[Sarni]

Also, until Southampton actually scored, we hadn't come to win the game either.

Indeed, we came to pass the ball around and knock it forward once in a while. At no point we looked like we wanted to actually win this game.

 

[Moonred]

We were bad in terms of actually creating chances until we went behind. And we paid for that which is what happens to teams. As far as Southampton are concerned, they defended well but hardly caught my imagination with their overall play.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We were bad in terms of actually creating chances until we went behind. And we paid for that which is what happens to teams. As far as Southampton are concerned, they defended well but hardly caught my imagination with their overall play.

This team loses its composure when they realise they are in a hole. They should have been all out attack right from the start, got a goal up and that would have tempted Southampton out. We just parped about, then they get a lucky goal and then all panic breaks lose, but hey the possession stats were great.

 

[shabz]

5 at the back and we wonder why we lack creativity. LVG's statement that Southampton came for a draw is so hypocritical as we always set up not to lose ourselves. We never force the issue until our backs are against the walls and even then we are not very good at it. Our last 6 games have given us 2 wins 3 draws and 1 loss. The 3 draws could have easily been losses and beating Yeovil was far from convincing. The reality check we need is that we have not addressed the issues at the back which has been our weakest point for a couple seasons now, yet we play a system that calls upon using our weakest players. Hopefully we either get the right players in to employ 5 at the back or we revert back to 4 at the back and utilise more of our own threats rather than trying to stop the opposition playing.

 

[NK86]

Lost 1 game in 11 against a team who have the best defence in the league who came for a draw. Yes their were clear problems- mainly how slow we looked up front but deary me its not as bad as were making out.

6 points from 5 games. That is how I am looking at it. 1 loss is 11 games does not sound bad but our form since Christmas has been awful. Not only are we not playing well, but we seem to run out of luck and not winning now as well.

 

[pascell]

If we're failing to break down teams like Soton at home with 0 shots on targets, imagine how poor we'll look after the same performance in the Champions League! We're not ready for Europe.

 

[NK86]

This team loses its composure when they realise they are in a hole. They should have been all out attack right from the start, got a goal up and that would have tempted Southampton out. We just parped about, then they get a lucky goal and then all panic breaks lose, but hey the possession stats were great.

This is what worries me. The game is such that any side can catch a lucky break and score. If we know this, what's the point in plodding along and wait for the opposition to catch that break before actually upping our tempo. It is absolutely mind numbingly bizarre.k

 

[NK86]

If we're failing to break down teams like Soton at home with 0 shots on targets, imagine how poor we'll look after the same performance in the Champions League! We're not ready for Europe.

That's nonsense. I have seen Fergie's sides equally poor in the PL and then really give a good account in the CL. We have to be careful not to fall in this trap of possession for the sake of it and in areas which could cause us problems more than the opposition.

 

[soapythecat]

Yes, results like these do happen from time to time. But the timing of this couldn't have been any worse.
We were poor yesterday and looked lost in the final third.
The result isn't so much the dissapointment for me - these games happen - but the way the team is going backwards when at full strength is what hurts.

 

[NK86]

The fact that they had to resort to the counter is an indication that we were the better team. Even when they managed to win the ball back, they struggled to keep it. On another day when Mata doesn't fluff those chances and a certain other individual isn't as atrociously wasteful, the result would've been our way.

That is how one of our best sides actually played against many teams and tore them apart. So were we not better than the teams we beat then? Resorting to statements like the opposition played on the counter is ridiculous.

 

[Moonred]

This team loses its composure when they realise they are in a hole. They should have been all out attack right from the start, got a goal up and that would have tempted Southampton out. We just parped about, then they get a lucky goal and then all panic breaks lose, but hey the possession stats were great.

Who said that?

 

[NK86]

Yes, results like these do happen from time to time. But the timing of this couldn't have been any worse.
We were poor yesterday and looked lost in the final third.
The result isn't so much the dissapointment for me - these games happen - but the way the team is going backwards when at full strength is what hurts.

