All the omens point towards a tough game tomorrow and we will need a crossing of many digits, a shedload of rabbits’s feet and an extra crusty pair of Vinnie boxer shorts to get something out of this.
There are a couple of no-no’s for this one. Rod and Klich cannot be on the pitch at the same time. Roberts cannot play at any time. And if we play an open game, we will be humiliated.
However, if we play the same way we did at home in April, we can get something out of it. If Dallas is playing, that would be a huge boost to our chances. And having Firpo back gives us much more fluency on our left side, which is where I expect us to get some joy.
The key, though, is keeping Pogba and Bruno quieter than usual. There is no point man marking, we are much better focusing on keeping compact and pressing in the midfield.
With that in mind, and assuming Dallas is out, here is my team:
Meslier
Ayling Llorente Struijk Firpo
Koch
Forshaw James Shackleton Raph
Rodrigo
We look like a Championship team at the moment, so let’s do what Championship teams do when facing top teams. Crowd them out, catch them on the break and live on a diet of fingernails for 90 minutes.
Team for tomorrow.
posted on 19/2/22
Agree 100% – 1pt from this is a decent result, so let's not play silly buggers.
posted on 19/2/22
I think I would go;
Meslier
Ayling Llorente Struijk Firpo
Koch
Raphinha Klich Forshaw James
Roberts
Think we have to continue with man marking because it's too late to change but like you say we played for a 0-0 last season and didn't give them a sniff. Was a terrible game actually but it won us a point! I don't know the specifics of what we did differently in that game. Can't remember.
I wish Shackleton had had a decent run in the midfield. Feel like he could have become a genuine option but I don't see it happening for him with us now.
I know why you have chosen Rodrigo up front, he's one of our best players and it makes sense to get him in the team. But I don't think he is very good at pressing when we expect Man U to have plenty of the ball, or very good at holding the ball up. Roberts is better at both.
Klichs been playing well and I don't think it's fair to hold the Everton game against him. That was all on Bielsa.
Having Rodrigo, Harrison & Gelhardt on the bench will give us a few options if we are with in a goal going into the last 25mins
posted on 19/2/22
Roberts is better at pressing and holding the ball than Rodrigo. Is that what you want in a centre forward, Faith? We need a striker who can score a goal. The last time Rodrigo played at centre onward, he got two cracking goals against Burnley. The last time Roberts scored a half-decent goal, I was in diapers.
posted on 19/2/22
comment by All the Bielsa ringing (U19827)
posted 16 minutes ago
Roberts is better at pressing and holding the ball than Rodrigo. Is that what you want in a centre forward, Faith? We need a striker who can score a goal. The last time Rodrigo played at centre onward, he got two cracking goals against Burnley. The last time Roberts scored a half-decent goal, I was in diapers.
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You say you want to play a tight game and keep compact. So yes having a forward that can hod the ball up and press is vital.
posted on 19/2/22
Season stats for the 2 players; Not that it means much but you made the point about needing a striker who can score.
Roberts - Mins Played: 927, Goals: 1, Assists: 1
Rodrigo - Mins Played: 1193, Goals: 2, Assists: 1
posted on 19/2/22
There's a chance Dallas can play. If he does, and Firpo's also available, get Stu in midfield.
posted on 19/2/22
comment by HaveFaithInLeeds (U8688)
posted 1 hour, 46 minutes ago
Season stats for the 2 players; Not that it means much but you made the point about needing a striker who can score.
Roberts - Mins Played: 927, Goals: 1, Assists: 1
Rodrigo - Mins Played: 1193, Goals: 2, Assists: 1
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How often did Rodrigo play as a striker? Got to admit, though, not impressive by either of them.
posted on 19/2/22
If Dallas can play he deserves to start. One of our best players
posted on 19/2/22
comment by Outwood White (U9610)
posted 1 minute ago
If Dallas can play he deserves to start. One of our best players
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Since when did you get the degree in stating the obvious, Outwood?
posted on 20/2/22
Wonder if Raphinha will play