The Footie Thread 2014/15

[Biggy Shackleton]

And despite us having one of the best defensive records in Europe, it's all down to one man, and it isnt Mourinho. We allow far far more shots on goal than the majority of teams. De Gea's 2 saves last night were saves that a keeper might have once every couple of season and be able to add them to a highlight real over the course of his career. De Gea is making them once every couple of weeks and keeping us in matches. If it wasn't for De Gea, Mourinho would already be gone imo.

And just to back this up:

14 - David de Gea has conceded 19 Premier League goals this season, but based on Opta xG data for the shots on target he's faced, the average goalkeeper would have been expected to concede 33 goals. This is the biggest differential by a PL goalkeeper in 2017-18. Exceptional.

[BadTurtle]

Sanchez has destabilised whatever was (partly) working about the team. The only time the other night United looked like they might carve an opportunity was when Sanchez, Mata and Herrera were off. Too slow, too ponderous, too untidy in possession. Martial, Rashford and Lingard aren't much better than Mata at retaining possession but they have pace to burn and will take far more effective shots. Can't understand not playing at least one every single game. Two of them have been the best outfielders this season.
Matic was a disaster on Wednesday too, and has been quietly working his way through a disconcertingly long bad patch with no end in sight. Thought the Carrick replacement issue had been solved but he looks a shadow of the player he was in September now.

[Fred__Elliott]

Maybe he's a boardie. He was outstanding today

[BadTurtle]

He was, most improved from Sevilla. Though McTominay shadowed Hazard well too.
Lukaku was brilliant, even the pressure relief in the last 5 minutes, think he outran two Chelsea defenders despite them having a few yards on him each. I'm probably in the minority, but I think Lukaku has been one of United's best players all season, scoring or not. He's putting a big effort in each game. Pogba could learn a lot from him.

[Fred__Elliott]

Wouldnt say youd be in a minority amongst utd fans. Most i know think hes been great. His record against the top 6 is more reflective on Mourinho's tactics imo. I think he's been our best player since xmas

[Fred__Elliott]

https://gfycat.com/ImmaterialSkinnyAfricanclawedfrog

Thats fucking ridiculous.

De bruynes pass at the end might be my favourite of the season. For me he meant the nutmeg from that far away

[Eucrid]

They were fucking brilliant all game. Arsenal collapsed and City walked to victory in the LC final but in that game Arsenal were working hard and City just picked us apart anyway.

[Shatners Bassoon]

Henry better not be anywhere fucking near a shortlist of Wenger replacements.

[Eucrid]

The talk is of him getting the job between now and the end of the season. I'd take that in a heartbeat.

[Shatners Bassoon]

No chance. What if he does alright and they give him the job full time?

I find him a seriously unlikable character quite apart from the complete lack of experience.

[Eucrid]

Surely if he does a good job thats a good thing.

[Shatners Bassoon]

What is there left to play for bar the Europa League? I have as much confidence in us winning that with Wenger as I would with Henry. We might even be as good as out by Thursday anyway.

If we're going to appoint a former player with fuck all experience I'd much rather go for Arteta.

[Fred__Elliott]

Henry would be akin to people calling for Giggs or any of the class of 92 getting the job after Ferguson. It's a fucking huge task for someone with no experience. Arsenal are in an even worse state than Utd were when Ferguson left and look how that left

[Fred__Elliott]

Not looking forward to the weekend, especially if Smalling and Young are destined to start. They were atrocious last night. Mata and Lingard moving to RB made the biggest difference to how we played. Neither Alexis or Pogba should start but both will

[BadTurtle]

Lindelof was poor too. Squad isn't deep enough to replace all the poor performers last night, though presumably Shaw will have to start ahead of Young. Wishful thinking that Bailly might replace Smalling I suppose. Pogba was dreadful, lazy and technically poor. Sanchez at least tried but he's in no form at all at the moment.

[Fred__Elliott]

Lindelof was poor too. Squad isn't deep enough to replace all the poor performers last night, though presumably Shaw will have to start ahead of Young. Wishful thinking that Bailly might replace Smalling I suppose. Pogba was dreadful, lazy and technically poor. Sanchez at least tried but he's in no form at all at the moment.

Lindelof needs a leader beside him and to be talked through games. the whole defense needs that actually. At 28/29 it should be Smalling but a leader he ain't. I think we need to look at getting an experienced defender in for a while now, especially if you're going to be playing 2 converted wingers at full back.Young didn't glance around once for the first goal last night, had no idea where Townsend was.

[Biggy Shackleton]

Not looking forward to the weekend, especially if Smalling and Young are destined to start. They were atrocious last night. Mata and Lingard moving to RB made the biggest difference to how we played. Neither Alexis or Pogba should start but both will

I can't claim to watch much of Utd any more, but whenever i do watch them these days, all i see are balls being dropped in over Ashley Young's head, into the space behind him.

And with fair regularity, they seem to result in goals. I'm not sure how he's getting away with it. Luke Shaw must have peed on Mourinho's rug.

[Eucrid]

Henry would be akin to people calling for Giggs or any of the class of 92 getting the job after Ferguson. It's a fucking huge task for someone with no experience. Arsenal are in an even worse state than Utd were when Ferguson left and look how that left

We just want Wenger out and Henry till the end of the season couldn't be any worse.

[Mexicola]

Ugh, I never thought I'd see the day where I'd be disappointed to go out of the CL to Juve

[Fred__Elliott]

If City, Chelsea, Utd or Arsenal did that last night and lost from such a commanding position like Spurs had they'd be destroyed in the media, and rightfully so.