LRD

Man Utd season 12/13 - Evra 34 league apps, Rafael 28. Their options when Rafael is unavailable is either your CBs (Smalling or Jones) or Valencia as they do not have a 2nd specialist RB. Spurs, Everton play with 2 attacking FBs. They don't dominate possession. Guess you have no issue about Tiote/Anita dropping back to be an auxiliary defender then.

Tiote or Anita could drop back to cover as an auxiliary defender when Debuchy goes on the attack. Especially Anita who has had experience playing that role to great effect at Ajax. One of the FBs could be asked to stay back when other attacks. Man Utd and Arsenal are two of those teams that play with 2 attacking FBs. We could do the same with some adjustments, not that I am comparing us at the same level here. All these require a change in teamplay so you won't need to bring in someone not in our books.

Didn't really take it seriously when someone mentioned they like their double awards but am now fully convinced that's the case now.

You must not have read my earlier posts regarding the alternatives before jumping into the debate then. Using Pardew as a get-out card now.

Director of the Year to go with his 3 MOTY awards.

Whoever mentioned that hardworking wingers is a dirty word? It's one of the options but not the only one. The thing is that you go about that as the only option for Debuchy/NUFC and disregarded when other possible solutions are given. As for being part of the most successful PL manager, I wouldn't take into isolation the high workrate SAF requires of ALL his players.

So playing with hardworking wingers is the ONLY option for us?

I'm not saying he was the only cause. But he was playing and that did happen. That's more evidence than "we don't look anymore vulnerable when ANita plays". In his only run of games we conceded bags, how have you reached that conclusion? Atleast i'm using a practical example. What practical examples have you used? You just barely mentioned conceding loads of goals when Anita is on the teamsheet without considering other aspects. By the same reasoning Krul is a shit goalie then.

They also have 70% possession. Most teams are so inferior they just want a respectable scoreline. We aren't in that position. Regardless Santon's not a stay at home FB anyway so that comparison doesn't work. Man Utd does not have Barca-esque possession either and they still play with 2 attacking FBs. All you need is to have one of the FB staying back when the other is attacking. Or do you think only with hardworking wingers will any system work?

Aye, our defensive show is always the result of certain players and not the team as a whole nor our defensive/offensive mindset. Nee wonder why people hate misleading stats without any proper form of context. We conceded 21 goals so far, the highest from 14th position up. Krul must be a crap goalie.

SAF likes workhorses regardless of their position. Not the best example to single out Young and Valencia for this quality in helping out the FBs. Protection can be afforded in other manners. Barca had a defensive FB the opposite of Dani Alves so there's always 3 defenders in a counter-attack. Busquets also drops back to help out too.

Considering they have Fellaini and a few other aerial threats, I doubt the manager will play Anita or take off Shola and Willo.

Didn't someone mention Adam Campbell's prima donna attitude at Carlisle leading them to terminate the loan? Not going to help him if there's any truth in that.

Hadn't thought of him. Might be an option considering he won't be able to try his famous long-range shots at the same time. Any idea which two Man Utd pull back on corners as Evra seems to attack them often, Rafael presumably being one of them.

It is and makes you wonder why he isn't in the box more often for corners etc etc.... could be a real danger from set pieces. He's winning headers by the touchline against wingers. Williamson could do that all day long, but he's no real use in the opposition's box when he'll be marked and the timing and direction will need to be better. That aside, I've been really impressed with Debuchy in the last months and he deserves a lot of credit. Not the best defender but goes onto the pitch every game wanting to win and being prepared to do whatever it takes to win, whether that includes upsetting people or not. Same goes for Williamson. Shame that only goes for 2 defenders out of the 4. I get what your saying but at the same time he's still one of our best in the air and its madness to have him on the half way line on corners and such like IMO. You usually pull your FBs back during corners to defend against any counter-attacking breaks as they are normally the ones with pace alongside their defensive abilities. Sure you can switch someone else in to do the job but I don't see who the alternatives are without compromising on needed pace and offensive ability on the corner.

This. I can see him running out his contract with the rare loan here and there before going back to France and slowly disappearing into mediocrity like David Bellion did. Routledge had at least done well with Crystal Palace in the PL to get noticed before the pressure overtook him. He also did well in the Championship for QPR and us before moving on to a promoted side that suits his playing style. Obertan didn't even prove himself at Bordeaux. Their manager and fans were surprised Man Utd came in for him. 2 goals and 4 assists in 53 PL appearances for us, the number of good decent games for not even touching 10%.

Considering our ineptness at defending corners and marking the opposition, it is highly likely we'll concede from a corner (Evra fgs?).

Championship squad.

In a universe where Hatem has the flu and not on the bench.

Krul having a masterclass at Spurs was part of the plan and cannot be attributed to luck. Krul having a mare today is part of the plan and cannot be due to lack of luck then.

3-0. No strikers. Think they can manage another goal if they want.

Not surprised.

Shelvey should have been off ffs.

Swansea's going to score a 3rd at this rate.

Losing to a Swansea team lacking their 3 strikers.