Marouane Fellaini | 2013/14 Performances

[Rood]

Marouane Fellaini has all the physical and mental attributes to bring something new to the United midfield, according to assistant manager Steve Round.

“He will add some real physical presence to us in midfield, some strength, and he scores goals,” Round told MUTV.
“He’s a player that will get regular double figures, and he is maybe a player that we didn’t really have in the middle of that midfield.
“We have some very good footballers – Michael Carrick is an unbelievably good passer, Tom Cleverley is busy, lively and links play, Anderson will drive forward with the ball, dribble and create.
“Maybe we needed that bit of presence and authority that can sit in the middle of the pitch and dominate a game from that perspective. It gives a nice blend and balance to mix the midfield up.”
Round also feels the former Standard Liege player’s strength of character will help him make the adjustment to life in the Old Trafford spotlight.
“He’s a very strong character, with very good self-belief,” Round adds. “It won’t daunt him to play at this level and he
is mentally very tough.
“When a player comes to Manchester United, they have to have the correct mentality to survive here. It’s not enough to be good every so often, you have got to be good every minute of every day.
“Ryan Giggs has said it’s not enough to be good in training, you’ve got to be good with every pass. Not every so often but every pass. Marouane will rise to that, he’ll love that challenge.
“He’s earned and deserved the right to be here. He’s progressed every single year as a player, to the stage where the manager, the staff and the board here feel that he deserved the opportunity to play at this level.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...nited-midfield-says-steve-round.aspx?pageNo=1

 

[Pexbo]

Marouane Fellaini has all the physical and mental attributes to bring something new to the United midfield, according to assistant manager Steve Round.

“He will add some real physical presence to us in midfield, some strength, and he scores goals,” Round told MUTV.
“He’s a player that will get regular double figures, and he is maybe a player that we didn’t really have in the middle of that midfield.
“We have some very good footballers – Michael Carrick is an unbelievably good passer, Tom Cleverley is busy, lively and links play, Anderson will drive forward with the ball, dribble and create.
“Maybe we needed that bit of presence and authority that can sit in the middle of the pitch and dominate a game from that perspective. It gives a nice blend and balance to mix the midfield up.”
Round also feels the former Standard Liege player’s strength of character will help him make the adjustment to life in the Old Trafford spotlight.
“He’s a very strong character, with very good self-belief,” Round adds. “It won’t daunt him to play at this level and he
is mentally very tough.
“When a player comes to Manchester United, they have to have the correct mentality to survive here. It’s not enough to be good every so often, you have got to be good every minute of every day.
“Ryan Giggs has said it’s not enough to be good in training, you’ve got to be good with every pass. Not every so often but every pass. Marouane will rise to that, he’ll love that challenge.
“He’s earned and deserved the right to be here. He’s progressed every single year as a player, to the stage where the manager, the staff and the board here feel that he deserved the opportunity to play at this level.”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...nited-midfield-says-steve-round.aspx?pageNo=1

fecking hell. Mr flick on and float it to the first defender said that?

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Back in early 2006 on another Football forum I did a big post to mark my X000th post and one of the things I brought up was the need for someone like Carrick. We eventually signed him and it turned out to be one of my only Nostradamus moments. The other debatable one being "Obertan will become a great winger for us" but that discussion is for another thread.

Anyway, my point at the time was that we needed a specific player, a foil for Scholes and someone who could not only play a possession passing game but play the right pass quickly to exploit the pace that we had in Ronaldo, Rooney, Saha and Van Nistelrooy. It turned out to be the right move by Fergie and 06-07 was a very special season in terms of quality of play.

Now I never claimed the same before we signed Fellaini, I turned my nose up and thought we should go for better so I'm not going to claim anything on this one but now we have signed him, and I've had to spend more time considering how he will do for us and how he might benefit us, I think he's going to be a very astute purchase. He ticks a lot of the boxes we were complaining about last year in terms of defensive ability and physical play. We won't get bullied by City anymore and we won't get bullied by the teams who can't take any sort of game to us, then there is the smaller things like defending set pieces. With Rio, Vidic, Carrick, Fellaini, Jones, Smalling and Van Persie the opposition are going to do well to get a sniff in the air. It might even allow us to keep Van Persie forward and offer the opposition something to think about in terms of having less players forward.

