kgx2thez

We struggled a few years back defending set pieces despite being very good in the air. I think concentration lapses are mostly to blame.

A very good article IMO. Right now we need the forwards to chase down and not allow the oppositions midfield time to pick out passes that can exploit our lack of pace at CB with Terry, Alex, and Ivanovic. Torres is more than capable aside from his errant challenge but I feel like Sturridge & Mata still are a little hesitant. I don't think Mata will ever excel at it because of his size but Sturridge will need to play his part. As we get more comfortable with AVB's tactics I feel like the CBs will fare better.

You would think that with competition for playing time so tight that the effort would be there.

It also helps when the other side is down a man. Acres of space opened up.

Agree wholeheartedly on the Mourinho years. Successful yes but nowhere near as dominating as the 2010 post-January Ancelloti. The upper echelon clubs have all shifted towards a more counter-attack oriented philosophy with the addition of highly technical players. You can see that in the additions that Barca (notably Sanchez & Cesc), Real (Callejon & Contreau. We'll see how Sahin fits in), City (Aguero & Nasri), and United (Young & the insertion of pacier youngsters) made. I think we are a little late to the game when it comes to adding technically proficient players but I have confidence in AVB's ability to mesh the old with the new.

I don't think Ramires is physical enough to play that deep holding role. I think he has the mentality to do it but doing so would negate his forward runs.

United's defense has looked a bit suspect at times too. Arsenal played like crap but how many goals did they leave on the table? RVP converts that penalty and Arshavin finishes one of his many chances and they hang 4 on them if not more. Even West Brom had them on the back foot and a defensive pre-Nasri starting XI from Mancini scored a few. I still think Evra is their weak link as he's clearly lost a step.

Who would you rather have start out of place on the right, Sturridge or Mata? I feel like Mata would be less predictable as Sturridge primarily cuts inside on his stronger foot but you would lose Mata's delivery on crosses from the left.