04 Sep 2022 18:50:34
We are not there yet but we have shown we can compete. In a short space of time, ETH has learnt quickly and he looks the real deal to me.
He is improving players, playing to our strengths, and he isn't afraid to make tough decisions. He's happy to bench Ronaldo, Casimero isn't quite ready yet, and I loved that he called out Scott for playing so well. He threw Anthony in and we saw the result, he has persevered with Rashford, ditto.
The character we are showing is something new, players playing for each other, the team mentality is clear, I'm loving it.
Arsenal equalised amd were on top at that stage, but we have players who can hurt teams in the blinknof an eye.
At the start of the season we would have took where we are. 5th, ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool, just behind Spurs and City, and all achieved in a shirt space of time.
Let's keep this going, momentum is everything, we won't win the league this year but we can lay some very solid foundations.
And finally, Martinez is everything we want in a United player, and Eriksen is absolute class. The 2 best signings we have made in a long time.
1.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:08:01
I genuinely feel we can be really good in the league now.
Don't think we have the squad for europa league knockout stage and premier league.
2.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:11:40
Forget…deleted
{Ed014's Note - goodbye you complete tosser!
3.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:25:21
What….deleted
{Ed014's Note - fm you are beyond stupid, aside from thrapping like a zoo park chimp all night when you’re not at school, do you actually do anything.
#uttercockwomble
4.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:46:04
Ha ha, cockwomble, not heard that for ages.
As for the game, absolutely loved it and really enjoying the improvement being made game by game. We now have a team rather than a bunch of individuals.
5.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:47:05
Tony, If before the season started we were offered the chance to be only 3 points off of top spot after 6 games that including playing Arsenal and Liverpool I think most of us would have snatched the hand off that offer it.
What I like more than the results though is that in every game you can see us improving. We have more fight and grit about us, we are playing for eachother. You can see the improvement in our passing, quicker and players showing for the ball rather than hiding from it. You can see patterns of play emerging. Our defence is much more solid, they communicate better and work as a unit better.
Our midfield is improving, and soon out attack will click.
Things are on the up. We will of course suffer losses along the way, but the improvement in every aspect of our play indicates that things are on the right track now.
6.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 19:48:32
Ed014, is our favourite plonker back again?
I appreciate if it's a little soon or you're feeling a bit sore about it, but I wondered what your thoughts on the match was?
Always good to hear things from the other sides perspective.
7.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 20:36:32
Bearing in mind Ed14 has made it clear he wouldn’t want any of our players at Arsenal I assume he thinks that was a huge underperformance from his side today.
Thought Arsenal were very good today for what it’s worth, the highest quality game between the 2 sides in a number of years and if both teams play like that all season they will both have a good chance of top 4.
{Ed014's Note - 100% I can guarantee you I wouldn’t fella. Didn’t see anything special from you today that would make me change that opinion, aside from 3 break away goals.
You didn’t play with the mentality of a big team and we’re subbing on defenders, much like smaller teams used to against you.
There’s no argument that you won and the way you won doesn’t matter, it’s 3 points.
8.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 20:42:07
I like that EtH is building the team his way both in the players he has brought in and who is getting a chance. I am sure we don't agree with all the decisions but after the first 2 games we are seeing real progress.
McTominy is playing well and allowing Cassimero to bed in, we will feel the benefit of this later in the season. Rashford is getting minutes up top and on the left showing that EtH has confidence in him and is trying to develop him. maybe he sees something that we have not seen over the past year.
Antony getting brought straight into the team even though he has missed the past couple of weeks training. Gave a good account of himself up and down the pitch.
Palace and Leeds in the league during the rest of September so hopefully we will be in a good position before we hit the tough October run of City, Everton, Newcastle, Spurs, Chelsea and West Ham with Europa matches in between!
9.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 21:32:24
Ed0014
I think eth made all the right moves. Its not small team mentality to shore up our midfield when you guys were overloading on the wings and tried and tried through sako. We were ahead and needed some fresh legs. It worked as we still kept people on who can hurt you and scores the 3rd.
We also had rashford and martinez pull up. I still think you will finish top 4.
