[GailSpaceWynand]

I've figured out what Jose is up to, he's obviously been taking some tips from the lads over at CERN. I reckon he's thinking if he can get as many cb's on the pitch as he can and they all happen to collide with each other at the exact same time then they will form one proper defender.

Only logical conclusion really.

What the feck.

 

[Reynoldo]

What the feck.

You know it makes sense...the Rojones - Smailly boson

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I really dont get some of the comments today.
OK so playing with 7 defenders is not pretty to watch and we invited the pressure and we so very nearly threw it away, but FFS after the week we have just had.
The players were running on empty, the only thing that mattered was the 3 points and winning them how ever we could and thats just what we did,for me it was a job very well done.
I don't subscribe to this bullshit we have standards to fill and losing would be better than the way we won.

Spoiled brats, the lot of 'em.

It was a weird substitution and worthy of crictisim but overall it was a decent performance in a game that looked like a massive banana skin on paper. Missing key players, an early kick off away from home, when jaded after a lot of games in quick succession and up against a team auditioning for new management. Could have gone horribly wrong but the first hour or so was very comfortable and the final scoreline didn't flatter us.

The moaning on here today is a new low for this place. And there's been plenty of contenders over the last three years.

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

You know it makes sense...the Rojones - Smailly boson

Bailling is better.

 

[Reynoldo]

Bailling is better.

Rojones - Bailling boson? Sounds better alright

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

Very average and mostly drab, but hey, we're no longer 6th and 3-1 isn't a bad scoreline - poor finishing again in the first half though, we could've been 3 up at half-time. Lingard with a screamer, one thing the lad does well is strike from distance. He had a good game, too.

However, our back 3 are a disaster waiting to happen. Just so much 'average' back there it's unreal - Smalling, I'm sorry, is a Stoke City level CB nowadays. He's so mediocre. Jones is also around that level and Bailly is way too raw - it's like the 3 stooges back there, all headless chickens running about aimlessly and making gaffes.

We really need to improve our CB options for next season if we expect to challenge for the major honours.

Anyway, thank feck for the international break - let's hope we can kick on from here!

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

Rojones - Bailling boson? Sounds better alright

Pretty sure will be quite an unstable element though.

 

[red_john]

We got the result which is the main thing. Hopefully this little break will help the players.

 

[Android1974]

I really think this is the kind of wins Mourinho takes more pleasure with, those where by sheer strength of will the team overcomes all difficulties.

Also, sometimes the team doesn't react the way the manager asks them to. For instance, Man City's first half performance at Monaco was ludicrous. I don't believe Mourinho wanted them to drop so deep, it doesn't make sense. But our players were so tired… Rashford could hardly run in the end.

 

[saivet]

Spoiled brats, the lot of 'em.

It was a weird substitution and worthy of crictisim but overall it was a decent performance in a game that looked like a massive banana skin on paper. Missing key players, an early kick off away from home, when jaded after a lot of games in quick succession and up against a team auditioning for new management. Could have gone horribly wrong but the first hour or so was very comfortable and the final scoreline didn't flatter us.

The moaning on here today is a new low for this place. And there's been plenty of contenders over the last three years.

But that's what many (including myself are criticising). Not sure I've seen anyone complaining about the opening 70 mins, where I felt we were good. I feel the way Jose approached the final 20 mins was a mistake (as he himself alluded to).

 

[RoyH1]

We won which is the most important bit. No such thing as points for style in this league. But in the long run I hope Mou can develop a squad and system that can be more dominant with lower ranked opposition.

 

[Oscie]

Going so defensive so early, even if we were 2 up, wasn't a great idea. No matter who you play in the PL you can't give a side half an hour of effectively defence vs attack and not expect to concede. Even a side like Boro who've been blunt in front of goal all season.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Very average and mostly drab, but hey, we're no longer 6th and 3-1 isn't a bad scoreline - poor finishing again in the first half though, we could've been 3 up at half-time. Lingard with a screamer, one thing the lad does well is strike from distance. He had a good game, too.

However, our back 3 are a disaster waiting to happen. Just so much 'average' back there it's unreal - Smalling, I'm sorry, is a Stoke City level CB nowadays. He's so mediocre. Jones is also around that level and Bailly is way too raw - it's like the 3 stooges back there, all headless chickens running about aimlessly and making gaffes.

We really need to improve our CB options for next season if we expect to challenge for the major honours.

