Manchester United Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[jondesouza]

Can you explain how Defoe was any worse than Rafa? Serious question - from what I could see both were as wasteful as each other.

Because with Rafa it was a poor game, a momentary lapse, if you will. With Defoe it is like a personal mission to blast the ball in the direction of the goal (regardless of result) as often as possible, regardless of position of team mates, in every single game he plays.

Disagree SP. Really think that Rafa's decision making during the second half of last season and tonight left a lot to be desired when we were chasing the game or trying to break down a defensive team.

 

[kdspur]

I'm as a disappointed as anyone with the result, but I just want to have my input:

For the first 60minutes we looked ok. Never really troubled United, but were never going to without a new shiny striker. United then stepped it up and we struggled to cope. We were missing some vital players, granted they were, but they obviously have better replacements.

Overall, I think Friedel, Dawson, Kaboul and Benny can hold their heads up. This highlights the fact that it is going forward and in midfield that we need to buy...and buy quick.

One thing I will say though is that United look class this season. A fantastic young squad with splatters of quality experience throughout. I can see them winning the league quite comfortably and therefore, we need to be realistic...we weren't ever going to really get a result here.

i agree but to role over and die without any heart drive or passion is totally unacceptable. alarm bells ringing all all over place for me. fucking disgraceful performances by defoe and lennon in particular whilst other are really bottom line no where near good enough

where was our hunger to do well?

where was the belief we cud at least nicj a point?

no balls.

 

[venablesphil]

Phew, thank God for Blue & Yellow eh? I was worried there for a bit.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

 

[NickHSpurs]

Some of you really do make this place unreadable after a loss, it actually angers me reading some of your pathetic posts!

3-0 flattered United, two keys moments went against us, both our own doing unfortunately, but had they happened, would have changed the game.

1. When Lennon has the chance to cut the ball back to Rafa on the six yard line.

2. Defoe hitting the post.

If either of these went our way, it would have been a different game.

We matched United for an hour, with what was a make shift CM pairing. We matched them in every area and just did not take our chance and decision making was what cost us in the end.

We got in some very very good positions and once again played some great stuff and I thought 3-0 was harsh on us.

 

[neptunes]

same old same old......................against manure. you have to give it to them. I am worried with what i saw in the 2nd half. might even finish beyond 6th unless we invest, not not tec.....

 

[Rout-Ledge]

We got in some very very good positions and once again played some great stuff and I thought 3-0 was harsh on us.

I have to disagree with this. So does the chief footy writer of the BBC, by the way, so no knee jerks here :up:. We were bereft of idea going forward. We had no spark. We didn't play well, and United won comfortably.

 

[ajspurs]

Some of you really do make this place unreadable after a loss, it actually angers me reading some of your pathetic posts!

3-0 flattered United, two keys moments went against us, both our own doing unfortunately, but had they happened, would have changed the game.

1. When Lennon has the chance to cut the ball back to Rafa on the six yard line.

2. Defoe hitting the post.

If either of these went our way, it would have been a different game.

We matched United for an hour, with what was a make shift CM pairing. We matched them in every area and just did not take our chance and decision making was what cost us in the end.

We got in some very very good positions and once again played some great stuff and I thought 3-0 was harsh on us.

This. There were other chances as well, maybe half chances, but the choices and quality of the choices made were poor, too poor. Times when we suddenly made space for ourselves when Defoe ended up shooting poorly or not making a decision quick enough, Bale making similar poor choices and VDV not being very ruthless in front of goal.

Considering the team we put out I'm almost kind of pleased by the performance but the most annoying thing is that I think we were able to get something from it but we really didn't make the most out of some of the advanced positions we got into.

 

[kishman]

I have to disagree with this. So does the chief footy writer of the BBC, by the way, so no knee jerks here :up:. We were bereft of idea going forward. We had no spark. We didn't play well, and United won comfortably wivalittlehelpfromthe ref.

Yep, we were shit going forward.

 

[JJetset]

Some of you really do make this place unreadable after a loss, it actually angers me reading some of your pathetic posts!

