REPORT FROM TONIGHT'S GAME

salford7 red

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Here is a summary of tonight’s game. After 35 minutes, Veron released RVN into the area, but with only the goalie to beat, he hit the underside of the bar. Five minutes later, Solkjaer saw his header from Silvester’s deep cross finger tipped over the bar by the Bolton ‘keeper. Before all this, Bolton had a chance following a mistake from Blanc, but Barthez saved.

In the second half, Beckham failed to clear a throw in and Nolan scored with a low shot. This was Bolton’s one and only attack of the second half. Soon after Utd nearly scored from a scramble following a corner. And that is it.

We were crap. I have been to 4 games this season, and saw the Chelsea game on TV. In every match, RVN has looked a shadow of his self from last season. He cannot hold the ball up, and is going down too easily. He is being matched by Giggs. Now Giggs, being brought up in Salford has long been one of my favourite players, but my patience is wearing thin. He is always taking the wrong option – when he should take a player on he tries to get rid of the ball, and when he should cross he holds on to the ball for too long. Could this be because Giggs knows he has no competition? SAF said on the radio today that Fortune would be back in a month – I bet the premiership clubs are scared shi***s over that. Forlan (who I don’t rate), did more for the 10 minutes he was on than Giggs managed in the 90. Tonight Solksjaer looked our most dangerous forward, but guess what, in the second half he switched to the right wing where he was totally ineffective, and Beckham played in the middle of the pitch. I suppose this is what happens when you start the season with only 2 recognised forwards.

In my match report after the WBA game, someone called me a moron for suggesting that we only had 2 forwards, and one of them (Solksjaer), was more effective as a sub. That wasn’t my point. My point was by starting the season with just 2 forwards, my worry was that by xmas, RVN would be knackered, as he was at the end of last season. Remember, last season we started with four forwards, so at least they were given a rest.

The truth is that our squad is the weakest since 1993. If anyone disagrees with this statement, please tell me why. I think it's going to be long hard season.
 
Originally posted by salford7 red:
<strong> Tonight Solksjaer looked our most dangerous forward,

In my match report after the WBA game, someone called me a moron for suggesting that we only had 2 forwards, and one of them (Solksjaer), was more effective as a sub. </strong><hr></blockquote>


Solskjaer, though looking more dangerous than RVN, will still be the sacrificial lamb - as always. And you have to ask, if players off form aren't "rested", like Yorke wasn't in 1999/2000, where is their motivation. Ruud is a different kind of person to Dwight, but it's human nature to become complacent if you have the idea it doesn't matter how badly you play, you will always be selected.

And OGS isn't more effective as a sub. He is just the most effective sub. we have. Noose round his neck as kkcbl said somewhere.
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We were crap. I have been to 4 games this season, and saw the Chelsea game on TV. In every match, RVN has looked a shadow of his self from last season. He cannot hold the ball up, and is going down too easily. He is being matched by Giggs. Now Giggs, being brought up in Salford has long been one of my favourite players, but my patience is wearing thin. He is always taking the wrong option – when he should take a player on he tries to get rid of the ball, and when he should cross he holds on to the ball for too long. <hr></blockquote>

Exactly my sentiment, salford7 red !

Can you please confirm that you're not me in disguise? :D

Solskjaer, though looking more dangerous than RVN, will still be the sacrificial lamb - as always. And you have to ask, if players off form aren't "rested", like Yorke wasn't in 1999/2000, where is their motivation. Ruud is a different kind of person to Dwight, but it's human nature to become complacent if you have the idea it doesn't matter how badly you play, you will always be selected.

And OGS isn't more effective as a sub. He is just the most effective sub. we have.
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I agree with you, Livvie - as always! :)
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Ealier in the season, I have been shouting in the other forum that we should rest Giggs for some matches. He has not been effective so far. Damn, try Forlan there please. :mad:
 
Originally posted by Livvie20:
<strong>


Solskjaer, though looking more dangerous than RVN, will still be the sacrificial lamb - as always. And you have to ask, if players off form aren't "rested", like Yorke wasn't in 1999/2000, where is their motivation. Ruud is a different kind of person to Dwight, but it's human nature to become complacent if you have the idea it doesn't matter how badly you play, you will always be selected.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I'd like to see Ole and Ruud play together in the Leeds/Tottenham matches and see if they can start clicking as a unit again. I think those matches are going to be a lot more open and hopefully Ruud can get his game going.

It's worrying because RVN's form is definitely off. It's not just his finishing. His touch doesn't seem to be nearly as good as it was last year. I know some people have commented on how slow and tired he looks. If that's true maybe all the stamina training he did in the summer has backfired or maybe he's already a bit worn out from playing 4-5-1 two times a week. It's a bit puzzling because he looked so sharp in pre-season.

But I don't think complacency is his problem. I actually think the opposite could be true. He looks really frustrated on the pitch (I think from not scoring) and I don't think that frustration is helping his game on the pitch.

Not sure what the problem is, but if he doesn't look any better in a couple of matches, I think Fergie should consider putting him on the bench for a couple of matches and play Ole/Diego especially against teams who come to OT playing for a nil-nil draw. With Diego's movement and link-up play, he might be able to bring something different to the match that could help unlock those defences.
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Giggs need space ... and yes he's far far worse this season compare to anyone before this ...even those seasons that he has been hampered by injuries ...

Switching players around is always essential ... we were the team started off the shout for 4 strikers and big squard and today, we have one of the thinnest in the top-flight teams ... especially up front !! ... Other team improve by learning ... while we actually ditch our self believe and go for something else ...

