Bimpy474

3 fantastic goals.

Get the fuck in, breathing space for a change

Jill, you haven't done the Stoke v Man City game.

Gameweek 30 Man Utd 1-2 Liverpool Everton 2-1 Brighton Huddersfield 1-1 Swansea Newcastle 2-0 Southampton West Brom 1-3 Leicester West Ham 0-0 Burnley Chelsea 3-0 Crystal Palace Arsenal 2-0 Watford Bournemouth 1-3 Spurs Stoke 1-4 Man City

Thats pretty much it but I still think when Rafa went 2 up front for a while and Joselu was horrible (and his work rate wasn't all that) you try to figure a way that suits what you have. The Joselu thing baffles me as i think he's pretty similar to Mitro, lack of pace, holds it up OK, wins it in the air sometimes. Joselu not being mental and being able to carry out Rafa's instructions is pretty much why he was ahead of Mitro imo. Trusting a player is everything for Rafa, you can clearly see it, Mbemba another who he plainly doesn't trust. Also Rafa is utterly ruthless, while extremely unlikely I've no doubt if a player Rafa trusted more than Lacelles for instance. Rafa would drop him a second, while loyal to players he trusts, Rafa is a winner and has such a desire and drive to win things, you have to be ruthless to do that. What sort of trust though ? What trust does he have in Joselu or Manquillo or Perez (admittedly Perez to a lesser degree) ? Instructions of his game plan, if they can't follow that then he doesn't trust them. The players often talk of where they are meant to be when we don't have the ball, within our shape and structure. If players like Mitro and Mbemba especially fail to adhere to his tactics. Failing to do the side of the game that is just as important to Rafa as scoring goals, not necessarily defending but the team has to be disciplined in its shape for Rafa. Chuck things heard about Mitro not listening to Rafa in training, well you get the picture, you don't do what Rafa is asking you to do then you're history. I 'd wonder about what Joselu follows (that benefits NUFC) that Mitrovic doesn't compared to the trade off of what Mitrovic can give us in return. Within this I'll say again I think the players are shit scared of being dropped so wont brake tactics even when they know it's wrong, they'd rather lose than cross Rafa. I wouldn't think they would rather lose, they're still trying but as you say some of Rafa decisions are somewhat baffling. On the flip side, i for one was complaining about how Ritchie should be dropped before the Man Utd game, he scores and we win. Rafa may get things wrong now and again but given the tools he will win a trophy, I'll take that in the long run like.

Maybe they tell the authorities the real number but the press/media the false ones, i guess the false ones include season ticket holders who don't bother to go ?

I'm not defending Rafa, i'm just giving reasons as to why he doesn't trust Mitro. I'm also one to be quite critical of Rafa at times, still love him though. And fwiw i would play Mitro, i think he can and will be very good player and am quite a fan of his, unfortunately that's not how Rafa sees it i think.

Well that would be why for quite a long spell Shelvey couldn't get in the team could he. Pretty sure Rafa has talked about Shelvey beginning to understand what he wants from him. While he's not quite doing it just how Rafa probably would like, Rafa sees Shelvey really is our best attacking option from midfield in getting it forward. Say we stay up and the club is sold, Rafa has some money to spend, i've no doubts that Shelvey would be out on his ear if he doesn't continue to carry on understanding and following what Rafa expects of him. Just saying how i see it. Oh aye, I definitely agree with the last paragraph and I’ve said it myself. Shelvey was sent off against Everton, then hoyed straight back into the team. He’s been sent off twice this season, one of which to our huge detriment (Spurs at home). Why make an example of Mitro and banish him from the team, yet continue to play Shelvey? This is Shelvey who has 0 goals and 0 assists in the league this season like and has been pathetic to say the least during some goals we’ve conceded. Merino is a much more suitable alternative to Shelvey then Joselu is to Mitro. Aye Shelvey does seem to get different treatment. Maybe the fact he now has a life coach is it ? and is trying to do what Rafa wants, maybe Rafa had something to do with Shelvey getting help. The Shelvey no goals no assists thing, that runs through our whole midfield with the exception of Ritchie's assists, the lack of goals from our midfield is a disgrace to be honest. I yearn for a Gary Speed, Laurent Robert or Nobby to hoy a few in from midfield.

