Jan 31
United Look for Key Win against Pesky Potters
Is this a cursed season for Manchester United? From the word ‘go’, injuries and illness have torn through the side, and while injuries can’t be looked upon as an excuse for some of the poor and surprising results that have occurred this season or the exits from the Carling Cup, FA Cup, and most disappointingly, the Champions League, there’s no doubt that United’s chances for success in all of those competitions and in the Premier League would be at least somewhat enhanced by a fitter squad.
Through it all, however, one area had managed to duck scrapes and sickness…until now. So, instead of contending with David de Gea or Anders Lindegaard tonight at Old Trafford, it appears that Stoke City will be testing one Tomasz Kuszczak, who, in all likelihood, never thought he’d be in this position again. Then again, neither did we, but at this point in the season, nothing should come as a surprise.
TEAM ANALYSIS
Stoke City
1. In the last three seasons, Stoke had two, four, and three away wins, respectively. This season, their play away from home has been quite improved, as they’re 4-2-5 away from home thus far this season.
2. In part to increased success on the road, Stoke are sitting eighth in the Premier League table, with 30 points from 22 matches, five points behind Liverpool and six behind Newcastle and Arsenal.
3. Consistent goal production has been an issue for Stoke this season, as they’ve notched only 23 league goals. Only Everton, QPR, West Brom (all 22), and Wigan (19) have scored fewer goals this season.
Only eight of those goals have come away from home, with only Swansea City (8) and Fulham (7) matching their output or scoring less in away fixtures.
4. Defensively, Stoke have surrendered 33 goals this season, which sees them tied with Arsenal for 13th in the league in goals allowed. The Potters have conceded 20 goals away from home, which ties them with Wolves for 13th in the league in that category.
Manchester United
1. Please no injuries tonight, please no injuries tonight, please no injuries tonight, please no injuries tonight, please no injuries tonight…times 1,000,000.
At this rate, the backups to the backups are going to get injured trying to tie a shoe, get a cup of tea, or walk to their cars. And no one needs to consider trying a new restaurant, because a nasty case of food poisoning is only one bite away.
2. Many might think that it doesn’t really matter if you have a decent third keeper, because the #1 should be solid, and the #2 should be a more than capable backup in times of need.
Alas, few take account situations like these. Tomasz Kuszczak is still at United? Why yes, yes he is.
If you’re sending out your third or fourth keeper, there are many more favorable opponents than Stoke, who have the height and physicality to make a stand-in’s night real fun.
3. That’s not to say it’s time for a full-scale panic attack, because the defense should be a strong one. Should is the keyword here.
4. Fortunately, whatever happens, we aren’t short on scoring options. The last four home league games have produced 14 goals, and there’ve been 33 in 11 overall home league games to date. That’s some real light among some dark points.
Related Posts
The strange case of De Gea and Lindegaard – why rotation policy is not a keeper (19)
Is this United lineup capable of beating City? (17)
Is this the most important fight for position at Manchester United in 2012? (18)
Is United/City becoming a proper rivalry now? Is it bigger than United/Liverpool? (29)
Pundit doubts De Gea quality (24)
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Park to Vally and then Vally skips past defender and serves Berba a goal-on-a-plate, but Berba misses his placed shot wide. Vally has been great in this game — MoM
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Game over. Way too comfortable for us and we were not punished for lacking in the chance-creating department.
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There is only one Darron Gibson
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Despite dominating the game and leaving Stoke from even gathering a single decent chance, it was a an average team performance. We didn’t really set ourselves up for a goal-fest / chance-fest. It was just a walk in the park and about as eventful (barring two penalties, some good passing, and Pogba’s intro).
Ratings:
Amos: 6 — didn’t do anything but fumbled the ball on their only shot on goal
Evra: 7 — did well coming forward and should have had a penalty. Combine well with POI in 2nd half
Smalling: 5 — rather poor game with some poor clearances and passes.
Evans: 7 — did well in first half and tried to force the issue with forward runs
Rio: 7 — did well keeping defense organized and was always ready to help out Amos
Vally: 9 — MOM was outstanding. Best I have seen him play ever and if Stoke hadn’t been so poor and if Vally’s chances had created one more goal, I would have given him perfect.
Scholes: 8 — excellent form after taking off the first half of season
Carrick: 8 — did well today and seems like played offensive in 1st half and holding in 2nd (weird!)
POI: 6.5 — thought he was really poor in first half, but after his assist, he improved dramatically (which coincided with him sticking to the wing and not drift so central so often).
Chicharito: 6 — was pretty poor and was unable to utilize speed against Stoke. Great penalty however.
Berbatov: 8 — was outstanding with great hold-up and passing (which we’ve been missing as of late). Should give Fergie a headache, but unfortunately will be sacrificed in the name of Youth (read: welbz).
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Pogba: 7 — given the short time on the pitch, he raised our game and displayed some quality ball control and crossing ability. Wished he would have shot on goal just once… looks promising.
Fergie: 7 — no need to do much tactically against such a poor Stoke side, but happy to see Berba play 90 mins, Pogba appearance, and noticable improvement in Park’s performance in 2nd half.
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I’m off! Good win and let’s pip those Cole-less Blues on Sunday… can’t wait!!!!!
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hahaha Vally with no Cole … Hot knife on butter.
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Well I gotta say that young man Pogba did his chances no harm tonight! When he came on our MF came ALIVE – “they waz buzzin” as my Bro’s young kid said
. Two well taken penalties – watch out Wazza 
. Don’t know about the rest of you but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Pogba in some of the home games – or Europa cup etc. We still making hard work of scoring from open play – but Berba was unlucky on couple of occasions. Chichorito was nowhere near offside when he was flagged – I think linemen just see his shirt and automatically sjoot their flags up 
.
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You can tell Rio’s back – he was bollox-ing every one of our players within earshot, and poor ole Ben Amos got a right earful as he left the pitch beside Rio
. Go Rio – you tell em big guy!
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Personally, I thought it was a good team performance. Smalling and Park at times, let us down, but I was really impressed. For once there was no continuous crossing. Ball on the ground, aggressive pressing, particularly from Park and landslide MoM Valencia. Evra was exceptional, particularly in attack. Exactly what I’ve been saying. He’s not a crosser, but a dribbler and attacker. Stop bothering him with crosses. Cutting in and linking up with the attack, he was denied a penalty twice. His combos with the hugely impressive Berbatov, were a real dream. See what happens when you keep the ball on the ground. Was also hugely impressed by the movement. My goodness, did we move. Options, options, options. The passing was slick and dominating. 78% possession.
But have to agree a bit about the lack of chances created. Then again Stoke were simply defending most of the match. Come to think of it, we did create a lot of chances. 3 strong penalty appeals were turned down and 2 awarded. That’s 5 penalty kick appeals plus chances missed by Scholes, Berbatov, Park, Carrick. And then Pogba. Wow. Impressive cameo. Definite talent there.
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@Jay wire: We may have created chances, but those chances rarely led to a shot on goal. BBC states 57% possesion with 7 SOG and 9 corners [which were duly wasted per normal]
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@Opti: 2 of those SOGs were penalties. So that is only 5 SOG over 90 minutes… pretty poor imo.
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Check out this gem from Fergie:
Interesting. I have a sneaky suspicion that this chance in agent happened after Ravel was told to find another club… and I feel like Fergie is happy about the change of agent. Pogba will remain a United player for a while, methinks.
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