Marouane Fellaini | 2013/14 Performances

[thepolice123]

Scholes punched Makelele once in the 08 CL final. In the same final next year he got subbed on and the first thing he did was to scissor tackle Busquets. Of course, of all it got swept under the carpet because he is Scholes and his victims were Makelele and Busquets.

The point being made is simple, people are having double standards because Fellaini's reputation precedes his work on the pitch. Calling him a useless, lazy plump when he's consistently one of the top midfielders to cover the largest distances in a match just shows the confirmation bias.

 

[NK86]

This is what I sent to one of the mods when I was in the newbies. The things which made me go absolutely mad at Fellaini in the City game:

1. He hit a pass to Carrick and then made a dash into the opposition penalty box. Almost every time in the first 15-20 minutes. Never mind that the ball was still in our half with only Carrick and the defenders there. To cover for this, either one of Mata or Rooney then had to start dropping deep. There were moments in that first half when the Malaysian jet could have landed in between Carrick and the rest of our forward line (including Fellaini).
It seemed like instructions from Moyes which was bizarre as our best #10 was defending in our half while Fellaini was strolling in the opposition box when Toure and co. were bearing down our goal in the first half.

2. I don't think he is immobile but what exactly was he trying to do when the likes of Toure, Nasri, Silva and even Fernandinho just moved past him. He literally took a couple of half-hearted steps towards them and almost seemed like then gave way to them to breeze past him. After that he stood there like a corpse while our defense to came under pressure and he was no more than 10 yards away from our penalty box but made no attempt to run back and either track someone of put more pressure on them.

3. The ball launched by De Gea into Fellaini almost every time when we had a goal kick. I know it's not a bad ploy and it helps to move to the final third quicker. But it would be so much better to actually play the ball on the ground and move it forward through quick movement forward as a team. The way we did against West Ham.

That match showed exactly why so many are against Moyes. He seemed to revert to type in a big game. The tactics he used at Everton a lot against big teams.
Push Fellaini upfield. Hit the ling balls from the back onto his chest and then take it from there. A not too shabby plan when we have a midfield good enough to support it. But when Fellaini is part of that midfield, it made little sense as when he did give the ball away, which was plenty of times, he was caught so high up and out of position that he could do nothing.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

They'll shrug it off much more easily given it was Scholes but I think the majority of people would say that's a terrible challenge and not something they enjoyed seeing. I agree with your overall point to an extent but I do think consistent elbowing is something no football fan appreciates seeing no matter who the player is.

I would never claim that people "apppreciate" Fellaini's flailing elbows. I think they'd be more inclined to ignore/defend them if they didn't have such low opinions of him as a footballer.

In fact, I'm one of several people on here who have talked about our squad lacking a bit of nastiness these last few years.

Someone who might do something like this:

If Fellaini had put in a decent performance against City, I've absolutely no doubt the righteous indignation about the elbow would be a lot more muted.

 

[Eugenius]

I would never claim that people "apppreciate" Fellaini's flailing elbows. I think they'd be more inclined to ignore/defend them if they didn't have such low opinions of him as a footballer.

In fact, I'm one of several people on here who have talked about our squad lacking a bit of nastiness these last few years.

Someone who might do something like this:

If Fellaini had put in a decent performance against City, I've absolutely no doubt the righteous indignation about the elbow would be a lot more muted.

There's controlled nastiness and roughing up an opponent and there's elbowing a player for no reason when the referee is five yards away.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

There's controlled nastiness and roughing up an opponent and there's elbowing a player for no reason when the referee is five yards away.

I'm sure whoever watched Robson clatter the right back in Giggs' anecdote thought it was "for no reason".

 

[Sir Matt]

Scholes punched Makelele once in the 08 CL final. In the same final next year he got subbed on and the first thing he did was to scissor tackle Busquets. Of course, of all it got swept under the carpet because he is Scholes and his victims were Makelele and Busquets.

The point being made is simple, people are having double standards because Fellaini's reputation precedes his work on the pitch. Calling him a useless, lazy plump when he's consistently one of the top midfielders to cover the largest distances in a match just shows the confirmation bias.