Well that would be why for quite a long spell Shelvey couldn't get in the team could he. Pretty sure Rafa has talked about Shelvey beginning to understand what he wants from him. While he's not quite doing it just how Rafa probably would like, Rafa sees Shelvey really is our best attacking option from midfield in getting it forward. Say we stay up and the club is sold, Rafa has some money to spend, i've no doubts that Shelvey would be out on his ear if he doesn't continue to carry on understanding and following what Rafa expects of him. Just saying how i see it.

Thats pretty much it but I still think when Rafa went 2 up front for a while and Joselu was horrible (and his work rate wasn't all that) you try to figure a way that suits what you have. The Joselu thing baffles me as i think he's pretty similar to Mitro, lack of pace, holds it up OK, wins it in the air sometimes. Joselu not being mental and being able to carry out Rafa's instructions is pretty much why he was ahead of Mitro imo. Trusting a player is everything for Rafa, you can clearly see it, Mbemba another who he plainly doesn't trust. Also Rafa is utterly ruthless, while extremely unlikely I've no doubt if a player Rafa trusted more than Lacelles for instance. Rafa would drop him a second, while loyal to players he trusts, Rafa is a winner and has such a desire and drive to win things, you have to be ruthless to do that. What sort of trust though ? What trust does he have in Joselu or Manquillo or Perez (admittedly Perez to a lesser degree) ? Instructions of his game plan, if they can't follow that then he doesn't trust them. The players often talk of where they are meant to be when we don't have the ball, within our shape and structure. If players like Mitro and Mbemba especially fail to adhere to his tactics. Failing to do the side of the game that is just as important to Rafa as scoring goals, not necessarily defending but the team has to be disciplined in its shape for Rafa. Chuck things heard about Mitro not listening to Rafa in training, well you get the picture, you don't do what Rafa is asking you to do then you're history.

Thats pretty much it but I still think when Rafa went 2 up front for a while and Joselu was horrible (and his work rate wasn't all that) you try to figure a way that suits what you have. The Joselu thing baffles me as i think he's pretty similar to Mitro, lack of pace, holds it up OK, wins it in the air sometimes. Joselu not being mental and being able to carry out Rafa's instructions is pretty much why he was ahead of Mitro imo. Trusting a player is everything for Rafa, you can clearly see it, Mbemba another who he plainly doesn't trust. Also Rafa is utterly ruthless, while extremely unlikely I've no doubt if a player Rafa trusted more than Lacelles for instance. Rafa would drop him a second, while loyal to players he trusts, Rafa is a winner and has such a desire and drive to win things, you have to be ruthless to do that.

I don't think it's really about finding his level, he simply doesn't suit Rafa's counter attacking style of play. Mitro who i do like isn't mobile enough and Rafa will never adopt free flowing style. Rafa doesn't trust players enough for that, he does trust in his tactical knowledge and why wouldn't he, multiple trophies in multiple countries tells you all you need to know obviously. You don't even need to factor in Mitro's daft sendings off, Rafa trust players who work hard within the system he wants played, Mitro doesn't fit, unfortunately.

.

How thick do you have to be to even think that

Erm........... Not the first bit that jumped out at me, but can see where you've gone with that - fair play. I could have gone with the Colo bit but...the amount of games we were behind at half time and never won, or barely got a point was unbelievable. I only really remember one comeback and that was because we were all utterly stunned by it

Erm...........

Gameweek 29 Burnley 0-0 Everton Leicester 2-1 Bournemouth Southampton 1-0 Stoke Swansea 1-1 West Ham Spurs 4-0 Huddersfield Watford 3-1 West Brom Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle Brighton 1-2 Arsenal Man City 3-1 Chelsea Crystal Palace 0-2 Man Utd

58,000

So true, I backed Rafa's tactics at the time and it just goes to show how clever he is with such a limited squad. While i hate to play so defensive if you open up against Man city they'll kill you, as we're seeing. With our squad ? oh yeah lets just play like Brazil against Man City

Arsenal Our result and performance at home to Man City doesn't look so bad now

Erm, well no like. If they win two and Barnsley lose two they would be one point ahead, no ? think thats what he means? 5 wont do- due to goal difference? They're only 5 points behind like, so two wins is enough......i know i haven't done maths for like 30 years but Howay man.

Fair point

Erm, well no like. If they win two and Barnsley lose two they would be one point ahead, no ? think thats what he means? 5 wont do- due to goal difference? They're only 5 points behind like, so two wins is enough......i know i haven't done maths for like 30 years but

Erm, well no like. If they win two and Barnsley lose two they would be one point ahead, no ?

Saylor