This is a great first game to have Saha. IMO, the # 1 problem Man Utd have in piercing an organized, defensive team is their lack of pace and aerial threat (yes, Scholes is great... but it's hard for him to ghost into a packed box). Saha supplies both of these. He'll add something that RVN can't (speed), and even terms in the penalty box. Those fine crosses from Neville and Kleberson will be wasted less.
Ronaldo is improving, but he still has good days and bad days. He does have more to gain with an aerial threat like Saha in the box now though, so hopefully we'll see some greater numbers production from him as well.
Any news on Giggs' status for this game? Hopefully we can have him back, seems like we've really missed him while he's been out. Match is live on FSW, 7:30 ET / 4:30 PT.
why does no-one think RvN is quick he's quciker than Henry with the ball at his feet, Henry kicks it then runs, remember against arsenal and Fulham last season Rvn is quick, deceptively in fact although Saha is more Raw pace, i hope we smash 6 in this week, we aint pasted anyone yet !
We're at OT, coming off a bad league loss and an extended rest for many of our key players. This could turn ugly quick.
From the first time I saw Ronaldo play I could tell his problem wasn't skill in crossing it was consistancy. I think he just needs more practice... Because when he hits his crosses right they are something else. They fly in faster than anybody else I have seen and dip wickedly. I'm not sold on Saha. Here's to hoping he excells.
Prediction Ruud Hattrick... Saha Hattrick... Gary Hattrick... ManU 6 Soton 3 Neville sets record for own goals in one season and in one match...
Re: Prediction And tim Howard beats him senseless in the tunnel after the match. SAF Downplays the situation, but the Local tabloids catch picks of Neville being rolled out of Old Trafford in a full body cast. Neville refuses to press charges saying only "He'll get to me, He'll get to me." Inspired, the Man United Defence doesn't allow a shot on goal the rest of the season.
I must admit I'm looking forward to this game more than any since the Arsenal match. A successful game from Saha could mean Utd return to the exciting, attacking football we used to know and love
Yep, I am looking forward to this game more than any in a long while (given the Northampton game didn't really count). - chance to break the bad run - chance to break the goal recent goal drought - at last some televised football again (don't get the FA Cup here) - Saha - 4-4-2 I predict 3-1 with them scoring first.
If Sir Alex plays RvN and Saha up top, doesn't this mean the return of Phil Neville to the bench? Surely Scholes will drop back to a midfield role and Keane will play the holding spot...ya think?
you are correct... however, we are speaking of Gary the own goal extraordinaire.. not Phil the offensive genious...
Preferrably he'll put Gary the own goal extraordinaire on the bench and put Phil at right back. Not likely though
It will be interesting to see what shape Alex gives to the four man midfield. I can't see that he can stick with the two defensive mids so I'll guess at something like this: <<<Giggs.....Scholes ...Kleberson/Ronaldo ...................Keane This will, of course, mean that central defence may come under greater pressure without the same protection as it's been getting but that is the nature of football - improve your attacking prowess and you'll lose some defensive solidity. We need 12 players out there
A Saint leaves Excellent article on soccernet about Southampton's Chris Marsden. It took him a while to reach the top-flight, but he earned much respect once he made it. I'll miss watching him play.
I guess we are about to find out how much ground Keano can cover cause Scholes isn't known for his D.
>I guess we are about to find out how much ground Keano can cover cause Scholes isn't known for his D. Nor Giggs or Ronaldo, which is why I suggested Kleberson as an alternative. Problem there, of course, is that he doesn't provide much threat out wide. It's a difficult one. I honestly don't know what is for the best - which is why I suggested we needed 11 outfield players How about: Giggs.....Scholes...Kleberson....Giggs .....................Keane By which I mean giving Giggs a roving role and creating the width on either wing as he sees fit and Ronaldo replacing a shattered Giggs on 60 minutes .
What do you guys think of pairing Silvestre with O'Shea in the middle and leaving Wes on the bench? Phil or Quinton could play left back. Wes isn't nearly as stable as Rio. Take the Wolves goal for example. It just seems as though we need someone better there, especially if we are switching to a 4-4-2.
I had the same thought after watching the Northampton match. I thought O'Shea and Fortune both played well, and it'd be good to see them both out there at the same time.
I second the O'Shea-Silvestre partnership in central defence. Wes may not be as solid since his long layoff. I think O'Shea has come around after a shaky start to the season, but most importantly, I think this opens the left back spot for Fortune. He has been practically flawless since August.
I agree. There are many good things about Wes... but he gives up so many free kicks in terrible positions as to make me dread him starting. Too bad he isn't a better right back, because he obviously does have talent...