Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur

[Wsussexspur]

Slightly disappointed as at 0-0 and the once we got it to 1-1 didn't look like losing. Got no complaints bout the first penalty and 2nd one I thought was slightly harsh but then can fully understand why referee gave it and probably be screaming for penalty if it happened against us. Thought Andy gray was complete knob having ago at Bale all game. Its the first poor game Bales had since January! On that point though maybe tiredness came into his performance abit. Maybe thinking about resting him against Bolton. I generally now believe however well we play we will never get anything at old Trafford apart from the odd draw. So why dont we say at start of season we will forfeit the game take a 1-0 defeat and start season with -3 points! Least it would give the players abit of rest at some point in the season having to play 1 game less! Any way on to positives didn't think we played poorly today and if people had said we would get 6 points from past 3 games we would have bitten there hands off. Now lets hope ars*al can do us a massive favour and beat city!

 

[dontcallme]

Overall I thought we were pretty good today. The first half was a good example of the pressing game. Both teams consantly pressured the opposition to stop the passing game. There wasn't a shot until the 28th minute.

The second half opened up more and a sloppy challenge gave an unnecessary penalty. Utd had the first 15 minutes and then we had a strong spell resulting in a goal. With Lennon and Bale on the pitch and ineffective Defoe off with Crouch on, I thought we had the momentum to pressure them some more.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be. A great goal by Nani and another sloppy, unnecessary challenge gave another penalty and the deciding goal. I'm sure some of you will find a scapegoat but I'm quite enthusiastic after today.

I can see Lennon and Bale giving teams a real nightmare and the workrate of Modric and Palacios is giving a lot of space to our creative players. The future is certainly bright and 4th is still very possible.

 

[kernowspur]

We gave the ball away far too much. The main culprits were Palacios, Bentley and at times Huddlestone. The result was that the defence were under alot of pressure and had to make hurried clearances that gave the ball back to United.
Less said about penalties given away the better, but Harry had better teach them about rash and clumsy challenges in the penalty area.
Beginning to think that Crouch isn't even a good sub to bring on for last 15-20 mnutes.

 

[spurs_viola]

Apologies, don't have time or inclination to re-do the post from FrontPage, but the points are there to make, so here goes:

The result was perhaps more or less expected, and of course 6 points out of 9 from the last 3 games is probably better than most people would have thought. But it is the certain selection decisions against Man U again that make one ask questions.

Strange that we bought Kaboul as primarily RB cover for Corluka, and yet decide to play the LB Assou-Ekotto there. Especially after Kaboul has just played quite well as RB against Arsenal and Chelski. BAE is a good defender, but gets understandably more edgy when under bigger pressure than usual and without a proper support from a RM - the utterly ineffective Bentley today.

Bale had perhaps his best performances this season in the last 2 matches and really relished the LM position ahead of BAE as LB. Why then tinker with the successful formula?

Palacios was quite shaky and again, after the last 2 big games, why wasn't Kaboul on for the 2nd half at least - seeing that Palacios was not exactly on the game today, to change the shape of the team back to the successful set up v Chelski?

Today was a perfect example of what Crouch factor does to the team performance.
Even just before 1-1, with Lennon and Gudjonssen on, we were beginning to play much more cohesively and effectively on the ground. But when Crouch replaced Pav, the team resorted to the predictable long ball to Crouch, for him to flick it on to a Man U defender 4 out of 5 times. So Lennon hardly saw the ball and the quick pass and move game disappeared, with Crouch offering much more inferior link up play and movement than Pav. We did not get a chance to see Modric, Gudjonssen, Lennon, Bale and Pav combine skill, vision and pace in the last 25 min, esp after equalising and gaining advantage. No, Crouch came on and the team went back to long ball.

Man U did not have to do much to neutralise Lennon threat; Harry did it for them by sending Crouch on.

 

[stevethfc]

Apologies, don't have time or inclination to re-do the post from FrontPage, but the points are there to make, so here goes:

The result was perhaps more or less expected, and of course 6 points out of 9 from the last 3 games is probably better than most people would have thought. But it is the certain selection decisions against Man U again that make one ask questions.

