Birmingham v Manchester United

I was hoping to see Hernandez but I guess Rooney and Berbs are playing well together - just hope they have enough in the tank
 
Foster; Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Larsson, Bowyer, Ferguson, Gardner, Beausejour; Jerome


Taylor, Jiranek, Hleb, Fahey, Phillips, Derbyshire, Zigic
 
Not worried about tonight at all. More than enough talent there to whoop em good. Gibson isn't as bad as most are making out to be.

I'd be more worried if Rafael got injured.
 
I think the point that is being missed by some is that you have games in a season where because of the sheer number of games, injuries, suspensions and international commitments, fringe players have to come into the side. Rotation has been one of the bedrocks of our successes under Ferguson - so there's no need for panic - especially since this is actually rather a strong line up. It's basically 9/11 first choice.
 
United Fan 101 said:
I quite like Gibson. Think a lot of the criticism is unjustified. A lot of great players started with similar reactions from United "fans" and went on to become great.

You all know the names on that list.
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I assume you're referring to Fletch. But the fans initial reaction to him was great, he was considering a huge talent. It wasn't until later, when he had some dodgy moments on the right that people started to turn against him.

Gibson could probably turn out to be a good squad player, but I find hard to believe he'll ever be considering great in the United sense.

None the less, here's hoping he has a cracker tonight, not an easy fixture to feature in, considering Birmingham's rest.
 
Number7 said:
I was hoping to see Hernandez but I guess Rooney and Berbs are playing well together - just hope they have enough in the tank
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Berbatov has been rested loads and Rooney has had a feck load of time off as well. I'd be asking questions if there was a problem with them playing. Players get molly coddled too much these days.

Spurs won two games in two days and actually played around 90 minutes of the two matches with a man less...
 
Initially surprised by Gibson's selection based on how few game he has played and if we were going to stick to a more 4-4-2 type formation then would have thought moving Rooney to the wing and Chicharito who has played more and done fairly well this season would have been an option.

But, also, seeing as that Brum might tightly pack their middle making crossing and getting through that crowd might be problematic, going through the middle of them with Anderson ploughing through and Rooney/Giggs playing a little wider and coming in to support him - while the fullbacks provide any need for additional width - it makes sense I guess.

Either way - with that team we should win and if we don't, then really all the comments about Chelsea's age and lack of bench etc are irrelevant if we can't cope unlike them.
 
Feed Me said:
For the record, Gibbo has played the right wing role a fair few times when out on loan, so it's not an alien position to him.

I'm expecting a real tough game tonight - disjointed and low tempo stuff. They're a fecking awful side to play.
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He's played on the right for United a handful of times too. Obertan's only just recovered from illness so that might be the reason Gibson's got the nod ahead of him tonight.
 
Feed Me said:
I think the point that is being missed by some is that you have games in a season where because of the sheer number of games, injuries, suspensions and international commitments, fringe players have to come into the side. Rotation has been one of the bedrocks of our successes under Ferguson - so there's no need for panic - especially since this is actually rather a strong line up. It's basically 9/11 first choice.
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Exactly. Which is why I can't understand the disappointment over Gibson's selection.
 
I'd prefer to see Obertan on the wing, the team looks narrow...

Oh feck...we'll cream them anyway...:lol:

Off to watch this in the freindly neighbourhood French bar, hope they are as accomodating to put this on as they were last time...:nervous:
 
Gibson will either shoot a few from long distance.....Or

shoot a few from long distance...
 
It's so vital we get the first goal, esp. against that Birmingham side who are solid in defence and not easy to break down. Getting a lead will make Birmingham attack and we can get another one.
 
Rahul said:
Not worried about tonight at all. More than enough talent there to whoop em good. Gibson isn't as bad as most are making out to be.

I'd be more worried if Rafael got injured.
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Bench seems reasonable tonight in terms of cover might struggle to find "backup backup" left-sided replacements.
 
Gibson doesn't work hard enough for me. He doesn't press the opposition well and lacks the hustle and snappiness of a Fletcher, Anderson or Hargreaves. Lacks speed and too deliberate when in possession. I think this line-up lacks energy and zip. The back 5 excluded, only Anderson and Rooney provides energy and zip. And both played just 2 days ago. A side like Birmingham will battle to be the first to every all and press early and press in numbers. I fear we will struggle to get into our rythmn as Birmingham will not allow us to and we;ll lack the speed and energy to counter.
 
Flexible formation, if its not working we can quite easily switch Rooney out wide and bring in Hernandez or Obertan for a straight swap.

Rooney to end his drought.
 
Allforone said:
Its not names on a team sheet its the fact Birmingham have lost about 2 home games in 2 years or something, no 'top 4 side' has won there for ages, if you think this is going to be a stroll in the park your setting yourself up for grave disappointment i fear.
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Of course it won't be a stroll, the truth is no match is. But if you look at the difference of talent between the two teams, we have more in our ammunition to put Brum away.

It must be taken into account that they are in a bad patch of form and were in a good moment right now. Maybe its the inclusion of Gibson thats leaving people jittery over the outcome.

Its not arrogantly assuming we will win. Its being confident in our team and our form.
 
RonaldoVII said:
Lost one in the last 20+ games at home.
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Their still shit ofcourse :lol:

Their not a special team but they won't even bother attacking all night. Really hard to play against a team which will have 10 men in their own half all game.
 
Feed Me said:
Berbatov has been rested loads and Rooney has had a feck load of time off as well. I'd be asking questions if there was a problem with them playing. Players get molly coddled too much these days.

Spurs won two games in two days and actually played around 90 minutes of the two matches with a man less...
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Fair point

Birmingham haven't played in over 2 weeks either have they? They'll maybe be raring to go or perhaps off the pace a little bit...hard game to judge this but I feel it's got draw written all over it
 
Scholesy said:
They've played together lots of times in the Carling Cup and FA Cup.
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I know, that's why I was asking.
I only seem to recall the matches where they were competing for being the worst players on the pitch.

Aboutreika18 said:
Last season's 4-0 win away at West Ham?
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Ah yes. Good goal by Gibson and good assist by Anderson, though Gibson was otherwise a bit average and Ando a bit hit and miss, if I recall correctly.
 
If Gibson is playing central it's fine but I think imagining him on the wing is what's worrying everyone.
 
Gibson over Obertan is no surprise. In case we cant break them down, Obertan will come on anyways.

Lets give the lad a chance before we write him off already
 
I remember Chelsea's match at St. Andrew's earlier in the season. They had a number of shots on goal, hit posts, Foster had a blinder, then Bowyer poped up on one occation and scored their only effort on target.
 
Epic said:
I remember Chelsea's match at St. Andrew's earlier in the season. They had a number of shots on goal, hit posts, Foster had a blinder, then Bowyer poped up on one occation and scored their only effort on target.
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Sounds like our visit to St andrews last season except swap Bowyer for Jerome.

They are a bunch of spawny cnuts this lot at times.
 
wr8_utd said:
If Gibson is playing central it's fine but I think imagining him on the wing is what's worrying everyone.
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My concern isn't with him, it's with the shape of the team; I remember we played an away game earlier this season where we had nobody on the left at all, and I don't want to do the same with the right.

That said, if we're lining up more in the 4-3-3 formation as has been suggested then we should be OK.
 
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