“I’m a coach who is always thinking about creative players but in England you also need physical bodies in your team and Fellaini is one of these.” – Van Gaal
Louis Van Gaal has assembled the most attacking rich squad in the Premier League this season. His side will no doubt create chances and score goals in nearly every game they take part in with the depth of talent available to him. His problem, as many have pointed out, is keeping the opposition out at the other end.
Liverpool escaped Loftus Road with a 2-3 win yesterday, but in truth, they did not deserve it. If QPR, and more specifically Leroy Fer, converted their chances in the first half the game could have been a lot different. The second half was a manic affair, with displays of bad defending from both sides. Liverpool were lucky that QPR are an extremely forgiving side. If Rangers had any game management skills they would have walked away with at least one point.
The league is beginning to fall into its pattern. There are still some clubs that are probably higher than they will end up and visa-versa. The next few weeks will really put sides into the relevant league quadrant where they will compete for the rest of the season (Top 4, Europa League Chasers, Mid-Table and Relegation). This weekend, the below three clubs need a win to ensure they don’t slide into a position that might be hard to battle back from.
Everton (Home) vs Aston Villa
Two narrow wins at home have put United into the top four for the first time since the start of last season. Although victories against West Ham and Everton were on a knife-edge, it could be argued that the ability to hang on to results is something that United need to learn how to do again. Granted, the difference in each result was an offside decision and a world-class goalkeeping display respectively. With all that in mind, United are now closer to where they want to be in the league.
The headlines will focus on an off the field incident that has been colored by subsequent interviews, tweets and opinion pieces. But the real story of the semi-final between Chelesa and Swansea lies on the pitch and in a monumental result. Swansea were the victors and now approach an opportunity to win a trophy, and announce themselves to European football.
Wastepaperworthy 