Fellaini

[Azzurri]

I don't think you need to be Brian Clough to recognise Fellaini's defensive deficiencies

Right, so you think Fellaini is a great defensive midfielder, nice one, lets see how many times Moyes deploys him there this season? And lets see how many times he is deployed in ACM?

Even if/when he drops back, he won't be deployed in a DM role, and he will continue to support the attack, which is great because he is immense in attack.

You do, lad. That's Brian Clough when drunk off his barnet and talking drivel.

 

[Del]

Why do you not rate Felly at DM Animalfarm?

 

[Cena]

Hi Changy

 

[Animal Farm]

You do, lad. That's Brian Clough when drunk off his barnet and talking drivel.

OK mate.

 

[RFUS]

I don't think you need to be Brian Clough to recognise Fellaini's defensive deficiencies

Right, so you think Fellaini is a great defensive midfielder, nice one, lets see how many times Moyes deploys him there this season? And lets see how many times he is deployed in ACM?

Even if/when he drops back, he won't be deployed in a DM role, and he will continue to support the attack, which is great because he is immense in attack.

Moyes deployed Osman as a right midfielder for most of his career so that doesn't really mean much.

I don't think anyone wants Fellaini to be our Gibson, mopping up and rarely getting forward. I would like to have them both at CM with only one prioritising defence. Fellaini doesn't need to be consigned to one strict role.

He can be of course, but for most games I'd like to see us play it more on the deck and not have two defensive minded CMs. Fellaini/Gibson CM with 3 of Osman/Naismith/Pienaar/Mirallas/Barkley etc in front. They're all versatile and we could play some great passing, fluid football like that. Fellaini and Osman can and do swap mid game if we want to mix it up.

I just think he's such a titan at winning the ball back and turning defence into attack that we're great when he plays a bit deeper. You bemoan supposed deficiencies in his defensive game but honestly even if you're spot on they're not massively relevant as I'm not asking for us to play him as a CB or a strict DM. His general presence, pressing and tackling ability allow him to mess up opponent's attacking play both on the ground and aerially, and this is such a great asset for us. One which we can't exploit if he's up front.

 

[Goat]

They don't though. Where are his stats for not tracking a runner and putting his defence under strain?

It's not always about putting a tackle in, in can be about preventing the opposition from making a pass because their player is being marked, so they choose to go down a different route etc.

Our defence is much more assured with Neville playing DM and not Fellaini, IMO.

 

[Animal Farm]

Why do you not rate Felly at DM Animalfarm?

Because he has a history of losing his runner, tracking players, or however you want to put it.

It is also confounded by the fact that I think that Neville is far more assured in this position, and protects our defence to a greater degree, and from the fact that I think Fellaini is a monster in attack, and that ACM is the position where we will get the most out of Fellaini.

And the trio of Neville, Gibson and Fellaini is brilliant IMO, I don't see why we should change it. Unless it is against Stoke, who are the exception IMO, but even against Sunderland/Fulham etc, it worked wonders, the opposition didn;t have a sniff and they just cannot handle Fellaini in an advanced position.

Just my opinion, but I do believe that it is one that is shared by David Moyes.

 

[Del]

Found a view stats on Fellaini from last season I think

 

[Azzurri]

Because he has a history of losing his runner, tracking players, or however you want to put it.

It is also confounded by the fact that I think that Neville is far more assured in this position, and protects our defence to a greater degree, and from the fact that I think Fellaini is a monster in attack, and that ACM is the position where we will get the most out of Fellaini.

And the trio of Neville, Gibson and Fellaini is brilliant IMO, I don't see why we should change it. Unless it is against Stoke, who are the exception IMO, but even against Sunderland/Fulham etc, it worked wonders, the opposition didn;t have a sniff and they just cannot handle Fellaini in an advanced position.

Just my opinion, but I do believe that it is one that is shared by David Moyes.

Does he?

I remember Neville completely losing Rooney for United's second at Old Trafford last season.

 

[RFUS]

Found a view stats on Fellaini from last season I think

Funny that. His defensive stats annihilate the lid who's just gone to Barca.

Guess the Tiki Taka tits should have gone for Neville like.

 

[Animal Farm]

I don't think anyone wants Fellaini to be our Gibson, mopping up and rarely getting forward.

Hmm? I don't know y'know, I think there is at least one individual who is advocating just that.

 

[RFUS]

Hmm? I don't know y'know, I think there is at least one individual who is advocating just that.

Well then I don't agree with them. I'd like to see Fellaini involved all over the pitch.

But I'd also like to see Neville on the bench in place of someone who can utilise a football offensively.

 

[kevdotbadger]

A few people saying he was a panic buy. Didn't Moyes say that transfer window he had a sheet of paper with a list of young transfer targets? I beleive Fellaini was one of they, and what a signing it was.

 

[Animal Farm]

Funny that. His defensive stats annihilate the lid who's just gone to Barca.

Guess the Tiki Taka tits should have gone for Neville like.

It's all well and good having great tackling statistics, but look at his statistics for being dispossessed and giving away fouls? His passing is also the weakest out of those players. Defending isn't just about tackling, positioning and awareness go a long, long way!

And as stated, I think we are better off seeing him do his pressing and tackling further up the pitch.

 

[RFUS]

It's all well and good having great tackling statistics, but look at his statistics for being dispossessed and giving away fouls? His passing is also the weakest out of those players. Defending isn't just about tackling, positioning and awareness go a long, long way!

And as stated, I think we are better off seeing him do his pressing and tackling further up the pitch.

Surely his passing is important in the ACM role? In fact, surely it's even more important there?