Reflections and Questions

Vincent Siow 24/09/2007 3comments  |  Jump to last
Having gone through an absolute wretched week of watching us lose two league games in a row and drawing against Metalist Kharkiv made me sit down and ponder about what the rest of the season is going to unfold and the difficulty of Moyes's job. I've got several questions:

1) The lack of Creativity: Why does Moyes insist on playing Neville and Jagielka? If his reasons for signing players who can play multiple positions is to solve various problems, putting both of them in the middle of the park is a problem in itself. Is Moyes flexible, or even brave enough to consider other options, like playing Osman in the centre, or Valente as left back with Baines pushing forward?

2) The Van der Meyde issue: I remember the day when he missed training Moyes mentioned he will decide the player's fate the next week, but no statement was made. If so, and if we are still paying his wages, why not give him a go? As second striker, or on the left where we are facing problems right now? He probably has given us more crap than assists, but I'm sure he is desperate to prove himself. I remember him having wonderful games agaisnt West Ham and Blackburn, and providing the cross for Beattie to head home against Boro. He is exactly the kind of player we need now to open defenses up. Who else other than Arteta can take on players?

3) The defensive issue: Our greatest strength last year was keeping clean sheets, this year we've managed none. We seem to have this lapse of focus to give goals away at the wrong moments; versus Man Utd they hardly had a sniff of goal and Vidic came in with a header off a corner, Metallist scored from out of the blue, and against Villa Carson has an assist. Bring Stubbs back? Drop Hibbert? I'm not sure.

4) James McFadden: Clearly not cut out for the Premier League, it's strange why he scores more for Scotland than us. Is it Moyes doesn't know how to employ him, or does the English game not suit his style of play? All I know is that right now, he isn't much help, except for the odd wonder goal.

I guess I'm trying not to be critical, but the horrid week has left me several doubts about Moyes and his direction. I appreciate all he has done, but ultimately a manager must deliver results and if we experience another early European exit, not to mention the Carling Cup this week, I think there will be more doubts and questions in the next few weeks.

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Jamie Armstrong
1   Posted 25/09/2007 at 08:27:07

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I know just where you’re coming form Vincent. The last week has really dampend my pre season optimism and god help us if we go out to Wednesday tomorrow night. People calling for Moyes’ head want to take a good look at themselves. Judge him when Cahill, Arteta and Gravo are back in the side. Having said that i’m really starting to doubt the ginger one. His persistent need at having two defensive midfielders in the centre of the park, what the fuck! I don’t think any other team in the prem deploy those tactics. I wouldn’t mind if we had an overly attacking team with blistering pace playing with wingers who don’t defend, like in spain and have two holding midfielders who just sit and barely get past the half way line.

The answer is plain and simple, play osman in the middle with Jags, stick Neville right back, Valente left back with Baines pushed on and Pienaar righ mid. This is a short term option until Arteta, Cahill and Gravo is back. But already it looks more attacking and likely to create more chances for the front two whoever they are than Carsely and Neville.
Tony Marsh
2   Posted 25/09/2007 at 10:18:37

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i think you would see Mcfadden,AJ and Yakubu in a different light if they were playing under a different manager.All the players we have suffer under Moyes when it comes to the offensive side of the game.Moyes is a dud.He has no clue what so ever with regards to attacking football and I dont understand why our fans critisize the players.Its the managers fault we play the way we do and >we will always struggle as long as Moyes is at the club.
Jimmy Last
3   Posted 25/09/2007 at 11:04:02

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too right Tony


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