The difference between us and the top 2

[Guest]

Was posting that in one the threads in the footie forum.

We've lost every game against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manure by trying to be too clever tactically IMHO, that's why we lost. We play with a very high tempo at home and try to be more clever away from home, that's why we were poor away from home.

United particularly try to play every game with the same energy and tempo and they put teams under pressure. That's the way to play the english game, the only way. Chelsea play a bit cagey but when they have to go for the jugular, they do it with plenty of character and power.

That's the difference between us and them at the moment. No rocket science.

Discuss please.

[Red Chilli]

Thank you Professor Stating the Obvious :whatever:

[kopdan]

experience of winning titles for me.

Utd are there because of their old guard. Chelsea have won 2 on the trot and have been helped by being able to buy winners too.

We've a long way to go to become as consistent year in year out.

[Guest]

And maybe confidence and having the belief we WILL win games also probably ? Look at the belief United and Chelsea players have in recovering lost causes. They take each game by the scruff of the neck. We tend to go hiding (most of our players) when the chips are down.

[Parm]

experience of winning titles for me.

Utd are there because of their old guard. Chelsea have won 2 on the trot and have been helped by being able to buy winners too.

We've a long way to go to become as consistent year in year out.

Spot on mate, Mancs have had years of experience and the Chavs have imported it in. We on the other hand cant afford to buy it and to a certain extent that is why the Arsenal are struggling, too much experience has been allowed to leave without it being replaced.

[spud_gun]

They are better than us?

[Rocket]

some years under houllier , we would do the double over all the big teams, then go and lose to some **** team the week after.

recently, we beat the **** teams, and lose to all the big teams.

odd that.

[Guest]

some years under houllier , we would do the double over all the big teams, then go and lose to some **** team the week after.

recently, we beat the **** teams, and lose to all the big teams.

odd that.

It all stems from the mentality and how we approach our away games. We should play them as if we were playing at home and never give the initiative (or try to do that) to the home team.

[Red Chilli]

Confidence, consistency and quality.

We are lacking in these 3 areas compared to the top 2 IMO.

[The Wolfman]

i may get stick for this but....like the start to last season we have lost points because rafa insists on trying out 4-5-1 etc.... and only really settles on a team after two months.

It was the same last season where it took him until october/november to realise 4-4-2 was our best formation. Then it rarely changed between then and the end of the season.

I wouldnt change rafa for any manager, but he does cost us at least 8 points at the beginng of each season.

[Guest]

Confidence, consistency and quality.

We are lacking in these 3 areas compared to the top 2 IMO.

So how can you explain the way we played last season. We won 23 of our last 29 league games ... That's a championship winning run most times mate. This year we have reverted to our cagey / tactical game. We've had some bad luck and poor finishing also to be honest.

[The Wolfman]

So how can you explain the way we played last season. We won 23 of our last 29 league games ... That's a championship winning run most times mate. This year we have reverted to our cagey / tactical game. We've had some bad luck and poor finishing also to be honest.

as soon as rafa settles on a team an formation we go on winning runs, it was the same last year.

[Guest]

as soon as rafa settles on a team an formation we go on winning runs, it was the same last year.

Probably right too mate.

[Morph]

The difference between us and the top two is that we always start the season off in **** form, last season our form from Nov onwards was title wining stuff, but the first couple of months **** us up completely. I believe it'll be the same this season too.

[Redlife]

I agree with most of what has been said.


My two cents: Utd are up there because they play at such a high tempo and because in Rooney/fake Ronaldo and occasionally Giggs and Saha, they have some quality players who are smarter than the average hoofers who fill out a good portion of the rest of the team (Fletcher/Richardson/Carrick who if he wasn't english...).


The Chavs are up there because they play simple expedient football: 10 behind the ball, and when you get possession put it in the mixer and everyone charge... plus, they score more goals from set-pieces than anyone else. It's dull as **** for the most part... although you'll still get Essien-type stuff as today because they have the money to buy carthorses with a bit of extra quality to them. Bolton + infinite wealth = Chavski.


I'm simplifying it because I hate them, but I do think it's all true.