The opposite end of the field will be a massive worry for every team and not just at set pieces, having a player who can get forward and attack the box is going to cause all sorts of trouble, do they double up on our wingers or use the spare man to track Fellaini? If Fellaini is having his runs marked, how much room is going to be created around the box for Rooney and Van Persie?

Basically we've signed a big fecker who is a nuicence because he can play a bit and he's going to be a pain in the ass when they have the ball and a pain in the ass when we have the ball. That might not be pretty but it'll allow Van Persie, Rooney, Nani, Kagawa, Welbeck and Co to be as pretty as they like.

Good points. One of the reasons people are skeptical about Fellaini seems to be that they had been looking forward to us buying a creative midfielder, someone who would contribute directly to creating chances. I personally don't think that is the sort of player we need the most. We have creators enough elsewhere if we can get the overall balance right. A player like Fellaini could be a catalyst of sorts in that regard, freeing up others. That was partly what Fletcher did at his best: He was involved to an extent that Cleverley in his neatness is not; he put himself about, disrupted the opponents, etc. In itself that isn't the trait of a grand player - but it can be very helpful to others. Put someone like Rooney behind the striker - and he will have that extra bit of freedom in front of Fellaini and Carrick; a truly solid CM pairing that will put less defensive demands on him.

 

[Carl]

All these debates are all well and good but we're missing the key comparison here.

Is Fellaini better than Uncharted? I really don't know. Liam?

 

[Twisted_Woody]

Anyone remember that RTE sportscaster who tore into the United team before the Roma 7-1 match in 2007? "Fletcher and Carrick are nothing players" or something...

A lot of the reaction to Fellaini, myself included, has been akin to that. Hopefully we end up with egg on our face.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Anyone remember that RTE sportscaster who tore into the United team before the Roma 7-1 match in 2007? "Fletcher and Carrick are nothing players" or something...

A lot of the reaction to Fellaini, myself included, has been akin to that. Hopefully we end up with egg on our face.

Aye. I remember Dunphy making an absolute clown of a cnut of himself. The match build up was a shitfest, calling Ronaldo an overrated puff.

Fellaini is perfectly settled in Premiership, he's in the right age for stage improvement and while people still think he can only add some strength to the team, it's gonna be beautiful to watch when he'll start his usual - annoying the absolute feck of the opponent's players with his tactical skills and controlling the ball to his chest and feet... not to mention he's gonna be a terror in the opponent's box with his height.

 

[Stack]

... and by the way, does anyone think he'd be taken a bit more seriously if he had a proper hair cut and didn't look like a massive microphone?

Most people dont give a feck about his hair. Weird how some worry about a hairstyle.

 

[ghaliboy]

fecking hell. Mr flick on and float it to the first defender said that?

Harsh, but a bit funny.

 

[psychdelicblues]

... and by the way, does anyone think he'd be taken a bit more seriously if he had a proper hair cut and didn't look like a massive microphone?

I love his hair style. I wish he could grow some massive sideburns to go with it.

 

[Slevs]

“We have some very good footballers – Michael Carrick is an unbelievably good passer, Tom Cleverley is busy, lively and links play, Anderson will drive forward with the ball, dribble and create.
“Maybe we needed that bit of presence and authority that can sit in the middle of the pitch and dominate a game from that perspective. It gives a nice blend and balance to mix the midfield up.”

Exactly!

 

[marjen]

We played superb football in that season and it's one that's often quoted here as being a special season. Any team will miss Scholes distribution but to criticise the Fletch/Carrick partnership as disjointed does them a disservice.

08/09 often quoted as being a special season? I think you're getting your seasons mixed up. Right up until the final few CL games (Arsenal away being a particular highlight) we played some of the most cagey football I've seen from us - and more often than not a Ronaldo moment dug us out of a hole. We certainly didn't play fluid football for most of the season, effective though it was. The season afterwards when Rooney played up front as the main man was a different story.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't see our front four comparing to a front four of Ronaldo, Giggs, Rooney and Tevez/Berbatov at this moment in time, mainly because of our wingers.

