v Manchester United (H): Post Match

[BigChief]

Utd play a great first half but tire badly in the second. Old, awkward, legs like Fellaini, Carrick even Rooney can't handle this continously. They've had a bit of a boost with the Spurs and Pool games but will need to ensure they keep these 'First Half' runs against the better teams.

We showed that after their cup final half if we keep them down to a goal maximum we can do them in the second. We almost did with 10 men. They didn't just turn complacent they were getting fatigued.

A lot left in this season yet. Specially if Young is injured, he's arguably their second best player behind Fellaini. Young and Fellaini your two best players. Says it all really.

[Chris]

****ing horrible knowing we pretty much cant **** up and we've got to go to two grounds where it feels like we never win and regularly get screwed over by bent officials, Stamford Bridge especially.

But the start of the season ****ed us bad, even if we lose to Arsenal we'd still be averaging 2.28 points per game from our last 14 which is amazing so a little baffled at all the "change the system" "**** squad" stuff we're seeing today.

[Alex]

Chris you constantly go on about 'Bent' and 'Corrupt' officials.

Do you actually have any proof that there is some sort of deal worked out between everyone else against us?

You make a lot of good points, but its hard to see them in amongst all that corruption chat.

[Chris]

No proof that would stand up in court granted but then this is an Internet forum not a courtroom. Though point taken, it's probably pointless constantly mentioning it on here given loads didn't even think Everton v Man City last season was fixed.

[Yozza]

No proof that would stand up in court granted but then this is an Internet forum not a courtroom. Though point taken, it's probably pointless constantly mentioning it on here given loads didn't even think Everton v Man City last season was fixed.

or that perhaps Everton are simply ****?

[Lecter]

Utd play a great first half but tire badly in the second. Old, awkward, legs like Fellaini, Carrick even Rooney can't handle this continously. They've had a bit of a boost with the Spurs and Pool games but will need to ensure they keep these 'First Half' runs against the better teams.

We showed that after their cup final half if we keep them down to a goal maximum we can do them in the second. We almost did with 10 men. They didn't just turn complacent they were getting fatigued.

A lot left in this season yet. Specially if Young is injured, he's arguably their second best player behind Fellaini. Young and Fellaini your two best players. Says it all really.

I dont get why people think United were that great

I just thought it was that we were so absolutely ****ing ****e that we made an average team look far better than they were / are

I dont even think it was great tactics or high pressing that screwed us it was complete lack of desire and attitude (and aptitude) on our behalf

As I said in another thread I dont think its even a case of rose tinted specs as I went to the match with a bluenose and he thought our ****ness eclipsed Uniteds but wasnt enough to overshadow the utter bollocks that was Martin Atkinson

[Lecter]

Chris you constantly go on about 'Bent' and 'Corrupt' officials.

Do you actually have any proof that there is some sort of deal worked out between everyone else against us?

You make a lot of good points, but its hard to see them in amongst all that corruption chat.

I am not convinced there is any corruption today

I think even the influence (fear factor) that Ferguson had with referees has vanished

What we have left is total and utter incompetence

[Chris]

or that perhaps Everton are simply ****?

Certainly are, like every other season where City can't win there. If people couldn't see the defenders just casually not bothering then there's no hope! Thankfully a load of naive muppets at the bookies and betfair also thought the same.

[The Birdman]

The system hasn't been sussed out.
Swansea did well for 45 mins, we dominated the 2nd half with some tweaks.

Utd played well 1st half, who's to say we wouldn't have improved (hard to have gotten worse) significantly 2nd half if Gerrard hadn't cost us.

If teams narrow off the middle against us it leaves absolute acres wide 1v1, if you have 5-10 minutes success wide (Sterling v Taylor 2nd half against Swansea) then they adjust to counter that and the middle opens up.

The reality is that Valencia and Blind got the better of Moreno and Sterling. Simple as that, we might go yeah but they're both **** the reality is they're not.
Both experienced internationals, whereas Moreno and Sterling are (in comparison) 2 young, inexperienced players.

Amazing how much we miss Ibe after only 3 games.
He's perfectly suited to the RWB role

[SK]

Ok the 343 formation has been read, first by Blackburn then Swansea an now United. It was good while it lasted but now it's time to go for a 4231 (and/or 433). I've more than given up on 4th now, so imo it's time to prepare for next season, stick in the players that will be at the club next year, and **** the rest off.

The performance was awful, what a time to capitulate right? Coutinho for all his trick and close control has limited vision when it comes to passing, how many time does he not see someone making a run, or overhits/underhits a pass. We need better from him.

Another thing is the technical limitations of a lot of our players. First touch, passing technique, close control, nowhere near the level we should aspire for. Apart from Lucas, Sturridge, Can, Balo and somewhat Sakho the rest of them are very poor when it comes to it. This is one of the reasons why we often fail to brake down teams at home (and are best when pressing and playing counter attack), and why Swansea and Utd. were so succesful at stopping our play from the back. FFS Utd. didn't even press at times, they just stood there and we were in trouble. And when Hendo failed to play (was it Sturrdge?) in first half when it was the easiest pass in the world, and he overhit it staight to De Gea.

Don't know if it can be improved with training, or if it's even a thing they try to mend, but **** me it's starting to annoy me

[Lecter]

The system hasn't been sussed out.
Swansea did well for 45 mins, we dominated the 2nd half with some tweaks.

Utd played well 1st half, who's to say we wouldn't have improved (hard to have gotten worse) significantly 2nd half if Gerrard hadn't cost us.

If teams narrow off the middle against us it leaves absolute acres wide 1v1, if you have 5-10 minutes success wide (Sterling v Taylor 2nd half against Swansea) then they adjust to counter that and the middle opens up.

The reality is that Valencia and Blind got the better of Moreno and Sterling. Simple as that, we might go yeah but they're both **** the reality is they're not.
Both experienced internationals, whereas Moreno and Sterling are (in comparison) 2 young, inexperienced players.

Amazing how much we miss Ibe after only 3 games.
He's perfectly suited to the RWB role

Sterling to me didnt look arsed at all, Moreno looked out of his depth but you could point the finger at another 8 or 9 who didnt want it also

[Chris]

I don't get all the writing off of the formation, it was one bad game!! Perfection doesn't exist. We've been in title winning form since changing to it!! This is mad.

[Lecter]

We havent played that well for the last few games

Personally I dont think thats down to the formation though

[SK]

I don't get all the writing off of the formation, it was one bad game!! Perfection doesn't exist. We've been in title winning form since changing to it!! This is mad.

not just one bad game mate, soton, swansea, blackburn, now utd, lucky at times with individual quality winnign us games( i know that's why you have quality players) but the system has not worked at times lately. It has made us more stable at the back though

[Lecter]

not just one bad game mate, soton, swansea, blackburn, now utd, lucky at times with individual quality winnign us games( i know that's why you have quality players) but the system has not worked at times lately. It has made us more stable at the back though

Hmm I am not convinced thats down to the formation

I dont think we have played well at times but we had this last season. We went on a run winning games and at times we didnt play well but a moment of brilliance (more often than not from Suarez) won us the match