Comments on: Give the ball to Anderson! http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/ The Official Blog of United Zone Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:53:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Tettehsrafalution http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-46 Tettehsrafalution Thu, 06 Dec 2007 14:56:37 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-46 Well, apparently Fergie is also pretty darn excited by Anderson: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7130770.stm Having watched your last few matches, I've got to say I've also been very impressed with the young Brazilian. He's clever and has an eye for a through-ball, and I've seen him get into a few good tackles (with far better timing than a certain red-headed member of your team). Hopefully Lucas knows all about him and will keep him in check on Dec 16th. p.s: back off topic, yes Michael - Rafa does change his line-ups regularly. Not sure why that's a problem, given that if we win our game in hand (at home vs West Ham) we'll be ahead of UTD on goal-difference. So (regardless of whether Rafa rotates more than anyone else or not) rotation doesn't seem to be a problem to me. Well, apparently Fergie is also pretty darn excited by Anderson:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7130770.stm

Having watched your last few matches, I’ve got to say I’ve also been very impressed with the young Brazilian. He’s clever and has an eye for a through-ball, and I’ve seen him get into a few good tackles (with far better timing than a certain red-headed member of your team). Hopefully Lucas knows all about him and will keep him in check on Dec 16th.

p.s: back off topic, yes Michael - Rafa does change his line-ups regularly. Not sure why that’s a problem, given that if we win our game in hand (at home vs West Ham) we’ll be ahead of UTD on goal-difference. So (regardless of whether Rafa rotates more than anyone else or not) rotation doesn’t seem to be a problem to me.

]]> By: Michael http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-42 Michael Tue, 04 Dec 2007 04:51:54 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-42 Not to take away from the topic of discussion, but... The reason why Rafa gets crucified for "rotation" is due to the fact that his starting lineups are pretty much always different. What he does thereafter is a mute point. K, back on topic. Anderson was very good today. Carrick had a little playing time as well, but it was due to Rio feeling ill. I'm curious to know what would have happened if Rio played the full 90. Would Carrick have played today? P.S. Ronaldo had a thigh complaint from playing with Portugal. Otherwise, he would have played. Not to take away from the topic of discussion, but… The reason why Rafa gets crucified for “rotation” is due to the fact that his starting lineups are pretty much always different. What he does thereafter is a mute point.

K, back on topic. Anderson was very good today. Carrick had a little playing time as well, but it was due to Rio feeling ill. I’m curious to know what would have happened if Rio played the full 90. Would Carrick have played today?

P.S. Ronaldo had a thigh complaint from playing with Portugal. Otherwise, he would have played.

]]> By: Tettehsrafalution http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-41 Tettehsrafalution Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:16:09 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-41 Oh, and for what it's worth - have a look at this article (yes, Paul Tomkins is a Liverpool fan and his opinions are often pro-Liverpool): http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG156624070808-1304.htm Apparently over the course of an entire season, Rafa's rotation isn't that different from Fergies. Something has to be said for pro-actively rotating players to keep them fit and for tactical purposes - if this means players are fit at the end of the season (Liverpool have traditionally finished strong since Rafa has been around). Oh, and for what it’s worth - have a look at this article (yes, Paul Tomkins is a Liverpool fan and his opinions are often pro-Liverpool):

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/NG156624070808-1304.htm

Apparently over the course of an entire season, Rafa’s rotation isn’t that different from Fergies. Something has to be said for pro-actively rotating players to keep them fit and for tactical purposes - if this means players are fit at the end of the season (Liverpool have traditionally finished strong since Rafa has been around).

]]> By: Tettehsrafalution http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-40 Tettehsrafalution Mon, 03 Dec 2007 19:56:57 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-40 You might want to have a read of some of the stats I threw out there in the "visitors dugout' section. Rafa's rotation isn't as extreme as you might think - given the headlines when we drew vs birmingham etc. Although judging by the silence about rotation recently, you would think our 21 goals in our last 5 matches, with 1 conceded would be due to something other than Rafa's continued rotation. Oh, and I didn't hear any talk about "rotation" when Fergie chose to rest Ronaldo against Bolton last week. What was that about? You might want to have a read of some of the stats I threw out there in the “visitors dugout’ section. Rafa’s rotation isn’t as extreme as you might think - given the headlines when we drew vs birmingham etc. Although judging by the silence about rotation recently, you would think our 21 goals in our last 5 matches, with 1 conceded would be due to something other than Rafa’s continued rotation.

Oh, and I didn’t hear any talk about “rotation” when Fergie chose to rest Ronaldo against Bolton last week. What was that about?

]]> By: Michael http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-39 Michael Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:30:42 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-39 Actually it makes perfect sense. The problem with riding out your best players all the time is: a. fatigue b. having players that don't play out of form c. predictability of your tactics to the opposition You rotate players to balance the playing time of the squad and to keep players rested so when you're down to the home stretch, all your important players are still fresh. More importantly, you don't have to be extreme like Rafa is to get this accomplished. Quite amusing that Anderson is the sudden messiah to the midfield while Carrick should be riding pine. Actually it makes perfect sense.

The problem with riding out your best players all the time is:

a. fatigue
b. having players that don’t play out of form
c. predictability of your tactics to the opposition

You rotate players to balance the playing time of the squad and to keep players rested so when you’re down to the home stretch, all your important players are still fresh.

More importantly, you don’t have to be extreme like Rafa is to get this accomplished.

Quite amusing that Anderson is the sudden messiah to the midfield while Carrick should be riding pine.

]]> By: Dimz http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-38 Dimz Sat, 01 Dec 2007 20:05:21 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-38 Sorry Michael i have to say that opinion makes no sense, unless of course you're Rafa Benitez and feel like resting your best striker 3 matches into the season. See where it got them? If the player is playing superbly, why rotate him when there's no need to? The season is young, no reason to be chopping and changing just yet. Sorry Michael i have to say that opinion makes no sense, unless of course you’re Rafa Benitez and feel like resting your best striker 3 matches into the season. See where it got them? If the player is playing superbly, why rotate him when there’s no need to? The season is young, no reason to be chopping and changing just yet.

]]> By: Michael http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-36 Michael Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:24:21 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-36 As mentioned in irc chat, the problem with playing Anderson all the time is you deprieve Carrick, Fletcher and O'Shea from playing time. There has to be a balance regardless of how well Anderson is playing. What happens if he gets injured? Playing time balance is key. Anderson has been fabulous this season though. He has quickly settled in and has put in some great performances. If I had a complaint, it would be that he doesn't attack goal as much as I thought he would when we signed him. It'll come with time. As mentioned in irc chat, the problem with playing Anderson all the time is you deprieve Carrick, Fletcher and O’Shea from playing time. There has to be a balance regardless of how well Anderson is playing. What happens if he gets injured? Playing time balance is key.

Anderson has been fabulous this season though. He has quickly settled in and has put in some great performances. If I had a complaint, it would be that he doesn’t attack goal as much as I thought he would when we signed him. It’ll come with time.

]]> By: Tettehsrafalution http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-35 Tettehsrafalution Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:44:21 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-35 No batty-man comments from me then... No batty-man comments from me then…

]]> By: Dimz http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-31 Dimz Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:24:43 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-31 *sigh* yes opm, i think i do! *blushes* *sigh* yes opm, i think i do!

*blushes*

]]> By: opm http://unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-30 opm Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:52:22 +0000 http://www.unitedzone.info/blog/2007/11/27/give-the-ball-to-anderson/#comment-30 you just like the dreads.... i think someone has a man crush! you just like the dreads….

i think someone has a man crush!

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