Match Threads Manchester United vs Spurs - Match Thread

[The Apprentice]

Such sloppy passing. Have pissed away some great openings with a poorly weighted pass or a mis-control.

Just not sure Dier and Dembele is the solution.

Lucky to go in level on the balance of chances.

Clear penalty for us. Pawson is a ****.

 

[walton]

I remember the good old days when Rose used to run around.

 

[Yid-ol]

We just haven't woken up so far today, which is worrying but also to do that and be 0-0 is a sign of how well we can play.

They are using the pace down the wings well and we need to stop them here before they score! But we are doing well harassing them in the middle and nicking the ball off them, we just need a better touch/pass at the end.

 

[dagraham]

Biggest problem is midfield. We can’t keep the ball and move their team around.

I don’t think Trippier has been able to receive the ball once in space in their half during the game so far.

 

[TheChosenOne]

I want to slap this ref.

He has been fooled from the off, United players orchestrating little fouls and simulating, although he let that Rose tackle go cos he missed the penalty shout.

 

[Giovanni]

Good news is that we havent conceded.

Bad news is what the F*** is going on when we get the ball? No composure, poor pases, lack of comunication and much more.
It always happens right? Its as though they need a shot of sumin strong at half time just to calm the heck down and play football. Othrwise the inevitable 1-0 defeat is imminent.

 

[CowInAComa]

I always think going in 0-0 playing bad is often a blessing.

Cant see us play that badly or Utd with that intensity in the second half.

 

[tooey]

The only players to come out of that half with any credit are Lucas, Jan and Toby. Thank the heavens that United have squandered the chances they've had. Dier is doing his "point and shout" Robbie Keane impression whilst doing the sum amount of F all himself. Rose looks like he's been instructed to put off potential interest by playing like an Atouba impressionist and Erkisen is as sloppy as I've ever seen.

 

[$hoguN]

Kane too deep for me

Particularly as he seems to have stopped running at defenders and shooting from distance

 

[DFF]

I've never seen Poch like this. I like it

I hope he puts the boot well and truly up em at half time.

 

[Oscar22]

Think I’d take Dier off and put Sanchez on.

Moura has been fantastic, but unfortunately he’ll probably get subbed off after 75mins.

 

[anydange]

Following the game on this match thread and it hasn’t failed to deliver.

Chris Sutton of a people reckon we’re growing into the game and have their defence under pressure. Any truth to this?

Not sure what game he's watching. We could be 3 down easily. One attempt on goal too.

 

[ajspurs]

I'm sorry but I don't buy United just all of a sudden playing brilliantly, I just knew we were gonna make them seem better than they are.

 

[Tonio]

Get Dier off. So immobile its untrue. Utd midfielders are too quick physically and also in thought. The game is passing him by.

You could say the same for all of them bar Lucas. So slow to react and look like theyve all gpt the arsehole about something smd and camt be bothered.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Dier offers nothing in there. Literally just stands and points. Doesn't have the dynamism to break up play and can't play on the half turn. Every pass goes backwards. He needs to be replaced in there going forward

 

[Hakkz]

Rose and Eriksen playing way below acceptable standards. Add Dier to that.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

I dont think we have been as bad as this thread is making out

 

[ClintEastwould]

I have no confidence in Dier with any modicum of pressure when hes on the ball. Hes a decent player for sure but this midfield experiment needs to stop. Rose looks like he just came back from holiday - miles off the pact physically and mentally.

 

[Deleted member 27855]

They look tight. Playing scared and playing not to lose, instead of playing to win. I don't think Poch yelling at them will have the desired effect. They need to relax and have some fun.

 

[davidmatzdorf]

The Sky commentators are under the impression that this has been a close, competitive half of football. Other than the scoreline, I'm not sure where they're getting that from. What I've been watching is a one-sided match, with Man U looking energetic and constructive, passing and breaking rapidly and with coordination. We're defending effectively, Rose's scuffed back-pass apart, but the midfield has been incapable of hanging onto the ball for more than 2-3 passes before someone passes directly to a Man U player and they're off again.

To be sure, Man U are playing a defensive formation with speedy players and pressing well, which means they can turn defence into attack as soon as we give them the ball. But you can see Spurs players looking for someone to pass to, hesitating because everyone is marked, but there is still a Man U player pressing them into turning it over, again and again.

On the three occasions we've put a move together, we've looked sharp in the box, plus Dele inexplicably refused to shoot when he had ample opportunity, but we've not really made any serious chances.

We should have had a penalty, undoubtedly, but a scoreline to suit the balance of play in this half would have been 2-0, not 0-1. We've been nervy, sluggish, hesitant and we've lacked ruthlessness. Fortunately the defenders have played well so far.

EDIT: And Moura, who has shown exactly what the others are missing tonight. Energy, precision and directness.