Sep 14
Liverpool 2-1 Man Utd: Questions Galore for Fergie
I don’t want to go over the actual happenings on the first Anfield defeat in God-knows-how-many-years but there are a few words (or shall we say phrases?) that can sum up our defeat quite well: (relative) lack of hunger, schoolboy defending and an injured midfielder.
I will seek to address some of my observations from the defeat more than making this a match report per se.
Desire:
Or should we say the lack of it? In the first 20 minutes, we looked the real deal. I started making mental notes on how scary we could be with the addition of Berbatov, and with Ronaldo yet to return. But what followed made the first 20 minutes appear a mere case of an adrenaline rush. Everyone’s been quick to condemn our lack of hassling in the midfield, but I would attribute this in part to Carrick’s injury. Because, before this we seemed in control and looked like the home side.
Liverpool, on the other hand, showed more desire to win the game. But even this wouldn’t strike me as new, because ‘pool have, in the past, controlled their home games against us only to end up in the losing side — which brings us to the next point…
Defending:
Often the saving grace for us last season, if you put Ronaldo’s contribution aside, Saturday’s defending would have made Titus Bramble squirm. EVDS, who still remains one of the better ‘keepers in the Premier League, has started making more errors for our liking. And the first goal was his fault. I wouldn’t fault Brown. He also fumbled earlier only for Kuyt to hit a United player instead of the target. Vidic’s red, later in the game, can’t possibly help matters ahead of our trip to Stamford Bridge next week.
Giggs ought to have put the ball out, but he didn’t, and we paid the price for the second goal. Both goals were avoidable. The first one even so because, going into half time, 1-0 up would have been psychologically crushing for the dippers (as against 1-1) because it’s been a mental block for them all this while playing United.
Tactics:
I was happy with Fergie’s intent to play all three strikers upfront, but was disappointed to see Rooney played out wide. Tevez has been in top form and when you are in form, you can do as well out wide as you can in the middle — and I say this because I believe playing Tevez out wide would have still helped him run amock. However, I fear for Rooney the most. I love the kid, I really do. Fergie admitted to misusing Rooney a lot last seaosn. Yet he decides to play Rooney out wide, away from the action. Why?
If he continues to do this, I will really start to worry about Rooney’s development. Whilst Theo Walcott continues to hog the headlines (and I do think rightly so) Rooney had a good game for England because of Emile Heskey. Rooney got to play behind a proper target man and it showed in his performance. Tevez’s trickery would have been better served on the wing than that of Rooney. Berbatov is million times a better player than Heskey, and hence I was looking forward to Rooney linking up with the Bulgarian. I’d rather have Rooney benched than see him shunted out wide in yet another game. It makes me sick to see the sting taken out of his game like this.
And why was Giggs brought in the place of Carrick? If Hargreaves was thought to be fit enough only for 20+ minutes then wouldn’t Nani have better added width to our attack (with Anderson pushed into midfield)?
Thorny Questions for Fergie:
I don’t want this to be a doom and gloom post. If we manage to win our home games against the big four and win the other games against the others with a few draws along the way I think we can still retain the title. But I have questions to ask Fergie.
How does he plan to integrate our strike force when Ronaldo returns?
I suggest, if he plans to play our attacking fab four at once (Rooney, Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov), then Rooney and Berbatov will have to play in the middle, with Ronaldo and Tevez out wide. Otherwise it has to be either Rooney or Tevez on the pitch, behind Berbatov — not both.
What is his long term strategy for the ‘keepers’ slot?
I really don’t want Foster to break his head in frustration. I love EVDS, but I fear the increased frequency of his gaffes.
Other questions include the status of Hargreaves and Anderson (and possibly Possebon) in our first team mix. But then it would be too much negativity for my own liking.
We lost to a better Liverpool team, although we wouldn’t have really lost had we stuck with the basics of defending. Ferguson was right to have slammed the team, and I hope it works out as a spur for them to bounce back against a good looking Chelsea side.
Right now though, we entertain Joe Red’s Villarreal on Wednesday. Hopefully it helps Berbatov settle better into the club for now.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Porto it is then…
- Do you like Rio Ferdinand?
