He was very good, kept it simple stayed in space and everything was one touch. The rest of the team then started doing the same. Yes you have to take into account that Utd had dropped off but he simply kept the ball moving and it made a difference.
Right guys, we’ve all had time to process the shower of **** last night so I’m going to try and be reasonable. Good stuff: - the return of Allison. I was slightly worried putting him straight back into the team but he dealt with pretty much everything with ease. Wasn’t tested all that much but it’s easy to muck up in such a big game. - Klopps subs. Lallana finally got a goal, and did well in the half spaces. Keita helped bring a level of calm and composure to the midfield. Ox made some poor passes but the positive intent was there, was direct and one of the few who can shoot from outside the box. - despite being awful and up against a biased ref, we come away with a point and arguably should have won if the correct call was made for their goal. - there was some nervous passing but our defence dealt with pretty much everything. **** stuff: - our full backs are crucial to our build up play and overall creativity. But they struggled today, largely due to OGS nullifying them. With that said, there is a bad habit of us just simply launching the ball into the box from poor positions. - the above point is largely driven by the fact we have 2 number 8’s in midfield that don’t contribute in build up play. We got 97 points and a CL last season so it’s easy to say the midfield is working but it’s the last piece of the team that needs to evolve. - The Jordan Henderson experiment simply hasn’t worked. He’s had more poor games than good as the attacking 8 and it’s impacting the team. Firstly, he’s occupying all of the space down that right side which Trent is lethal in, so we lose that attacking threat all together. I would much rather Hendo is the one who sits and deep his space and let Gini be the rampaging one because he clearly can do it at international level. Sounds like such an easy change to make which will get the best out of 3 players straight away. - Matip came back into the team was a little bit shaky. How passing is a big attribute but he struggled with that yesterday. - small thing but I was annoyed that we took so long celebrating the goal. We should have grabbed the ball and resumed play ASAP. Mane was the one who grabbed the players and told them to hurry.
Absolutely you have to factor in the game state. It was more tongue in cheek when I said he changed the game but he did have a good impact, and he is what we’re crying out for in midfield. If you watch the goal again, he delays the pass which then leads to 2 United players leaving their space in the box. Sounds simple but taking time on the ball, looking up and playing forward will go a long way.
They couldn’t restart until after the VAR was checked anyway. I’m more concerned with how much time James squeezed out of the game with his play acting. At least 5 minutes on his own!! I think he looks like a great player, don’t get me wrong, but staying down for extended spells when 1-0 up was annoying (but smart I guess) - he’ll soon become public enemy #1 with those tactics!!
Didn't stop #bbcsalford posting an entire article explaining the tactical revolution that managed to lift Man Utd to the dizzy heights of getting a DRAW against us https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50119352 Have you ever known such bollocks? Truly desperate times for ABLs
"Tactically, Solskjaer got it absolutely spot on" Relying on a series of very generous referee decisions to get a draw at home is "spot on"? "I was not surprised with how well United played, because they had a point to prove." The point being they only play when it suits them?
I wouldn't say that's a small thing! I was screaming at the tv when they were celebrating. Really pressed me off that they didn't grab the call and get on with it
thought we were dreadful yesterday and just couldn't deal with the Utd press . No player was better than OK but a number had shockers Matip , Henderson Firmino & Fabinho for example. On Henderson i was staggered he wasn't the first sub as that seemed an obvious and deserved change . At least we got a draw while playing so poorly .
When I reflect on this game, I just come to the following conclusion. Utd defended well. I’m not sure why people are surprised. Setting a team up to defend and counter like them is not that difficult when you’ve spent £650m in the last 5 years.
Is the ability there? United scores from a counter where Robbo was out of position other than that they didn’t threaten our goal once. If we’d played anywhere near to the level w have been the last 12 months we’d have cruised it.
All the plastics said we'd piss it yesterday. That includes the manc ones as well. I disagreed with them all and told them utd would make it very difficult for us, probably with the help of some ****e refereeing. Piss poor just like the same game last season. Thank **** I didn't go as I wouldn't have kept a lid on. Afterwards, the mancs were coming up to me saying they'd told me utd would give us problems. I just spat my beer out. ****ing ****ers.
I agree. They found a way to stifle us - like any mid-table team could do on the day. 2 shots on target at home hardly indicates a dominant display. They raised their game to try to thwart their enemy, but only to a middling level - whether or not that constitutes a renaissance remains to be seen. Since I mentioned stats, we conceded 14 free kicks to their 6 - are we a dirty team or was there a bit of subconscious favouritism here? I don't want to go full astro on this, but it seems a bit anomalous.
The ref did annoy me, he booked Fabinho for a deliberate foul and then a few minutes later let one of their players off for what was almost exactly the same offence. I don't like moaning about games but I did find this one really frustrating due to a combination of our players doing the wrong things along with the ref and VAR.
I thought the ref was awful . it felt like he was just randomly deciding on issues began to think the decision was decided by a dice roll .
I’m glad you raised this stat. 14 fouls vs their 6 fouls. And we had 70% possession! that clearly does not add up.