[Sied]

Even when he was here, they had games where they played like we did today. He didn't let it happen again. Don't think LvG will either. They will be shaking in their boots.

Don't be ridiculous - SAF was faultless and every game we played under him was nothing short of sublime!

 

[saivet]

Is that not a penalty?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Agree. They'll know in no uncertain terms that isn't good enough.

LvG was not happy with the performance at all. I wouldn't want to be seeing him tomorrow if I was one of those players.

 

[Stookie]

Everton did a number on us like Chelsea last week. Only difference was Everton played better. Teams are going to play like that against us all the time. It seems we've been found out regarding the recent run of form. The triangle of Feelaini, Young , Blind hasn't been effective since and teams know how to defend against it. The early booking on Fellaini didn't help, it took the sting out of his game. Fair play to Everton though, they deserved it.

 

[Anduin]

Wasn't our game, conceded with Everton's first attack (dreadful by Valencia and especially Blind/McNair), didn't immediately equalize when we got the chance (Fellaini just had to hit the target as Howard was already on his way down) and from there you felt it just wouldn't happen today. I don't think Everton played particularly well, we just had no cutting edge and our play was slow and ponderous.

I'm pretty sure we'll bounce back next week and come 3rd/4th in the end, which is alright given we had 13 points after 10 games. We will be stronger next season for sure.

 

[Hed Zitin]

So what he said at half time did nothing because we looked even more lethargic after the break.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

We need a plan B.

 

[Kag]

What the hell?, can you imagine that happening if Fergie was still in charge.

Ay, we lost a league title and got knocked out of the Champions League in the easiest group the club has ever seen as a result of the same mentality. It happens.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Love the 'it would have happened under Fergie' posts...

 

[Ralph1386]

We need a new/young Carrick. Blind can't replace him and Carrick is now more injury-prone because of his age.

 

[togg]

Kind of disappointing that there seemed to be a lack of fire before the kick off. Sure it happened with Fergie..but at half time he usually sent a rocket up their arse and it invariably made a difference to the energy and effort if not always the result. We seemed to be more lethargic and idea-less in the second half.

 

[Bobcat]

We are 8 points (with goal difference) ahead of Liverpool with 4 games to go, its over as far as Top 4 goes imo.

We are just doing the usual thing of trying to make it as hard as we can for ourselves.

They have a game in hand and have Chelsea and Stoke Away, the rest are piss easy.

On a normal day, we should beat WBA and QPR, but after today, im not that confident any longer

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

These two defeats are a reminder that we are still a work in progress and that we still need to improve a lot of things in our game. There's no denying that the whole team has shown some real progress over the last month but we must not forget that we were also fortunate enough to have Herrera, Mata, Young and Fellaini in sensational form in the same month. Everything they were doing on the pitch was working for them but unfortunately we didn't get the same performances from them in the last two difficult away fixtures.

And when your key players aren't in good form, you need solidity at the back and a bit of luck in the creativity area. We had neither today. All three Everton goals could or should've been avoided. In the first goal i will have to disagree with Phil Neville's opinion, i didn't see a great counter. We had the opportunity to give a foul in Everton's half and we didn't, we also had three chances to block/intercept their passes but again we didn't. That was simply horrible defending. The second goal was another "classic United defending set pieces" moment. In the third goal the assistant should have raised his flag but then again Valencia's reaction was terrible.

It's true that Fellaini didn't play well but whenever he's on the pitch he still "forces" the opposition manager to "sacrifice" a midfielder in order to neutralize him. This gives us the opportunity to create numerical advantages in the midfield, both in our half and in more advanced areas. But we didn't make good use of that opportunity. Carrick's vision and long passing ability were sorely missed and Everton got "lucky" cause Blind had a very bad game today. Since Everton's first goal Herrera rarely attempted to make himself available in more advanced positions while Mata staying high and wide on the pitch, and not drifting to more central areas, in order to keep Baines deep was a tactical choice that clearly didn't pay off. Last but not least, we didn't get anything from our FBs in the final third. It's true that Martinez allowed Shaw and Valencia space and time on the ball for tactical reasons but, at this level, you must be able to make a good cross or pass.

