All Geordies should run to the local corner store and play the lottery immediately. Oh wait, on second thought, they’ve already maxed out their luck today. Never mind.
Of course, the initial reactions will focus on the linesman’s gift penalty from a textbook-perfect tackle, poor finishing, and game-of-the-season keeping from the Krul Dutchman.
A closer look, however, reveals something else entirely.
Yes, I agree, Sir Alex, that the match’s outcome was a travesty. However, during the previous run of successive one-nil victories, United rode lady luck both in poor finishing, wasteful possession, and the odd defensive lapse.
Midweek and today we’ve witnessed the extreme cost for being profligate.
Against Benfica, the Reds gifted the Portuguese side an own-goal along with a horrible clearance from De Gea, right after you felt the lad had turned a corner with this type of game-changing error. Either time, had the player simply held his mettle, the pressure at Old Trafford dissipates measurably.
Today, we find the linesman in a giving mood to the barcodes, who hardly deserved a point in the second half, albeit Newcastle did attack when the opportunity presented itself in the first half and for that reason you give them a modicum of credit.
But United blew countless chances, only to score the lone goal from a crazy deflected clearance off Chicharito’s backside. Clinical finishing hath become elusive, as United do not sustain concentration long enough to put inferior sides away by two-plus goals, with something like 10 goals in the last 8 or 9 matches.
That’s simply not good enough. And Fergie knows it.
The inevitable pressure does come, but the lack of end-product leads to bad habits, including players pressing, standing over the ball too long, or trying difficult-if-not impossible balls way too often.
Players seem to lack belief the goals will come. Frustration begets more aggravation in this cycle, such as Nani dribbling through the entire defense only to over-hit his shot or cross, take you pick. Brilliance suddenly leads to a building collective annoyance.
United play best when up-tempo balls to space force defenses to keep up with rapid-fire decision-making, as pace and movement lead to the gaps the Reds exploit, often with tap-ins from lovely passing. Everybody knows this.
Yet, the Red Devils seem to have lost control over this gear, at times, which isn’t characteristic of a Sir Alex Ferguson side. Form and function become elusive at the most inopportune of moments for about nine game running now.
Thus, we find the season on edge, with United needing a result at Basel to advance from an easy Champions League group and the possibility of falling seven points behind City by tomorrow evening.
Sure, United feel rightfully aggrieved to have conceded an unjust penalty, but such a turn hath been brewing for a while. Just add up the number of minutes with a narrow one-goal lead, which is way too long to avoid lady luck’s pendulum swinging the wrong direction. Thus, we find Sir Alex’s tirade to deflect attention from profligacy in front of goal.
United need to rekindle their ruthlessness right quick, otherwise, prospects in Europe and England could evaporate all too quickly. And luck would have absolutely nothing to do with it.
----------------------
Back at you after the Villa match. Cheers.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Another Clean Sheet
My last post was “One-nil to the United” poking fun at the score in a boring-boring-Arsenal kind of way.
But, today’s match was no prank whatsoever, with three clean sheets on the trot in the Premier League.
Sir Alex’s men largely controlled this match, with a stern focus on defensive shape before over-committing anything bombing forward. A professional three road points gained ahead of fixtures against Benfica and Newcastle this week, a job well done – thank you very much.
Here are five thoughts about this match.
First, all props to the Swansea supporters, who were fantastic throughout the match, including of course, their acknowledgement when Giggs was substituted off late on. Certainly, TV audio didn’t do justice to the volumes coming from the Swans faithful, who relished their first glamour Premiership match of the season with full voice.
Second, in honor of the ubiquitous 11-11-11 homage-to-Spinal Tap image floating around Facebook earlier this month, it’s fitting that the Welsh number eleven would take a wasteful Swansea turnover, nutmeg the defender with his assist to Chicharito for the only goal of the match in the eleventh minute. After all, when you need that little extra something, you know, to push it over the top – always turn to number eleven, that’s our motto.
