joshd24

Same old sh*t. Inconsistent refereeing throughout the match, our boys booked for fk all, countless fouls by our opponents not handled correctly nor carded as they should be, and as we finally get on the up the game is again ruined leaving us hanging on. 
How Kolsinac, Mustafi, Bellerin were not carded much earlier in the game is beyond me. One chance to send off a Chelsea player and it'll be taken, and only then will proper disciplinary action be taken against our opponents. Just tired of it all.
Luiz red is about right... but watch the same or worse offence on our guys get waved on without a booking. We've seen this 3/4 times this season already after Cahill's red - not a peep by anyone in the media... then you see the outrage all week over a 100% Mane red.
Bad performance or not, this is the type of sh*t no other top team has to deal with. Just as we were looking lively with the team we wanted to see and know could've won the match. 
More minutes for Cahill now. Worst outcome possible bar a loss, though it feels like one.

Same old sh*t. Inconsistent refereeing throughout the match, our boys booked for fk all, countless fouls by our opponents not handled correctly nor carded as they should be, and as we finally get on the up the game is again ruined leaving us hanging on. 
How Kolsinac, Mustafi, Bellerin were not carded much earlier in the game is beyond me. One chance to send off a Chelsea player and it'll be taken, and only then will proper disciplinary action be taken against our opponents. Just tired of it all.
Luiz red is about right... but watch the same or worse offence on our guys get waved on without a booking. We've seen this 3/4 times this season already after Cahill's red - not a peep by anyone in the media... then you see the outrage all week over a 100% Mane red.
Bad performance or not, this is the type of sh*t no other top team has to deal with. Just as we were looking lively with the team we wanted to see and know could've won the match. 
More minutes for Cahill now. Worst outcome possible bar a loss, though it feels like one.

Interesting point. They have a great mix of technically gifted, quick, intricate players up front and in midfield, but their fullbacks/CBs don't strike me as Guardiola-types.
 
Clichy aside, Kolarov, Zabaletta, Sagna aren't as technical, quick and agile as he'd like... Otamendi/Mangala aren't the greatest ball-playing CBs either, and Kompany seems to be on the downhill. 
Compared to his past defences of Alaba, Boateng, Lahm, Martinez, Alvez, Pique, Puyol, Abidal to name a few, I don't think it'll be an easy season for Pep/City defensively.

True - he did slip my mind last night. If he can continue his development from what we saw last season, definitely. Have high hopes for this guy, if played at LM/LW or LWB in a 352. Brings that energy down the left flank that we've missed for years, brilliant with the ball, blistering pace, sharp left boot, and has defensive qualities to offer.
 
Haven't seen much of him throughout pre-season, though I have missed a fair bit on shoddy streams. Hoping Conte brings him through - looks like his type of player. Has he had any game-time? 
I feel if we fail to bring a LB in this window, Kennedy and Willian/Azpi/Juan as wingbacks may eventuate in a 352. 
 
                  Courtois
Ivanovic (Azpi?) - Terry (Zouma) - Cahill
Willian/Azpi - Kante - Fabregas - Kennedy
Hazard
Costa - Batshuaui
 
 
From my extensive Football Manager and FIFA 98-16 experience - this is the way to go.
 
If we had the right CBs at our disposal, something like this would be awesome:
 

Hmm, I agree to an extent. Smaller clubs, maybe, but the top PL and European teams would have enough talent in their squads to cover a position if a marquee signing wasn't to work out as planned. We don't have that luxury. We need Kante, but we also need depth... We've needed a true DM and midfield depth since the days of Maka, Ballack, Essien, Beletti, Lamps et al. 
 
City have signed Nolito, Gundogan, Sane - all top players, but still have experience depth in each of those positions in KdB, Toure, Fernandinho, Silva, Navas.
 
Juventus signing the likes of Pjanic while already possessing some of the best midfielders in Europe i.e Pogba, Marchisio, Pereyra, Khedira, Hernanes, Sandro.
 
