Hello all, Not a terrible result last night, maybe unlucky not to have got a penalty at the end. I wasn't hugely impressed with our general tactic last night - the plan seemed to be long ball up to the Pog and then steady passes back to Schwarzer before another long ball. We had a bit of possession, but the ball rarely went forward on the ground. It seems a waste to play Frei and Duff on the wrong side away from home. This meant that whenever one broke forward with the ball they still had to check back in on themselves, slowing everything up a bit. Because we dont have a player attacking the wings the midfield end up going back to one of the full backs, when then go back to the centre backs, who either then lump it upfield, or roll it back to Schwarzer. The main threat came from Demps or Dembele taking the ball forward. I'm not expecting ole football away from home, but we need to mix it up a bit. Last night was a bit one dimensional.
I think we did change it up a bit after Murphy came on. Before that though I agree, very flat and in the first half we just invited Utd onto us.
Jol should have realised that Pog didn't win a single header last night and told the guys to stop punting it forward, we continually lost possession this way. It's quite alarming that for such a tall and obviously physical guy, Pog isn't actually very good in the air.
Hopefully Jol mixes it up a bit, Pog isn't much like Zamora, he is clearly better facing goal whereas Zamora was best with his back to it. We need to bring a bit of width in and start putting the ball across the box behind the defence.
All good points. I think there is an element of having played for so long with a striker that thrives on having balls punted at him. Something we'll have to shake off.
Pog's poor in the air and his touch is rather poor. But he's a cool customer in front of goal, which is rare. I'm not sure he's missed a shot yet. I think the ball was woofed up to Pog because our back four were under pressure and playing cautiously - better to punt it than get caught holding it. All in all, I was rather pleased with our display Monday night. We were unlucky not to get a point considering that clear penalty ... and yes, things did pick up with Murphy joined the party.
We had a few good spells, 15 minutes in the first half and then all the time Danny Murphy was on the pitch - Driving the team forward. Both Clint and Moussa did some intelligent work and maybe deserved more. I agree about punting the ball up to Pog too often, but actually my one real disappointment was Kerim Frei's failure to take on defenders at pace (or am I being unfair?) - maybe he and Michael Oliver were too aware that this was Old Trafford. C O Y W
He missed one late on against Swansea (not an easy one, mind). I remember it because Dempsey slipped him the pass and it would have got me a goal AND an assist for my Fantasy League team. I really must get a life one of these days.