Third, our goal-scoring-hero Chicharito continues to provide the pace and poaching instincts needed along Ferguson’s front line, as he’s especially money away from home this campaign. With his customary aplomb, the Little Pea’s poach was made to look easy, despite the pass hit with pace tight to his body. Away form demons be gone, the little Mexican declares with each match-winning goal.
Fourth, how good does De Gea look now in his United kit?
The lad’s been brilliant over the last six weeks. He did everything asked of him today, including difficult punch-clears off crosses that caused so many problems early on. Often, the United keeper wouldn’t even come for them, but now, he looks much, much more assured.
You always knew De Gea had God-given, shot-stopping ability – that was without question. The biggest problem was he had no presence in his area, especially in the air. His play today demonstrates his improved presence in the box, with the back line much, much more comfortable with him.
Fifth and most important, United rediscovered their commitment to defense after the shellacking against City. Impressively, the Red Devils haven’t conceded a goal since that match, which comes down to overall shape, solid keeping, and Nemanja Vidic.
Outside of an occasional error, such as Jones ball watching on Sinclair’s horrible miss, Sir Alex’s men kept an excellent defensive shape today, with everybody seamlessly covering for each and pressuring the ball appropriately – no flying in late, leaving a huge gap, if beaten.
The composure, positional awareness, and opportune counter-attacking speak to a resurgent build-from-the-back mentality, especially away from home, which suites this squad’s strengths – the front and back lines.
Don’t get me wrong, the wing play and overall quality in the midfield are quite good, but thus far, we’ve watched a lack of health, depth, and form plague United’s midfield.
To compete with Barcelona, I still contend, United lack a rare, world-class midfielder. The Red’s issues in the midfield come when the central players fail to dictated match, then tend to fall back too far off the ball too close to goal, which helps explain the lop-sided shots-conceded stats thus far.
Ah, but I digress, as the midfield today, especially Carrick, were as cool as the sheet beneath your pillow. All you Carrick-haters, just watch the game again and focus on his undoubted influence over proceedings. He’s my co-MOTM tied with a certain Nemanja Vidic.
The old cliché that the captains need to “lead by example” holds true in spades for our beloved defender. Nobody, I repeat, nobody demonstrates more consistent and contagious commitment than the number fifteen. His brave header just ahead of a Swan forward’s boot exemplifies his all-in mentality at a critical moment.
Seriously, as a Red Devil, how could you look Vidic in the eye without matching that effort? Not a chance. There’s an aura building around this captain that you’d better not let him down, a bit Keane-like, without the ever-obvious scowling. It’s more like a half-crazed look of intensity, one from someone not to be crossed.
Thus we have another clean sheet brought to you from he who comes from Serbia. After all, you know what he’ll do to ya. Cheers.
------
Back at you hopefully after the Benfica tilt, but surely after the Newcastle match. Btw, I’m for Kinnear.
But, today’s match was no prank whatsoever, with three clean sheets on the trot in the Premier League.
Sir Alex’s men largely controlled this match, with a stern focus on defensive shape before over-committing anything bombing forward. A professional three road points gained ahead of fixtures against Benfica and Newcastle this week, a job well done – thank you very much.
Here are five thoughts about this match.
First, all props to the Swansea supporters, who were fantastic throughout the match, including of course, their acknowledgement when Giggs was substituted off late on. Certainly, TV audio didn’t do justice to the volumes coming from the Swans faithful, who relished their first glamour Premiership match of the season with full voice.
Second, in honor of the ubiquitous 11-11-11 homage-to-Spinal Tap image floating around Facebook earlier this month, it’s fitting that the Welsh number eleven would take a wasteful Swansea turnover, nutmeg the defender with his assist to Chicharito for the only goal of the match in the eleventh minute. After all, when you need that little extra something, you know, to push it over the top – always turn to number eleven, that’s our motto.
