havent been on here much in the last couple of days owing to a broadband failure at home - great timing what with a new manager, good result et all!!! THE GAME Well after an 8:30 am start from Sussex we made our way up to Old Trafford in good time. I dont think anyone expected much from the game but we went with renewed hope thanks to the departure of Hughes, which I think everyone had been calling for. First half I have to say we fully deserved the 0-0 scoreline - albeit a few decent chances that fell their way and a disallowed goal for us. The performance was exactly what we all craved - passion, fight, and desire throughout. Bowen brought back the old guard (not sure if MH was going to) - likes of Derry, Hill, Dyer, Mackie, Faurlin. Everyone was closing down and forcing them into mistakes which allowed us to break quickly on the counter attack. Plan was executed perfectly in the first half. Second half began in the same fashion - poor pass from Man U. Within a few minutes the Rangers end was going bananas! Mackie prodded home to leave bottom of the table qpr with a 1-0 lead! And for the next 10 mins we looked good value for it and were certainly playing the game plan perfectly. Then it all went to pot - Ferdinand came on into the LB position and within 2 mins we conceded a corner and Ferdinand lost his man and they scored. Then almost exactly the same again a few mins later. 2-1 down in an instant. It quickly became three and it was game over. THE RATINGS CESAR - 7 - didnt have an awful lot to do really. made some good punches to clear the ball and did what was required - perhaps could have stayed up longer for their third goal. TRAORE - 7 - much more energetic performance and was doing a good job on Young apart from one time when he lost him in the box and he almost scored. HILL - 8 - brought that bit of stability and desire to the defence and was always getting stuck in. even squared up to young after yet another dive. NELSEN - 8 - much the same as hill, seems to be a decent partnership. lack of pace more than made up for in positioning. MBIA - 7 - played at rb and did a very good job. caught out of position a few times and sloppy in possession but got forward well and was always looking for the quick break. DERRY - 7 - pleased to see him back. gave his absolute all as always and was closing down, tackling, and spraying the ball out to enable quick breaks. FAURLIN - 8 - again good to see him linking up with derry once more. always closing the man u midfielders down and not giving them a chance to pick the pass. DYER - 8 - involved alot, and once again a good performance. caused problems with his ability on the ball and always linking well with tarbs mackie and cisse. TAARABT - 7 - perhaps tried to do to much with the ball at times and missed good opportunities to pass the ball on but tried hard and worked well in defence. MACKIE - 8 - MOM - a lot of high scores, not really for individual brilliance but for a great team display. but for me mackie once again showed us all what that means - the desire to win the ball and create something. he was always part of the quick attacks and perhaps didnt always choose the right ball, but had a goal ruled out and scored. good day. CISSE - 6.5 - involved alot in the attacks but looked injured or disinterested at times for me. that may explain his attitude to reporters on sunday after training when he said 'im not talking about redknapp'. given a rocket up his arse perhaps! SUBS: FERDINAND - 5 - the defence went to pot when he came on and imo was at fault for both corners that went in. let us down tbh. THE FINAL WORD A great team display more than anything. Everyone worked hard (perhaps excluding cisse at times) and fought for the cause. You could see the desire and passion to get something from that game - but two poor defending at corners cost us once again. Encouraging signs for the future and it is clear to me what was wrong with past performances - the manager. A totally different performance on Saturday from the previous ones which speaks volumes. All in all, gutted to have lost, but so proud of the team (TEAM!) performance at such a difficult place. Onwards and upwards.
Good write up mate, but to be honest when i saw the team i was more than a little worried. Old gaurd v Man utd? Played quite well in my opinion apart from the 3 goals conceded and Mackie had a great game. Also thought Dyer did well. What it did show was that the trainers in charge didnt buy into Hughes formations, system or tactics. In fact it was a massive slap in the face for MH from the team management....Intresting! I wonder if Harry did have any input at all ?
Thanks Judo. The guys on the open all rrrs podcast said the match was pretty much a slap in the face for MH. Redknapp wants hard working players so I'm guessing this will be the team going forward. At least Fabio is back which means Anton won't feature at LB again, or anywhere at the back! I've heard raving reviews about mbia but only a 7?
