[cyril C]

I am not sure how you failed to see Young had a worse game than Sanchez. He was expose throughout the game and offer nothing going forward. Sanchez at least make constructive runs.

My view on player rating matches that of Daily Mirror.

 

[Andycoleno9]

Our form is in decline, we must risk and rest some players against Fulham. Pogba and Matic especially

 

[psychdelicblues]

 

[mazhar13]

Guess you were wrong about the result

I was, thankfully, along with Puel's lineup selection. Barnes on the left helped us as they kept coming inside with barely any crosses coming in. It helped that Puel didn't bring in Albrighton either.

Overall, though, our right side may not have been exploited, but Leceister still put us under intense pressure. We respected their midfield way too much and allowed Mendy and Ndidi all the time in the world to build up attacks. I understand that Puel typically likes to have his wide players enter the spaces in the midfield between the full back and central players, so Ole was wise enough to drop our midfield back to cover those gaps. However, we were so, so sloppy on the ball that we kept putting more pressure on ourselves. It's a good thing that neither Mendy nor Ndidi are creative on the ball else we'd have been in trouble. On the bright side, our defence were excellent in dealing with Leceister's attacking players especially when our midfield couldn't take control.

In terms of player performances, Lingard performed as I expected on the attack. He barely offered anything and fatigued very early (along with the rest of the side). He did help us circulate possession of the ball, but he was barely involved mostly due to our overall sloppiness in possession (particularly from Sanchez). I would have thought that Sanchez would look sharper, but he's been as sloppy as he's ever been. Almost every single time he got the ball, he lost it either with a sloppy pass or poor control. Rashford was given a limited supply, and his goal was crucial in that respect. Our defence was immense and need to be given credit for their great work. There were a few instances where they were poor in defending the set pieces, but even then, they recovered enough to not get punished.

Let's keep in mind that we continue to get wins whilst not playing well. That's a huge, huge improvement from our past spells under our other former managers after Sir Alex. Ole's at least instilled some resolve in the side. They just need to improve their energy levels and not be as sloppy in possession.

 

[Jazz]

Seems to me like we have reverted back to cautiousness now there is actually something to play for.

Whether that's the manager or players doing I do not know.

Totally agree with this. It's just human nature. Even us fans were getting anxious simply because there's an opportunity there to get top four, where not long ago we'd pretty much given up on the season.

 

[ship50]

Good 3 points against a difficult team. Performance was average. Sanchez should do better and take the opportunities he is getting as a starter.

 

[buchansleftleg]

Are there any leagues who's transfer window is still open that we can ship Sanchez out to?

 

[AJ10]

Good to get 3 points against a team who usually do well vs top teams.

First half our final ball was crap and second half our passing was crap, we struggled with simple passes.

 

[Bastian]

The first 3-5 minutes of either half were reminiscent of our start against Bournemouth a while back. Incredibly sloppy.

Delighted with the 3 points though.

Given their right back is their problem area I thought it was quite surprising we went with Alexis on the left. He was pretty much invisible.

 

[Roosney]

Oh really.

Yes.

 

[fergieisold]

Odd thing to say. So is having deadly attackers who made the best of our chances compared to Leicester(who hardly got any clear cut chances) don't deserve to win? Might I ask why exactly?

Eh? Deadly? You watch Rashfords miss or the capitulation from some in the second half?

 

[SqueakyWeasel]

Just wondering if Ole might consider using Greenwood as a sub for a game and leave Sanchez or Lukaku out? Surely we have nothing to lose if we try that?

If he was going to do it … Fulham is the only one to risk it logically. Although if he shows up and scores a hatful … then the dilemma starts! BUT no-one else is going to do it … so why not Ole?

 

[Sylar]

Thats a tough game against a team who just took points of Liverpool. To get a clean sheet and win 1 nil is a good result.

our counter attacks were not good though. They were a bit disjointed and a second goal was there for us.

