I think we all knew deep down we weren't quite good enough to win the league this season but it was good to see us back at the top for a few games at least!
Now it's back to reality though and we are in a battle to secure a top 4 position this season. Chelsea, in fifth, are only 6 points behind and they may start to fancy their chances again now under a new manager.
Saturday's game was disappointing at the end and highlighted our deficiencies but, I have to say, I thought some of our attacking play was pretty good too. It's up to Ole to find the balance. For the rest of the season I think we may as well go all out attack and that should be enough to get us the 8/9 wins or so we need to get top 4 (and probably get second).
Any slip ups from City would be welcome of course but I think that ship has sailed now. Our little run recently has put paid to that.
We can still end the season positively though and a points total in the mid 70s, along with maybe a trophy (or even reaching a final) would be a sign of progress IMO.
Back to reality
posted on 8/2/21
Diafol
Good post. Not really a deep down thing for me. Our defence has always told me we can not win the title.
There are only eight teams in the league that have conceded more goals than us. If we make top four with that amount of leakage we will do well.
posted on 8/2/21
I also think we'd get more points and have more chance of winning things if performances are better.
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There's no reason why that shouldn't be the case.
We were better against Everton, although I don't think we were as good as Neville was making out on commentary. I just think the bar has been set so low over the years that many have forgotten what it's like to play really well in games and play good football.
Our games are a lot more entertaining now though I'll give you that, albeit not always for the right reasons.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 2 minutes ago
I also think we'd get more points and have more chance of winning things if performances are better.
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There's no reason why that shouldn't be the case.
We were better against Everton, although I don't think we were as good as Neville was making out on commentary. I just think the bar has been set so low over the years that many have forgotten what it's like to play really well in games and play good football.
Our games are a lot more entertaining now though I'll give you that, albeit not always for the right reasons.
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It is a gradual erosion of standards (was Stretty right? )that leads us to think the Everton performance was good I suppose. That should be par really in terms of tempo, attacking intent etc.
As for entertaining then our defending has been comical at times. I suppose that's entertainment!
posted on 8/2/21
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 7 minutes ago
Diafol
Good post. Not really a deep down thing for me. Our defence has always told me we can not win the title.
There are only eight teams in the league that have conceded more goals than us. If we make top four with that amount of leakage we will do well.
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VC. My hope was that all the teams would continue to be inconsistent but City have stepped on the gas recently to be fair. I felt for us to have any chance we needed to be a few points ahead once European football returned.
Still a few issues to fix though clearly with the defending being the primary one at present.
posted on 8/2/21
That should be par really in terms of tempo, attacking intent etc.
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I think the change in tempo and the willingness to commit more men forward in games has been the biggest difference this season when we've improved in games as opposed to any change or improvement in style.
We always do better when we're on the front foot and playing with speed and you're right that should be the bare minimum for us.
I still think significant improvements can be made in and out of possession all over the pitch both through bringing better players in and better coaching.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by The Red Side™ (U11275)
posted 8 minutes ago
That should be par really in terms of tempo, attacking intent etc.
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I think the change in tempo and the willingness to commit more men forward in games has been the biggest difference this season when we've improved in games as opposed to any change or improvement in style.
We always do better when we're on the front foot and playing with speed and you're right that should be the bare minimum for us.
I still think significant improvements can be made in and out of possession all over the pitch both through bringing better players in and better coaching.
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We certainly do look better on the front foot and I agree entirely with your last paragraph. When we get it right it's good (our move from the GK to a great chance on Saturday points to that) but we do need to be much more controlled. When we do seem to play well there's always an element of being slightly out of control in there.
posted on 8/2/21
On quality and depth of squad (or lack of) i had United 3rd behind city and Chelsea. And even though second is never acceptable to a sports club that is one of the three biggest sports clubs in the world, the current situation - vis-a-vis league position wise - is about right.
Can't see Chelsea not getting their collective motivation back at some stage soon though.
But that unacceptability aspect needs to be converted back into constructive ambition. Dump the losers. Not interested in crap about 'local lad, life-time supporter, comes through academy' claptrap. Football is too serious for that. It's great if it means quality is maintained but it's just a ridiculous practice when it doesn't.
Better off scouting and scouring the streets and parks of the cities around the world (with appropriate responsibility of course). That plus looking at the genuine quality of those plying their trade in the more competitive European leagues (northern and eastern Europe for those not keeping up). And also those more technically coached in the 2 main Benelux leagues.
Granted I've always been an advocate of maintaining that notion that one of the important aspects of any, well-run, sports club is to be an integrated part of the community. However, United can carry on doing that without reducing themselves to providing charitable employment in the starting-line up to the likes of welbeck and rashford.
posted on 8/2/21
City are by far the best side in this league and last season was just a blip.
We’re on the up and hopefully we try to continue the season as strongly as possibly. I reckon another 9 wins from our last 15 games will see us comfortably in the top 4 but we should be aiming higher than that.
30-35 points from a remaining 45 available would be significant progress imo.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 38 minutes ago
City are by far the best side in this league and last season was just a blip.
We’re on the up and hopefully we try to continue the season as strongly as possibly. I reckon another 9 wins from our last 15 games will see us comfortably in the top 4 but we should be aiming higher than that.
30-35 points from a remaining 45 available would be significant progress imo.
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Actually we are on a decline, one win in 4 premier league games. Chelsea 3 win on the bounce. Liverpool brought in new centre backs.
We are in an absolute battle for 4th, not sure how you think we are going to secure in comfortably, unless Leicester fall away.
posted on 8/2/21
comment by Ron (U1646)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 38 minutes ago
City are by far the best side in this league and last season was just a blip.
We’re on the up and hopefully we try to continue the season as strongly as possibly. I reckon another 9 wins from our last 15 games will see us comfortably in the top 4 but we should be aiming higher than that.
30-35 points from a remaining 45 available would be significant progress imo.
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Actually we are on a decline, one win in 4 premier league games. Chelsea 3 win on the bounce. Liverpool brought in new centre backs.
We are in an absolute battle for 4th, not sure how you think we are going to secure in comfortably, unless Leicester fall away.
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I never said I think we will get in comfortably but 9 more wins gets us to 73 points.
That will be more than enough for top 4 imo.