Saturday, September 29, 2012

Defenseless



Did anyone else feel superstitious as the commentators and pundits droned on and on about United’s incredible record against Spurs?

Eventually the odds do even out, as ghosts of the phantom-no-goal get paid in full today as Spurs break their Old Trafford duck circa 1989.

Supporters must be incensed at the Reds right now, with he deficiencies of this club so evident for so long, and papering over them clearly won’t work this campaign – no way, no how – as this trend dates back well before last year’s Champions League exit.

Here’s an issues list in no particular order…

First, it’s a squad heavily reliant upon aging players in key positions, including Ferdinand, Evra, Giggs and Scholes, which becomes vulnerable to pace and gets picked apart.

Second, it’s a squad without a coherent defense, one lacking the tenacity to win the ball back. Ferguson must realize that they cannot rely on two excellent passers – Carrick and Scholes – to lay so deep much of the time and create this giant gap in central midfield. United look fine moving forward, but fall back too far off the ball, giving opponents way too much space and allowing them to come at the Reds with the ball at their feet. Succinctly: United lack a spine.

Third, it’s an indifferent squad for large stretches of matches, whether that’s due to age, poor form, lack of pace, or some evil combination thereof, it takes a goal from Liverpool or Sir Alex’s hairdryer to get them going far too often. The team cries out for an inspirational leader, and thankfully, the most likely candidate, Wayne Rooney, looked sharp in his half of football today. Fingers crossed here.

Of the three dominant issues, what’s most troubling is the over-reliance on a tandem of Carrick and Scholes. What’s most troubling is the exceedingly obvious need for central midfield help.

When Carrick or Scholes push much further forward, this is an entirely different side – one with the verve and venom witnessed in the final 45 minutes today.

But, should United loose possession, they’re extremely susceptible on the counter-attack, as neither player tracks back quickly, defends nor tackles well enough to justify playing together, often flat, as a shield against higher-quality competition. One of the two starters here need to win balls, tackle, and harass anything central – a real “none shall pass” demeanor and demonstration. It’s far too easy to come at United now.

During the last year’s pre-season and early Premiership campaign, United’s midfield looked particularly pedestrian at times – that is until Ferguson employed a combination of Anderson and Cleverly central.

Remember what this squad looked like with these players fit, in-form, and synched together?

That’s exactly what’s required now. So where are they?

Well, you can’t force form and Ferguson’s forgot more about football than any dear reader of this post, assuredly. We need to trust the gaffer.

However, has Sir Alex shown too much confidence in players such as Anderson, Cleverly, and Nani? There’s a growing case being made to justify such questions.

United may be threadbare at the back now and we all know this too shall pass in the next month or so, as players return from injury. The quality across the back four seems fully deserving of every opportunity to continue to grow, under the tutelage of Ferdinand and Vidic.

I don’t feel that way about the central midfield at all.

First, Cleverly looked like he belonged on the Barcelona team sheet for a short stretch last season, yet his build and tendency to turn defenders may make him susceptible and vulnerable to injury in the BPL. It remains to be seen if the Reds can rely on him.

Second, with all due respect, none of us know what we’ll get from Fletcher, given his bowl disorder. We all hope and pray for his return to form. But we can’t bank on it. Which leads to the third and final point.

What’s up with Anderson?

His potential was so blisteringly hot upon arrival to Old Trafford. As a lad, he started in the central midfield at home against Liverpool in 2008 and bossed matters much of the match – a true pit-bull performance extraordinaire, never looking out of place, and a sign of things to come.

Hardly.

Since that first season, you simply wonder who’s taken over that player’s body, as the he’s had some injuries but largely seems to have regressed even when fit. Arguably, United need Ander-son-son-son to realized his potential more than any other player in the first-team not named Fletcher.

How long will we wait for him?

How long can we wait for him?

I hate it when Reds over-react to some temporary problem with the club and demand spending to fill any perceived deficiency. United have justifiably shown great faith in developing players.

But this term, the gaffer can’t hide the growing problems any longer, as key players age and the recipe for beating United is crystal clear as well as more accessible to more clubs now than at any time in recent history – again, we reference the Champions League last term.

United need a specific central midfield quality to challenge for the Premiership title and have any chance of advancing in the Champions League.

Will the Reds fill this void in the January transfer market?

Inactivity will be as defenseless as today’s brutal first-half performance. 

No comments: