Louis Van Gaal | 2015-16 Performance Thread

[Dans]

Yet they defeated Brazil 3-0 and won third place? They weren't boring at all. Maybe the Costa Rica game at max. And that was a very average team. If anything it shows he gets maximum from his teams.

The Brazil who'd just been traumatised 7-1 by Germany? Yeah, that was an important game.

Dull games against Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Argentina. Lucky to win the two they did win in regular time I seem to remember. They were really, really boring and remind me very much of what we are seeing now.

 

[Rich_H_1989]

The Swansea game is a big one. They have started the season very brightly and are a team like us who value possession. It'll be difficult for LVG to enforce his usual style on the game because they will keep the ball for long spells.

I think he'll go with the same team and for me that would be a mistake. I'd look to get in Herrera alongside Schneiderlin so we can press them higher up and maybe (and I can't believe I'm saying this) but look too get Fellaini in for Rooney or Januzaj.

We need to have an option to get the ball out quickly at times without it coming back at us. Rooney right now can't be trusted to do that so we need something a bit different. If we don't it'll become a long game of chasing the ball.

If LVG gets it right and we win the game then 10 points from 12 is a very good start. But if we don't then suddenly that Liverpool game looks huge.

Realistically this season we have to accept a fight for 4th! If we can get in another striker then this season can be a bedding in season. I don't think we can expect more than that? We've brought in so many players over the last 2 years that we have to be realistic. And if we don't do more business this summer then expect a heavy influx next year.

I'd take top 4 and a good FA cup run along with getting out of the group stages of the champions league. And of course a real improvement in terms of our style.

 

[Xaviesta]

Don't forget the abysmal Dutch performances in the World Cup - aside the freak thrashing of Spain, Holland were one of the most boring teams to watch. We have a lot more of this to come.

I hated the way they played at the World Cup but did he have the personnel to play attack minded football and still succeed?

 

[Nighteyes]

I don't understand why a bunch of people have already got their knickers in a twist. I'm far from convinced by LVG on the whole but we've started the season in a decent form. 7 points from 9 and progression to the CL group stages all but done is good going. Defensively we've been solid and once our attack gets going we'll do well. Perhaps not quite the title given City's good form but we don't look any worse than Chelsea do. People are so busy moaning and whining that they fail to notice that our attack as looked a lot better in the last 2 games than it did in the first two. If the referee had done his job and/or we had finished our chances against Newcastle we'd have 9 from 9 to start the season off.

I'm not too worried yet.

 

[Dans]

I hated the way they played at the World Cup but did he have the personnel to play attack minded football and still succeed?

That's a fair point. That's a matter of opinion of course but I think most of the players who were considered weak at that time have stepped up in their careers a little. But you are probably right.

That said, given that he apparently has the personnel now, why do we look so much like that team?

 

[prath92]

The Brazil who'd just been traumatised 7-1 by Germany? Yeah, that was an important game.

Dull games against Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico and Argentina. Lucky to win the two they did win in regular time I seem to remember. They were really, really boring and remind me very much of what we are seeing now.

The Mexico game was in a high temperature Manaus. There was nothing boring about the chile Australia Spain and Argentina game. Just because you don't score 3 or 4 goals doesn't mean match was boring.

And the point still stands. Before the World Cup people expected them to get out in the group stage but they ended up 3rd and lost only one game that too in a shootout. He achieves more than expected.

 

[Dans]

He did achieve more than expected, I agree. But we are United and we used to be known for the way we played football. I personally find his tactics, his result oriented methods to be such a vast departure from how we have played the game for decades that I struggle to appreciate the 1-0 wins as much as perhaps I should.

 

[prath92]

He did achieve more than expected, I agree. But we are United and we used to be known for the way we played football. I personally find his tactics, his result oriented methods to be such a vast departure from how we have played the game for decades that I struggle to appreciate the 1-0 wins as much as perhaps I should.

There is no top manager who plays the United way anymore. Fergie was the last one. Klopp you may argue but did you watch him last season? He struggled with injuries to personnel and we achieved much more than he did even though we had more injuries than he did. Every modern manager is result oriented because other than Wenger everyone else is sackable if they fail to achieve results. If you want to watch football like we did then its recommended that you find a season review of united under Fergie to watch because no manager can give us that

 

[Xaviesta]

That's a fair point. That's a matter of opinion of course but I think most of the players who were considered weak at that time have stepped up in their careers a little. But you are probably right.

