Disagree apart from the result you mention.
The team look to be playing with more confidence. We have a formation that the players 'seem' to have adapted to. The more game time they can get playing in the new system the better ?
*** 2014/15 Pre-season Friendly Thread ***
- Thread starter Robbo
- Start date
Disagree apart from the result you mention.
The team look to be playing with more confidence. We have a formation that the players 'seem' to have adapted to. The more game time they can get playing in the new system the better ?
Confidence is one good thing, but apart from that out of 5 games we have one similar game with comparable / exact premiership quality - all the others are not even close (or rather looking at Moyes' results in Europe they are comparable to the Madrid /Roma/ Inter results in preseason)
If anything pre-season has proven (at least in 45 minute stints) that Utd dont need any better /more players to have a good EPL season (and yes Im ignoring the cup games because CL in 15/16 is of primary importance) - which I think we all know is not the case at all
Soldato
- Joined
- 17 Jun 2012
- Posts
- 9,898
- Location
- South Wales
I'm not sure about that, the three starting CBs looked a bit dodgy to say the least. And if any of them get injured they are into the reserve team then. I think it's actually a poor result for Liverpool, Utd were awful in the first half and should have been dispatched by then.
I think thats a little unfair given how good the performances last season were in Europe (and Pre season for the most part being vs European opposition) on the whole
Moyes deserves slating for a lot of things, but he did well in Europe (and had a good away record in the EPL as well)
I hope thats how LvG sees it, one or even two good quality CB's would be a godsend (although Im not sure where from) because Jones and Smalling have terrible injury records at Utd so to have our starting back 3 based around them is not going to be good for confidence.
Im just not sure where these one or two CB's are going to come for; Hummels would be fantastic but also highly unlikely , Miranda has been counted out, Vermaelen would be a bit of a meh signing for me (he was ok a couple of seasons ago, but with his injury record and he is injured now, Im not overly keen)
As Robbo and a few others have said I see one CB & one CM (and preferably a full back) as absolutely essential for the starting XI with a couple more squad players if possible (preferably with a little bit of versatility on their side too).
Last edited:
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 75,922
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
The trophy is no doubt meaningless in the grand scheme of things for the EPL. It does however reveal some insight on how the teams are preparing for the new season and shows signs of what it may come.
United certainly looks stronger as a team this season and they seem to be playing for LVG, they did not look like they want to play for DM last season.
Liverpool still can't defend, they were dodgy in defence last season, the draw at Palace from defensive mistakes practically costs them the title, that is still evident now.
Yes it is early and way toooooo soon to call. Things could change in 8 weeks' time and like last season, who predicted Southampton would be in the top 3 after 10 games?! For United fans there is cause to be optimistic, much more so than last season. For Liverpool, there is cause for concern.
United certainly looks stronger as a team this season and they seem to be playing for LVG, they did not look like they want to play for DM last season.
Liverpool still can't defend, they were dodgy in defence last season, the draw at Palace from defensive mistakes practically costs them the title, that is still evident now.
Yes it is early and way toooooo soon to call. Things could change in 8 weeks' time and like last season, who predicted Southampton would be in the top 3 after 10 games?! For United fans there is cause to be optimistic, much more so than last season. For Liverpool, there is cause for concern.
The way Uniteds midfield was completely bypassed in that first half by Coutinho and Sterling should be the concern, not Liverpools defence.
United were helped by a deflection and a late goal when it was all over anyway. Calm down.
Never mind the fact that one game doesn't cost you the title, it most certainly wasn't the palace one as we'd still have been second
There is definitely cause for concern if Martin Kelly starts with Glen at LB and nothing resembling a striker up front
There is definitely cause for concern if Martin Kelly starts with Glen at LB and nothing resembling a striker up front
Associate
- Joined
- 13 Mar 2006
- Posts
- 143
We were playing with probably only one of our first choice back four for the coming season, and the main factor in our defense looking shaky was Glen Johnson losing the ball high up the pitch and getting burned repeatedly by the mighty Ashley Young, resulting in numerous corners, set pieces and crosses from our left hand side. On the other flank we had Kelly who is currently 3rd choice for right back, soon to become 4th, or more likely shown the exit.
Of the players who are actually likely to be starting lots of games for us, Sakho has looked much more composed, Henderson is fit and trying to add more goals to his game, Coutinho and Sterling have looked sharp, Can has shown flashes of being a real powerhouse, and Mignolet has tried dominate his box more. We haven't even seen Lallana or Markovic's impact yet and our top striker has been injured, and we still have more signings to come.
So yeah, I'm really concerned...
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Apr 2011
- Posts
- 5,455
United fans going about how they will now win the league (on facebook). So deluded. Will that mean that Real Madrid are a B (or C) grade team?
Don't get me wrong, probably United will now go into the season with A LOT more confidence than before. Only thing LvG needs to take care of is the over-confidence the team might have, and thus snubbing the smaller teams.
Don't get me wrong, probably United will now go into the season with A LOT more confidence than before. Only thing LvG needs to take care of is the over-confidence the team might have, and thus snubbing the smaller teams.
Caporegime
- Joined
- 20 Oct 2002
- Posts
- 75,922
- Location
- Wish i was in a Ramen Shop Counter
United win the league? ha! no way.
Top 4 is much more likely this season though.
Top 4 is much more likely this season though.
They're probably just joking. :/
It would be stupid to make predictions now for any team really, our tour has simply given LvG a chance to examine the current squad, and some of the younger players. We've got to raise the general quality level of the squad, and that means experience too.
Rebuilding work is still to be done.
As it stands, I wouldn't be prepared to bet on United getting top four but I think it's possible, luck dependant and also on how Arsenal/Liverpool and to a lesser degree Spurs/Everton do.
There's still the glaring issues of DM, CB, and RW/RWB to address before we can start thinking about challenging City/Chelsea.
There's still the glaring issues of DM, CB, and RW/RWB to address before we can start thinking about challenging City/Chelsea.
Soldato
- Joined
- 24 Apr 2011
- Posts
- 5,455
I know these people. They are not.
Yep. Its the difference between a top class manager who expects to win (losing is failure) and a manager who "aspires to be as good as Liverpool or Man City".
Moyes was the route cause of the losing mentality and this infected the entire team. Their confidence was rock bottom.
With regards to Liverpool, I am interested to see that some fans have realised that in attack, they are light. When you sell your best player, who happens to be a striker, you are going to struggle. IMO, it was a bad idea for them to sell Suarez BUT, only time will tell.
BTW. Fellaini looks like he could be loaned out or sold. I guess LvG felt this guy had little or no technical ability. And to think that Fellaini is one of Man Utds most expensive players.
Man City and Chelsea are odds on, top 2.
Positions 3 and 4 are up for grabs and I definitely think Man Utd can get 3rd or 4th.
So many people have lost faith in Man Utd, after 1 bad season, led by a manager who had no idea what he was doing.
Im loving all of the no way on this earth will United do anything mentality from certain sections of the Football Stadium. I guess if Liverpool can go from 7th to 2nd, Or first if you believe some fans. I mean the Vine video's of the 'Were going to win the league' and the T Shirts of LFC Champions of England 2013 - 2014 on sale outside Anfield Mid April are testement that teams can jump five or six places in one season
Anyway enough of that comedy gold, back to my original question. If Liverpool can go from 7th to 2nd then why is it so inconceavable that another team can't do it ?
Anyway enough of that comedy gold, back to my original question. If Liverpool can go from 7th to 2nd then why is it so inconceavable that another team can't do it ?