Ratings V Utd
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Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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That was the best 90 minutes of football we have played this season. Possibly even last season too, I can't be sure. Everywhere except the penalty area, where unfortunately we were once again unable to fashion a clear goal scoring chance.
In many ways this game confirmed for me my feelings at the start of this season that ManU are the team closest to our grasp in the traditional top 3 (Chels/Arse/ManU).
With the exception of our ability to craft a quality chance, every other aspect of this game was superb. We started off pressing from the front, and although ManU had moments, we were the better team from start to finish. Probably the first time I've been able to say that in a league match against any of the big 3 since Arsenal at home (with 10 men for a lot of the game though) in Redknapp's first season.
And, in Modric, we had the best player on the pitch. He was magnificent today. Ran the gaff from start to finish. Close second would have to be Palacios, who provided the perfect foil. I still want to see Modric able to play further up, with more freedom, and there have been plenty of games that support this idea, but today wasn't one of them.
I've always said that if he does play there, Palacios is the most suitable partner, and today he was also superb. Made sure that at no time ManU's midfield got hold of the game. Seeing more of the ball than both Carrick and Fletcher and passing it more efficiently than both.
The defence were never truly examined, and as such were fine, with Ekotto particularly having one of his good games (still had a couple of Ekotto moments). VDV was very bright in the first half but not quiet as effective in the second, Bale worked hard going forwards but wasted several good opportunities with a lack of composure, and there were spells again where he needed to work harder defensively. Lennon on the other hand was possibly our most disappointing player. Wasted some good positions - last minute beats Giggs, goes clear with four players screaming for a ball and incomprehensibly decides to allow Hernandes to strip him - also played a crap ball to Hutton in another great position - and other times just didn't move well enough off the ball.
Ratings:
Gomes 8 - Wasn't exactly over worked but did everything well and made one match changing save. From a goalies perspective as good as a goal.
Hutton 7.5 - Saw loads of the ball today and played really well for the most part.
Gallas 7 - Good game.
Dawson 7 - Good game.
Ekotto 7.5 - See Hutton
Lennon 6 - Disappointing
Palacios 8 - Superb.
Modric 9 - Outstanding. Industry and craft.
Bale 7 - At tmes worked hard to fashion something, but his end product was disappointing and there were occasions when he needed to get contribute some defending and looks a bit less motivated.
Crouch 6 - Worked hard as ever, but didn't get quality service from our wingers in the box and the rest of the game just fizzed round him a bit. Not his best.
VDV 7 - Worked hard, some good stuff, but in truth, was a bit disappointing by his high standards in the second half.
Redknapp 7 - Start tactics were pretty good, team selection etc, but although I like what Crouchie brings, this game clearly needed something different as it went on, and I thought Pav or Defoe should have come on a lot sooner.
Ref 5 - Seemed to allow ManU so much more leeway. Why wasn't Carrick booked on Palacios, Rafael straight red ? the foul on Modric ? VDV booked for kicking it away but not Giggs ? Usual bullshit, different face.
Epilog
Days like today you need your creatives to use their heads. They didn't. You need a striker who could do something exceptional, make something out of nothing, make that difference in a tight tight affair. At the moment we don't have that.
In many ways this game confirmed for me my feelings at the start of this season that ManU are the team closest to our grasp in the traditional top 3 (Chels/Arse/ManU).
With the exception of our ability to craft a quality chance, every other aspect of this game was superb. We started off pressing from the front, and although ManU had moments, we were the better team from start to finish. Probably the first time I've been able to say that in a league match against any of the big 3 since Arsenal at home (with 10 men for a lot of the game though) in Redknapp's first season.
And, in Modric, we had the best player on the pitch. He was magnificent today. Ran the gaff from start to finish. Close second would have to be Palacios, who provided the perfect foil. I still want to see Modric able to play further up, with more freedom, and there have been plenty of games that support this idea, but today wasn't one of them.
I've always said that if he does play there, Palacios is the most suitable partner, and today he was also superb. Made sure that at no time ManU's midfield got hold of the game. Seeing more of the ball than both Carrick and Fletcher and passing it more efficiently than both.
The defence were never truly examined, and as such were fine, with Ekotto particularly having one of his good games (still had a couple of Ekotto moments). VDV was very bright in the first half but not quiet as effective in the second, Bale worked hard going forwards but wasted several good opportunities with a lack of composure, and there were spells again where he needed to work harder defensively. Lennon on the other hand was possibly our most disappointing player. Wasted some good positions - last minute beats Giggs, goes clear with four players screaming for a ball and incomprehensibly decides to allow Hernandes to strip him - also played a crap ball to Hutton in another great position - and other times just didn't move well enough off the ball.