We need to find a new way to get players in the box now that Fellaini and Herrera are marked well. Basically what we lack is goals and assists from our wide players. Until that happens all teams are going to stay deep and defend in a very narrow formation. Hopefully we will sign the players we need in the summer. Until then we'll just have to be patient.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Why is our attack so damned predictable, I think that was the word Neville used, it was roughly similar to what I was screaming and swearing at the TV at the time, we look so patheticly orthodox, so easy to defend against,
No incisive balls, no movement, too slow, too predicatable, too many sideways passes in the final 3rd, playing it to people with their back to goal, we could have played another hour and still not looked like scoring.

Its a problem thats been prevelent most of the season, regardless of formations.

 

[Acole9]

That is shocking, but I can't say I'm too surprised by this. A few of them looked like they couldn't care less.

 

[Gannicus]

Had Liverpool defeated West Brom yesterday, I'd be concerned. Fourth place is still well within our reach.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

These two defeats are a reminder that we are still a work in progress and that we still need to improve a lot of things in our game. There's no denying that the whole team has shown some real progress over the last month but we must not forget that we were also fortunate enough to have Herrera, Mata, Young and Fellaini in sensational form in the same month. Everything they were doing on the pitch was working for them but unfortunately we didn't get the same performances from them in the last two difficult away fixtures.

And when your key players aren't in good form, you need solidity at the back and a bit of luck in the creativity area. We had neither today. All three Everton goals could or should've been avoided. In the first goal i will have to disagree with Phil Neville's opinion, i didn't see a great counter. We had the opportunity to give a foul in Everton's half and we didn't, we also had three chances to block/intercept their passes but again we didn't. That was simply horrible defending. The second goal was another "classic United defending set pieces" moment. In the third goal the assistant should have raised his flag but then again Valencia's reaction was terrible.

It's true that Fellaini didn't play well but whenever he's on the pitch he still "forces" the opposition manager to "sacrifice" a midfielder in order to neutralize him. This gives us the opportunity to create numerical advantages in the midfield, both in our half and in more advanced areas. But we didn't make good use of that opportunity. Carrick's vision and long passing ability were sorely missed and Everton got "lucky" cause Blind had a very bad game today. Since Everton's first goal Herrera rarely attempted to make himself available in more advanced positions while Mata staying high and wide on the pitch, and not drifting to more central areas, in order to keep Baines deep was a tactical choice that clearly didn't pay off. Last but not least, we didn't get anything from our FBs in the final third. It's true that Martinez allowed Shaw and Valencia space and time on the ball for tactical reasons but, at this level, you must be able to make a good cross or pass.

We need to find a new way to get players in the box now that Fellaini and Herrera are marked well. Basically what we lack is goals and assists from our wide players. Until that happens all teams are going to stay deep and defend in a very narrow formation. Hopefully we will sign the players we need in the summer. Until then we'll just have to be patient.

Herrera was playing deeper against Chelsea, maybe he should have stayed there as Blind was terrible. Herrera could have been trying to cover for that instead of just getting on with his own game.

 

[Kostur]

Was I the only one that was pissed off about Marriner's positioning today by the way? I was angry at him being a cnut overall but I felt that every single time he was in the wrong place of the pitch, as in blocking players from moving forward, receiving the pass and so on, not only against us but against Everton as well.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

That is shocking, but I can't say I'm too surprised by this. A few of them looked like they couldn't care less.

I noticed the coaching staff looking a bit concerned when they were warming up. Who do you think didn't care less by the way.

 

[Acole9]

I noticed the coaching staff looking a bit concerned when they were warming up. Who do you think didn't care less by the way.

