₦airaland Forum

elrony:
The better for us. If VDB steps up, good for Bruno, he gets to have the occasional deserved rest he needs, good squad depth for the manager as well.

I just hope everyone keeps the VDB campaign down, he's nowhere near Bruno's level.

Nobody is saying VDB is better but he is better suited to the system compared to Bruno (At least from what we know of Bruno)...

Bruno has to tweak his game a bit to fit in. The question is; can he and how fast?

elrony:
His competition should step up, none has lived up even when he was shitty.

Well, it's time for a fair competition...

Bruno fan boys on rampage...If una like make una no advice una MCM to step up...

LostMyZeal:
There's really no need for all these Bruno arguments as we're few weeks away from getting the answers we seek

One thing I know in this game of football is that Stats don't tell the whole story


You fit check progress of United game online now come see say United possession pass opponent own wella, only to discover that Maguire, Fred and Shaw have been passing the ball among themselves in our half because of their high level of cluelessness

Only a dubious person relies on stats, I mean ffs we watched United last season and the performance was highly depressing

Then you think you can come and pick stats that favor your argument and shove it in our faces

Exactly...If we want to misrepresent stats, we know how to go about it too well...

Expert17:
He has a lot to work on, but the main point is VDB can't bench him

Well, time will tell...

ovoP:
part of bruno poor display last season was because of ronaldo self.. instead of passing the ball to the nearest person, he will try d hard pass, cox ronaldo is signalling for the ball.. he stepped back and started looking for ronaldo more instead of doing his thing..

I watched van de beek again yesterday in a ajax match, and I don't see d ball control you talked about. Even berghius that was used to replace him is more technical. If at all the system was used to accommodate him.

Yet he was a starter...So much so for a player who is not technical...Make season start first.

Expert17, if you watch Bruno and don't think he has to improve certain aspects of his game then, I can't help you...

afrodoc:
This is not about Busquets. The main thing is that there is very little of evidence of FDJ playing DM either for Ajax or for Barca. Lisandro Martinez as well rarely plays there.

So what you want is for us to buy a CB and and CM to share DM responsibility. Why not just buy a DM who plays that position regularly and then buy the CB to play CB and CM to play his proper role.

Not the one that midway through the season we will now be looking to buy a CDM because the players we bought can't play the position consistently well.

I am not against signing a DM but I am not certain we will sign FDJ and Lisandro and still go after a DM whilst looking at a RB, RWF and now, potentially a forward...

afrodoc2:
Those 2 are far more physical than de Jong. Also if you check de Jong's Whoscored history he has rarely played CDM apart from 2 seasons ago when he played it 10 times for Barca. He is usually a CM (No8) with a CDM next to him.

I think Busi would start ahead of any DM you sign at Barca for obvious reasons...I accept that Rodri and Romeu are more physical however, FDJ can do a decent job there if need be...I am rooting for Lisandro to play more as a DM...W8th a solid midfield, our defense won't be very exposed thus the defensive frailties that looked so obvious will be masked...

Also, I am hoping that ETH has the balls to bench Maguire for Lindelof or any other CB in form...

ChristoBam:
It's not a matter of EPL being special. It's about the EPL being different from the Dutch league. He can't even play it in Spain.

Dejong is not Rondri. They don't even have similar qualities.

He can but Busi has that position locked down...I am a little patient to see how far Garner can step up...

In defense I am not ruling out Tuanzebe or Lindelof completely as potential partners for Varane just so Lisandro can slot in as the DM...

We still have a bit of time. The TW shuts sometime in Sept or thereabout so, we can still access our team after a couple of games into the season...

ChristoBam:
FDJ can't play CDM in the EPL. That's wishful thinking.

What is it about the EPL? This talk no dey tire una?

The same EPL Rodri is playing in? The same EPL that has Romeu starting for Southampton? Make una calm down with this EPL talk...

ChristoBam:
Lol will he be playing both positions at the same time cuz we need both. So Lisandro slots into that CB position hopefully, one person will have to play that CDM position regularly.

This utility thing would've been useful if we had a CDM and Lisandro is coming in as a CB that can play that CDM position if there's an injury issue. Or the other way round. But we need both. So he needs to fill in to one.

Btwn shifting a player all over is the worst way for the player to acclimatize with the league.

FDJ can easily slot in there...However, when we need more grit, Lisandro can be deployed there...We can't possibly address all the issues...

ChristoBam:
Lol Lindelof/Maguire/Tuanzebu? Already forgetting the previous season, are we? We desperately need a CB and that's the fact. The only position that we've been really linked with multiple players is in that position. Ten Hag wanted Timber, he couldn't get him. Wasn't convinced with Torres even though we were in discussions with him and has decided he wants Martinez. He didn't do all that thinking he'd definitely utilize him as a DM. We've got a slow Maguire and an Injury prone varane as our CB partnership. A new system won't change that fact.