Ratings:
Gomes 8 - Wasn't exactly over worked but did everything well and made one match changing save. From a goalies perspective as good as a goal.
Hutton 7.5 - Saw loads of the ball today and played really well for the most part.
Gallas 7 - Good game.
Dawson 7 - Good game.
Ekotto 7.5 - See Hutton
Lennon 6 - Disappointing
Palacios 8 - Superb.
Modric 9 - Outstanding. Industry and craft.
Bale 7 - At tmes worked hard to fashion something, but his end product was disappointing and there were occasions when he needed to get contribute some defending and looks a bit less motivated.
Crouch 6 - Worked hard as ever, but didn't get quality service from our wingers in the box and the rest of the game just fizzed round him a bit. Not his best.
VDV 7 - Worked hard, some good stuff, but in truth, was a bit disappointing by his high standards in the second half.
Redknapp 7 - Start tactics were pretty good, team selection etc, but although I like what Crouchie brings, this game clearly needed something different as it went on, and I thought Pav or Defoe should have come on a lot sooner.
Ref 5 - Seemed to allow ManU so much more leeway. Why wasn't Carrick booked on Palacios, Rafael straight red ? the foul on Modric ? VDV booked for kicking it away but not Giggs ? Usual bullshit, different face.
Epilog
Days like today you need your creatives to use their heads. They didn't. You need a striker who could do something exceptional, make something out of nothing, make that difference in a tight tight affair. At the moment we don't have that.
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
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It was a good performance but by no means our best. The final third is were you do the talking and we failed in that department, we didn't really penetrate them once. Inter at home was of a much higher standard and United have been abject on the road, strong defensively though resulting in many draws.
We ran the midfield and consequently didn't have that much defending to do, but we didn't make the possesion and territory count.
Modric's performance was sublime and he ran the show, I would say one of the best individual performances of the season - Bale v Inter aside.
It was a good team performance in all aspects bar the final third - which is obviously pretty important so, for me, not our best overall performance by a long shot but certainly one hugely impressive individual performance.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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But the fact that we didn't create chances was in no small part down to the difference in delivery of Bale (and Lennon) today. Bale got himself into several superb positions to cross, but nearly every single time he wasted it, instead of putting in the killer ball, like he did against Inter.
Against Inter we only played for 45 minutes, after that we sat back and stopped playing, in the same way we do often.
And let's be honest, Inter have also been on the decline this season too, and their results in the CL elsewhere weren't exactly brilliant.
That was a great 45 minutes, but what impressed me today was that we dominated the game in midfield, we kept playing a high tempo against the top team in the league (not the best, but clearly one of) and we did actually get our wide players into positions, but they wasted them. If Bale hits a better ball in today we maybe win that game. We deserved to.
Against Inter we only played for 45 minutes, after that we sat back and stopped playing, in the same way we do often.
And let's be honest, Inter have also been on the decline this season too, and their results in the CL elsewhere weren't exactly brilliant.
That was a great 45 minutes, but what impressed me today was that we dominated the game in midfield, we kept playing a high tempo against the top team in the league (not the best, but clearly one of) and we did actually get our wide players into positions, but they wasted them. If Bale hits a better ball in today we maybe win that game. We deserved to.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
- 39,837
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Just watched MOTD2. Quote of the day, from Mike Phelan:
"I think we just edged the game today"
Didn't realise he was a Spurs fan.
"I think we just edged the game today"
Didn't realise he was a Spurs fan.