De Gea, Valencia and Falcao.

 

[legball]

United fans have to be the most knee-jerk set of fans I've seen in my life, yes, we were terribly poor but have you people seen Liverpool play recently? They are muck. We'll easily win atleast 3 of our last 4 games and get top four, there's no way Liverpool is making top four [they need to win all their games to do it and hope we get less than 6 points]. We were VERY poor, and have been everytime we lost this season, it's a good wake up call that the likes of Young and Fellaini especially [I know they've been fantastic this season] don't have the top quality to unlock defences when things become tight, and that despite how good Herrera is, we still need a bit of presence in that midfield, someone that breaksup play and puts himself about. I thought Smalling was good, and McNair wasn't that bad, on another day we would easily have beaten Everton but we just didn't turn up, that's all. We don't need wholesale changes, our style of play isn't shit, the players aren't shit, shit like this happens under any manager. Onward and upward, let's get the 3 points in the next game then build from there.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

De Gea, Valencia and Falcao.

I am seriously worried about De Gea tbh.

 

[Bebe]

Guys, we are not a 1 man (Carrick) team.
The 11 players on the pitch we have, are decent - they just had a bad game.
I think that once Fellaini came off AND Falcao came on, the game was done. We basically gave up.
Fellaini is so important in virtually all our attacks and I think we saw this in the 2nd half.

BTW, when was the last time Man Utd scored a goal, while Falcao was on the pitch?

Stop being reasonable. The same players that crushed City a couple weeks ago are all shite. They will continue to be so until our next win, after which they'll all be world beaters again.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

United fans have to be the most knee-jerk set of fans I've seen in my life, yes, we were terribly poor but have you people seen Liverpool play recently? They are muck. We'll easily win atleast 3 of our last 4 games and get top four, there's no way Liverpool is making top four [they need to win all their games to do it and hope we get less than 6 points]. We were VERY poor, and have been everytime we lost this season, it's a good wake up call that the likes of Young and Fellaini especially [I know they've been fantastic this season] don't have the top quality to unlock defences when things become tight, and that despite how good Herrera is, we still need a bit of presence in that midfield, someone that breaksup play and puts himself about. I thought Smalling was good, and McNair wasn't that bad, on another day we would easily have beaten Everton but we just didn't turn up, that's all. We don't need wholesale changes, our style of play isn't shit, the players aren't shit, shit like this happens under any manager. Onward and upward, let's get the 3 points in the next game then build from there.

I have said in the Herrera thread that they have had that much praise lately that a good kick up the arse might do them good, that Top 4 still needs to be fought for and that means as you said turning up for every game.

 

[saivet]

Herrera was playing deeper against Chelsea, maybe he should have stayed there as Blind was terrible. Herrera could have been trying to cover for that instead of just getting on with his own game.

While Blind was poor, I don't think Herrera would have helped playing in that position.

 

[Blue always red]

Looked pretty toothless going forward after Fellaini went off and Falcao was brought on. Carrick makes such a difference, it's not even his ability to control games, it's his ability to pick out a pass from deep into space between their midfielders and defenders. Nobody else in the team does this for some reason.

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Had time to drown my sorrows and be a bit more objective.

Everton played well and deserved their win.

Rooney up front doesn't work when he can't be arsed. Young and Herrera had quiet games. DDG looks disinterested.

Defence did OK, bar getting caught out for first goal. Midfield bossed by Everton desire.

All in all too slow and played into Everton' hands.

Think that probably kills 2nd place, bar an Arsenal feck up. So 3rd and onwards.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

While Blind was poor, I don't think Herrera would have helped playing in that position.

Then that is the priority in the summer a Carrick replacement. Blind definitely isn't it. Herrera can do it in a real emergency but not ideal. Pity it has taken us until he is nearing his dotage to realise what a vital player Michael is.

 

[Roboc7]

We need five new players if we. Don't get the. In the summer we won't improve the answers to our problems aren't at the club already.