It has shades of the Moyes collapse last season when we absiolutely went to shit from January to March. I know that the players we have better players now but we seem to be taking steps backward with each passing game and it scares me.

 

[Ixion]

We were a bit unlucky, they came for a draw and not to concede but got more. Rooney and Di Maria were both off form today and that meant we didn't create much in the final third, both trying to do the spectacular pass or dribble too often (Rooney needs to stop with those cross field passes all the time). Blind was very good though, I don't think people have really appreciated his contribution so far so it's nice to see he got MOM.

I was pretty worried when Blackett came on and if we were going to concede it was after then, I don't think he's ready yet.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Who said that?

I think that is why some are saying we were in control of the game, because we had the ball so much. I wish someone would put a map up of where the possession was. Now that would be interesting.

 

[The Purley King]

If ever there was evidence that 532 doesn't work against a team that only plays one up front then this is it.
We need to be much more adventurous, especially at home.
Play players where they are meant to play. Rooney plays up front, Di Maria should be in central midfield. If that means an expensive signing or two has to miss out then so be it.
4 at the f**king back please !!!

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We were a bit unlucky, they came for a draw and not to concede but got more. Rooney and Di Maria were both off form today and that meant we didn't create much in the final third, both trying to do the spectacular pass or dribble too often (Rooney needs to stop with those cross field passes all the time). Blind was very good though, I don't think people have really appreciated his contribution so far so it's nice to see he got MOM.

You are underestimating how much we appreciate Blind and were hoping his return would bring about a change in out performances. He did well.

 

[Moonred]

I think that is why some are saying we were in control of the game, because we had the ball so much. I wish someone would put a map up of where the possession was. Now that would be interesting.

We did have the ball quite a bit, but hardly anywhere near the opposition box in terms of creating a good chance. I think our general play was quite defensive and trying to sneak a win than force the issue. That is always risky and ideally we shouldn't have to resort to that. But Soton are a very well organized defensively sound team and LVG must have thought of winning it via one goal. I'm sure he will learn from this. Not the end of the world certainly.

 

[soapythecat]

We were a bit unlucky, they came for a draw and not to concede but got more. Rooney and Di Maria were both off form today and that meant we didn't create much in the final third, both trying to do the spectacular pass or dribble too often (Rooney needs to stop with those cross field passes all the time). Blind was very good though, I don't think people have really appreciated his contribution so far so it's nice to see he got MOM.

I was pretty worried when Blackett came on and if we were going to concede it was after then, I don't think he's ready yet.

There was nothing unlucky about it. Southampton took their chance whilst we didn't create enough to score.
The home side should be the one taking the game to the away team and we failed to do it.
Southampton put in a perfect away performance.

 

[RedSRM]

It has shades of the Moyes collapse last season when we absiolutely went to shit from January to March. I know that the players we have better players now but we seem to be taking steps backward with each passing game and it scares me.

It's true that we have gotten pretty shite over the last few weeks, we've lost our effectiveness for some reason.
It was around this time last year that people lost faith in Moyes completely, though I don't expect Van Gaal's side to perform that badly going forward. The problem now is that we have a real scrap on our hands to stay in the top 4. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are smelling blood now.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

That's nonsense. I have seen Fergie's sides equally poor in the PL and then really give a good account in the CL. We have to be careful not to fall in this trap of possession for the sake of it and in areas which could cause us problems more than the opposition.

Why do people keep saying this. Fergie sides, although sometimes poor, created chances.

LvG is blinding people with all this talk of philosophy - underachieving big time at the moment.

 

[World Game]

That is how one of our best sides actually played against many teams and tore them apart. So were we not better than the teams we beat then? Resorting to statements like the opposition played on the counter is ridiculous.