Distance covered is a useless metric when demonstrating his effort. I could care less how far he runs when it's a result of him passing it to Carrick and legging it forward to the box abandoning midfield, as he does regularly. Much of his distance covered is walking or loafing back towards our box after the opposition is past him. In the first half against City, Silva(I think) cut in towards the middle and ran within 5 yards of Fellaini but Fellaini never raised his speed, attempted to catch up or even bother him. Carrick ran past Fellaini, caught Silva, and took the ball off him. Meanwhile, Fellaini is just watching jogging back towards the box for the sake of appearances.

 

[Eugenius]

I'm sure whoever watched Robson clatter the right back in Giggs' anecdote thought it was "for no reason".

Well if there was a reason for the elbow, it was a stupid and blatant act at a stupid time. It's not like leaving a foot in or having a few choice words with a player, it was just a moronic thing to do.

We've had players tread the line in terms of being aggressive (Scholes and Rooney particularly) and sometimes overstep it but it's generally controlled and better placed aggression. You'd think as well being the shit brickhouse that he is, that Fellaini could find a better way of putting himself about that flailing his limbs.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Well if there was a reason for the elbow, it was a stupid and blatant act at a stupid time. It's not like leaving a foot in or having a few choice words with a player, it was just a moronic thing to do.

We've had players tread the line in terms of being aggressive (Scholes and Rooney particularly) and sometimes overstep it but it's generally controlled and better placed aggression. You'd think as well being the shit brickhouse that he is, that Fellaini could find a better way of putting himself about that flailing his limbs.

You mean you really can't think of examples when Rooney and (particularly) Schols have committed fouls that wouldn't fit that description?

 

[jeff_goldblum]

Rooney gave James McCarthy (who'd have been 19 at the time) a far worse elbow than that one, off the ball as well. Keane and Cantona have both done worse. In a game where Fellaini was no worse than the likes of Mata, Rio and Evra in his actual performance, having a strop over the elbow is the only way people can vent their pre-existing hatred for him whilst seeming to take the moral high ground

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Rooney gave James McCarthy (who'd have been 19 at the time) a far worse elbow than that one, off the ball as well. Keane and Cantona have both done worse. In a game where Fellaini was no worse than the likes of Mata, Rio and Evra in his actual performance, having a strop over the elbow is the only way people can vent their pre-existing hatred for him whilst seeming to take the moral high ground

Rio too.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-suspension-clash-Hull-Citys-Craig-Fagan.html

 

[Eugenius]

You mean you really can't think of examples when Rooney and (particularly) Schols have committed fouls that wouldn't fit that description?

I'm not saying that. As I said they have both overstepped the mark and made some stupid tackles. What I was more alluding to is that when it comes to putting themselves about and showing some aggression that Scholes and Rooney try to be forceful over the 90 minutes. When Scholes tackles, he never just wafts a foot at it, he makes sure the other player feels it. Rooney will follow back a man ten yards to make a strong tackle and doesn't mind roughing up defenders as well.

Both have that edge and urgency in their play that makes them who they are (and as both relatively small and technical players who would both otherwise be kicking targets). They both have had the element in their game to step over the line but that's due to how they play the game. If you're talking about nastiness, that's the way to go about it, aggression over 90 minutes as opposed to Fellaini - who we haven't seen impose himself in that fashion - flailing an elbow for some unknown reason.

 

[bobbyf]

The point being made is simple, people are having double standards because Fellaini's reputation precedes his work on the pitch. Calling him a useless, lazy plump when he's consistently one of the top midfielders to cover the largest distances in a match just shows the confirmation bias.

Fellaini can cover all the distance he wants, but what really matters is if he is effective in our central midfield. The answer is no. He's not an improvement on what we already have and gets found out by mid table sides. And where's this consistency? He was nowhere near consistent enough even at Everton.

He's immobile, cumbersome, cannot pass very well, tackle and has no idea about positioning, so what's his role in the side? Top midfielder? At best he's just about average, and we should be aiming for a lot better in such a vital role, especially if we're spending that much money.

