Fellaini or Fernendes.....?

[Prevenger17]

Years of people presuming Fellaini is a DMF has distracted from where his true value lies. He's actually a liability in the midfield, all elbows and knees and hair, giving free kicks away for fouls and non-fouls alike. But when he's played behind a striker, he offers a pretty unique service. I've never seen someone who can kill the ball as well as he can with his chest and head, and it used to lead to plenty of openings and problems for the opposition defence. I think the problem is managers will always opt for a more conventional player in that role if they are available and Fellaini will get shoehorned back into the midfield where he isn't a fraction as effective.

 

[Pavement Blue]

Years of people presuming Fellaini is a DMF has distracted from where his true value lies. He's actually a liability in the midfield, all elbows and knees and hair, giving free kicks away for fouls and non-fouls alike. But when he's played behind a striker, he offers a pretty unique service. I've never seen someone who can kill the ball as well as he can with his chest and head, and it used to lead to plenty of openings and problems for the opposition defence. I think the problem is managers will always opt for a more conventional player in that role if they are available and Fellaini will get shoehorned back into the midfield where he isn't a fraction as effective.

Couldn't agree more, parole say he wouldn't have for in Martinez system but I'd argue he would. Especially when, like we did against teams who pressed high up the pitch (like Southampton), we struggled to play out from the back. His ability to bring down a long pass let us play football in the final third without having to break through a tight midfield. A brilliant asset to have.

People forget we played some great football under Moyes. Kind of understandable given how often he reverted to type but we really did.

 

[Prevenger17]

People forget we played some great football under Moyes. Kind of understandable given how often he reverted to type but we really did.

Yeah, I thought we played some great stuff at various parts of his tenure, particularly in his last season with us. His negativity was contagious though, it was such a shame to see us fall back like clockwork as soon as things were going "too good". I think Fellaini was great, but I doubt Martinez would have a place for him.

 

[Pavement Blue]

Yeah, I thought we played some great stuff at various parts of his tenure, particularly in his last season with us. His negativity was contagious though, it was such a shame to see us fall back like clockwork as soon as things were going "too good". I think Fellaini was great, but I doubt Martinez would have a place for him.

We all had this idea of Martinez coming in and playing three at the back.

He got here saw what our strengths were and set out to improve them. I'm sure if he had felli he would/could have used him well.

I , for one, would welcome him back. Not that I expect that to happen.