- Three Questions for Manchester United
- Man Utd Blog 2007/2008 Home Kit
Tags: Match Reports
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“We need more players like Oshea, Fletch, Ole and Park who will quite happilly sit on the sidelines until called upon and put in a fantastic display regardless, real club servants who’ll fill in.”
Yeah, his name’s Manucho…
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@Gabriel: I wouldn’t say we were outclassed Bro, because we gifted them their 2 goals with sloppy defending. We would have been outclassed if L’Pool had been far superior to us, because we were poor. Berba did have an indifferent game, but he showed the one piece of class that brought our goal. His game was hampered when he took a knock, but there’s no talking to some people. I don’t think he has been used to just having long balls lobbed up to him all the bloody time. Anyway, roll on Wednesaday, and lets hope we get a win. I will never understand why Giggs came on instead of Hargo or even O’Shea. Our midfield was woeful, and Giggs is hardly going to be a powerhouse in midfield, is he?. I can only think Hargo was not fully fit, or Fergie having lost Carrick again, didn’t want to risk Hargo also. Who the feck knows or understands some of the tactical decisions Fergie is making at the moment. We are supposed to be in a fight with Arsenal for Veloso and M’Bia. Who the feck is M’Bia???.
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@Gabriel: i understand his role fine. and i dont expect him to be the same as rooney/tevez. i just wanted to see his passion for the shirt. i wanted to watch the game and not feel like he was being lazy. i dont know if its cos he wasnt match fit/or he wasnt getting the service/or he was conserving his energy or what, but there was nothing in that game to change my opinion of him. but then i didnt want him in the first place so i am probably going to be the last person to come round to him.
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@JB: oh well I guess maybe I’m being a bit hard on him. I didnt say anything bad about him since deadline day until today and that match on Saturday just brought all those doubts back. I really like the Roovez partnership and didnt really want anything to disturb it. I didnt think that we were in desperate need of a tall striker like some people were saying. OK then, I promise not to speak bad about Berbatov until after his 5th game for us. He should show us something before then.
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@Liam: @jstar7:
You guys really are out to batter Berbatov arent you? Its like your just waiting for him to have a bad game etc so you can say ‘we were right, we were right’. IMO Berbatov is a brilliant footballer, I can understand some people not liking his style but his quality is not in question, heck even the stevie wonder can see he is a very very good player!! I cant see anything but him being a success. Of course time will tell but for the moment lads, less of the Berbacrap rubbish.
You slate HIM for costing 30m – yes its too much but how can you blame him?! Its not his fault we paid 30m is it!
Again he was thrown in against Liverpool in a game when every player was poor but you still expect him to do well, when a team is playing poor the strikers often suffer the most. Blame Fergie if he was not ready, not Berbatov.
Im looking forward to forgetting the weekend shambles by giving Villareal a hammering and giving us some confidence going into the battle at the bridge on Sunday. Lets hope Ronaldo is back and raring to go eh!
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@Aymen: Greeting mate. I always have a soft part in my heart for anything or anybody Aussie. Spent one of my greatest vacations there. Love your country. Also, it’s always great to meet someone who hates Italian football like I do. Hope to have many conversations and debates with you. Cheers.
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@michael: Yeah but we don’t actually know if Manucho can come off the bench and play WELL do we?
Are we really in for Veloso? I knew they was an interest in him before the SL game last season, but i thought that was Fergie using a bit of mind games on him? He just seems like Carrick with a bit more aggression, which is something we already have in Hargreaves, which means when fit he’ll be second choice to Hargreaves, is he gonna be ready for that?
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@Rd – “hargo if fit….” is a big IF
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stuffn te above! i think it shows how our midfield still lacks the personnel needed to overcome every situation. harry-greaves seems to play injured, and besides, doesn’t offer the passing qualities of carrick. had we veloso, another solid midfielder and a creative passer, had we him, we’d have won the game.
Anderson to replace Scholes. Hargreaves is doing the Keano role. Giggs and Nani. Ronaldo and Becks. Then what about carrick who is our best orthodox midfielder (i.e. not winger). ? we need a backup and partner for him.
we’re toothless and our game doesn’t link well without the passing range that carrick brings, so why not bring in a backup for him? it’d give us 5 solid central midfielder players who are ready for the toughstuff and not ‘developing’ or old aged pensioners.
simply: we need a passing midfielder.. wait till jan, see how Anderson develops this season.
