Na it's probably going to be a 4-1-4-1. Fellaini on the left cm position pushing up like a second striker, Carrick as the sole DM, Herrera pushing up. Similar to the formation that was used in the second half of last season(that got you into that very good run of form).
Pleasantly surprised to see that rooney has been dropped. Would have been nice to see Schneiderlin in for fellani. Definetly more hopeful for a win after looking at that line up
Schneiderlin is more defensive than Fellaini and makes little sense in this system. He's not got the ball playing ability of Carrick, he's not got the dynamism of Herrera and he doesn't have the aerial prowess of Fellaini(who was quite important in this system as he and Young used to overload the left).
He's chosen a good team for once. People can't really complain about his team selection today.
About time in regards to Rooney being on the bench. Not sure the return to the formation of success last season is the time to try it now away vs Stoke in a must win game but think the performance might be better but the result not so good!
I can see it now, dropping Rooney and adding Herrera would provide more attacking play and a performance that looks well..deep down though - nothing has changed and if we win here it won't mean **** like everyone is saying..
I can see it now, dropping Rooney and adding Herrera would provide more attacking play and a performance that looks well..deep down though - nothing has changed and if we win here it won't mean **** like everyone is saying..
LVG: "It was better to play Ander Herrera instead of Wayne Rooney. It is a tactical decision. I don't think it is to take drastic measures, it is to do with my gameplan."
So now he sees that Herrera > Rooney. After all this time.
LvG doesn't strike me as the type of man to give up on his beliefs, he has experienced this at other clubs before when they hated him and didn't budge on his tactics - it got him results in the end though so he could justify it. Here, I'm not so sure - although Rooney has probably hampered our performances.. I don't think he has been a huge factor in our poor form this season