I like most get frustrated with the consistent changing of the squad by SAF.

......................

I don't think SAF has changed the squad much since the start of the season.

He may have loaned a few out, and recalled a few though.

I like most get frustrated with the consistent changing of the squad by SAF.
------------------------
maybe so, but further down you basically say thats why we achieve so much... so long live your frustrations!

I remember up to the mauling at OT there was an article that showed our defence and keeper had been tinkered with so much, the LB area was the only same player but the RB and CB positions had so many different players. Since then we've had a more settled defence that have gelled with the keeper too.

Its no coincidence that year in year out, we are the team that finishes the season most strongly.

I know a lot of us get frustrated with it (and sometimes Fergie gets his tinkering wrong - this years CL campaign for example), but the man has been in this job for so long, I trust he generally knows what he's doing.

Normally though, Fergie does keep his back 4 and keeper pretty consistent. We couldnt do that this season due to injuries, and also a period where we didnt have a clue who the first choice keeper was.

It's nothing new. United have been doing it for years. They actually play some games in first gear too. It all goes to keeping the players fresh until the end of the season. United don't just suddenly get better on the run in, the players are always fresher and the mindset is strong.

This thread is well worth a read, just to look at the stats provided.

http://www.ja606.co.uk/articles/viewArticle/104169

People will blame fergies tinkering for the Champions League exit etc but they underestimate the impact the injuries have had on our squad this season. Flethcer, Vidic, Cleverly and Anderson have all been long term absentees. There have also been injuries to Valencia, Hernandez , Rio, Jones and Smalling for quite long periods.

People will blame fergies tinkering for the Champions League exit etc but they underestimate the impact the injuries have had on our squad this season. Flethcer, Vidic, Cleverly and Anderson have all been long term absentees. There have also been injuries to Valencia, Hernandez , Rio, Jones and Smalling for quite long periods.

----------------------------------------------

I wouldnt even agree with that mate as the cause.
The problem is the players who played were good enough to win that group.
what let us down was not only poor defending but the inability to score at the other end.

They actually play some games in first gear too.
---------------------------------------------
and we sometimes move down a gear, at 2-0... when everyone is crying for more goals (especially when our GD was far less than City's).

JSPC

I don't think that is through SAF's doing.

VC – its probably a combination of the experienced players knowing when to take the sting out of the game but also SAFs instructions from the side lines. This is contrary to arsenal who will go for the kill the whole 90 minutes even at 1-0 which inevitably means they tend to give away leads and end up drawing games

I don't think that is through SAF's doing.
-------------------------------------------------------
Well, I think it is a tactic.

Obviously, i'm not saying they don't try and attack or make chances... I just don't think they put anywhere near 100% into trying to score a 3rd or 4th goal.

How many games have we seen where it becomes a practise match. All adds up in the end.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

I dont think the injuries in key positions can be underestimated. Add to that th eplayers playing to get form back (including rooney early on).

This is when tinkering can either get you praise (see the twins v arsenal ) or gets you slated, see the CL campaign

I think the thing that has com eto my attention is what can happen to players like evans when given a run

hippo I agree it certainly seemed laxadaisical, but was there that many choices?

comment by aquantumofsolskjaer (U7129)
posted 15 minutes ago

VC – its probably a combination of the experienced players knowing when to take the sting out of the game but also SAFs instructions from the side lines.

..................

You watch SAF's face on the sidelines when our players start getting casual towards the end of games when we are a couple of goals up.

I bet you Wellbeck got an earful and a half after Monday night.

There are however, certain managers who SAF doesn't want to embarrass, I suspect. I think he made sure we did not put any more past Wolves the other week, by his substitutions.

No doubt Welbeck got a boll0ck!ng – but I think showboating like that flick and losing possession is different to going for the jugular the way we did against arsenal when we beat them 8-2.

I agree about his empathy to other managers though – especially for teams with managers under pressure or in relegation positions. There was a stage when goal difference looked like it could be key but regardless of the city result this weekend – if we beat QPR we can only blow it ourselves

Is our CL performances down to underestimating teams. I know it wouldnt be a trap that Fergie would normally fall into but our results at home have been shocking. Whats certain is teams came to OT in Europe this season and played without any respect or fear of UTD,s reputation..

Is our CL performances down to underestimating teams.

.............

Yes it is.

Do you think the fact that we were perceived to be in a weak group set the tone for the performances. Its amazing that Fergie couldnt get the players out of the rut although you cold see him at times struggling to make sense of it.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

f=w

A lot of it was tactical errors, like going 4-4-2 against teams packing the midfield.

We also lost Cleverly in that game Hippo and then the litany of injurys started. That bolton game seem to mark the end of momentum we had built up at the start of the season...

Comment deleted by Site Moderator