OneMoSalah

Hopefully see this... Kepa; Azpi Rudiger Luiz Alonso; Kante Jorginho Kovacic (don't think he'll start but heres hoping); Pedro Morata Hazard (still don't think he'll start maybe one more wek but again heres hoping). I think Newcastle will offer a stern test and yes our record isn't brilliant but I think if we can sort the things that went wrong in that 15-20 mins v Arsenal and go out and play with the same sort of tempo and intensity we did that game, as well as getting a similar amount of shots as we did, we should be able to get a few goals.

I think Jorginho is still maybe not 100% sure of the speed of the PL compared to Italy in defensive situations. Maybe not. Hes not very quick but he should be able to read those things and get in positions to prevent them. Maybe it was just individual errors but it happened a lot. I'm more concerned with Luiz in that back line more than anything but thats a different story altogether because as a player he has got a tendency to doze off a lot, which at 31 for a guy whos played for Chelsea, Brazil, PSG, Benfica... shouldn't be happening a lot but it has in his career.

I think United seriously have lost their tradition. They aren't a bad side but in a few years or few months were to change coaches and revert to more traditional ways do you think they'd reckon it was worth it? I doubt Conte would go because I think hes too similar and although he showed in his first year here he can get entertaining football out of players, with that defence it could be a disaster regardless although you'd definitely see Sanchez and Pogba improve similarly to the ways some of our guys did. As a coach Mourinho can do more but he has this way of working, its his way or the high way, its probably cost him a lot, at Madrid, when he was back here and now at United. He seriously needs to evolve as a manager, he still probably in terms of football intelligence is one of the smartest guys out there but again his methods are constantly falling behind with the likes of Klopp, Pep, Pochettino in terms of how to play. You can't expect a 100m MF player, who excelled as a box to box at Juventus to be able to play as a 6, not struggle and then not be able to impose himself on the match and then blame him? Its not exactly as simple as that but he has guys like Matic and Herrera, even Fred and Andres Pereira, he shouldn't make United Pogba FC but everybody knows Pogba on his day when hes given the license to get forward and get around the box can cause some damage. Lukaku and Sanchez as well are both guys who would get 20 goals a season minimum. Marcus Rashford is one of Englands most talented youngsters, Martial is in a similar place in terms of being talented but he very very inconsistent. Jesse Lingard is probably one of the only younger players who has seriously come on leaps and bounds under him. For a guy with Mourinho's reputation and pedigree, having so much talented players or ready made players and not being able to get a decent team performance from them against a Brighton, where they lacked fight and quality is terrible. If that happened here it would be mayhem. We seen how bad it got last season against Watford and Bournemouth.

His Napoli team without the ball, the defence would be narrow and try make the opposition play in the wings to get crosses in because with Kouliably and Albiol and another fullback when the other one goes out to challenge they would always be favourites in the air because the two CBs were extremely dominant in that aspect and they'd have their sitting midfield player tucked in at the penalty spot. Its interesting because in that regard if the ball comes in from Azpi's side, Rudiger, Luiz and Alonso are all very strong in the air for high crosses. Azpi is a bit shorter, although still solid enough in the air but hasnt got the height advantage (I know this sounds a lot like Mourinho wanting 4 6 ft plus defenders haha) but I think low cut backs will be a big issue for us this season if the centre backs and DM aren't in sync and have that awareness of the space where it could be extremely dangerous, particularly if MF runners are going to come if off the back of Jorginho, Kante and whoever plays that 3rd position.

....and what about Mandzukic when he was at Bayern and didn't like Peps style... he called Pep out (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2248629-mario-mandzukic-slams-pep-guardiola-for-bayern-munich-exit-taunts-former-boss). Morata hasn't called anybody out, he mentioned the style and the difficulties perhaps he had because that's not his game. I think your trying to add something where there is nothing in all honesty. If it was any other player it wouldn't be an issue. Torres again? The guy played over 200 games for us and had maybe 10 good games if you want to call it that. I mean its a bit pointless to bring him up. Yes Arsenal neutralised him but again still it doesn't mean he played poor, he didn't hold it up every time because Mustafi and Papodopulous like to get tight when they can and are very physical centre backs but he still did alright, nothing outstanding but still did things any striker would do. The way your critiquing him is a bit harsh. The truth is as individual players they maybe have 3-4 minutes in possession where as the rest of the match it is off the ball. Again I get it you don't rate him but you can't expect every striker or every player in that regard to play perfectly for 90 minutes. It just doesn't happen. Yes the jury is still out but again, give the guy a bit of an opportunity because pre-season means nothing in all honesty, the real games are now and so far hes been slowly improving and still will I feel, along with the rest of this team.

