Fergie's obsession with picking old players in midfield

Theres a few ifs and buts that SAF is better placed to make a decision on than us, and I think it's important to realise this.

Should we play Anderson a lot now or later? It seems like SAF thinks later, and we will have to trust his judgement.

That's true he is, but like I said it doesn't mean we can't question it, particularly when he's say playing Giggs left wing when he's said that he can't play that role anymore, or putting him over clev and ando when we have a meaningless game in europe coming up. Certainly some comments go way beyond questioning Fergie's choices and go to far, but general discussion about the use of some squad players is alright i'd say.
 
Starting Scholes was understandable but playing both him and Fletcher together was a bit strange. It leaves us with a really slow midfield with no drive and energy from midfield and it was a lot like last weekend actually when we had Carrick and Giggs.
 
OK, have fun. I was just offering advice.

In my experience, the happier people in life are not those that focus on the negatives.

I'm actually quite happy mate. I know some people who are very happy despite the fact they recognize the negatives. It's the notion that ignoring/not focusing the negatives makes you a happier person which doesn't sit well with me. Maybe that's the case for some people but the majority of people I've met who have a positive outlook can at least recognize the negatives.

Some on here have failed to do that. Again, on a forum, negatives and positives will both be discussed. The negatives are getting more attention as they revolve around the same mistakes.
 
What's going on, hae the cult denialists taken over the thread again yet?

Just support the team and enjoy the ride. It took us to a good place today.

Did it? I was fecking bored and stopped watching before the end of both halves in order to piss around pointlessly on the internet.

The most enjoyable thing about the entire first 60 minutes was literally a clip of Ruud VanNistelrooy sitting in the crowd.

Even when we had Djemba and Kleberson we at least made being a bit shit quite fun. At the moment it's more like being punched in the face with chronic depression...or going to a gig and watching your favourite band play the one song you don't like over and over for 2 hours
 
Did it? I was fecking bored and stopped watching before the end of both halves in order to piss around pointlessly on the internet.

The most enjoyable thing about the entire first 60 minutes was literally a clip of Ruud VanNistelrooy sitting in the crowd.

Actually it was MBia's random dance moves when he was doing stepovers on the right wing.
 
What's going on, hae the cult denialists taken over the thread again yet?



Did it? I was fecking bored and stopped watching before the end of both halves in order to piss around pointlessly on the internet.

The most enjoyable thing about the entire first 60 minutes was literally a clip of Ruud VanNistelrooy sitting in the crowd.

I think this is the issue - regardless of results, we've just been so boring to watch lately. It made Anderson's surging run stand out even more.
 
Ahhhh great memories!

2ntbdph.gif
 
Just watched the match again

Message to Fergie...Please start Anderson! Changed the game for us
 
At the moment it reminds me of 2006/7 when, despite having a decent squad, we didn't have the depth of quality to let certain key players rest (and back then the key players included Giggs and Scholes). It seemed like every time one of them was rotated out or injured we struggled, often bringing on the rested/injured player to try and chase the game.

We're there again now, with a thin squad, but now the potential regulars are unfit/injury prone (they weren't in 2006) and the backups are old.

I don't blame people for complaining. 5:5 wins in the league if neither Giggs nor Scholes start, lost 3 out of 8 when one/both of them starts - including the QPR win where Scholes was off when we started scoring. But I don't think SAF is choosing them for nostalgia or maturity - he's choosing them because they're available.

So why don't we have the squad? Over-optimism about Scholes/Giggs continued form/fitness? Optimism about the form/fitness of younger players? Failure to add a PL ready player in midfield? My guess: all of the above.

Now, if only we can get the rest of it to be like 2006/7, then we'll get the happy ending and see some great football.
 
One of the biggest games of the season and neither of them are present in the XI, perhaps they are finally going ot be used in a manner suitable for their age.
 
One of the biggest games of the season and neither of them are present in the XI, perhaps they are finally going ot be used in a manner suitable for their age.

And we put in the best performance of the season.

No coincidence at all.
 
He's fine in big games, as shown against Arsenal and Chelsea. It's when he underestimates some of the smaller teams that it's a problem.
 
So oldies, we did so much better.

I think this should be a clear and honest message to Giggs and Scholes, they they need to adapt and improve, or retire.
 
He knows Carrick and Cleverley are our best combo, he's played them against Arsenal, Chelsea and City now.

He's used the squad we have at our disposal by picking Scholes and Giggs at times. It's backfired a couple times, but it has to be done really.
 
Involving them is fine, they've still got a lot of offer. The problem is when we play one (or both!) of them in a 2 man midfield and watch us get predictably overrun - even by inferior opposition.
 
I think this should be a clear and honest message to Giggs and Scholes, they they need to adapt and improve, or retire.

