best. I imagine it would cost more than sticking that ugly ungainly shield on the chest but it would be a lot classier IMO.

I dont see why Bale would choose Utd over Madrid personally.

Me too and I think that will be the way we will head.

Same here. I really don't understand it.

Well we scored 2 against Norwich and created some good oppunities to score more and in the West Brom game we probably did enough to win but still kept hold of the ball well and stopped them from scoring.

Put it this way Id rather have the ball and try and make something happen by being patient than forcing something to happen and giving the ball to the other team. If you are going to create 5 chances a game, I would rather it be through possession play than the other.

I think Stones will get used in the squad tbh. He has been on the bench for both games and I think Martinez rates him. A lot of good players have been farmed out on loan early on and whilst them two have only come through with us recently its still a very good thing to do. I dont see Duffy being 3rd/4th choice so I think its best he gets games. He might never make it through but he has next to no chance if he doesnt start playing competitive games.

I just love the way they inject speed into the move.

Id happily see him in but I wouldnt want too much inexperience in the back four. Quite simply Stones and Oviedo have shown more this preseason. Plus I imagine he will go on loan and wont want to be cup tied.

Brilliant was probably a bit far. I added that at the end because I realised I hadnt mentioned him and I meant too haha. I thought he was the best player on the pitch at the time. Working hard, coming deep to get the ball and making runs forward and into the box. His runs resulted in a couple of half chances which is a damn sight more than anyone else was doing. On the flip side, he was invisible in the second half. That was a really poor game, very negative and little intent. Rooney probably just edges MOTM.

Interesting half that, despite not much really happening. Ill start with Chelsea, and in all honesty Im not really impressed. Back 4 look solid but Cahill is definitely a weak link, I just dont think he reads the game well enough and to be at a title chasing team. Ramires cant pass the ball. I like his energy and drive but he simply cant pass the ball and he is someone I would target if I were an opposition manager. The wide players also havent impressed. Hazard shows glimpses of quality but like Mirallas he gets careless and gives the ball away. De Bruyne looks like he needs time and this is probably not the game to assess Schurrle. Oscar has been brilliant. With Man Utd, they havent really created much. RVP and Rooney have been sharp, Valencia has put in a good shift but Welbeck has been clumsy and I don't see why he should be playing wide. Cleverly has been anonymous, and Carrick has played in some decent balls but again not really doing enough. I think if Lampard and Carrick played in the same team (again) then they would be the best pairing on the pitch. In the same breath, Jones isn't a RB and whilst he can defend well enough, his attacking play is poor and he isn't a great passer either. Chelsea need to start putting more pressure on the Utd CB's and I think we should see Lukaku on the pitch, probably for De Bruyne.

I always thought he was a wide player?