re: 2014/2015 Winter Transfer Thread

Oh shite, you're right.

Who would play RB for y'all? Valencia? Is one of those Brazilian twins still around?

And their personnel (granted a lot are hurt) has played a huge deal. Their wing back play has to be better and the CM's have to be much better to control the middle of the field. That and I think they could use a good, experienced CB to help organize and settle the backline.

quote:

---

the CM's have to be much better to control the middle of the field. That and I think they could use a good, experienced CB to help organize and settle the backline.

---

That's the salient point.
Success with the 3-5-2 depends on midfielders really controlling the match and not losing possession in dangerous places. This is what Man U from the couple of matches I've seen desperately miss.

Di Maria as an attacking midfielder instead of a less defensively aware/capable guy like Mata could help but the real issue, as you point out, is a tough ball winning DM who's also good enough in possession to not lose the ball when pressed and to take advantage of the increased opportunity to get forward.

That and better CBs (but that's the case regardless of their formation.)


It's not like they don't know this as they have seemed to attempt to get Vidal/Strootman etc and Benatia et al.

If I were a Man U fan I would be happier to see the entire billion pounds (or whatever it is they'll spend) just used to get a couple of these type guys at any price and forget the attack.

For example, Benatia's relationship with Roma is passed the breaking point and he will be sold if someone bids enough. Instead of overpaying for an array of attackers just offer whatever it takes in fees/salary to get that done. Maybe they will.

The DM (+ maybe a better box to box type too) will be tougher to get an absolutely top notch guy.
However, there's got to a hundred or so available for a high end bid that would be much better than what they have now.

It's very possible we could have 3 new regulars on our backline. But I think with the system we have and Gerrard playing as the holding midfielder, we're gonna be susceptible to giving up goals no matter what.

Lovren's not a HUGE name, but I think he's better than what we had and he gives us a leader in the back. And with CL football, our biggest problem wasn't replacing Suarez, but trying to get depth throughout the team, and I think we did that. All in all, I'm pretty pleased with our transfer window. Depending on how the first half of the season goes, I could see us going for a big name CM

We spent £20mm on Lovren... That's the guy we identified as our CB target and got him... I like him and think he could be the leader we need back there.

I don't think we were ever going to go the £30mm + route on a CB and I'm glad we didn't since the CB market was kinda out of whack this summer..

Fair enough, I actually forgot about Lovren. Man U though...

Anyways, should be a good one tomorrow!

Liverpool bought a #1 CB, #1 LB and #1 RB. What are you talking about? ETA for £32m + Manquillo's wages. United spent that much just on their LB, and they are spending twice that much on an attacking midfielder. I just don't really understand it.

MOTD broke down United pretty well today. The CBs are so timid. They don't move into space. They barely play the ball forward. Smalling at one point had almost 50 yards of open space in front of him and he drove forward maybe 10 yards, looking like he had never had a ball at his feet before. Fletcher and Cleverly were atrocious. Couldn't complete simple passes, gave the ball away cheaply, casually jogging around the field.

quote:

---

Buy some defenders for God's sake.

---

wut Shaw and Rojo

Some money but I don't think that clause is until next season. FFP wise we are fine esp with all the players we will be selling and other revenue streams.