Never in a million years could Amartey be described as a 6. What about the ridiculous dragback near the corner flag which gave possession to united on the edge of our box? The yellow card? Almost getting another? There’s no way that’s a 6 out of 10 performance come on mate

Hi BS. Just the way I saw it. Shaw got done by Vardy trying something similar second half which resulted in a decent cross which was nearly converted. Most teams these days try and play out from the back and keep possession and sometimes you're going to get caught out because of it, but on the plus side it can be good to watch.

The hand ball I did concede was stupid but overall I thought he was OK.

Fair enough. So would you be happy with puel keeping him as the first choice RB?

No

Thanks FFS btw

BS - I would like to see Pereirra given a go as first choice RB.

Actually I would quite like to see us go 3, 5, 1, 1 with Pereirra and Chilwell as attacking wingbacks and Gray, Ndidi and Silva in the middle and Maddison and Vardy ahead of them

Maddison apparently didn’t get a yellow.

Agree with your thoughts FFS.

Amartey actually saved Morgan’s blushes at one point, as you said though, they’ll be mistakes made by playing out from the back.

I remember 3 blunders by Amartey, bad ones. Though if he had not made them , he would have come out with a creditable performance. He did get involved in some quick and accurate passages of play.
He was wasn't the only player to make bad decisions and poor passes. Making a gaffe when your a defender is almost always a potential goal against threat, and becomes highlighted.
I've a feeling Ricardo is going to prove to be better in a wing role than as a defender, therefore I'd be prepared to give Amartey another game or two. If he can settle down and cut out the gaffes he may be our best option. It's early days, but it looks fairly promising, will need to put in "Old Trafford" like performances against the lesser sides though. Can we do that ?

Appleton - nay, nay thrice nay! I'd Pereira hasn't been brought in as a RB then it's time to revisit the severe criticism of our acquisitions policy and DOF!

Looked to me that it was Ricardo who almost gifted Lukaku a goal rather than Moran - at least if I'm thinking of the same incident, the one that resulted in Lukaku getting a free shot in the 18 yard box which Schmeichel deflected into the ground and just over the bar. Even so, I thought the difficulties in the partnership between him and Maguire were quite pronounced on Friday. They both just want to defend in different ways.

Overall, I'd argue that the ratings are a bit generous in places but I would approximately agree.

Think the ratings are about right, even Amartey. Although how I’m the first person to question the use of decimals is beyond me.

Decimals!!!

What's up with decimals Mersey, I wouldn't have had you down as coming from Planet of the Eighths!

Actually FFS. Your formation of 3, 5, 1, 1 with Pereirra and Chilwell as attacking wingbacks and Gray, Ndidi and Silva in the middle and Maddison and Vardy ahead of them was something I was going to post on.

This formation would allow a more solid defence option of playing Macguire, Evans and one of the new centre halves across the back. When we attack we are three - when we defend we are five. Very similar to how England played in the world cup. This would deal with some of the defensive frailties of Pereirra and Chilwell as they would be covered by the back three. (Shaw's goal at Old Trafford may have been averted if Pereirra had cover).

I still think there would be one weak link in midfield as Silva is not the finished article and a more direct forward passing midfielder would help.

comment by Vulpes (U6011)
posted 1 hour, 26 minutes ago
What's up with decimals Mersey, I wouldn't have had you down as coming from Planet of the Eighths!
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Might as well do the scores out of 20

I think playing 3 at the back is about as much in Puel’s mind as playing Simpson at right back is.

Decimals are the devil's rating system. I will have no part in them.


I would begrudgingly accept a pi for geek value.

“Silva is not the finished article”
——————————

Slightly worrying statement when written about a 29 year old.

They probably meant in the Premier League?

But I'm sure you knew that really.

comment by True Blue (U9486)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
They probably meant in the Premier League?

But I'm sure you knew that really.
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"They probably meant in the Premier League?"

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Even in that context, how much longer does he need now? Half a season playing and half a season preparing for someone in their late 20s should be enough for a quality player to not keep giving the ball away with random plays in dangerous areas.

Silva looks a poor signing if I’m honest. I don’t really understand it at all given his age. I think again, like Inler, we have a quality player who isn’t suitable for the premier league because he needs time and space that you get in Europe.

Maybe so. He always looks rushed on the ball and - last season at least - didn't read the game well enough defensively. It's interesting that Iborra looks far more comfortable on that front, but the concern with him is that he won't cover so much ground and has a habit of slowing the game down too much. Like other positions in our squad, I think if they could combine abilities then we'd have an excellent player on our hands.

Imagine Cambiassos brain inside Grays body. You’d basically have Ronaldo

I wonder who we'd have to convince at the LRI to get that to happen.

I thoughts silva looked pretty tidy at old Trafford. His best game for us I thought.

Lots of diagonals opening up space on the wing and lots of good quick interplay.

Yes as a result he does give the ball away but for me, his only learning is to know when it’s ok to take that risk and when it’s not.

I also really like Iborra and don’t think he’ll slow games down when people are running beyond him which is what wasn’t happening last year. He isn’t the quickest across the pitch but he is efficient on the ball.