Match Day Thread Manchester United vs Plucky Little Upstarts from the South Coast. Sat Feb 12, 12.30

Grew into the game as the half went on.

 

Ok. Not a bad half. Could easily be level. Only concern is our energy levels really. Diallo will play an important role off the bench.

 

For their goal if you watch it closely, Sancho actually hit it towards Forester and KWP deflected it in the net. Fraser may not have saved it, but it was deffo going towards him.

 

Ref's had a decent game.

 

Yep noticed that.

We’ve done pretty well, but look slightly tired after Wednesday. As Tom says, the bench will be vital today. Hopefully Pogba will feel like he’s done his bit, and not bother second half.

 

Also reference their goal, I think Romeu is going to be very disappointed with how he reacted in the build up.
At the time he was playing between the CBs and he didn’t anticipate that Salisu wouldn’t cut out the ball to Rashford. If you watch him he actually stops tracking back, giving Rashford a good 5 yard start before reacting.
Not saying he is to blame but if he had tracked sooner he might have been in a position to pressure Rashford.

 

We look very dangerous at times and had some good opportunities when we have beaten United's press. Just got to be ready for the counter because as we saw with the goal they just punish us with the pace of Rashford and Sancho.

Still think we can get something but we will need some fresh legs. Diallo should come on soon perhaps.

 

Both him and Salisu stood and ball watched for about 5 seconds longer than Rashford. He has them both for pace anyway but they both had a 10 yard headstart so if they had reacted quicker they might have got back.

 

I can understand why Ralph pushed Romeu into the back line because Utd’s main tactic was to dispossess us and hit it long and wide into space behind the FBs.
The downside is that it disconnects the press and the link between defence and attack, something we got back when Romeu moved back into midfield.

 

It's game management. We're not playing out from the back. CBs are high up the pitch. All about keeping it away from our goal and keeping the pace down to conserve energy (let them do all the running). I expect a style more akin to the Spurs game second half. Maybe bring Tino and Djenepo on later to keep give fresh legs on the flanks. Armstrong or Long should get a look in at some point too.

 

Stephens for Bedders

 

Your inspirational threads are driving us onto the halcyon fields that have unicorns grazing on the sunlit uplands.

 

Hoddle: “that has to be an injury, because Stephens isn’t a very good centre back”.

 

Can't argue with that, really

 

CHELLEEEE!

 

Looked off at first glance

 

Goal machine!

 

CHE!!!

 

Maybe not, great finish

 

What a goal!!!!! Lovely finish Che!