United (A) Post Match Thread

[Bluesince1979]

I’ll see you in May

I would be delighted. Stays fit.. YES!

 

[OB1]

It’s a high risk strategy. Dull football and trophies tends to be ok with most. Dull football and no trophies and it doesn’t.

The aim still won't be to play dull football. The approach is lower risk; not higher.

If games end up being dull, that will normally be because opponents park the bus.

 

[Millwallawayveteran1988]

The aim still won't be to play dull football. The approach is lower risk; not higher.

If games end up being dull, that will normally be because opponents park the bus.

I agree it’s not just down to us but it’s dull all the same. I don’t mind so much when I’m not at the ground. When I am, I’d rather we took the risk.

 

[The Stockport Iniesta]

The aim still won't be to play dull football. The approach is lower risk; not higher.

If games end up being dull, that will normally be because opponents park the bus.

The lower risk approach doesn't seem to be working though does it? We've played 5 teams so far who are higher than us in the league and we haven't won one.

 

[Impeccable One]

The ironic thing about our derby performance is that it’s EXACTLY what we needed in last 16/8 games when away in the CL over the last few years.

GREAT system/tactics against the wrong opposition in the wrong game.

 

[The Future’s Blue!]

The ironic thing about our derby performance is that it’s EXACTLY what we needed in last 16/8 games when away in the CL over the last few years.

GREAT system/tactics against the wrong opposition in the wrong game.

Practice?

 

[Cityinmud]

 

[Gingers Dad]

Totally understandable. The team is not playing exciting football. Pep can only work with what he has. We are missing a key ingredient and it is not working. No player in the squad can currently play like Dave. Maybe foden but that is a lot to ask of him and unfair. We looked better with gundo recently. He can help fill the silva void. We need to be patient. Let’s be honest we all have watched so much worse over the years.

I don't get the Foden will replace Dave thing. Whenever I see Foden play he seems a very different style of player. Much more athletic but not as comfortable on the ball. When Foden does move into centre mid I think he'll be a more box to box player. Same as Bernardo, who is also not a replacement for Dave. Closest we've got for that is Rodri.

 

[Fordyboy46]

The lower risk approach doesn't seem to be working though does it? We've played 5 teams so far who are higher than us in the league and we haven't won one.

Exactly, we seem as fearful about the top sides as they do about us. And we just end up cancelling each other out or losing

 

[OB1]

The lower risk approach doesn't seem to be working though does it? We've played 5 teams so far who are higher than us in the league and we haven't won one.

Depends on when you think the lower risk approach that I am referring to really started. I think what I describe as a 4-2-4 shape has only really been prevalent in the last few matches, post Spurs really; although I'd say we used it against Liverpool.

We have had six clean sheets in all competitions, I am not going to say if we keep that up... because that is not possible but as I have said umpteen times now, if we do keep a lot of clean sheets, we will win the vast majority of those games.

I am interested to see if Pep sticks with 4-2-4 against WBA or goes back to 4-3-3. One thing is for sure, it can take time to make something "new" work so concluding that the approach doesn't work at this point is premature. Good as Pep is, he can't just click his fingers and make things work instantly.

 

[waspish]

I don't get the Foden will replace Dave thing. Whenever I see Foden play he seems a very different style of player. Much more athletic but not as comfortable on the ball. When Foden does move into centre mid I think he'll be a more box to box player. Same as Bernardo, who is also not a replacement for Dave. Closest we've got for that is Rodri.

Agree more of a KDB player for me.

 

[Franny's toilet roll]

I think Pep summed it up , a boring game. Let's face it, we dropped 2 points. Pleasing to see Micah Richards make Keane and Neville squirm in post match chat. Would have posted that on the Micah thread but apparently i'm restricted on that one. Quite interesting what the 'thought police' admin team don't like . Always a guessing game , better than the football

 

[wolviedinho]

I don't get the Foden will replace Dave thing. Whenever I see Foden play he seems a very different style of player. Much more athletic but not as comfortable on the ball. When Foden does move into centre mid I think he'll be a more box to box player. Same as Bernardo, who is also not a replacement for Dave. Closest we've got for that is Rodri.

You have a point on Foden. He is more like a combination of Kev and Dave. Which is a great place to be. If we can find a midfielder with similar traits to silva we will be set. Trouble being that is not an easy task.

 

[fulabeer]

I don't get the Foden will replace Dave thing. Whenever I see Foden play he seems a very different style of player. Much more athletic but not as comfortable on the ball. When Foden does move into centre mid I think he'll be a more box to box player. Same as Bernardo, who is also not a replacement for Dave. Closest we've got for that is Rodri.

But Bernardo was supposed to be his replacement, and in his first season looked like it.
He was easy on the ball, and good in front of goal. He even stated at the time that Dave was his hero and he styled his play on his.
Then the Mendy thing happened and it all changed.
It could just be coincidence, or even Pep is telling him to play different. Who knows?

 

[alexmcity]

Table since Dias's arrival (last 9 games):

Spurs 21 pts
Chelsea 18 pts
Manure 17 pts
City 16 pts (GD +7)
Liverpool 16 pts (GD +6)

Liverpool are 5th based on their form over the last 9 weeks. Klopp is done! :)

Given that we played in 4-5 of those 9 games without a proper striker (both Kun and Jesus injured out or not really fit), we haven't done that bad.

Would it be too bold to suggest that Liverpool may miss out on top 4? Manure are a bit underrated, they have done better than Liverpool over the last 9 games.

 

[HarrytheBlue]

You have a point on Foden. He is more like a combination of Kev and Dave. Which is a great place to be. If we can find a midfielder with similar traits to silva we will be set. Trouble being that is not an easy task.

David is one in a million - far and away the best player in the Prem during his decade with us - more consistent than Hazard. All those perfectly weighted passes on the half turn for Raheem to run onto - forced Raheem to use all his natural attributes. Phil is an elite player pace, ultra skill, tenacious, confident, scores goals, goes by defenders like they're not there. Going to be among the best on the planet.