Anyway, thank feck for the international break - let's hope we can kick on from here!

Are you for real?

With so many injuries in midfield, it made sense to go 3 at the back and it's a system they are unfamiliar with but coped well. The only problem is that they have one mistake in them per match and if we're not putting away chances it magnifies the mistakes.
Bailly is magnificent and hardly 'way too raw.'
Reading posts like this makes me believe that the 3 Stooges are alive and well, only they're on the Caf!

 

[Android1974]

‘Our mistake was that we let them push […] our defensive line, maybe [because of] fatigue… Smalling, Jones let the game go to the box.’ If that isn't the admittance of a mistake…

 

[Mr. Meeseeks]

‘Our mistake was that we let them push […] our defensive line, maybe [because of] fatigue… Smalling, Jones let the game go to the box.’ If that isn't the admittance of a mistake…

At least he admitted it. People were complaining earlier about that decision. Good thing to see him acknowledge it himself. Means hes not shtupid

 

[FC Ronaldo]

Mourinho: "Do I prefer to finish 4th or win the Europa League? Win the Europa League."

 

[DomesticTadpole]

But that's what many (including myself are criticising). Not sure I've seen anyone complaining about the opening 70 mins, where I felt we were good. I feel the way Jose approached the final 20 mins was a mistake (as he himself alluded to).

I got the impression he was annoyed with his defenders who were putting themselves under pressure by dropping deep. He was on the touchline telling them to push up more and they didn't.

 

[iportman]

Playing 3 at the back so late in the season must be quite a shock for the players come to think of it.

Welcome to the world of Smalling and Jones . I feel sorry for Mourinno trying to introduce tactics or a system to those two . Neither are remotely good enough to be at UTD and hopefully wont be by this time next year .

 

[Irrational.]

I don't know if it's just me, but in this thumbnail Lingard looks like the secret lovechild of Kammy from Gillette Soccer Saturday.

 

[saivet]

I got the impression he was annoyed with his defenders who were putting themselves under pressure by dropping deep. He was on the touchline telling them to push up more and they didn't.

I think there is a degree of that, but when you're playing 4 CBs, it's no surpise should this happen.

 

[Android1974]

We were very good for 65 minutes. Played some excellent counterattacking football.

Last half hour it got messy and we scraped it out, showed good character and git an important 3 points. Well done lads.

A bitter v dipper draw later would be a cherry on top.

Fixed that bit.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Mourinho: "Do I prefer to finish 4th or win the Europa League? Win the Europa League."

This guy is a winner, he wants silverware and chances of more silverware.

 

[vidic blood & sand]

We need city to batter liverpool now.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

I don't know if it's just me, but in this thumbnail Lingard looks like the secret lovechild of Kammy from Gillette Soccer Saturday.

It's just you mate.

He looks nothing like Chris Kamara

 

[ZAGREB RED]

We need city to batter liverpool now.

Yes, thankfully, it's not the other way , I hate watching a game and having to want Liverpool to win for United's benefit. Not much fun wanting a City win to help United but, Liverpool, I just want them to lose every time they play.

 

[wolvored]

Very average and mostly drab, but hey, we're no longer 6th and 3-1 isn't a bad scoreline - poor finishing again in the first half though, we could've been 3 up at half-time. Lingard with a screamer, one thing the lad does well is strike from distance. He had a good game, too.

However, our back 3 are a disaster waiting to happen. Just so much 'average' back there it's unreal - Smalling, I'm sorry, is a Stoke City level CB nowadays. He's so mediocre. Jones is also around that level and Bailly is way too raw - it's like the 3 stooges back there, all headless chickens running about aimlessly and making gaffes.

We really need to improve our CB options for next season if we expect to challenge for the major honours.

Anyway, thank feck for the international break - let's hope we can kick on from here!

So true. When we just had Smalling and Jones it was more Laurel & Hardy!

 

[Inigo Montoya]

This guy is a winner, he wants silverware and chances of more silverware.

Too bloody right!

Fight for 4th place is an Arsenal target

 

[wolvored]

Yes, thankfully, it's not the other way , I hate watching a game and having to want Liverpool to win for United's benefit. Not much fun wanting a City win to help United but, Liverpool, I just want them to lose every time they play.

A draw best result as it gives us an outside chance of 3rd

 

[Ludens the Red]

Spoiled brats, the lot of 'em.

