It took 60 minutes to get a shot on target.

[Irrational.]

We shall process philosophy. It is not so easy.

I think Michael Owen summarised it perfectly in the BT Sport commentary that this isn't the United we're used to, but it will be the United we'll have to become accustomed to. Gone are the days of the swashbuckling wingers, beating their man frequently, scoring long distance screamers and fizzing dangerous balls into the box; the LVG possession obsessive machine is a different animal, focusing on domination and ball retention.

There were a few moments in the game where we had some neat build up, the ball would call neatly just outside the box for one of our players to put his foot through it, instead we'd see the wall of Spurs players in the way, turn back and build up from defence. You can't help but think a Ronaldo or a young Rooney would have taken a chance from there and more often than not, scored.

This is a new-style United that we'll have to get used to. Fewer risks, fewer shots on target. Oh, and probably no more throwing the kitchen sink at the opposition at the culmination of games, seems like our new approach is safety first.

 

[Insanity]

We shall process philosophy. It is not so easy.

I think Michael Owen summarised it perfectly in the BT Sport commentary that this isn't the United we're used to, but it will be the United we'll have to become accustomed to. Gone are the days of the swashbuckling wingers, beating their man frequently, scoring long distance screamers and fizzing dangerous balls into the box; the LVG possession obsessive machine is a different animal, focusing on domination and ball retention.

There were a few moments in the game where we had some neat build up, the ball would call neatly just outside the box for one of our players to put his foot through it, instead we'd see the wall of Spurs players in the way, turn back and build up from defence. You can't help but think a Ronaldo or a young Rooney would have taken a chance from there and more often than not, scored.

This is a new-style United that we'll have to get used to. Fewer risks, fewer shots on target. Oh, and probably no more throwing the kitchen sink at the opposition at the culmination of games, seems like our new approach is safety first.

Pretty much.

Can't see that approach winning the league. May be a smaller cup competition.

 

[MDFC Manager]

4 new players in the starting lineup. Of course it's going to take time to gel.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It's really interesting actually. We were gash in Fergie's last season and been near mid-table ever since. Before that we were consistently top three, usually top one or two.

It's a perfect reflection of the direction our performances have gone in.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I don't understand the need of having lots of shots on target? Does that really make anything feel better?

It doesn't make anything feel better. It's a good barometer of performance usually, combined with shots on goal. If you have no shots on target, very few shots on goal, you're not attacking well.

 

[coolredwine]

It doesn't make anything feel better. It's a good barometer of performance usually, combined with shots on goal. If you have no shots on target, very few shots on goal, you're not attacking well.

Meh. van Gaal is an efficient m'fecker, as seen last season.

 

[Getsme]

It doesn't make anything feel better. It's a good barometer of performance usually, combined with shots on goal. If you have no shots on target, very few shots on goal, you're not attacking well.

Likewise you could have 20 shots on target without bothering their keeper in any way.

 

[coolredwine]

We shall process philosophy. It is not so easy.

I think Michael Owen summarised it perfectly in the BT Sport commentary that this isn't the United we're used to, but it will be the United we'll have to become accustomed to. Gone are the days of the swashbuckling wingers, beating their man frequently, scoring long distance screamers and fizzing dangerous balls into the box; the LVG possession obsessive machine is a different animal, focusing on domination and ball retention.

There were a few moments in the game where we had some neat build up, the ball would call neatly just outside the box for one of our players to put his foot through it, instead we'd see the wall of Spurs players in the way, turn back and build up from defence. You can't help but think a Ronaldo or a young Rooney would have taken a chance from there and more often than not, scored.

This is a new-style United that we'll have to get used to. Fewer risks, fewer shots on target. Oh, and probably no more throwing the kitchen sink at the opposition at the culmination of games, seems like our new approach is safety first.

That was last season. With the reinforcements in, and a rejuvenated midfield, I expect more attack this season, barring the early season rustiness.

 

[lysglimt]

First of all - the 60 minutes to get a shot on target is not correct. The situation where Young cut the ball back to Depay and his effort was blocked by a defender, that was a shot on target - and that was in the first half. In addition Mata had 2 efforts where one was blocked and the other was slightly mis-hit and rolled wide - so it's not like we created nothing.