Same again when you look at Bayern, Barca, Madrid etc. New signings, to improve the first team and/or provide depth - not resting their season's hopes on one signing in such an important position.
 
 
The Kante signing is absolutely crucial for us, and is his importance in midfield for the upcoming campaign is huge. We have an out-of-sorts Matic who may/may not regain form, a defensively-light Fabregas who needs true cover, a sluggish lamppost in Mikel, and unproven mids i.e RLC. If Kante doesn't work out or is seriously injured (touch wood), it'll be much the same as last season with our midfield getting steamrolled once again, and we'd be relying on the same personnel that took us to 10th to hold fort. We haven't made any new signings that that could change/make a difference in that area of the pitch either. We'd all be at the mercy of Conte's team management, tactics, ethos to get us through.

For me it's the attacking aspect of the 4-2-4/4-4-2 that isn't suitable at present and is a worry. 
 
We don't have a true LM (if Hazard does move central) or LB to attack/counter fluidly - at a minimum we need proper fullbacks in their true positions to overlap, cross, pass without needing to shift to their stronger foot, slow play down etc. 
As for RM, Pedro, Willian, Cuadaro all have the attacking/defensive attributes for a RM in a 4-2-4 system IMO, but how well would Azpi work switching back to RB? We know he can defend at LB, but attacking-wise at RB, without Hazard ahead of him to link-up with, how effective would he be attacking with the aforementioned RMs? 
CM-wise, from what we've seen over the pre-season, Matic has been his usual inconsistent-self - sub-par once again in defence, attack, passing, positioning... either on his way out, or will be on the bench come PL. We are really resting our hopes on Kante integrating with the squad quickly and hitting the ground running - if not, imagine our midfield getting run-over again, now with one less midfielder/#10 dropping back.
 
Loftus-Cheek pushed up as striker still has me scratching my head - he clearly isn't a forward - more-so a box-to-box midfielder. Either Conte sees something I don't or he'll be shipped off on loan/squad player. Given the lack of CMs we have in the squad, why not play him to his strengths in midfield to give us an indication of his current level?
 
One positive - Fabregas does give the impression he out to prove something and make one of the two CM spots his - looked lively, tactically astute, defended surprisingly well, and passed/dictated play from deep perfectly as we know he can do.
 
The CB situation is another concern. From what I've seen, the backline is hindered by JT's speed (or lack of) keeping the defence deep while the midfield/strikers are doing the exact opposite through aggressive pressing upfield... The space opened up between the midfield and backline will surely be leveraged by the better PL teams. To play the formation/tactics we've seen throughout the season, this needs to be fixed.IMO Cahill is better suited in a higher line - not great when he's being run at in the space behind the midfield as we've seen countless times, but great when the opposition get behind the line and usually puts in a well-timed challenge facing goal. In addition to this, he's great with the ball at his feet, drives forward into space, and his passing range isn't too shabby either.
 
Side-note:
 
Is there any explanation behind why we're going in for Lukaku? The same guy who showed no fight/desire, threw a tanty and wanted out after Eto'o signed, made several stabs at the club in the media while he was at Chelsea, and above all has the touch, finesse and technique of a retired rugby prop? Costa, Batshuaui, Remy, Traore, Hazard not enough for two forward positions when we only have the PL to focus on?
Also - any word on how far off Zouma is? I recently read he was set for a December/January comeback but it looks like he's in full training again...

Is a left-footed LB who can defend too much to ask... How did we manage to let go of both Luis and Bertrand to leave us in this mess?

Haven't seen us linked with any LBs (or CBs for that matter). This is the weakest position in the squad and needs to be sorted asap.
 
Sandro, Layun, Ansaldi, Hector, Sidibe, Rodriguez, Ghoulam, even Tremoulinas, Coentrao, Pereira, Willems, Denisov, Schmelzer, all have had relatively good seasons/are established LBs. Surely one would be open to a switch to play under Conte alongside a very talented squad. 

