[Hugh Jass]

Mourinho's tactics away from home have to be called into question.

From the games at Chelsea, Liverpool, City and Arsenal we've got a grand total of two points. So not only is the football rubbish to watch, it's totally ineffective. If we'd gone out and attacked in each of those games we'd have done at least as well.

Negative football is only justifiable if it brings results. If not, there's no defence or excuse.

Dont agree. We were open last year against Arsenal and were three down in the first twenty.

Mourinhos tactics away from home against a good team are all about keeping it tight and hoping to nick one. Rooney should have scored today and we would be one up. Their first goal was pure flukey and that completely changes the dynamics of the match.

I agree with his approach. When we win, we say he got it right and when we lose we say he got it wrong.

We are close to what he wants but a few players let him down today. Darmian did not defend aggressively enough for their second goal. It is a game of fine margins and Mourinho will no doubt analyse those margins and make us better next season.

 

[bdspeedy]

At least we didn't draw again?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

He said he was pleased with the team and individual performances for one, and that we were trying to win the game. Laughable.

Up until the deflected goal we were fine. We could have been ahead if Rooney had passed and Martial had done better. The fact we then conceded another straight away is what did for us.

 

[Cheekiey]

Being positive I thought Axel did well at RB and kept Sanchez quiet but you could tell he was a CB playing as a RB, still did very well. Would rather see Axel as a CB with Bailly than Jones or Smalling partnering him. Looked very composed on the ball too, something that Jones and Smalling lack

 

[Catt]

Don't know if you're questioning the post, or actually wondering what was said, but for anyone who wants to know, he said he was very happy with the individual performances and performance as a team.

Why would I question the post?

 

[Womp]

Anyone else fed up with the moaners?

If we were ever going to lose a game to arsenal, that was the one to lose.

The most empty victory over us arsenal will ever have. Their fans knew it too to be fair. Half of them were gone before the final whistle. They're in the Europa league next season unless they win four games in a row and Liverpool fail to win both their matches. Not happening.

We rested some key players and gained no new injuries in a meaningless match.

Basically my sentiments. Literally give zero fecks about this game.

 

[OohAahMartial]

Up until the deflected goal we were fine. We could have been ahead if Rooney had passed and Martial had done better. The fact we then conceded another straight away is what did for us.

Thats ignoring the many more opportunities they had to score today. If it wasn't for De Gea in God mode this would have been 4-0.

 

[lysglimt]

Another "let's try not to win" game - but having said that, we will have several rested players for Celta and that is all that matters now.

Tuanzebe was very good - and Mkhitaryan is fast becoming the player I dislike the most. The way he pulled out of the tackle prior to the second goal, you can't have a player like that in the team if you want to win the league

 

[Catt]

Also, we better win the EL now

 

[Leftback99]

We've played worse at full strength. Always expected this run of games would be difficult, the damage to our season was done in October/November and we've never looked like making top 4 since.

We've seen it many times in the league/FA cup that you can't expect 11 players that have barely played together to gel and play good football.

 

[GaryLifo]

Basically my sentiments. Literally give zero fecks about this game.

If we are playing like this in a year's time then Jose will deserve to be criticised. He deserves at least a second season with a few more signings of his own.

Title winning sides aren't built in a day.

 

[RedElf]

Eye on Thursday kinda performance with once they scored, we were always going to struggle. Mata, Smalling and Jones way short of being mentally and physically match fit.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Today was really odd.
Even our attack looked stifiled and didn't really create much.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Completely agree. I don't see it any other way. As long as we get into the Champions league some how, that's all that matters. Next season will be the difference depending on the summer.

Precisely we need that trophy to be able to get the players this club needs. Today, the result was crap, but it is a means to an end.

 

[Gopher Brown]

The story of our season really - we couldn't do it when it mattered. Some of these players need to look at themselves, and the manager needs to be ruthless.

Our set pieces are appalling - I don't even bother watching when we get a wide free kick or a corner, because I know it will amount to nothing. Our crossing is dreadful too, look at the dangerous crosses Arsenal produced today and they aren't even a 'crossing team.'

We are too slow to counter properly. We don't support the striker when he needs it. We are still playing this tumescent, tumescent football too often, putting in a lot of effort for no shots and no attacking threat. The game is about sticking the fecking ball in their fecking net, under Van Gaal we complicated it too much, and a lot of our players are still in that mindset.

