Marouane Fellaini | 2013/14 Performances

Status
Not open for further replies.
Fellaini just doesn't have the tools to make it as a central midfielder at Man Utd....I think his few games for us in that area of the pitch are enough to aleady see that....i'd eat my hat if he ever became a first team regular in central midfield for us
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
At Everton he proved adept at exploiting the final third and combining well with his wide players and lead striker akin to Lampard. Lampard himself has never been a main source of creativity. He has been a finaliser. In the hypothetical line us discussed, Fellaini would be a finaliser, just like he was for Everton and is for Belgium. A role in which he'd make the space for a Rakitic to playmake.
Click to expand...

I agree that Fellaini is, like Lampard now, a "finaliser". But until recently Frankie was a lot more than that. He was a geuine leader of his trophy-winning a squad and a footballer who always played above his observable talents and was useful in the middle third and not just in the last third. He'd always find a way to get things done even though he didn't look like a top footballer while getting it done. Without trying to sound pro-Lampard (which I'm not) it's really an insult to Lampard to compare Fellaini to him.

Fellaini is that kind of player, a finaliser. He storms the box and makes a nuisance of himself, scoring a decent number of goals for a midfielder. But I'd never put him in the same class of midfielder as Lampard, who has become a legend for a major club on the European scene. Maybe Fellaini can raise his game to become the next Lampard, but by Fellaini's own admission he sees himself as a defensive midfielder above all. I agree with you he's a better finaliser than destroyer but unless we persist with this crossing game that Moyes has insisted on this season -- and which has been proven to be a failing tactic in the modern game -- there's really no point to Fellaini in a United shirt.
 
Gannicus said:
I agree that Fellaini is, like Lampard now, a "finaliser". But until recently Frankie was a lot more than that. He was a geuine leader of his trophy-winning a squad and a footballer who always played above his observable talents and was useful in the middle third and not just in the last third. He'd always find a way to get things done even though he didn't look like a top footballer while getting it done. Without trying to sound pro-Lampard (which I'm not) it's really an insult to Lampard to compare Fellaini to him.

Fellaini is that kind of player, a finaliser. He storms the box and makes a nuisance of himself, scoring a decent number of goals for a midfielder. But I'd never put him in the same class of midfielder as Lampard, who has become a legend for a major club on the European scene. Maybe Fellaini can raise his game to become the next Lampard, but by Fellaini's own admission he sees himself as a defensive midfielder above all. I agree with you he's a better finaliser than destroyer but unless we persist with this crossing game that Moyes has insisted on this season -- and which has been proven to be a failing tactic in the modern game -- there's really no point to Fellaini in a United shirt.
Click to expand...
its not black and white 'cross or don't cross'. United won the league by 11 pts last season playing almost the same amount of crosses as this season. For me that trumps your opinion that wide play is failing. Fellaini last season had the best stats in the air for an attacking player, Fulham would simply not have played how they did if Felli was fit... if having him on the pitch can stop teams packing the middle and frees up some space for the rest of our players then I like that
 
Gannicus said:
I agree that Fellaini is, like Lampard now, a "finaliser". But until recently Frankie was a lot more than that. He was a geuine leader of his trophy-winning a squad and a footballer who always played above his observable talents and was useful in the middle third and not just in the last third. He'd always find a way to get things done even though he didn't look like a top footballer while getting it done. Without trying to sound pro-Lampard (which I'm not) it's really an insult to Lampard to compare Fellaini to him.

Fellaini is that kind of player, a finaliser. He storms the box and makes a nuisance of himself, scoring a decent number of goals for a midfielder. But I'd never put him in the same class of midfielder as Lampard, who has become a legend for a major club on the European scene. Maybe Fellaini can raise his game to become the next Lampard, but by Fellaini's own admission he sees himself as a defensive midfielder above all. I agree with you he's a better finaliser than destroyer but unless we persist with this crossing game that Moyes has insisted on this season -- and which has been proven to be a failing tactic in the modern game -- there's really no point to Fellaini in a United shirt.
Click to expand...
First, I never said Fellaini equals to Lampard. I said rather he can play that role. So that 'insult to Lampard is irrelevant'. Second, Fellaini seeing himself as a DM has no relevance when it comes to his attacking abilities. He has proved both for Everton and Belgium he is a very good attacking midfielder who more than merely 'makes a nuissance' of himself.
 
