Paul Scholes - Time to step aside?
Discussion
If you watch Scholes when United come out of defence he is an absolute master - he knows exactly how much time he can have on the ball and where other players are as you see him looking whenever he hasn't got the ball but could do soon ...
He creates space for himself like few others do ...
But ...
He ain't getting any younger and the speed of the games is such nowadays that he hasn't got the turn of pace (did he ever) to keep up and he can get bypassed, so defencesively he is lacking but when United come out of defence he is one of the best.
He creates space for himself like few others do ...
But ...
He ain't getting any younger and the speed of the games is such nowadays that he hasn't got the turn of pace (did he ever) to keep up and he can get bypassed, so defencesively he is lacking but when United come out of defence he is one of the best.
Edited by MikeyT on Thursday 17th April 10:42
Scholes has been pretty excellent this season, he just can't play as many games. His creativity and long passing is still the best in the country along with Cesc, he also has a lot of valuable experience to pass onto Carrick with regard to picking out passes, and can teach Anderson to develop the attacking side of his game. Such is Scvhole's massive contribution to United, it takes 2 players (Anderson and Carrick) do do the job Scholes has done.
When the pace of the game's been fast, as have a couple recently, he is beginning to look a bit past his best. He did have a poor game against Arsenal.
Having said that, when the game gives him enough space on the ball, his distribution is simply awesome. He stands there, middle of the pitch, and spots passes other players just don't see.
There's still a very valuable place for him in the team, and I think the manager is generally doing a good job of choosing which games to use him in.
Having said that, when the game gives him enough space on the ball, his distribution is simply awesome. He stands there, middle of the pitch, and spots passes other players just don't see.
There's still a very valuable place for him in the team, and I think the manager is generally doing a good job of choosing which games to use him in.
Think about good old Teddy. Still a great footballing mind, along the same lines as Scholes. Never been the quickest but his passing ability and use of the ball still make him a cut above, I'd expect Fergie to use Anderson more and more next season who I think will develop into an amazing talent.
satch said:
risible performance from scholes in a fairly inert performance from united last night.
poor game I thought.
Yes - it was a poor game.poor game I thought.
However, United are displaying a promising style in my opinion. Where we might have gone gung-ho in previous years, maybe winning 1-0 or losing 1-0, we are now capable of playing a brilliant defensive game in a 'European' style, if you know what I mean.
Coming away from there with a 0-0 scoreline means that we obviously have to go out and win next Tuesday but also it suggests that with our home record and the home crowd, we surely must win the 2nd leg ?
Although not a good performance for the eye, I thought it was a magnificent performance from a purely strategic and professional point of view.
satch said:
however, the ball retention was appaling from united. with (sorry) scholes being a major culprit.
Couldn't disagree. Wayward passing was woeful, worse than normal.My main point is that although we played quite poorly in that department, the overall stamina and organisation was spot on which enabled us to keep a clean sheet even though we were not keeping posession at all well.
If we can perform this well collectively / defensively (whilst giving the ball away too readily) against a team like Barcelona without conceding, then things don't look too bad. Just need to couple that with the way we CAN play going forward.
But it needs to be quick. The next 2 games in particular will define the whole season.
Exciting times.
BRING IT ON !PaulPT7 said:
I was wondering last night if they do go on to win the double, whether Sir Alex, Scholesy and Giggsy may decide they have reached the peak and decide to retire.
Fergy might well consider it the swansong and pack it in after. I hope he doesn't. Even if he won nothing else the year after, he needn't feel any sense of under achievement. Quite the opposite.Though I think Scholes and Giggs will play on for as long as physically possible.
I thought you were a United fan, Satch. Either I've got that wrong or your words are a bit muddled up ?Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff