Arteta and Heitinga

[RFUS]

This is part of the point though, mate. If you do your job in that area you dont need to be spectacular and your impact can go unnoticed. You can repel the opposition by getting close and funneling them out of harms way.

I do realise how good Fellaini is by the way, and we know he impressed last season from playing deep. But he was given plaudits not for carrying out that disciplined sitting DM role but for sweeping up and breaking forward as the main creative force. Arteta was injured and out the way in that period. Mofro went back into his shell again when Arteta returned to the fray.

My point is that the best pairing in CM is not always about the best two talents. It's about division of labour to keep shape and team discipline.

Very fair and good points, mate.

However even if you ignore Felli's distribution, his breaking up of the play when at top form simply outclasses that of Heitinga. And I see no reason why Fellaini can't do what Heitinga did yesterday, whilst allowing Arteta to do what he did yesterday, week in, week out.

 

[davek]

Very fair and good points, mate.

However even if you ignore Felli's distribution, his breaking up of the play when at top form simply outclasses that of Heitinga. And I see no reason why Fellaini can't do what Heitinga did yesterday, whilst allowing Arteta to do what he did yesterday, week in, week out.

I suspect he doesn't have the temperament for it. I could be wrong. Was he capable of doing it with Defour/Witsel at Liege? I got the impression he was up and down the pitch with them also. Notr a bad thing in and of itself if you have the talent that can shift itself around and maintain shape...we might have the talent though I doubt we have the system and thinking from management that could pull it off. It requires a fluidity I've never seen from a Moyes team thus far.

Keep it simple for us I think is the best policy.

 

[RFUS]

I suspect he doesn't have the temperament for it. I could be wrong. Was he capable of doing it with Defour/Witsel at Liege? I got the impression he was up and down the pitch with them also. Notr a bad thing in and of itself if you have the talent that can shift itself around and maintain shape...we might have the talent though I doubt we have the system and thinking from management that could pull it off. It requires a fluidity I've never seen from a Moyes team thus far.

Keep it simple for us I think is the best policy.

He's only young though. His temperamant has come on a lot already since joining.

And Heitinga concedes his fair share of fouls too. Picks up a lot of yellows as well.

 

[ChicagoToffee]

Fellaini tends to be everywhere which is both good and bad. He's done well with his size and work rate to tackle most everything that comes through the middle. Against a well organized attack, I think I'd prefer Heitinga as he's more disciplined situationally and isn't afraid to knock someone to the turf when needed. In a more open match, Fellaini is a better choice IMO because he does get forward, has greater range and naturally inclined to get to the goal.

 

[davek]

Fellaini tends to be everywhere which is both good and bad. He's done well with his size and work rate to tackle most everything that comes through the middle. Against a well organized attack, I think I'd prefer Heitinga as he's more disciplined situationally and isn't afraid to knock someone to the turf when needed. In a more open match, Fellaini is a better choice IMO because he does get forward, has greater range and naturally inclined to get to the goal.

Yeah, agreed. Horses for courses.

 

[DualityNSNO]

...
My point is that the best pairing in CM is not always about the best two talents. It's about division of labour to keep shape and team discipline.

Exactly.

By the way, if we are having a hard time picking between the two (when fit), how does Moyes feel?

 

[Bigloco]

I suspect he doesn't have the temperament for it. I could be wrong. Was he capable of doing it with Defour/Witsel at Liege? I got the impression he was up and down the pitch with them also. Notr a bad thing in and of itself if you have the talent that can shift itself around and maintain shape...we might have the talent though I doubt we have the system and thinking from management that could pull it off. It requires a fluidity I've never seen from a Moyes team thus far.

Keep it simple for us I think is the best policy.

This...your words are wise. I didnt think to find info on mofro in a arteta/heitinga thread. I like johnny paired with Arteta as a defensive mid as thats what he is and he knows his role. He's not up there banging around my man Cahill in front of the goal (possibly) taking chances away from the league's best header. I didnt like the flow we had earlier this season when we were lacking goals and I really liked it yesterday.

 

[Neiler]

I think hes the squad utility man presently, caught out of positon once or twice yesterday hes always drawn to the ball as well. Good player though hopefully he improves his tactical awareness.