Third, our goal-scoring-hero Chicharito continues to provide the pace and poaching instincts needed along Ferguson’s front line, as he’s especially money away from home this campaign. With his customary aplomb, the Little Pea’s poach was made to look easy, despite the pass hit with pace tight to his body. Away form demons be gone, the little Mexican declares with each match-winning goal.
Fourth, how good does De Gea look now in his United kit?
The lad’s been brilliant over the last six weeks. He did everything asked of him today, including difficult punch-clears off crosses that caused so many problems early on. Often, the United keeper wouldn’t even come for them, but now, he looks much, much more assured.
You always knew De Gea had God-given, shot-stopping ability – that was without question. The biggest problem was he had no presence in his area, especially in the air. His play today demonstrates his improved presence in the box, with the back line much, much more comfortable with him.
Fifth and most important, United rediscovered their commitment to defense after the shellacking against City. Impressively, the Red Devils haven’t conceded a goal since that match, which comes down to overall shape, solid keeping, and Nemanja Vidic.
Outside of an occasional error, such as Jones ball watching on Sinclair’s horrible miss, Sir Alex’s men kept an excellent defensive shape today, with everybody seamlessly covering for each and pressuring the ball appropriately – no flying in late, leaving a huge gap, if beaten.
The composure, positional awareness, and opportune counter-attacking speak to a resurgent build-from-the-back mentality, especially away from home, which suites this squad’s strengths – the front and back lines.
Don’t get me wrong, the wing play and overall quality in the midfield are quite good, but thus far, we’ve watched a lack of health, depth, and form plague United’s midfield.
To compete with Barcelona, I still contend, United lack a rare, world-class midfielder. The Red’s issues in the midfield come when the central players fail to dictated match, then tend to fall back too far off the ball too close to goal, which helps explain the lop-sided shots-conceded stats thus far.
Ah, but I digress, as the midfield today, especially Carrick, were as cool as the sheet beneath your pillow. All you Carrick-haters, just watch the game again and focus on his undoubted influence over proceedings. He’s my co-MOTM tied with a certain Nemanja Vidic.
The old cliché that the captains need to “lead by example” holds true in spades for our beloved defender. Nobody, I repeat, nobody demonstrates more consistent and contagious commitment than the number fifteen. His brave header just ahead of a Swan forward’s boot exemplifies his all-in mentality at a critical moment.
Seriously, as a Red Devil, how could you look Vidic in the eye without matching that effort? Not a chance. There’s an aura building around this captain that you’d better not let him down, a bit Keane-like, without the ever-obvious scowling. It’s more like a half-crazed look of intensity, one from someone not to be crossed.
Thus we have another clean sheet brought to you from he who comes from Serbia. After all, you know what he’ll do to ya. Cheers.
------
Back at you hopefully after the Benfica tilt, but surely after the Newcastle match. Btw, I’m for Kinnear.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
One-nil to the United
Is this the dawn of a new era at Old Trafford? One-nil victories and shut up shop football?
Hardly.
On this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sir Alex’s reign, you wonder if naming the North Stand after gaffer himself pulled at the superstitious strings within the player ranks, a sign of his eventual retirement.
You’d think so, or more likely, the ghosts of matches-past crept into the Red Devil psyche. Starting with a 4-3-3 and Rooney in a central midfield role for a second straight Premiership match, you could bet Sir Alex wanted stern shape in defense with the top three pushing play forward.
It didn’t happen.
United without two central strikers were too easily defended, as the pocket of space in the backwash of Chicharito’s runs was largely wasted in the formation with Sunderland’s disciplined defense.
Welbeck and Nani didn’t do enough to get around the outside edge of their defenders, leaving the Reds to stand around and hit slow, predictable passes amongst themselves – too often moving laterally or even backwards – and constantly looking for someone else to make decisive runs off the ball.
United became stagnant and disjointed, playing right into Sunderland’s desired tempo. An occasional diagonal ball from Rooney switched play and showed promise only to have the player involved give up possession cheaply.
