Quote:
Originally Posted by Ranier Wolfcastle
He used to seem like a principled guy but seems devoid of them in his simple punditry.
United were full of footballers passing sideways last season, what was he saying then?
Blind plays very intelligently & is an asset to the side.
Neville had a good season in 06/07 but made high profile mistakes in his career; it's aggravating to hear him preaching against defensive blunders when you remember his utterly stupid & pointless handball vs Bayern in 2010 in the away leg which brought them back into the game and tie ...
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Neville was constantly targeted by the opposition for most of his career at CL level. They knew he was a technical weak spot.
In fairness, you are allowed a certain "do as I say, not as I do" as a coach or a manager (doubt Mourinho or Wenger could take the ball off a midfield star and show them how to make a pass).
I know we're all disappointed with the two games against the best sides in the country but, frankly, given we were throwing away leads to Leicester not so long ago, I thought they looked pretty solid and are going in the right direction. The squad has plenty talent but is a bit imbalanced still. Fellaini is in the team to provide some physicality, playing reasonably well and may improve with good coaching BUT Utd should have someone like Pogba there.
We need a good ball playing centre half. Consider where Vidic and Evra were in their development at this stage after arriving and compare to Rojo and Shaw (who are younger and less experienced). Rojo injury is far more serious outcome of Sunday than the loss. Jones might deputise. We have two positions sorted there. I think Rafael will be alright but wouldn't be surprised to see him traded in for a bit more solid alternative. The player we're really missing (not just this year but with a couple of years since his decline) is Rio. The quick, elegant, ball playing centre half. The team is set up for someone like that. I like McNair so far. I would also consider Carrick playing back there. They might have slips but the other pairings are uncomfortable on the ball and it invites them to press on to us. Have a guy who is good on the ball back there (preferably two). Carrick could even be an attacking threat from there with the high line we're playing.
The only concern I'd have with Blind in midfield is he's slow. Hate watching players peddling around the field like that. You can't be asking him to be an attacking mid as well as doing that defensive shield job. Keane was just about able to do both in his twenties and he was the finest defensive mid of his era.