They scored a last minute penalty?, how is that the tactics?
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
- Status
60 seconds away from a 1-0 win away from home and the other team only scored because they got a penalty
But okay, he had a tactical disaster
But okay, he had a tactical disaster
He's got a long way to go to be among the elite, but he's certainly better than the rest currently operating in the Prem and that is reflected by our current league position, which was the target since the very beginning - to get back to the top seven and hopefully secure Europa League at the least.
We haven't got the squad yet to challenge for the top four and yes, Koeman has made mistakes at times - i.e. Calvert-Lewin last night.
The Mirallas sub was probably a bit too early but that change saw us switch systems and Pennington did well.
Barkley was flagging and had to go off but DCL shouldn't have been the player coming on.
We are 'right up there' though.
We're seventh - level on points with Arsenal and two behind Utd.
Had we held on for another 30 seconds last night we were in fifth.
@Tennessee Blue Mike Koeman got his gameplan and tactics spot on last night. The set-up was fine. We soaked up the United pressure and hit them on the counter. Two or three times either side of HT we had great opportunities to get into goal-scoring positions and the players made the wrong decision. It happens but you can't blame tactics for it. Koeman himself said we needed to kill the game.
In the end, he made an error in bringing on a young lad who had a bit of a shocker but even that wasn't the reason we didn't win. A slip-up from Williams not getting out quickly enough and a moment of indecision from him that led to a penalty.
It's a shame but not exactly the end of the world.
I hardly think Koeman is above criticism, and indeed I've sent some his way this season myself, but COME ON, some people are way OTT over that last night
We were so close to seeing that out
He's getting a tune out of a skeleton squad at the moment
We're moving in the right direction, even if the progress is moving at a slower pace than some can bare to stomach
We were so close to seeing that out
He's getting a tune out of a skeleton squad at the moment
We're moving in the right direction, even if the progress is moving at a slower pace than some can bare to stomach
RFUS
Anustart
Disappointed in his decision to try and hold on to a 1-0 win with so long left to go.
We were well in it and capable of producing a 2nd on the counter until the substitute (Kev off). Taking Ross off afterwards only made it worst. We couldn't hold onto the ball or produce anything in their half which invited waves of pressure.
Still, we'd have all taken a point at Old Trafford beforehand. Two games with United and two draws isn't the worst thing in the world. I'd just like to see a bit more ambition from us, when it's clear we're capable of getting something. They're not quite Barcelona.
We were well in it and capable of producing a 2nd on the counter until the substitute (Kev off). Taking Ross off afterwards only made it worst. We couldn't hold onto the ball or produce anything in their half which invited waves of pressure.
Still, we'd have all taken a point at Old Trafford beforehand. Two games with United and two draws isn't the worst thing in the world. I'd just like to see a bit more ambition from us, when it's clear we're capable of getting something. They're not quite Barcelona.
toffeeblue9
Player Valuation: £35m
I imagine Koeman is going to get the lame here (as usually happens whenever a team concedes a late equaliser) or we'll be accused of bottling it. I haven't read the rest of the thread, but that's my prediction.
At the game, I thought the Pennington sub made perfect sense as United had just brought Luke Shaw on and he wasn't being tracked by Barkley, so changing to 3 at the back and putting Holgate at wing back plugged that gap, plus throwing crosses in to Fellaini and Zlatan meant that an extra aerial presence was reasonable too. No issue there, perfectly reasonable change. He could have brought Barkley or Mirallas off, he chose to bring of Mirallas. Again, no issue there but I don't think Mirallas had run out of steam or anything. Straight choice between the two
The Calvert-Lewin sub was an odd one. Koeman seems to have a lot of faith in him, but I don't think he's shown that he's ready to play at this level yet. Bringing Barkley off (who was knackered) and bringing him on was a really bad change as we lost a counter-attacking threat. In hindsight Valencia would have been preferable (maybe even Lookman, although not sure Koeman trusts him yet).
The reason we dropped those points wasn't so much the decision by Williams, in the split second he had to make a decision about whether or not the keeper had it covered (which is debatable even now) and he couldn't have known. I'm happy to let that one slide. Essentialy, we had enough opportunities in the 2nd half on the counter but were let down by poor decision-making from Lukaku, Barkley, Mirallas and Calvert-Lewin. That's it. Bolasie would have been really useful last night as a counter-attacking option.
At the game, I thought the Pennington sub made perfect sense as United had just brought Luke Shaw on and he wasn't being tracked by Barkley, so changing to 3 at the back and putting Holgate at wing back plugged that gap, plus throwing crosses in to Fellaini and Zlatan meant that an extra aerial presence was reasonable too. No issue there, perfectly reasonable change. He could have brought Barkley or Mirallas off, he chose to bring of Mirallas. Again, no issue there but I don't think Mirallas had run out of steam or anything. Straight choice between the two
The Calvert-Lewin sub was an odd one. Koeman seems to have a lot of faith in him, but I don't think he's shown that he's ready to play at this level yet. Bringing Barkley off (who was knackered) and bringing him on was a really bad change as we lost a counter-attacking threat. In hindsight Valencia would have been preferable (maybe even Lookman, although not sure Koeman trusts him yet).
The reason we dropped those points wasn't so much the decision by Williams, in the split second he had to make a decision about whether or not the keeper had it covered (which is debatable even now) and he couldn't have known. I'm happy to let that one slide. Essentialy, we had enough opportunities in the 2nd half on the counter but were let down by poor decision-making from Lukaku, Barkley, Mirallas and Calvert-Lewin. That's it. Bolasie would have been really useful last night as a counter-attacking option.
I too think Kev going off was 5-10 mins too early. Kev still had something to offer and was looking dangerous, though as @toffeeblue9 says, the change in system made sense as Koeman was reacting to what United had done with Shaw. Ross had to go off though mate - he was goosed. It was just a bad change as DCL couldn't do that job. Valencia was the one to bring on.
Perfectly put mate!
Schneiderlin hopefully back for the weekend gives me a lot more confidence.
Barry was great last night, but Schneids is a class above any of our current midfielders in terms of controlling our play.
RFUS
Anustart
Fair points.
DCL hasn't impressed me too much but people are being ludicrously harsh on the lad. He's not a wide player at all. If he was 5'8 Koeman wouldn't be using him, the lad looks 6'3-6'4 and I think Koeman has often brought him on to help add aerial presence. And to be fair he's won a good amount of headers in his few minutes for us.
It was the wrong sub though. Valencia is a good shout, the added energy and more experienced support for Rom would have helped wonders.
I like DCL. He's getting a lot of stick and even though he did have a bit of a stinker last night he's not at fault for the defeat. Tough situation to throw the lad on and that was - in my opinion - Koeman's only real error last night.
Papa Shango
Player Valuation: £70m
Aye the mental weakness again.
His substitutions didn't help though obviously. He is allowed a mistake or two though.
RFUS
Anustart
It's bizarre, honestly. Why single out the lad without about 50 minutes at Premier League level? Rom is the league's leading scorer and he was anonymous all game.
Old Trafford is a tough place to go and win. We have a threadbare squad at the moment and our tactics did not help the offensive players one iota.
- Status