That said, given that he apparently has the personnel now, why do we look so much like that team?

He has no excuses IMO if he fails to get United playing good quality football this season. I can't escape the feeling that he has his idea of attractive football and others in your fanase have a different one.

 

[Dans]

There is no top manager who plays the United way anymore. Fergie was the last one. Klopp you may argue but did you watch him last season? He struggled with injuries to personnel and we achieved much more than he did even though we had more injuries than he did. Every modern manager is result oriented because other than Wenger everyone else is sackable if they fail to achieve results. If you want to watch football like we did then its recommended that you find a season review of united under Fergie to watch because no manager can give us that

I don't agree. I think Man City play more entertaining football than we do for starters. You can achieve results and play good football. The German national team is another example. It IS possible.

 

[arthurka]

I have nothing against our squad and think it´s getting there. But I am critical of how LVG is setting us up.. We are morbidly boring and nothing close to creative or sparky. He is slowly but surely killing me with boredom.. And this Rooney agenda is getting so tiresome, LVG has to stop this nonsense.
Get Rooney off put Mata in the hole and get Herrera on the pitch..

 

[Dans]

He has no excuses IMO if he fails to get United playing good quality football this season. I can't escape the feeling that he has his idea of attractive football and others in your fanase have a different one.

I don't think he cares a jot whether the football is attractive or not.

prath92 is right - it's all about results at the expense of good football (good as in good to watch (and presumably, enjoyable to play)).

 

[bosnian_red]

He has no excuses IMO if he fails to get United playing good quality football this season. I can't escape the feeling that he has his idea of attractive football and others in your fanase have a different one.

I think this is it more then anything. He see's good, attractive football as keeping possession, and passing it around well all game, not giving the ball away, not giving chances away, getting a decent amount of chances, just domination with the ball. The majority on here see attractive football as fast paced, taking risks, running at defences, having shots at goal, creating chances, etc... Not slow passing around the midfield. Just a difference in preferences basically.

 

[Shiva87]

Was watching a replay of the weekend game, and realized the LVG has set us up in a very specific way. Our whole focus of attack is now the wings - Depay/ Mata, and the wing-backs - Darmian/Shaw. It is set-up for a no.10 or midfielder (like BFS) to arrive late in the box and score goals. The problem right now is that our no.10 isn't big and powerful, and our no. 9 is just playing like he has forgotten that he is a striker.

This whole set up suits Fellaini perfectly. He will come into Adnan's place, and be the focal point of the attack. He will push up against the opposition defence in attack, and drop back into midfield in defence. I'd like Herrera to play there - but I get a feeling Van Gaal rates Fellaini as his 'most-improved player' at United last season and is building our attack to his strengths. Now that the 3 match ban is over, I fully expect Fellaini to get a start at no.10 in the next 1-2 games, although I'm not very excited about that prospect.

If you ask me, I'd rather have Fellaini as the no.9 and play a fluid system behind him. But that would mean benching a certain somebody - who can play like shit, but get away with it because he "accepts he paid badly". I'd like to get paid that much money for accepting I am shit. Privileges.

 

[JPRouve]

I don't agree. I think Man City play more entertaining football than we do for starters. You can achieve results and play good football. The German national team is another example. It IS possible.

And their team is superior offensively and they play together for a long time now.

 

[Question234]

There is no top manager who plays the United way anymore. Fergie was the last one. Klopp you may argue but did you watch him last season? He struggled with injuries to personnel and we achieved much more than he did even though we had more injuries than he did. Every modern manager is result oriented because other than Wenger everyone else is sackable if they fail to achieve results. If you want to watch football like we did then its recommended that you find a season review of united under Fergie to watch because no manager can give us that

No but there is a huge space inbetween the "united way" and what we play now. Alot of managers at big clubs playing alot more positive (attacking) football.

Setting up defensively doesn't even win games, it just ensures you don't lose.

 

[Rich_H_1989]

Every modern manager is result oriented because other than Wenger everyone else is sackable if they fail to achieve results. If you want to watch football like we did then its recommended that you find a season review of united under Fergie to watch because no manager can give us that

Unfortunately you are spot on mate. Football is a results orientated sport these days. It's why at the big clubs youth is rarely given a chance and it's why managers go for results over style. Mourinho basically started it by playing such negative but ultimately successful football that you need to start a season well and not lose ground. These days you have to start well and that means playing with caution.

