So there we are, we have just played the two supposed guaranteed 1st and 2nd placed teams come end of this season, and whilst in both matches United's performances were spirited, and played some nice stuff in parts, when all is said and done, we have gained one point out of a potential 6. I acknowledge many feared two drubbings, but have we learnt any more about our team following these two games, and do you feel we are now nearer that top 4 finishing position?
I'm not so sure tbh, i know we are a 'work in progress' but defeats , even to two teams of their present stature, still disappoint.
What do we expect from here?
On another note, LVG always states he likes 'intelligent players' in is teams - i suspect he might be having a word with Smalling this evening!!
An honest assessment please?
posted on 2/11/14
All fit I'd go rafael smalling jones and shaw
posted on 2/11/14
Jones is yet to convince me, came with a big rep but keeps getting injured and a lot is to do with his rash last ditch style of defending
posted on 2/11/14
the last 2 games smashed into smithereens the very faint hope I had of utd sneaking back into the title race.
utd vulnerability in defence was clear but I always thought we could adopt liverpool's last season mantra of scoring more than they conceded. The problem however is LVG is rightly trying to find the balance, but I am afraid with the quality of our cb we will never find this illusive balance and even if we do it will be too late to mount a title challenge but hopefully not too late for top 4finish.
I also hope to in future see falcao as#9 with rooney as#10 off him. No rvp no mata
posted on 2/11/14
If we can get some luck with injuries I think we will finish top 4. A more regular backline would do wonders for our form, but overall things are starting to come together. Im feeling pretty positive.
posted on 2/11/14
We have learnt that we can compete with the best int be league, which we thought we never.
Had Smalling not been sent off today who knows what would hve happened.
posted on 2/11/14
Conclusion is we are way off in all honesty. Injuries have not helped but I agree we need Falcao with Rooney behind and we need to still buy a world class winger and midfield player in addition to a CB and RB.
For me 4 players still needed. We did not buy well in the last three windows in all honesty. Shaw and Blind decent buys but Fellaini, Mata, Rojo and Di Maria equate to something like £135m which is crazy.
Di Maria can be brilliant but can also be awful.
posted on 2/11/14
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posted on 2/11/14
The defensive injuries have been a problem for about 3-4 years now, it really is worrying, Rojo has dislocated his shoulder and Smalling is suspended now as well.
This may be a crazy idea but if I was LvG i'd be tempted to play either McNair and/or Blackett every week so at least there's some consistency rather than the constant chopping and changing.
Our defence looks poor when we play with Evans, Jones or Smalling (I rate Smalling btw but he's just as injury prone as the other two) so how much worse could it get with the two youngsters at the back?
posted on 2/11/14
Play Blind at the back and Carrick in CM
posted on 2/11/14
No doubt the title is beyond us, but I truely believe that we will get top 4, in fact I will be disappointed if we don't.
The cold hard facts is that we have only got 1 point from the last 2 games, but the signs are encouraging. Of course we would rather have a few more points, and it's difficult to be patient, but over the coming months improvement should come. I say that because we have a proven manager with a very good track record, a good deal of top class players who also believe in the manager, and if nothing else the player are showing enough spirit and fight to make me believe that we will come good in the end.
At best we are playing to 50% of what we really can play like, but it's going to take time for these players to gel. In the mean time, they are good enough to be able to beat most teams, the difficult moments will become less and the good ones more, and th points will also come.
There is no reason why we shouldn't get stronger as the season progresses, and whilst it is somewhat fortunate that we are not that far behind the top 4 places whilts nowhere near playing our best, we will be thankful for that in the long run.