It's a message to Fergie more than the players, it's not Giggs and Scholes fault if they are expected to do something they physically can't.

We should just learn to use them wisely.
 
So oldies, we did so much better.

I think this should be a clear and honest message to Giggs and Scholes, they they need to adapt and improve, or retire.

:eek: 38 and 39 is it no? There's not much more going to come from them mate.
 
So oldies, we did so much better.

I think this should be a clear and honest message to Giggs and Scholes, they they need to adapt and improve, or retire.

:lol: you're talking as if they are youngsters and have some room for improvement.Giggs and Scholes aren't completely stupid, they must have realized they will slowly be phased out of the team in all the important games and then games in general.They won't cry about it
 
No disrespect to Sunderland but today's Starting XI hopefully confirms that we are dealing with a trend right across the board, as in the past an opponent of their standing [they're worse state than Norwich were] usually meant one of Giggs or Scholes featuring from the beginning.
 
Yeah, think SAF's realized its time up for both of them. Specially Giggs..
 
You're correct gents, but let's not forget those two, along with Fletcher who's not in good form, are our midfield options from the bench today.

Not exactly inspiring if we have to chase the game...
 
We don't see the bigger picture like SAF does. Where he looks at a run of games and uses his squad to last the season out, we mainly focus on just the next game. Yes he takes risks but usually he pulls them off. We won't have see the last of old midfields this season imo, but hopefully they will be fewer and further between.
 
You're correct gents, but let's not forget those two, along with Fletcher who's not in good form, are our midfield options from the bench today.

Not exactly inspiring if we have to chase the game...

Not really. I wouldnt mind Scholes coming on if we need to break them down late in the game. Its starting them that i have an issue with.
 
Their time will come. Squad rotation is done. Fergie's lineups have shown that.
 
I'm still hoping he wants to put 6 past them, but I have a feeling that in the second half we will end up with both Giggs and Scholes on the field. Whether we are still needing a goal or 2 or 3 nil up.
 
If Scholes or Giggs come off the subs bench today then it's a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. We should just put some of the academy kids on the bench. Scholes, even with his passing range and ability to dictate tempo as shown vs Sunderland and Liverpool doesn't even have the legs to play 20 minutes against tired teams who are sitting back. Giggs is supposed to be an attacking player but he hasn't scored a league goal for what must be 4 or 5 seasons now. My stomach churns everytime I see their names on the team sheet, even just on the bench. Do they have twitter? We should send them abusive messages so that they retire from football all together, and then in January we can sign proper players.

Honestly, if SAF subs on either Scholes or Giggs today I'm going to rip up my season ticket. Well, I would if I had one, but in reality I'll just close the stream and post angrily on RedCafe. And have a cry-wank.
 
If Scholes or Giggs come off the subs bench today then it's a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. We should just put some of the academy kids on the bench. Scholes, even with his passing range and ability to dictate tempo as shown vs Sunderland and Liverpool doesn't even have the legs to play 20 minutes against tired teams who are sitting back. Giggs is supposed to be an attacking player but he hasn't scored a league goal for what must be 4 or 5 seasons now. My stomach churns everytime I see their names on the team sheet, even just on the bench. Do they have twitter? We should send them abusive messages so that they retire from football all together, and then in January we can sign proper players.

Honestly, if SAF subs on either Scholes or Giggs today I'm going to rip up my season ticket. Well, I would if I had one, but in reality I'll just close the stream and post angrily on RedCafe. And have a cry-wank.

Senorgregster in 3..2..1..
 
Giggs and Scholes can still put in a quality 20 minutes shift.

I don't being tough on our older players, but let's not be oblivious to what they still can do, even if it's a pale shadow of what they used to capable of.
 
If Scholes or Giggs come off the subs bench today then it's a disgrace. An absolute disgrace. We should just put some of the academy kids on the bench. Scholes, even with his passing range and ability to dictate tempo as shown vs Sunderland and Liverpool doesn't even have the legs to play 20 minutes against tired teams who are sitting back. Giggs is supposed to be an attacking player but he hasn't scored a league goal for what must be 4 or 5 seasons now. My stomach churns everytime I see their names on the team sheet, even just on the bench. Do they have twitter? We should send them abusive messages so that they retire from football all together, and then in January we can sign proper players.

Honestly, if SAF subs on either Scholes or Giggs today I'm going to rip up my season ticket. Well, I would if I had one, but in reality I'll just close the stream and post angrily on RedCafe. And have a cry-wank.
RIP Rowem
 
I'm still hoping he wants to put 6 past them, but I have a feeling that in the second half we will end up with both Giggs and Scholes on the field. Whether we are still needing a goal or 2 or 3 nil up.

:(