Stoke (H) Post Match

[Fernandinho]

I don't think Carroll was actually enjoying it at all to be honest. All the footage of him he looked really awkward and it looked like he was forcing any smiles and that he generally wasn't sure that he wanted to be there.

[SB]

3-5-2 or 3-4-3 was pretty standard as a counter to 4-4-2 with two wingers. Rafa used the latter in similar situations a far amount, especially before we had a really strong CM partnership and Torres up top.

Yeah I get that Dave it was more the use of Johnson as LW again instead of Maxi there. I get the Johnson LB thing but I was surprised he went for him instead of a natural lefty in Fab to play LW. Then to play Fab as a DM ? I know he's played there a couple of times but it surprised me, that's all.

[SB]

I don't think Carroll was actually enjoying it at all to be honest. All the footage of him he looked really awkward and it looked like he was forcing any smiles and that he generally wasn't sure that he wanted to be there.

No-one worth their salt is happy on the bench and he doesn't know Comoli in all likelihood either. What's a geordie and a frog got in common ? Nowt !

[McDermotX]

Apparently Pepe looked proper ****ed off tonight, any truth in this?

While there's a temptation to read too much into everything, Pepe had a face like thunder for most of that game last night, and I certainly couldn't shake that "he's had a row with missus" feeling.

Probably to be expected given recent events, but I'd hope he's professional enough to not let it affect his game. Media no doubt will see Pepe as a target for speculation from now until the summer, so we'll have to wait and see.

One thing for certain from now on with this club, don't care who you are, what you've done, you want out and are not 100% committed ? .....there's the ****ing door.

[Darkon]

Great win last night, I'm very happy to see the reaction in the team after Torres left the club. The team seemed to be playing with high spirit, with and for eachother as well as some great passing movement.

Despite a somewhat strange setup the team did well, and I can't wait for the Chelsea match now.

Suarez what a monster he can become for us

Meireles in the current position is a fantastic player, will be our midfielder of the season in that spot.

And a big round of applause for King Kenny, you must not underestimate his role in all of this. He seems to be a great motivator, a good guy that creates a team around him and not least a positive face towards the press. He defends his players, shows confidence in them and takes his responsibility well on his back

BRING ON CHELSEA!!

[Norbs]

While there's a temptation to read too much into everything, Pepe had a face like thunder for most of that game last night, and I certainly couldn't shake that "he's had a row with missus" feeling.

Probably to be expected given recent events, but I'd hope he's professional enough to not let it affect his game. Media no doubt will see Pepe as a target for speculation from now until the summer, so we'll have to wait and see.

One thing for certain from now on with this club, don't care who you are, what you've done, you want out and are not 100% committed ? .....there's the ****ing door.

I agree entirely with the last bit, no player is above or beyond the team and club. It's kind of the way united have been for 20 odd years, and I hate to say but it's the way to success

[Norbs]

I bet Sean_lfc has a sore head this morning ;-)

[red g]

I bet Sean_lfc has a sore head this morning ;-)

in more ways than one

[dww]

Yeah I get that Dave it was more the use of Johnson as LW again instead of Maxi there. I get the Johnson LB thing but I was surprised he went for him instead of a natural lefty in Fab to play LW. Then to play Fab as a DM ? I know he's played there a couple of times but it surprised me, that's all.

Fair points. My guess would be that Kenny wanted as much continuity at the back as possible. Our lack of CBs probably also had an impact but in many ways I think Aurelios skill set is more naturally suited to that position. The other factor for me would be athleticism - at wingback with a back 3 you have to get up and down the whole flank and I'd rate GJ better in that regard.

[Drago]

I bet Sean_lfc has a sore head this morning ;-)

A sore head a side effect of viagra then?

[Reece]

Fair points. My guess would be that Lenny wanted as much continuity at the back as possible. Our lack of CBs probably also had an impact but in many ways I think Aurelius skill set is more naturally suited to that position. The other factor for me would be athleticism - at wingback with a back 3 you have to get up and down the whole flank and I'd rate GJ better in that regard.

[Shaggy]

Kenny typos are amazing ...J & L either side for Jenny and Lenny

[Craig_H]

What's all this about Pepe then?

[Danoner Forrest]

Few things I noticed.

The most annoying thing about refereeing today is the clear differing standards depending on who you are and what the ref feels like on any given day. The challenge by Huth was worse than Gerrard's yet he got a yellow. Inconsistancy is why the likes of Webb get such a bad name.

Commolli; I have never seen a man in the director's box (and I sit right by it) get so excited when Suarez scored he was jumping round like a mad man high fiving all sorts of people.

Carroll; Is a big man.

[SB]

Fair points. My guess would be that Lenny wanted as much continuity at the back as possible. Our lack of CBs probably also had an impact but in many ways I think Aurelius skill set is more naturally suited to that position. The other factor for me would be athleticism - at wingback with a back 3 you have to get up and down the whole flank and I'd rate GJ better in that regard.

I can't argue with any of that Dave. It will be interesting to see if Kenny (or Lenny if you like) goes that way when Carrol is up front as Fab can get the crosses in whereas GJ has to cut back and it slows the play down .

It worked, Kenny is a genius and I was in awe yet again