Key word: resort. Didn't mean we were sitting back against many teams waiting and relying for them to create an opening for us because we couldn't construct/start an attack ourselves. It is less than optimal in Koeman's philosophy for his team to be the one who is reactive to the opponent, the one whose opponent controls the game, the one which has to rely on the opponent's mistake but today his team was that team, because they came up against a better team.

 

[NK86]

Why do people keep saying this. Fergie sides, although sometimes poor, created chances.

LvG is blinding people with all this talk of philosophy - underachieving big time at the moment.

That is a massive myth. Ronaldo used to pull us out of the mire with a piece of individual brilliance when we couldn't create anything. During our run of 16 games without conceding, a lot of the games were 1-0 where we just kept the opposition at bay and then won the match with a moment of brilliance. Most of our away wins at Pool are smash and grab at the best of times.

 

[NK86]

Key word: resort. Didn't mean we were sitting back against many teams waiting and relying for them to create an opening for us because we couldn't construct/start an attack ourselves. It is less than optimal in Koeman's philosophy for his team to be the one who is reactive to the opponent, the one whose opponent controls the game, the one which has to rely on the opponent's mistake but today his team was that team, because they came up against a better team.

They had a couple of decent chances themselves. Sure they came to defend and that is understandable as they are
supposed to be the "weaker" side. But what did we do? We had 3 at the back against 1 striker. Is that not being negative/overly cautious?

 

[SammyUnited_83]

That is a massive myth. Ronaldo used to pull us out of the mire with a piece of individual brilliance when we couldn't create anything. During our run of 16 games without conceding, a lot of the games were 1-0 where we just kept the opposition at bay and then won the match with a moment of brilliance. Most of our away wins at Pool are smash and grab at the best of times.

Yes, but we still created chances, worked the goal keeper and played with a certain urgency.

If we go one down now we don't win, under Fergie there was always going to be chances.

With this team we should be creating way more, the reason we aren't is because the tactics are shite.

 

[Varun]

Because they fecking won.

So? Can a team that sets up to draw not end up winning a game?

I'm not talking about yesterday's game specifically btw, I dont agree with Van Gaal that Southampton came to draw, they had a plan on how to win and they did. I'm talking in general.

 

[Xaviesta]

Speaking of positives, atleast EssexRob lost more money.

 

[Lawman]

Agree with this. The only players to I thought lived up to their standards was Valencia and Blind.

That said, one reason they did not live up to their standards might well be the formation.

Thought Smalling was excellent

 

[montpelier]

I thought Southampton played well enough and deserved a draw - which would probably have been a fairer result overall. Neither team was exactly swashbuckling and attacking excitingly. Utd passed it well enough but lacked incisiveness in the attacking 1/3. Having said we passed it well, I thought the distribution from defence was poor, ball playing defenders are not Phil Jones & Smalling - it ends up with Carrick or nothing being the supply from deep.

Too many players coming back at the same time - we should improve as they do. Poor day at the office up front, though Mata should have scored, obv.

We'll see what happens.

Us, Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton scrapping for 3rd/4th I reckon. I reckon Arse 3rd, us 4th atm is how'll it finish.

 

[LeftyBlaster]

The fact that they had to resort to the counter is an indication that we were the better team. Even when they managed to win the ball back, they struggled to keep it. On another day when Mata doesn't fluff those chances and a certain other individual isn't as atrociously wasteful, the result would've been our way.

That's not what I meant though I see the point you're trying to make. I was saying that they came with a specific plan to hit us on the counter. That involved letting us have possession and Koeman's post match comments said alot about this. He knew we weren't comfortable moving the ball out with our 3-5-2 system. It was an obvious ploy to let us dilly dally with the ball and hit us on the break IMO.

 

[Snow]

From 7 games? Seems perfectly possible to me. 5 wins and 2 draws.

Oh 7. Wrong thread. Thought it was the vote thread with the 6 game count. Too early for me to post.