Last edited:
Ringo 07 said:
Fellaini just doesn't have the tools to make it as a central midfielder at Man Utd....I think his few games for us in that area of the pitch are enough to aleady see that....i'd eat my hat if he ever became a first team regular in central midfield for us
Click to expand...

No a few games aren't enough to see that don't be so fcking stupid. In no area of working life are you expected to fit in in such a short space pf time and considering he has had injuries too that makes your statement even worse. Nope the reason posters like you say shit like this is because he is big and lanky with an afro. If he was a 5'5 tidy spaniard people wouldn't be writing him off yet.
 
Just seeing him back on the field would be a good start. We really don't have much evidence of what plans Moyes has for him, and whether he is the man for the role he is given.
 
Gannicus said:
..,but unless we persist with this crossing game that Moyes has insisted on this season -- and which has been proven to be a failing tactic in the modern game -- there's really no point to Fellaini in a Unitedshirt.
Click to expand...
One other thing,
You misunderstand the role of a finaliser. Lampard's brief in his prime was to support the lead striker, to provide a quick outlet to combine with widemen further upfield, to be a second hold up player, and to be the one midfielder to break from deep consistently during transitions in play. As a result often tended to be the one in a position to make the final pass for most of Chelsea's moves. He literally defined the role. Kaka was the only other with a similar role yet he was more a playmaker. Lampard due to his stamina was very much an A.M. but a very unique 1. Only age turned him into a more traditional CM as his legs went. Thus its no insult to call him a finaliser. As for Fellaini, he has proved at Everton and for Belgium he can potentially fulfil such a brief. And its silly to say only crosses would make him usefull to us, after all he is an important player to Belgium in the role I'm talking about and their game isn't based on only crossing.
 
Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber said:
First, I never said Fellaini equals to Lampard. I said rather he can play that role. So that 'insult to Lampard is irrelevant'. Second, Fellaini seeing himself as a DM has no relevance when it comes to his attacking abilities. He has proved both for Everton and Belgium he is a very good attacking midfielder who more than merely 'makes a nuissance' of himself.
Click to expand...

When I read these words...

At Everton he proved adept at exploiting the final third and combining well with his wide players and lead striker akin to Lampard.

...I took you to mean that Fellaini was "akin" to Lampard, which is effectively saying he's very much like Lampard.

What I wrote was this:

I agree that Fellaini is, like Lampard now, a "finaliser".

But I also clarified that while they are two "like" footballers in some ways, Fellaini is clearly inferior to Lampard:

Without trying to sound pro-Lampard (which I'm not) it's really an insult to Lampard to compare Fellaini to him.
So it appears we agree, rather than disagree, that Fellaini and Lampard do their best work in attacking situations, but that the former is significantly inferior to the latter. And that IS highly relevant, as the point at hand is that Moyes brought in Fellaini to serve as a DM yet it appears it is widely agreed that Fellaini is not a natural DM at all. That's a serious concern.

So, we agree that Fellaini is an accomplished attacking midfielder in one sense, but I would argue only in a limited sense. I trust you will agree with me that Fellaini is not a "creative" attacking midfielder, but rather more of a attacking midfielder who can get into the box and score. I've watched a lot of Everton over the years (but no so much this season) and I've watched all the youtube videos anyone can find and what he clearly does over and over, brilliantly, is take down on a long ball in the box and drop it off for his teamate. Whether a long ball from the center circle or a wide cross or a dink lob from the channel, Fellaini is highly adept at shaking off the defender, knocking the ball and creating a scoring chance. And he's a solid header on goal off a cross. I'd go so far as to say he's a genius at of creating a scoring chance off the long ball. But in situations where he received the ball on the ground, he loses his advantage over the defender and he's relatively easy to defend.

Frankie, on the other, is all about solid footwork, especialy in finding space for the shot on goal from outside the box. He was never mazy and jinky, but my God he knew how to create that tiny bit of space for the long shot on goal.

With respect to my point about Fellaini being a putative DM, my point was not to argue with you but to argue with Fellaini himself, who views himself primarily as a defensive midfielder. It was a ridiculous assertion, but if he's got the work ethic required of a top footballer, he just might be able to convert himself into one.
 
Beachryan said:
Fellaini is (was?) a very good footballer. For whatever reason he didn't settle with us, but even ignoring his Everton performances, he's an integral part of the Belgian team too. He's young and hopefully dedicated enough to put the past few months behind him.

