I get it, because they both play centre mid and are quite small. Good one.
Liverpool
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I get it, because they both play centre mid and are quite small. Good one.
Yep. I don't see too many similarities between them.
Let's see if that continues. A whole lot of factors like pressure, fatigue etc. will come into effect that weren't earlier. Kudos to 'Pool if they can overcome them and finish as strongly as they have so far this season.
Why is everyone getting so tetchy?
He was our best player when he came on against Swansea, I wouldn't go as far as saying he changed the game but he had a big impact.
Injuries and loss of form have affected him plus the way we play and Henderson's excellent season have meant he couldn't force his way into the team.
I think Rodgers has underused him a little, especially away from home. I would be surprised with the 3 upcoming away games if he didn't get a start in at least one of them.
Will be interesting to see how he fits in next season, with the emergence of Teixeira and the probable return of Suso and of course Lucas returning to full fitness.
I actually still think we lack a powerful centre midfielder but whether the manager does I am not sure.
Very good start when he came. Then went to pot, was apparently also playing with an injury during that time. Became pretty much a forgotten man since. Looked well off the pace when he did get cameos.
Then after Hull, around the same time Sterling kicked into gear as well, he got his chance again with Gerrard out and started looking like a proper player again, in fact a midfielder who added more to our style of play than any previous constellations without him. He played a significant part in our good december run.
Then injured again. While he was out, Coutinho showed he could do a similar job in midfield only with bags more skill and that's why Allen has been on the fringes since.
I think he's a good player who is mostly just waiting for some chances to shine because better/more established players are getting picked ahead of him at the moment. He was excellent against Swansea and brought something that could push him further up the queue. The sort of squad player I wouldn't mind seeing in the first team which is just what you want from squaddies.
Long term I think he will displace Henderson. He may not have the same engine, but he's got a stronger and broader skillset.
He's better technically than Henderson, the problem is if though Coutinho keeps adapting to his new CM role then we will need Henderson in there solely for his engine and ability to get beyond the striker. Allen hasn't shown that as of yet, and Coutinho looks like he can do most things that he does, only better.
Still rate him highly as a player though, if he was at a club like Everton he would be getting rave reviews, may not be anything more than a squad player for us, but he is a good one to have, versatile and technically gifted.
No chance. I'll predict that Henderson will be captain of Liverpool. There's definitely room for then both though in a good squad. I like Allen too but Henderson just seems to have the mentality and drive to go the whole way.
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That may well be the case.
Henderson is not a particularly subtle player though. He doesn't knit play the way Allen does and he's far less comfortable in crowded spaces where Allen's technique really shines.
I think if Henderson is ahead of him two years from now it will be because he's massively upped his positional and tackling game and continues to be a regular assister and close to 10 goals a season goalscorer.
But what I mostly expect 2-3 years from now is the two of them rotating with Coutinho for the two advanced midfield slots with Lucas and/or hopefully another midfield monster behind them.
It will be interesting to see if Rodgers how Rodgers will use the squad next season, and if there will be less of the current wide gap between the first XI and the bench. This season, he's mostly opted not to rotate, even when presented with good options and in games where resting some players would be prudent. I reckon we are probably also one of the teams giving fewest minutes to substitutes coming on from the bench as well, though he's been changing that up lately.
No European football, you'll be rotating next year.
Yep, Brendan's mettle as a top manager will be tested next season when he'll have to rotate. I've been surprised how little he rotated in cup games. I don't believe it was a case of a small squad and fewer games. Could be he doesn't trust himself enough yet.
Allen was my Motm in the 5-0 Spurs mauling. When he's good he's very good.
Allen was my Motm in the 5-0 Spurs mauling. When he's good he's very good.
We will have to obviously.
My point is, Rodgers doesn't seem to like the concept. It might be a case of forced necessity more than an embrace of how to get the best out of a squad.
At any rate, it will be something new for him. Because he hasn't even been testing the waters with it so far.
To be honest, if you don't have to rotate, why do it? Tiredness isn't really a factor for Liverpool this year, and playing more or less the same team week in week out has been hugely beneficial to you guys. I doubt any manager actually likes to rotate, it's very hard to find the right balance and not affect the dynamics of the team. SAF was a master at it which is why he managed to compete on multiple fronts every year, and why our teams used to click into top gear in the second part of the season, but Moyes has really struggled with it, it's not an easy exercise. Rodgers maybe should've done it more, if only to prepare for next year, but when your team is firing on all cylinders, I think it's too tempting to just keep the status quo.