Just go through posts at the time, or posts concerning the Fletcher/Carrick partnership. It was never a particularly suited partnership in terms of making us function like a cohesive team, and I'm positive a lot of people on here have whined an awful lot about that particular thing as well.

 

[marjen]

Basically we've signed a big fecker who is a nuicence because he can play a bit and he's going to be a pain in the ass when they have the ball and a pain in the ass when we have the ball. That might not be pretty but it'll allow Van Persie, Rooney, Nani, Kagawa, Welbeck and Co to be as pretty as they like.

This argument I sort of buy, although I maintain it's possible to have a big, nasty fecker on the pitch who's still a very good footballer and who's strengths do not rely on physical strength - but is added to it by that element.

I think your point is what Round is getting at in his interview. He's certainly not going on about Fellaini like he's some quick, incisive passer who'll help us move the ball up the pitch quickly, he even talks about the other midfielders having qualities that he doesn't mention Fellaini having - Cleverley's quick thinking, Carrick's passing, Anderson's drive and creativity - before going on to say Fellaini will add strength and authority to the midfield, allowing us to dominate on that part.

That to me suggests the coaching staff wants him primarily because of his physical presence, not because of his ability on the ball - which is what I've been saying all along, and also why I'm slightly disappointed he was the one we got.

 

[Slevs]

Basically we've signed a big fecker who is a nuicence because he can play a bit and he's going to be a pain in the ass when they have the ball and a pain in the ass when we have the ball. That might not be pretty but it'll allow Van Persie, Rooney, Nani, Kagawa, Welbeck and Co to be as pretty as they like.

Kagawa will really benefit from Fellaini's physical presence in midfield, he will basically allow Shinji to roam more and be more free to move around the place into little spaces.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Looking forward to his debut in Saturday. Think he'll do well.

 

[marjen]

He needs to bulk up.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

What, like Ando style?

 

[Ainu]

This argument I sort of buy, although I maintain it's possible to have a big, nasty fecker on the pitch who's still a very good footballer and who's strengths do not rely on physical strength - but is added to it by that element.

I think your point is what Round is getting at in his interview. He's certainly not going on about Fellaini like he's some quick, incisive passer who'll help us move the ball up the pitch quickly, he even talks about the other midfielders having qualities that he doesn't mention Fellaini having - Cleverley's quick thinking, Carrick's passing, Anderson's drive and creativity - before going on to say Fellaini will add strength and authority to the midfield, allowing us to dominate on that part.

That to me suggests the coaching staff wants him primarily because of his physical presence, not because of his ability on the ball - which is what I've been saying all along, and also why I'm slightly disappointed he was the one we got.

That part in bold is exactly what you'd get from Fellaini. You really know feck all about him as a player. He's surprisingly comfortable and composed on the ball for a big, nasty fecker. Oh and no one gives a feck about what you've been saying all along, as it's clearly a load of tosh.

 

[marjen]

That part in bold is exactly what you'd get from Fellaini. You really know feck all about him as a player. He's surprisingly comfortable and composed on the ball for a big, nasty fecker. Oh and no one gives a feck about what you've been saying all along, as it's clearly a load of tosh.

Nice.

But you see, that's where I don't agree. He's decent on the ball, but he's not a good ball player. I don't think he adds anything to our midfield in that sense.

Please try and argue with something else than "you really know feck all about him as a player". Does Steve Round know feck all about him as a player?

If he does know anything, why does he point out the reason they wanted Fellaini was that he brings physical dominance to the midfield first and foremost - while the other brings passing, drive and dribbling ability?

 

[RedRover]

Nice.

But you see, that's where I don't agree. He's decent on the ball, but he's not a good ball player. I don't think he adds anything to our midfield in that sense.

Please try and argue with something else than "you really know feck all about him as a player". Does Steve Round know feck all about him as a player?

If he does know anything, why does he point out the reason they wanted Fellaini was that he brings physical dominance to the midfield first and foremost - while the other brings passing, drive and dribbling ability?

I think some are doing him a disservice.

