Damning Verdict

[dww]

Hmmmm. We clearly have to look at our preparation for these big games but I think people are over reacting to the result in the way they are slating us. We weren't great but except for the Reina problem with crosses we were holding our own when it was 11 vs 11 and they were cynically kicking Torres and Gerrard as soon as they got into their half.

There are problems and they do need addressing but to write off the whole team because we lost to United is verging on the ridiculous.

[Mr Tourette]

Doesn't mention Mascher and Skrtel fee either though. I know both was paid in Jan, but it's still cash spent. And the Mancs aint paid for Tevez yet, only the loan fee like we did with Mascher.

argue over pennies if you want, benitez has spent a truck load of cash but its the individual fees where chelsea and united have the edge over us. We have two signings from that 15million plus bracket, utd and chelsea have...well, more than us and thats where it counts, on the big names that make the difference. so thats why i always think those lists are bollox.

Wenger is the best manager of the lot as he does it all on the relatively cheap.

[Mr Tourette]

Hmmmm. We clearly have to look at our preparation for these big games but I think people are over reacting to the result in the way they are slating us. We weren't great but except for the Reina problem with crosses we were holding our own when it was 11 vs 11 and they were cynically kicking Torres and Gerrard as soon as they got into their half.

There are problems and they do need addressing but to write off the whole team because we lost to United is verging on the ridiculous.

There is simply a mental hurdle against the top sides. we arent that bad and the criticism based on 10 v 11 game is unreal. People need to wake up. People are suggesting we were getting played off the park before the sending off??? i just dont get it......

[fred_plasticine]

they had the better chances in the first half.
i don't suggest they played us off the park.
we didn't play with any attacking confidence and made too many mistakes in defence and midfield. we gifted them chances whereas they didn't gift us any.
i can see where you coming from - we could have grown in confidence as the game went on. but fact is, we looked nervous in every departement and we let them intimidate us, our key players and leaders let them intimidate us. they kicked torres about and nobody stood up for him. we're not intimated by places like the nou camp but man u give us the creeps.

[redwien]

This article is spot on. Forget that 10 v 11 bull****. Utd had the game by the balls well before Masch's sending off. Every player in white looked nervous. We need to grow a pair of balls.

[rage]

we were poor, had reina not made a string of one on one saves it would have been far worse. meanwhile we didn't even carve out 1 real opportunity.

forget the 10 men bollocks, arsenal nor chelsea would have rolled over and died playing with 10 men. instead of inspiring us it gave us an excuse as to why we lost.

this 4231 does not work without quality on the flanks. babel for me plays on the wrong side, the reason he never goes on the outside is because he hasn't got a left foot, also his positional play and self belief is comparable to a kid in the reserves. He has the talent though which can't be said of kuyt on the other side.

the reporter in many ways was right. harsh but thats the way it is

[Morten_nogamst_Pedersen]

This article is spot on. Forget that 10 v 11 bull****. Utd had the game by the balls well before Masch's sending off. Every player in white looked nervous. We need to grow a pair of balls.

[El Jefecito]

we were poor, had reina not made a string of one on one saves it would have been far worse. meanwhile we didn't even carve out 1 real opportunity.

forget the 10 men bollocks, arsenal nor chelsea would have rolled over and died playing with 10 men. instead of inspiring us it gave us an excuse as to why we lost.

this 4231 does not work without quality on the flanks. babel for me plays on the wrong side, the reason he never goes on the outside is because he hasn't got a left foot, also his positional play and self belief is comparable to a kid in the reserves. He has the talent though which can't be said of kuyt on the other side.

the reporter in many ways was right. harsh but thats the way it is

If your central midfield is over run it's almost impossible for your wide players and strikers to perform without decent service. None of them got decent service.

BTW If you saw the last couple of games, Babel has started to develop his left foot. He's been shooting with it more and more and has also gone on the outside and crossed from the byline. He is most definitely working on it and we will see the benefit in the next couple of seasons. As well as getting performances out of him today, Rafa is moulding him into a more complete player. Within a season or so he will be able to play anywhere in the 3 +1. It's a worthwhile investment even if it does mean we get a few ****ty performances now.