20 Apr 2015 13:45:30
Just thought I'd give my opinion having had a good read this morning. I think a lot of Liverpool fans are overreacting a bit in terms of where you are. Yes you've had a poor season, CL was a shambles. And Rodgers has spent a lot of money without any rewards.
BUT, I don't think your as bad as a lot of you make out or need as many players as some make out either. I think Gerrard has been a passanger this season and actually a burden when he has played. For me with Henderson, Lucan and Can in midfield, with Sterling, Lallana, Ibe and Coutinhio you have a very good midfield, as good as anyone's in the league. For me you problem lies up top. sturridge may be a good goal scorer but he will miss a third of a season every year IMO and can't be relied upon. As for Aspas, Balotelli, Lambert and Borini, none as good enough.
The other major weakness is at RB and in goal. I don't rate Mignolet at all, and you need a RB desperately. But if you could plucky a top, top striker, along with a top keeper and a decent RB, I think you will challenge again. Question is will you be able to get the top level players needed and who is there out there ?
Ps, 4th is no out of the question for you lot yet. We need to beat Everton away on Sunday! Big game for us now
20 Apr 2015 14:20:35
Thanks for the outside and well put across POV Stand-United
I agree with it in general apart from the urgency of rightback,we have Flanno who is very capable and Wisdom to return. If it wasn't for BR we'd have a brilliant rightback in Kelly playing there now.
I like migs i think he looks better without skrtel in the back 3 and trying to play football. But if we're going to play out the back we need another keeper like you say.
Certainly a world class striker wouldn't go amiss,I don't think Origi will bring that,but he's young and I'm depserate to see what Yesil could do but he probably will be sold.
We certainly need to get rid of a lot of player from the wage bill this summer too before we even think of going forward.
My own personal rpeference is a new manager first and foremost
20 Apr 2015 14:45:32
Agree with this mate, would also help if we could settle on a system that puts players into the right positions too. Notice you didn't mention Allen who seems to play pretty consistently in midfield over Can, Lucas, Hendo, Llalana etc. and also the fact we ended up with SG at defensive mid once again. Seriously, that dream should have died at the end of last season! Would also help if we didn't switch systems 3 times a game.
20 Apr 2015 15:15:46
I'll be honest I totally forgot about Allen, that maybe says something ? As for mignolet I know he's a decent shot stopper but in terms of commanding his box, coming for crosses , and his ditribution I don't think he's good enough. Take a look at De Gea for us, how quick off the line he is, similar to Neuer in that sense. Also his distribution is fantastic. Always finds our players long or short balls.
Obviously up top is your major issue and you really need a world class striker to win the premiership. When you think if what RVP did for us a few years back, Aguero does for City, and Costa has with Chelsea. Getting the right player is the issue.
Lastly in terms or playing the right system I fully agree. Again if you look at united earlier in the season we were playing 3 at the back which the players didn't like and didn't suit, we had players out of position , rooneys been DCM half the season. Di Maria has played everywhere , etc. Since jan, LvG has finally done what we've all been wanting, the 4-3-3 with players in right position. Rooney up top where he belongs, and just look at how we have played since. We haven't scraped wins, we have totally dominated games, 71% at the bridge , even though we lost we really shouldn't have. I'm very optimistic for united next season. I'm sure we will strengthen with a couple of top players and hopefully have CL football to attract the best.
As you say your season next year will swing on who's the manager. And at the minute that's anyone's guess.
20 Apr 2015 15:41:45
I think personally the blame lies at one persons door. Rodgers.
Liverpool have a great player in Can and for the life of me I can't understand why he's playing in defence.
Migs is awful, yes he can react quick but his kicking is atrocious and as for commanding of his box well that non existent.
Skittles is a liability, Sakho looks decent and Henderson is a good player.
Sterling might benefit from some backing rather than attacking from your fans and strurridge has real injury problems but when for is a good striker.
U have a decent foundation to work with u just need a little bit of real top class quality (like most teams I might add)
But I would be a little worried if I was a fan atm, without proper direction u could really go backwards.
Big summer ahead for you me thinks.
20 Apr 2015 16:24:31
The outside perspective is either reasonable or simply underestimates the problem. I feel you underestimate the problem Stand-United.
3 years and the manager still doesn't know left from right it would seem. If you have looked at any of the posts on here, or even just by watching the match yesterday, what an absolute shambles that was and it lies squarely at the feet of rodgers. I still can't fathom how someone got paid to organise that mess. 3 formation changes in one game? Players out of position? A broken formation to start with? Balotelli and johnson as subs?!
Then there is the deficiencies in the squad you listed. Again, rodgers has failed to gather and organised squad that fills all the holes and with good quality. Even when there are gaps in the squad, injuries, players out of form, rodgers refuses to give chances to fringe players and young players. Sturridge being injured is something everyone knew would happen, BUT RODGERS. Where is the replacement or backup?
There just aren't any excuses anymore. Its a mess. If Van Gaal did all these things i can guarantee the united fans would be doing much worse, maybe the plane with the banner would come back out. It certainly seems like rodgers is moyes' long lost twin at the moment.
20 Apr 2015 16:32:11
It's a shame that chris and stand are talking more sense than most on here. i mean get rafa back? Seriously?
20 Apr 2015 16:52:15
Its nice to see a bit of acual discussion and banter with rival fans, like you would get at work or in the pub, instead of the mindless insults you get on some sites, so thanks for the input lads, I for one appreciate an outside perspective.
I almost added 'good luck for next season', but I can't quite get the words out!
Still, even carra and gary neville are going soft on each other these days, it shows you can keep your sporting rivalry and also keep your sense of humour.
Anyone up for a verse of kumbaya?
20 Apr 2015 17:58:04
Chris, we've basically got the same opinion , as well as a few of the Liverpool fans where I think the squad really isn't as bad as some think on here, more a case of mismanagement. Do I think it's a top 4 squad? Have to say no as I think the current 4 have better. But not massively. I feel Liverpool are probably 3/4 really classy players away from being a very good side, but the problem I see for them as apposed to united , City , Chelsea and arsenal is if they can get these players needed to get to the next level. I'm not so sure it will be as easy for them too do that as it is the top 4 clubs.
Ps I think nevs and carra are quality on sky! Have me laughing every time
20 Apr 2015 19:54:27
Anonymous, I posted the same thing above on another thread. BR has lost all credibility (not that he had that much of it left to be honest) and can no longer spin his BS in the media anymore because whatever he says no longer passes the eye test which is, what he is saying no longer rhymes with what we are seeing and what we saw last night, was a complete debacle from a team whose manager has confirmed his tactical and managerial incompetence as well as his lack of motivational skills for the world to see. We have very good players and our squad is 3 top players away from matching the big teams. What we however do not have , is a manager to harness their abilities and bring the whole cynergy together which is why BR should b shown the door, ASAP.
21 Apr 2015 10:09:02
I agree with a lot of what both the United fans have said personally.
I think our squad is there to challenge top 4 atm, but we need to move some players on and bring in 3 quality players to improve the spine. I think our youth coming through does have promise too.