keane starts

brilliant save by barthez .. boksic was one on one ... blanc´s mistake to hand boksic the ball
 
I have to say Keane doesn't look ready for this game yet.

Blanc letting through Boksic who got a shot on goal which Barthez did very well to save.
 
This is the sort og game I wish we had pace up front. Ole might be better up front with Ruud, with Beckham coming on, maybe take Keano off after the hour.
 
Performance so far reminding me of the Blackburn match.
 
Shit!!! :mad:

Boksic slices throught the defence onto a through ball, and blasts past Barthez. Queuedrue ghosted past Veron, and then slid the ball just past Wes's foot, and no one picked up Boksic's run through the offside trap.
 
And the defence had a warning a few minutes ago.

There's loads of space for our midfield and that usually benefits us. Unfortunately, a static Utd attack is up against a very well drilled defence. SAF has to do something about Giggs at half time. Forlan would give us better movement.

Don't wish to be pessimistic, but this game has 'Blackburn' written all over it.
 
HALF TIME

Middlesbrough FC 1-0 Manchester United FC

Boksic 44´
 
Originally posted by arnie sidebottom:
<strong>Don't wish to be pessimistic, but this game has 'Blackburn' written all over it.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I think we played better v Blackburn.
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Will the real United please stand up?

This match and teh Blackburn match were reminiscant of our early season form. The doesn't seem to be the work rate and tackling when we are defending(Phil Neville was putting in more tackles than Keane has been doing). And the movement has gone from our attacking play. And our passing has been awful. Scholes, Ruud and Giggs(again)* are giving us nothing in attack.

Really disappointing half so far.

* now that I've named those 3, watchtehm go in the second half. At least that's the plan!
 
lets hope it turns into a traditional boxing day game after the break,
remember Oldham and a Dinny Irwin hatrick a few yrs back :D
 
I dont see why Silvestre had to be rested.

Larry needs games but not against a Boro side with real attacking power.

This wasnt a good game to bring him back imo.
 
Agreed sid - lack of energy could be our undoing here.

It's the old story - they're playing their cup final...we're settling into a predicable pattern and somehow have to find another gear.

Keano is having an influence, O'Shea is doing well and Brown made a few forward runs which caused them some problems early on.

Has to be said, both Giggs and RVN are pretty awful again.

C'mon United !!! <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" /> <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
 
It's almost as if the good run we had has made them rest on their laurels and go back to bad habits.

I expect the "hairdryer" is getting a good workout at half time!
 
Originally posted by arnie sidebottom:
<strong>

Is that supposed to cheer me up ? ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>


No, but I think we played better v Blackburn. Better movement, better attacks, just the finishing touch was missing.

Bring on Phil Neville and Beckham and push Ole forward.
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Originally posted by Gazza:
<strong>I dont see why Silvestre had to be rested.

Larry needs games but not against a Boro side with real attacking power.

This wasnt a good game to bring him back imo.</strong><hr></blockquote>


Silvestre failed a test on a bad neck and calling Boro a team with "real attacking power" is ridiculous IMO.
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>Will the real United please stand up?

This match and teh Blackburn match were reminiscant of our early season form. The doesn't seem to be the work rate and tackling when we are defending(Phil Neville was putting in more tackles than Keane has been doing). And the movement has gone from our attacking play. And our passing has been awful. Scholes, Ruud and Giggs(again)* are giving us nothing in attack.

Really disappointing half so far.

* now that I've named those 3, watchtehm go in the second half. At least that's the plan!</strong><hr></blockquote>
A fair analysis, but credit to the opposition too. Blanc has been the only weakness in our back line, and we may concede another if he continues playing like that. Rushing back Blanc and Keane is very risky, neither are match sharp yet, and weaken the centre of our team. Seba and Scholes were barely fit for this match anyway, and Ruud is knackered and barely had anything to work with. Might need to make some substitutions and tactical changes. I'd bring on Beckham for Keane, bring back Scholes into midfield with Veron, and put Ole up front. Maybe bring on Forlan a bit later too.

Other scores:
Liverpool 1 Blackburn 1
Birmingham 1 Everton 1
Sunderland 1 Leeds 2
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Originally posted by Jens:
<strong>


No, but I think we played better v Blackburn. Better movement, better attacks, just the finishing touch was missing.

Bring on Phil Neville and Beckham and push Ole forward.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Keane is a total passenger. He is NOT match fit. Bring on Forlan for him!
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Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>Will the real United please stand up?

This match and teh Blackburn match were reminiscant of our early season form. The doesn't seem to be the work rate and tackling when we are defending(Phil Neville was putting in more tackles than Keane has been doing). And the movement has gone from our attacking play. And our passing has been awful. Scholes, Ruud and Giggs(again)* are giving us nothing in attack.

Really disappointing half so far.

* now that I've named those 3, watchtehm go in the second half. At least that's the plan!</strong><hr></blockquote>

I know Middlesbrough is a hard team to break down, but we seem to have lost our inspiration from a few weeks back, which is the worrying thing. It does look more like the United from earlier this season when we were struggling.

We're not creating much in the final third, and unless we make some changes at half-times it's going to be hard to get anything out of this. I would guess Middlesbrough will just stack everyone in the back...and why not? You couldn't blame them because it would be their best chance of getting 3 points.

Hope Fergie doesn't wait 20 minutes to make changes because we're getting nowhere right now. I'd like to see Diego on after the half and for us to play with 3 strikers, even if Ole is out on the right.
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Originally posted by Marcus:
<strong>

Keane is a total passenger. He is NOT match fit. Bring on Forlan for him!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agreed about Keane, but I´d bring on Phil Neville.
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The only way we're going to get Keane, Rio and Becks match fit is by giving him matches.

Forlan for Giggs @ HT, Rio for Blanc and Becks for Keano on the hour.
 
Originally posted by arnie sidebottom:
[QB]The only way we're going to get Keane, Rio and Becks match fit is by giving him matches.<hr></blockquote>

Sure, but why start them? Bring ´em on after 60 minutes and play them in the reserves.
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Originally posted by Jens:
<strong>


Silvestre failed a test on a bad neck and calling Boro a team with "real attacking power" is ridiculous IMO.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Someone told me he was rested.

As for boro, that's your opinion, but imo on a good day they can do the business, and against us the opposition always seems to have a good day.
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Originally posted by Red15:
<strong>

I know Middlesbrough is a hard team to break down, but we seem to have lost our inspiration from a few weeks back, which is the worrying thing. It does look more like the United from earlier this season when we were struggling.

We're not creating much in the final third, and unless we make some changes at half-times it's going to be hard to get anything out of this. I would guess Middlesbrough will just stack everyone in the back...and why not? You couldn't blame them because it would be their best chance of getting 3 points.

Hope Fergie doesn't wait 20 minutes to make changes because we're getting nowhere right now. I'd like to see Diego on after the half and for us to play with 3 strikers, even if Ole is out on the right.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Its going to be even harder in the second as Boro will sit back and defend their lead, taking few risks and closing down the game. They've done it before against us. :( We're going to have to make the team more attacking. Thinking about it, might be wise to go 4-3-3 sooner rather than later.
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