The primary impact he's likely to have is in terms of being a physical presence in the midfield, that much is obvious. But he's more than tidy enough on the ball to fit into the side and be able to contribute going forward as well.

At Everton he was asked frequently to hold the ball up and to bring others into play. He may well have had to control a lot of the passes made to him with his head or chest, but you still have to be able to bring others into play with the ball at your feet, which he did well, even when under pressure.

I don't see that anyone can realistically suggest he's going to be pulling the strings - but he doesnt need to because we have other ball players. He's tidy on the ball for a big player and not frightened of getting it to his feet. Some are painting him as a bit of a clogger which I think is unfair.

 

[Tibs]

Call him FELLA from now on

 

[marjen]

I think some are doing him a disservice.

The primary impact he's likely to have is in terms of being a physical presence in the midfield, that much is obvious. But he's more than tidy enough on the ball to fit into the side and be able to contribute going forward as well.

At Everton he was asked frequently to hold the ball up and to bring others into play. He may well have had to control a lot of the passes made to him with his head or chest, but you still have to be able to bring others into play with the ball at your feet, which he did well, even when under pressure.

I don't see that anyone can realistically suggest he's going to be pulling the strings - but he doesnt need to because we have other ball players. He's tidy on the ball for a big player and not frightened of getting it to his feet. Some are painting him as a bit of a clogger which I think is unfair.

I agree he's tidy on the ball and a measured passer over short distances. And his ability to control the ball, shield it and lay it off is arguably one of his best attributes. It won't do him much good in a deeper midfield position though, where you have the field in front of you and need to find solutions to bring the ball forward.

I feel we'd lack penetration from our midfield if we play him and Carrick together as the first choice pairing since he's not got the drive to take people on and bring the ball forward himself, nor the creative passing ability to find our attacking players in good positions. Just look at the abuse Cleverley gets when he's having a decent game - and he's still more effective as a shuttler than Fellaini will be, if the aim is for Fellaini to replace Cleverley's role in the side.

I'm genuinely intrigued by how we'll look with Carrick and Fellaini. It'll be interesting come tomorrow, that's for sure!

 

[moses]

If he does know anything, why does he point out the reason they wanted Fellaini was that he brings physical dominance to the midfield first and foremost - while the other brings passing, drive and dribbling ability?

Because that's what we lack that the others don't have. To be honest I think he'll do Anderson's job almost as well as we hoped Anderson would. He's not as one dimensional as you are painting him. People talk about his strength almost exclusively because that's what we need most.

 

[marjen]

Because that's what we lack that the others don't have. To be honest I think he'll do Anderson's job almost as well as we hoped Anderson would. He's not as one dimensional as you are painting him. People talk about his strength almost exclusively because that's what we need most.

I don't think he's one-dimensional per se, I just feel his range of abilities makes him less suited to the role we're probably going to use him in than other options.

Look at the post above for a more thorough explanation.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Nice.

But you see, that's where I don't agree. He's decent on the ball, but he's not a good ball player. I don't think he adds anything to our midfield in that sense.

Please try and argue with something else than "you really know feck all about him as a player". Does Steve Round know feck all about him as a player?

If he does know anything, why does he point out the reason they wanted Fellaini was that he brings physical dominance to the midfield first and foremost - while the other brings passing, drive and dribbling ability?

I think he is just more trying to highlight Fellaini's key strengths which we do NOT have, rather than highlight something which most of our midfielders already possess. We have lot's of midfielders who can pass well, but not all of them specialise at breaking up attacks and getting a foot in.

 

[moses]

I agree he's tidy on the ball and a measured passer over short distances. And his ability to control the ball, shield it and lay it off is arguably one of his best attributes. It won't do him much good in a deeper midfield position though, where you have the field in front of you and need to find solutions to bring the ball forward.

I feel we'd lack penetration from our midfield if we play him and Carrick together as the first choice pairing since he's not got the drive to take people on and bring the ball forward himself, nor the creative passing ability to find our attacking players in good positions. Just look at the abuse Cleverley gets when he's having a decent game - and he's still more effective as a shuttler than Fellaini will be, if the aim is for Fellaini to replace Cleverley's role in the side.

