Post match thread

[Guest]

Again with the money thing, it's not the answer to everything mate.

I agree with what was said above, the ambition and drive was there, but was the composure and the belief? Thought it was lacking myself.

It's not a problem of composure or belief mate. It was a full blooded match, with no space in midfield. It opened up second half and we bossed the game and gave our all. Not faulting the effort or drive of the lads. We created chances and Torres should have scored first half ... and the penalty. We're very close now ... Rafa needs to be backed fully with money because United won't be standing still.

Why not he's ****ing ****!

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

Until we have the money to buy someone of the calibre of Tevez, you'll have to make do with Kuyt, so no point complaining.

It's not about money it's about finding the right player.

That player could cost £5m, or £25m. It doesn't matter.

And just becuase Rafa has Kuyt doesn't mean he has to use him.

Surely Ryan Babel has done enough to warrant a chance to play up front.

That game has left me slightly confused. We matched them everywhere, yet for some reason I think the players just didn't believe we could beat them for some reason.

[Tom]

Stop posting at me.

Then stop posting drivel.

[Guest]

LOL, you think our players were suffering from 90 minutes they played 4 days ago and I know nothing. You have obviously never even played if you think this. Last post I'll make towards you, it's a waste of time, you're as clueless as carheex.

You're an idiot. Stick to the gambling posts.

[kopash]

Our record against the big four over the last few seasons is awful. Says we lack either the belief or the quality. I think it's a bit of both

[UpTheMiddle]

The worrying thing for me is that I am doubtful that Rafa can ever win us the league.

We could win the Champions League year after year & we'll all be delighted but it will gloss over the all important goal, to win the league.

We're a long way off still.

[CharlieMansonsSquint]

nail on head. They have the edge in confidence because they are champions. As rafa keeps saying, it's about tiny margins. Goal-aside there was nothing between the 2 teams. Their defense had a better day than ours in practically their only attempt on goal. That's football, I'm afraid.

Question is; how do you fix that?

Is it the manager, players or both?

Why can we be confident top dogs in Europe, and win on anyone's patch, and believe we can always do it, but not in the league?

Wrong mental approach?

By and large I reckon we've got the players now, so why isn't it the same.

Hate to go back to the Reading game, but what Rafa did there for me sent a message to everyone. Perhaps, for whatever reason, we're still not capable.

[Nic83]

I really would love to know who I'm talking to on here some times! Probably 2 big fattys that watch a game a week and never kicked a ball in their lives!

[BrooklynRed]

Until we have the money to buy someone of the calibre of Tevez, you'll have to make do with Kuyt, so no point complaining.

No, that's bull****. We have Tevez and we have Crouch, which is a fine pairing, but today he wasn't even the problem. The problem was RAFA'S DECISION TO PLAY KUYT. Playing against a bottom-dwelling Marseille in mid-week is fine, but you have to know that against a team like Man U, you have to control the midfield and while still allowing Gerrard to prowl and run free; PLAY a creative supporting midfielder (Lucas), allow Benayoun and Gerrard to create and overlap on the right. Again, after 30 minutes of watching this match, the problem was obvious. Mascherano did an admirable job, but again, this was pure tactics. This isn't about money.

You can call me an internet poster who thinks he knows more than Rafa blah blah blah, fine. But anyone with two eyes watching this match today knew within 15 minutes that Kuyt was a disastrous choice and our lack of patience and control in the midfield cost us big by not allowing our best players to do what they do best. IT HAPPENS EVERY MATCH. Go look at the thread; is there anyone who didn't predict Crouch for Kuyt at 75 minutes?

Rafa will not learn. I will continue to wish and hope, but the reality? Not good enough in match management. When people grab a lead and bunker, we're dead. Always.

[Guest]

It's not about money it's about finding the right player.

That player could cost £5m, or £25m. It doesn't matter.

And just becuase Rafa has Kuyt doesn't mean he has to use him.

Surely Ryan Babel has done enough to warrant a chance to play up front.

That game has left me slightly confused. We matched them everywhere, yet for some reason I think the players just didn't believe we could beat them for some reason.

Kuyt is a good player, probably not good enough in this kind of games, I agree but he's a decent squad player. Thing is, he gives us tremendous workrate and he creates space. It's just that he lacks ability or confidence to finish off his good work.

United bought the right players but paid a whole load of money to get them. Rafa's been buying players such as Yossi for 5m ... Great bargain, but is he better than the ones United have in the same position ? No. We need money to compete mate, football is won there. Rafa will close the gap, but not as quickly as we would want if he isn't backed to the hilt.

[Nic83]

No, that's bull****. We have Tevez and we have Crouch, which is a fine pairing, but today he wasn't even the problem. The problem was RAFA'S DECISION TO PLAY KUYT. Playing against a bottom-dwelling Marseille in mid-week is fine, but you have to know that against a team like Man U, you have to control the midfield and while still allowing Gerrard to prowl and run free; PLAY a creative supporting midfielder (Lucas), allow Benayoun and Gerrard to create and overlap on the right. Again, after 30 minutes of watching this match, the problem was obvious. Mascherano did an admirable job, but again, this was pure tactics. This isn't about money.

You can call me an internet poster who thinks he knows more than Rafa blah blah blah, fine. But anyone with two eyes watching this match today knew within 15 minutes that Kuyt was a disastrous choice and our lack of patience and control in the midfield cost us big by not allowing our best players to do what they do best. IT HAPPENS EVERY MATCH. Go look at the thread; is there anyone who didn't predict Crouch for Kuyt at 75 minutes?

Rafa will not learn. I will continue to wish and hope, but the reality? Not good enough in match management. When people grab a lead and bunker, we're dead. Always.

He talks a lot of bull**** mate. Best not tell him though or he might go off in another huff and resign from the forums again.

Actually maybe he's right, maybe it was indeed the fact that we had a match 4 days ago and not our lack of creativity in midfield and up front today that lost us the match.

[kemm1]

Kuyt is a good player, probably not good enough in this kind of games, I agree but he's a decent squad player. Thing is, he gives us tremendous workrate and he creates space. It's just that he lacks ability or confidence to finish off his good work.

United bought the right players but paid a whole load of money to get them. Rafa's been buying players such as Yossi for 5m ... Great bargain, but is he better than the ones United have in the same position ? No. We need money to compete mate, football is won there. Rafa will close the gap, but not as quickly as we would want if he isn't backed to the hilt.

Who is Kuyt's equivalent at the SCUM, ARSEnal or Chelski?

[BrooklynRed]

Who is Kuyt's equivalent at the SCUM, ARSEnal or Chelski?

Kalou? Bendtner?

[Nic83]

Who is Kuyt's equivalent at the SCUM, ARSEnal or Chelski?

David Bellion. Oh.

In fairness, I'd have Kuyt over Meijer or Dundee.

[JohnDoe]

Who is Kuyt's equivalent at the SCUM, ARSEnal or Chelski?

Hargreaves, Makelele and Gilberto judging by the areas he operates in.