Michael Carrick: Simple but Effective

Since joining twitter last summer, one of the main things that have struck me from United fans is the split opinion on Michael Carrick. Apart from the odd “Where is Ravel Morrison” tweet, Michael Carrick always seems to spark debate with many obviously not being fans of his ‘simple but effective’ style.

Before I mean to go on, I am a Carrick fan. Back in the ’08 season I even had Carrick on the back of my shirt and I’ve always admired his composure on the ball and the ability to pick a short pass rather than the Scholesy sixty yard switch. I’ve always been someone that doesn’t go down the mainstream route of adoring Rooney/Ronaldo which is probably the reason why I support the lesser known players such as Carrick, Gabriel Obertan and even Kiko Macheda.

Carrick for me is a deep lying playmaker (sorry for the Football Manager terminology) that can pick a pass and can keep the move flowing, his ability to not be forced into playing the Hollywood ball I find an asset that some don’t admire. Now 30, this for Carrick isn’t a major issue due to his play style; he has started to gain some plaudits and in particularly from Sir Alex Ferguson who described Michael as “outstanding” after his in my opinion, man of the match performance against Swansea where Michael completed 92/96 passes.

Carrick is someone that also hasn’t been recognised in terms of International level with Michael collecting just twenty-two caps due to Gerrard and Lampard’s dominance which is odd because Carrick against European opposition is excellent. In a European game you normally end up with more time on the ball, something that suites Michael down to the ground. In the Premier League you’re hassled and are hunted in packs which could be a reason why Michael has started a large majority of Champions League games since his arrival.

One thing Michael lacks is aggression but in my view that could be solved with the people around him. Many suggest Michael passes just back-wards and side-wards, well; Michael has played 2.6x more forward passes than backwards + sideways combined. With that in mind, with a more tenacious midfielder beside him, Carrick could easily do the ‘Modric style’ job but from a deeper position/

Michael certainly isn’t any Iniesta or Xavi but I still think he has a place in the England team and certainly a place in the United team for years to come. His experience is invaluable for the likes of Cleverley and Pogba and his tactical knowledge is far superior to other members in the squad. Hopefully this hasn’t come across as a love letter to Michael Carrick but I do feel a little bit of recognition is in order.

Thanks for reading,

TFL.

Gabriel Obertan - Now on Tyneside

Admittedly my guilty pleasure within football, Gabriel Obertan’s move to Newcastle United has certainly given Gabby a platform for first team football but his raw talent was never enough to establish a first team place at Manchester United. Under new Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, Gabriel has established a first team place with fellow Frenchmen Hatem Ben Arfa now in a slightly more central role to accommodate Gabby.

His £3 million move to Tyneside was a shock for some United fans with many feeling a loan move being far more beneficial. Manchester United fans would probably struggle to think of many memories of Obertan’s short stay but for me, the goal against Bursaspor and the brief cameo against Wolfsburg typifies what Obertan can offer. His lighting pace and direct style is a threat for any full back (just ask Patrice Evra who struggled against him on Saturday.) One thing lacking from Obertan’s play is a final product, but saying that, his delivery for Demba Ba’s goal against Stoke showed that Obertan is clearly working on his game with Obertan earning some plaudits for a pleasant change. Another criticism has been Obertan’s balance, even I can’t figure why Obertan seems to spend a lot of time on his arse after running 30 metres.

Back in August I wrote a piece on Gabby and I wanted to outline some quotes that may now come slightly more applicable. I described Gabby as a “raw talent that needs fine tuning” which I certainly stand by today; his game is obviously improving as in a course of three months he has played thirteen times for Newcastle (including a nasty toe infection which left Gabby absent for several weeks) whereas in his two-year spell at Manchester United, he played just twenty-eight times which was mostly against measly opposition in the League Cup or on tour in places such as America where Gabby excelled at times.

Making his debut against Arsenal back in August, Obertan has since become a first team regular under Pardew’s new French revolution at the Sports Direct Arena. Already describing Newcastle as a “big club “when he joined, the fans haven’t got fully behind Gabby like others but when I heard a Gabriel Obertan song busted out against Stoke City, it was a proud moment for my ‘guilty pleasure.’ I must say, in all times I’ve sprung up a conversation on Obertan, he is always described as “that clown with a big head” so it is nice to see that the Newcastle fans are showing some passion towards him.