Personally I think he should shave his ridiculous hair, as a sign of intent. Also, it might stop referees booking him everytime he gets within a foot of an opposition player.
Click to expand...

Really?
 
I forgot to mention one other thing about Lampard...he really knew how to find that sliver of space where the ball would pop up for a good chance on goal. His vision and reading of the game were extraordinary.

He didn't have Fellaini's athleticism, but he knew where to be at all times and wasted no energy. He was a superb footballer who deserves consideration as one of the greatest footballers of the prem era.

We shall see whether the same can ever be said of Fellaini.
 
So fellaini is the new lampard? Blimey at this stage i will soon start believing that ando can actually shit on fabregas
 
Gannicus said:
I forgot to mention one other thing about Lampard...he really knew how to find that sliver of space where the ball would pop up for a good chance on goal. His vision and reading of the game were extraordinary.

He didn't have Fellaini's athleticism, but he knew where to be at all times and wasted no energy. He was a superb footballer who deserves consideration as one of the greatest footballers of the prem era.

We shall see whether the same can ever be said of Fellaini.
Click to expand...

Lampard was a excellent athlete in the Beckham mould. He could run all day and was very mobile. And he rarely missed games through injury. Not as big as Fellaini of course.
 
Gannicus said:
When I read these words...

At Everton he proved adept at exploiting the final third and combining well with his wide players and lead striker akin to Lampard.

...I took you to mean that Fellaini was "akin" to Lampard, which is effectively saying he's very much like Lampard.
Click to expand...
Fair enough. The last time I checked the word akin meant 'similar', which in the context I used it meant Fellaini at Everton was playing a similar type of game to Lampard. Even though its true he isn't quite as good a player. But I can see how my message got mixed up a bit.
 
Last edited:
Bit off topic but could you imagine how hot his head will get in Dubai with that afro.
 
Looking forward to seeing him again. He's been hugely disappointing so far, but he's obviously a talented player. Given that Moyes bought him, I hope that he's figured out a way to use him effectively.
 
The most embarrassing, departure, panic buy we have ever made. The whole thing was and is an utter embarrassment to this club.
 
KingMinger22 said:
The most embarrassing, departure, panic buy we have ever made. The whole thing was and is an utter embarrassment to this club.
Click to expand...
Give it a break, man. Did we overspend? Yes. Has he been what he expected? No. Does he deserve a chance? Yes. It's February and he's been out for two months. Not that the team as a whole has represented what we spent for each and every single player bar one or two.
 
Why is his name being mentioned in the same sentence as lampard? :lol:
I think he'll start the next game... Don't expect anything impressive though to be honest.
 
I just want to see what he can do now he is injury free and getting a few games. Prepared to give him a chance.
 
he's only made about 10-12 appearances, and a lot of them were in our most clueless games of the season.

Hopefully the time away has taken the pressure off and he can put some decent shifts in now.
 
I consider him a new signing.He has been berlow par but he has been injured.He is way better then he has performed for us so far and the team he joined was dysfunctional to say the least.We're still an untidy team but there is little pressure on us now in league games, so we should be able to relax some and think about building for next season.I want to see the team play with less fear, and I'd like to see what this guy can really do from now until May.Gonna be a strange few months but I want to see United firing for the rest of the season.
 
He won't leave anytime soon and he hasn't had the chance to fairly be judged on his performances so I really hope he stays injury free and plays consistently well.
 
I like him and hopefully hell get a good run of games now so he can get established. Was always quality at everton, doom and gloom merchants making assumptions after 8 games are fools, he always playing a losing game with some due to the transfer fee.
 
kouroux said:
He won't leave anytime soon and he hasn't had the chance to fairly be judged on his performances so I really hope he stays injury free and plays consistently well.
Click to expand...

Yep, far too early to write him off. I predict he will turn a few heads in the CL if he gets the chance.
 
So his elbow's healed now, then? Is he going to finally throw it about as freely as he can and should?

Unleash the Fellaini.
 
I just can't wait for him to come back and actually start playing again. It will be refreshing to see people criticise or praise him for what he's actually doing on the pitch rather than what they think he will do.
 
.Rossi said:
The most controversial player to ever join United since Andy Goram :lol:

I've never seen a player divide so many opinions
Click to expand...

I'd say Fellaini is probably our second most controversial signing narrowly ahead of Andy Goram in third but pipped to the title by Andy Goram.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.