It's all about money now. You have to be successful to be marketable. Sponsors etc don't really care if you play good football or not they just want you to be a top side and compete.

I have nothing against our squad and think it´s getting there. But I am critical of how LVG is setting us up.. We are morbidly boring and nothing close to creative or sparky. He is slowly but surely killing me with boredom..

Do you think maybe LVGs philosophy is to bore the opposition in to submission? To be fair it works for Jose!

No on a serious note I do agree with you. I've said it before that we do have creative players but they look afraid to try things. Januzaj just looks to keep the ball, he isn't trying to make things happen. Memphis really is the only one who tries a trick or tries to go past his man. That's not the united way and it's certainly not the way to be successful.

Chelsea bore the pants off me (well they used to until I gave up watching any football bar united and even that right now is fading) but even they had players who would go past a man.

 

[OldRed73]

No but there is a huge space inbetween the "united way" and what we play now. Alot of managers at big clubs playing alot more positive (attacking) football.

Setting up defensively doesn't even win games, it just ensures you don't lose.

For someone who used to play good attacking football he has gone completely the opposite way - afraid to take a chance and not lose at any cost - his idea of making an attacking change is to push one of the defensive midfielders 5 yards further up the pitch - it's very boring, predictable and easy to defend against

Seems to me he's more interested in protecting his reputation than in trying to improve the club - the sooner he goes the better IMO but I fear we'll have another 2 years of the tumescent dross we're seeing at the moment

I'd rather have Pulis TBH

 

[Riz]

I'd rather have Pulis TBH

 

[prath92]

I don't agree. I think Man City play more entertaining football than we do for starters. You can achieve results and play good football. The German national team is another example. It IS possible.

I have been a German NT fan from 2002 and I can assure you that German football was much much better in 2010 World Cup than in 2014. In 2014, some of the decisions low made if he had made it here he and his earliest known ancestor would have been abused till death. He played 2 relatively pacy CBs at RB and LB ( baoteng and howedes) played 2 slow CBs mertasacker and hummels and played a high defensive line in a lot of games. Played arguably the best RB in the world in midfield and played a top attacking midfielder in left wing. If you see the games, particularly against the one in Algeria they almost ripped apart German defence (that included mustafi another CB at RB and baoteng at CB) and a better attacking team would have scored easily. They were saved only because neuer tackled those players to perfection. Low had to change it because of that and only then he played Lahm in his RB position. And after the World Cup the team has been generally poor.

No but there is a huge space inbetween the "united way" and what we play now. Alot of managers at big clubs playing alot more positive (attacking) football.

Setting up defensively doesn't even win games, it just ensures you don't lose.

not many do. Of course over a season there may be about 10 games they will play orgasmic football but I really doubt van gal would have any less games than them.

As I said and as has been proved before, van gaal gets results even with depleted and average teams. He won a league with a mid table alkmaar and got a decent at best Netherlands to a 3rd place in the biggest competition (just last year). I don't see why you should be as we achieved what we wanted well(top 4) last season and we are not at all bad this season and actually look more defensively solid and overall well drilled than some of our rivals.

 

[Thisistheone]

The lack of quality attacking football is a worry but I'm still a big fan of Louis. Really like how solid he's made us at the back, how organized and disicplined the whole team looks. Would I lose some of that solidity for a bit of flair and excitement at the other end? Of course. But I'm hoping that later this season or next we can have both.

Maybe LvG is keeping things as tight as possible until the GK situation is sorted. Why risk playing open, expanisve football with a keeper who's new to the league & hasn't played club football for 6 months? We're 4 points better off already and finally have a good back 4 and a top draw midfield. Sometimes things can't be fixed in 2 or 3 windows and we may have to wait til next summer before we have a complete XI with a dynamic attack. He's improved the whole club without a doubt, since he walked through the door last summer. He's taking us in the right direction.

Patience is key.

 

[Rich_H_1989]

Maybe LvG is keeping things as tight as possible until the GK situation is sorted. Why risk playing open, expanisve football with a keeper who's new to the league & hasn't played club football for 6 months? We're 4 points better off already and finally have a good back 4 and a top draw midfield. Sometimes things can't be fixed in 2 or 3 windows and we may have to wait til next summer before we have a complete XI with a dynamic attack. He's improved the whole club without a doubt, since he walked through the door last summer. He's taking us in the right direction.

