First off this is no jump on the wagon sack the boss article. By Sunday evening next week we could well be top of the league with the better goal difference again.
This is about the follow on from last seasons issues and how unbelievably they're still relevant.
Pogba going was disappointing but now I totally see that it was the right decision. We have two central midfield players touching forty who are woefully off form and the pace of top level football yet they're playing ahead of young players playing well.
We're playing poorly against teams we should be beating comfortably. City don't lose games like yesterday and we are because the team selection is totally wrong. Taking nothing away from Norwich because they can only beat what's put in front of them, but that loss yesterday was coming. Against villa and southampton we literally took it right to the wire and grabbed victories when they weren't deserved. The bottom line is we're in a false position and should really be about five points worse off than we are. Especially when you look at the very lucky wins against pool and chelsea.
Which brings me on to the management. Why is the above happening? It's like some sort of internal sabotage. When Giggs plays us fans know to expect a tough day and expect the inevitable poor performance and result. When Scholes and Carrick start we know the opposition will easily be able to get man behind the ball and keep us out because our build up play is so slow, predictable and lethargic, and they can then hit us effectively with speed on the break. Yet the management don't do anything about it and persist with these dire tactics in important games. What really graves is we have the players to come in and make us more dynamic. Players who will come in and make us far better than we are right now.
Finally, the boss said we won't be losing the title on goal difference again. Well what is he doing to prevent that? City sit top of the league in a position to start scoring up their already better goal difference. I see no sign that we are about to start putting teams away comfortably, especially with the predictable tactics we're using right now. In fact I predict at best a very similar scenario to last season, whereby we grind out results to stay close to the better footballing side in City. Yesterday was another wigan ffrom last season where bad tactics and poor application see us coming away from three points with nothing.
For me, it's hard to accept because the decisions made by the management are killing us.
Stuck in a self imposed Rut
posted on 18/11/12
This sums up the general feeling among most of us. Last night's result/performance was a step too far. It seems that everybody, bar the manager, could see that it was going to happen eventually and nothing was done.
posted on 18/11/12
I think you all should wait till the end of the season before making such wild demands.
The man deserves that and has proved all of us wrong many times over.
posted on 18/11/12
The problem is the word stubborn and the boss go hand in hand. Obviously we can't judge until the season is over but we're at a pivotal point.He can carry on with these strange tactics and selections and self inflict another season without the league, or he can use the talent we have and give it a real go.
At the moment we're a very easy team to play against and score against. Sit back when we have the ball, because we're slowand predictable and don't hurt teams with it. Then hit on the break with pace. Nearly every goal we have let in this season has followed this path.
posted on 18/11/12
Kind of sums up my mood today.
As soon as I saw the team sheet yesterday, I turned round to my mate and said; "we could be in trouble here."
But Red Rob is right, Fergie has proved us all wrong countless times.
posted on 18/11/12
Forest fan in peace.
I admire United and how the club is run in general (Debt aside).
I had a bet last night and needed 2 goals in the game, thats it. I remember saying to my brother, if Norwich score first they'll win 1-0.
I commented on an article a couple of weeks ago regarding Anderson, and Cleverley. No disrespect to Giggs and scholes but I think they are too slow. Long balls was the only thing I seen them offer.
I remember the start of last season, starting from half time at the community shield against City to I think the Bolton game. It was the best football I had seen United play in years, and for me the catalyst was Anderson and Cleverley. Short, sharp, quick passing.
Anderson so far has been really good. I've seen fans say Ferguson is protecting him, why!? Cleverley has had a serious injury and has played, Van Persie has had serious injuries and features regularly, so does Ferdinand.
For me, the quicker you play those two the better. Massive fan of scholes, but he shouldn't be starting, and I honestly think Giggs should have retired a couple of seasons ago.
Respect to G Neville, he tried to carry on, realised he wasn't good enough anymore and said 'Right, I'm done.'
All the best for the season fellow Reds!
posted on 18/11/12
Fergie is stubborn. He will keep repeating this until we one day win 5-0 doing this, just to prove his point. He doesn't like to be proven wrong specially about a point which every one else can see.
Another thing is that Fergie's position is such that no other person (board member, player, assistant manager) can even try to reason it with him. Once he is set on some notion he can't be moved.
posted on 18/11/12
Rob we will see at the end of the season but even if we win the league, and I really hope we do, it doesn't make what's going on with team selection right. Three points were gifted away yesterday when better players sat on the bench.
As for Giggs, United legend, but he's been playing two years too long. That's ridiculous. Knowing what we know about his private life he strikes me as a selfish individual and I think he is selfish to still be carrying on. He should have made the decision and every game he carries on he ruins his legacy. I can't sympathise with him if he ends up totally ruining that legacy. Already the boos ring out at OT on a regular basis for him. Mainly because he is dreadful.
posted on 18/11/12
I saw Giggs was starting and immediately thought the worst.
posted on 18/11/12
Goach
Brilliant post. I also agree that the period of football we played last season was outstanding. It was the best we've seen since Ronaldo turned into a monster and we won the league back in 2007. It's nice to see that opposition fans can recognize these obvious flaws we have. It's just a shame our resident idiots cannot. You should post here more often.
posted on 18/11/12
Thanks Kagawa.
I genuinely like United, and would much prefer to see them win the title rather than City, for the pure fact that they produce and play English players.
I like Arsenal, and like Wenger's methods too, however the fact he only had 3/4 English players is a disgrace. I'm not a racist but I'm patriotic.
For me, you'll never win this league unless you have an English spine, as they know the Premier League. Weird but firmly believe its true.
I've always rated Anderson, from day one. When he first signed I think he wants to play behind a striker but Fergie tried to make him more box-to-box and so he's never been given that fair crack.
Its the best squad United has had, but one of the poorest first 11. I think this constant rotating is damaging some of your players.
When was the last time Ronaldo was actually rested? Real Madrid play virtually the same team week-in week-out, so do Barcelona. Why has all of a sudden it stopped for United?
I think Fergie has decided to make a good squad, rather than a great team.
I'm a forest fan, so would love to have you're problems! Though we do have 11 central midfield players which I can't fathom why