Strange that we bought Kaboul as primarily RB cover for Corluka, and yet decide to play the LB Assou-Ekotto there. Especially after Kaboul has just played quite well as RB against Arsenal and Chelski. BAE is a good defender, but gets understandably more edgy when under bigger pressure than usual and without a proper support from a RM - the utterly ineffective Bentley today.

Bale had perhaps his best performances this season in the last 2 matches and really relished the LM position ahead of BAE as LB. Why then tinker with the successful formula?

Palacios was quite shaky and again, after the last 2 big games, why wasn't Kaboul on for the 2nd half at least - seeing that Palacios was not exactly on the game today, to change the shape of the team back to the successful set up v Chelski?

Today was a perfect example of what Crouch factor does to the team performance.
Even just before 1-1, with Lennon and Gudjonssen on, we were beginning to play much more cohesively and effectively on the ground. But when Crouch replaced Pav, the team resorted to the predictable long ball to Crouch, for him to flick it on to a Man U defender 4 out of 5 times. So Lennon hardly saw the ball and the quick pass and move game disappeared, with Crouch offering much more inferior link up play and movement than Pav. We did not get a chance to see Modric, Gudjonssen, Lennon, Bale and Pav combine skill, vision and pace in the last 25 min, esp after equalising and gaining advantage. No, Crouch came on and the team resorted back to long ball.

Man U did not have to do much to neutralise Lennon threat; Harry did it for them by sending Crouch on.

Agreed, thank you.

 

[IamCelestial]

Apologies, don't have time or inclination to re-do the post from FrontPage, but the points are there to make, so here goes:

The result was perhaps more or less expected, and of course 6 points out of 9 from the last 3 games is probably better than most people would have thought. But it is the certain selection decisions against Man U again that make one ask questions.

Strange that we bought Kaboul as primarily RB cover for Corluka, and yet decide to play the LB Assou-Ekotto there. Especially after Kaboul has just played quite well as RB against Arsenal and Chelski. BAE is a good defender, but gets understandably more edgy when under bigger pressure than usual and without a proper support from a RM - the utterly ineffective Bentley today.

Bale had perhaps his best performances this season in the last 2 matches and really relished the LM position ahead of BAE as LB. Why then tinker with the successful formula?

Palacios was quite shaky and again, after the last 2 big games, why wasn't Kaboul on for the 2nd half at least - seeing that Palacios was not exactly on the game today, to change the shape of the team back to the successful set up v Chelski?

Today was a perfect example of what Crouch factor does to the team performance.
Even just before 1-1, with Lennon and Gudjonssen on, we were beginning to play much more cohesively and effectively on the ground. But when Crouch replaced Pav, the team resorted to the predictable long ball to Crouch, for him to flick it on to a Man U defender 4 out of 5 times. So Lennon hardly saw the ball and the quick pass and move game disappeared, with Crouch offering much more inferior link up play and movement than Pav. We did not get a chance to see Modric, Gudjonssen, Lennon, Bale and Pav combine skill, vision and pace in the last 25 min, esp after equalising and gaining advantage. No, Crouch came on and the team resorted back to long ball.

Man U did not have to do much to neutralise Lennon threat; Harry did it for them by sending Crouch on.

as always, a great post!

 

[Azrael]

I hope Harold realises that Crouch needs to go.

 

[markiespurs]

Overall I thought we were pretty good today. The first half was a good example of the pressing game. Both teams consantly pressured the opposition to stop the passing game. There wasn't a shot until the 28th minute.

The second half opened up more and a sloppy challenge gave an unnecessary penalty. Utd had the first 15 minutes and then we had a strong spell resulting in a goal. With Lennon and Bale on the pitch and ineffective Defoe off with Crouch on, I thought we had the momentum to pressure them some more.

Unfortunately it wasn't to be. A great goal by Nani and another sloppy, unnecessary challenge gave another penalty and the deciding goal. I'm sure some of you will find a scapegoat but I'm quite enthusiastic after today.