One suspects this side feels lingering effects from the drubbing, as players so known for their skill and ability to play fast football collectively look uncertain of themselves, and at times, their teammates.
Simply said: the mojo’s gone missing at the moment.
With that said, the Reds nabbed all three points, which at season’s end, will equal the tally from the 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal. Points are points, oh Zen-master – let us never forget that fact.
Thus, let us look at three positives moving forward in the campaign.
First, Rooney played three different positions today and handled all of them with his customary aplomb. The match commentators kept repeating that Wazza’s skills were wasted playing so far removed from the top line. I completely disagree, given the state of the midfield at the moment.
True, Rooney’s best position is in the hole just behind the striker, especially a speedy one such as Chicharito or Welbeck. Given time, the lad is lethal.
However, United’s midfield possess too many injuries or central players out-of-form at the moment, with Carrick and Cleverley coming back from injury and Anderson wildly inconsistent, leaving Fletcher, who himself is gaining form from a long-term spell out, as THE viable option at the moment.
Sure, you can play Park central and utilize his industry, but his slight build can be exploited in the box. Plus, he’s dangerous out wide, where his lovely turn-and-counter attack on left flank proved today.
Sure, you can play Giggs central as well, but admittedly, he doesn’t cover enough ground as one of only two central midfielders.
Thus, until either Carrick or Cleverley return, Ferguson’s completely justified in bringing a measure of composure and creativity to the midfield with Wayne Rooney. This shows the gaffer’s ability to adapt, one to be appreciated not criticized at the moment.
Second, the international break couldn’t come at a better moment for United, buying time for the aforementioned central midfielders to heal, train, and return to form, as well as the other injuries to Rafael, Smalling, and company to mend.
On August 1st, had you known that United would have 26 points from 11 matches and sit second on November 5th, you’d feel the Reds were positioned for the traditional surge in the second half of the season.
After today’s admittedly lack-luster result, United will sit second through the break, as you can always trust a SAF side to gain momentum as the season progresses. No serious worries here.
Last, the much-maligned Michael Carrick’s value should become crystal clear for anyone with remotely high football intelligence. Without him, United lack something.
Yes, I know, when Carrick makes a blunder, such as the costly turnover that led to City’s goal in last season’s FA Cup, that he looks horrible. Yes, he’s not your traditional hard man to shield the back four. Yes, we all remember him – and the rest of the squad for the matter –chasing the game in the Champions League Final.
Yet, upon reflection and to be fair, he possesses incredibly quick and accurate passing ability, the same skill that led to inch-perfect switch to Giggs, who found Rooney for the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge in the Champion’s League last season. Point. Counter-point.
Carrick’s value is in solid positioning and quick distribution from the back, which helps United’s tempo immensely. If you don’t believe me, simply research his passing efficiency against Anderson, for example. The results are shocking.
Without either Cleverly or Carrick, United’s central midfield’s passing lacks an edge.
With both players, it allows Rooney to play in the hole and for rapid transitions to attacking from the wing, a United trademark. Thus, United’s central midfield fortunes are tied to both players improving fitness, which improve by the day now, another good sign.
Thus, on this the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fergie’s reign at United, we honor our favorite Glaswegian, one who’s brought immeasurable joy to our hearts from his glorious attacking football.
We’ll never be found singing “One-nil to the United”, and for that, we can count ourselves blessed.
-----------------------
Back at you after the trip to Swansea City. Cheers.
Hardly.
On this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sir Alex’s reign, you wonder if naming the North Stand after gaffer himself pulled at the superstitious strings within the player ranks, a sign of his eventual retirement.
You’d think so, or more likely, the ghosts of matches-past crept into the Red Devil psyche. Starting with a 4-3-3 and Rooney in a central midfield role for a second straight Premiership match, you could bet Sir Alex wanted stern shape in defense with the top three pushing play forward.
It didn’t happen.
