PBP: EPL - Manchester United FC vs Everton FC - Oct 5, 2014 [R]

The Subs and tactical changes by Van Gaal today in game been poor.

 

2 wins in a row...very important.

Thanks DDG.

 

That will bring back some confidence.

 

De Gea MOTM easily. Wow. Two saves in the last ten that were certain goals, and a PK save.

 

This seems to be a trend. I think LvG makes the subs that he wants to make, not the subs that he needs to make.

 

lol @ being tied for 4th with swans ahead of arse.

 

Wow, really squeeky bum and really needed DDG, but it's good to get a reasonable win over a pretty good team.

Still need that leadership in the back to calm players down. However, there is significant progress going on and things will definitely settle down when we get more experienced players back and the team plays together longer.

Promising stuff from the individual defenders but just some slackness in organisation towards the end.

 

Actually, we are somehow 4th on GD. I am not sure how, but I will take it.

 

Also...apart from it being the winner, that Falcao goal is most likely going to see him really push on from here. The defensive lack of confidence is still rearing its head, and I really do fear what City and Chelsea might do to us, but at least we are an attacking force again (just need to convert more).

 

Valencia does some OK things and at least he works hard but he really looks even worse near Of Mary. Blind seems to do a good job shielding the defense (until the last 20 minutes) but he gave away some silly passes (or nearly gave them away if not for hard work from the supposed receivers) throughout the game near the midfield line.

Falcao makes great movement and good to see him off the mark finally. VanPersie might be nearing the end. He is too slow now and could be a poacher.. but he is not finishing very well at the moment either.

Mata was really disappointing to me. I know he never takes the game by the horns but he doesn't even seem to be doing nifty 1-2s and such to make opportunities, he was not good in the front of midfield. At least he is better than Afrojack, who is basically as useless as Valencia but is nowhere near as fast.

 

I think he has been United's best player alongside Herrera and Di Maria.

 

2 moments summed up my frustration with Mata today. One in the first half, where Blind was on the ball looking for a pass. Nobody was near him, and Mata was standing in line with RVP and Falcao surrounded by defenders. That is not where he should be in that circumstance, he should be the bridge between the two areas. The other was in the second half, where he got the ball in the opposition half with space in front of him, and he immediately passed it backwards and ran up to join the forwards. Again, not only did he refuse the responsibility of running forward or picking the forward pass, but he also took himself out of the picture for more possible link up play. I don't know if it's a confidence thing, or whether I've just completely misjudged how I thought he played the game.

 

Surprised @JamesA and @Diable Rogue not come about yet about Valencia doing pretty decently more Central.

For this type of game he is a good water carrier type player.

 

DDG to the rescue. Job done.

ADM and freinds up front need to hold on to the ball better at the end of games like this - we invited a lot of pressure from unnecessary giveaways at the end.

Great block also from Tyler Blacket.

Thought Blind did a good job in the role in front of the defence, especially when Fellaini came on and showed how not to track, how to be flat footed and how to be unaware of what is around you. Cant believe we had to suffer him in central mid last season. Just go.

Mata contributed for the first goal, but his overall contribution was poor. Cant expect Rooneyesque workrate as that is not Matas game, but thought he should have contributed more.

Vital win, hopefully Carrick and fit defenders to come.

 

Where does Carrick come back anyway ?

Ahead of Blind ? Dunno.

 

Blind-Valencia combo actually worked really well together, way better than I expected. Valencia is turning out to be a pretty valuable utility player and he could be useful in that RCM role on occasion.

Don't have any problem with LVG subs - Shaw was injured, Valencia was 1 minor foul away from getting a second yellow and no reason to risk with Falcao's fitness. Would've preferred Januzaj instead of Wilson though.

 

Easily.

 

Bench RVP seriously. Rooney works better with a striker like Falcao. He's as closest to a player like Ruud I can think of in the EPL.

 

De Gea's save at the end... but you know what, ignore De Gea and watch Fellaini (starts at our furthest player to the left of the pitch, yellow/lime green boots). Just watch...

 

Both Fellaini and Mata were poor here, standing and watching as it developed.

 

And a big win before the break. Hopefully a few guys make it back for the next game.

 

The Spanish Rooney. A lot less cnut-ish as well.

It doesn't matter.

Our defenders should play under the working assumption that if it is marginal, the decision will go against them and we will concede a penalty and/or have a player sent off.

Individual players have steadily been getting up to speed.

He was the PL's best RB in 2012-13.

One half-decent game after being conference quality for tens of games.

The likes of him, Young and Fellaini need to be shipped out asap.

 

Thought Shaw was good going forward in the first half but jeez, he gave up the penalty and Naismith was his man for their goal. Awful defending from a 30mil defender. The other 3 in the back did fine overall. Awful subs especially the sight of Fellaini coming on, he should have brought on Januzaj for Mata earlier.