Sideshow Luiz

I've been saying this too. I'm sure that Conte's thought of it though. Not sure why he hasn't tried it out. I would have thought that the League Cup was the place to give it a go. But, he did not (obviously).

Fair enough. I thought he wanted to leave because Jose never played him and he enjoyed himself at Juve. If he just didn't want to play for us anymore, fine.

I think Cuadrado should of only stayed with us as competition for the RWB spot.

I think that Willian is a natural RWB. He's really good in the first 2/3 of the pitch. His decision making in tight spaces around the box, leaves a bit to be desired.

Yeah, a player for the RW/RCAM/SS role that Pedro is playing could be an upgrade. I also think that a LCB can be brought in. Cahill is playing alright, but if he were more comfortable on the ball, we'd build up better. One of the ways that the 343 is weak is in the build up if the other team overloads the middle of the pitch (3v2). The RCB and LCB need to get wide and bring the ball in to midfield if the midfield 2 and wingbacks are marked.

Can't see him fitting in. I was against the James signing when those rumours were going around in the summer. But, with the new set-up, I think he would fit in very well. Verratti and Di Maria from PSG would be my picks. If this is actually true, I could see us going for a 352.

Tough match. Separated by 2 moments of quality. So solid at the back. Should have had 3. Delighted with the performance.

I'm worried about this match, I can't lie. We've had a lot of positive press in the past week. Conte's fixed this, the formation is a stroke of genius, etc etc. If the press is on board, that usually means a stumble. This is going to be tough.

Am I the only one that thinks that Willian would be a good RWB? I think he's better suited to that role than Azpi is. The best part of his game is in the first 2/3 of the pitch. The final third? Not so much. He can run all day and he tracks back. I'd be happy to just get in an attacker (preferably left footed) for the RW/SS position. I also think that Ivanovic would be a fine (good enough) back-up for Azpi at the RCB in the back 3. He's not quick enough to be a full back, but he's okay on the ball for a CB. If Cahill can be good at the LCB position, I don't see why Ivan can't do the same on the right. He is, after all, a CB. I know he's been shit for a while now, but we're talking back ups and cover. He obviously provides a great deal of leadership in the dressing room. Alonso/Kenedy/Baba at LWB. Alonso has also played CB before, he could provide some cover for the LCB position if we don't get anyone in (I think we will) or we get someone in and Cahill is moved on. Luiz and Christensen in the middle of the back 3.

I think that Willian would be quite a good RWB. Another attacker on the right would kind of let us cover 2 positions. If Alonso goes down with an injury this season, we're kind of screwed. Next year, we should have Baba and Kenedy back from loan.

I was going for classic British understatement.

Don't forget some champagne or sparkling wine of your choice to go with the salmon. I'm not a huge fan of either salmon or sparkling wine TBH, but even I have to admit that they go quite well together.

I thought it looked like 4231 with Pogba in the 10 and Fellaini and Herrera taking turns to get forward. Either way, that's a terrible midfield. I quite like Herrera, but that's an awful balance. At Juve he was one of the players protecting Pirlo. No, he's not an 80+M player. I think we can all agree on that.

I will say though, at least he had the presence of mind to not blame the result on our lack of mid-week matches. That's kind of his fault too....

I get it. I'm just disappointed with his choice of target. He's an important part of the Club's recent history, but the divorce won't stay amicable with the fans if he attacks our current manager. He should have gone for one of his usual targets. FA, refs, whatever.

He needs to be backed in the next 2 windows. He's done a good job relying on his national team experience and making do with what he's got and finding a way to get them to work. We need a couple of upgrades and we need depth. Willian or Pedro can probably cover for Moses, but then we need another body up front. Only Alonso at LWB. Another defender too. Matic has been pretty good the past couple of matches, but his lack of offensive ability is on display. I hope they back him with whatever he needs.

With Milan in the title chase, this seems even less likely now. I think he would be perfect for us. Left footed and tidy on the ball. Replace Cahill in the LCB spot. Would really upgrade our squad we can just leave it alone for years to come.

I still think he's going to come good. Not necessarily under Jose at Utd., though. He's not unlike other players, that they can excel under the right conditions, look poor in others. For the money, that shouldn't be the case, but there are only a handful of players that are exceptions to this. Jose is stuck on 4231. That formation is for teams with specialists. A 10, that doesn't need to play defence a lot, a DM who doesn't need to get forward. The best part of Pogba is that he's good a lots of things. Sort of like a younger Yaya. Guys with his size don't usually have his skill or his physical presence. Guys that are as strong as him don't have his speed or technical ability. Etc. But, he's not amazing at anything singular thing. He's a jack of all trades, master of none midfielder. As another poster pointed out, he would look beastly next to Kante in our midfield where we want them to do everything up and down the pitch. Jose should really be playing a 433 to get the best out of Pogba and Zlatan. Maybe a 343 or a 352 a la Conte. He used to be tactically flexible, don't know why he's so stuck on 4231.

Mourinho is a legend of the club, and I really don't want to be on bad terms with him. But, he needed to just walk off the pitch at the end instead of complaining to Conte. Conte is emotional, that's who he is and how he acts. Jose should have just left it alone and gone about his business. The easiest way to stop Conte from being fired up on the sidelines is to not lose 4-0.

I'm actually hopeful that he can be a sturdy back up to Dave as the RCB. It may suit him. Not fast enough to be a RB, can't cross. Not really tall enough to be a CB (for the way he plays), so RCB in this back 3, may be okay for him. Injuries will happen, need to have dependable cover.

I really have to hand it to Conte. One of the biggest problems with this squad was that there were players that suited one manager's way of playing, then some that fit others, etc. He's found a way to get players in to positions to succeed and play to their strengths. There are a couple of spots that can be improved and we'll need to get some depth since we'll be playing mid-week matches next season

Should add "everyone" to the MOTM list. This was the definition of a team victory.

I'm actually a little concerned about the 343. I know we've played well, but there was a spot in the second half where Leicester took it to us. After we brought on Chalobah and went to 3-5-2 we became solid again.

I know he doesn't fit a 2 man midfield at all, but I still don't really want to get rid of him. In the second half against Leicester, they took a hold of the game. It looked like Conte went to a 352 when Chalobah came on. I still think there's a place for Cesc in that formation here. I'm sure he's considered it, I'm sure he's talked about it with his staff. Maybe he'll give it a go in a league cup match. Cesc deep with Kante and Chalobah in midfield.

I think he may have landed badly when he fluffed that overhead cross attempt.