Did we even get a shot on Cudicini?
The only bright spot of this match was Tim.
The only bright spot of this match was Tim.
Chelsea 1-0 United...30/11/03......PL
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So a penalty seperated us, but more worringly IMO was that we never once tested Cudicini.
what a lacklustre performance by United. They never had any urgency until about 10 minutes to go. And when they did have a go, they created a couple of half chances(still no shot on target though?). I wonder what Fergie will have to say.
It was a penno too.
It was a penno too.
Oh, and no more Forlan praising...he played like shit, but so did the majority of the team. The back four were pretty good and Howard made a couple of good reaction saves.
fortune was shite today, hardly even touched the ball
BusbyReds said:
Bad touch by Cole took the ball away from the danger area...he just waited for the contact and dived to win the penalty. Shame Keane didn't hold off and concentrate on getting goal-side. Ref probably had no choice...we've seen them given our way at OT.
the midfield was completely seperate to Ruud. The ball was just hoofed up to Ruud who had to fight off 4 defenders until someone reached him.
MrMarcello said:
Ok then. By that thinking we should no longer praise:
Sheasy - Worst player on the pitch
Keane
P.Neville
Giggs
Fortune
Let's sell them all.
I think we played into their hands. Should have replaced Phil after we conceded the goal during half-time. The weather didn't help much either. Just when we wanted to up the pace, the pitch got too slick.
Ah well.
Ah well.
jayjay said:
O'Shea? I thought he was decent. The rest, I agree, were shite.
Shite match by United. We lost the match in midfield, we need to be more aggressive. When they had the ball we just stood watching, waiting for them to make to move, thus giving them the time needed to produce a good pass. When we had the ball they were at as at once and often a poor pass was the result.
A three man central midfield, ie 4-2-3-1 would've helped, but it was probably too early to give Kleberson a start in such an important match and Scholes is injured.
We were a much better team once Ronaldo was brought on but by then we were the aggressive side and they stood watching. Unfortunately we had no central player who could make a great pass and in the box they always had more players than us. We missed Scholes, no doubt.
Now lets forget this match and look forward.
A three man central midfield, ie 4-2-3-1 would've helped, but it was probably too early to give Kleberson a start in such an important match and Scholes is injured.
We were a much better team once Ronaldo was brought on but by then we were the aggressive side and they stood watching. Unfortunately we had no central player who could make a great pass and in the box they always had more players than us. We missed Scholes, no doubt.
Now lets forget this match and look forward.
BusbyReds said:
I thought he was exposed again defensively when he was tested for pace, and he looked nervous and a bit clumsy going forward. More often than not he lost the ball or passed it short instead of crossing.
2nd season is always the hardest for young players coming through. Hopefully he's got enough quality to meet the challenge, and IMO he does.
O'Shea had his best game for ages. Couldn't fault any of the defence.
Giggs was definitely 'up' for this game..unfortunately for us so were Melchiot and Bridge, both of whom were outstanding.
Credit where credit's due - Chelsea have moved up several notches from last season.
SAF's reluctance to make changes before 70 minutes have passed probably cost us the chance of a draw. Wenger would have tried to take the game by the throat after half-time. Although we don't have the same resources as Chelsea we could have stepped up the pace earlier.
I thought Ron and Kleb did well when they came on but the clock was running down. I'd have had Ron on at half-time - the first 25 minutes of the second half taught us nothing that we hadn't already learnt in the first 45 minutes.
Oh well...best team won but
"We'll support you evermore"
Giggs was definitely 'up' for this game..unfortunately for us so were Melchiot and Bridge, both of whom were outstanding.
Credit where credit's due - Chelsea have moved up several notches from last season.
SAF's reluctance to make changes before 70 minutes have passed probably cost us the chance of a draw. Wenger would have tried to take the game by the throat after half-time. Although we don't have the same resources as Chelsea we could have stepped up the pace earlier.
I thought Ron and Kleb did well when they came on but the clock was running down. I'd have had Ron on at half-time - the first 25 minutes of the second half taught us nothing that we hadn't already learnt in the first 45 minutes.
Oh well...best team won but
"We'll support you evermore"
Our midfield was not good at all. I see no need to single out players for criticism. Diego struggled for most of the match but who had he to pass the ball to? Ruud was all alone against Chelsea's defence while Giggs and Fortune was still on our half.
arnie sidebottom said:
If that's the case, he must have been pretty 'kin shite the last couple of months.
jayjay said:
giggs was alright, the rest were shite though
Statiscally, the difference was the penalty and it's unfortunate Keane gave it away by looseing Cole initially. How the rest of the match went is irrelevant. We are a European team these days. We didn't play anywhere near the top and I don't think Chelski were anything special at all. After the trip to Athens we played to contain and look for the odd break. When Ronaldo and Kleberson came on we looked more threatening whereas Chelsea didn't look much different after their changes. We have gears we didn't reach today but Chelsea seem to be one geared - good though it looks at times. Lets remember they are still in their honeymoon period. We do need a big name which Ronnie would have given but Fergie always wants more of the 'tough journeymen' as when 'sqeaky bum' time comes, this is the sort you want as we've proved time and time again. Kleberson and JJ2 seem to fit the bill. Just the big name now ( plus Scholes, Ole and Wes of course)
Match over and never thought it would be a gaolfest. lets get on with the Prem!
Match over and never thought it would be a gaolfest. lets get on with the Prem!
It hurts to say this.We were just not good enough. This is the one match where we really missed Scholes. Chelsea are a genuine Championship quality side. They will take some stopping.
Floyd said:
Sure he's had a poor season but I thought he came through a really testing game today okay. He's United through and through and going through a tough time - needs our support.
And did you watch the game ?
Nah we started with the wrong players for this match. We lacked a lot of creativity until Ronaldo and Kleb come on, then we started to look like Manchester United again. I hope Fergie learns from this that we need some creativity in midfield not just ball winners and players that are good at defending.
Richter said:
This is what I've been saying all season, forget about playing phil neville with keane in the middle cos u will never get any creativitiy, its time to start playing kleberson/keane and hopefully scholes with Ruud when he is back soon. By the way forlan was back to his usual self today- woefully poor, all his passes just went to chelsea defenders.
haven't been here for 4 days already...
speakin' 'bout the panalty decision, from the camera point of view (i.e., closer look @ the action) 90% Keano did touch the ball, 10% lampard kicked it, BUT, ESPN gave us the referee's point of view (i.e., from the referee's angle to look @ the action) so far I rememberd, P. Neville, Crespo and.. forgot who, blocked the view, and from that, I believe the ref made that decision according to the fans behind Timmy...
speakin' 'bout the panalty decision, from the camera point of view (i.e., closer look @ the action) 90% Keano did touch the ball, 10% lampard kicked it, BUT, ESPN gave us the referee's point of view (i.e., from the referee's angle to look @ the action) so far I rememberd, P. Neville, Crespo and.. forgot who, blocked the view, and from that, I believe the ref made that decision according to the fans behind Timmy...
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