You say Eriksen can replace Bruno/VDB which is my major issue. We've got enough dearth in the quality of the first team to start thinking of squad quality..

As for FDJ, I've been following it every single day. I know the issues with Barca. But I know with all of that, he still wants to say. And won't have any agreement on personal terms with us until Barca agrees a fee for him and they finally have to sell him.

I'm trusting the the manager 100% which everyone should do, including the Portuguese tw*t vying for a move. But still got the little concerns.

Will you rather we sign a DM and then a CB? In Lisandro, we are using a stone to kill 2 birds...We don't have UCL football to look forward to which is a cash windfall so, we have to be every penny wise in the market...

We still have a RB, RWF and possibly CF to sign so, if we can get players who can play 2 different positions as a stop-gap option then it's fine...

ChristineC:
I don't see how such goal contribution will sit down for passing the ball around. fans tend to narrow fernandes to just goals and assists. there's no need further need dissecting Bruno's contribution outside goals and assists, I believe it has been done on these pages severally.
the man features in the top brackets for almost every segment. he has also demonstrated an ability to pull a team forward by himself. he may have had a poor season by his own standards last time, I believe what he needs is adequate rest.
there's no way the manager drops an x-factor just because.

The x-factor in one system might just be a squad player in another...No one is questioning the quality of Bruno but then, he has to adjust his game to fit in...Can he adjust? Time will tell...

ChristoBam:
Malacia starting for Feynoord doesn't change the facts that he's still a young potential that'll be eased into the team gradually. I have my money on Shaw as the starting LB next season.

Pretty sure no one's really banking on Eriksen playing as an AM next season. Sure he'll probably still have the same struggles. Btwn, before that move to Inter, he aso had a very average year at Tottenham. So that's years of underperformance, no matter the excuse.

Lisandro is brought in to be a CB. We went from Timber to Torres to Lisandro. If he's not brought in to be a CB, what's the point? Cuz we desperately need a CB.

As for FDJ, Barca is not the reason we've still not agreed personal terms with him. Fact is he's hoping the transfer window closes without him having to move away.

As for the last paragraph, go back to what started this Convo. I never said the signings are trash or close to being trash.

We desperately need a CB? Lisandro can easily slot in as DM in games where we can afford to play Lindelof/Maguire/Tuanzebe...This is a new coach with new methods so, be open to surprises, a couple of players we seldom thought were trash will step up...

As for Eriksen, he has still got it im him. He can easily replace Bruno or VDB whichever way ETH opts to use him...He gives us options, quality options...

Malacia? Time will tell...

Are you really following the reports on FDJ situation?

ChristineC:
I think you are joking with this your conclusion.

I am not...In all, Bruno isn't a bad player but can he tweak his game to fit into the new system? I have my doubts but then, let's leave it to time...

ChristoBam:
Watched Erikson for that year before he went to Inter Milan, watched him at Inter Milan as well. He was bang average. That's almost 3 years of football. But seems he got his groove back at Brentford. It's still though.

Martinez is Ten Hag's second choice from his CB options in Ajax. The first choice is 5'11 and there were complaints about his height. The second choice is 5'9....

Malacia is a prospect just like Amad and the likes. It's 50-50 with those.

We've been in discussion with Dejong for months now. And man still hasn't said his full yes. He's still really hoping to stay at Barca.

All of these players apart from Dejong could potentially be squad players. I know it's hard to imagine with all our players looking shitty now.

Malacia is not like Amad in terms of experience...Malacia was the starting LB for Feynoord the 3rd best team in the Eredivisie whilst Amad barely played up to 3 games with the first team of Atalanta.

Eriksen was not bad at Inter, Conte's set up doesn't accommodate an AM hence his struggles...

Lisandro is no slush, he can do it as a DM, LB and CB without a drop in quality...He is a starter in that Argentine team.

De Jong's issue has more to do with Barca and not us. I'm sure once his issue with Barca is sorted out, he'll join...

I'm certain Lisandro, FDJ, Antony and Eriksen will play huge roles as starters or rotating starters if we all get them...Even Malacia might displace Shaw before October if Shaw doesn't step up...

Now, it is important you know that no new signing is guaranteed to start, they're here to replace those who prior had under performed but in any case where existing players step up, you don't expect the new player to start jist because he is a new signing and not starting doesn't mean the new player is trash and was not a necessary buy...

Unlimited22:
Dan-Axel Zagadou is now a free agent at 23 and no big club deh look him side.


I remember when we couldn't rest on this thread for shouts of Zagadis and Zagadat

Kagawa10, he might be gone but traces of his mad takes lives one...

Where's Poole and Josh Harrop?