 

[Coops73]

I reckon we have a bit of emotional exhaustion creeping in. The exhilaration of losing Jose is fading. The next eight weeks will be a big test of this management team.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Santoryo]

Eh? Deadly? You watch Rashfords miss or the capitulation from some in the second half?

Still better than what Leicester had to offer which is what ultimately mattered. So I don't see how we didn't deserve to win.

 

[reddevil80]

City do us a favour and it's still possible to get 4th. Pedestrian at times but defended well and that was an important 3 points. Thought Lingard was pretty useless today, looked leggy and not interested in running.

 

[Buster15]

Yes.

What a waste of a post.

 

[Josh 76]

If this game wasn't live on TV, when everything gets magnified, and was just a 3pm Saturday kick off. It would be classed as a very solid away performance against a very awkward team.
We have had many of these victories under Fergie.
9 wins out of 10. That's fecking awesome by any ones standards.

 

[TMDaines]

Just some context for out performance and the challenge that we would have expected to face to get the three points today. These are Leicester’s two performances this week:





And on Boxing Day:



The odds of us going there, winning, and winning with a convincing performance that would have nobody in doubt for the three points was super low. Leicester know how to play against top sides and you don’t open up and get carried away against them,

 

[ash_86]

We need midfield re enforcements. We have no one we could use in the middle half decent from the starting 3

 

[automaticflare]

Generally I thought it was an interesting tactic to sit low. Leicesters strength is on the counter, and they struggle against an in-balance defensive line. But the execution was just embarassingly sloppy.

Don’t agree it was sloppy. Leicester created nothing today except from a maguire knock down and a free kick.
I would say we nullified their biggest threat very well

 

[mazhar13]

The odds of us going there, winning, and winning with a convincing performance that would have nobody in doubt for the three points was super low. Leicester know how to play against top sides and you don’t open up and get carried away against them,

I definitely agree with that, but what disappointed me somewhat was the fact that they weren't really that threatening yet we didn't do much more than them. Our sloppiness in possession really skewed the match in their favour, and if we were sharper going forward, we'd have definitely been comfortable. If Leceister were playing very well, I would have no complaints, but they weren't.

 

[MrBest]

3 very big points. Worst performance in 10 games. Our players fitness levels worry me but we had a disastrous pre season and we are now 5th, 2 points of 4th and 9 off 3rd. Still everything to play for, we must beat Fulham away. I like lingard these days but he is not good enough to be first choice right winger. Sanchez looks disconnected and young needs to be replaced. We probably need 3 or 4 big signings in the summer to fix some of these areas including a new midfielder we can be confident to rotate with Matic and Ander who both look tired. On to the next 9 wins from 10 and Ole has far exceeded my expectations. He is still the interim coach so again we have nothing to lose and neither does he.

 

[TMDaines]

I definitely agree with that, but what disappointed me somewhat was the fact that they weren't really that threatening yet we didn't do much more than them. Our sloppiness in possession really skewed the match in their favour, and if we were sharper going forward, we'd have definitely been comfortable. If Leceister were playing very well, I would have no complaints, but they weren't.

Oh, I agree. I don’t think we covered ourselves in glory, but Leicester are an almost unique test for the top sides. More interested in getting the points than worrying about the performance today. Burnley at home and Fulham away are games where I want evidence of a good underlying performance that merits the three points.

 

[crossy1686]

Good win, Leicester set up well against the big boys. Lots go there and lose, let alone win. Happy with the 3 points.

Sanchez leaves a lot to be desired. At the moment he's looking like Torres did when he joined Chelsea, it's that bad.

 

[Red Dreams]

Lukaku is pointless.
Sanchez must go too.

A number of changes needed.

 

[The Irish Connection]

The honeymoon has definitely worn off. I would be worried about the coming games unless we improve. Are the players showing their fickleness again with effort. Lot of jogging today and lack of intensity I thought.
I feel we need to keep trying to press teams without the ball, we dropped off too much today and it was a bit like a Mourinho performance at times.
Obviously delighted with the win and three points though and hopefully we can raise the game for the coming games.

