Phil Neville. Why?

[Azzurri]

I'm going to start this by saying Phil Neville has been one of Moyes' best signings, a model professional, decent player and one of the club's greatest captains for years. I haven't got an agenda against the man because I think with his charity work and what not he's a great fella and a credit to the club.

However, he should never start in midfield against anyone but a few teams unless the squad's been decimated by H1N1 or another crazy disease. His passing's awful.

In the past he's charged around the pitch like a baboon on amphetamines pointing and screaming at everything in sight while crunching players and scaring the sh*t out of your David Silvas. Which is why he's alright when we need to defend and scrap against Arsenal, City, United etc.

But when we play Norwich at home he shouldn't be allowed anywhere near centre midfield. Of course Rodwell wasn't fully fit and Barkley wasn't even on the bench, but I would have liked to see Drenthe wide and Osman in the centre. Or possibly Cahill dropping into a more defensive role and playing 2 up front or Bily behind the striker. A centre midfield of Fellaini/Neville isn't near creative enough.

In summary, I think

Neville in midfield when we play teams we need to scrap and defend against: OK.

Neville in midfield when we need creativity and attacking force: Ridiculously bad.

Views?

 

[Deleted member 28206]

Because Rodwell was injured.

 

[Deathspike]

Because Rodwell was injured.

This. Had Rodwell been fully fit then Neville wouldn't have played.

 

[Azzurri]

I know Rodwell was injured.

I said that.

Osman into the middle and Bily/Drenthe wide would have been far better.

 

[Brennan]

Because Rodwell was injured.

Osman in CM with Fellaini, put Bily on the left and Gueye on the right (he can play there).

I know which i think would have been more effective.

Injuries are not the problem.

 

[paulbefc]

Rodwell will almost surely be out on wednesday too according to Moyes himself as he injured himself in the warm up today. Good chance Neville will start again then.

 

[Muggins]

Why?

"My name mean a lot to me / pain mean a lot to me /
Fame means nothing / but the game means a lot to me /
I slang caine on these blocks for weeks /
Ever since Rocky III / and the death of Apollo Creed.."

I don't know why.

 

[Azzurri]

Rodwell will almost surely be out on wednesday too according to Moyes himself as he injured himself in the warm up today. Good chance Neville will start again then.

If Barkley's fit and Neville starts in front of him I'm going to throw myself from the Top Balcony.*


*that was a figure of speech.

 

[Roztitute]

My thoughts exactly Azzurri. I guess we had injuries but for me Neville just shouldn't be playing.

 

[Tubey]

If Barkley's fit and Neville starts in front of him I'm going to throw myself from the Top Balcony.*


*that was a figure of speech.

That erm... that basically happened today.

 

[Brennan]

That erm... that basically happened today.

I doubt Barkley was fit after playing 120 minutes in the week mate.

 

[RFUS]

I doubt Barkley was fit after playing 120 minutes in the week mate.

Why he's playing for the under 18s mid-week is another issue altogether.

He was playing alongside players who were all future prospects who are currently far, far too young and underdeveloped to be playing for the main team.

Ross Barkley however has been the best player on the pitch most times he's got some senior action, and whilst it would be a lot to say he should be starting games in the centre, he should definitely be getting some kind of game time for us -- and not for the under 18s.

In my opinion anyway. I know Moyes sees more of the lad than us, but I also know Moyes prioritises defensive discipline and experience over offensive spark.

 

[Azzurri]

That erm... that basically happened today.

Barkley was goosed or injured from playing a pointless 120 minutes midweek.

Plus, it's like when your computer breaks. First couple of times you get slightly annoyed but if it happens again and again you want to smash it to pieces.

 

[Phenom]

He has to be noshing Moyes thats the only reason I can give.

 

[TippEverton]

No , he hasn been one of Moyes best signings , one of our best captains , I wouldn say that either .

I can just about hack him in the side at right back , but centre midfield , he shouldn get near that position regardless of whether Jack is out or not , there were better options even today than to have him in that position .

Hes professionalism and medal haul at United is always brought into a debate about him , but the latter doesnt mean jot to us .

He shouldn be in our team now , yet someone saw fit to give him a 2 year deal in the summer which will most likely mean him still playing then .