A have too many squad players like young, fellaini, Valencia etc who are regulars and too many big names who aren't up to scratch satin the bench.

Too easy for Everton today.

 

[Carl]

Interesting.

 

[VeevaVee]

Terribly, terribly inept. Just like we were before our good 'run'. We dominated possession but did feck all then too.
Even our player of the season was shite.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Interesting.

The dreaded complacency. Interesting if he felt it was all of them or certain players and how he deals with it. Cannot imagine LvG likes lack of effort or interest.

 

[pocco]

Makes you wonder if there's motivational issues. We've played well in the big games, but these games don't require motivation. Every player wants to beat rivals.

 

[Pscholes18]

Rooney has no excuse for not getting up for every match with the check hes bringing home every week.

 

[Jazz]

Was fuming until I heard the Boss interview. Taking no fecks is our Louie:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as the opponent. I will make sure it does not happen again. We may lose games, but it will certainly not be for this reason.

"I had already the feeling that our intensity wasn't there, and my colleagues Ryan Giggs and Albert [Stuivenberg] also had the feeling because the warm-up was not as good as usual. We can not simply go quietly to the end of the season, and we will not. They should know that, and if they do not, they will find out very soon.

"Ultimately, Everton deserved to win – and when the result is fair, you can live with it - although you must also deal with it to ensure different circumstances in future. You cannot pretend everything was perfect. We have to see that our opponents will defend more, especially if they lead, and learn to cope with that as a club."

That bit is my favourite... 'they will find out very soon'..

 

[OneUnited24]

Rooney has no excuse for not getting up for every match with the check hes bringing home every week.

Regardless with nothing (really) left to play for it is hardly surprising.

Onward and upwards

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Was fuming until I heard the Boss interview. Taking no fecks is our Louie:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as the opponent. I will make sure it does not happen again. We may lose games, but it will certainly not be for this reason.

"I had already the feeling that our intensity wasn't there, and my colleagues Ryan Giggs and Albert [Stuivenberg] also had the feeling because the warm-up was not as good as usual. We can not simply go quietly to the end of the season, and we will not. They should know that, and if they do not, they will find out very soon.

"Ultimately, Everton deserved to win – and when the result is fair, you can live with it - although you must also deal with it to ensure different circumstances in future. You cannot pretend everything was perfect. We have to see that our opponents will defend more, especially if they lead, and learn to cope with that as a club."

That bit is my favourite... 'they will find out very soon'..

Can we buy tickets to witness the dressing down they are going to get? I heard the interview as well. He didn't sugar coat it.

 

[SonnyTheHaloPro]

The last 2 games have shown how many average players are still in the team.

We need to bounce back fast or we will fall out the top 4.

 

[ThanksBoss26]

Was fuming until I heard the Boss interview. Taking no fecks is our Louie:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"It is the first time that I have seen that our motivation, inspiration and aggression was not as high as the opponent. I will make sure it does not happen again. We may lose games, but it will certainly not be for this reason.

"I had already the feeling that our intensity wasn't there, and my colleagues Ryan Giggs and Albert [Stuivenberg] also had the feeling because the warm-up was not as good as usual. We can not simply go quietly to the end of the season, and we will not. They should know that, and if they do not, they will find out very soon.

"Ultimately, Everton deserved to win – and when the result is fair, you can live with it - although you must also deal with it to ensure different circumstances in future. You cannot pretend everything was perfect. We have to see that our opponents will defend more, especially if they lead, and learn to cope with that as a club."

That bit is my favourite... 'they will find out very soon'..

Good interview. At least saying what I expect a United Manager to say after a defeat and performance like that.

And I believe every word he says in there. The players are in for a tough week and hopefully we'll see the result of this against West Brom.

 

[SATA]

What does that even mean? Players not giving a feck anymore? Can we don't pay their pay checks then?