 

[kouroux]

Another "let's try not to win" game - but having said that, we will have several rested players for Celta and that is all that matters now.

Tuanzebe was very good - and Mkhitaryan is fast becoming the player I dislike the most. The way he pulled out of the tackle prior to the second goal, you can't have a player like that in the team if you want to win the league

He seems to be a bit of a pussy right ? That instance isn't the only moment of the season where you can see that he is a bit afraid of contacts

 

[Jazz]

No, he setup to not lose. Everytime.

Thought he had no choice but to have extra protection for our brain dead defence tbh...

 

[Roberto420]

Honestly wouldnt mind dropping out of the EL places if we manage to get a good result midweek and get into the EL Final.

Just play the kids and see where it gets us in the league. Would rather have no European football and focus on the league next year than have to be back in the EL (assuming we dont win the EL).

Problem being we already qualified for Europa league by winning league cup.

 

[Jazz]

At least we didn't draw again?

 

[Livewire1974]

Should have played our strongest 11. Win our last 4 league games and we were guaranteed champions league. This shite about resting players is nonsense. They are professional footballers at the business end of the season, it's their bloody job to play. If we don't win Europa league then questions need to asked about Jose.

 

[Son Of Sam]

Anyone else fed up with the moaners?

If we were ever going to lose a game to arsenal, that was the one to lose.

The most empty victory over us arsenal will ever have. Their fans knew it too to be fair. Half of them were gone before the final whistle. They're in the Europa league next season unless they win four games in a row and Liverpool fail to win both their matches. Not happening.

We rested some key players and gained no new injuries in a meaningless match.

The moaners don't have a clue.

With the rotten luck we have had all season with injuries, I can bet we would have lost 3-5 key players today if we lined up a very strong squad.

Losing to Arsenal isn't the end of the world. Our result is much better than Spurs turning up with a strong team and getting murdered by West Ham.

If we are not winning the league, the final position does not matter as long as we get into the CL. Chelsea won the CL in 11/12 but they finished 6th in the league.

They still had their open bus parade. No one remembered their 6th position. They had a more successful season than Man Utd that finished 2nd that year without a single trophy.

 

[manunited1919]

Never a good day when we lose. But I still agree with what Mourinho did here resting many players.
Now, I hope Gif Lord can put together some good Gifs from this game to enjoy. For example, Axel Tuanzabe Gif showing his many timely interventions. And a Rooney fails Gif to have a laugh.

 

[djembatheking]

Lets just hope it doesn`t go pear shaped on Thursday or we are in for another hard slog next season in the EL .

 

[saivet]

Anyone else fed up with the moaners?

If we were ever going to lose a game to arsenal, that was the one to lose.

The most empty victory over us arsenal will ever have. Their fans knew it too to be fair. Half of them were gone before the final whistle. They're in the Europa league next season unless they win four games in a row and Liverpool fail to win both their matches. Not happening.

We rested some key players and gained no new injuries in a meaningless match.

It was hardly a meaningless match. People talk as if we were 7 points from the top 4 and need Liverpool or City to lose all their games.

 

[Hawks2008]

If Spurs are bottlers than so are we, every time the teams above us have dropped points we followed suit. I guess none of those useless sacks of shit wants fecking champions league then. Tuanzebe is the only one who gets to walk out with any sense of dignity. Shameful stuff.

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Sure, lets see if he can win us the EL.

Oi! Cinnamon Bread (cake, oops) aside for one moment … do you really not think that if Jose were here for the long-term and more "team" oriented as opposed to pursuing personal records and goals he'd have managed his squad better until now?

He's just like Zlatan in my opinion: Here for another notch on the bed-post … not to start a family!

If we're back in the EL next season (I don't care about the Adidas deal) we need a manager that can use a squad of our size much better that Jose can IMHO!

 

[dogwithabone]

It was undoubtedly a conundrum for Mourinho. Liverpool drawing opened the door for us and I've had thought we'd have chucked everything at Arsenal to keep two CL options open but we have to trust Jose and he's clearly confident that we will beat Celta and win the final.

 

[RoyH1]

Also, we better win the EL now

This. All those that proclaim this game as meaningless are doing so on the premise that we will win the EL. I wouldn't be so confident with this lot

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

Should have played our strongest 11. Win our last 4 league games and we were guaranteed champions league. This shite about resting players is nonsense. They are professional footballers at the business end of the season, it's their bloody job to play. If we don't win Europa league then questions need to asked about Jose.

