United (A) Post Match Thread

[WallyA]

We don't play well with 2 dm's
Why can't we play our 433 that won us all those trophies.
Gutless from Pep
Also sterling and Mahrez need time on the bench, useless.

2 DMs isn't an issue if you use fullbacks high and wide to stretch the pitch.

With Mendy and Cancelo it works well, but Pep was too afraid of the counter and so had them also play deep, which meant we had 6 players naturally playing deep, with KdB dropping in every now and then.

That's a poor way to set-up going forward, great for the defense though.

 

[Cornish_Blue]

He needs to go.

Put the glue down.

 

[Phil Mitchell Foden]

I do, he is excellent, but play him as a sole central DM and do not pair him with another one who is old and forgot how to play in that area. Gundo would have definitely improved things, but something changed in Pep after so many times being on the receiving end of smash and grab losses.
I read Chilwell's interview in today's The Guardian, where he said they have mindset right now they cannot lose. This is exactly what our team - still the best alongside the dippers in my view - has lost and Pep doesn't help with his talk, with his attitude, with his actions on and off the field. But what really made me angry is the fact we should be winning this game 2:0, even after this mediocre performance, this is not 2006 where drawing half of your games gets you to winning the title.

He's excellent? Based on what exactly?

His stat padding passing stats?

He's one paced, always second best in the challenge, easily beaten in one v ones, positionally all over the place, and usually out on his feet after about 60 minutes. With possession he's largely cautious and doesn't have a killer pass in him, not much quality to his game, and we genuinely have better footballers at centre half.

The only reason Fernandinho is playing is because Rodri can't be trusted as a lone pivot. If he made the grade Fernandinho wouldn't be getting a look in, because he's in the twilight of his career and shouldn't be starting regularly.

Rodri was brought in to be a Fernandinho replacement, and the truth is he isn't fit to lace his boots.

 

[nellyonthewing]

No one can defend that cowardly performance totally lacking confidence or ambition. Inept management that disrespects the Derby fixture. They were there to be taken and he just stood there watching Mahrez and Sterling stink the place out and did nothing.
Bluemoon will have a few hours of disbelief to be followed by acceptance then denial phase.

 

[Mike N]

Feels like another defeat.

 

[Neville Kneville]

Tbf he is right, this City team is a shadow of the team that won the league 2 years ago.

It genuinely is though. That team also had Fernandinho but younger & several superstars at their peak. And KDB is dead on his feet at the moment with Sterling not far behind.

It's a better squad than this one. We can't really expect this team to be as good until we get everyone fully fit & rebuild.

But we should have won this game, with this team, in this formation, tonight. Put the ball in the fucking net & that's a nice, solid away win.

 

[Damanino]

United next home game is against Leeds. Bielsa will try to win the game more than Pep, might end up losing but might give the a harder game than we did.

 

[abu13]

We need to be starting with Torres and Foden on the wings on Tuesday night.

Mahrez and Sterling are way off the pace

 

[ninjamonkey]

thought Pep got his tactics right tonight. our normal game plays right into their hands and he cant trust the players not to fall for it so he changed it and made sure we didnt lose.

if it wasnt for yet more terrible finishing this time from mahrez and sterling we would be coming away from that with a convincing win.

pep has rightly been questioned this season but this one is on the players.

felt he should have freshened it up second half though. Should have taken Rodri off and brought on either Gundogan or Bernardo, both would have done his job just as well and added extra creativity in the middle and aide in getting the ball to kdb.

how sterling even started nevermind stayed on the pitch for 90 minutes is beyond me. completely ineffective as he has been all season, mahrez Foden Torres and Bernardo should all be ahead of him right now as he offers the side nothing whatsoever.

Should be winning, our title rivals beat these tonight but a point away is better than nothing.

 

[A57 the snake]

Get Bobby manc to give a pre match and half time talk ... please.