I can see Lennon and Bale giving teams a real nightmare and the workrate of Modric and Palacios is giving a lot of space to our creative players. The future is certainly bright and 4th is still very possible.

Like you, i'm also quite enthusiastic after todays game. I thought we played quite well and made Utd work hard for their victory, with the 3-1 scoreline flattering them somewhat.

We've just come of the back of 3 of the toughest fixtures in the league and earned 6 points out of a possible 9 and are still in a great posistion for 4th.

There's still all to play for!

 

[shelfmonkey]

Apologies, don't have time or inclination to re-do the post from FrontPage, but the points are there to make, so here goes:

The result was perhaps more or less expected, and of course 6 points out of 9 from the last 3 games is probably better than most people would have thought. But it is the certain selection decisions against Man U again that make one ask questions.

Strange that we bought Kaboul as primarily RB cover for Corluka, and yet decide to play the LB Assou-Ekotto there. Especially after Kaboul has just played quite well as RB against Arsenal and Chelski. BAE is a good defender, but gets understandably more edgy when under bigger pressure than usual and without a proper support from a RM - the utterly ineffective Bentley today.

Bale had perhaps his best performances this season in the last 2 matches and really relished the LM position ahead of BAE as LB. Why then tinker with the successful formula?

Palacios was quite shaky and again, after the last 2 big games, why wasn't Kaboul on for the 2nd half at least - seeing that Palacios was not exactly on the game today, to change the shape of the team back to the successful set up v Chelski?

Today was a perfect example of what Crouch factor does to the team performance.
Even just before 1-1, with Lennon and Gudjonssen on, we were beginning to play much more cohesively and effectively on the ground. But when Crouch replaced Pav, the team resorted to the predictable long ball to Crouch, for him to flick it on to a Man U defender 4 out of 5 times. So Lennon hardly saw the ball and the quick pass and move game disappeared, with Crouch offering much more inferior link up play and movement than Pav. We did not get a chance to see Modric, Gudjonssen, Lennon, Bale and Pav combine skill, vision and pace in the last 25 min, esp after equalising and gaining advantage. No, Crouch came on and the team resorted back to long ball.

Man U did not have to do much to neutralise Lennon threat; Harry did it for them by sending Crouch on.

Agree with all that. The bit about the defeat being expected is what really bothers me, not so much the fact that most supporters would agree so, but I think the players actually believe the result is a foregone conclusion and that is very disturbing IMO. If Spurs have real intentions of joining the 'elite' clubs, then the mentallity will have to change to that of a team that believes they will win at OT!!!

 

[stormfly]

I thought we had em when it went 1 - 1

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

Me too stormfly. Me too :-(

 

[AngerManagement]

Todays game is over, we need 7 points from our last 3 to take CL I feel so lets focus on that.

2 away games will make this a tougher task then you would think and we really need City and Villa to drop points over this weekend to help our cause...but 7 points from next 3 games is our target and the type of finish to a season a club needs if they want to make a push for CL anything less than 7 points will probably not be enough and probably not deserve to be in all honesty.

Its on Harry and the squad to raise themselves again and show the fight that put Chelsea and Arsenal to the sword.

 

[spursFanKC]

Me too stormfly. Me too :-(

me three - but two sloppy, but correctable, defensive mistakes let us down.

In defence of substitutions it is usually a crap shoot as to what changes to make and when to make them. On the whole I think that Harry has made good choices. My current concern is lack of goals from the forwards over the last 3 games - chances have been there for taking but not converted.

 

[StockSpur]

3 obvservations, evra and nani wasted about 4 minutes throwing up on the pitch, all 6 substitutions were made, why only 4 mins OT?
When the whole world witnessed Evra in agony throwing up, I dont know about anyone else but I would thrown Lennon on there and then to terrorise the fuck out of him.
Square pegs, round holes, only unlike our previous managers Harry tried to fit two different square pegs in the same round hole; sorry Harry but thats just fucking dense!

