08 Nov 2018 11:34:37
Alright fellas,

Been a few weeks. Great result last night, very good away performance in Europe last night. Got a few points over the last few weeks all based on players I've been very critical off.

Sanchez looks to be improving, especially down the middle. His link up play has been good, maybe worth considering him playing closer to lukaku against sides where we will dominate the ball?

Martial is showing his enormous potential, clinical in front of goal, beating men at will. What's really impressed me however is his willingness to dig in. In the first game with Juve, Cancelo got in quite a few times. Last night I can't recall his full back getting passed him. He was excellent in all aspects last night.

Finally, Lindelof has been absolutely fantastic last few weeks. More aggressive in the challenge and reading danger better. Countless clearances last night and a very important one when De Gea saved the deflected cross last night. Hopefully we get a good solid partner beside him and he will develop.

Let's take this form into Sunday and get another positive result!

Caolán.

1.) 08 Nov 2018
08 Nov 2018 13:27:54
I've not been impressed with Sanchez but over the past two games he's shown great energy and he is creating space for our other forward players to play in.

2.) 08 Nov 2018
08 Nov 2018 14:45:10
What a fantastic if unexpected result.

I was very impressed by Sanchez, his movement was good, his first touch assured, he allowed us to keep possession, build up attacks and he also pressed well from the front. He forced us to play football for a change and we didn't see as many aimless long balls needlessly surrendering possession which often happens with Lukaku up front.

Herrera brought bite and energy to the midfield. He was mobile, tenacious, worked tirelessly and provided some much needed legs around Matic.

Unfortunately Pogba was poor for the most part. He can be so wasteful at times and I'd just like him to keep things simple until he enters the final third. On the other hand I love the fact that he never hides, even when he's playing badly he always wants the ball. We simply can't deny his quality and in moments he's still capable of great skill and he played a part in both goals! Even when he plays badly he can still impact the game and my frustration is he is capable of so much more.

Martial has been lauded and whilst I think he was decent he also played in bursts like Pogba. He was ok defensively but I'd still like to see him press more aggressively without the ball. I think he can close down and press much quicker and his movement off the ball can be more intelligent. There is no doubting his quality with the ball at his feet however and all our best moments came through him. He is fast becoming one of our most important and influential players. He can still improve but his potential is frightening.

I thought Lingard's movement and pressing was excellent. He linked and interchanged dangerously with Sanchez, Martial and Pogba at times however his end product was missing. Perhaps this is understandable as he hasn't played much football recently but he injected much needed energy and intensity to the team which was lacking in the first game.

Moving forward we still lack mobility in midfield where I thought Pogba and Matic were too easily bypassed especially in the second half. We afforded them too much time and space on the ball again especially around the edge of our own box where we were slow to get out and close down. I'm not convinced Fred is the answer but we probably need some more mobility and energy instead of Matic. Maybe it's time to give Fred a chance alongside Herrera and give Matic a much needed rest.

Our improvement last night must be because we had more mobility, fluidity and intensity to our play and we pressed more aggressively. Sanchez dropping deep upset their defence and forced them to decide if they followed him dragging themselves out of position or let him turn with time on the ball. We had willing runners in Martial, Lingard and Pogba and we actually looked like a football team rather than static, rigid statues for a change. This must be the blue print moving forward if we want to be taken seriously again. The likes of Lukaku, Fellaini and Matic all still have an important role in the squad but our football must be faster and more fluid if we want to challenge the best at home and abroad.

Looking forward to the weekend I don't expect too many changes. If we are still in the game with 15-20 minutes to go then Maybe Fellaini can have a similar impact breaking into the box and being a threat from set pieces. I don't mind direct football, it can be an effective tactic but we should always strive to play football first. After last night we must believe anything is possible!

3.) 08 Nov 2018
08 Nov 2018 15:04:38
Thought Sanchez was brilliant. We look far better with him pressing from the front. Like DLIB mentioned, he forces us to play a bit more because we don’t have the option of playing it long to to Lukaku. The front 3 looks for fluid and he created space for the other attackers with his movement. Sanchez is at his best collecting the ball and using his agility and ball control in tight areas. I hope Jose continues with him up front as he builds his confidence. The goals will come as the understanding with those around him and his confidence improves.

4.) 08 Nov 2018
08 Nov 2018 16:40:01
Good posts. Hopefully we've turned a corner and he sticks with this set up. A few tweaks needed but its progress.