In the next few months it is paramount for Obertan to get a good run of games as he seems a player that thrives on confidence, only last week he said “confidence was quite high at the moment” a possible reason for a string of good performances? I’m not going to sit here and say Obertan has set the world on fire with Messi esque performances but it seems now he is contributing to the team and it is only a matter of time before Obertan gets his first goal for the club. Lets all hope it comes this weekend against Chelsea where Gabriel will really fancy himself against a ragged back-four with a home crowd roaring him and the rest of the Newcastle lads on.  

Thanks for reading,

 TFL

Frustrating.

Frustrating, the perfect word to describe Manchester United’s recent performances. The 1-1 draw to Newcastle earlier this afternoon outlined several issues that need to be addressed if there is any chance that United can win the league. Four points behind ‘noisy neighbours’ turned serious title challengers Manchester City, United’s free flowing game has taken a battering ironically after the 6-1 drubbing to City.

Since then, United have reacted well, especially defensively.  Since that game in late October, United have conceded just three in seven games (and one of them was a penalty I won’t get into.) This has mainly been down to the return of Nemanja Vidic who has certainly solidified the back four. A problem being is who will be the main centre back partnership? Having statistically the best goalkeeper in the league in David de Gea, the constant switch in the partnership in front of him is a leading factor into some shaky defensive performances. Saying that, when Vidic plays, United look at ease.

A major pitfall (according to many fans I hear the brunt of in the twitter world) is the lack of midfield authority. It isn’t like United don’t have creativity, only this afternoon United had 29! efforts on goal. I personally think we don’t need a Modric style player (even though I’d happily take Gotze) I think United need a midfield enforcer, someone who can break the play up with a bit of bite in midfield. This would free up the likes of Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick who can disperse the ball out wide into Nani and Young who overall this season have looked threatening.

Many names have been chucked around but for me it would have to be Cheick Tiote from Newcastle. Even though small in frame, his tenacious style has certainly caught the eye. A possible problem is Tiote’s inability to stay out of the referee’s notebook. Collecting 14 yellow cards last season, Tiote is someone who doesn’t fuck about when it comes to challenges. Another problem will be Tiote probably won’t sign in January with the African Cup of Nations starting on the 21^st of January. Some positives? Tiote has openly admitted that he wants Champions League football and his price tag/wage demands wouldn’t be Sneijder esque.

As well as a new midfielder, a tinker into the back four is needed. Referring back to this afternoon, Gabriel Obertan gave Patrice Evra a run-around. Describing Evra as a “liability” earlier today, I certainly stand by that. Patrice on form can be the best left-back in the world but the thirty year old Frenchman hasn’t had the best of seasons. The modern day winger seems to be much more direct than in recent years, something Patrice can struggle with. Patrice’s pace is certainly a strength but recently he seems to have lost a yard (or maybe the wingers have just got equally as fast) meaning his positioning has to be spot on. Patrice is a typical modern full-back with arguably a more attacking emphasis to his play. Because of this, his positioning isn’t the greatest, normally leading to a winger launching themselves down the by-line, whipping in a half-decent cross which Vidic deals with. That doesn’t sound a massive travesty but he is the weak link in the current United side, not the central midfield.

Fabio can certainly fill the left-back role but isn’t that just like for like? I’d like to see a slightly more defensively minded full back. Someone who can still deal with a pacey winger but someone who can stay in position and not get caught ball watching. Left-back is a position that isn’t exactly filled with much talent but I’d like to see Fryers given a go. Fryers has impressed me in his few appearances and also, he can fill in at centre-back if called upon.

  

Sir Alex has already instigated that they’ll be no signings this January and I fully expect that to be the case. A positive to take out of the first few months of the season is that we are within touching distance with the strongest part of the season still to come. Also, City now have a tough few games what’ll be a massive test for the newcomers in terms of title ‘winners.’ We certainly have the squad to win the Premier League but we do need City to slip up, which will happen. They won’t go the season unbeaten (famous last words.) United certainly have the ability to retain the title but with this new lack of ruthlessness in front of goal and a knack of picking up injuries when things are going well, it’ll be slightly more difficult than what we all thought in mid September. If recent performances are to go by, United still can grind out results. Can City win when their backs are against the wall? We’ll find out by May.

Thanks for reading,

TFL.