Was it a good performance offensively ? No - but we won the game and we need a couple of times to let the players gel. It will get better - and the first 5-6 games will probably only be about grabbing as many points as possible - and slowly improving gameplay.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Likewise you could have 20 shots on target without bothering their keeper in any way.

You could score 5 goals and still lose. You could score 100 goals but still lose the title.

It's not a perfect statistic but fairly indicative. City and arsenal had the most shots last season and Sunderland the fewest. We had the 7th most last season and the most and 115 more in 06/07.

And forget long periods such as complete seasons, if in an individual game you are getting no/few shots on target/goal then your attack hasn't worked well.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Meh. van Gaal is an efficient m'fecker, as seen last season.

If he turns us into Chelsea 04/05 then great. But last season's efficiency obviously won't be enough.

Anyway, long season to go. Early rustiness is expected.

 

[Getsme]

First of all - the 60 minutes to get a shot on target is not correct. The situation where Young cut the ball back to Depay and his effort was blocked by a defender, that was a shot on target - and that was in the first half. In addition Mata had 2 efforts where one was blocked and the other was slightly mis-hit and rolled wide - so it's not like we created nothing.

Was it a good performance offensively ? No - but we won the game and we need a couple of times to let the players gel. It will get better - and the first 5-6 games will probably only be about grabbing as many points as possible - and slowly improving gameplay.

They weren't shots on target, why,because they didn't hit the target.

 

[Summit]

They weren't shots on target, why,because they didn't hit the target.

The shot by Menphis was.

 

[AbusementPark]

When Bastian is match fit then I expect the chances to increase, he is always looking for a forward pass and bringing players into attacking positions. We need Depay on the left, Mata in the middle and Pedro on the right, even Valencia would do as he has the pace and is more aware of defensive duties after last seasons RB role.

Darmian looks a bargain as well, what a game he had beside Mike, even Romero looked good. I was panicking every time the ball went near Romero but he dealt with everything that came his way, even when he made a few TV saves. Morgan looked decent, few more games to settle in and he will dominate the midfield. Young was ineffective but he got the shot on target after 60 minutes, not that much of a concern as we were playing a good Spurs team in our first match of the season. I expect things to get much better, one game isn't a need to panic just yet. Even Chelsea looked off the pace as Swansea dominated them and should have won, 2 points dropped already, advantage United.

 

[Getsme]

The shot by Menphis was.

It was blocked

 

[Summit]

It was blocked

Yeah I know, but as far as I'm concerned it was a shot that beat the keeper and was on target to score but was blocked and cleared by a defender.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

When Bastian is match fit then I expect the chances to increase, he is always looking for a forward pass and bringing players into attacking positions. We need Depay on the left, Mata in the middle and Pedro on the right, even Valencia would do as he has the pace and is more aware of defensive duties after last seasons RB role.

I'd love to see us play Herrera and Schweinsteiger ahead of Carrick, and without a second striker, sometime. I think those two could provid a lot of creativity, from the middle at least. But it would work best with a front three really firing of course, as would most systems.

 

[Getsme]

Yeah I know, but as far as I'm concerned it was a shot that beat the keeper and was on target to score but was blocked and cleared by a defender.

It doesn't matter, it's not counted as a shot on target.
Even if the ball hits the post/bar it's not counted as a shot on target.

 

[Summit]

It doesn't matter, it's not counted as a shot on target.

I don't care what the stats say, I know it happened, so we had a shot on target. Simple.

Not that is anything to shout home about though.

 

[Getsme]

I don't care what the stats say, I know it happened, so we had a shot on target. Simple.

Not that is anything to shout home about though.

love your logic, think I'll adopt it.

 

[Summit]

love your logic, think I'll adopt it.

It's not logic, I seen it with my own eyes.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yeah I know, but as far as I'm concerned it was a shot that beat the keeper and was on target to score but was blocked and cleared by a defender.

It didn't beat the keeper though. He would have saved it comfortably enough if the defender didn't block it.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It doesn't make anything feel better. It's a good barometer of performance usually, combined with shots on goal. If you have no shots on target, very few shots on goal, you're not attacking well.