Or just bring Ash back for a season 

For me it's the attacking aspect of the 4-2-4/4-4-2 that isn't suitable at present and is a worry. 
 
We don't have a true LM (if Hazard does move central) or LB to attack/counter fluidly - at a minimum we need proper fullbacks in their true positions to overlap, cross, pass without needing to shift to their stronger foot, slow play down etc. 
As for RM, Pedro, Willian, Cuadaro all have the attacking/defensive attributes for a RM in a 4-2-4 system IMO, but how well would Azpi work switching back to RB? We know he can defend at LB, but attacking-wise at RB, without Hazard ahead of him to link-up with, how effective would he be attacking with the aforementioned RMs? 
CM-wise, from what we've seen over the pre-season, Matic has been his usual inconsistent-self - sub-par once again in defence, attack, passing, positioning... either on his way out, or will be on the bench come PL. We are really resting our hopes on Kante integrating with the squad quickly and hitting the ground running - if not, imagine our midfield getting run-over again, now with one less midfielder/#10 dropping back.
 
Loftus-Cheek pushed up as striker still has me scratching my head - he clearly isn't a forward - more-so a box-to-box midfielder. Either Conte sees something I don't or he'll be shipped off on loan/squad player. Given the lack of CMs we have in the squad, why not play him to his strengths in midfield to give us an indication of his current level?
 
One positive - Fabregas does give the impression he out to prove something and make one of the two CM spots his - looked lively, tactically astute, defended surprisingly well, and passed/dictated play from deep perfectly as we know he can do.
 
The CB situation is another concern. From what I've seen, the backline is hindered by JT's speed (or lack of) keeping the defence deep while the midfield/strikers are doing the exact opposite through aggressive pressing upfield... The space opened up between the midfield and backline will surely be leveraged by the better PL teams. To play the formation/tactics we've seen throughout the season, this needs to be fixed.IMO Cahill is better suited in a higher line - not great when he's being run at in the space behind the midfield as we've seen countless times, but great when the opposition get behind the line and usually puts in a well-timed challenge facing goal. In addition to this, he's great with the ball at his feet, drives forward into space, and his passing range isn't too shabby either.
 
Side-note:
 
Is there any explanation behind why we're going in for Lukaku? The same guy who showed no fight/desire, threw a tanty and wanted out after Eto'o signed, made several stabs at the club in the media while he was at Chelsea, and above all has the touch, finesse and technique of a retired rugby prop? Costa, Batshuaui, Remy, Traore, Hazard not enough for two forward positions when we only have the PL to focus on?
Also - any word on how far off Zouma is? I recently read he was set for a December/January comeback but it looks like he's in full training again...

For me it's the attacking aspect of the 4-2-4/4-4-2 that isn't suitable at present and is a worry. 
 
We don't have a true LM (if Hazard does move central) or LB to attack/counter fluidly - at a minimum we need proper fullbacks in their true positions to overlap, cross, pass without needing to shift to their stronger foot, slow play down etc. 
As for RM, Pedro, Willian, Cuadaro all have the attacking/defensive attributes for a RM in a 4-2-4 system IMO, but how well would Azpi work switching back to RB? We know he can defend at LB, but attacking-wise at RB, without Hazard ahead of him to link-up with, how effective would he be attacking with the aforementioned RMs? 
CM-wise, from what we've seen over the pre-season, Matic has been his usual inconsistent-self - sub-par once again in defence, attack, passing, positioning... either on his way out, or will be on the bench come PL. We are really resting our hopes on Kante integrating with the squad quickly and hitting the ground running - if not, imagine our midfield getting run-over again, now with one less midfielder/#10 dropping back.
 
Loftus-Cheek pushed up as striker still has me scratching my head - he clearly isn't a forward - more-so a box-to-box midfielder. Either Conte sees something I don't or he'll be shipped off on loan/squad player. Given the lack of CMs we have in the squad, why not play him to his strengths in midfield to give us an indication of his current level?
 
