Still basking in the after glow of yesterday’s success. Some very good performances, with players throwing their bodies in front of the ball, as well as everyone working tirelessly. One thing that worries me is when MP2 substitutes both Tadic and Boufal. With neither of them on the pitch we lose the ability to hold the ball up, which means the ball keeps coming back at the defence, creating a backs to the wall type of battle, at a time when desperate opponents are throwing extra players forward. If we don’t bring in a striker, capable of holding onto the ball for long enough to give the defence time to reorganise, then I think I would prefer either one of these players to stay on, simply to do that job, at the death.
Manchester United’s Ashley Young has been charged with violent conduct. It follows an incident during yesterday's game against Southampton which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video. He has until 17:00 to respond.
And we mustn't ever forget wearing the wrong shirts, though even Jose hasn't the nerve to repeat that one.
TBF, I will never consider that a Saints player deserves a red card unless automatic gun fire is involved......and then only if the opposition player didn't deserve it.
Absolutely spot on St Badger. This is hugely undervalued and one reason why I said Tadic had a good game yesterday. Fabrics Fernandez was the same; often accused of “fannying” about with it but it was invaluable hold up play when we’ve been under pressure. Tadic and Boufal can both do that well for us.
Very good, but frustrating that it benefits our rivals (well, Stoke) rather than us. We might have got 3 points if Pawson had seen it and sent Young off, as we would have got a pen at least. Yes, I know that’s not how football works!
The fact that many fans' knowledge of football could be written on a pin head with room to spare is OK. When the coach doesn't notice this fundamental contribution from these two it's worrying!
I think that's pretty unfair on Pellegrino - he replaced Tadic with Lemina who, in the words of the song, "never gives the ball away-ay". The fact that he suddenly seems to be giving it away-ay all the time is annoying, but the manager can't really be blamed for trying to settle for a draw at Old Trafford with 10 minutes to go.
