This. We all know how I feel about him but if we do purchase a CM it has serious implications, positive and negative wrt Cleverley's PT.
Who cares about being Physically imposing if you can't put in the hard work to go on with it? Huddlestone is a big fellow and physically pretty big, but i would rather run against him dribbling than with Fletcher chasing me or standing in front of me.
I don't think you get it. Fletch could be physically imposing if he were stronger or a more fierce tackler. He isn't though. No one would question if Keane was more physical than Viera despite the latter's size advantage.
Yeah, but i disagree with notion that you have to be Strong and imposing to have a effect on the game in terms of intimidation. Someone like Fletcher who is hardworking and always on the ankles of Arsenal players can have the same sort of effect in a different way as the moaning of Arsene Wenger and a few Arsenal players have pointed out in big matches. Say the Nevilles doing the number on them with fierce diving tackles and kicking them had the same sort of effect when we ended their unbeaten run.
agree to disagree, strength is important. You don't have to be musclebound but you do need to be strong. but regardless, the most important thing is being physical, which Fletcher isn't. He's just persistent. Fletcher is a gnat.
You are taking this a direction I did not intend. I never implied any notion or idea that you have to be strong and physically imposing to have an effect on a game in terms of intimidation. I was only talking in reference to Fletcher. There is no steel in his game. However that did not make him any less effective. Read how this convo started.
Arsenal is a terrible example to use. They are the embodiment of their manager. Nobody else quite reacts like they do to such situations.
Fletcher is not steel. Fletcher is energy. Johno already said it - if he were a proper tackler and whatnot, then maybe. But his energy is what makes him useful to us, not any sort of "steel".
Enjoying the play of Welbeck and Cleverley (been looking forward to watching these guys with the first team since last pre-season). Not a fan of both of their haircuts. Danny looks like something out of House Party. Tom from the Jersey Shore.
Danny's barber, couldnt even get that right. It looks terrrible. like he did it himself. HE was in NY and he couldnt find a decent barber?
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFmIau3ipbU&feature=related"]KC and The sunshine band - Give It Up‏ - YouTube[/ame] Nana nana nana nana na na na, Clever Cleverley Cleverley, Clever Cleverley...
I know it's way way WAY too premature to be discussing this, but for the sake of argument, let's assume that Clev makes it here and is a starting CM for us in 3-5 years when he's peaked. What type of partner(s) do you think would be most suitable to his playstyle? Are we looking at a Carrick-type DLP, a Fletcher that harasses and defers to his creatively, or something else entirely?
A Martinez or Rodwell who can also play with the ball at their feet comfortably. A two way midfielder. A Vidal would also be nice, in 442 games. But just dreaming.
Only Arsenal but a very impressive match compilation for young Tom [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB4P2fnsY9E"]Tom Cleverley vs. Arsenal 11/12 - YouTube[/ame]
Shit. That WAS impressive. I knew he had a good game, but it really says something when you put it all together. Man against boys type ish there.
When you watch this it becomes clear that there really isn't anyone we could have gone out and bought that would be more like Scholes than Tom is right now. And I'm not saying he's nearly as good as Scholes at his best, but in terms of HOW he plays its such a good a good fit for this team that I don't think SAF has much choice but to let him grow into the role.