 

[Ban]

Is honeymoon new Cafe favorite world?

 

[No Idea For Nickname]

Is honeymoon new Cafe favorite world?

Yep.
Blessing in disquise is the favorite term.

 

[pierrethesnack]

Actually it is. Loads of indignant comments on here when we rotated some players vs Burnely, but this game just shows it was more than needed. Mou was more than happy to have us park the buss and play hoofball and it is more than evident that the new style under Ole has exposed lacking fitness levels in some of out players and the lacking quality in the back up players

No, you're missing the point.

There's nothing inherently illogical by questioning why our fitness isn't better in this game considering how we rested a lot of players last game - even if you complained about the rotations last game.

 

[OldPop]

As many write, nothing remarkable, but three important points. It was no easy match and apart from the brilliant goal it was hard work, especially in the defense, who saved the score today.

Feel good to know that our defense can step up when the midfielders and attackers have a worse day. This made the victory feel well deserved even though the team's performance was not the best. And that is an important message about the team's strength.

 

[Melville Red]

Is honeymoon new Cafe favorite world?

I think it’s over but then again my honeymoon was a very very long time ago, in The Lake District.
Very nice it was too.

As for Ole, when was the marriage? Honeymoon my arse! He’s learnt that Lukaku is not the number one striker and I was pleased that Jones didn’t start either although to be honest Bailey doesn’t fill me with confidence either, but Ole can only pick from who we have.

At the end of today we have kept a clean sheet away and moved up one place in the league.

 

[freddie the red]

Scrappy game riddled with poor possession, loose passes and low energy levels, the sort of description I've used often previously for matches under Mourinho but I'll take the 3 points and the overhauling of Arsenal for 5th place.......now for the rent boys!!

 

[lysglimt]

Leicester is such a pesky side

MOTM Young or Pogba. What a grind out win. United of yester years woulda lost this.

Matic for me - he had a really good game

 

[Ban]

I think it’s over but then again my honeymoon was a very very long time ago, in The Lake District.
Very nice it was too.

As for Ole, when was the marriage? Honeymoon my arse! He’s learnt that Lukaku is not the number one striker and I was pleased that Jones didn’t start either although to be honest Bailey doesn’t fill me with confidence either, but Ole can only pick from who we have.

At the end of today we have kept a clean sheet away and moved up one place in the league.

Agreed. Just can't stand the moaning here.
Fekin honeymoon. I think it's a bit condensential towards him.

 

[The Irish Connection]

Is honeymoon new Cafe favorite world?

Apologies lads.

 

[Inigo Montoya]

Matic for me - he had a really good game

In phases. His reading of the game can get him out of trouble against poor teams like Leicester

He gave the ball away too easily at times, completely outpaced and if Dean had done his job, he’d have seen red along with Mendy. Against City/Pool he’d be found out with that lack of pace

 

[Abhinav]

Points are important but not the only thing that matter. Last 2-3 weeks have been eerily similar to last year when after a good start, we stopped playing with any intensity but still kept on winning. Eventually the results caught up with our performances. I hope Ole really sets the expectations because the application from many players was lacking tonight. E.g. Lukaku at the end just standing between 2 defenders rather than making a run towards the corner to help us retain possession.

 

[Escobar]

We need midfield re enforcements. We have no one we could use in the middle half decent from the starting 3

This will be a huge test in coming weeks. We have no depth whatsoever. If anyone runs out of steam or gets injured, we are in trouble

 

[Bobcat]

No, you're missing the point.

There's nothing inherently illogical by questioning why our fitness isn't better in this game considering how we rested a lot of players last game - even if you complained about the rotations last game.

Complaints about rotating is illogical when its clearly shown that it was necessary (hence our players looking knackered).

As to why so many looked tired today, its clear that the new style of play with the high press is a lot more demanding on their fitness than Jose's shite brand of park the buss and hoof. I dont know where we are now, but under Jose we were rock bottom in terms of distance covered and that kind of fitness does not come overnight.