I'm genuinely intrigued by how we'll look with Carrick and Fellaini. It'll be interesting come tomorrow, that's for sure!

As it stands we have little or no penetration from midfield though, Cleverley flatters to deceive in this respect.

 

[marjen]

I think he is just more trying to highlight Fellaini's key strengths which we do NOT have, rather than highlight something which most of our midfielders already possess. We have lot's of midfielders who can pass well, but not all of them specialise at breaking up attacks and getting a foot in.

Yeah, I understand that. And it's not like Fellaini's a big lump who can't pass, he's obviously more than adequate for a PL cm.

I'm just intrigued by how well he'll compliment Carrick, and I can easily see that midfield pairing be very bland for most matches and leave us disjointed and with no supply line for the attack, as explained above.

 

[marjen]

As it stands we have little or no penetration from midfield though, Cleverley flatters to deceive in this respect.

Yes - excactly!

I feel this is the one point I'd really like us to address more than anything when it comes to our midfield. It's obviously great that Fellaini can allow Carrick to have a rest when needed as well as be a foil for him, but we've not adressed what I feel is a bigger problem for us in midfield.

 

[Cina]

As it stands we have little or no penetration from midfield though, Cleverley flatters to deceive in this respect.

... eh, moving on. Do you think Fellaini being there will improve that?

 

[moses]

... eh, moving on. Do you think Fellaini being there will improve that?

Yep, I really do. Our midfield will seem less like bystanders to our attack with someone with his drive in the centre of the park. When he moves onto a moving ball in midfield with any momentum he can drive forward quite well, and we've seen at first hand how this panics defences.

ps I made lovely Jam, I can keep you a jar.

 

[Elliott]

Nice.

But you see, that's where I don't agree. He's decent on the ball, but he's not a good ball player. I don't think he adds anything to our midfield in that sense.

Please try and argue with something else than "you really know feck all about him as a player". Does Steve Round know feck all about him as a player?

If he does know anything, why does he point out the reason they wanted Fellaini was that he brings physical dominance to the midfield first and foremost - while the other brings passing, drive and dribbling ability?

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...hester-united-assistant-manager-steve-5845939

Here's an interview Round did on Fellaini a week ago. Some extracts:

- When you get to work with him every day, you get to realise that technically he is excellent.

- His feet and his technique work are really good.

- .....he can run, goodness me he can run.

- He is a lot better footballer than he gets credit for and he has good passing ability. He doesn’t have the same range as a Michael Carrick in his long passing but his continuity and the way he keeps the ball and short passing is very good.

- He is a 10-15 goals a season man and that is good from midfield.

- He can play number four, sat in front of the defence, he can play an eight in the centre doing box-to-box and can play a number 10 where he drops off the front man. That’s valuable when the range of games is so varied.


Basically, he describes exactly what you requested in a previous post: A nasty mother-so-and-so who knows how to play football.

 

[Shark]

I think some are doing him a disservice.

The primary impact he's likely to have is in terms of being a physical presence in the midfield, that much is obvious. But he's more than tidy enough on the ball to fit into the side and be able to contribute going forward as well.

At Everton he was asked frequently to hold the ball up and to bring others into play. He may well have had to control a lot of the passes made to him with his head or chest, but you still have to be able to bring others into play with the ball at your feet, which he did well, even when under pressure.

I don't see that anyone can realistically suggest he's going to be pulling the strings - but he doesnt need to because we have other ball players. He's tidy on the ball for a big player and not frightened of getting it to his feet. Some are painting him as a bit of a clogger which I think is unfair.

It depends what one means by 'pulling strings'. A midfielder can still dominate midfield without being a pass master. I've seen Felliani destroy us all over the park without the element of outstanding passing and vision.

 

[Cina]

Yep, I really do. Our midfield will seem less like bystanders to our attack with someone with his drive in the centre of the park. When he moves onto a moving ball in midfield with any momentum he can drive forward quite well, and we've seen at first hand how this panics defences.

ps I made lovely Jam, I can keep you a jar.

Hmm, not sure if he'll provide the ... penetration though, I think it'll mean we can release the ball to the attackers quicker but as good a passer as Carrick is, he doesn't have that cynical, deadly pass someone like Fabregas would've given. Really we need Rooney or Kagawa dropping deeper to receive the ball because they're our best hopes at providing that.

