[Water Melon]

Tunnel cam

Wish we would watch tunnel cam vids during EPL games as well.

 

[LouisDanGaal]

Tunnel cam

Thank you for posting, I love a tunnel cam. Pogba is the best.

 

[GifLord]

I thought Joyce was begging to be giffed around the 61st-62nd minute by the way.

 

[gerdm07]

Basti was superb, absolutely. But one player for me was the main engine yesterday - Miki. He was everywhere. Big parts of the game he stayed deep and commanded the midfield. At the same time he was the most dangerous attacker. One hell of a performance of him yesterday. I think he's much better playing central. It will be interesting what is Mou going to decide for Hull. Martial was also very good. So i won't be surprised if Herrera stays on the bench and Miki takes his position. Something like:
-----Carrick----Pogba------
Mata------Miki------Martial
---------Ibra---------------

I'm ready for Miki to play in the middle all the time. He could be our player who knows when to slow things down and when to speed things up. The problem, I see, is that we've been at our best with three mids, Carrick base, Herrera and Pogba just ahead. I'm not sure how Miki fits in the middle with that sort of setup. I don't think Pogba would be best as 2nd DM with Carrick.

This is a dilemma.

 

[Jaxdan]

Took a while to get going but when we did

Positives:
Schweinstieger and Martial both started slowly but ended up playing very well.
Miki excellent throughout.
Fosu Mensah solid and got forward in good positions a few times. Should have had an assist.
Tuanzebe looked a bit nervy but good to get his debut.

Negatives:
Rooney horrible as always. So many attacks thwarted by his duff touches/passes.
Fellaini almost as bad with his slow and ponderous passing in midfield.
Smalling needs to be told hes allowed to pass to someone other than Rojo.
Shaw needs to stop leaving acres of space down his flank if he wants to make it here. Pre-injury he was the same.

I obviously watched a different game than you. His pass started the counter attack goal run with Miki and Martial, his service into the box on corners was generally good all day. Almost every scoring play went through him one way or the other. I really don't understand the harsh criticism of Rooney week end and week out. You really think he was the worst player yesterday on the pitch wearing red?

 

[Burrow]

I obviously watched a different game than you. His pass started the counter attack goal run with Miki and Martial, his service into the box on corners was generally good all day. Almost every scoring play went through him one way or the other. I really don't understand the harsh criticism of Rooney week end and week out. You really think he was the worst player yesterday on the pitch wearing red?

Yes, by far.

 

[Jaxdan]

Yes, by far.

Mata for me, and I'm a fan of his. Didn't even realize he was on the pitch half the game as he utterly disappeared. But to each his own.

 

[Maagge]

Yes! Cheers.

 

[marlowe78]

We were very poor in the first half. Wigan were organized well and played with a fair amount of ambition. They actually looked more dangerous than us for about the first 20-25 minutes. It wasn't all that surprising because we had a weird midfield pairing (Fellaini and Schweinsteiger), two fullbacks with little to no recent game time (Shaw and Fosu-Mensah), and a placement of Martial and Mkhitaryan that just wasn't working. Fellaini's goal came at just the right time because it allowed us to fully settle into our game and open Wigan up in the second half.

Second half was very entertaining with some nice counterattacks and interplay. We looked completely different when Martial moved onto the left instead of him trying to find space in the middle area where there was already too much of a crowd. He and Mkhitaryan were IMO our best players. Both electrify things when they get the ball and some space to exploit.

The midfield pairing of Schweinsteiger and Fellaini, quite honestly, looked awful to me early on. Both were too static and looked like they could cough up possession in a danger area at any moment. They also were at times ridiculously deep and gave Wigan the entire middle third to run through. The team began to look more composed when Schweinsteiger found his groove and became more active around the pitch. In the second half he looked exactly like a world class midfielder should look against this kind of wank. We saw the best and worst of Fellaini today but his goal was vital, I think in the end he made a decent account of himself.

I was a bit edgy with that backline, I would rather have seen De Gea in goal to at least put some added consistency back there. Rojo I thought was good while Smalling is still all over the place. I don't know if it's just my mind but our defence doesn't look as composed when Smalling is back there instead of Jones or Bailly.

I think people are a bit harsh on Shaw. He was slow to come forward (enough to make Rooney say 'Hey fella, make the run') but I thought he was pretty decent overall. Fosu-Mensah is still clearly raw. At times he looked like a bright 19 year old prospect and at other times he looked like...a 19-year-old prospect. His foul going across wings was pretty needless and he looked like adrenaline often got the best of him. But on the positive side, he looks fearless and has a nice cross. It was great to see TFM, Tuanzebe, and Pereira all getting chances, so I give Jose high marks for that.

