Post Match Vs Sunderland

Besides being disjointed and individual errors in the defence yesterday I'm also hoping there was no specific instructions to cross early - too many high hopeful crosses into the penalty area for my liking. Just made it too easy for their goalkeeper and defence.


To be fair, this has been a long standing problem for a few years. I think it's just a consequence of our traditional love in with wingers. It's become a defacto, almost reflex action Plan B to work it out wide when in doubt. And the fact they've all been largely out of form (or out of the team) doesn't help.

Also, oddly for a team that crosses so much, we don't pose an amazing ariel threat. Rooney & RVP can both pretty good in the air when they're on their game, but neither could be classed in a Sheringham or even Drogba mould. And the days of Scholes arriving late from midfield are long gone.
 
Ye but the days of Fellaini arriving late from midfield are just begining :drool:
 
To be fair, this has been a long standing problem for a few years. I think it's just a consequence of our traditional love in with wingers. It's become a defacto, almost reflex action Plan B to work it out wide when in doubt. And the fact they've all been largely out of form (or out of the team) doesn't help.

Also, oddly for a team that crosses so much, we don't pose an amazing ariel threat. Rooney & RVP can both pretty good in the air when they're on their game, but neither could be classed in a Sheringham or even Drogba mould. And the days of Scholes arriving late from midfield are long gone.

You're probably spot on though Moyes' pursuit of Baines might mean he's not planning on "changing" too much?

Though Baines' deliveries are very good and he can actually play some good link up stuff and not just cross.

I thought we controlled the match quite well, for large parts, especially after a shaky first 30mins. Rooney being fairly woeful didn't help though because he's our link between midfield and attack. If he's off form in that position, we look fairly disjointed and uncreative, especially through the middle.

He's yet to still really "click" with RvP, which is worrying.
 
The drilled low crosses/cut-backs (like Evra's for Januzaj's first goal) are more purposeful and difficult to clear than those irritating early high aimless crosses that get headed away by a defender every single time.
 
The drilled low crosses/cut-backs (like Evra's for Januzaj's first goal) are more purposeful and difficult to clear than those irritating early high aimless crosses that get headed away by a defender every single time.

Quite.

One low cross created the goal, and the second from Evra nearly produced a goal for RvP. The only decent high cross all game was when Nani missed a good chance on the volley. Valencia, and Evra have generally prefered sending in low hard crosses.
 
You're probably spot on though Moyes' pursuit of Baines might mean he's not planning on "changing" too much?

Though Baines' deliveries are very good and he can actually play some good link up stuff and not just cross.

I thought we controlled the match quite well, for large parts, especially after a shaky first 30mins. Rooney being fairly woeful didn't help though because he's our link between midfield and attack. If he's off form in that position, we look fairly disjointed and uncreative, especially through the middle.

He's yet to still really "click" with RvP, which is worrying.

His link-up stuff is nowhere near as good as Evra's.... so any pursuit of Baines = more crosses.
 
His link-up stuff is nowhere near as good as Evra's.... so any pursuit of Baines = more crosses.

Yeah, you could be right but I've seen him ghosting into the area a fair few times as well, after linking up with Pienaar/Mirallas. He's really not just a touchling hugging, crossing fullback.

Anyway, I'd much rather not sign Baines. I'm just trying to keep a balanced perspective.
 
Im not sure what to make of that performance. It didnt inspire much confidence at all. We were poor in a number of areas. Perhaps the break comes at the right time, because we dont know what we are going to get, there is a lack of cohesion in the back. Where is Johnny Evans, i would prefer smalling or evans to play at the back with Vidic/Rio.

Januzaj was a revelation, perhaps if we gave Zaha a similar chance we would see some exciting play. Too many of the players look off the pace.
 
Im not sure what to make of that performance. It didnt inspire much confidence at all. We were poor in a number of areas. Perhaps the break comes at the right time, because we dont know what we are going to get, there is a lack of cohesion in the back. Where is Johnny Evans, i would prefer smalling or evans to play at the back with Vidic/Rio.

Januzaj was a revelation, perhaps if we gave Zaha a similar chance we would see some exciting play. Too many of the players look off the pace.

They had been to the Ukraine and back but it was laboured performance in the most part and I hope we look more up to speed after the internationals.