We've played better strikeforces with 2 at the back.
Manchester United vs. Liverpool
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We've played better strikeforces with 2 at the back.
Who this season?
Why is that? They are not Pele and Maradona
Why this season?
What is Gerrard implying exactly, that teams should play 3 centre backs?
Liverpool are having a decent season and Suarez and Sturridge are the best players in the world so everyteam should man mark them and draft in three centre backs and two holding midfielders to try and contain them.
Jesus. They have still won feck all yet are relentless aren't they?
Play 3 centre backs, have a midfielder that sits there and holds or leave your full backs deeper I'd imagine.
I didn't say that at all.
I'm reminded of the build up to the Arsenal game at OT, actually.
They also came here in November off the back of a run of excellent form, including a win over Bayern.
A fair few of their fans were convinced they'd smash us, that it wouldn't even be a contest, given our own struggles.
But my suspicion was that a lot of the confidence and bravado they were displaying was just a cover for their own nagging insecurities. They were still coming to Old Trafford, after all. They were still coming to the reigning Champions. They were still coming to a ground where they hadn't won in a while. They would be fools if they weren't apprehensive.
And if the boot was on the other foot - us travelling to Anfield - i'm not going to deny that I would be shitting it as well, big style.
They also came here in November off the back of a run of excellent form, including a win over Bayern.
A fair few of their fans were convinced they'd smash us, that it wouldn't even be a contest, given our own struggles.
But my suspicion was that a lot of the confidence and bravado they were displaying was just a cover for their own nagging insecurities. They were still coming to Old Trafford, after all. They were still coming to the reigning Champions. They were still coming to a ground where they hadn't won in a while. They would be fools if they weren't apprehensive.
And if the boot was on the other foot - us travelling to Anfield - i'm not going to deny that I would be shitting it as well, big style.
You don't have to be Pele or Maradona to be a good player.
I wonder what Gerrard has said about his own defenders (who don't look particularly impressive it must be said) coming up against Rooney, van Persie and Mata at Old Trafford?
Not often I agree with a Mickey Mouser but this man speaks the truth.
Not to worry, you've been in bad form.
Most teams haven't gone to such measures in the past, even when facing the very best of sides. If we played like that then we'd just nullify our own threats.
We shall see on Sunday
Gerrard obviously thinks there's something revolutionary about Suarez and Sturridge as a pertnership and thinks world football needs to change in order to counter this. In reality he's just not used to having two good strikers at Liverpool and doesn't realise that the rest of us have had that for years anyway.
Southampton beat us 1-0 fairly comfortably in our previous league fixture too. Didn't really mean that much when we played them at their place last week though. We're a much better proposition than we were when we played you in the cup game. I just hope that's reflected in our performance on Sunday.
Jaysus, Liverpool aren't that good ffs. I'd possibly play a 3 man midfield, but we're at home, haven't conceded in the league in 3 games, and our best team fits much better into a 4-2-3-1.
We could sacrifice one of Januzaj/Mata/Rooney to stick Jones/Fletch in behind Carrick and Fellaini.
We could sacrifice one of Januzaj/Mata/Rooney to stick Jones/Fletch in behind Carrick and Fellaini.
I'd stick with the same midfield and forward line that beat Palace and West Brom. We don't lack for presence once an on form Fellaini is in there.
In fact, Moyes' biggest mistake Vs Olympiakos was making too many changes from the team that beat Palace, IMO. I don't see why we'd necessarily have to make any at all against Liverpool, barring injury.
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I didn't post that did I?
Same team and formation as against WBA. Maybe Kagawa in for Januzaj as the latter has looked slightly tired/out of form recently.
No, you didn't. I'll edit it now.
De Gea
Rafael - Smalling - Jones - Evra
<----Carrick- Fellaini --->
Mata - Rooney - Kagawa
Van Persie
Hold shape at the back and let the front four take the game to them.Rafael - Smalling - Jones - Evra
<----Carrick- Fellaini --->
Mata - Rooney - Kagawa
Van Persie
I can see a three man midfield for this game - possibly Jones in CM as well and Januzaj to be dropped. I think with the form Liverpool are in Moyes would want an extra man in there. Or he may just play a more defensive attacking player like Valencia or Young instead of a third CM. If he is going for a more 'defensive' attacking player I think Welbeck would be a good choice. Not sure where that leaves the attack though as Welbeck + Mata, RvP and Rooney would seem to be far too attacking.
