Atlas Lion

This

Thought Blackman made a terrific save against Osvaldo early in the second half. Could of cost us the game. ----------Lukaku-------- Hazard-------------Mata -----Oscar--Ramires----- ----------Essien------------- Cole-----------------Azpiliecueta ------Terry----Luiz----------- ------------Cech-------------------- Definitely my starting 11 after these pre-season performances.

I tip my hat for Mourinho trying new things, like a Mikel and Essien partnership. But, for everything that is holy, never again allow those two to be partners in a pivot. Lesson learned

So, we go on and get this 'world class striker'. Then what? Does that all of a sudden solve our midfield issue? Does that solve our poor transition when our players are under pressure? Will that 'world class striker' find a way to somehow not be isolated and link up with the midfield and provide goals? Might as well sign Messi. I'm bloody happy with the strikers we have now. Only signing I wished deeply to have fallen through was the De Rossi or Alonso deal. That would have given enough time for both DeBryune and Van Ginkel to develop in their roles.

Those fans could of fucked him off years ago instead of constantly supporting him. He's practically shat at the club but those 20 pathetic excuses of human beings doesn't outweigh the constant support he's undeservedly received

Yes, they outweight the thousands of season ticket holders that cheered for Rooney even after his speculations.... I assume the same 20 fans were calling for Fergie's head when City won the title. Or the season where United didn't win a single trophy and were displaying "Fergie Out" signs outside Old Trafford.

They? You mean the 20 people that rioted his house? That outweighs United's entire support and the thousands that chanted his name after he scored important goals in which the fans erased those speculations or continued to support him? I know plenty of United fans who either hated him for what he's done and many who supported him even with all the trouble he stirred up within the club.

I doubt it was even a matter of experience tbh, rather Mourinho identifying that our midfield couldn't handle the transition under pressure successfully with Lukaku searching for space and isolated, thus making Torres act as a flase 9 and joining the midfield. (part of Mourinho's aspects he was testing) It started off well, but everyone's performances started drifting after the third goal.

Booed and abused? Seems like their fans did quite a good job of chanting his name when ever he was close to scoring,even with his poor form and the whole escalation around him when those incidents took place, that harsh treatment must have been brutal...

Considering they stood by him and supported him after his whole granny affair and after he made that ridiclous proposal to SAF and questions a club like Manchester United's ambitions.

Always a good sight to see Spain absolutely filled with Barca players during their friendlies.

Mikel was quality Sep-Nov. then became far to inconsistent

Valencia could actually use someone like Torres. Atletico have Villa and Costa and Bilbao have Munian as a false 9 apparenly.

Want all the best for this lad. Has showed more urgency and drive than the likes of Mikel as of late

Ivanovic is by no means average. Rather inconsistent. He's a big game player and has provided us some crucial goals. Just want Mourinho to discipline him more

He's young and inexperienced. What did you all expect? Give the lad some time, no doubt in my mind Jose will turn Justin into a fine midfielder

Seeing Oscar deployed wide really is a shame to see

Amen. Some fans just lack patience and can't truly understand what it means for the club and the league to establish homegrown players. Might aswell call it La Premier Liga now

Yea, it's everyone else, not solely down to one individual. The whole world is out to get you...Chris and I had a friendly pm discussion about it, and tbh, he was mostly spot on. A discussion of this magnitude couldn't possibly linger any further against the likes of you. How could you possibly understand tradition and the identity and philosophy of the Premier League when you've been labeled as a glory hunting plastic mong on the previous forum and seem to not be doing any better here. Apologies Barbra

What you described, is primarily the definition of 'plastic mentality' Not everything on football is about winning, which is why they chewed you out at Totalfootballforums This isn't about support, it is about the club and league keeping its identity. Focusing primarily on youth players integrating into the first team. Creating a stability around the club and having players representing the league and national side

Plain and Stupid? Relying on foregin players rather than producing our own youth and represening the club, national team, and premier league as an actual domestic league, keeping it's tradition rather than relying on modern football philosophy and other leagues/clubs?

Mata may not be fast, but he does indeed have a great first acceleration. Something every Spaniard seems to have. Hence, why I stated in this day in age, it's very beneficial having athleticism. However, most of Bale's goals have been him running past his opponent to score. Something to be very limited. If you take away that pace, what other criteria would he have then? it's an attribute you work hard to achieve, it it not something impossible. Mata's attributes define something he was born with, natural ability he has worked on to enhance his overall game. Agree to disagree. I've just never been convinced by players who have shown to rely heavily on pace in which was his standout ability.

Mata doesn't over rely on any quality that he has. He's a great finisher, has great acceleration, great passer, great awareness, and great control. Abilities that are much more difficult and are based solely on football reasons, natural ability that he was born and raised with into enhancing and becoming the player he is today. There's a mass difference between creativity and athleticism in regards to a footballer. One criteria, defines a players footballing ability, the other, defines a players athletic ability. One is something you are born with, the other, something you train on. Torres is an example of a a player that thrived on getting passed players, but once lost his pace, soon looked very average and his overall mentality soon lost his confidence.

TBH, take away Bale's pace, what is he left with? He's a great finisher, but then again, some of the reasoning behind almost half of his goals was down to his ability to out pace his opponent. He is an extremely athletic individual, something a player needs to have in this day of age in Football, but I feel he over relies so much on his pace and his physic. Bale is a better athlete, Mata is a better footballer

Very good Read. Sure, we are buying top young talents so we can eventually blossom them, but at the same time, I can't stop but feeling that the Premier League is losing it's identity and tradition, thus leaving many clubs in England going after players in different countries. To put into perspective, clubs like Dortmund, Sociedad, Bilbao, Valencia, etc, clubs that actually put in work to where they be now, then come massive clubs buying out some of their player's release clauses, In all honesty, Modern football for some, has become a dream come true, for other's, it has become much more of a business which leads leagues and clubs losing it's identity.