V Old Trafford December 1, 2004 7:45PM GMT The Baby Red Devils against the evil gunners. I wonder if Wenger will try and trick us again by playing a full strength side against us in the Carling Cup like he did a few years ago... Either way, the arse have been rattled ever since we showed everyone how to beat them. I expect the Baby Red Devils to win this one. My guess at the side: Howard Philly-Pique-O'Shea-Spector Eagles-DJDJ-Kleberson-Richardson Bellion-Rossi
Here's our squad, from the BBC- Man Utd (from): Howard, P Neville, Brown, O'Shea, Fortune, Fletcher, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson, Richardson, Smith, Bellion, Spector, Eagles, Rossi, Ricardo, Ngalula. It's rumored that Rossi could partner Smith in attack.
No Pique?? I think Rossi comes on late as a sub for Bellion. I think the starters are the first 11 on the list and we go from there. I definitely will be interestingto see the young guys out there.
I'd expect something like this ----------------Smith -----------Rossi/Bellion Richardson-----------------Fletcher/Eagles/Bellion ----------Phil-------Klebs/DjDj Spector---Pique-----O'Shea---Brown -------------Howard I think this would fit with the formation we've been playing recently. If it were up to me I would play Fletcher, Kleberson and Phil in the midfield together with Phil the anchor and Klebs and Fletch alternating as attacking and Right attacking mid. Richardson on the left and Bellion or Rossi playing off of Smith. I am completely unsure of the back four though as Fortune might need a run out and O'Shea certainly needs some time and I should think you have to reward Spector for doing well before and you need some experience in the side as well so I don't know???
From manutd.com- http://www.manutd.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=129791&itype=466&icategoryid=120 This was the squad against Palace: Howard; Neville P., Brown, O’Shea, Fortune; Fletcher, Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson (Spector, 80), Richardson (Eagles, 80); Bellion (Rossi, 86), Saha. Substitutes: Ricardo, Ngalula.
So that is what, 8 or 9 players that are in your first team from time to time? i guess with a massive squad like manyoo that isnt surprising.
What? Ok, lets break it down for you. Howard - back up to the first team - is this a suprise? P Neville - he rarely plays unless someone is injured Brown - he is a reserve CB who has filled in at RB for Gary who is sick O'Shea - argument could be made for him but LB is his nat. position and now its Heinze's to lose Fortune - he's the back up to the back up LB Fletcher - young player who needs time in the team Djemba-Djemba - 3rd option DM Kleberson - rarely ever plays, backs up Scholes I guess Richardson - not a first teamer at all Smith - 3rd string Forward Bellion - 4th string Forward Spector - prospect Eagles - prospect Rossi - has one sub appearance for the first team Ricardo - 3rd string keeper Ngalula - prospect Now the reason you don't play starters is so that they don't get injured and that you can play your backups to see who can possibly fill in in the first team where needed. You don't pick a complete youth set up just to see them play, you pick whomever is closest to breaking in the first team. We have one player in that team who has recently been in the first team, Alan Smith and he is going to need as much playing time as possible on the pitch since he is 3rd choice starter behind Ruud and Rooney.
really, a testament to the depth at United... unlike some clubs when we rest our starters we don't bring in 8 year olds... its called having a squad and not being forced to play your best players constantly... Smith has played 197 mins out of 540 possible minutes in the last 6 games. Over that same period Rooney has played 464 mins and Ruud 329 despite missing 2 games to injury... so yeah, Smith is the 3rd choice forward.
omg... lay off the stats!!!! pmsl~ go take a nice girl out tonight, or go have some beers at your local... just some advice.
I'm home sick and bored so I'll add some stats. Our squad Robin van Persie: 82 EPL minutes Mathieu Flamini: 84 Jermaine Pennant: 177 Gael Clichy: 132 Justin Hoyte: 90 Total EPL minutes: 565 Your Squad Howard: 450 EPL minutes P Neville: 273 Brown: 584 O'Shea: 615 Fortune: 263 Fletcher: 291 Djemba-Djemba: 268 Kleberson: 229 Richardson: 24 Smith: 855 Bellion: 123 Spector: 164 Total EPL minutes: 4139 I just looked at EPL minutes played this season. Players not listed have zero minutes. I'm sure that adding in CL minutes and past EPL seasons would just make the gap much larger.
And more stats. In addition to this.Lets look at the goals scored by the above mentioned players in the EPL: Your squad Robin van Persie:1 Mathieu Flamini:0 Jermaine Pennant:0 Gael Clichy:0 Justin Hoyte:0 Total goals in EPL: 1 Our Squad Howard:0 P Neville:0 Brown:0 O'Shea:0 Fortune:0 Fletcher:0 Djemba-Djemba:0 Kleberson:0 Richardson:0 Smith:3 Bellion:2 Spector:0 Total goals in EPL: 5
I think we'll play ..................Howard P.Nev....Brown.. O'shea....Fortune ............Djemba Djemba ........Fletcher.......Kleberson Bellion...........................Richardson ...................Smith Ricardo Spector Eagles Ngalula Rossi The stats mentioned above do not indicate anything other than that United's reserve squad of non injured players are older and more experienced than Arsenal's . Remember that Edu, gilberto, Cygan, Aliadiere are injured and that many of last seasons second string have moved on like Kanu, Jeffers, Parlour, Keown etc because Arsenal had more faith in these youngsters. Arsenal's reserve keeper just joined so hasn't played much premiership football. Howard was at one point united's first choice and so has played more premiership games...therefore ...WHAT? Arsenal might as well play Vieira as with his various bans he's not going to be playing all that much Isn't it funny how the gooners get so excited about their young talent but have already started thinking of their excuses in case they lose!!! They would not be in the situation they are in now if they were able to lose gracefully, say well done and move forward. I personally expect them to win tomorrow for several reasons: 1. They play together regularly as a team. 2. They are more confident ( they are reserves due to their age and not having had an opportunity as opposed to many United players who have not proved themselves worthy of a first team place after many opportunities). 3.They are possibly more talented as a team unit. 4. They need this win more. I would gladly take this loss in exchange for three points over the weekend....
That doesn't come across as the most ambitious of comments. I think we can win this fixture and win at the weekend too, WHY NOT?? We are actually starting to show some form and consistency, and i think that we'll win this fixture. The only problem is, Chelski are fielding a strong side in the Carling Cup because i think they need to win SOMETHING in case the league goes tits up and they finish the season with NOTHING
I don't think he's going to make it. Recent comments seem to suggest that Fergie doesn't think he's up to it... Miller tried to confront Fergie, but pulled his hamstring while attempting to stand up...