This may be clutching at straws but City looked pretty unstoppable last season too until Celtic drew with them. They struggled a bit after that and maybe teams will do the same as Wolves have done tonight.

Having said that they have quality throughout their squad and their forward options are very, very good so this season it's pretty unlikely that will happen.

comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 5 minutes ago
This may be clutching at straws but City looked pretty unstoppable last season too until Celtic drew with them. They struggled a bit after that and maybe teams will do the same as Wolves have done tonight.

Having said that they have quality throughout their squad and their forward options are very, very good so this season it's pretty unlikely that will happen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No doubt Jose will adapt this approach

By adapting do you mean go all out attack Cantona?

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 2 hours, 33 minutes ago
If only lingard could get consistency in his game... his movement, short passing, energy and eye for a goal can be great... but just doesn't do it often enough

---------------------------------------------------

His lack of goals is something I've always found a bit odd because he can finish as you'll know Ji from watching him at various youth levels.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He went on some great little goalscoring runs for the junior sides.

But he'd also find himself in goalscoring positions more frequently.

Perhaps not but there have been a number of chances that have fallen his way, easy chances which he would've put away more often than not at a younger age.

During Van Gaal's last season when he was starting more games, it seemed like he was on the end of most of our clear goalscoring opportunities (not that we created that many in games), probably because he was finding himself in such positions with greater regularity than anyone else because his movement was better but he just couldn't finish.

It's always been a bit of a mystery to me because putting the ball in the net seemed to come so natural to him but he's not been able to do it with much consistency for the first team. It's been more a case of scorer of good goals (when he has scored) than a good goalscorer with Jesse.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 33 minutes ago
Perhaps not but there have been a number of chances that have fallen his way, easy chances which he would've put away more often than not at a younger age.

During Van Gaal's last season when he was starting more games, it seemed like he was on the end of most of our clear goalscoring opportunities (not that we created that many in games), probably because he was finding himself in such positions with greater regularity than anyone else because his movement was better but he just couldn't finish.

It's always been a bit of a mystery to me because putting the ball in the net seemed to come so natural to him but he's not been able to do it with much consistency for the first team. It's been more a case of scorer of good goals (when he has scored) than a good goalscorer with Jesse.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
There are a number of variables that change quite significantly when players step up to the seniors though.

The number of eyes on players, the atmosphere at games, expectations in terms performance levels, and the level of competition for places are some of those factors that ramp up pressure and threaten confidence and coolness.

Defenders are sharper and quicker to the ball, so even when attackers still manage to find space and get on the end of opportunities, there will generally be less time to get a finish away.

And as we well know, goalkeepers at junior level can make more average finishes which would more likely have been dealt with at senior level look better than they are.

I think a run of games - which he might now get - might serve him well though. He never seems to suffer from a lack of confidence, but he's in the groove at the moment, and if he can play like he did yesterday, at the weekend and consistently preseason, for me, he'll deserve to retain his place in the side, no question.

There are a number of variables that change quite significantly when players step up to the seniors though.

----------------------------------------

Yes I'm aware of that.

I still think he should have more goals than he does though all things considered as he has demonstrated that he can finish well against better opposition and in big moments in high pressure games, he just hasn't done it as often as I think he's capable of.

comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 3 minutes ago
There are a number of variables that change quite significantly when players step up to the seniors though.

----------------------------------------

Yes I'm aware of that.

I still think he should have more goals than he does though all things considered as he has demonstrated that he can finish well against better opposition and in big moments in high pressure games, he just hasn't done it as often as I think he's capable of.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
More goals, and more assists as well.

That said, his figures per minute played were actually pretty good last season, without consideration of the disadvantages of being in and out of the side all the time and often being deployed as a substitute to do a harrying job in midfield when defending a lead.

If he gets the nod at the weekend and retains this freer central role he's had the last two games, it'll be a nice little test for him.