See I do kind of agree with your post... Maybe LVG is trying to give the best protection to a new GK but that situation could carry on all season? Also, he should put more faith in his defence and GK. With Schneiderlin providing real protection, Darmian improving the RB situation and Smalling channelling beast mode that's an instantly better position than last year!

I do also agree that rebuilding was going to take time... But originally it was 2/3 transfer windows, now its still 2/3? We've had 5 since Fergie left! At what point do we start to say actually no results and performances have to improve?

LVG told us he needed 3 months to install his philosophy... He later admitted that it would take longer and saying that was a mistake but this is not a bit longer! This is 13 months on from that statement. Now I'm not suggesting that 13 months is a long time but it's 4 times longer than he originally said?

He may or may not be a success. I've said already that the jury is out and he's not won me over yet. But maybe he will. Results are definitely getting better and our defence looks a lot better so credit for that. But if he suddenly starts to be more adventurous then does our defence start to look shaky again? If so he's not really improved the foundations of our defence just put more protection in front of them.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Right now we are much better than arsenal and we are much more disciplined than Chelsea

Doesn't matter tbh discipline doesn't mean anything if they are winning plus they have great depth Terry gets sent off they have Zouma who's more than capable, Costa gets sent off they have remy who's a decent goal scorer, if courtois gets sent off they have begovic. It's the same all over the pitch for them. Discipline is irrelevant.

Don't know how you've come to the conclusion that we are better than arsenal either, do you know in 3 league games we've actually only scored 1 goal from a player in our team and even that took a lucky deflection too.

All 3 of our games could've easily ended 0-0 if we didn't get a huge amount a fortune from walker and the deflected shot. There's just no way arsenal are worse than us.

 

[R'hllor]

Only thing what i would like him to change formation wise,is that 4-2-3-1,4-4-2,4-4-1-1 crap,rather see 4-3-3 with point back, 1 DMC plus 2 proper CMs with 1 striker up front,screw this number 10 thing.

 

[OldRed73]

Doesn't matter tbh discipline doesn't mean anything if they are winning plus they have great depth Terry gets sent off they have Zouma who's more than capable, Costa gets sent off they have remy who's a decent goal scorer, if courtois gets sent off they have begovic. It's the same all over the pitch for them. Discipline is irrelevant.

Don't know how you've come to the conclusion that we are better than arsenal either, do you know in 3 league games we've actually only scored 1 goal from a player in our team and even that took a lucky deflection too.

All 3 of our games could've easily ended 0-0 if we didn't get a huge amount a fortune from walker and the deflected shot. There's just no way arsenal are worse than us.

I was going to say something similar after the game Saturday and pointing out if it wasn't for a lucky own goal and a lucky deflection we'd have three 0-0 draws and be mid table

Maybe not what we all want but maybe that's what it would take for LVG to have the nuts to change things and stop being so cautious - Saturday we started off well and either we just punched ourselves our or just gave up thinking it wasn't going to be our day again

Remember when we still believed we could win a game when we were a goal down in the 90th minute?

This "philosophy" has drained all the belief out of our club - settling for a 0-0 in injury time (and we did) rather than going all out for a win is NOT United

How many more 0-0s (or games with one or two shots on target) will it take for the penny to drop? - when we are 20 points behind the top team and the priority is 4th again?

We are not far away from a title winning team IMO ... IF we play to our strengths and if we get a proper striker - let the buggers play Louis!

 

[Dans]

I think those who think we are solid at the back need to wait a little before we've played some of the better teams. In the last couple of league games, better teams would have got a couple of goals against us on the counter.

Given that we only score a maximum of 1 goal per league match, a disaster could be in the offing.

 

[Nighteyes]

All 3 of our games could've easily ended 0-0 if we didn't get a huge amount a fortune from walker and the deflected shot. There's just no way arsenal are worse than us.

Well, looking at the "what if's" is a strange way of looking at things. What if the Rooney goal had been allowed? We created enough chances to win the Newcastle game. And if you're going to do it why not do it for both teams? Why not mention that Palace hit the post and scored an own goal against Arsenal. Arsenal could just as easily have been winless this season.

 

[RedChip]

Judging by the recent posts on here, why don't you guys just create a 'LvG sack watch' and be done with it?

 

[Thisistheone]

See I do kind of agree with your post... Maybe LVG is trying to give the best protection to a new GK but that situation could carry on all season? Also, he should put more faith in his defence and GK. With Schneiderlin providing real protection, Darmian improving the RB situation and Smalling channelling beast mode that's an instantly better position than last year!