This hes indirectly accusing Conte crap your coming with is just ludicrous if I'm honest, I know you dont rate him but that is just clutching at straws, hes blamed a style but players play under managers who play styles which don't suit them the whole time, its just how it goes, the managers decide. Also hes struggling? 2 games into the season, 1 goal and hes played a lot better than he did for a lot of the second half of the season last year. Its a bit early to start bashing the guy for struggling when hes got 1 in 2 and will probably still improve as the team continues to do so as well, I don't think its a coincidence the team start playing well and hes back in amongst it looking better. Fair enough I know hes not Aguero or Kane but the guy is going to be our first choice striker I think we should give him another chance because hes obviously feeling very lucky to have the chance to be an number 1 option as opposed to a bench player and committed to trying to change his fortunes going from that other interview. I suppose if hes struggling that would mean some of the other guys are struggling too? Its very very very early to judge somebody in that way, you can't necessarily look at a team with a new coach (hes worked with everybody for what 2 weeks?), a new system and new players and instantly come to the conclusion somebody is struggling because also Azpi, Luiz and Rudiger have perhaps struggled in moments, as did Jorginho v Huddersfield in the first 15 minutes and then v Arsenal for 20 minutes before half time... its a work in progress and as stupid as that sounds its going to be another few games before this team properly gets going at what 75% of its capabilities never mind 100%.

Tbf that interview is a bit shit for me personally. It makes it look like an attack towards Conte but its more towards the style, although still think its a bit of a bullshit excuse. The headline says he blames Contes direct style but you look at how successful Costa was in it and think well do you change the style to suit the striker or make the striker adapt or a bit of both? I think the style maybe didn't suit him overly well just like Hazard, just like Willian, just like Pedro so yeah its fair to say maybe the change helps but you can't say that at the beginning it did work for a while, as the previous season Pedro and Hazard did pretty well too, perhaps because Costa and Matic were there and werent the season afterwards perhaps not. I don't think other than Willian anybody has actually come out and said a bad word about Antonio from a Chelsea point of view. The style regardless of what it was, the whole team seemed to struggle second half of the season. I generally think confidence was more to do with his slump than the direct style along with the back injury and no winter break which we've all seen it affect some players coming from Spain beforehand. I suppose as well its different playing in Madrid and now maybe this season we will see Sarri get something else out of Morata but I think he can't really blame Conte's style entirely. I like the other interview about wanting to bounce back for Chelsea though, he has a decent attitude just needs to keep working away getting more goals and more confident.

Yeah I know but even then under Conte we had a clear structure before we started playing shit in December and the whole of the first season once we swapped to 343. Even in the bigger games under Mourinho the first 2 years he was back, we had a clear structure and we could go and nulify teams just by being organised and playing into our strengths. Sometimes with a good structure you can get away with having slightly more average players, because the structure masks their deficiencies, Cahill and Terry were in the PL team of the year 2 years in a row under Jose I'm sure. United need to evolve, if I were a United fan I'd be looking at why aren't they taking the shackles off and giving Pogba and the front 3 a lot more freedom to go and do their thing. Fair enough they need to get the balance but still they are far to negative. Its good for us because if they continue to struggle then we will have more chances for top 4 over the season.

True but again I think that United team has always struggled defensively, since Ferguson went, the guys they've brought in in terms of defenders is horrible. Its funny to see Jose struggle as well because hes always talking and theres nothing now to back it up with because we've seen at Real, Chelsea and now United hes not adaptable. He used to be good at making subs that would change the dynamic of a game but that rarely happens. He has one of the potentially best MF players in the world playing within himself. He has Sanchez and Martial but they struggle because of their own inconsistencies and also the team doesn't have a clear platform either. The fact Kovacic didn't want to go to United because of their playing style says it all.... feel sorry for the boys Fred and Pereira because like Shaw they will be thrown under the bus this season.

Yeah definitely agree although some championship teams such as Fulham, Wolves even Swansea previously in the past have shown it can be done but they needed time (or in Wolves case a talented manager and about 50-60M worth of players to good for that level). I think Leeds will have a chance to make a big jump to this style because they have a proven coach in Bielsa who has managed at the likes of Argentina and Chile national teams, Athletic Bilbao as well as other clubs where maybe it hasn't gone so wellbut the guy is renowned and has his reputation as a manager. Even then every coach is trying to be Pep Guardiola disciples in a way, so its normal now to see many coaches try and get these things such as playing out from the back or winning the ball back in 3 seconds etc. I mentioned Gerrard at Rangers, the guy has got them playing proper aggressively, playing to their strengths, defending as a unit and going long playing 40/50 yards directly ot their centre forwards but its working. I still think Jody Morris would have been more ready than Lamps but I think Lamps rep as a player probably helped him in landing that job too.

