Post match v Reading

[the rev leeroy brown]

simple solution to masher's form the now is down to the uncertainty about his future. when he first signed for us IMO he looked awesome. since all the talk about his future started back in aug/sept his form has dipped. it cant be easy for a player to give 100% every game with all the speculation on his future and the crap about him being the cause of the fallout with rafa and g&h. wait till it all gets sorted and masher will be the MONSTER you are looking for.

[The Glove]

Coz I'm looking at a player who's supposed to be a monster, and I'm not seeing it. People are now even suggesting he needs to play alongside a certain type of player to get the best out of him. This is a £17m player who some people claim can be the best in the world. Doesn't sound like it to me. give me a young Didi Hamman any day.

Well why dont you look at what he has done then? You will for Riise so why not for Mascherano?

Of course he now needs a certain player next to him. Momo is having a shocker and has been for a while, whoever plays next to him finds themsleves trying to do their own job plus his. Doing the job of 2 players isnt exactly easy and can pull you all out of position cant it, so Mascherano plays better when he knows his role and also knows that who he is with can actually be relied uopn.

[Monty]

Coz I'm looking at a player who's supposed to be a monster, and I'm not seeing it. People are now even suggesting he needs to play alongside a certain type of player to get the best out of him. This is a £17m player who some people claim can be the best in the world. Doesn't sound like it to me. give me a young Didi Hamman any day.

I think Masher is the closest you are going to get to a 'young Hamman' in the current market mate, I'm not saying he will be but he certainly has the potential to be the next best holding midfielder of his generation. IMO he is an intelligent player, even when he isn't playing the holding role.
Granted he wasn't great on Saturday, but then again who was? Plus his future hasn't been sorted out yet and although that could be seen as an excuse, it cannot be discounted out of hand.

As for Riise, he's been a great servant to the club and I wouldn't for a minute join a clamour to 'get rid' of a player who has given an awful lot to the team over the years. However, sometimes it's best for both player and club to call it a day and I suspect his time is coming to an end. Also, how many times did he fluff the cross or miss the early pass on Saturday, it was very frustrating all round.

[Monty]

Coz I'm looking at a player who's supposed to be a monster, and I'm not seeing it. People are now even suggesting he needs to play alongside a certain type of player to get the best out of him. This is a £17m player who some people claim can be the best in the world. Doesn't sound like it to me. give me a young Didi Hamman any day.

I don't think that's what peeps are interpreting it as Howard. I think we're just saying it doesn't work with Momo. To be honest, his form has taken such a dip and his confidence appears to be so low that none of our current midfielders (as good as they are) have an easy task when he's on the pitch these days, or so it seems.

[Alpha]

Coz I'm looking at a player who's supposed to be a monster, and I'm not seeing it. People are now even suggesting he needs to play alongside a certain type of player to get the best out of him. This is a £17m player who some people claim can be the best in the world. Doesn't sound like it to me. give me a young Didi Hamman any day.

Ask yourself why he is valued at £17 million.
Ask yourself why so many reds are defending him with such conviction.

There are reasons. You might not agree with them but then it doesn't sound like you've invested much time finding out what they are.

[Sir Bob]

I don't think anyone can doubt that Masher is a seriously good holding midfield player.
He offers little going forward but when playing with SG, Alonso or Lucas, thats not a problem as it frees them to play in more advanced areas. Its only when Masher plays with momo that Mashers attacking shortcomings are more exposed.

I'd love us to buy Masher but not at the £17m quoted. I know Hargreaves cost more and Carrick a similar amount but Utd are in a different financial position to us. With our limited finances I don't think we can afford such a large sum for an essentially defensive player. I think we need to save such finances for players who make an impact at the other end of the pitch.

[Monty]

I don't think anyone can doubt that Masher is a seriously good holding midfield player.
He offers little going forward but when playing with SG, Alonso or Lucas, thats not a problem as it frees them to play in more advanced areas. Its only when Masher plays with momo that Mashers attacking shortcomings are more exposed.

I'd love us to buy Masher but not at the £17m quoted. I know Hargreaves cost more and Carrick a similar amount but Utd are in a different financial position to us. With our limited finances I don't think we can afford such a large sum for an essentially defensive player. I think we need to save such finances for players who make an impact at the other end of the pitch.

Although I agree with your sentiment, quality holding midfielders are not two a penny these days. I'd pay it for the simple reason that you're not going to get better for the money, he's settled and he wants to play for us. IMO a good holding midfielder is essential in today's game.

[Howard_lfc]

Ask yourself why he is valued at £17 million.
Ask yourself why so many reds are defending him with such conviction.

He's valued at £17m because the market is mad. That amount of money for a defensive midfielder is way excessive. The reason so many are defending him is because to a certain extent they are following the crowd. Listen, I may be wrong about this but at least I'm voicing MY opinion. Maybe we'll sign him for £17m and he turns out to be an almighty purchase for us, but for the moment I'm reserving judgement on him.

I don't think anyone can doubt that Masher is a seriously good holding midfield player.
He offers little going forward but when playing with SG, Alonso or Lucas, thats not a problem as it frees them to play in more advanced areas. Its only when Masher plays with momo that Mashers attacking shortcomings are more exposed.

I'd love us to buy Masher but not at the £17m quoted. I know Hargreaves cost more and Carrick a similar amount but Utd are in a different financial position to us. With our limited finances I don't think we can afford such a large sum for an essentially defensive player. I think we need to save such finances for players who make an impact at the other end of the pitch.