 

[bosnian_red]

It's simple really. Nobody likes having dirty, diving, cheating players at their club. Those players will always get criticized and hounded when they do it (ex., young when he dives). They will all get criticized always unless they're actually quality players, like scholes, like keane, like Ronaldo with the diving, or nani during those 2 years, like Suarez at Liverpool, like all of Barcelona. As long as they're producing on the pitch, the other stuff gets brushed over. Once a player starts playing like shit, and then gives away pointless fouls, needlessly lashes out like that, of course people will criticize him. Double standards? Maybe, but it's the way it is.

 

[NK86]

Rooney gave James McCarthy (who'd have been 19 at the time) a far worse elbow than that one, off the ball as well. Keane and Cantona have both done worse. In a game where Fellaini was no worse than the likes of Mata, Rio and Evra in his actual performance, having a strop over the elbow is the only way people can vent their pre-existing hatred for him whilst seeming to take the moral high ground

Every single one of those players have been criticized and worse. Just because people also took an exception to Fellaini elbow someone does not mean that other players got away from criticism.

If it had been Rio elbowing opponents after that performance of his, people would have slammed him as well. Just that Fellaini has a prior for this kind of aggression so people point it out and take notice more often.

 

[Eugenius]

Every single one of those players have been criticized and worse. Just because people also took an exception to Fellaini elbow someone does not mean that other players got away from criticism.

If it had been Rio elbowing opponents after that performance of his, people would have slammed him as well. Just that Fellaini has a prior for this kind of aggression so people point it out and take notice more often.

I hadn't watched Fellaini all too often before, he's obviously a physical guy but there's a degree of malice in a lot of this

 

[bosnian_red]

I hadn't watched Fellaini all too often before, he's obviously a physical guy but there's a degree of malice in a lot of this

Gained a bit of respect for turner looking at that, cnutish move from Fellaini but Turner just stands there takes it and doesn't make anything of it and goes on with the game.

 

[Sixpence]

He's a Non League thug with the ability to match.

 

[Lu Tze]

He's a Non League thug with the ability to match.

Except he's not though really is he? I know you love a bit of hyperbole, but c'mon.

 

[fishfingers15]

You mean you really can't think of examples when Rooney and (particularly) Schols have committed fouls that wouldn't fit that description?

Yeah, but when Rafael does it, we should sign Seamus eh?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah, but when Rafael does it, we should sign Seamus eh?

Great contribution, genius. Really nailed the issue being discussed.

 

[fishfingers15]

Great contribution, genius. Really nailed the issue being discussed.

Sorry, can you stop this patronizing bullshit? Wanker

 

[Red Shorts]

He's a Non League thug with the ability to match.

Well that is clearly not true.

Christ the overreactions on here are funny. Didn't see any of you piping up after his performances against all those other teams before City?

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Sorry, can you stop this patronizing bullshit? Wanker

Chin up, sister. Make a smart arse comment and you can expect a smart arse response.

 

[fishfingers15]

Chin up, sister. Make a smart arse comment and you can expect a smart arse response.

Take a hike, your reply wasn't smart arse, but the usual boring 'You don't know football as much as me'. I'm going to stop replying to this nonsense either way.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Oh you wanted your comment taken seriously?

People want Rafael replaced with Coleman because Rafael's a dirty player?

Er... Wut.

 

[Sixpence]

Well that is clearly not true.

Christ the overreactions on here are funny. Didn't see any of you piping up after his performances against all those other teams before City?

You should read the thread properly then. While you were all wanking over his amazing performance against West Ham, it was pointed out that he is nothing but an oaf and a foul machine.

 

[Lu Tze]

he is nothing but a oaf and a foul machine.

Of course. The Belgium national team choose an "oaf and a foul machine" to anchor their midfield going into the world cup. Also why Wenger wanted to sign him to anchor their midfield. It makes perfect sense - he must be utter shite, how have I not seen it all along! Hallelujah I'm a convert!

Or not.

 

[Smores]

I rate Fellaini and he'll prove his worth but we'll have to use him right, especially when we don't operate a dynamic midfield 3. Those difficult games where we need to break down a deep team he's great but against the likes of City he's a liability leaving it all on his midfield partner.