It makes me feel a lot better. The more your team shoots at goal the more fun it is to watch. Football is a very simple game after all (unnecesarily complicated by a lot on here and - apparently - our manager)

 

[Summit]

It didn't beat the keeper though. He would have saved it comfortably enough if the defender didn't block it.

I'll have to have another look, but from what I remember the keeper was stood not far from his right post and the shot was angled across him. It looked to me that it was beating him.
Anyway, it was still a shot on target as far as I'm concerned, whether the keeper would have saved or not.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

It makes me feel a lot better. The more your team shoots at goal the more fun it is to watch. Football is a very simple game after all (unnecesarily complicated by a lot on here and - apparently - our manager)

Yeah to be fair it does make me feel better

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I'll have to have another look, but from what I remeber the keeper was stood not far from his right post and the shot was angled accross him. It looked to me that it was beating him.

Anyway, it was still a shot on target as far as I'm concerned, whether the keepr would have saved or not.

Meh, I could be wrong. It was scuffed, though. Very little power. From my (one and only) look at the replay behind the goal it looked like it would be a very easy save.

 

[Summit]

Meh, I could be wrong. It was scuffed, though. Very little power. From my (one and only) look at the replay behind the goal it looked like it would be a very easy save.

I can't believe I'm arguing over a shot on target though, it's still very, very poor.

 

[MDFC Manager]

That Memphis shot was on target IMO too.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I can't believe I'm arguing over a shot on target though, it's still very, very poor.

I know! That was literally the second most exciting moment to be had from sitting through 90 fecking minutes of football. Feck that for a game of soldiers.

 

[Wumminator]

Has it been pointed out that Chelsea had three shots on target against Swansea?

 

[AbusementPark]

Has it been pointed out that Chelsea had three shots on target against Swansea?

The Falcao effect

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Has it been pointed out that Chelsea had three shots on target against Swansea?

Chelsea were very poor yesterday. Should have lost.

 

[Getsme]

Has it been pointed out that Chelsea had three shots on target against Swansea?

Yeah but they didn't take 60 mins to get a shot on target, so all is good over there.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Well they did score twice, plus they were a man down.

Stupid comparison, though. They're the champions and Mourinho has nothing left to prove. Van Gaal has it all to prove at United, especially his ability to convert stupendous spending into a team which can play entertaining football (currently a major doubt)

 

[Insanity]

Has it been pointed out that Chelsea had three shots on target against Swansea?

Has anyone said Chelsea were great? Are we to match the bad standards that Chelsea set?

 

[Wumminator]

Well they did score twice, plus they were a man down.

Stupid comparison, though. They're the champions and Mourinho has nothing left to prove. Van Gaal has it all to prove at United, especially his ability to convert stupendous spending into a team which can play entertaining football (currently a major doubt)

Well it isn't stupid is it. We're all complaining about our home game v Tottenham whereas Chelsea the champions had an easier game and still didn't manage much. Perhaps it is stupid to judge the team on this performance....

 

[Wumminator]

Has anyone said Chelsea were great? Are we to match the bad standards that Chelsea set?

Yes. They're the Champions and current favorites.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Well it isn't stupid is it. We're all complaining about our home game v Tottenham whereas Chelsea the champions had an easier game and still didn't manage much. Perhaps it is stupid to judge the team on this performance....

That would also be stupid.

Of course, when this performance is just a continuation of the awful stuff we had to endure for most of last season...

 

[Getsme]

Well they did score twice, plus they were a man down.

Stupid comparison, though. They're the champions and Mourinho has nothing left to prove. Van Gaal has it all to prove at United, especially his ability to convert stupendous spending into a team which can play entertaining football (currently a major doubt)

Its not a stupid comparison at all. Chelsea could easily have been two down before they scored, they could easily have lost that game even before the sending off. There was an element of luck attached to both of their goals as well.

 

[Wumminator]

That would also be stupid.

Of course, when this performance is just a continuation of the awful stuff we had to endure for most of last season...

Last year we scored the fourth most goals, had the fourth best goal difference and came fourth. That was mostly our target.

This year we want to push on. If you think last years performances were awful, you'd be hard pressed to find many teams in the premier league that out performed us.