What was the single biggest factor in the defeat to Everton.

[Mersault]

You don't think Vidic is a good captain? I think he's brilliant in the leadership role. He clearly organises the back line, while his style and stature gives the classic 'leading by example' effect.

Yeah, I think Vidic provides that in defense without doubt. But further up the pitch there is no one individual who takes control when needed. That may hint at our collective lack of quick movement and quick passing when games don't simply open up for us, but nonetheless, bite in midfield can provide a spark and wake people up.

Not saying Vida isn't a suitable captain - we just may need someone else to step up also, Fletcher does that purely by being infectiously relentless (Welbeck is the closest to him that way IMV).

But yeah, of course this is mostly born out of a nostalgia for a Keane type character. I'd be happy with half of that tbf.

 

[Feed Me]

Yeah, I think Vidic provides that in defense without doubt. But further up the pitch there is no one individual who takes control when needed. That may hint at our collective lack of quick movement and quick passing when games don't simply open up for us, but nonetheless, bite in midfield can provide a spark and wake people up.

Not saying Vida isn't a suitable captain - we just may need someone else to step up also, Fletcher does that purely by being infectiously relentless (Welbeck is the closest to him that way IMV).

But yeah, of course this is mostly born out of a nostalgia for a Keane type character. I'd be happy with half of that tbf.

I take your point; perhaps we are a bit 'quiet' as we move up the field, but it's no different to the likes of Barcelona and RM. Neither have what you'd call "put it up them" midfielders and forwards.

What we lacked on Monday was a physically imposing CB pairing. Vidic and Smalling at the best would have given a good account of themselves.

 

[Mersault]

I take your point; perhaps we are a bit 'quiet' as we move up the field, but it's no different to the likes of Barcelona and RM. Neither have what you'd call "put it up them" midfielders and forwards.

What we lacked on Monday was a physically imposing CB pairing. Vidic and Smalling at the best would have given a good account of themselves.

I agree with you in that having an actual defense would have been helpful on Monday. However, our problems didn't just lie in us being unable to deal with Fellaini or defending set-pieces. They lay in sluggish movement, predictable attacking patterns, collective-off-game performances, lack of balance...I mean, given the attacking options we had, even if we had problems dealing with the physical side of the game, we should have looked a lot more dangerous going forward and shown more urgency.

With regards to your other point, Barca can afford to be relatively quiet as they've got the best midfield in the world. Easy. They don't need waking up, their movement, trickery, finding space and quick passing is second nature.

 

[Feed Me]

I agree with you in that having an actual defense would have been helpful on Monday. However, our problems didn't just lie in us being unable to deal with Fellaini or defending set-pieces. They lay in sluggish movement, predictable attacking patterns, collective-off-game performances, lack of balance...I mean, given the attacking options we had, even if we had problems dealing with the physical side of the game, we should have looked a lot more dangerous going forward and shown more urgency.

With regards to your other point, Barca can afford to be relatively quiet as they've got the best midfield in the world. Easy. They don't need waking up, their movement, trickery, finding space and quick passing is second nature.

I agree.

The major factor in us losing the game was an ability to cope with Everton's threat from set pieces. As I've said since the loss, a fully fit centre half pairing may well have seen us cope better in that respect. We have to accept though that in the mood Fellaini was in, he may well have towered over anyone in the world for that goal.

The major factor in us not winning the game was our attacking impotence. I'm hopeful that the disjointed nature of our forward play is the result of a new system with different personnel. We should be heartened by taking 60% possession against a team like Everton away, but of course bald possession is no good. Hopefully, as players acclimatise to the system and each other, we'll see us look better at the sharp end.

 

[Vibhas]

Heartening to see that we got the reported 69% possession there.
If we can keep that at an away game, to Everton, no less, we'll do well once we've got some attacking players on form.

 

[Feed Me]

Heartening to see that we got the reported 69% possession there.
If we can keep that at an away game, to Everton, no less, we'll do well once we've got some attacking players on form.

This is what I'm thinking. Though I saw the figure reported around 60% - either way, it's brilliant away from home.

As you say though, that needs to translate into points.

 

[Denis' cuff]

This is what I'm thinking. Though I saw the figure reported around 60% - either way, it's brilliant away from home.

As you say though, that needs to translate into points.

there was probably a degree of Everton sitting back and parking the bus but still....

OP = absent defenders

 

[Say Goodbye]

Not counter attacking quick enough, instead just passing sideways, reaching Nani who kept on putting in awful crosses.

Kagawa's touch and vision looked great, and I liked Van Persie's movement. That's about it on the positives.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Lose one game and the inquest starts?

I can't wait for the rest of the season

 

[apotheosis]

This is what I'm thinking. Though I saw the figure reported around 60% - either way, it's brilliant away from home.

As you say though, that needs to translate into points.

It may look encouraging, but as Denis pointed out that was Everton's tactic to allow us possession in certain areas, and then hit us on the counter using Fellaini to hold the ball up for them.

What we actually created from our possession was much more telling imo. Early days though and it is a very tough away game. I am still hopeful of far better days ahead.

 

[Will Absolute]

Lose one game and the inquest starts?

I can't wait for the rest of the season

Discussing the team and it's performance is the main purpose of this board.

If that's not allowed, we can all count pubic hairs in the General.

 

[Sultan]

Just not clinical. Wasted a lot of possession in the final third.

 

[Livvie]

Fallaini was less effective when marked by Vidic than by Carrick. And why do strikers take corners?

But tis early days. I expect a goal rush shortly.

 

[pete_8]

To many poor performances and lack of leadership

 

[Nathan]

Clearly the Fellaini factor, we couldnt handle him at all. It appeared that between Carrick and Vidic, neither player had an idea how to approach his style of play. Everytim he got the ball, he managed to lay it off to a team mate.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

I'm losing the will to live reading all the drama here about last night's game, it's bordering on the hysterical at times. So. with no hyperbole, what in your opinion, in one concise sentence was the reason we lost last night?


For me it was having 4 centre backs injured.


edit - the key here is focus, thus the phrases 'single biggest factor' and one concise sentence. Gimps.

Failure to cut Fellaini's supply lines quickly due to starting Scholes.