Yes, Another Louis Saha Thread

[sitati_kituyi]

Some of you on this board remember me as that guy who just won't stop going on about Louis Saha. Some remember me as other things (I was once called 'the Kenyan ZANI' by a United fan no less :eek: ). From the day Sir Alex splashed out for Louis I've been 100% behind him, I've always known he could do big things for us.

The time is finally upon us. Though few are brave enough to speak it, we're all thinking the same thing: if we get that one more defensive mid, this may well be our year. Optimistic? Yes. But not unrealistic. We finally have one of the best keepers in England again. With Gabby back, we have a very good defence. The midfield seems to be coming back with the introduction of Carrick, the return of Scholes and the probable capture of a tackling midfielder. The attack is arguably now the questionmark with the departure of Ruud, so if it is to be our year, a lot of it will be down to Louis finally reaching his potential.

I was always a big fan of the potential Saha - Ruud partnership, but at the end of last season we saw what a Saha - Rooney partnership is capable of. It's the most 'mobile' partnership we can make, and should thus benefit greatly from the introduction of Carrick. I subscribe to the line of thought that the modern United plays best without a dedicated in-the-box striker, which is for me why we played best with Louis in instead of Ruud.

In Louis we have a striker who can score from outside the box, can head them in or to team-mates, can hold up the ball, is full of running and still has good enough finishing to bury any easy chances in the box. If he has FINALLY gotten over his injury problems (touch wood), we have the ideal partner for the ever-moving Wayne Rooney IMO.

Of course there's the possibility that we'll sign Torres and Saha will again be just a useful backup, but it seems currently that he'll be the man to spearhead the formation, likely to be a 4-3-3, this year.

A taste of things to come? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwTnvtaM67g&search=louis%20saha)

[troy]

great post, i couldnt agree morewith what you are sayin but he is very injury prone and if he is going to be our main striker he has to be fit for the majourity of the time. i personally prefer him as third choice strikers as he is some we who can start some matches but come off the bench and get us a goal. still torres is the man for me but if we start the season with saha leadind the attack i wouldnt be too dissapointed at all:)

[sitati_kituyi]

My hope is that Saha is finally over his recurring knee trouble. If he is, few can doubt he has the ability to get us bucketloads of goals.

Make no mistake, I'd love to see Torres at United. If in the next week we sign Mascherano and Torres, I'll be over the moon. But IMO even with Carrick's arrival, another midfielder is the priority, the attack can survive if Saha can stay fit. Sure, there'll be the occasional knock, but that's where Alan Smith steps in. Rooney and Smith, plenty of heart in that strikeforce!

[Dark Savante]

The most important thing, and you omitted it, is that no one can trust Saha to stay fit for a season. In fact, you have to plan for him getting injured at some point and working around it.

I don''t think anyone has ever dismissed Saha's actual ability here. He's not in the world class bracket, but he is most definitely good enough to perform for a PL season and bag 17goals over a campaign. Again, we return to his fitness holding up and I have not really got much faith in Saha in that respect.

[sitati_kituyi]

The thing is the injury that's been keeping him out is a recurring problem. If it was random injuries all over I'd be more concerned that he's just of injury-prone nature. If he can get over the knee problems then he can stay fit for most of a season.

[benni...]

Since its "recurring" then I think Im a little more worried. Saha is a good Premier League striker. He proved that the year he moved to us. Pace, Power, erratic finishing. Im sure, if fit, he could do well for us in the English season.

I am scared that he will play the way he did against Chelsea, when we go up against quality opposition in Europe. Now granted he's been injured a lot, but he's not played well in the few appearances he's had in the champions league. Thats where we need him to perform.

We do not have a guaranteed source of goals in Europe, unless Ole plays. Smith, Saha, Rooney have all put up average or below numbers in Europe (apart from the obvious hattrick against Fenerbache).

[ruud van semz]

(apart from the obvious hattrick against Fenerbache).

what a wonderful day that was!!! :)

[ruud van semz]

i've always been a saha fan.. it's not good for me to see ruud go, but i gotta admit that saha is more of a complete package than ruud

[benni...]

Apart from the most important part, which is putting the ball in the back of the net consistantly.

[gybe77]

Apart from the most important part, which is putting the ball in the back of the net consistantly.

guesstimate: how many times will we utter, "ruud woulda slotted that one in." throughout the season?

