Official Match Thread ... Man Utd V Liverpool. Sky sports 4 pm

"Long ball" has become such a dirty word now that everyone's ashamed to play it against them £#%&!ers. So teams like Watford go to Anfield and play right into their hands because they don't want media criticism for playing long ball. Well £#%&! that, if it's the way to beat them then do it. I thought we appointed Mourinho because we weren't scared of having a manager who would do what it takes to get results and to hell with the begrudgers.

Not that we did beat them. But at least we didn't lose.

Originally Posted by Billy Redface

Indeed. It's churlish to just blame 'long ball tactics' any time a team has the audacity to hit a measured, high ball towards a target.

There's a huge difference between that and just launching it every time you get the ball and as your fundamental approach.

The press have been bemoaning Wenger's apparent refusal to 'mix it up' ' vary their approach' 'have a plan B' for years, all of which basically equate to being able to go to a more direct style when the situation calls for it

I like to think we're somewhere in the middle of the three extremes of Pep's tiki taki possession at all costs to prevent a game breaking out; Conte's modern Catenaccio with his 8 man defence and Klopp's frenetic high press, rely on mistakes, stop the opposition playing.

didn't really think it was the press that disturbed us yesterday anyway.

pogba just had an off day, probably distracted by his own hype, but we played our way through them a few times and were close to doing it a lot more - martial was off in the 1st half and rooney in the 2nd was poor whenever he was played in with a chance to expose them...

they did shut carrick down though tbf and we didn't react to that quickly enough.

Originally Posted by Tumescent Throb

didn't really think it was the press that disturbed us yesterday anyway.

pogba just had an off day, probably distracted by his own hype, but we played our way through them a few times and were close to doing it a lot more - martial was off in the 1st half and rooney in the 2nd was poor whenever he was played in with a chance to expose them...

they did shut carrick down though tbf and we didn't react to that quickly enough.

Agreed.

Sometimes it's a simple. I think yesterday it was: about eight of our players played shit.

Originally Posted by dunk

The press have been bemoaning Wenger's apparent refusal to 'mix it up' ' vary their approach' 'have a plan B' for years, all of which basically equate to being able to go to a more direct style when the situation calls for it

I like to think we're somewhere in the middle of the three extremes of Pep's tiki taki possession at all costs to prevent a game breaking out; Conte's modern Catenaccio with his 8 man defence and Klopp's frenetic high press, rely on mistakes, stop the opposition playing.

When we get it right we're going to be all-rounders like Freggle's best teams were. Didn't always play the same rigid defined style, shifted shape to suit the occasion and the opposition. This I like.

Originally Posted by Billy Redface

Agreed.

Sometimes it's a simple. I think yesterday it was: about eight of our players played shit.

we lacked a bit of inspiration in forward areas to take advantage when the opportunity came along.

defensively we were very good until jose began to ramp up the risk in our game.

Originally Posted by Tumescent Throb

we lacked a bit of inspiration in forward areas to take advantage when the opportunity came along.

defensively we were very good until jose began to ramp up the risk in our game.

Really? I thought Darmian was good, but Rojo and particularly Jones looked twitchy. See Jones for the corner that leads to the penalty.

Forwards were disappointing. Expected far more from martial against that kid. Zlatan looked a bit sluggish, mkihi struggled with the press (got better once the game opened up) and Pogba....well, we've been over that.

Your big players need to step up in moments and the fact that half and them didn't was the biggest disappointment. That game was there for us and we shit ourselves.

Originally Posted by Billy Redface

Really? I thought Darmian was good, but Rojo and particularly Jones looked twitchy. See Jones for the corner that leads to the penalty.

Forwards were disappointing. Expected far more from martial against that kid. Zlatan looked a bit sluggish, mkihi struggled with the press (got better once the game opened up) and Pogba....well, we've been over that.

Your big players need to step up in moments and the fact that half and them didn't was the biggest disappointment. That game was there for us and we shit ourselves.

or alternatively it was a huge game, with loads at stake, and it went how it often does when they turn up... this was one of the ones where they got the break before we'd managed to put any sustained pressure on them... honestly must have seen at least 10 united liverpool games that went pretty much like yesterday's did.

As poor as we were individually, Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Rooney all had gilt edged chances and Mignolet was their best player. That save from Ibra's free kick was better than it looked.

Originally Posted by Tumescent Throb

or alternatively it was a huge game, with loads at stake, and it went how it often does when they turn up... this was one of the ones where they got the break before we'd managed to put any sustained pressure on them... honestly must have seen at least 10 united liverpool games that went pretty much like yesterday's did.

Yeah, bit of that too. When you consider the varying gaps in quality between the two sides down the years, it's rarely a comfortable game for either.

Originally Posted by utd99

As poor as we were individually, Pogba, Mkhitaryan and Rooney all had gilt edged chances and Mignolet was their best player. That save from Ibra's free kick was better than it looked.

I forgot about that one, tbf. Yes, that was a very good save. From that close, with that power, with the wall blocking his view, it's a good stop.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

made it about 10 seconds...that accent is horrid.

You could use that voice interrogating terrorists and they'd snap after an hour.

That's how I imagine you to sound

Steve caulker signed by Klopp on loan last Season centre half played first two games as a sub upfront coming on to partner benteke when chasing losing games Long ball football the guys a complete £#%&!ing moron the programme the teas the yellow stained goofy @#%&!

Originally Posted by puressence

That's how I imagine you to sound

Steve caulker signed by Klopp on loan last Season centre half played first two games as a sub upfront coming on to partner benteke when chasing losing games Long ball football the guys a complete £#%&!ing moron the programme the teas the yellow stained goofy @#%&!

Bob on.

The mask slipped again yesterday. Claiming Firmino did nothing wrong, trying to start a fight with Jose, typical scouse mentality when its not going his way. And moaning that we had a plan B, something he's consistently shown is beyond him. Daft @#%&!.

Are we talking about Sparky or Klopp now?

Originally Posted by believe

Are we talking about Sparky or Klopp now?

what

https://twitter.com/insidesafstand/status/821010669592002560

Originally Posted by Jethro

https://twitter.com/insidesafstand/s...10669592002560

Then there is the league table of long balls. United have played the fourth fewest - 1,346 in total, during their 21 Premier League fixtures. Liverpool are 12th in the table, having launched 1,417.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....klopp-12459227

The guy is a charlatan. Think some of the press are starting to see through him. Hope Plymouth beat them this week.

They hit more long balls than us yesterday alone.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...-a7529551.html

But apparently it's not the same because we were playing it 'to the big man'

Jose stat pack handout in Friday's presser?

Originally Posted by Jethro

https://twitter.com/insidesafstand/s...10669592002560

Originally Posted by dunk

The press have been bemoaning Wenger's apparent refusal to 'mix it up' ' vary their approach' 'have a plan B' for years, all of which basically equate to being able to go to a more direct style when the situation calls for it

I like to think we're somewhere in the middle of the three extremes of Pep's tiki taki possession at all costs to prevent a game breaking out; Conte's modern Catenaccio with his 8 man defence and Klopp's frenetic high press, rely on mistakes, stop the opposition playing.

Arsenal went long for their late equaliser at OT but I don't recall Jose bitching and moaning, nor the press, likewise