My personal highlight of the night was when Romero proved to the world that he's better than Neuer by creating his own open scoring chance and saving it.

So out of 10, I'll give yesterday a 6. Pedestrian first half followed by a professional second with some exciting goals. Good confidence boost but must do better when we're against PL opposition. Best of luck to Joyce in keeping Wigan up.

 

[noodlehair]

Our primary attacking outlet under LVG was crosses into fellaini at the back stick identical to the goal yesterday, its just it doesn't work very well when it is the only feature of your play, strongly disagree that we've never tried that tactic. I agree making it one of our features rather than our only way to score could be a decent attacking outlet as crossing with him, Ibra and Pogba in the box is surely terrifying for the opposition, especially if they can't focus on it because we have other ways to score through our more creative players.

No it wasn't. When we used Fellaini in that sense with LVG, he'd be stood a fw metres or more wide of the far post and would head the ball back across rather than at goal...or, more often, we'd cross the ball from so far up the pitch he'd end up chesting it down and then passing it back where it came from. There were also many games under LVG where it was impossible to figure out what role we were using Felllaini in, as he'd just run aimlessly about the pitch. I can't think of many times where we'd be crossing the ball from the edge of the area or byline, and Fellaini would be getting himself in the box, either at the far post, or between the posts. We've rarely if ever done this apart from on the odd occasions, which has usually been more to do with Fellaini just finding himself there.

What we tend to do when Fellaini is any attacking role is just punt the ball to him almost aimlessly. That's not the same thing at all as playing football and then picking him out once you're in a position to give him a chance to challenge for the ball and score.

 

[LouisDanGaal]

No it wasn't. When we used Fellaini in that sense with LVG, he'd be stood a fw metres or more wide of the far post and would head the ball back across rather than at goal...or, more often, we'd cross the ball from so far up the pitch he'd end up chesting it down and then passing it back where it came from. There were also many games under LVG where it was impossible to figure out what role we were using Felllaini in, as he'd just run aimlessly about the pitch. I can't think of many times where we'd be crossing the ball from the edge of the area or byline, and Fellaini would be getting himself in the box, either at the far post, or between the posts. We've rarely if ever done this apart from on the odd occasions, which has usually been more to do with Fellaini just finding himself there.

What we tend to do when Fellaini is any attacking role is just punt the ball to him almost aimlessly. That's not the same thing at all as playing football and then picking him out once you're in a position to give him a chance to challenge for the ball and score.

Just because we were bad at it doesn't mean it wasn't our intention. Young cutting back and whipping it back stick for Fellaini to try to score was literally all we were doing in some games. The other way we used Fellaini was for goal kicks, put him on the left of midfield launch it up to him and then he headed it out wide.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

Sorry for the specific question, but did anyone see Rojo get all pissed off at somebody after he covered and knocked the ball out of play on the left in the second half? Could not tell if it was Shaw for being out of position or Martial for not working hard to track back? Obviously not a big deal, but he sure was mad at someone.

 

[Grunge]

Btw, your wife is a keeper.

I'll say, and she's younger and makes more $$$$

 

[11101]

I obviously watched a different game than you. His pass started the counter attack goal run with Miki and Martial, his service into the box on corners was generally good all day. Almost every scoring play went through him one way or the other. I really don't understand the harsh criticism of Rooney week end and week out. You really think he was the worst player yesterday on the pitch wearing red?

His first touch is horrible. More often than not he loses it at critical times and attacks break down.

 

[Grunge]

Just watching a replay of the game focusing mainly on Shaw & Martial contributions in the 1st half.

By the 23rd minute Martial had made 6 errors that led to possession turnovers in what were "decent" positions inside the Wigan half! (BFS also had a couple of silly errors as did Felly & Rooney for a total of 12 give-aways in good offensive positions in less than 1.2 hr!)

During that time Shaw has had possession half a dozen times or so, did not give it up, had one nice dash forward (with a poor cross as a result) and then a great cross to Mkhi that led to Mata's volley that was just a little high.

Shaw struggled to go forward because Mkhi & Rooney seem to alternate coming outside from the middle. Shaw has no real left sided player to work with! He was getting pulled inside to cover for Rooney &/or Mkhi as there was often no Wigan winger to cover. In the 25th minute Shaw gathered & laid on a super ball from the half way line down the left wing to Martial who couldn't get by the FB in the corner but Mata's kick was perfectly placed on BFS head but he skinned it and Wigan countered. Mata got caught again in possession but Wigan's attack came to nothing.

