Jay Spearing

[dww]

I think we lost the game because of his below par performance (not to say he was the culprit - those things happen). United exploited the space behind him.

I thought he made a couple of bad decisions but was badly let down by Downing. Not sure how he can be expected to cover the left flank & in front of the CBs at the same time.

[Nicey]

Maybe my memory is a little bandy but I seem to remember Gerrard going missing in more than most of these games with United, he was missing again yesterday which for your Club captain is not acceptable.

I sure his performances against that team have been called into question before, dont want to single him out, with the exception of Glen Johnson, everybody out there looked laboured ... no doubt those cunts were probally playing funny buggers on many more levels than meets the eyes yesterday

[RedReet]

Maybe my memory is a little bandy but I seem to remember Gerrard going missing in more than most of these games with United, he was missing again yesterday which for your Club captain is not acceptable.

I sure his performances against that team have been called into question before, dont want to single him out, with the exception of Glen Johnson, everybody out there looked laboured ... no doubt those cunts were probally playing funny buggers on many more levels than meets the eyes yesterday

He was notoriously quiet against United for years. Probably extended Anderson’s career there because he made him look so good in one game.

[Fredo]

I thought he made a couple of bad decisions but was badly let down by Downing. Not sure how he can be expected to cover the left flank & in front of the CBs at the same time.

True. I thought we were well set up yesterday, passed the ball decently and dealt with them for most parts of the game bar when United upped the tempo and their wingers got behind our midfield time and again. Rooney, Giggs and Valencia were excellent, as well as Wellbeck for dropping off to exploit those gaps. Not sure if it's out tactical set up. When Rafa was there, defensively we were so compact that United would have found it extremely difficult to find space.

[dww]

True. I thought we were well set up yesterday, passed the ball decently and dealt with them for most parts of the game bar when United upped the tempo and their wingers got behind our midfield time and again. Rooney, Giggs and Valencia were excellent, as well as Wellbeck for dropping off to exploit those gaps. Not sure if it's out tactical set up. When Rafa was there, defensively we were so compact that United would have found it extremely difficult to find space.

I think it is a problem that several players are just below the needed standard and none of them gel into units better than the collection of individuals. Downings non performance yesterday allowed Valencia to have a free run at Enrique that led to a lot of problems elsewhere in my mind (as well as limiting Enrique going forward).

With Lucas injured we have no one else in the squad who has any tactical discipline to play in CM. Jay is in by default at the minute and he is still a developing player. I have bigger worries about other players (Gerrard included) not consistently impacting games. In most games Spearing ha splayed the back 5 has looked pretty solid and for most of the game yesterday that was fairly true.

[Fredo]

I think Bellamy would have played in place of Downing had he not played against Spurs. Where's Maxi by the way? Haven't seen him for the last couple of games.

[ric.williams]

thought he deserves a mention. he played his role, kept things ticking over and allowed gerrard to be involved higher up the pitch

[Shaggy]

Did pretty well but he had no runners to pick up most of the time which freed Gerrard.

[Alex]

I think we can give ourselves (as a club) a pat on the back for producing Spearing and Kelly. Finally seeing the fruits of Rafa's overhaul.

[the rev leeroy brown]

played well last night. kept it tidy, did what was needed, hussled there midfield like masher did (his passing is better than mascheranos though!!)

will be good deputy for lucas. still would like to see a new CM brought in for next year though.

[Phoenix07]

thought he deserves a mention. he played his role, kept things ticking over and allowed gerrard to be involved higher up the pitch

Quite impressed with his display last night.

I think we can give ourselves (as a club) a pat on the back for producing Spearing and Kelly. Finally seeing the fruits of Rafa's overhaul.

They were around before Rafa's overhaul, but he gave them some opportunities in the team.

[sssiho]

Had a great game, was impressed.

[Mattshark]

Am I the only one who thought he was awful?

[Darkon]

Am I the only one who thought he was awful?

Yes

I thought he did very well last night, played his part in controlling midfield freeing space for Gerrard.

[Lee]

Am I the only one who thought he was awful?

More than likely!