Match Thread Everton v Manchester United : Sun 4 Dec : KO 1600

[DualityNSNO]

He put in three crosses yesterday.

His first was at the end of that 40 yard run he did, and was into a great area - the edge of the six-yard box. Jones made a very good clearance.

His second was that low one that Mirallas was a yard away from at the back post.

His third was completely over-hit.

What Bolasie does is put in percentage crosses, aiming for the areas where players should be arriving to score from. Football is very simple.

One at the near post, one at the back post, and a combination of the opposite winger and/or central midfielder arriving late to pick up any scraps.

When Bolasie puts in a crap cross, then he hasn't done his job correctly.

But some of the crosses he puts in are superb.

Now, when Deulofeu is in the same position (and he got into some great places down the right yesterday) he seems to take an age to be trying to pick out the 'perfect' pinpoint cross. Why?

He's an excellent crosser of the ball - much more naturally gifted than Bolasie. The action he can get on it is top notch, but he wastes so much time fannying around that all of these chances came to nothing.

No winger hits their mark with a cross every time. Good ones deliver the ball quickly and with pace, and rely on strikers and other attackers to be making runs into the area. It's why we look so much more threatening when Valencia is on - he knows how to get into the box and find space, and that in turn opens up room for others.

Conversely, while we're on the subject, I think the best cross yesterday was from Holgate.

First time, from the edge of the area, and into a great position. Unfortunately it was just slightly over Valencia and he couldn't make proper contact - De Gea made a simple save.

Didn't mean it as a slight by the way, just saying he has a default he goes to. It's a good default, but more to blame for nothing there is the attackers not doing their job imo.

 

[Stanley Parker]

Bolasie v Deulofeu - match postponed

The choice now lies between Deulofeu and Lennon. especially if Mirallas is going to have a more central role.

We could also make more use of Baines and Coleman going forward on the wings.

 

[jtl60]

I just got around to watching MOTD 2, what the hell was Jenas talking about? Granted, I thought they probably did have better control of the ball when they had it, but he was going on like they were brilliant and had just had a bit of bad luck! Failed to mention they had one effort on goal that Stek made an absolute dogs dinner over and the effort that hit the post. I cant remember another chance they had, where as De Gea made saves from Baines, Gahna, Mirallas.

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

I think we payed united a bit too much respect 1st half to be fair. Too much distance between defenders and forward line so we weren't getting close enough to their players which I think has been a problem all season. I was slightly concerned we had gone a bit top heavy with forwards 2nd half and we would get swamped in midfield but the back line pushed forward 15 yards made the pitch smaller then suddenly we were stopping them playing and winning the 2nd balls and looked like a different. We must do the same every game at home. Particularly against the top 4 teams. Stop them from playing and we have some good attackers of our own who can do damage to any team on their day.

 

[Nil Satis Niasse Optimum]

That 10 minute spell in the second half when United were just absolutely smashing us all over the place was hilarious. We looked like a gang of boxers whose legs had gone yet the referee was refusing to intervene and stop the fight.

 

[Jacko93]

I just got around to watching MOTD 2, what the hell was Jenas talking about? Granted, I thought they probably did have better control of the ball when they had it, but he was going on like they were brilliant and had just had a bit of bad luck! Failed to mention they had one effort on goal that Stek made an absolute dogs dinner over and the effort that hit the post. I cant remember another chance they had, where as De Gea made saves from Baines, Gahna, Mirallas.

They comment on the highlights, they rarely watch all of every game. They get told what bits to watch and ergo, what bits to comment on. I wanted to see the challenge on Bolasie, was there nothing in it? The crowd reaction seemed to suggest there was....

 

[jtl60]

They comment on the highlights, they rarely watch all of every game. They get told what bits to watch and ergo, what bits to comment on. I wanted to see the challenge on Bolasie, was there nothing in it? The crowd reaction seemed to suggest there was....

Nah, didn't seem to be much in it, the initial shoulder barge on him was a bit excessive, but certainly no afters

 

[RomanReigns]

just found an interesting stat about Gareth Barry - he scored 16 out of 19 pens for villa

has he ever taken a pen for us?

 

[Huyton Layne]

Nothing about further punishment for Rojo? Googled it a couple of times since and nothing.
How's it not violent conduct? Both players are very lucky that Gana's knee raised as the flying studs came in

 

[Goat]

Nothing about further punishment for Rojo? Googled it a couple of times since and nothing.
How's it not violent conduct? Both players are very lucky that Gana's knee raised as the flying studs came in

The ref dealt with it at the time, so nothing anybody can do.

 

[Huyton Layne]

The ref dealt with it at the time, so nothing anybody can do.

Thought they could review stuff now that the ref punished. Or maybe that's just non-"tackle" stuff

 

[Goat]

Thought they could review stuff now that the ref punished. Or maybe that's just non-"tackle" stuff

Its only things that the ref missed.

They cant review the yellow card and say it was a red.