By the 30th minute Shaw was still mistake free ... always well placed & provided great cover but it was clear this new back=four wee not familar with each other & the CB's were nervously covering on both sides. By this time Martial was gaining confidence got a terrific pass from BFS, made a great run from inside his own half before laying off to the overlapping Fosu who sent in the cross when Mkhi fluffed his lines. A goal there & Wigan would've folded!

By this time we were in the ascendancy but most attacks were coming thru the middle & right side thanks mainly to BFS. In the 35th minute Shaw dribbled towards the box & for the first time gave up possession but then redeemed himself with a great interception & stormed towards the Wigan 18 yd box. Unfortunately under-hit a ball inside to Martial. Fellaini should have got his 2nd yellow on 37 minutes.

40th minute & poor defending by United from a throw in. Shaw steps inside to cover an open Wigan player because Rojo had gone to LB. Clearly a lack of playing time together between Rojo & Shaw. Fosu has a chance to clear but heads into the path of Wigan player who flips it over his head causing Smalling to cover. Then Fosu slips leading to Wigan chance. Shaw could've done better but bad defending all round, not just him.

Last 5 min all United but almost exclusively from right side again led by BSF leading to Fellys goal.

No as bad a half as most described. Martial (compounded By Felly, Rooney & BFS) was a horror story for the first 20 minutes giving up easy possession deep in Wigan territory.

Morale of the story; Darmian will play Wed because the back four is more settled because he's played more regularly ... Shaw will get more chances (I hope)
Shaw (and United) spent 30 minutes inside the Wigan half with three good forays forward but nothing to show for it.

Fosu was equally competent btw and had more space to exploit it seemed?

 

[OohAahMartial]

 

[Grunge]

Sorry for the specific question, but did anyone see Rojo get all pissed off at somebody after he covered and knocked the ball out of play on the left in the second half? Could not tell if it was Shaw for being out of position or Martial for not working hard to track back? Obviously not a big deal, but he sure was mad at someone.

I just watched the replay and it's hard to tell from the video exactly who he's screaming at. The replay shows Martial's man played a one-two at about the halfway line with the winger, covered tightly by Shaw & Martial stopped running & failed to get back and cover. I don't know if Rojo noticed who was to blame but he certainly was pissed! That said, he swept the ball away nicely and it all worked out. Shaw did not put a foot wrong in the second half and had some good moments. He was more involved after Fosu got hurt and also because Martial stayed left and was an outlet. Martial obviously had a much better second too, with two helpers, although far from perfect defensively.

 

[TMDaines]

Weird match, which I think the manager was largely culpable for. I was pretty convinced when walking to the ground that a two-man midfield of Schweinsteiger and Fellaini was going to prove problematic and for the first 30 minutes it was dreadful. We struggled to build from the back as nobody was able to dictate the passing, partly due to the lack of cohesion in midfield and partly because the full backs were not making the correct runs. TFM, in particular, in the first half failed to attack the space in low risk situations, and it was only once he got going that United started to build pressure. The lack of cohesion between unfamiliar teammates was really clear first half, especially with some playing in less familiar positions.

By the conclusion of the game, both Schweinsteiger and Fellaini had had good games. I've no problem with either and actually feel both are underused. We cannot just use them as a pair for second XI, however. Martial really got going too and so did Mkhi.

Did Rooney have a better game, or did he just not get in the way, making obvious errors? It's better to create shooting opportunities and perhaps miss them, then not having them at all. 0 shots against a Championship side at home says a lot.

Hopefully, I'll never have to see Bastian and Fellaini alone in midfield again. With Herrera or Pobga, fine, but as a two, no way.

 

[Cantonagotmehere]

I just watched the replay and it's hard to tell from the video exactly who he's screaming at. The replay shows Martial's man played a one-two at about the halfway line with the winger, covered tightly by Shaw & Martial stopped running & failed to get back and cover. I don't know if Rojo noticed who was to blame but he certainly was pissed! That said, he swept the ball away nicely and it all worked out. Shaw did not put a foot wrong in the second half and had some good moments. He was more involved after Fosu got hurt and also because Martial stayed left and was an outlet. Martial obviously had a much better second too, with two helpers, although far from perfect defensively.

Thanks mate. Agree Shaw and Martial had a good seconds. If Martial is not helping to cover the flanks, maybe that is one thing that frustrates Jose. All conjecture of course, I hope they both start the next game.

 

[Jaxdan]

His first touch is horrible. More often than not he loses it at critical times and attacks break down.

At times, yes. I could say that about all of them...Pogba, Martial, etc.,etc. Again, his 'first touch' on the Miki/Martial breakaway was splendid. Watch it again.