Rival watch

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Saw a few moments of the game last night, neither team overly impressed me.

Funny though that since Soton have been facing some of the big boys they've been found out. I wonder how our friend Sa1nts is doing on this fine winter morning.
 
littleDinosaurLuke said:
Three at the back doesn't work - especially with defenders who can't defend. Rojo is just not suited to the PL and constant injuries and the resultant changes makes it very difficult for players to build up an understanding.

Young and Valencia need to give the team width going forward, not as defensive cover.

And if you know your defence is shaky, the players in front get nervy and don't play confident passes for fear of losing possession.

But the big plus is that Utd still have match winners. RvP has got back to going what he does best - taking chances when they come. Just like Rooney has been doing.

5 wins on the trot playing badly should be ominous for any teams thinking of top four.
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Definitely agree on the back 3 not being a good idea. With 1 upfront the centrebaks aren't kept busy enough and the wingbacks are kept too busy by wingers playing high up. It's either man mark them and be pushed back all the time or pass them onto the centrebacks which allows players the wingers to run at them, which is the last thing you want.

Argentinian centrebacks do seem to be coming into fashion in the Premier League with 3 arriving in the last 2 seasons. They all seem to get a rough ride at first too. I don't think it's because of their nationality, that's just coincidence, but Demichelis looked woeful when he arrived and sorted himself out over time. Fazio looks like he's getting to grips with the PL now too(touch wood). I'd be lying if I said I remembered seeing Rojo play centreback before but I thought he looked a handy left back at the World Cup. If he is a good centreback, I'm sure it will be just a matter of time until he gets to grips with things, if not then you've got another left back and you don't even play left backs.

A win at Southampton is not to be sniffed at and as you say 5 wins on the bounce is impressive form. The manner of the win last night is enough to keep United fans from getting too carried away though, I'd imagine.
 
No UEFA distractions for Man Utd will probably tell when it comes down to the
business end of the PL season.

Spurs and Everton will probably then be focusing on the Europa as their chance
for a CL slot.
 
I know Allardyce is not universally popular, but I've always liked him as a manager and his West Ham team look quite strong this season. Good bet for a top 8 finish. He can play direct to Carroll, who is a big threat in the air, but he's also bought some speedy, more skilful players like Valencia and Sakho so they don't have to play route one. Cresswell was a good buy too.

There could be one or two of last season's top six who will do well to finish in the top half if West Ham, Southampton, Newcastle and Swansea keep doing well <yikes>
 
Spurm said:
I'm wouldn't underestimate Teddy's impact at West Ham. Missed out there we did.
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Entirely agree. Apparently, he's been working on showing their forwards how to create space for yourself in the box - including Carroll. Nobody was better at that than Sheringham.
 
Yid Vicious said:
Definitely agree on the back 3 not being a good idea. With 1 upfront the centrebaks aren't kept busy enough and the wingbacks are kept too busy by wingers playing high up. It's either man mark them and be pushed back all the time or pass them onto the centrebacks which allows players the wingers to run at them, which is the last thing you want.

Argentinian centrebacks do seem to be coming into fashion in the Premier League with 3 arriving in the last 2 seasons. They all seem to get a rough ride at first too. I don't think it's because of their nationality, that's just coincidence, but Demichelis looked woeful when he arrived and sorted himself out over time. Fazio looks like he's getting to grips with the PL now too(touch wood). I'd be lying if I said I remembered seeing Rojo play centreback before but I thought he looked a handy left back at the World Cup. If he is a good centreback, I'm sure it will be just a matter of time until he gets to grips with things, if not then you've got another left back and you don't even play left backs.

A win at Southampton is not to be sniffed at and as you say 5 wins on the bounce is impressive form. The manner of the win last night is enough to keep United fans from getting too carried away though, I'd imagine.
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not,one,on 5 live last night he said we won,end of story,Steve Claridge,and the others couldn't belive it,and told him,in no uncertain terms
 
"The players will be in club folklore if they win" says Brendan Rodgers.

The man really has lost it. Is there no end to the crap he talks.
 
O.Spurcat said:
"The players will be in club folklore if they win" says Brendan Rodgers.

The man really has lost it. Is there no end to the crap he talks.
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He really does say some strange things, doesn't he?

In unrelated strange behaviour, Flappyhandski has had his appeal against his dismissal against the Spam turned down.
Not sure why the handball isn't relevant but it means that he won't play on Sunday.
 
PleaseNotPoll said:
He really does say some strange things, doesn't he?

In unrelated strange behaviour, Flappyhandski has had his appeal against his dismissal against the Spam turned down.
Not sure why the handball isn't relevant but it means that he won't play on Sunday.
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And Konchesky has had his dismissal overturned.
 
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