 

[Alfieconnman]

Apologies, don't have time or inclination to re-do the post from FrontPage, but the points are there to make, so here goes:

The result was perhaps more or less expected, and of course 6 points out of 9 from the last 3 games is probably better than most people would have thought. But it is the certain selection decisions against Man U again that make one ask questions.

Strange that we bought Kaboul as primarily RB cover for Corluka, and yet decide to play the LB Assou-Ekotto there. Especially after Kaboul has just played quite well as RB against Arsenal and Chelski. BAE is a good defender, but gets understandably more edgy when under bigger pressure than usual and without a proper support from a RM - the utterly ineffective Bentley today.

Bale had perhaps his best performances this season in the last 2 matches and really relished the LM position ahead of BAE as LB. Why then tinker with the successful formula?

Palacios was quite shaky and again, after the last 2 big games, why wasn't Kaboul on for the 2nd half at least - seeing that Palacios was not exactly on the game today, to change the shape of the team back to the successful set up v Chelski?

Today was a perfect example of what Crouch factor does to the team performance.
Even just before 1-1, with Lennon and Gudjonssen on, we were beginning to play much more cohesively and effectively on the ground. But when Crouch replaced Pav, the team resorted to the predictable long ball to Crouch, for him to flick it on to a Man U defender 4 out of 5 times. So Lennon hardly saw the ball and the quick pass and move game disappeared, with Crouch offering much more inferior link up play and movement than Pav. We did not get a chance to see Modric, Gudjonssen, Lennon, Bale and Pav combine skill, vision and pace in the last 25 min, esp after equalising and gaining advantage. No, Crouch came on and the team resorted back to long ball.

Man U did not have to do much to neutralise Lennon threat; Harry did it for them by sending Crouch on.

Agreed - good post.

 

[double0]

I thought we competed well enough definitely when Modric moved centrally. my concerns were with our forward line and lack of activity between Defoe and Pav, still think we need top quality striker. Thought it was there for us today likewise at Anfield yet we come short again.

 

[worcestersauce]

I have only just got in so I kno wthe score and they got two penalties nothing of the game but reading this thread it reminded me of my post just two days ago:-

But you are reducing Modric by 50% just to fit Wilson in so there's no gain, how important is it to get him in anyway surely not enough to reduce the effectiveness of the team to that extent.

I think we have moved on from the situation where we were desperate to have, and needed, Pallacios in the team , the last two weeks have proven that.
I guess we are away and so may not be as good as we have been at home but if so and if we really do need Wilson playing then play him without cocking up our main route to goal, our left hand side.

Seems to me we did exactly that!!! Our left hand side of BAE, Bale & Modric inside was a strength so why the fuck did we start with Benny on the right and why the fuck did we move Bale back into defence? We seem to have reduced our main attacking strength to counter a perceived weakness which is bad management I'm afraid, if I could see it then so should our management team; very disappointed.:evil:
However I don't know all the details so I am ready to stand corrected but I'm pretty sure Sir Alex would have looked at that starting line up and smiled quietly to himself and given a timely boost to his team.

 

[chinaman]

Good as he was in this game, I think the King of old would have really be quick he turn enough on to prevent Nani's goal.

 

[DC_Boy]

well WS you have to answer why we didn't do as i suggestd play modric hudd wilson bale

and harry - well BAE at RB - i think not

 

[worcestersauce]

well WS you have to answer why we didn't do as i suggestd play modric hudd wilson bale

and harry - well BAE at RB - i think not

I thought I'd done that a couple of days ago:-
"But you are reducing Modric by 50% just to fit Wilson in so there's no gain, how important is it to get him in anyway surely not enough to reduce the effectiveness of the team to that extent".

My case was:-
" if we really do need Wilson playing then play him without cocking up our main route to goal, our left hand side".

We appear to have cocked up our L/H side by a different route but it would have still been cocked up by putting Modric the wide right.

I'll repeat I've seen nothing of the game and still don't know the details but I think that is a constant.