{Ed014's Note - mate it’s what the smaller teams do and it’s only because you’re going through a process and a proper one at that I’d hope.
10.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 22:13:04
makes sense to give maguire a few minutes before Thursday, I’m sure he’ll feature and considering we’re 2 goals up at that stage and Martinez was pulling up it made complete sense to replace him. He was the only defender we put on though. Fred was put on to intercept and press, and very nearly setup 2 goals so i’m struggling so your point Ed14. But please elaborate on it so we can see what I’ve missed. It does seem ten hags in-game management was correct though.
11.) 04 Sep 2022
04 Sep 2022 22:21:04
So ed014 when Arsenal were beating Villa 2-1 the other day and brought on 2 defenders after bringing off Saka, Jesus etc then that's also small team mentality I take it. Maybe its also game management Must say Sambi was a little lucky there was no var on his challenge today. Was a little bit naughty.
{Ed014's Note - I guess Martinez stamp on Saka was a little lucky too then. ?♂️
Small team mentality is sitting back, playing on the break, high fiving giving corners away, having players like Martinez, McTominay and Dalot kick people.
All things you wouldn’t be doing if you were at the point of playing quality football. DH.
12.) 05 Sep 2022
05 Sep 2022 00:20:26
United have always sat back and broke and beat arsenal on the counter.
That’s where arsenal are at there most vulnerable.
It’s about time our players did some dirty work it’s a contact sport, Chelsea did it for years. You want a bit of fire in your tackles and some aggression especially when playing in big games
We subbed on 1 defender for a defender that was injuried. Brought on ronaldo Fred and casemiro and could have scored more.
Did arsenal really do anything other than a few half chances and a goal that was given to you via dalot attempted tackle?
You may have had 16 shots but only 3 went on target the header the goal and I can’t remember the other one. How many times was de gea really tested?
Possession looks nice and the little 1 touch passes around the box look good on the eye but its the ball in the back of the net that counts.
Arsenal are what you get when you order city from wish. com.
13.) 05 Sep 2022
05 Sep 2022 09:13:40
ED0014
C'mon bud you are confusing a really well thought out game plan with something else.
Real Madrid won the CL last year losing on the possession stats to every team they played during the knock out stage. In the finals Liverpool had a significant advantage in possession but did nothing.
I agree Martinez was bad foul so was the foul on Fernandes and he could have been done for the season. Jesus kicked out at Martinez which was missed by the refs and we can go on and on with stuff like that.
Van Dyke's foul against the Everton lad was even worse.
If there was one takeaway from yesterdays game for me is the eth is a top manager and set up to win and knew your weaknesses and how to go about exposing them. Our 3 Goals were great team goals and opened you up with ease and with a bit more clinical passing it could have been 5 imo.
Arteta panicked and he always comes across as if he is entitled and only has plan A. In some ways its the perfect match up for us and Its pure arrogance to think with our speed upfront and with guys like erickson and Fernandez, we would not break the press and leave you exposed.
ETH deserves credit as not many would have been able to do what he has done after our start. Frankly I am so so surprised. In a matter of 4 weeks he has demonstrated He knows how to win whilst integrating a bunch of new players into an existing squad that has many flaws and work in progress. Winning whilst changing is the utmost important thing for me, not long ago we had a Scotsman who had similar traits :)
A few years ago when we had Van Gal we used to have a significant possession advantage over every team in the league. We won nothing but a scrappy FA cup final.
I am going to go with what Keane said yesterday which summed it up perfectly, no one cares about possession if you don't score and win. it is about winning and mentality of the players. Our defenders pumping each other up is great to see IMO.
Finally ETH has had this team for less than 3 months and a lot less if you consider the players that counts. We finally have a manager and give him time and a couple of windows he will win the league and get us back into the conversation in CL.
I am a lot more worried about palace this weekend compared to the game yesterday.
14.) 05 Sep 2022
05 Sep 2022 09:45:37
Love the DH abbreviation ed. What's that for? And Sambi was'nt a stamp was it ed. Studs up on his calf with force, but I'm guessing because it's Bruno you think he deserved it. Still at least Arsenal played well accept for when they did'nt.