Yes, I've seen Encanto with the kids. Enjoyed it immensely.
Back on track. Every day on this board we see tons of articles slating our team but Bruno tends to avoid criticism. I appreciate his contributions but he's been atrocious for the best part of 18 months.
I'm actually looking forward to him not playing against Burnley as I won't have to scream when he loses possession again and again.
Most of you know my thoughts about Ronaldo's return as well.
I personally would like both of them benched for a few games. I honestly do not think they will be missed as much. Especially if Cavani stays fit.
Just something I wanted to get off my chest.
We Don't Talk About Bruno-no-no
posted on 29/12/21
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 1 hour, 29 minutes ago
18 months is actually pretty accurate.
He hasn't put in that many good 90 minute performances in the last season and a half but that also goes for a number of players at the club. It's why I sometimes find it hard to really single any individual out for playing poorly when it's a team/squad wide issue.
The individual performances are just symptomatic of the team as a whole.
I've mentioned this a number of times before down the years but it seriously baffles me why so many players become worse footballers at this club. Bruno is a shadow of the player he was at Sporting, has been for a while.
I'm not that worried about Sancho yet as it's still very early days for him but I hope for his sake and the team's we can get our act together very soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Our players, and Bruno is the most guilty by far but not alone, keep trying the Hollywood pass a lot of the time instead of keeping it simple.
It is why we are so frustrating to watch. The times players make runs or are well open and are not picked out because someone either wants an extra two touches on the ball or tries a difficult pass that really is not on is quite staggering.
And that doesn’t even count the short five yard passes we can’t seem to complete when we try an easy one.
posted on 29/12/21
comment by Lurker (U21432)
posted 50 minutes ago
He's been crap for all of 2021.
Needs a long period on the bench.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This
Donnie will make or break if Bruno gets a rest and gets hungry
posted on 30/12/21
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 4 hours, 23 minutes ago
18 months is actually pretty accurate.
He hasn't put in that many good 90 minute performances in the last season and a half but that also goes for a number of players at the club. It's why I sometimes find it hard to really single any individual out for playing poorly when it's a team/squad wide issue.
The individual performances are just symptomatic of the team as a whole.
I've mentioned this a number of times before down the years but it seriously baffles me why so many players become worse footballers at this club. Bruno is a shadow of the player he was at Sporting, has been for a while.
I'm not that worried about Sancho yet as it's still very early days for him but I hope for his sake and the team's we can get our act together very soon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
This.
Bruno hasn’t improved and looks worse. There’s been no refinement/improvement of his weaknesses.
Rashford’s goals output has improved but must of his general game & on pitch demeanour hasn’t. He’s infuriating & really doesn’t look well coached.
Martial is much the same as Rashford. He arguably looked a better player went he burst onto the scene for us.
Greenwood has made strides in terms of now being up to speed with PL football, and was showing some improvement in his play back to goal last year. But I still don’t feel he’s making the progress he could be.
It’s not a coincidence this keeps happening. I’m struggling to think of any players that have come into the club or come through the academy in recent years that have made continuous improvements over time as players.
posted on 30/12/21
while Bruno's performances have dropped off somewhat i think the assist stick is a poor one to batter him with.
i tend to go with chances created as you can out the ball on a plate for your team mate, but if he fails to finish it goes unrecognised as an assist.
so far this season Bruno has created 44 chances, 2 ahead of TAA who is second.
maybe if our players were not so wasteful at times those stats would be a lot higher.
the problem for me with Bruno is the simple passes that go astray and the constant moaning to team mates and referees
posted on 30/12/21
The whole team is in total disarray. We have only one player in the entire first team playing squad who I would say is averaging a 7 out of 10 or above for the season and that's the keeper. Couple more maybe a 6 at a push.
Vast majority of players are playing with zero confidence and belief and the signs aren't looking that great that it's about to change soon either.
Genuinely starting to believe that it will be another season or so out of the CL for us and another reset. Only issue is with these buffoons in charge it will then be another reset after that and then another.
posted on 30/12/21
to be honest i'm not liking this 4222 formation and i dont think the players have taken to it either.
if i was the manager id be tempted to go 442 tonight with bruno out.
something like
De Gea
AWB Varane Maguire shaw
Matic Fred
Sancho Rashford
Cavani Ronaldo
posted on 30/12/21
thats sancho and rashford out wide... fecking thing
posted on 30/12/21
Expecting a very nervy evening ahead for us. Confidence is well and truly shot. Burnley are compact, well drilled and the masters of the dark arts.
Their physical forwards will give Maguire and Varane a torrid night if recent evidence is anything to go by too.
Of course we should have enough to win the game but this fixture hasn't been all that kind to us of late. They seem to know how to play against us at Old Trafford.
posted on 30/12/21
comment by plain old dunc (U11713)
posted 7 hours, 19 minutes ago
to be honest i'm not liking this 4222 formation and i dont think the players have taken to it either.
if i was the manager id be tempted to go 442 tonight with bruno out.
something like
De Gea
AWB Varane Maguire shaw
Matic Fred
Sancho Rashford
Cavani Ronaldo
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4-2-2-2 is really just a narrow 4-4-2.
I don't think there's any reason we can't play a narrow, high pressing 4-4-2/4-2-2-2. But it needs the right players in the right positions.
I think the whole thing would work a lot better if Bruno & Cavani were the two furthest forward, with energetic players like Sancho, Lingard or DvdB in the second two.
That requires dropping both Ronaldo & Rashford, which would be the kind of big calls our management team probably need to start making but likely won't.
posted on 30/12/21
I don't think there's any reason we can't play a narrow, high pressing 4-4-2/4-2-2-2. But it needs the right players in the right positions.
--------------------------------------------------
There's no reason at all why we can't given it worked well albeit briefly against Palace. That first half hour gave us a glimpse of what we can do when our players are actually working together and maintaining a proper shape.
It's strange that since Palace everything's gone to shiiit again. I can't imagine Rangnick will have been pleased with anything he's seen in a game since.