yusrisafri
Well-Known Member
- Jun 27, 2004
- 6,369
- 7,548
VDV was poor today. Looked weak and selfish. MAybe he thinks a bit too much of himself....maybe. 5
Crouch, like I said, should never play from the start. An impact substitute at best. 3
Bale and Lennon were well below par today, especially Bale. His deliveries were non-existent bar one effort. 6
The 2 CBs were immense. 8
Hutton was good but his passes seemed to be intercepted too many times. 7
BAE was superb in the last 25minutes. This guy is the best LB in England, going forward and defensively. 8
Gomes was hardly tested, but did his job when called upon. 7
Palacios was class today. Simple passes, good through balls, great tackling and hassling, nothing more you could ask from a defensive-minded midfielder. 8
Modric is Modric. Controlled the show from start to finish. Pity no one else could keep up with his intelligence and workmanship. 9
Defoe should have started. Granted, he didnt do much today when he came on, but he only had less than 15monutes to show his worth, and by then, we were already desperately and hurriedly trying to get a goal, and nto playing our usual game anymore. 6
Harry made a poor deicsion by playing Crouchie from the start instead of Defoe. This decision alone may have well cost us the 3 points. 5
Crouch, like I said, should never play from the start. An impact substitute at best. 3
Bale and Lennon were well below par today, especially Bale. His deliveries were non-existent bar one effort. 6
The 2 CBs were immense. 8
Hutton was good but his passes seemed to be intercepted too many times. 7
BAE was superb in the last 25minutes. This guy is the best LB in England, going forward and defensively. 8
Gomes was hardly tested, but did his job when called upon. 7
Palacios was class today. Simple passes, good through balls, great tackling and hassling, nothing more you could ask from a defensive-minded midfielder. 8
Modric is Modric. Controlled the show from start to finish. Pity no one else could keep up with his intelligence and workmanship. 9
Defoe should have started. Granted, he didnt do much today when he came on, but he only had less than 15monutes to show his worth, and by then, we were already desperately and hurriedly trying to get a goal, and nto playing our usual game anymore. 6
Harry made a poor deicsion by playing Crouchie from the start instead of Defoe. This decision alone may have well cost us the 3 points. 5
stevenqoz
Well-Known Member
- Apr 10, 2006
- 2,776
- 553
Gomes 6.5 Generally steady
Hutton 6 Got forward a lot but delivery poor
Gallas 7.5 A rock
Dawson 7.5 Another rock
BAE 7.5 Impressive....gave Nani early leave pass
Lennon 7 Not bad final ball not quite there
Modric 8 Dominant....great sense of time and space
Palacios 6 Worked hard...slow thinking and delivery
Bale 6.5 Fair but well held today
Crouch 5 Not up to it
VDV 6 Not his best...touch just off today but another 90 min played
Defoe 6 Not many touchs...ought to have started or got at least 30 minutes today
Harry 6.5 Not quite brave enough to go for it .....Jenas and Defoe should have got on earlier
Hutton 6 Got forward a lot but delivery poor
Gallas 7.5 A rock
Dawson 7.5 Another rock
BAE 7.5 Impressive....gave Nani early leave pass
Lennon 7 Not bad final ball not quite there
Modric 8 Dominant....great sense of time and space
Palacios 6 Worked hard...slow thinking and delivery
Bale 6.5 Fair but well held today
Crouch 5 Not up to it
VDV 6 Not his best...touch just off today but another 90 min played
Defoe 6 Not many touchs...ought to have started or got at least 30 minutes today
Harry 6.5 Not quite brave enough to go for it .....Jenas and Defoe should have got on earlier
ShelfSide18
Well-Known Member
- Aug 23, 2006
- 8,386
- 3,122
Unfortunately when he said that I was taking a sip of tea and most of it ended up on my laptop.
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
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I do agree with you, it was very encouraging the way we dominated the midfield and as you say had Lennon and Bale been more productive we could of made it count.
I just felt we lacked that bit of courage to really rip into them...fortune favours the brave and all that. But yes we dominated them in midfield for 80 mins of that game - which is immensley encouraging, but lacked that zip and final ball to really expose them.
In a way though, if we are looking at how the game actually went we outclassed them.
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
- 55,254
- 100,609
Just heard that myself....was literally stunned with that appraisal. Talk about rose tinted glasses...
maldini
Active Member
- Jan 4, 2008
- 227
- 43
Gomes 7 good important saves
Hutton 7 good display, both defensively and offensively
Dawson 7 strong
Gallas 7 good performance
Ekotto 8 kept nani in his pocket and got many good crosses in, left foot right foot
Lennon 7 Getting back to his best
Palacios 7 Much better display today
Modric 9 Kept running, involved in everything. Ran the show
Bale 7 Good runs
VDV 6 below his high standards
Crouch 5 Wow, there's no clearer indication we need new strikers when he gets to play 90min despite such poor performance
Hutton 7 good display, both defensively and offensively
Dawson 7 strong
Gallas 7 good performance
Ekotto 8 kept nani in his pocket and got many good crosses in, left foot right foot
Lennon 7 Getting back to his best
Palacios 7 Much better display today
Modric 9 Kept running, involved in everything. Ran the show
Bale 7 Good runs
VDV 6 below his high standards
Crouch 5 Wow, there's no clearer indication we need new strikers when he gets to play 90min despite such poor performance
Gomes-7-Fine
Hutton-7-Got up and down well, felt like his side of the pitch was less used by both sides
Gallas-7-Did well.
Dawson-8-Commanding, led the back line very well and kept everything organized.