 

[Lu Tze]

I've changed my opinion about one aspect of Fellaini's game from watching him this season - he won't be able to be a B2B mid for us in big games. I thought he might have it in him, but I think he's best suited to being a midfield anchorman and distributing/breaking up play, without much of a license to get forward. In a 2 especially it won't work having 2 immobile midfielders. We need to sign a Gundogan/Kroos and have them perform the B2B role.

Against the bottom half he will be fine as a B2B though, as he can just bully them at both ends.

 

[utdalltheway]

How is that in anyway connected to football?

offside?

 

[mic.m]

Come on are we really rating his performance against Westham? That was a competent display against a longball team looking to avoid relegation. Nothing special. Roy Keane and Scholes made their reputations in matches against teams like Juve, Roma, Milan, Inter Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool... Even the likes of Fletcher, Carrick, Anderson had decent performances in big games. Westham really? You're welcome

 

[Shamwow]

I was really rating him after he came back and thinking he is exactly what we've needed but I'm starting to think that was just because it was nice to see someone giving a bit of fight in our midfield - he gets stuck in, holds players off, after he passes generally looks to move to advance the play and even though his passing isn't imaginative, he does at least try to pass it forwards when the pass is on.

These are all things we've been missing but is it what we should be aspiring to? Maybe the bad form of the rest of our midfield this season is making him look far better than he would.

Carrick's been great for us over the years but he tends to play that "quarterback" role where he stays behind the play even when he's in great form. Cleverley was promising but he hasn't been good this season. I love Fletcher but he's getting on and the illness must have taken a lot out of him. Then there's Giggs who is a complete legend but also happens to be 40.

 

[DanNistelrooy]

Just can't see how we are going to play attractive football with him in the team. I don't think he is a bad player just not one that we are used to having. Got a place in the squad but I don't want him as a starter from next season

 

[Ducklegs]

He is a hateful clogger.
I can't stand him.

He is the polar opposite of what we should be aiming for in midfield.

He lacks any kind of craft, any kind of vision, and for all his spitefulness with his dirty flailing elbows and pushes, he is a physical coward when it actually comes to getting stuck in.

 

[MikeUpNorth]

I hadn't watched Fellaini all too often before, he's obviously a physical guy but there's a degree of malice in a lot of this

He's a complete dickhead. That alone shouldn't exclude him from being a United player (e.g. Roy Keane), but combined with his total lack of ability, it makes it a joke that he plays for us.

 

[bobbyf]

Of course. The Belgium national team choose an "oaf and a foul machine" to anchor their midfield going into the world cup. Also why Wenger wanted to sign him to anchor their midfield. It makes perfect sense - he must be utter shite, how have I not seen it all along! Hallelujah I'm a convert!

Or not.

So what? Belgium currently have their 'golden generation' (where have we heard that before?) and have showed potential but nothing more. How has he done against decent opposition?

And if Wenger really wanted him, why were there no official bids from Arsenal (or from anyone else) when he was available?

 

[Shamwow]

I hadn't watched Fellaini all too often before, he's obviously a physical guy but there's a degree of malice in a lot of this

Next suggested video for me was fun

 

[Ducklegs]

So what? Belgium currently have their 'golden generation' (where have we heard that before?) and have showed potential but nothing more. How has he done against decent opposition?

And if Wenger really wanted him, why were there no official bids from Arsenal (or from anyone else) when he was available?

The same fantasy world where Real Madrid were chasing Antonio Valencia.

 

[Lu Tze]

The same fantasy world where Real Madrid were chasing Antonio Valencia.

What incentive does Fellaini have to lie about interest in him after he signed for United? He's got his contract - it's not like he had to drum up further interest. In any case, do you seriously believe all transfer bids are made in the public domain? Of course they're not, 90% of dealings between clubs and agents are private. Fellaini was linked with Arsenal throughout the summer, so it's not like his statement came from nowhere.

 

[Sixpence]

Must have been that other Arsenal team in Argentina or wherever it is, because there's no way this guy would get anywhere near an Arsene Wenger side.