I do also agree that rebuilding was going to take time... But originally it was 2/3 transfer windows, now its still 2/3? We've had 5 since Fergie left! At what point do we start to say actually no results and performances have to improve?

LVG told us he needed 3 months to install his philosophy... He later admitted that it would take longer and saying that was a mistake but this is not a bit longer! This is 13 months on from that statement. Now I'm not suggesting that 13 months is a long time but it's 4 times longer than he originally said?

He may or may not be a success. I've said already that the jury is out and he's not won me over yet. But maybe he will. Results are definitely getting better and our defence looks a lot better so credit for that. But if he suddenly starts to be more adventurous then does our defence start to look shaky again? If so he's not really improved the foundations of our defence just put more protection in front of them.

Yeah all that is fair enough. Only time will tell if he can transform our attack whilst keeping us solid at the back. If we reach that level, where Chelsea were last year and City appear to be this, then he'll have done a fine job. I just think we're a lot closer to that now than we were 12 months ago, or even 3 months ago when the season ended. Such is the quality of the 4 signings - all shrewd buys who have improved us in key areas - we look better as a team now. He's also shipped out a lot of deadwood.

Perhaps when we get deeper into the season (lets say DDG stays) he will change from 4231 to 433 and we'll play some better stuff going forward. I hope so anyway and lets really hope we get to see more of Herrera.

Looking further forward, we should be seeing 433 with a new signing at 9 instead of Rooney, who I'm guessing Van Gaal thought, before the season started, would be the obvious answer. Maybe even someone new on the right as well. But getting a dynamic striker in the mould of a Lewandowski should be our no.1 target next summer.

 

[mu77]

meh

 

[Rich_H_1989]

I just think we're a lot closer to that now than we were 12 months ago, or even 3 months ago when the season ended. Such is the quality of the 4 signings - all shrewd buys who have improved us in key areas - we look better as a team now.

As a team we look more together and more organised I agree. The 4 signings seem to be settling in really well and they've all added something to the team. But we are still really short in an attacking sense.

Looking further forward, we should be seeing 433 with a new signing at 9 instead of Rooney, who I'm guessing Van Gaal thought, before the season started, would be the obvious answer. Maybe even someone new on the right as well.

Something has to change... We can't go on like this for the rest of the season. Well that isn't true. We can but my god I hope we don't as that will be incredibly boring. There is a time to shut up shop and be more cautious and that's towards the end of the season when you're in a title battle.

There has definitely been improvements under LVG but to be fair that wasn't a huge task given how bad Moyes was. But if you look at it points wise last season wasn't actually that much better. LVG was in part helped by spurs and Liverpool having awful seasons, Arsenal having a really bad start and City hitting a patch where they seemed to give up. He can't hope for the same this year.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

I think those who think we are solid at the back need to wait a little before we've played some of the better teams. In the last couple of league games, better teams would have got a couple of goals against us on the counter.

Given that we only score a maximum of 1 goal per league match, a disaster could be in the offing.

I agree with this. It's very clear where our problems lie.

 

[prath92]

Doesn't matter tbh discipline doesn't mean anything if they are winning plus they have great depth Terry gets sent off they have Zouma who's more than capable, Costa gets sent off they have remy who's a decent goal scorer, if courtois gets sent off they have begovic. It's the same all over the pitch for them. Discipline is irrelevant.

Don't know how you've come to the conclusion that we are better than arsenal either, do you know in 3 league games we've actually only scored 1 goal from a player in our team and even that took a lucky deflection too.

All 3 of our games could've easily ended 0-0 if we didn't get a huge amount a fortune from walker and the deflected shot. There's just no way arsenal are worse than us.

Going by your logic Chelsea's game yesterday could have ended 3-3 if that penalty was scored by west brom. You never know what would have happened. Not to mention pedro s goal was a deflection so it could have been 2-2 as well. Arsenal s second and winning goal against palace was an OG so they could have ended 1-1 too? All that is irrelevant after a game.

Arsenal apparently had their ONLY deficiency cleared through Cech yet they have conceded 3 in 2 games? If Matic is sent off Chelsea has no one of his quality to replace him. Ramires is half the player Matic is. Mikel isn't even mid table quality now. We can replace Schneiderlin with carrick schweini or even Blind. We have ample CB cover too. Rojo McNair Jones Blackett. There are areas in both teams that the other isn't strong.