BAE-8-good attacking shift
Lennon-7.5-most confident and progressive I've seen him in a while
Palacios-7.5-I thought he played well, would have left him on the pitch even at the end-I though all those attackers to our detriment.
Modric-8-Ran the game but I felt he could have been a tiny bit more incisive in the final third-there were a couple of times he was really getting hustled around at the edge for a while
Bale-7-Kept running past Rafael but had a couple bad final balls.
Van der Vaart-5-His worst performance in the shirt.
Crouch-6-never really had a chance against Vidic.
Hutton-7-Got up and down well, felt like his side of the pitch was less used by both sides
Gallas-7-Did well.
Dawson-8-Commanding, led the back line very well and kept everything organized.
BAE-8-good attacking shift
Lennon-7.5-most confident and progressive I've seen him in a while
Palacios-7.5-I thought he played well, would have left him on the pitch even at the end-I though all those attackers to our detriment.
Modric-8-Ran the game but I felt he could have been a tiny bit more incisive in the final third-there were a couple of times he was really getting hustled around at the edge for a while
Bale-7-Kept running past Rafael but had a couple bad final balls.
Van der Vaart-5-His worst performance in the shirt.
Crouch-6-never really had a chance against Vidic.
spursandbarca
Well-Known Member
- Jul 18, 2008
- 3,972
- 446
gomes 7- made 2 good saves. good distribution.
hutton 7- got forward.
dawson 8- not a foot wrong.
gallas 8- had berba in his pocket
bae 8- got forward. tackled. got crosses in
bale 8- tried. final ball let him down once or twice
palacios 7- better. used his pace. please dont shoot from 40 yards.
modric 9- mom. ran the show. dictated.
lennon 8- he tracked back numerous times. his off the ball runs were much better.
vdv 6- missed one curled effort and a header.
crouch 5- missed a decent chance with a header. didnt close the back 4 down enough.
subs
defoe 5- he didn nothing except win a free kick and scuff a shot from the edge of the box.
we have to take heart from that performance. they barely troubled our back 4 and if we a little bit more clinical in front of goal should have had all 3 points
hutton 7- got forward.
dawson 8- not a foot wrong.
gallas 8- had berba in his pocket
bae 8- got forward. tackled. got crosses in
bale 8- tried. final ball let him down once or twice
palacios 7- better. used his pace. please dont shoot from 40 yards.
modric 9- mom. ran the show. dictated.
lennon 8- he tracked back numerous times. his off the ball runs were much better.
vdv 6- missed one curled effort and a header.
crouch 5- missed a decent chance with a header. didnt close the back 4 down enough.
subs
defoe 5- he didn nothing except win a free kick and scuff a shot from the edge of the box.
we have to take heart from that performance. they barely troubled our back 4 and if we a little bit more clinical in front of goal should have had all 3 points
lifeof...
Well-Known Member
- Mar 18, 2005
- 2,073
- 248
It interesting that pretty much all of you have commented that Crouch was getting nothing out of Vidic, Vidic had crouch in his pocket...the commentators also noted this, and basically stated Crouch needs to play of Rio, and couldn't understand how Crouch couldn't see this? I must be honest, why didn't crouch start playing of Rio? he certainly would have got far more out of him than he did with Vidic
Def a game where the defenses were on top (both sides) our attack was poor. how on earth can we only manage 2 shots on target, and 13 off...We all know the answer to that
Def a game where the defenses were on top (both sides) our attack was poor. how on earth can we only manage 2 shots on target, and 13 off...We all know the answer to that
StockSpur
Well-Known Member
- May 20, 2004
- 5,000
- 1,558
we were the better side but lacked anything up front, crouch for 90 minutes, again? im so fed up of seeing him squander chances and get owned when he tries to knock the ball down or hold it up. He shouldnt get more than 10 minutes a game, defoe knocked in 2 last week, why did Redknapp have to change things?
1 point and now we are dropping way behind the top 3, this is going to be a scrap with a quality chelsea for 4th place.
1 point and now we are dropping way behind the top 3, this is going to be a scrap with a quality chelsea for 4th place.
dimiSpur
There's always next year...
- Aug 9, 2008
- 5,844
- 6,751
Gomes - 7 Not much to do, but what he did do he did well.
Hutton - 7 Got up and down well, but I was slightly disappointed with his usage of the ball. Especially after seing Kyle Walker for Villa marauding down the Villa right.
Gallas - 8 Fantastic signing. I'm one of those eating their words!
Dawson - 7 Solid as a fat Vanessa dump.
BAE - 8.9 Just missed out on MOM, excellent display.
Lennon - 7 Did well, but there was times he should have just crossed it for Crouch, and he needlessly took on Evra.
