It's still clear that the players lack confidence in the game plan but a win is always a win, especially after such a long drought. It's also good to see that the experiment with Fellaini in the midfield has been abandoned and we've returned to our tactics from the start of the season which, despite not providing gunh-ho performances, give us enough protection in front of the back four.
The difference today was that we actually manged to get something from the two players who were supposed to create chances in the final third, Rooney and Martial. Great work rate, decent pressing and tracking back, better hold up play and the willingness to make runs, try one twos and run at defenders. And they were both rewarded for their efforts, two brilliant goals and a classy move from Martial to provide an assist.
Young should also be given credit because he showed the kind of urgency, the aggression and the positive thinking that all our players mush have on the pitch in order for the whole team to start playing better. He got an assist too but we really should have someone at FB who would offer more in terms of end product.
Mata also ran his socks off and tried to set up a few one twos but wasn't his day. He provided better possession in the attacking half though. Herrera was decent, Bastian stepped up a gear in the second half and Morgan was always there closing down the first attacker in our half of the pitch. The only problem for the defense was Burrow's pace from the left in the second half (wish we had either Shaw or Rojo) but, fortunately, it didn't cost us.
The question is will we continue getting these types of performances from Rooney and Martial? If the answer is yes, then LvG might have a chance to save the season and his seat. Otherwise we'll look more like Klopp's Liverpool, one good performance followed by two mediocre at best.