A little word on the lack of transfer activity, coming in to Old trafford, anyway. The main priority as far as our next set of transfer dealings is to make sure we get it right, so I was quite happy to see no new faces. If the players Van Gaal has got in mind weren't available, don't buy for the sake of buying. Because when I look at the likes of Mata and Herrera, that's what I see. I was never struck on Mata at Chelsea and he hasn't done anything at United to change my mind. Herrera may be a decent player or may be crap, but it would seem, whatever he is, he doesn't fit the Van Gaal philosophy.
Saying all that, I'm not really that sure I would really want to be trusting Van Gaal with a big fat transfer fund. I'm no big fan of Hummels, fine footballer, slow as a carthorse though. Strootman, whom Van Gaal seemingly covets, would seem to be a massive risk now he's had another operation of that knee. That's if he is any good, people who have seen plenty of him, I haven't, reckon he isn't that mobile.
My main problem with Van Gaal though is the philosophy, buying players who function in multiple roles. You've got to have some specialists, and a strong quick fuck off centre half has got to be a priority, not somebody who can play left back or left wing back. Ditto, we need a top quality central midfielder, maybe even two. Carrick isn't getting any younger, Blind is a good squad player, no more and Herrera's face doesn't seem to fit.
A right back would be nice, but I have to admit, I would like to see more width up front, so a winger would be nice. I have absolutely no idea where we'll find one, but if we can't find one, I would bring Nani back for another season. I know that would be pretty unpopular, but it would give us more attacking options and as far I'm concerned we can't have too many of them.
As for attack, I wouldn't be making Falcao permanent and I have a feeling Van Persie may be off, that's a rumour anyway. We've almost certainly seen the best of the Dutchman, so I'd be reasonably happy with that. That would leave us with Rooney, Wilson and I've always thought Januzaj could do more than a job there. Maybe that's a player light, depends on the formation Van Gaal isn't going to go with next season.
For the last two seasons we have basically played with two centre forwards, yet we've been so boring to watch. I'd like to see more width in the team next season, if the best way of managing that, and staying solid is to dispense with on of those forwards, I'd go along with that. There aren't many teams that play with two out and out centre forwards any more. And we could hardly be less boring than we have been over the last few seasons. I suppose one of the tricks is to try and get the rest of the team to chip in with more goals.
Anyway that's my transfer thoughts for the moment, no doubt come May, some of those thoughts may have changed.
Be - The Seven Movements: Gareth Be from Manchester brought out this little gem last year, put the headphones on and take it all in.
Flying Lotus - You're Dead: This is the second album of his that I've heard, Until the Quiet was excellent, this is at least it's equal, electronic, hip hop and jazz combine to dazzling effect.
Foxygen - And Star Power: More California indie psychedelia, their last album was pretty good and this defintiely has it's moments. It's a good album that with a bit of editing down could have been a very good one.
King Tuff - Black Moon Spell: I love this slice of US indie rock that comes across at times as pastiche, but there still killer rock songs.
Monty Alexander - Harlem Kingston express vol.2: Jazz in a reggae stylee, could have been horrible, is surprisingly very good, the better the cover, the better the performance.
Vashti Bunyan - Heartleap: The one album sixties wonder has become prolific since her return, as with all her stuff you really need to let those songs sink in, it's no classic, but a more than decent effort.
White Manna - Come down safari: I've seen their first album described as space rock on The Quietus, and that's a fair description of their sound. That would usually be right up my street, but whilst their 2nd album is a decent listen, all bar the last track don't really seem to go anywhere, maybe I've been listening to so much Krautrock influenced stuff, i missed thee Motorik beat.
Saying all that, I'm not really that sure I would really want to be trusting Van Gaal with a big fat transfer fund. I'm no big fan of Hummels, fine footballer, slow as a carthorse though. Strootman, whom Van Gaal seemingly covets, would seem to be a massive risk now he's had another operation of that knee. That's if he is any good, people who have seen plenty of him, I haven't, reckon he isn't that mobile.
My main problem with Van Gaal though is the philosophy, buying players who function in multiple roles. You've got to have some specialists, and a strong quick fuck off centre half has got to be a priority, not somebody who can play left back or left wing back. Ditto, we need a top quality central midfielder, maybe even two. Carrick isn't getting any younger, Blind is a good squad player, no more and Herrera's face doesn't seem to fit.
A right back would be nice, but I have to admit, I would like to see more width up front, so a winger would be nice. I have absolutely no idea where we'll find one, but if we can't find one, I would bring Nani back for another season. I know that would be pretty unpopular, but it would give us more attacking options and as far I'm concerned we can't have too many of them.
As for attack, I wouldn't be making Falcao permanent and I have a feeling Van Persie may be off, that's a rumour anyway. We've almost certainly seen the best of the Dutchman, so I'd be reasonably happy with that. That would leave us with Rooney, Wilson and I've always thought Januzaj could do more than a job there. Maybe that's a player light, depends on the formation Van Gaal isn't going to go with next season.
For the last two seasons we have basically played with two centre forwards, yet we've been so boring to watch. I'd like to see more width in the team next season, if the best way of managing that, and staying solid is to dispense with on of those forwards, I'd go along with that. There aren't many teams that play with two out and out centre forwards any more. And we could hardly be less boring than we have been over the last few seasons. I suppose one of the tricks is to try and get the rest of the team to chip in with more goals.
Anyway that's my transfer thoughts for the moment, no doubt come May, some of those thoughts may have changed.
Be - The Seven Movements: Gareth Be from Manchester brought out this little gem last year, put the headphones on and take it all in.
Flying Lotus - You're Dead: This is the second album of his that I've heard, Until the Quiet was excellent, this is at least it's equal, electronic, hip hop and jazz combine to dazzling effect.
Foxygen - And Star Power: More California indie psychedelia, their last album was pretty good and this defintiely has it's moments. It's a good album that with a bit of editing down could have been a very good one.
King Tuff - Black Moon Spell: I love this slice of US indie rock that comes across at times as pastiche, but there still killer rock songs.
Monty Alexander - Harlem Kingston express vol.2: Jazz in a reggae stylee, could have been horrible, is surprisingly very good, the better the cover, the better the performance.
Vashti Bunyan - Heartleap: The one album sixties wonder has become prolific since her return, as with all her stuff you really need to let those songs sink in, it's no classic, but a more than decent effort.
White Manna - Come down safari: I've seen their first album described as space rock on The Quietus, and that's a fair description of their sound. That would usually be right up my street, but whilst their 2nd album is a decent listen, all bar the last track don't really seem to go anywhere, maybe I've been listening to so much Krautrock influenced stuff, i missed thee Motorik beat.
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