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Ok guys what team do you think SAF will choose tonight? I wouldn’t be surprised if one of Park/Fletcher plays. Does anyone know if Hargreaves is fit enough to start? If yes then he’ll surely partner Anderson in the centre with Nani and probably Park on the wings. I think Tevez and Berbatov should play upfront with Rooney used as an impact sub. Also I’ve been hearing different reports as to when Ronaldo comes back, some say he’ll be on the bench and others say he’ll return against Chelsea. Does anyone know whats more likely?
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@Aymen: Actually, we play tomorrow mate, not tonight. I think Ronaldo will definitely make the bench against Villareal..Fergie has already hinted at that.
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I missed all but the last 10 mins cause I was onstage with the band, but after the match finished our singer went to the toilets in the sports bar, and ten liverpool fans were pissing on a united shirt on the floor.
Scouse cunts.
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@antsBoy: Yeah I knew we play tomorrow just a stupid typo. I guess the game can’t come quick enough as always after a game like on Saturday.
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http://www.redandwhitekop.com/forum/index.php?topic=228580.0
this is fucking hilarious! those scouse bastards are celebrating for what is like “their first ever win on us”!!! hahahaa! those scouse bastards, without a shadow of a doubt, are so pathetic! no wonder i hate em so much! fuck em! we’ll devour you scousers here at ot, bask away for now!
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@Aymen: Heh, you’re right…I feel the same way too. For a sec there though I’d thought you might actually be right, being in Australia, but then realized you’re just 4.5 hrs ahead of me…(i18n can be a bit confusing at times
)
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‘sup guys? been reading less than positive stuff regarding United today…
Evra apparently was diagnosed with a concussion after becoming physically ill following the match at anfield, so might miss out tomorrow.
This might be a good opportunity to try Fabio, but Fergie might opt for O’Shea.
Berbatov apparently sat out today’s training session, don’t know why, but Manucho also had a full training session. Maybe Roovez might start with Berba or Manucho coming off the bench. At least our strikeforce is getting to full strength, should give each player time to rest and keep ‘em fresh for each match.
With no scholes and carrick, we are left with Ando, Hargo, Fletch, Gibson and Possebon to choose from in midfield. Would go for Ando and Hargo with fletch and possebon on the bench. What you guys reckon?
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usually i wait for redranter to come up with a preview… then i know the game is near…
haha any predictions of the game? i say 2-0 to us with rooney and berba to score… law of averages say he (rooney) has to….. some time!
hopefully we have a proper tatic this time around…. something simple and proven… dont mess around too much with a winning formula
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Gabriel. did Hargo train today???.
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@Craig Mc: Not sure, but I hope he did… we need DMF’s for these upcoming tough two games. Fletch is good, but hargo is better. Btw, what midfield combo would you suggest for tomorrow night?
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@Gabriel: I would like Hargo (if he’s fit), Fletcher if he’s played in Central Midfield with scholesy. Scholesy can’t play as bad as he did at L’Pool again, can he?. He usually plays a little better at home, but I think he is going to be phased out gradually this season. I would say Anderson, but he seems to be off the boil for a while now, and maybe its because of his injury, and lack of match fitness. I would like Nani left wing, and Ronnie(if fit) or Park Rt side. I don’t think 3 strikers will be played in this game, and if Berba didn’t train as you say, maybe he will be out. Vidic can play in this match, can’t he?. Knowing Fergie though, if Berba is fit, I wouldn’t put it past him to give the team that played against L’fool opportunity to redeem itself in this match. Hope thats not the case though.
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RR, didn’t read all the comments on this article, but I have to agree with your Rooney statements. I was thinking rather deep this weekend regarding this exact scenario. I actually came to the conclusion, as much as I respect the man, SAF is busy fucking up Rooney’s career big-time. Judging from his performances, development and deployment for the past 3-4 years, compared to the promise he’s shown before and the obvious potential he has, I’d hate to say this, but Rooney will be much better off in another team. (God please forgive me)… I think Rooney would be a perfect partner for Torres in the Liverpool team. (it pains me to say this).
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Here you can find all the Highlights from BBC Match of the Day, every match, week by week, free download and great quality video:
http://www.recontragolazo.com/?cat=26
Enjoy
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