Thought the same. Shame we didnt create anything for him though. Him and di maria are hardly ever on the pitch together.
Thought Van Persie, Shaw and Matta were poor. Fellaini worked hard, would have taken RVP off at half time to give Falcao a full 45 mins. Young did sod all as usual
Best part of that game was we played till the end and looked like we could score right up to the final whistle. First time since Fergie i felt that way.
Yeh agree. Tbf to West Brom I think they'll cause most teams a lot of trouble at home. But we should have put away our chances as well. This isn't the first game where RVP has looked isolated and often uninvolved in a game.
Txt my son in the first half to say if Falcao had been on he would have been on the end of at least 3 of di marias crosses. Scored? who knows but he would have at least got to them.
Against Spurs at home last season, but generally agree. I think the comparisons with last season aren't needed anymore. In terms of creativity, attacking play, desire to go forward, we're a million miles ahead of last season. But we have to face facts, our defence is a mess. I'd go as far as to say that other than Rafael, NO defender has mentally got over last season, including Jones, and they need to be jetisoned. We lack leadership and without it, Rojo and Shaw will go the same way.
Exactly what i was thinking. We need him to start against Chelsea and i think they will play a more reserved game. Di maria will create plenty so lvg has got to play a predator like falcao.
Need to sort that crappy defence its affecting the whole team, think how many points we would have now if we were solid at the back.
I thought Rafael was at fault for their 2nd playing them onside, although Jones and Rojo should have done better. You may be being a little harsh on the defence as although they have been poor this season I do think they need time to develop a partnership which through injuries we have been unable to give them.
I know what you mean for that 2nd goal, but that's not what I'm getting at. It's the mentality and self-confidence. Rafael is mentally strong and plays with confidence. He just doesn't give a fck (maybe a bit too much ) but he just goes out and plays. I love that about him. Jones in last minute tackles is fine, even if he makes mistakes. What worries me is when he's in a 50/50 or running for the ball under pressure. Did you see the one by the sideline, when he just kicked it out for a throw in. Total lack of confidence, and he's not the only one. The same for Smalling. The trouble is that uncertainty and lack of confidence is like a terminal infection in our defenders from last season, and it will spread to the likes of Rojo. Cut out the cancer and rebuild properly at the back. Starting with a leader at CB.
No comparison at all to last season sorry if i gave that impression, was more pointing out that we played to the final whistle which has always been our way, even Van Gaal has said we need to play for 90 not just 60 mins. Not sure about the defence being hungover from last season, we are playing a very high line at the moment but don`t have the centre halves with the pace or positional sence to do this. We have seen in the young lads McNair and Blackett that they do have the pace but have things to learn in posiitional decisions, Rojo has neither and Jones has the awareness but not the speed. Smalling i am still waiting to see why we bought him, Evans has both speed and awareness but is made of glass.
He needs to play with a second striker now, his legs are getting the better of him and he needs someone to create his space, he can still score the goals that will never leave him.
That's a fair point about the defence, but all that tells me is we still need a couple of CB's, and ones who offer some leadership to our younger defenders. I agree about Smalling, he's had plenty of chances and is simply not good enough.
