Frasier Campbell

Originally Posted by Harri Jaffa

I'm surprised he left to be honest, he must be in line for the top job when Fergie retires

I'm not so sure, some people are just not management material and I think he is one of them - especially at the top level.

Originally Posted by Carrick

I'm not so sure, some people are just not management material and I think he is one of them - especially at the top level.

I'm not sure either but if he'd stayed there surely wouldn;t be many others that would have been considered?

Originally Posted by Harri Jaffa

I'm not sure either but if he'd stayed there surely wouldn;t be many others that would have been considered?

Possibly.


Maybe he was told that he wouldn't be considered unless he goes out and proves himself or that he wasn't gonna be considered at all.


All I do know is that we are really missing him.

Originally Posted by Carrick

Maybe he was told that he wouldn't be considered unless he goes out and proves himself .

How's that going?

Originally Posted by Carrick

We're missing Quieroz, there is no two ways about it.

Just look at our defensive organistation in the years he was here, it was immaculate.

It sounds so simple but he specialised in making sure we were organised when we attacking.

Now we look like we are going to concede everytime the opposition counter attacks.

That's why him and Fergo were the perfect combination.

I'd agree with that. Always thought people went over the top with giving him all the credit for tactics, but he did take the training routines and the side always looked very organised. No surprise since Phelan has taken over, we've looked a bit of a joke.

Have you noticed an increased gap between our defence and midfield? It's been apparent to me for a while now; that the opposition "number 10" can find this gap far easier this season. Look at Nasri the other week? Or against Zenit? Even against weaker sides, the most advanced midfielder (or striker dropping off) can find the gap then has time to turn and run at the defence or shoot. This rarely happened in the last few years. Very worrying.

Originally Posted by The Watcher

Finally, all four of our front players are guilty of some shocking finishing. The build up has been great at times, but no one seems willing to put the £#%&!ing ball in the back of the net.

so not a great deal different from last season except none of them are finishing.

That'll surely come - some of the football has been blinding, if Rooney had his shooting boots on against Arsenal I think we'd of done them no worries, as it was Neville was hugely exposed & they got the slices of luck needed & the game was stretched.

If the forwards start to score, we'll be fine.

& Neville needs to be left out of big games & Wes brought back in, Rafael continue to be blooded as he is.

Not a huge problem given the start to the season.

Originally Posted by The Watcher

Have you noticed an increased gap between our defence and midfield? It's been apparent to me for a while now; that the opposition "number 10" can find this gap far easier this season. Look at Nasri the other week? Or against Zenit? Even against weaker sides, the most advanced midfielder (or striker dropping off) can find the gap then has time to turn and run at the defence or shoot. This rarely happened in the last few years. Very worrying.

Gary. Neville.

Rio goes to cover for him, gap appears between centre backs, Carrick nor Anderson can fill in because both those sides knew to overload the left wing & we were opened up.

Simple fact is, Neville is a passenger.

Originally Posted by Baron_van_Marlon

Gary. Neville.

Rio goes to cover for him, gap appears between centre backs, Carrick nor Anderson can fill in because both those sides knew to overload the left wing & we were opened up.

Simple fact is, Neville is a passenger.

That's a good point and I agree. I wouldn't have Neville anyware near the 1st team. But there have been instances this season where opposition players have found it far too easy receiving the ball with their back to goal, turning then running at our back four with the ball. With Carrick back and getting fitter, this shouldn't be so much of an issue. But as a team, we're just not defending well. I wish we'd press the ball more aggressively too, but we've not generally done that in the last few years.

Originally Posted by The Watcher

I'd agree with that. Always thought people went over the top with giving him all the credit for tactics, but he did take the training routines and the side always looked very organised. No surprise since Phelan has taken over, we've looked a bit of a joke.

Have you noticed an increased gap between our defence and midfield? It's been apparent to me for a while now; that the opposition "number 10" can find this gap far easier this season. Look at Nasri the other week? Or against Zenit? Even against weaker sides, the most advanced midfielder (or striker dropping off) can find the gap then has time to turn and run at the defence or shoot. This rarely happened in the last few years. Very worrying.

Even Giovanni managed it :shakehead:

Originally Posted by Baron_van_Marlon

& the game was stretched.
.

That's what we are saying though, it doesn't just happen out of nothing.

Even when we weren't playing well last year, we were never prone to counter attacks like we are at the moment.

Even Hull and Everton have exploited are gaps, it's a worry.

Originally Posted by Carrick

Even Giovanni managed it :shakehead:

Exactly! Conceding three to Hull ffs.

To be honest, I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks we're a bit of a shambles at the moment. Hopefully the players will start to put things right against Stoke. Really need to get out arse in gear and win (convincingly) every League game before heading to Japan.

Really is a joke that the strongest United squad in years (ever?) has allowed an average dipper side to waltz their way to the top of the League, closely followed by a Chelsea side no ware near as good as the one we beat in Moscow.

City away at the end of the month

Originally Posted by The Watcher

The other effect of having Berbatov in the side is Ronnie being required to play as a more orthodox winger - where as last season, he was given license to do pretty much whatever the £#%&! he wanted as part of a front three. This worked very well, not least because of the graft Rooney and Tevez would put in. We won't get the best out of him while he's stuck out there.

Those three combined so well last season, that I've seen surprised how quickly the manager has split them apart to fit in Berbatov.

Finally, all four of our front players are guilty of some shocking finishing. The build up has been great at times, but no one seems willing to put the £#%&!ing ball in the back of the net. A poor defence and a wasteful attack is not a good mix, I'm sure you'll agree.

This is a key point

The one reservation I had about the signing of Berbatov (aside from who would be the odd man out) was about how effective he would be at creating the space for Ronaldo to do his damage through the centre

I would argue that there have actually been some really positive signs in recent games that the coaching staff have put in some very good work in this respect, and that Ronaldo has been through plenty often enough to be not only top scorer, but by a distance. This is also a great sign that Ronaldo is getting back into the groove and that his match fitness is nearly there

tbh I put most of the defensive problems we're having in the main down to the centre midfield selection headache. there are some issues that need addressing concerning Foster and Rafael which will take the entire season imo. and there's also the fact that we are the biggest scalp in Europe, and easily - even more easily than normal - the biggest scalp in England this season.