Coutinho's having a weird season. Maybe this game can kickstart him back again (ala Arsenal).
On papar the above Man Utd teamsheets don't look too bad. Just down to which players will turn up and how Moyes will instruct them to play (crosses or rip us through the middle).
I cannot remember a Liv vs ManUtd game where I've been this relaxed. Not because I think we'll win easily but...well I can't explain it. Its almost unsettling.
On papar the above Man Utd teamsheets don't look too bad. Just down to which players will turn up and how Moyes will instruct them to play (crosses or rip us through the middle).
I cannot remember a Liv vs ManUtd game where I've been this relaxed. Not because I think we'll win easily but...well I can't explain it. Its almost unsettling.
Coutinho's having a weird season. Maybe this game can kickstart him back again (ala Arsenal).
On papar the above Man Utd teamsheets don't look too bad. Just down to which players will turn up and how Moyes will instruct them to play (crosses or rip us through the middle).
I cannot remember a Liv vs ManUtd game where I've been this relaxed. Not because I think we'll win easily but...well I can't explain it. Its almost unsettling.
When was the last time Liverpool could afford to lose against united and still be 8 points ahead of them in the final stretches of the league season ?. . There in essence is no pressure on the Liverpool team as they aren't realistically playing for the league and there is no pressure for a top 4 spot (the mere fact you are relaxed about the game only confirms it).
Apart from Liverpools good form, its been disappointing that nobody has been able to see how they would perform under a bit of pressure. They are already over achieving so the rest of the season is gravy unless they somehow manage to capitulate . .
If United somehow win their next 3 league games and Liverpool drop 5 points+ in the next 3games it will be interesting to see how confident Liverpool look with only 6 points to spare and united on a roll! Its easy to play free flowing confident football when everybody is happy and there is no pressure being applied! Alas, I fear United will not be able to put that pressure on so we will prob never know!
The more I think about it the more I think Valencia or/and Young are almost cert's for this.
He's going to want their defensive work on the wing's to negate Suarez/Sterling/Ramos and their system of drifting wide. On top of that, he's going to want their pace to exploit their main weaknesses: their fullbacks.
Oh shit.
He's going to want their defensive work on the wing's to negate Suarez/Sterling/Ramos and their system of drifting wide. On top of that, he's going to want their pace to exploit their main weaknesses: their fullbacks.
Oh shit.
We are realistically playing for the league.
They are currently second. Of course they can win the league.
Are you sure? Is he fit? Brilliant news!!! 4-0 to us. All penalties.
I'd go same team, yes, even van Persie to give him a chance to put all questions aside. Play Vidic and Kagawa against Olympiakos. However, I can see Moyes bringing in Welbeck to play up top against Liverpool.
de Gea
Rafael Smalling Jones Evra
Carrick Fellaini
Mata
Januzaj Rooney
van Persie
--
Lindegaard; Vidic; Fletcher, Valencia, Kagawa; Welbeck, Hernandez
Rafael Smalling Jones Evra
Carrick Fellaini
Mata
Januzaj Rooney
van Persie
--
Lindegaard; Vidic; Fletcher, Valencia, Kagawa; Welbeck, Hernandez
I'm confident that we'll do 'em. It won't be pretty, but we'll fecking do 'em.
Its 100% Clattenburg not Webb.
Don't even speculate on stuff like that! United have dropped about 6 points too many at this stage to have any chance of top 4. I think the Everton game (where United played pretty well, but didn't take chances), and the Newcastle game (which was really a hangover from the Everton game) screwed the season.
Really I am thinking about Olympiakos. The season rides on that. A slim chance of turning it around, but if everyone is fit then it can be done. So I'd take a draw at the weekend in return for no new injuries.
Clattenburg rumoured to be the ref.
this is the kind of game where Welbeck starts - no question about it. Januzaj out - Welbeck, Carrick, Fellaini and Mata in midfield.
Balls. 0-4 to them, so. All penalties.
First time in ages the dippers have been favourites to win this fixture. But even in the old days when they were winning everything in sight, a trip to Old Trafford often used to end in them going home with nothing. I fancy this'll end in a draw.
Play the same formation as we did against WBA. I would make two changes to the line up though, Welbeck for RVP and Kagawa for Januzaj.
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