For Spurs being a very good side and our defence being pretty poor?
It’s been great seeing Ole set us up in an attacking way and the amount of goals scored has been a testament to that but now top 4 is a possibility rather than a pipe dream, should Ole try and park the bus a little. And I don’t mean sit back and do absolutely nothing. Just to try and find a happy medium between what we saw with Jose in big games and what we’ve seen from Ole up until now?
If we go there and attack attack attack I think we might be in for a shock defensively as we saw against Newcastle - but this time up against capable attackers.
How should Ole approach this game? Imo I’d quite like to see how he rises to this challenge and I’d quite like to see how he sets us up against a side we’re the underdogs to.
Should Ole make any allowances?
posted on 10/1/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 6 hours, 44 minutes ago
A more balance approach is needed. The amount of times we were carved open by Newcastle would have been horrific if they had better finishers than Atsu.
I can understand overall we did well, but we can't be as open at the back. Anyone saying we should attack as that's the best form of defence are trotting out clichés without really thinking about what they are saying.
Our attack is as good as Tottenham, but their defence is better than ours. De Gea is not playing at his best (compare his form this season to the last few to understand what I mean). There is a reason why Jose was desperate for a new CB despite signing two himself and having 3senior CBs. It's because they're not good enough players (or not good enough yet) to be at the level we want to be.
Solskjær has to find ways to plug the defensive holes without sacrificing the fluidity of the attack we have seen in the last few games.
Jose's and LVG's mistakes (amongst the many) were they sacrificed attack for defensive stability and that led to less chances of scoring and isolated attackers.
Now, I know Some fans saying they rather lose 6-3 than win 1-0. I call BS. The former will demoralise the defence. A hard fought 1-0 is still a win, especially against a top side. Good teams also won ugly as you're not always going to be at your best.
I'd prefer to win this as it will boost moral and belief amongst the players to a higher level. If we lose, I'd prefer to lose well (play well, close game sort of thing) than get battered.
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Just to clarify I did say I'd rather we lost 6-3 in a game where we took the game to the opposition than lose 1-0 camped at the edge of our box. I would, of course, be delighted if we could eek a 1-0 victory no matter what!
What I think will happen is that we'll be compact but that we'll be willing to give our front 4 the freedom to express themselves on the break. Nothing wrong with employing those tactics and, if they pose danger to Spurs, and they then drop off, it should then enable us to get more of a foothold in midfield which, in theory, should relieve the pressure on the defence.
I'm really looking forward to seeing how Ole sets us up for this one. I don't want Keegan-esque naivety but I do want to see intent to win the game.
posted on 10/1/19
The amazing thing is SAF loved 1-0 wins a lot. Those were the wins title winning campaigns were based on.
posted on 10/1/19
DC, you're not the only one to say that.
posted on 10/1/19
Of course Ole should make some allowances for better opposition.
However I felt Mourinho spent too much time trying to counteract the opposition, rather than focussing on what his team were capable of.
We need to be thinking about how our attack should cause them problems more.
posted on 10/1/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 9 minutes ago
DC, you're not the only one to say that.
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To be honest, and I said this with Jose, as long as for the majority of games we're on the front foot (the ones we should win) then I can accept the odd game where we are more tactical and cautious. The problem under Jose was that this was the norm in most games rather than the exception. A positive result on Sunday would be wonderful though taking us through to another set of games where we should be favourites in.
posted on 10/1/19
We agree there and that was an issue with Jose. I don't remember the "Fresh" Jose doing that. Maybe he lacked faith in these set of players and that's why he was extra Conservative with this team.
posted on 10/1/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 1 hour, 5 minutes ago
There are a lot of people being naive. I would like Ole to stay long term as he understands the club and is a legend. For him to do that, it's not just improving players but also showing tactical nous especially is such games.
It's not just about giving players the freedom to attack.
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Agreed.
I think that the last 3 managers have shown too much respect to the smaller teams. Those are the games that we should be imposing ourselves on the opposition and making them worry about what we are going to do, not the other way round. With these games against tougher opposition you have to look at what you are up against and come up with a plan.
Whilst I would love for us to just go toe to toe with them and blow them away, I do think that in view of their game with Chelsea and our break, there is an argument to look to keep the ball for as much as we can for the first hour, then go for the win in the latter stages when they are tired.
posted on 10/1/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 11 minutes ago
We agree there and that was an issue with Jose. I don't remember the "Fresh" Jose doing that. Maybe he lacked faith in these set of players and that's why he was extra Conservative with this team.
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That's probably true. Don't think he trusted the players and then that causes a vicious circle where there confidence takes a battering and they then play within themselves.
Looking forward to Sunday to seeing what he has up his sleeve.
posted on 10/1/19
How should Ole approach this game? Imo I’d quite like to see how he rises to this challenge and I’d quite like to see how he sets us up against a side we’re the underdogs to
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Wasn't molde an unsuccesful Norwegian club when he took them over so he's probably well experienced being the underdog
Didn't he also demonstrate a bit of tactical ability qualifying from a Europa group containing Ajax and fernabache
posted on 10/1/19
comment by Roys Keane (U11635)
posted 36 seconds ago
How should Ole approach this game? Imo I’d quite like to see how he rises to this challenge and I’d quite like to see how he sets us up against a side we’re the underdogs to
___________
Wasn't molde an unsuccesful Norwegian club when he took them over so he's probably well experienced being the underdog
Didn't he also demonstrate a bit of tactical ability qualifying from a Europa group containing Ajax and fernabache
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Indeed and I hope he can show a bit of that on Sunday