One positive - Fabregas does give the impression he out to prove something and make one of the two CM spots his - looked lively, tactically astute, defended surprisingly well, and passed/dictated play from deep perfectly as we know he can do.
 
The CB situation is another concern. From what I've seen, the backline is hindered by JT's speed (or lack of) keeping the defence deep while the midfield/strikers are doing the exact opposite through aggressive pressing upfield... The space opened up between the midfield and backline will surely be leveraged by the better PL teams. To play the formation/tactics we've seen throughout the season, this needs to be fixed.IMO Cahill is better suited in a higher line - not great when he's being run at in the space behind the midfield as we've seen countless times, but great when the opposition get behind the line and usually puts in a well-timed challenge facing goal. In addition to this, he's great with the ball at his feet, drives forward into space, and his passing range isn't too shabby either.
 
Side-note:
 
Is there any explanation behind why we're going in for Lukaku? The same guy who showed no fight/desire, threw a tanty and wanted out after Eto'o signed, made several stabs at the club in the media while he was at Chelsea, and above all has the touch, finesse and technique of a retired rugby prop? Costa, Batshuaui, Remy, Traore, Hazard not enough for two forward positions when we only have the PL to focus on?
Also - any word on how far off Zouma is? I recently read he was set for a December/January comeback but it looks like he's in full training again...

Who knows who has had the best window, your'e just guessing, that will only be known later on months or years down the line when you look back.
 
Plenty of players look good on paper and fail, off the top of my head Veron is a prime example, whilst other less marquee signings come in and surpass expectations, again off the top of my head Suarez, when he came to the prem it was more or less under the radar.

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.
 
Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 
 

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0

Reckon it's those small calves of his - they're tiny... Building calf mass is not easy - hence why you see the chest-day lads at the gym walking round with chicken legs.

Do you even do leg day, bro?

Love it, you just made my afternoon

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0

Reckon it's those small calves of his - they're tiny... Building calf mass is not easy - hence why you see the chest-day lads at the gym walking round with chicken legs.

Looking fit and ready to go stay. Stark contrast to pre-season 15/16. Here's hoping he's had a few sessions with the anger management therapist during Spain's flop at the Euros.

What striker could replace Costa for 60m in the current market, and come to a club without CL football?
 
Costa is the best striker we've had since Drogba - not keen on another Sheva, Torres, Lukaku, Sturridge, Eto, Ba saga. He's proven in the PL and really drags the team forward from the front - not one striker has had this mentality since Didier, and don't see many others out there with these strengths that Conte is after. Just hoping he finally settles under Conte - again, Drogba didn't have the smoothest first few seasons...
 
As for injuries, he was run into the ground at A Madrid, as well as his two seasons here since no other striker could be trusted. Coming into this season fit, after a proper break, and without extra CL games ahead, I don't think his fitness will be an issue. It's really only his hamstring that seemed to be the problem i.e not a major knee ligament or similar -  and he was always rushed back into the team post-injury by Simione and Jose... hoping this won't be the case with Batshuayi, Remy, Traore, +1 hopefully stepping up as needed. 
 
And how sharp did he look at the end of last season? 

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.
 
Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 
 

True - at least he's kept his bib on this time. Just looks a lot leaner judging by his face.
 
Could be the tan but he looks a lot better than he does here 
 

Really makes you appreciate Ashley Cole - one of the best LBs of this generation. Able to attack like a winger but an absolute rock at the back, and kept at a world-class level for nearly a decade. Dominating C Ronaldo in his prime really is something. Sticking it to the UTD fans with the hand-in-pocket gesture was a beautiful thing.
 
How on earth did we not hold onto Luis? Another player who fell through the cracks during Jose's second stint. Can't blame him with the form Ivan and Dave showed during 14/15.
 
Had enough of the inverted RB -> LB business - it only slows our attack down and minimises crossing chances. This is what should be happening down that left flank:
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QosfuJpaqW0