Southampton vs Manchester United (11.05.2014)

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footballgirl07 said:
Wonder if Keane will get some playing time if he opts to give more players a league debut. He has done well out on loan this year and would be great to see him get a chance.
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I know he's primarily a CB, but rather than shoehorning Valencia/Smalling in at RB, or rushing Rafael back, why not play Keane? He's played there a few times this season for Blackburn and has definitely done it in the past.

Of course, if Giggs is looking at Keane for RB, surely he would have been advised of Varela's performances this season.
 
Nickosaur said:
I know he's primarily a CB, but rather than shoehorning Valencia/Smalling in at RB, or rushing Rafael back, why not play Keane? He's played there a few times this season for Blackburn and has definitely done it in the past.

Of course, if Giggs is looking at Keane for RB, surely he would have been advised of Varela's performances this season.
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I agree, Keane has done fine at RB this season on loan and tbh, anyone but Smalling at RB is better imo. You can get away with Valencia against the poorer teams but Sou are not in that category. Valera another option and a player I want to see step up soon. Looks a good prospect! I would sooner see either of them two ahead of Smalling and Valencia at RB, especially in last game of the season.
 
footballgirl07 said:
I agree, Keane has done fine at RB this season on loan and tbh, anyone but Smalling at RB is better imo. You can get away with Valencia against the poorer teams but Sou are not in that category. Valera another option and a player I want to see step up soon. Looks a good prospect! I would sooner see either of them two ahead of Smalling and Valencia at RB, especially in last game of the season.
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When I saw Lawrence and Wilson were starting the Hull game, I immediately looked to the right back position. Thought that would have guaranteed a start for Varela, or even Keane. Imagine my disappointment when I saw Valencia there...he's been okay but I hate the idea of playing players out of position (Smalling/Jones included) when we have several young options who are natural right backs (Janko can play there too I believe, despite playing much of this season in right mid/right wing).

If Van Gaal comes in, I'd be fairly optimistic that he'd look to Varela as a member of the first team squad and a back-up for Rafael, rather than forcing other players there instead.

Anyway, back on topic, it would be nice to see some of the youngsters get 30 minutes towards the end. Can't see them starting with the U21 final coming up. Januzaj has to start on the right after the Hull game, and I'd like to see Danny get some time up front rather than on the wing.
 
Varela certainly looks like the sort who could handle the step up. Got a real maturity to his game already. He's the one youngster I wouldn't mind getting a run-out rather than saving his fitness for the U21 final, because unlike so many of the others he's got no injury concerns at all and doesn't look at all burnt out by the hard work of the season so far.
 
Brightonian said:
Varela certainly looks like the sort who could handle the step up. Got a real maturity to his game already. He's the one youngster I wouldn't mind getting a run-out rather than saving his fitness for the U21 final, because unlike so many of the others he's got no injury concerns at all and doesn't look at all burnt out by the hard work of the season so far.
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Agree. Plus if Rafael is out injured I would give him a game. He seems physically good too. I would trust him and I'm really hoping he gets a game here. I wouldn't want any other youngster to start. I think Pearson would get dominated against Southampton.

I wouldn't want to put a young midfielder against a team like Southampton. The way they press it would be something that most of the young players would never have experienced.
 
Gerald G said:
Agree. Plus if Rafael is out injured I would give him a game. He seems physically good too. I would trust him and I'm really hoping he gets a game here. I wouldn't want any other youngster to start. I think Pearson would get dominated against Southampton.

I wouldn't want to put a young midfielder against a team like Southampton. The way they press it would be something that most of the young players would never have experienced.
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Well I wouldn't consider Pearson anyway, to be honest - I still think he's a year away from that. But the likes of Lawrence, Wilson, Keane etc - they should be allowed to rest and prepare for the Chelsea game.
 
Brightonian said:
Well I wouldn't consider Pearson anyway, to be honest - I still think he's a year away from that. But the likes of Lawrence, Wilson, Keane etc - they should be allowed to rest and prepare for the Chelsea game.
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Oh yeah. I wasn't talking about you just see some putting Pearson in the team and I don't think he'd stand a chance. As you say, he's not ready. The only youngster I would play would be Varela.
 
Raw said:
Win this and we've won the away league! When's the parade?

5deIGow.png
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Seems mad doesn't it!
Remember that title win a few years ago, where we barely won any away games, but had an incredible home record?
 
Who's the better rightback prospect and who is more likely to make it to the first team now, Janko or Varela?
 
How on earth have you guys won the away league given some of the performances away? I know noone else has torn up trees this season but seems mad you will be above Liverpool and Arsenal in the away league.
 
SATA said:
Who's the better rightback prospect and who is more likely to make it to the first team now, Janko or Varela?
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Varela is ahead at the moment due to age and experience you'd have to say.

Who knows who the better prospect is.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
How on earth have you guys won the away league given some of the performances away? I know noone else has torn up trees this season but seems mad you will be above Liverpool and Arsenal in the away league.
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We've comfortably/impressively beaten pretty much the entire bottom 12 sides away from home with just a couple exceptions. Our performances were fine.

It's only the against the top 6 sides that we've struggled, both away and at home.
 