I don't know, Milan will have a lot of the ball and will probably discover very quickly how mediocre he is with it. Fair enough they won't play the same sort of style we are going to be playing but again, they will learn that his physical qualities outweigh his technical. I'm a bit intrigued because I generally don't think he offers anything more than Franck Kessie, who was highly rated and has a big talent too.

Honestly under Conte I thought he was a more box to box player as well. After he changed from a 4-1-4-1 to a 3-4-3, Kante was a box to box for me and not solely a holder, so I don't get this impression that hes a sitting midfield and has to play there and not as a box to box. Hes given more freedom because Jorginho will be there controlling the play and being in front of the defense. Obviously the team is a lot more attacking than it ever was under Conte so he is going to be more and more involved offensively as he ever was under Antonio but again, he was never really solely a holding player. Even at Leicester he was rarely a sitting midfield player. Maybe because the teams were a lot more defensive minded he was seen as that but I wouldnt go and say hes a pure defensive midfielder who cannot offer anything else except for tackling and interceptions (we all know that anyway). When we press this sort of player is vital too, he is probably the one guy you wouldn't want as an opponent coming near you when your team is being pressed because he is so good at winning the ball back and rarely gets dribbled past. So for me I don't see the issue, other than we conceded 4 or 5 big chances against Arsenal which I'd say had other causes as opposed to Kante not being infront of the defence. Jorginho will get better defensively as he gets more used to the speed of the English game too, hes not the quickest guy in the world but you don't need to be when you know where to stand and understand that PL is not Seria A so the games will be faster in transitions.

Perhaps but as you've said you would lose the runs and I think in a Sarri team having that is a big big plus because the forwards create spaces for other players and the likes of Kante or Barkley could expose those spaces and profit from them. I think Sarri has been working with the defenders and GK alone to try and build that defensive shape and will continue to do so for a bit and also with the midfielders to try get that balance right. Its only 2 games, it was a bit alarming because there was 2 or 3 big chances other than their goals that came from cut backs into that area and I think Jorginho should have been closer to that zone. Sarri said something like "we lost the players distances", not 100% sure but I think hes meaning the gaps between defence and MF without the ball? Still plenty to work on. I think another thing that would maybe also not work is Kante isn't as excellent a passer (hes improved tenfold since he was at Leicester I feel though) going forward as Jorginho, those 30-40 yard passes where he can just open something up is a big plus too and under enough pressure having that relief is also excellent, I know that we will always have options in possession but having that quick pass into a MF runner, could be very good. Fair enough Luiz can do it too but I think Jorginho should remain as the deeper player, although we've already seen he does venture on a bit more too when he needs to to initiate the pressing and when we are trying to break teams down.

Think people getting a bit worried about if we lose him next season far too early, we are 2 games in, yes hes world class but this is a big year for the club. Just enjoy him while hes here for now and then we will see what happens next summer.

Think it was an extremely risky appointment in general. Derby are always the nearly team, its big expectations that they have. For somebody who hasn't even coached at u18s or that it was a huge risk but a bold one that will still be a good experience regardless of how it goes, although I do hope he can make a success of it. I watched the Leeds-Derby game and it was a demolition job, Marcelo Bielsa totally outwitted Lampard and they outplayed them but its a learning curve. Its nice to see younger coaches getting involved though but still I feel that sometimes the reputation as a player can give the impression they'd be a shoe in as a manager. Steven Gerrard at Rangers is somebody with experience at under 18s or 23s and so far seems to be doing well, fair enough different league but the expectation at Rangers is huge and it has chewed folk up and spit them out (have a feeling hes unbeaten in 9 games). I think Lamps could have done with a smaller step to start off, Jody Morris would probably have been more suited to going in as the manager as opposed to Lamps based on his success and more importantly his experience managing with youth teams from 2014-18, although again the youth team shit doesn't always naturally transfer over to senior football for players and managers but I generally think Jody Morris will be a top manager once he decides he wants to go make the jump.

I think Jorginho still has to adapt to the pace in defensive situations, for the deepest MF player to not have been closer to the penalty spot for the second goal is criminal. He should be protecting that area. CBs didn't help either true enough but still that zone should have been his responsibility. I dont think playing Kante there and moving Jorginho higher up would be beneficial though. Jorginho is crucial to playing out and you can see that he is the go to guy when the CBs have the ball, much like Busquets at Barcelona, Fernandinho at City etc. In terms of those chances maybe they wouldn't have been goals but again I don't think it would of made a difference, everyone was flat footed in that situation, somebody unmarked running onto the ball is always going to have the advantage of somebody standing still.