Palacios - 7 Good game by Wilson's standards this season
Modric - 9 Wow, just.... wow!
Bale - 6 Quiet.
VdV - 6 First time I've seen him off the boil!
Crouch - 1
mg:
Hutton - 7 Got up and down well, but I was slightly disappointed with his usage of the ball. Especially after seing Kyle Walker for Villa marauding down the Villa right.
Gallas - 8 Fantastic signing. I'm one of those eating their words!
Dawson - 7 Solid as a fat Vanessa dump.
BAE - 8.9 Just missed out on MOM, excellent display.
Lennon - 7 Did well, but there was times he should have just crossed it for Crouch, and he needlessly took on Evra.
Palacios - 7 Good game by Wilson's standards this season
Modric - 9 Wow, just.... wow!
Bale - 6 Quiet.
VdV - 6 First time I've seen him off the boil!
Crouch - 1
mg:
danielneeds
Kick-Ass
- May 5, 2004
- 24,182
- 48,812
Gomes - 7 - Hardly troubled, but one smart stop from Rooney's drive.
Hutton - 7 - Solid defensively and put in that one delicious cross that Crouch should have buried
BAE - 7 - Great in possession and kept Nani quiet, wish he would get forward more though
Gallas - 7 - Unflustered
Dawson - 8 - Won the ball time and time from their frowards
Palacios - 7 - Solid in the tackle and better in possession, shooting from range was atrocious though
Modric - 9 - The guy is a genius.
Bale - 6 - Got in some good positions but final ball wasn't there
Lennon - 6 - Worked hard and took Evra on, but not enough delivery
VDV - 6 - Couldn't find space in between their defence and midfield, one chance in the box that you would put your house on him finishing.
Crouch - NA - So bad I can't even give him a rating.
Hutton - 7 - Solid defensively and put in that one delicious cross that Crouch should have buried
BAE - 7 - Great in possession and kept Nani quiet, wish he would get forward more though
Gallas - 7 - Unflustered
Dawson - 8 - Won the ball time and time from their frowards
Palacios - 7 - Solid in the tackle and better in possession, shooting from range was atrocious though
Modric - 9 - The guy is a genius.
Bale - 6 - Got in some good positions but final ball wasn't there
Lennon - 6 - Worked hard and took Evra on, but not enough delivery
VDV - 6 - Couldn't find space in between their defence and midfield, one chance in the box that you would put your house on him finishing.
Crouch - NA - So bad I can't even give him a rating.
- Jan 14, 2004
- 15,105
- 9,122
- Staff
- #39
They edged it in terms of the result being better for them because on any other day in a match like that the result would have come out in our favour. They will be very happy to take a point, we'll be satisfied with our performance but thinking about what might have been.
Lanh
Bjorn Too Soon
- Jan 4, 2006
- 22,211
- 38
Gomes - 7 Did nothing wrong.
Hutton - 7 Very good going foward, best crossing, but lax at times defensively.
Gallas - 8.5 Man-marked Berbatwat into anonymity.
Dawson - 8.5 Man-marked Rooney into anonymity.
Assou-Ekotto - 9 - MOM Man-marked Nani and then towards the end Rooney into anonymity, superb match-saving last gasp tackle towards the end.
Lennon - 8 Very good game, other than the poor crossing. Really put himself about and got in their faces. Completely nullified Evra's attacking threat and helped Hutton too.
Palacios - 8.5 Normally a huge Wilson critic, but a very, very good display today.
Modric - 9 Ran the show completely, thanks to his skill and the work of others.
Bale - 6 Poor.
van der Vaart - 6 Poor.
Crouch - 6 Worked hard, but again, no end product and was completely dominated in the air, his supposed area of superiority.
Hutton - 7 Very good going foward, best crossing, but lax at times defensively.
Gallas - 8.5 Man-marked Berbatwat into anonymity.
Dawson - 8.5 Man-marked Rooney into anonymity.
Assou-Ekotto - 9 - MOM Man-marked Nani and then towards the end Rooney into anonymity, superb match-saving last gasp tackle towards the end.
Lennon - 8 Very good game, other than the poor crossing. Really put himself about and got in their faces. Completely nullified Evra's attacking threat and helped Hutton too.
Palacios - 8.5 Normally a huge Wilson critic, but a very, very good display today.
Modric - 9 Ran the show completely, thanks to his skill and the work of others.
Bale - 6 Poor.
van der Vaart - 6 Poor.
Crouch - 6 Worked hard, but again, no end product and was completely dominated in the air, his supposed area of superiority.
