When is IT going to happen?? [R]

[MtP07]

After reading everyone's mid-season evaluation of the team, it seems like most people agreed on two things:

A. At some point everyone and everything will click together and we'll start putting teams to the sword for a full 90 minutes and for a long stretch of games. Joga Bonita all around.

B. The above has not happened. We have not hit our top gear yet.

My question is when, do you still think we'll hit our top gear for a good run of games and if so, when?

[benni...]

Honestly I wish I could answer but I do not know. We traditionally pick up form in the winter fixtures and christmas period right? But we've gone through that. Its not looking too promising, because one game we have flashes of brilliance, the next we dont play well and win or something...

Would it be Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha's injury woes that is stopping us from clicking like that?


Its frustrating watching repeats of our matches this season because we havent been our ususal selves.

[MtP07]

I really thought we'd hit our stride around Christmas as well, but now I'm thinking I can't see us hitting top gear until Scholesy gets back.

[Polemic]

I really thought we'd hit our stride around Christmas as well, but now I'm thinking I can't see us hitting top gear until Scholesy gets back.

I agree, once Scholes is back and fit, I can see things really coming together. Hoping that Rooney and Ronaldo remain fit is the biggest concern in regards to really playing to the teams maximum capability. Baring no Rooney injuries (which in no way is assured), Scholes getting back, I can see us hitting top form sometime in February. Scholes is set to return early February I believe. Who knows though, it is impossible to say.

[Red 11]

I really thought we'd hit our stride around Christmas as well, but now I'm thinking I can't see us hitting top gear until Scholesy gets back.

I agree, and that's why I picked February. Hopefully Gazza will be able to give us a boost as well.

[Invincible]

I have absolutely no clue. We've destroyed teams without really fully clicking so the potential is certainly there. As others have said, I think Scholes returning would be HUGE for us and I think we'll continue to have a few good games here and there where we win 4-0 or something like that without doing it in complete style. I think we'll really do the 5/6/7 nil demolition jobs when Anderson, Tevez, Nani and co have some time off in the summer and integrate into the team even more so everyone knows where everyone else is on the pitch automatically.

[benni...]

I have absolutely no clue. We've destroyed teams without really fully clicking so the potential is certainly there. As others have said, I think Scholes returning would be HUGE for us and I think we'll continue to have a few good games here and there where we win 4-0 or something like that without doing it in complete style. I think we'll really do the 5/6/7 nil demolition jobs when Anderson, Tevez, Nani and co have some time off in the summer and integrate into the team even more so everyone knows where everyone else is on the pitch automatically.

So your answer is next season?:(

[Invincible]

So your answer is next season?:(
Maybe. I'm not saying we wont drub any more teams this season but I don't think we'll see the type of God-like football where not a pass goes astray, everyone knows where everyone else is on the pitch, backheels galore etc etc. I think we'll continue to 'do just enough' to win by a lot if that makes any sense lol. Anderson has a few levels to go up, so does Nani, so does Rooney and Ronaldo(:eek:) good times are ahead man.

[JamesA]

I have to agree with Inv. on this. I think we wont see the style of football described in this post until next season. But I don't think thats an issues in some ways. I have a feeling we will still win big in some games, and even win a trophy or two without hitting top top gear (over many games that is)

But thats the glory and potential of this squad as it stand right now. Teams don't normally hit full stride until the year or two after they have adjusted (when multiple new signings play a factor) Look at the gooners this year as an example...

[Drae]

I think it could happen towards the end of the season, depending on injuries and form.

As everyone has said, if Scholes can get back, stay fit and have form that is the key. If you can string together 4-5 games with Scholes / Hargreaves or Scholes / Anderson and the pairing works well, you will see our attack hit top gear, with the current squad.

As we have seen, we also need Rooney / Tevez / Ronnie to be fit, and also need Brown / Neville.

[cr7torossi]

It won't. By the time Scholes returns and Rooney/Park hit fullform, Ronaldo and Anderson will start tiring.

[*Jade*]

I don't know. But I hope soon.

[Toon³]

Saturday 12th January 5:15pm

[Harry Boulton]

Injuries permitting it should be next month or so. Rooney has just come back but Tevez is now injured with a knock to his ankle and will be out for another week or two which is inconvenient. Scholes has yet to come back too and seeing as he's the major long term absentee, it depends on when he comes back and gets going.

Hopefully, and in an ideal world, you want Scholes and Tevez back fit and in form. The thing is, the introduction of Scholes could interupt the side. Andersons form is so good, for the first time in over 10 years I'm legitimately questioning whether, for the moment, Scholes might better off staying on the side lines and letting the midfield work as it is. We're going to be packed in midfield when Scholes comes back him, Anderson, Hargreaves, Carrick and Fletcher all wanting to play. Then we'll have 3 strikers all wanting to play as well as the squad players such as O'Shea and Park and Silvestre might be back sooner or later too.

It's packed with talent and it's no wonder SAF described it as the most talented squad we've had.....

[Republic of Mancunia]

When Nelson gets his arm back.


Nah, March. Don't know why. Just a gut feeling.

[sab456]

I hope its in April, at the business end of the EPL.

[leafdolfan]

I think February and the return of scholsey

[Sapphire]

Before I read beyond the first post, I checked Scholes' return date. He's the key. The reason we haven't clicked this season has been all midfield. Yes, each of our strikers has had his struggle, which has not helped, but the poor performances of Carrick and Fletcher have killed us in the absence of Scholes, even despite Anderson's excellence.

[Simply Red]

Before I read beyond the first post, I checked Scholes' return date. He's the key. The reason we haven't clicked this season has been all midfield. Yes, each of our strikers has had his struggle, which has not helped, but the poor performances of Carrick and Fletcher have killed us in the absence of Scholes, even despite Anderson's excellence.

Fletcher has started 2 games and have come of the bench 7 times. You can hardly blame him for the lack of flow and consistency in midfield ;) anyways, I do agree with you that it's our central midfield that is the main reason we haven't clicked so far this season. I still don't feel to bad about it though. Without Scholes injured I don't think we would have seen Anderson in central midfield and that piece of "luck" or whatever can turn out to be a masterpiece longterm.

So far Hargreaves has started 10 games, Carrick 12, Scholes 10 and Anderson 10. With that kind of rotation and with two new faces you will have to be prepared for a lack of flow. I think all we need is games and I do think we'll get better and better during this season. I also think the introduction of Scholes will help as he can bring more calmness to our team and learn the rest how to keep posession when it's needed.

I don't know if our midfield will be as free flowing this season as it was last, but I do think it is more than capable to reach a high enough level to compete on all fronts if we can get Ronaldo and Rooney to keep top form as well.

One last thing is the right back position. We can't push teames hard enough on that side of the pitch and that has to have it's effect on the central midfield with them not having much option on that side of the field. We do get more predictable when we lose one side that the oppo doesn't have to worry to much about. I don't know, I was hoping for Gary to get back now, but there is already talk about a small setback because of a hamstring problem. We might have to wait until the summer to get that problem fixed.

I'm not surprised IT hasn't happened yet, we should be very greatfull that we are in this position at this point with the injuries we have had and all the new faces. But we usually get better and better during this stage of the season and I do hope IT will settle during this period. But as I said above, I still think we can compete even if IT doesn't happen.

[rolfefan1717]

i agree with everyone that said february due to scholes return but there is the possibility as invincible stated that we will never hit full form this season. At times it really does look as though the team needs a full and proper summer together to all get on the same wavelength.