But again a players ego for me is related to confidence. Not the motivation. These guys who have egos, the Ronaldo's, the Messi's, the Neymar's, the Ibra's even the Hazard's, the Bale's etc you would never ever ever question their motivation. Not one bit.

Think hes just saying Conte was also a top manager. Where as Willian was quite vocal about his dislike of Conte to Brazilian ESPN I think it was, Hazard obviously not so much.

Which again especially in the big games last season from December to March (when our top 4 bid really fell apart in my eyes) where Eden did this and had said he hadn't played very well afters, I was very disappointed a player of his calibre would let that affect him. You should always be motivated to play football if your a professional. If you aren't then your no use to anybody, regardless of how good or bad you are. Fair enough Mourinho and Conte wore thin on some players, Willian and Hazard especially but still they should be sufficiently motivated to play for Chelsea regardless. Just like Martial at United, that should be sufficient enough motivation. Perhaps its not as black and white as that and we seen what happens when not only a few players but the majority of players who were in the starting 11 under Jose lost the motivation that year he was sacked and again under Conte. Sometimes a move helps but I don't think you can say hes playing poorly for United because hes not motivated. The guy lost his WC spot last season and didn't go to a tournament they won, if I was in his shoes I'd be chomping at the bit to prove myself to get back in that NT and the first 11. He should have all the motivation he should need.

3 seasons at Chelsea and hes about 10 goals off what Willian has done here in 6 years in the PL (which I expect to change this season I think hes gonna get that 10 plus along with Pedro as well). Seen that on twitter somewhere. Doesn't mean anything but for a left back, impressive.

Typical Hazard quote. Never gives much away. Hes staying for this season, lets see how it pans out. No need to panic, which I'm assuming many have been beforehand with the fact the windows closed for English clubs and not for other European clubs. Traditionally hes a slow starter in terms of how his season goes but 2 sub appearances, looking very good and has 2 assists. PLenty more to come.

Honestly don't think he was bad, hes still getting back to playing as a right back but I've seen a lot of shit on social media that we need a new RB, 100% incorrect the guy is one of the best in the business. Fair enough he doesn't run 100m in 10 seconds but hes excellent defensively and hes always improving on the ball. The CBs are more an issue for me. Pity hes not 6 ft 2 or 3 because I think if he were that bit taller and more physical he could be adapted to a CB (Although that is based on his role in a back 3, totally different in a back 4 I know).

I'm sorry but if your not motivated enough to play for a club like Manchester United, your not a dedicated professional. Not being motivated isn't a flaw that is down to a manager or team, its down to the individuals mentality. Can't continually blame a manager like Mourinho (although he has his flaws, guys like Luke Shaw have had it extremely tough from him), who like Van Gaal also discovered, that Martial has flaws and perhaps his mentality is one of them along with inconsistencies in performances. The guy has not seriously held a consist run of form since he first broke into the United team and then for a spell in Mourinho's first season (this is coming from a pal of mines who is a big time United fan) and I'm sure most Utd fans would say hes been inconsistent largely throughout his spell there.

2 games 2 goals. Really exciting because this is the sort of guy he was at Barcelona. Never created a lot of chances but in and around the box, making late runs, coming infield to create overloads in the final third... thats what he would do a lot. I said I thought Sarri would rejuvenate Pedro and in pre-season and so far its looking to be going that way, I think he can get 10 goals at least this season. 8 more to go in 30 plus games? Surely?

Yeah I'd agree. Barkley had a good game as well (defensively still could do better though) I think so its great to have competition in that role (when was the last time we had a midfield that was so varied and had a lot of different profiles of players with different skill sets?), can only help although we all know Kovacic is the man for that role when hes at 100% unless Barkley goes on a very good run. I still think Barkley will get the nod next week and Kovacic will get more minutes off the bench. Expect Hazard to start next week as well think that is two games now where hes came on and played enough minutes and looking fitter, so another weeks training should be fine. I like Sarri's thinking for integrating the likes of Hazard and Kovacic in, giving them adequate rest (I know we are only 2 games in but this is a guy not known for rotating a lot) and also gradually building up their game time off the bench considering their world cup campaigns and not having worked with him as early as some of the others (as well as giving some of the other guys a good chance to stake a claim), especially considering that usually Hazard is a slow starter in terms of how he gets going in the PL but that is two sub appearances and now 2 assists for him. Goals will start coming next. Feel he could have had one yesterday but wasn't selfish enough.