3-0 flattered United, two keys moments went against us, both our own doing unfortunately, but had they happened, would have changed the game.

1. When Lennon has the chance to cut the ball back to Rafa on the six yard line.

2. Defoe hitting the post.

If either of these went our way, it would have been a different game.

We matched United for an hour, with what was a make shift CM pairing. We matched them in every area and just did not take our chance and decision making was what cost us in the end.

We got in some very very good positions and once again played some great stuff and I thought 3-0 was harsh on us.

The 2 players you mentioned Defoe and Lennon unfortunately are a real let down. We need to be better and smarter than them 2 in the last 3rd. We are too predictable and even when Aaron gets into fantastic positions he lacks the ability to do the right thing.
That is why we were hoping to sell him and bring in Mata or Cazorla, So so frustrating!!

 

[RiotHartLane]

The 2 players you mentioned Defoe and Lennon unfortunately are a real let down. We need to be better and smarter than them 2 in the last 3rd. We are too predictable and even when Aaron gets into fantastic positions he lacks the ability to do the right thing.
That is why we were hoping to sell him and bring in Mata or Cazorla, So so frustrating!!

He doesn't know what to do but that's because the usual option of putting a cross into the box which most wingers would do without having to look, is a waste of time because we don't have any forwards with the ability to get on the end of it. Please bring in Adebayor, it would make such a difference

 

[StartingPrice]

Disagree SP. Really think that Rafa's decision making during the second half of last season and tonight left a lot to be desired when we were chasing the game or trying to break down a defensive team.

I'mnot saying VDVs decision making is perfect - sometimes he makes me bang my head in frustration.
But Defore is definitely worse IMHO.
I may have been exaggerating the case a little, but that is how I see it.

 

[steventhfc]

I want to go back to 4-4-2, it's no shock we played our best football playing 4-4-2. We'll have to accommodate VDV in a 4-4-2 somehow.

 

[Jaydog]

Yes it was very disappointing but had a touch of the inevitable. The premiership is all about winning the midfield and the players we had a available we were never going to do that. I am sure a midfield combo of Sandro and Diarra would have made things are lot more difficult for Utd. Both players are strong, have good speed and also are good enough on the ball.

Would have also loved to be able to play Crouch today and really test DeGea.

We did get in good positions but our final ball was AWFUL. Fingers crossed this result is a cataylst for some transfer action as the team does need some freshening up.

With 2 or 3 quality signings we wont be too far from where need to be..

One position we are strong is Goalkeeper, I hope both Gomes and Friedel get pushed by the competition

 

[JJetset]

Just a complete lack of ooomph and drive from midfield.
As stated before with players coming back in this will be rectified.

 

[StartingPrice]

I want to go back to 4-4-2, it's no shock we played our best football playing 4-4-2. We'll have to accommodate VDV in a 4-4-2 somehow.

Don't know if we can, Steve...don't think he works on the right, and he doesn't particularly like the role. His wanderings also put a massive amount of pressure on the full-back.
Don't see what other options there are. Don't think he would work as part of a midfield two, either.
Only alternative I can see is is we told him to just get his head around being a genuine striker in a partnership...but I think he would still drop deep all of the time.

 

[frazer]

The problem as always is that we defend far too deep and therefore give the opposition so much room that it becomes easy. Man u pressed high and gave us little room to play we dropped deep and gave them the entire pitch, it is very easy to blame the midfield but they could not cover 50 yards of pitch.

 

[Bobbins]

We played 4-4-2... VDV was playing right up, off Defoe. We just played it with two wingers who did nothing and roamed about, that's all.

 

[NI_Yid]

The only positive I took out of this game tbh was that the kit actually looks nice with the sponsor the right colour

Altho to be fair, Friedel looked good. wasn't at fault and even our shot-stopper in gomes wouldn't have had a chance, a few great saves too. my MOTM

 

[ThorntonSpur]

we surprisingly lacked width with bale constantly floating in to the middle especially in second half

 

[steventhfc]

Bale was doubled up on, Jones clattered him early on and from there on in him and Smalling covered him most the time. Lennon really has no clue what to do with the ball when he gets in the final fucking third though.