Glad to see not everyone is moaning. A good half against a vastly improved Man Utd side. I think the formation has been fine, Clasie has been excellent and Long should have scored at least 2!
Not a bad first half other than the goal, Hoijberg has Rooney in his pocket when in midfield and I think our passing looks pretty slick. Certainly opportunities to get that crucial final ball in second half as their back line looks pretty high.
Absolutely. We have created better chances and look pretty good going forward. The formation does leave full backs exposed (on the left anyway tonight) but it is still good. Pete looks good, Nathan and Tadic looking like getting into good positions with the ball and possession being better than first half Saturday. I see it coming together.
Blimey, just read back. Some people here watching a different game to me. We've been really good and they've only really had one chance of note, and they have a master finisher of those. Zlatan is funny - he's like a souped up version of Pelle in that he's actually been pretty crap to be honest, but he'll always, always pop up with a goal and then everyone forgets that he's been crap. Yes, we're a bit exposed on the flanks, but I think we're well in this. A little more composure and a bit of luck and we can get something here. I fancy Long against Blind in the air if we can get a good cross in.
Davis should do better in closing down Rooney, but Fonte should've also at least try to disturb Ibrahimović in some way, rather than just observe his leap. Otherwise very good half, an even match.
I think overall we played well, I'm an optimist, but you can tell it how it is. Davis stood off and raised a leg half heartedly, if you give Rooney that time he will deliver.. Imbrahimovic had the run on Fonte (not his fault). Come on Saints 2nd half..
Not terrible some positive play, moving ball around well and had a good amount of possession. Target and Cedric look poor going forward. Target in lots of space but can't take on his man or put in a good cross.
Agreed, no matter the final result I've seen enough to make me feel positive about the season. Looked a lot better than I expected. We're still in this game too
Can see a goal coming from a turnover in play, like Shane had in the first half. Agree with redknapp at half time , a bit more care and composure and well be back in this game.
We need to be a little bit braver when we attack, I will say that. We get up near their box and there's often a pass back. Obviously there needs to be some movement to make the forward pass, but I'd like to see Redmond/Tadic/Long show some balls and take people on.
I'll also add that before the goal we'd had the better (half maybe) chances. They've only created one clear chance and they have one of the best in the business. Really confused by people stressing about that half... and I'm by no means a 'happy clapper'.
I must be watching a different game. Only occasionally have we gone long, to Long. Most of the time we have played through midfield. So yes, when we go long, the striker is isolated but that hasn't been most of the time. Why do you see a negative a couple of times and make it the focal point? During a game, passes will go a miss and control will be lost, but it is important to look at the bigger picture over a game. I don't hear the pundits crucifying Pogba because he lost it first time he had it and has been tackled a couple of times. Overall he has looked class. Overall, we have played well. There will always bee things during a game that don't work.