United without two central strikers were too easily defended, as the pocket of space in the backwash of Chicharito’s runs was largely wasted in the formation with Sunderland’s disciplined defense.
Welbeck and Nani didn’t do enough to get around the outside edge of their defenders, leaving the Reds to stand around and hit slow, predictable passes amongst themselves – too often moving laterally or even backwards – and constantly looking for someone else to make decisive runs off the ball.
United became stagnant and disjointed, playing right into Sunderland’s desired tempo. An occasional diagonal ball from Rooney switched play and showed promise only to have the player involved give up possession cheaply.
One suspects this side feels lingering effects from the drubbing, as players so known for their skill and ability to play fast football collectively look uncertain of themselves, and at times, their teammates.
Simply said: the mojo’s gone missing at the moment.
With that said, the Reds nabbed all three points, which at season’s end, will equal the tally from the 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal. Points are points, oh Zen-master – let us never forget that fact.
Thus, let us look at three positives moving forward in the campaign.
First, Rooney played three different positions today and handled all of them with his customary aplomb. The match commentators kept repeating that Wazza’s skills were wasted playing so far removed from the top line. I completely disagree, given the state of the midfield at the moment.
True, Rooney’s best position is in the hole just behind the striker, especially a speedy one such as Chicharito or Welbeck. Given time, the lad is lethal.
However, United’s midfield possess too many injuries or central players out-of-form at the moment, with Carrick and Cleverley coming back from injury and Anderson wildly inconsistent, leaving Fletcher, who himself is gaining form from a long-term spell out, as THE viable option at the moment.
Sure, you can play Park central and utilize his industry, but his slight build can be exploited in the box. Plus, he’s dangerous out wide, where his lovely turn-and-counter attack on left flank proved today.
Sure, you can play Giggs central as well, but admittedly, he doesn’t cover enough ground as one of only two central midfielders.
Thus, until either Carrick or Cleverley return, Ferguson’s completely justified in bringing a measure of composure and creativity to the midfield with Wayne Rooney. This shows the gaffer’s ability to adapt, one to be appreciated not criticized at the moment.
Second, the international break couldn’t come at a better moment for United, buying time for the aforementioned central midfielders to heal, train, and return to form, as well as the other injuries to Rafael, Smalling, and company to mend.
On August 1st, had you known that United would have 26 points from 11 matches and sit second on November 5th, you’d feel the Reds were positioned for the traditional surge in the second half of the season.
After today’s admittedly lack-luster result, United will sit second through the break, as you can always trust a SAF side to gain momentum as the season progresses. No serious worries here.
Last, the much-maligned Michael Carrick’s value should become crystal clear for anyone with remotely high football intelligence. Without him, United lack something.
Yes, I know, when Carrick makes a blunder, such as the costly turnover that led to City’s goal in last season’s FA Cup, that he looks horrible. Yes, he’s not your traditional hard man to shield the back four. Yes, we all remember him – and the rest of the squad for the matter –chasing the game in the Champions League Final.
Yet, upon reflection and to be fair, he possesses incredibly quick and accurate passing ability, the same skill that led to inch-perfect switch to Giggs, who found Rooney for the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge in the Champion’s League last season. Point. Counter-point.
Carrick’s value is in solid positioning and quick distribution from the back, which helps United’s tempo immensely. If you don’t believe me, simply research his passing efficiency against Anderson, for example. The results are shocking.
Without either Cleverly or Carrick, United’s central midfield’s passing lacks an edge.
With both players, it allows Rooney to play in the hole and for rapid transitions to attacking from the wing, a United trademark. Thus, United’s central midfield fortunes are tied to both players improving fitness, which improve by the day now, another good sign.
Thus, on this the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fergie’s reign at United, we honor our favorite Glaswegian, one who’s brought immeasurable joy to our hearts from his glorious attacking football.
We’ll never be found singing “One-nil to the United”, and for that, we can count ourselves blessed.
-----------------------
Back at you after the trip to Swansea City. Cheers.
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