 

[Slevs]

... eh, moving on. Do you think Fellaini being there will improve that?

Big, very big.

 

[moses]

Yes - excactly!

I feel this is the one point I'd really like us to address more than anything when it comes to our midfield. It's obviously great that Fellaini can allow Carrick to have a rest when needed as well as be a foil for him, but we've not adressed what I feel is a bigger problem for us in midfield.

Our biggest problem in midfield is underperforming wingers. Carrick and Fellaini will be more than able to control the centre of the park and pick a pass.

 

[marjen]

Our biggest problem in midfield is underperforming wingers. Carrick and Fellaini will be more than able to control the centre of the park and pick a pass.

We've been whining about our midfield for a lot longer than our wingers have been underperforming. Even when Valencia was tearing it up and Young had a good season, our midfield was still the subject of a shedload of whining.

 

[moses]

Hmm, not sure if he'll provide the ... penetration though, I think it'll mean we can release the ball to the attackers quicker but as good a passer as Carrick is, he doesn't have that cynical, deadly pass someone like Fabregas would've given. Really we need Rooney or Kagawa dropping deeper to receive the ball because they're our best hopes at providing that.

Well with the solid base of say a Carrick/Fellaini it will give much more confidence for the 4? in front of them to do just that. In theory.

That said, I honestly don't think we lack the deft pass as much as we lack physicality. Look at the amount of goals we scored least year.

 

[marjen]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...hester-united-assistant-manager-steve-5845939

Here's an interview Round did on Fellaini a week ago. Some extracts:

- When you get to work with him every day, you get to realise that technically he is excellent.

- His feet and his technique work are really good.

- .....he can run, goodness me he can run.

- He is a lot better footballer than he gets credit for and he has good passing ability. He doesn’t have the same range as a Michael Carrick in his long passing but his continuity and the way he keeps the ball and short passing is very good.

- He is a 10-15 goals a season man and that is good from midfield.

- He can play number four, sat in front of the defence, he can play an eight in the centre doing box-to-box and can play a number 10 where he drops off the front man. That’s valuable when the range of games is so varied.


Basically, he describes exactly what you requested in a previous post: A nasty mother-so-and-so who knows how to play football.

I'll concede that point - Round seem to rate him as a technically excellent footballer, which is fair. He knows him well enough.

Do you think he's the solution to our midfield woes then - and would he be your choice as the sole midfield signing at the start of the window? (Ignoring unrealistic targets like Fabregas, Modric etc.)

 

[moses]

We've been whining about our midfield for a lot longer than our wingers have been underperforming. Even when Valencia was tearing it up and Young had a good season, our midfield was still the subject of a shedload of whining.

By you more than me I bet.

Yes we did need an extra body in CM and now we have him, so at this point in time there is not one of the 3 out and out wingers or Kagawa in what can be described as good form, so right now, that is a worry.

 

[Cina]

Well with the solid base of say a Carrick/Fellaini it will give much more confidence for the 4? in front of them to do just that. In theory.

That said, I honestly don't think we lack the deft pass as much as we lack physicality. Look at the amount of goals we scored least year.

We did score a lot of goals but that was largely due to the fact that we massively improved our set pieces and because RvP is probably the best striker in the world for scoring goals out of absolutely nothing. I agree we need our wingers to hit form. I'd like to see Rooney in front of the midfield with Nani, RvP and Kagawa interchanging. That's a super attack right there (on form).

 

[marjen]

By you more than me I bet.

Yes we did need an extra body in CM and now we have him, so at this point in time there is not one of the 3 out and out wingers or Kagawa in what can be described as good form, so right now, that is a worry.

If our wingers are underperforming, surely it just underlines the way we've been depending on them to create for us the last couple of seasons?

Imagine a functioning central midfield, with Nani back at his best and Valencia back in rape-mode - feeding RvP.

I guess if that happens then a base of Fellaini and Carrick will be more than adequate to challenge for and possibly win the league (which I think we will), but I guess for us to really improve as a side I'd want a midfielder a class above.