[benni...]

Atleast 4 to 7 times every game.

[Vermont Red]

Atleast 4 to 7 times every game.

Thus proving how we over-react to everything.

[benni...]

Nah, I dont think im overreacting. We did that a lot last season. Against Bolton, West Brom, Newcastle for example.

[50 Euro]

Some of you on this board remember me as that guy who just won't stop going on about Louis Saha. Some remember me as other things (I was once called 'the Kenyan ZANI' by a United fan no less :eek: ). From the day Sir Alex splashed out for Louis I've been 100% behind him, I've always known he could do big things for us.

The time is finally upon us. Though few are brave enough to speak it, we're all thinking the same thing: if we get that one more defensive mid, this may well be our year. Optimistic? Yes. But not unrealistic. We finally have one of the best keepers in England again. With Gabby back, we have a very good defence. The midfield seems to be coming back with the introduction of Carrick, the return of Scholes and the probable capture of a tackling midfielder. The attack is arguably now the questionmark with the departure of Ruud, so if it is to be our year, a lot of it will be down to Louis finally reaching his potential.

I was always a big fan of the potential Saha - Ruud partnership, but at the end of last season we saw what a Saha - Rooney partnership is capable of. It's the most 'mobile' partnership we can make, and should thus benefit greatly from the introduction of Carrick. I subscribe to the line of thought that the modern United plays best without a dedicated in-the-box striker, which is for me why we played best with Louis in instead of Ruud.

In Louis we have a striker who can score from outside the box, can head them in or to team-mates, can hold up the ball, is full of running and still has good enough finishing to bury any easy chances in the box. If he has FINALLY gotten over his injury problems (touch wood), we have the ideal partner for the ever-moving Wayne Rooney IMO.

Of course there's the possibility that we'll sign Torres and Saha will again be just a useful backup, but it seems currently that he'll be the man to spearhead the formation, likely to be a 4-3-3, this year.

A taste of things to come? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwTnvtaM67g&search=louis%20saha)
Well, I've always enjoyed your contributions to the board...:)

As for Saha, obviously his injuries and his commitment to Utd have been the two major issues for many, and those tie into his situation with France.

Personally I like Louis and appreciate his style of play. I too am cautiously optimistic about him this season. He certainly seemed to gain momentum last season, as he put in a few consecutive strong performances, and hopefully there will be more to come this year...:cool:

[benni...]

To add to my previous post. As long as he eventually puts the ball in the back of the net, I wont mind. I hope he can do it in Europe though.

[Vermont Red]

Nah, I dont think im overreacting. We did that a lot last season. Against Bolton, West Brom, Newcastle for example.

I'm not saying that we didn't do it, I'm saying that when we did it, we were over-reacting. It's not like Ruud scored 4-7 goals per game.

The only way we're not over-reacting is if Saha has that my gilt-edged chances, which means that he's creating more chances than Ruud did. Of course, maybe that's why Ruud was sold.

[benni...]

Yeah, that is why Ruud was sold. I dont argue that fact. with Saha we created mroe chances, for Saha to waste before he eventually put one away. With Ruud, we created few chances, which Ruud put away one or two of them.

[gybe77]

also, i think carrick's incisive ball passing skills will allow the ball distribution to be so much smoother than w/ o'shea in there. will make for a prettier flow of football!

[433tom]

Yeah, that is why Ruud was sold. I dont argue that fact. with Saha we created mroe chances, for Saha to waste before he eventually put one away. With Ruud, we created few chances, which Ruud put away one or two of them.

If Saha stays fit he will get his share of goals. He scored at Fulham and scored for United. Where we lacked goals last year was from our midfield. Aside from the strikers, Ronaldo was the only one that could put the ball into the back of the net. Hopefully Scholes will get a bucketfull of goals this year. But the jury is still out on our midfield scoring. Carrick is not a goal scorer, so Park and Giggs need to contribute more in the scoring department.
I think we need a bit more goal production from our corners as well.

[NYCgeezer]

Carrick is not a goal scorer, so Park and Giggs need to contribute more in the scoring department.
I think we need a bit more goal production from our corners as well.

He hasn't been at Tottenham, but a more forward position at United could see him pop in a few this season. I hope.

Definitely agree w/the corners issue. Not enough corners were converted last season.