Sandikan said:
Seems mad doesn't it!
Remember that title win a few years ago, where we barely won any away games, but had an incredible home record?
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Ah yes that was crazy. Would have won all our home games if it weren't for Van der Sar's rare blunder against West Brom which became their equaliser.
 
De Gea,
Rafael, Vidic, Smalling, Evra,

Valencia, Carrick, Kagawa, Januzaj
-----------------Mata
--------------Van Persie

Kagawa has to be a better option in midfield than the others...
 
MancunianAngels said:
De Gea,
Rafael, Vidic, Smalling, Evra,

Valencia, Carrick, Kagawa, Januzaj
-----------------Mata
--------------Van Persie

Kagawa has to be a better option in midfield than the others...
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Not after what we saw last week thanks.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
How on earth have you guys won the away league given some of the performances away? I know noone else has torn up trees this season but seems mad you will be above Liverpool and Arsenal in the away league.
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It's like they say... the away game league table doesn't lie.

It's just that we've been catastrophic at home.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
How on earth have you guys won the away league given some of the performances away? I know noone else has torn up trees this season but seems mad you will be above Liverpool and Arsenal in the away league.
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To be fair, we have played well away from home this season apart from playing away to the bigger sides.
 
ItsEssexRob said:
How on earth have you guys won the away league given some of the performances away? I know noone else has torn up trees this season but seems mad you will be above Liverpool and Arsenal in the away league.
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We've beaten the teams we're supposed to beat away.

It's just we've failed against some at home, and pretty much capitulated to every top 6 side home or away.
 
Pretty inconsequential game. The "No Europa place trophy", and for the first time this season we are ahead. Sad we won't be able to play the kids as they have the U21 trophy final.

Lindegaard
Rafael Smalling Ferdinand Buttner
Cleverley Fellaini
Januzaj Welbeck Giggs
Hernandez​
 
Is Evans still not fit? I just hope Giggs plays himself and tries to get that goal he needs to have scored in every PL season.

De Gea

Rafael
Rio
Smalling
Evra

Januzaj
Carrick
Giggs
Kagawa

Mata
Welbeck
 
Even if we'll rest the kids for U21s final Michael Keane should start.He deserves that and it's not like another U21s final (he's in the team for the last two seasons which we all won) will benefit him anyway.Not like he really contributed much to the U21s this campaign anyway after spending most of the seasons on loan.
 
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SATA said:
Who's the better rightback prospect and who is more likely to make it to the first team now, Janko or Varela?
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Well against Liverpool in the U21 semis we played Varela at RB and Janko further up the pitch at RM/RW which I think sheds some light on who we think is better at RB!
 
rpitroda said:
Well against Liverpool in the U21 semis we played Varela at RB and Janko further up the pitch at RM/RW which I think sheds some light on who we think is better at RB!
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Not necessarily. Varela is further ahead in his development. His positioning and reading of the game are excellent and he has the perfect blend of attacking/defensive attributes imo.

I remember Warren Joyce saying a while back that they've worked hard on Janko's first touch and link-up play, and he'll get better at those things on the wing. It's likely just another stepping stone in his development process and as he had experience there before he joined us, playing him there allows both him and Varela to get adequate game time. I'd love to see Varela promoted to the first team next season and although I think Saidy is a good prospect I don't think he's at that stage just yet.
 
This match and the Tottenham one will be very interesting today.

While Liverpool and Man City will be trying to win, I wouldn't be surprised if Tottenham and Man United will hope to do the opposite. I am sure both clubs will be looking at the scoreboard throughout the game. I don't think these clubs would mind missing out on the Mickey Mouse League.

Juan Mata already stated how United will benefit next season without European Football. He said it as if it is a foregone conclusion.

I hope Tottenham and United win today.
 
Tottenham seem to take the EL seriously though. I also doubt they have the lucrative mid-season friendlies lined up that we (supposedly) do. I've never been under the impression that they don't want to qualify for it. I think we should too.
 
Given the way Southampton will likely press our midfield I fear for us in this game. Forgive me but it could actually make sense to play Fellaini further up the pitch today to give us that out ball because I don't trust Carrick, Fletcher or Cleverley to take the ball from the defenders and do anything with it.
 
Carl said:
Given the way Southampton will likely press our midfield I fear for us in this game. Forgive me but it could actually make sense to play Fellaini further up the pitch today to give us that out ball because I don't trust Carrick, Fletcher or Cleverley to take the ball from the defenders and do anything with it.
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Probably just make more sense to leave him where he can do the least damage. In the stands, harsh but true.
 
Have any of the young lads travelled for this one?

Or are they all being rested for the final?
 
khoazany said:
I think you have to wait for a bit more for team news...

James Wilson wasn't included according to Daily Mail.
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I understand about the team news and no doubt Wilson will be rested for Chelsea but I was just wondering if anyone knew if any of them had travelled down to Southampton.
 
A 'keep players sweet who Giggs might want to stay' side....

-------------Lindegaard-----------
Valencia Smalling Ferdinand Evra
---------Carrick Cleverley---------
----Van Persie Mata Kagawa-----
------------Hernandez------------

Or maybe a '4-3-3 of the future in preparation for Van Gaal' side...........

----------------DDG-------------
Valencia Smalling Evans Buttner
-------Mata Fellaini Kagawa----
Van Persie Hernandez Welbeck


Might Januzaj play in the U21 final, BTW?
 
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