steveorobbo
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Absolutely spot on about the balance. The starting line up basically had 3 defensive outfield players in Jones, Rojo and Blind. Where is the physical threat in our side? Especially against a Big Sam team which you know exactly what your going to get from. You simply cant tippy tappy around these teams. Stoke have been getting results against the big boys for years with a physical approach and a normal Allardyce team usually plays the same way.
Fellaini should have been starting. The last few games when he's started he's been one of our best players. Controlling midfield but also getting forward when necessary to provide an aerial threat (or throw his elbows around). Januzaj had no place in that starting 11 for me. Not in a game against a team like that. Di Maria has been very disappointing. RVP hasn't been the same since Fergie left and Falcao is just a waste of money. Wilson needs games instead.
Ive been calling for years for Rooney to take over from Scholes, and was happy when LVG said he wanted him to play there more often. In his first 4/5 games he was brilliant. Pinging balls all over the pitch, getting stuck in and joining the attacks late on like the Scholes of old and nicking the odd goal. But a large part of Rooney performing well was having Carrick alongside him. We are massively missing him in the middle at them moment. Obviously the attcking options arent working out. Falcao isnt taking to the Premier League at all. His work rate is excellent but at the end of the day the ball needs to be going in the net, and he has neither scored enough or assisted enough to justify his price tag for me.
We need a solid core in midfield. A midfield 3 of Carrick, Fellaini and Blind would be a good solid core. Allowing Fellaini to join the attack when needed and play in the hole like he does so well for Belgium with Carrick and Blind sitting. We need Di Maria out on the left. A good old fashioned out and out winger, with also the ability to tuck in and support a lone striker (Rooney). The right is a slight problem. As we would be playing players out of position (or away from their best position), if we dont choose Valencia to play there. Again Valencia is a more direct winger of old and maybe something we need, but he's a bit too predictable and his final ball is hit and miss. Wilson has played well when out on the right towards the end of games. Using his pace and energy. But again I feel he would be wasted out there.
Obviously we cant play all the big names in the starting 11. We need a team, not individuals. And we need to start it sooner rather than later. That way we can see who will be happy to be part of a TEAM and who wants to spit their dummy out because they arent starting every game.
My team would be: De Gea, Rafael, Jones, Rojo, Shaw, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Di Maria, Valencia, Rooney.
It gives us a solid core with Blind holding with Carrick and Fellaini in the middle. In attack it allows Fellaini to push up into the hole behind the striker where he can be very effective with his strength holding the ball up and join attacks late in the box. Direct wingers in Di Maria and Valencia putting in plenty of crosses for Rooney and Fellaini to get on to. It also allows Di Maria more of a free role to cut in and support Rooney as a second striker when needed like he did for Real. We already know what we get from Valencia. But his work rate down the right defensively is invaluable and with Rafael back we should have a solid unit down the right, attacking and defending as one.
With the security of Blind and Carrick holding in attack, it allows Shaw to push higher up and provide width. Especially when Di Maria cuts inside.
That for me is a solid TEAM both in attack and defense. Obviously we will have a very good bench when needed. Plus we always rotate. Given we qualify for European football next season, there are plenty of starts available for everyone. But we need to weed out now the ones that are likely to spit out their dummy when they start a few games on the bench. Falcao will be sent packing. He's done nothing to justify his wages as of yet, let alone the reported transfer fee. Especially when we have the likes of Wilson which will be more than happy to be a squad player for a good few years yet, and also getting his fair share of starts with rotation. RVP I think will be leaving if we can get a good offer in. He's the wrong side of 30 and really doesnt look interested since Fergie went and his form has been poor.
We have Januzaj that can play either flank when called upon. Mata/Herrera would obviously occupy Fellaini's spot when selected in the games we dont need as much physical presence. Herrera could even swap for Carrick so both Mata and Herrera could realistically get plenty of game time.
We have plenty of options already. They just arent being used in the correct way IMO. Trying to fit players into this "philosophy" obviously isnt working. We need to play to our players strengths and find a balance. IMO its pointless playing Di Maria in central midfield when he's one of the best out and out wingers in the world.
With the right signings in the summer, we should be back up there as the team to beat next season, but throwing names into an 11 and not making a team just isnt going to cut it.
Jonas Giæver @CheGiaevara 
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