Agreeed 100%

What ever happened to morale? I fail to believe after a performance like that, Carrington will be a fun place tomorrow. Winning games breeds confidence and a win at the Emirates would have give us plenty before Thursday night. Instead we embarrass ourselves and will face nothing but negative press before then.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

It was undoubtedly a conundrum for Mourinho. Liverpool drawing opened the door for us and I've had thought we'd have chucked everything at Arsenal to keep two CL options open but we have to trust Jose and he's clearly confident that we will beat Celta and win the final.

He likely didn't think Liverpool would be so stupid to drop more points at home, yet again. He will have already chosen his side and tactics, so too late to change them at that point. We were playing pretty well, until the ball got up front, but the first goal and then not defending properly for the 2nd changed everything. He could have thrown Pogba in and Rashford earlier, but if they had got injured again it would be catastrophic.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

At least we didn't draw again?

 

[Deleted member 101472]

@GifLord i forget the minute, was early in the second half Sanchez tried to shoulder barge Tuanzebe and ended up on his arse, do you have a clip?

 

[Catt]

Oi! Cinnamon Bread (cake, oops) aside for one moment … do you really not think that if Jose were here for the long-term and more "team" oriented as opposed to pursuing personal records and goals he'd have managed his squad better until now?

He's just like Zlatan in my opinion: Here for another notch on the bed-post … not to start a family!

If we're back in the EL next season (I don't care about the Adidas deal) we need a manager that can use a squad of our size much better that Jose can IMHO!

Was your post about Giggs serious? Agree on Zlatan but not Mourinho. This is a job he's wanted for some time and I think it requires more time (transfers) for him to get the team he wants.
It was bread, not cake, and it was so good

 

[GaryLifo]

Pogba, Valencia and Bailly are our three most important outfield players and they all get a full week between games.

Rashford and Lingard also only played half an hour or so.

Winning on Thursday is the most important thing.

If we win that Europa league trophy none of you will give a monkey's about this defeat today. If he'd played Pogba and Bailly and one of them for injured, I can just imagine the posts on here.

 

[Son Of Sam]

Should have played our strongest 11. Win our last 4 league games and we were guaranteed champions league. This shite about resting players is nonsense. They are professional footballers at the business end of the season, it's their bloody job to play. If we don't win Europa league then questions need to asked about Jose.

There's no guarantee our strongest team would win the remaining 4 league games - we didn't even beat Arsenal @OT with our voltron squad. We still have to visit WHL & another midweek battle @Southampton.

The probability of beating Celta & Ajax is considerably higher than pinning our hopes on beating 4 PL teams. This is mathematics.

 

[Mister_Stubbs]

Pogba, Valencia and Bailly are our three most important outfield players and they all get a full week between games.

Rashford and Lingard also only played half an hour or so.

Winning on Thursday is the most important thing.

If we win that Europa league trophy none of you will give a monkey's about this defeat today. If he'd played Pogba and Bailly and one of them for injured, I can just imagine the posts on here.

No excuse for any of the them not to give anything but 100% Thursday then.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Bye bye unbeaten records.

Bye bye top 4.

Must win Europa League.

Bye bye Jose's unbeaten record against Arsenal/Wenger(?).

Mourinho doesn't play youngsters nor promotes academy youth.

2 EPL debuts today.

We're still not good enough, summer fix the Squad please Jose~

 

[RRCE]

Rooney.
Lingard.
Martial.
Smalling.
Jones.
Darmian.
Mkhi

Happy for them all the leave.

Sadly (as it relates to the state of the squad), I agree with this. So many players in the squad who simply aren't of the required quality. Some, like Martial, have the talent but seemingly lack the dedication and work ethic.

 

[Livewire1974]

There's no guarantee our strongest team would win the remaining 4 league games - we didn't even beat Arsenal @OT with our voltron squad. We still have to visit WHL & another midweek battle @Southampton.

The probability of beating Celta & Ajax is considerably higher than pinning our hopes on beating 4 PL teams. This is mathematics.

Ajax as a very good side.

 

[sullydnl]

There's no guarantee our strongest team would win the remaining 4 league games - we didn't even beat Arsenal @OT with our voltron squad. We still have to visit WHL & another midweek battle @Southampton.

The probability of beating Celta & Ajax is considerably higher than pinning our hopes on beating 4 PL teams. This is mathematics.

Indeed. We needed four wins to qualify via PL, one to qualify via EL. It's a no brainer.