 

[SirFergie]

I don't believe it was all LvGs fault but for me once it was clear 3-5-2 wasn't working he should have taken off one of the 3, at least. Create more space, brought Wilson on. Baffled as to why he completely left Falcao out. Mind you the final ball was terrible yesterday and once we did get into good positions, the decision making was back to Moyes era standards.

 

[Q80]

Long time coming tbh.

All on LVG this time round:
- ADM up front? The boy plays better running from deep, not receiving the ball from a toothless midfield
- Rooney in midfield when all your midfielders are back is nonsensical. Hes a lad who can put in a fantastic shift in that position, but hes a striker, so play him there FFS or bring on Falcao.
- Defense, laughable quality
- Mata had an off day, himself, Hererra and ADM link up well, so you can accept that shite sometimes happens. That day, it happened.
- 3-5-fekkin-2 : you dont have the tools to build that ship, yet. Play a 4-4-2 in all its different shapes and sizes and we can go back to winning convincingly.

 

[iAm20Legend]

I thought Southampton played well enough and deserved a draw - which would probably have been a fairer result overall. Neither team was exactly swashbuckling and attacking excitingly. Utd passed it well enough but lacked incisiveness in the attacking 1/3. Having said we passed it well, I thought the distribution from defence was poor, ball playing defenders are not Phil Jones & Smalling - it ends up with Carrick or nothing being the supply from deep.

Too many players coming back at the same time - we should improve as they do. Poor day at the office up front, though Mata should have scored, obv.

We'll see what happens.

Us, Arsenal, Liverpool, Southampton scrapping for 3rd/4th I reckon. I reckon Arse 3rd, us 4th atm is how'll it finish.

We've been let off by Arsenal and 'pool having a poor start to the season, we'll have to play much much better now or we'll end up 7th again

 

[SalfordRed1960]

Indeed, we came to pass the ball around and knock it forward once in a while. At no point we looked like we wanted to actually win this game.

Don't you think that is the players though?

I think most on here would acknowledge that the players put out there would good enough to beat Southampton. Di Maria up top looked good at first because his speed should have caused problems. First few efforts were aimed at implementing that tactic, but for some reason Rooney and Carrick in particular slowed the game down. There was no speed which was an obvious necessity when you are playing a well organized defense.

I think people are going overboard because we lost. Southampton were well organized, very good on the ball, but hardly caused us any problems.

I think moving Blind from the LB position was our downfall. Our defensive shape went all over the place once he was moved forward.

 

[Sarni]

Don't you think that is the players though?

I think most on here would acknowledge that the players put out there would good enough to beat Southampton. Di Maria up top looked good at first because his speed should have caused problems. First few efforts were aimed at implementing that tactic, but for some reason Rooney and Carrick in particular slowed the game down. There was no speed which was an obvious necessity when you are playing a well organized defense.

I think people are going overboard because we lost. Southampton were well organized, very good on the ball, but hardly caused us any problems.

I think moving Blind from the LB position was our downfall. Our defensive shape went all over the place once he was moved forward.

Not at all, we had a brilliant selection of players on the pitch IMO. A team that has D Maria, Rooney, Mata, van Persie, Herrera, Blind, Carrick and in-form Valencia on the pitch should win a home game against a weaker side with ease 90% of time. They should create goalscoring opportunities every single time. Players executed the gameplan which was to hoof the ball forward, we were disorganized and didn't seem to have an idea what's going on most of the time. I don't expect Di Maria to suddenly learn how to play as a centre forward or for Rooney to be good in midfield, that's not their job. He could send Mata to play as a right back and I wouldn't blame him for being terrible, likewise I wouldn't hold it against De Gea if he failed to perform as a number 10.

 

[Shark]

Having cooled down since yesterday's deflating defeat, I've come to terms with the fact that it was always going to be a highly difficult game and we were lucky as feck to beat them away. I don't think that we should look in to things as much as we are, we just came up against a very good team and lost. Bad day at the office, it happens.