Man U Manners

The game has been over all of about 5 minutes, and such is my outrage that I feel compelled to write, so please observe the many knee jerk reactions that are to follow.

Firstly let me say R.I.P. to Sky Sports commentary, any journalistic integrity and impartiality that you once may have had has been demolished in an instant by tonight's commentary - I suppose I shouldn't expect too much considering that this is a company owned by the crook Rupert Murdock, and hires the likes of nitwit Andy Gray, and a buffoon such as Chris Kamara. But seriously, how much can one station love Man U? There were constant references to "the big four" every time Man Utd. broke away and you'd think they could do no evil. Whilst we on the other hand were obviously "brittle" and "lacking confidence because of three straight losses on the trot." Had we not have played some of our most determined and courageous football in a long time only three days prior they may have had a point, had we not come out at Old Trafford and try and play a West Ham passing game they may have had a point. But their whole theory of us being a shaky team off of the back of three defeats was completely unfounded, yet they persisted in letting their audience know where they stood on that matter. Well, we're used to negative comments from the media by now so I'll move on.



Us

We put in a decent showing, not as good as the Arsenal game, but Man Utd. had closed us out by the end of the first half. The same problems persist however, as our movement and passing in the final third is nowhere near the level that it should be - a year ago no one would have uttered the words "we missed Carlton Cole", but with out him today we had no front man to aim at besides Bellamy, and were even more reluctant than normal to put the ball into the box from the wing.



Team Analysis

Green: Had no chance on either goal, made some good saves, still without a clean sheet since 1754AD. 6.5

Faubert: Decent going forward but not a right back. He gets caught out of position constantly, and forgets to follow his man off of one-twos far too often. However, he is the only person at the moment willing to cross the ball. 5.5

Upson: Business as usual for Matty. Played well but could have closed down the ball across for the first Ronaldo goal a lot quicker. 6

Ginge: Got absolutely skinned by the ex-spud for United's second goal, but what defender wouldn't? Aside from that pretty solid, and looked amazingly up to pace yet again. Neil may have to eat him or sit on him to get back in side. 6

Ilunga: Really should have tracked Ronaldo's movement better on his second goal but was caught staring at him. Apart from that had a tricky time with my new youngest clown-hair-esque hated player Rafael. Did decent though, and got forward a lot with no help from Etherington in the first half, and and too much interference from Boa Morte in the second half. 6

Behrami: Played ok, was scrappy and got stuck in. His passing could be better though, and as soon as he had won the ball he'd pass it away to opposition. Hope he's not injured. 5.5

Mullins: Always was going to have a tough game playing anchor in a three man midfield against Man U, but did as good as he probably could have. I don't recall him losing the ball, and he made a couple of good tackles. 6.5

Bowyer: Lee has no broken his personal best by going two games without receiving a yellow card, I guess Zola's temperament is rubbing off on someone. His age is showing though, he has very little pace and was caught out a few times by the United midfield. Kept it fairly tight though, and hopefully he's not injured either after jarring his knee. 5.5

Bellamy: Again not being used properly, if you're going to use anyone on the left wing it may as well be Etherington. He can't take people on either; we need to put him at the top of the line and feed the ball in front of him to get the most out of him. Work rate was good though. 5.5

Di Michele: Absolutely rubbish, completely pedestrian, would look more comfortable with a zimmer than a football. He gives the ball away almost every time, he throws an arm up when he loses the ball instead of playing to the whistle, he refused shoot when he had a clear opening, and tries to shoot when he doesn't. Please drop him for Sears who will at least attempt to make runs and gt in good positions. Would be the "Was He Even Fucking There" (WHEFT) award recipient for this game if not for the fact that he was highly noticeable - mainly because about 2 seconds after he received the ball I would be screaming at the TV about the fact that he had lost it yet again. 3

Etherington: Matty is today's WHEFT Award recipient after vanishing somewhere in Old Trafford's infamous Bermuda Triangle region. If you see him please call 888-MISSING, he was last spotted scuffing a shot about 25 yards out from goal. 0.5

Subs

Boa Morte: What a waste of space, never plays the simple ball, and generally just gets in the way. Had a great chance when the ball was lifted over their defence but instead of bringing the ball down and composing himself with the 3 years of time he had, he decided to let the ball hit his foot and mosey into the keeper's arms. -4

Collison: Looked decent and not intimidated by the occasion. Had a decent penalty shout that some refs would have given, was definitely clipped, but may have pushed the ball too far away from him for it to be a legitimate shout. Given time he looks like a good prospect in the Carrick mold. 6

Sears: No service, and when he had the ball his back was to goal. Really needs to start ahead of Di Michele as he can at least get the ball at his feet and not lose it straight away. 4


Uuuuugh

No man of the match or anyone that really stood out on our side then. The lads did well in the fact that they tried to play good football when they could, and we did knock the ball about quite well at times with Faubert overlapping on the right. But we really don't look dangerous going forward, and we're still lacking that invention that we need in the midfield. I'd move Faubert up to right wing, and tuck Behrami (if fit) in the centre of midfield, at least he looks to go forward when he gets the ball. Etherington has to play a more traditional left wing role, or he has to be excluded from the third striker position and someone else (possibly on the right) should replace him. I think Zola's concept of having two strong left footed players up front was good, but it isn't working because Matty is just getting lost out there. Let's give the role to Faubert for a game, or just go back to 4-4-2 with two advancing wingers.

Enough knee jerking for now, maybe more to come if I bring myself to do it, I really just need a 6-0 win.