It was a weird substitution and worthy of crictisim but overall it was a decent performance in a game that looked like a massive banana skin on paper. Missing key players, an early kick off away from home, when jaded after a lot of games in quick succession and up against a team auditioning for new management. Could have gone horribly wrong but the first hour or so was very comfortable and the final scoreline didn't flatter us.

The moaning on here today is a new low for this place. And there's been plenty of contenders over the last three years.

Yeah. The moaning was bizarre, like as in there were new threads complaining. We started the game without our FIVE best players and won 3-1 and there are people more fixated on that last 20 mins.
Don't get me wrong it annoyed me but as soon as the whistle was blown no more fecks were given. So I was quite surprised to see so much bitching about that last 20. But hey people are never happy.

In the build up to this there was massive complaining about Mourinho not resting players. Mourinho then proceeded to rest players and make changes and like Clockwork, bitching on the match day thread about the team. You can't make this shit up.

 

[Chorley1974]

Some on here needs to get a grip. 3 games in less than 6 days. Since January 1s we've played a game every 4th day on average. We're now 5th with a game in hand (two after pool play). I'm happy as feck!

Shit game, with a couple of great goals and some mental subs. Like Fergie all over again.

All of this with 2/3 of our regular mf players out along with our top scorer and fecking Mkhi.

Perspective

Loads of negative pricks on here, with no sense of perspective.

 

[Irrational.]

It's just you mate.

He looks nothing like Chris Kamara

Point taken.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

So true. When we just had Smalling and Jones it was more Laurel & Hardy!

You mean Quagmire and Cleveland Brown

 

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Some on here needs to get a grip. 3 games in less than 6 days. Since January 1s we've played a game every 4th day on average. We're now 5th with a game in hand (two after pool play). I'm happy as feck!

Shit game, with a couple of great goals and some mental subs. Like Fergie all over again.

All of this with 2/3 of our regular mf players out along with our top scorer and fecking Mkhi.

Perspective

Why would you go out of your way to find a negative perspective on a win? Why not just enjoy the perspective of the win itself?

Also, "shit game, but a couple of great goals"? How high are your standards? Relax man.

 

[SteveW]

Surprised at the sensitivity of many on here. Saying the tactics towards the end were wrong hardly makes someone a moaning prick. Just an observation surely. I assume everybody is delighted with the result and the majority of the performance. It's a huge result for us.

Perhaps there's more to this. Was the match day thread really bad or something?

 

[wolvored]

You mean Quagmire and Cleveland Brown

even better!

 

[GM K]

"We controlled everything until our second goal and then they changed to play with Gestede and [Alvaro] Negredo. They started putting long balls in the box. We decided to defend with an extra defender but I think we made the mistake of letting them push us too much into our box and then it was a fighting 15 minutes where they didn't have chances but they were close to the dangerous areas so the game was alive until the last second." - Jose

That makes a lot of sense to me. Good thing he admitted that in executing the plan, they allowed Boro to get too dangerous.

 

[GM K]

Very average and mostly drab, but hey, we're no longer 6th and 3-1 isn't a bad scoreline - poor finishing again in the first half though, we could've been 3 up at half-time. Lingard with a screamer, one thing the lad does well is strike from distance. He had a good game, too.

However, our back 3 are a disaster waiting to happen. Just so much 'average' back there it's unreal - Smalling, I'm sorry, is a Stoke City level CB nowadays. He's so mediocre. Jones is also around that level and Bailly is way too raw - it's like the 3 stooges back there, all headless chickens running about aimlessly and making gaffes.

We really need to improve our CB options for next season if we expect to challenge for the major honours.

Anyway, thank feck for the international break - let's hope we can kick on from here!

I think it was more of the brilliance of Valdez than poor finishing.

 

[Tincanalley]

You know it makes sense...the Rojones - Smailly boson

Yes, I see it now.

 

[GM K]

C'mon everybody...Be happy! That's a 3-1 away win. In my opinion, Mou made a mistake substituting Mata for Rojo, but it doesn't matter anymore. Could have been even more comfortable win. Great to be 5th and pushing the teams ahead of us. Good end just before the international break!

I think bringing in Rojo was brilliant.

 

[Charlie Foley]

He should have scored but I thought Rashford looked capable of carving them open time and time again. They rallied once we invited pressure onto ourselves but I thought they were desperate at the back.