After last night’s draw at the Hawthorns brought the curtain down on another Gameweek, we delve into the data for our first Members article of the week. Everton’s Belgian duo, a couple of Newcastle’s Frenchmen, City’s enigmatic left-back and Norwich’s attacking display are amongst the topics analysed this time around:
If Mata does wind up at United they'll have to game formation right? Or will they use him as a winger and make him as unhappy as Kagawa?
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Solid championship team there.
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He will be on the wing I'd imagine.
Mata-Roo-Januzaj
RVP
Himself and Rooney will be allowed to roam a bit though and mix it up.Open Controls
Better chance of Sneijder showing up at OT imo 😉
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Easy, When Rooney and RVP return, they play 4-4-2 with Rooney and RVP in the front but Rooney returns before RVP so they play 4-2-3-1 with Mata as ofensive midfielder ("10") with Rooney as Striker and play as winger when RVP returns.
But he will not go to Man Utd.Open Controls
I couldn't see Chelsea selling United Mata after Moyes wouldn't let Rooney go to them.
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Chelsea and Man U are no longer rivals for the league so there's no reason why Mourinho shouldn't sell to United. It would be quite a statement.
Open ControlsCould actually see Moyes using that in his negotiations: "Well Jose, we have already played you twice in the league and are 12 points behind you. So since we are clearly no longer a threat to Chelsea and I'm sure you will be wanting United to do well in the Arsenal and City games, please sell us Mata?"
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Sell Mata, hope he gives United the ability to beat City and/or Arsenal, wins the title for Chelsea. Not the most far fetched thing I've heard even if I am still sceptical of any move.
Open ControlsI think that makes sense.
I'm guessing that Mata won't want to live in Cheshire though. Arse/Spurs/Chelsea have such a huge advantage when it comes to snagging the big boys. Although for all I know Mata has a longing to explore the Peak District in his spare time.Open ControlsI'm sure if it many guaranteed football and actually feeling wanted by the team he would be okay with it. Still, I won't be holding my breath just yet!
Open ControlsYup, maybe, especially with a World Cup on the horizon.
Alternatively he could hang on till the summer and move abroad.Open Controls
I think they could play this narrow 4-2-2-2 with rising laterals, both Januzaj and Mata would work very well in it. It would look like this:
___________DDG__________
Rafael__Jones__Evans__Evra
______Fellaini___Carrick____
___Mata___________Januzaj_
______Rooney___RVP______
This would actually be pretty good team, IMO. With just one new player and a new system.Open ControlsOptionally that turns into a diamond, with Fellaini lowest man down, Carrick on right, bit higher than Felli, and Januzaj on left, again higher than Carrick, and Mata in the hole.
Open ControlsI think if it were to happen this would be a very nice formation. I reckon either that our play a tight three of Mata Rooney Kagawa/Januzaj like Dortmund used to play (essentially three CAMs) behind RVP. All theoretical of course but fun to consider!
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This is the formation that Liverpool tried in their last game - didn't go so well...
Open ControlsI'd blame that on not having Lucas playing in the first half and Stevie G showing why he can't be a DM...
Open ControlsIt's really interesting, actually. The 20 minutes they had Lucas on, they won 2-0 and dominated the game loudly. The other 70 minutes they lost 0-2, and in the end when Lucas was subbed off, the game got much more even again.
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It has worked wonders for some teams. Liverpool's starting XI didn't work because their midfield was light in defence. This wouldn't be. And notice that with just one change, Lucas in for Coutinho, whole game changed. It depends a lot on players, and I think ManU would, with Mata, have players more suiting for that than their current tactic that is based on traditional wingers which has been very ineffective as they have not been allowed to counter attack. This would work as a way to get a lot of creativity in more central positions up the pitch, which is better if you really have to break down opposition defence.
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Adebayor + Adam Johnson -> Rodriguez + Lallana
thoughts? I'm on my WC so no penalty.Open ControlsI probably wouldn't.
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I think Mata will turn uniteds season.. Gives the team a real boost! World class player.
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talking like its a done deal, i would say theres a 20% chance he'll sign
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Does Lucas out for two months mean Gerrard further up the pitch again?....if so... 😎
Open ControlsThe opposite
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If both are back next game
Who is better option
RVP or Rooney
Reason would helpOpen Controls
Rooney.
Form so far, value and set piecesOpen ControlsNo think RVP will take them
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RVP, no chance of him playing in midfield and he will be on penalties.
Open ControlsIf both are back, who is the best option Townsend or Chadli?
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Might be bit early to say but West Ham going out tonight is definitely possible.
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A. Oscar and bony
B. Wilshere and sturridge
Best combo of the two ?Open ControlsB for me as expect Strurridge to score more than the other two combined
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65 mins home to Cardiff and nothing. 2 mins away at West Ham and scores. Cheers BEAST.
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Those on a WC and with Rvp/Rooney/Januzaj in your team are you going to get in Mata now while you can so you have 4 Utd players?
Open ControlsDon't think so, Mata will have to earn his place with Valencia in the form he's in.
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No way would I want 4 Man utd players in my team. 😯
Open ControlsThat's two.
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Is there any real substance to this Mata transfer news I'm hearing all of a sudden? Or just all speculations?
Open Controls3 and counting.
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Am i right in thinking Mannone and Marshall by far the best goalie rotation going forward?
The fixtures are terrific , not sure i trust cardiff for clean sheets though , even in the so called easy fixtures
as all those games the teams will be desperate for points and targetting cardiff as a must winOpen Controls
West Ham and Sunderland looks really good
The only problem is which keeper will play for West HamOpen ControlsIn my mind that rules them out.
Plus they appear to have fallen apart defensivelyOpen Controls
Yep I have Mannone and Marshall and happy......no one else is reliable anyway so may as well go cheap and play the fixtures
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The west ham v city referee reminds me of Steve Martin.
Open ControlsBony will outscore Aguero.
Open ControlsBEAST scores again. Nothing vs Cardiff.
Open Controlswell for all my talk of Demichelis being useless. Nastasic is getting his arse handed to him by Carlton Cole
Open ControlsBeast through the middle......scary
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Negredo at the double 3-1
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great goal
Open ControlsI am taking this as negredo writing his name on the start sheet v Cardiff
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Anybody betting on Man U to win tomorrow? They basically have to win and Rooney should be in contention
Open ControlsReally, OMG, Negredo can only do more than one goal per game in the cup. 🙁
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Question for all:
Next season, how about awarding 1pt to a player who assists the assister?
Gives more reason to consider CM/CDM's, without isolating CAM's etc in the same way tackles made/interceptions etc would.
Opinions?Open ControlsNo.
Open ControlsSilva would be a god
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No.
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I'm beginning to think this tie may be over already.
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Not by a long shot, City starting to look bored.
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Aguero Negredo and Suarez.
Anyone else?Open Controls
10 years, 3 months agoIs this the last gameweek to use my January Wildcard?