Kagawa issa legend.

TrebleChamp:
How did that post suggest i didn't want a new RB? I called ovo.P to let him know ETH actually want to sign a RB, since he was questioning United signing a LB rather than a RB...

Okay, I thought you were critical of the idea seeing that ovo.P has been questioning all the signings and players we are linked to...

Oasis007:
ETH: "I have to learn, to know my squad, the personnel, the individuals, the players.

"That is, I think, one of the biggest advantages from the tour. We have two weeks to work really close together and we will learn about each other because I want to learn about them and they want to learn about me, my coaches and assistants.”

Let him learn fast o! Some of those players are very deceitful.

Expert17:
ETH will bench a player with 217 g/a in 5 seasons averaging 43g/a per season.

Even in his worst season he was the highest assist provider in UCL.

By December "I told you so" shall commence

Bruno understands that stats can easily mask performance hence he strives to score or assist just so when you look back you'd absolve him of any blame but not all of us use stats alone to judge players...

Over 90mins, Bruno will play trash only to score or assist and next thing, the headlines are dominated by his goal or assist...Stats has done more harm than good...

David Silva, Fabregas and co posed god numbers yet they were very mich involved in controlling the flow of their team...

Expert17:
Bruno played for the 3rd best team in Portugal and beasted every individual awards and stats. Goals, assists, chances created, league best player.

Just imagine Bruno playing for the best team in Holland.

It's only in their head VDB will bench Bruno as a 10/SS

It's about the style of play, will Bruno fit in?

ovoP:
I still don't see VDB starting.. he may have done well that ajax season, but he's a limited player.. man can't play a long pass to save his life.. there's a reason he could never bench Bruno, even in his worse form. He plays too safe.. Eriksen can but I think him and Bruno will play together. Besides eriksen wouldn't be able to press as much.

VDB can't play long pass? He game isn't all about that but if there's a good chance, he will go long...I see you're sold on Bruno's long passes which are mostly not accurate...

Top team use quick interchanges in midfield to bypass press and create spaces for forward players...Bruno is most at risk ATM...

Oasis007:


Somebody that should released to Nottingham Forest free of charge.

Forrest will probably reject him...Salford City will be a good fit...Neville, take one for United...

afrodoc:
I like that there is competition in that position. Bruno was too petulant last season and his discipline fell off. I still don't see how VDB gets a starting shirt though he could be a valuable member of the team. With 5 subs per match there should enough opportunities for everyone.

VDB has the advantage of knowing the system and is very good at it so, he'd thrive alongside other players who are comfortable on the ball passing and movement alike...

A midfield 3 of FDJ, VDB and Eriksen will see a lot of intricate plays between them compared to a Bruno who will quickly opt for a difficult ball in search of the striker...In all, VDB chances of starting depends on what ETH does with another potential arrival in Lisandro...

In ETH's system, it's VDB over Bruno regardless of the struggles of VDB last seaaon.

Oasis007:


Jones is left behind to working on personal fitness.

Let them shred the contract abi na him papa get the ground wey Old Trafford dey sit on?

ovoP:
they failed because we didn't have a competent manager, and the team was disjointed. When dey leave us, they do better

Let me assume you are right so, why do you think the players coming in will struggle under a competent manager?

afrodoc:
What happens to Bruno?

He might have to settle for a shared role with Eriksen assuming we get all our targets and if ETH elects to play Lisandro as a DM then it's a battle between Eriksen/VDB/Bruno...I don't know who wins but I know who will lose out and it's definitely Bruno unless he modifies his game...

A midfield 3 of FDJ, VDB and Eriksen is good enough against any other midfield in the league...If we need more grit, Lisandro (Assuming he is signed as reported) can play as DM with one of the aforementioned 3 on the bench.

TrebleChamp:
utdreport:
Erik ten Hag wants a right-back as well as a centre-back #mulive [@samuelluckhurst]

Cc: ovoP

You don't think we need a new Rb? Lisandro is close to joining so, the Cb position is nearly sorted.

You can't criticize Ole for signing AWB and Maguire and still question the decision of the new manager to bring in quality players to man those positions unless you were just criticizing Ole for criticism sake...

Abeg make una free ETH...If he fails to deliver the goods, he will be called out here and I will lead the charge however, he hasto be supported by the board by getting him the players he recommends...

You guys are making the mistake of comparing us with clubs that have a clear footballing philosophy. Give ETH time to get us playing a particular brand of football andfrom there, the director of football work with the scouts can continue...You don't follow the lead of scouts who do not even understand how we intend to play this season...

ChristoBam:
We'll pay more then 50m. If we're about to pay 45m for Martinez.

Btwn, I support going for the Manager's choice. Even as I don't like any of them.

What is wrong with them?