I agree especially given the way our front 4 have been playing, however there have been some games, WBA away springs to mind & Villa at home where offensively we weren't as good and often outnumbered in the middle.
Rodgers did change it slightly by playing Coutinho more inside a little.
I think away from home sometimes it's nice to have that extra body in midfield which is where I can see Allen coming in.
Defensively we have had to chop and change a little due to injuries.
Rodgers did change it slightly by playing Coutinho more inside a little.
I think away from home sometimes it's nice to have that extra body in midfield which is where I can see Allen coming in.
Defensively we have had to chop and change a little due to injuries.
I also think he'll be a future captain. If Suarez stays then he'll be next, Henderson will be after that. I can see Suarez taking captaincy as early as next season, after Stevie wins the league. Lolz
Yeah, that's what I said. A post straight out of the garbage bin.
Look, I wasn't trying to put words in your mouth. I was just trying to say that it's not as easy as simply weathering the storm and then taking the game to them.
And FWIW, I hope they crumble too.
To develop the squad.
Someone like Alberto has looked tidy when played, but barely got any minutes. That also means, he's not one you'd look to to come on from the bench to change a game. Hasn't been given a chance to show he can do that.
Using the squad and giving more minutes to fringe players means having more options to draw from.
There's been plenty of games where an early sub wouldn't be amiss and such, but even then Rodgers is far more likely to give 90 minutes to his starters.
Good point. I just think it's easier this year to stick with the best XI available each week, maybe not excellent long term but then again you can't really complain given where you guys are at the moment. Those players are in a good groove, and for some of them not playing for 10-14 days might have been detrimental.
United play the Olympiakos return fixture on Wed the 19th and us on the 16th. Wonder what ol Moysey (if he's still about) will prioritise.
W have lost 5 games this year, 1 v City that never should have been, Southampton and Arsenal (the only two games we have failed to score in), away against Chelsea in a game where we were outplayed but could very easily have nicked the draw and an anomaly away to Hull. In the return fixtures to these game we hammered Arsenal and beat Hull well, Southampton this weekend-we owe them one.
I honestly can't see us dropping more than Spurs or United.
Yep, me neither.
Doesn't matter anymore. Even if they crumble, I doubt we have it in us to take advantage of it. Last night drained any little bit of positivity left inside me.
No hard feelings, bud.
He can't prioritise either. 2 absolutely massive home games and keeping the home support onside is absolutely critical for him to stay in the job beyond the end of the season.
Beat Liverpool and end their 'title run'. Is there a bigger game in their calendar this season?
Only way to keep his job.
Only way to keep his job.
Don't know. I reckon Aprl 19 against main rivals..... Everton for a spot secured in the Europa league could be bigger. He can't lose twice to them.
Beat Liverpool and end their 'title run'. Is there a bigger game in their calendar this season?
It's their cup final.
Totally agree. There's no way can Moyes allow United to go into the 2nd leg with a poor performance, & result, against Liverpool, hanging over the place. Beat us on the Sunday, & OT will be bouncing for the Olympiakos game a few days later. Football fortunes have a habit of changing on situations like this.
It's their cup final.
fair play...we've been saying that about your lot for the last 20 odd years
Beat Liverpool and end their 'title run'. Is there a bigger game in their calendar this season?
Only way to keep his job.
Wonder will it start being referred to as their cup final
Maybe wait until you've actually won the league and then added a few more before you start banging that drum.
We earned our status as your cup final through years of dominance.
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Fixed for you
I actually love this thread. It's amazing seeing the Liverpool fans giving it back after all the (deserved) slagging and abuse over the years.
Seeing as we don't have anything to play for in the league and we won't play in CL for a while after this season I'd imagine Olympiakos game will be far more important. We'll rest Ferdinand, Valencia and Young against you lot.
It's their cup final.
And if they win it it's because they're "game raising cnuts" and nothing else.
fair play...we've been saying that about your lot for the last 20 odd years
Awww, our very first history lesson.
Wait, Liverpool are about to win the 4th place trophy and now their fans are saying that when we play them, it's our cup final!
Give over. Win something of note, then we'll talk.
Give over. Win something of note, then we'll talk.
I was kind of hoping they would be playing against us.
Wait, Liverpool are about to win the 4th place trophy and now their fans are saying that when we play them, it's our cup final!
Give over. Win something of note, then we'll talk.
It's all a bit tongue-in-cheek. Roll a fat one and chill Winston.
Awww, our very first history lesson.