 

[itso 7]

I think those who think we are solid at the back need to wait a little before we've played some of the better teams. In the last couple of league games, better teams would have got a couple of goals against us on the counter.

Given that we only score a maximum of 1 goal per league match, a disaster could be in the offing.

You are spot on mate and I fear Swansea will put this notion to rest. I feel that inorder to play the way LVG want's us to successfully the standard of our attacking four must be of a very high standard - a standard which none of the attackers in the squad can consistently reach.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Well, looking at the "what if's" is a strange way of looking at things. What if the Rooney goal had been allowed? We created enough chances to win the Newcastle game. And if you're going to do it why not do it for both teams? Why not mention that Palace hit the post and scored an own goal against Arsenal. Arsenal could just as easily have been winless this season.

We might have created enough chances against Newcastle but the fact is we didn't score, in the previous 2 league games we barely even had a shot nevermind a shot at goal. So how could it have been any different? Against Spurs we created nothing rooney fluffed his chance and walker stabbed it in. Against villa again we created nothing apart from adnans shot which wouldve been saved if not for the defelction. Both games after the goals we created nothing.

Anyway my original point is chelsea and arsenal are much better than us, come the end of the year I have no doubt they'll be top 3 and liverpool will be seriously pushing us for 4th.

 

[prath92]

I think those who think we are solid at the back need to wait a little before we've played some of the better teams. In the last couple of league games, better teams would have got a couple of goals against us on the counter.

Given that we only score a maximum of 1 goal per league match, a disaster could be in the offing.

We played the team that finished 5th last season and we looked solid. And your assumption is we will degrade in defence but remain the same attacking wise? There is a lot of improvement in our attack from the Spurs game to Newcastle even you have to agree. So you are telling me we won't improve from here on ?

We might have created enough chances against Newcastle but the fact is we didn't score, in the previous 2 league games we barely even had a shot nevermind a shot at goal. So how could it have been any different? Against Spurs we created nothing rooney fluffed his chance and walker stabbed it in. Against villa again we created nothing apart from adnans shot which wouldve been saved if not for the defelction. Both games after the goals we created nothing.

Anyway my original point is chelsea and arsenal are much better than us, come the end of the year I have no doubt they'll be top 3 and liverpool will be seriously pushing us for 4th.

So you believe arsenal or Liverpool (who are just like us if not worse. They too created very little and won 2 games 1-0) will get better but you believe we won't. Please tell me you see the contradiction in that?

 

[Nighteyes]

We might have created enough chances against Newcastle but the fact is we didn't score, in the previous 2 league games we barely even had a shot nevermind a shot at goal. So how could it have been any different? Against Spurs we created nothing rooney fluffed his chance and walker stabbed it in. Against villa again we created nothing apart from adnans shot which wouldve been saved if not for the defelction. Both games after the goals we created nothing. .

I'm just pointing out how you're being willfully negative in your outlook. You're considering "what if we hadn't gotten lucky against Villa or Spurs?' and yet are ignoring the fact that we were unlucky against Newcastle. And so, to quote yourself, we might not have had many chances against Villa or Spurs but the fact is we did score.

Anyway my original point is chelsea and arsenal are much better than us, come the end of the year I have no doubt they'll be top 3 and liverpool will be seriously pushing us for 4th.

Maybe so. But based on the results so far they are definitely not better than us though.

 

[.Rossi]

 

[NoPace]

I think those who think we are solid at the back need to wait a little before we've played some of the better teams. In the last couple of league games, better teams would have got a couple of goals against us on the counter.

Given that we only score a maximum of 1 goal per league match, a disaster could be in the offing.

I think we're very solid positionally, but I don't think Blind at LCB or Romero at keeper are the answers at those spots.

----------Schneiderlin(25)--------------
Shaw(20)-LCB-Smalling(25)-Darmian(25)
---------------GK------------------------

Looks great to me, it's just missing 2 players.

If we can sign a CB and a GK in their early or mid 20s who can improve, I think we'll be solid defensively. If De Gea plays here this year, we're really only the CB away for this season. While it's not inconceivable, considering their ages, that Rojo or Jones has a breakout season at LCB, it does seem reasonable for us to just buy an LCB this summer and replace De Gea next summer.

 

[MDFC Manager]

FFS