After the WBA and Sunderland game it's already very obvious that we find it hard to score this season ... which is absolutely not Man Utd style for christ sake !! Yes we have build the defence ( a bit better ) but it's always bound for some odd goals there and about ... if we can't score, than how are we gonna win a match??

Fergie used to said : " Doesn't matter how many our opponent score, as long as we can score more, we will win it !!" ... Now what ?? :mad:
 
Originally posted by Lion:
<strong>Ealier in the season, I have been shouting in the other forum that we should rest Giggs for some matches. He has not been effective so far. Damn, try Forlan there please. :mad: </strong><hr></blockquote>

Rest, he's just had 3 months rest.
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Perhaps he means leave him out, bench him, drop him?
 
Originally posted by Dans:
<strong>Perhaps he means leave him out, bench him, drop him?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, he needs a bloody good kick up the arse!
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I think our biggest problem over the last 2 - 3 years has been the lack of width provided by our wide players. They are both moving infield to much and thus crowding the middle of the park, and being closed down easily by numbers. 98 - 99 season we scored an abundance of goals from wide crosses. We need to keep our wingers on the wing and provide from there, central attacks are being closed down to easily.
 
Originally posted by Lynott:
<strong>I think our biggest problem over the last 2 - 3 years has been the lack of width provided by our wide players. They are both moving infield to much and thus crowding the middle of the park, and being closed down easily by numbers. 98 - 99 season we scored an abundance of goals from wide crosses. We need to keep our wingers on the wing and provide from there, central attacks are being closed down to easily.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Great post..Summarises the situation well. This lack of width also allows the wide defenders to come in and frustrate Ruud. With this width and someone supporting him he will have more space, a few goals and confidence.
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Originally posted by Lynott:
<strong>I think our biggest problem over the last 2 - 3 years has been the lack of width provided by our wide players. They are both moving infield to much and thus crowding the middle of the park, and being closed down easily by numbers. 98 - 99 season we scored an abundance of goals from wide crosses. We need to keep our wingers on the wing and provide from there, central attacks are being closed down to easily.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Agree 100%, we're too narrow and Giggs constantly cuts in rather than beating the man on the outside. I think they're under instruction to do this however. Silvestre seems to provide the attacking width in most attacks down the left whereas Phil Neville is possibly the worst United player I can remember and offers nothing (going forward or defending), he's an 80's throwback and hasn't got a clue what to do with the ball. He's a sub at best, can't wait for Gary to return.
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Originally posted by CheckOne:
<strong>

Agree 100%, we're too narrow and Giggs constantly cuts in rather than beating the man on the outside. I think they're under instruction to do this however. Silvestre seems to provide the attacking width in most attacks down the left whereas Phil Neville is possibly the worst United player I can remember and offers nothing (going forward or defending), he's an 80's throwback and hasn't got a clue what to do with the ball. He's a sub at best, can't wait for Gary to return.</strong><hr></blockquote>
It certainly is deliberate, particular Beckham who was actually playing in central midfield in the second half. But rather than put Ole on the right, we should put Chadwick there and keep Ole up front - if we're gonna play Becks in the middle.
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Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>
But rather than put Ole on the right, we should put Chadwick there and keep Ole up front - if we're gonna play Becks in the middle.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Why not put Diego there?When he comes on he often goes wide either right or left and sets up scoring chances in the short time he`s on the pitch.
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Originally posted by sin65:
<strong>

Why not put Diego there?When he comes on he often goes wide either right or left and sets up scoring chances in the short time he`s on the pitch.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I don't think he's a winger in the 4-4-2 sense, maybe in the 4-3-3 sense though. Wingers need to cross, and he's ok at that, but nothing special. If he was a wide forward then he'll be trying to make runs between the central defender and the full back, and I think that he'd be good at that.
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You`re right about the 4-4-2 formation,its my formation of choice,we have always prospered with it but my thinking was more along the lines of playing Diego wide rather than Ole.
He could probably get passed defenders easier with his speed and cut the ball through to Becks in a central right roll or cut in for goal in a (dare I say it)Stevie Coppell style.
Wether the the Nevilles are liked or not we sure miss Garys crosses from the right these days.
 
Originally posted by sin65:
<strong>You`re right about the 4-4-2 formation,its my formation of choice,we have always prospered with it but my thinking was more along the lines of playing Diego wide rather than Ole.
He could probably get passed defenders easier with his speed and cut the ball through to Becks in a central right roll or cut in for goal in a (dare I say it)Stevie Coppell style.
Wether the the Nevilles are liked or not we sure miss Garys crosses from the right these days.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Phil actually got in one very good cross last night, but it was just the one. Mickey didn't have a good attacking game either, though he looked better defending for a change.
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Phil has looked ok in most games this season,he makes the odd mistake in a game but so does every player,he has`nt got the high profile or the backers to make him immune from ridicule tho.
Someone on here even took the piss out of him for slipping last night,when a Bolton player fell over him and caused his booking but slipping seems to happen quite often at OT these days and round by me in the East end we were going mad at the ref for one of HIS many errors not Phil.
 
Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>
It certainly is deliberate, particular Beckham who was actually playing in central midfield in the second half. But rather than put Ole on the right, we should put Chadwick there and keep Ole up front - if we're gonna play Becks in the middle.</strong><hr></blockquote>

It's ridiculous why Fergie would put Ole on the wing instead of giving Chadwick a chance -- he will never improve if he continue to sit on the bench every match.
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Originally posted by uranushk1:
<strong>

It's ridiculous why Fergie would put Ole on the wing instead of giving Chadwick a chance -- he will never improve if he continue to sit on the bench every match.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I agree that he should play, but he hasn't been ready yet, he's still getting his fitness up from his layoff at the end of last season, but he was at least on the bench last night and should be ready to play soon.
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