13 Feb 2014 09:50:10
I was quite pleased with last night's performance. We looked compact and solid; and I thought that we had two really good chances to score a few goals. Arsenal, in contrast, looked lethargic; the same typical Arsenal side who seem to bottle it when it comes to the business end of the season.

If anything, last night's game should act as a good foundation for future good performances this season; for if we play with the same intensity and focus that we showed last night for the rest of the season - with the attacking quality we have - we should win the vast majority of the games we have left this season. I am not sure that will be enough for a top 4 finish; but at this stage, I would rather build towards next season now; and a really strong end to the season could be the perfect catalyst for a strong start to next season.

All in all, a good nights work

1.) 13 Feb 2014
Agree Sam, loved the way we pressed much higher up the pitch, if only Carrick and Cleverley were a bit more creative. I think we tried to play 4231 again but not 100 % on that. I'm really hoping to see Janu, Mata and Rooney on from the start but maybe Moyes thinks they are to similar, can't see it myself. Agree with Mick too Smalling was immense. Lastly agree with Jred RVP should have converted at least 2 of his 3 outstanding chances. Much better performance all round except Evra surely we have a youth player better than that?

2.) 13 Feb 2014
Grund

We did not try play 4231 we played 442. Valencia plays as an out and out winger so once he plays we cannot call it anything else but 442.

Also what is the story with Mata?
What position was he signed to play in. if we play our best team then Adnan should be in the starting 11 ahead of Young/Valencia what formation/tactics do we play if that ever happens?

3.) 13 Feb 2014
I think it's more 4-4-1-1 with one wide man hugging the touch line one given licence to roam

4.) 13 Feb 2014
0-0 doesn't do much for us, but there were positives.

1 – We didn't lose!
2 – We kept a clean sheet and looked a little more solid defensively
3 – We didn't over-egg the wing-play and did try different things

Again though, like the past 2 seasons, I just watch us and think how good we could be with a Yaya Toure in midfield, charging through and creating space. Carrick & Cleverly were just so uninspiring and one-dimensional.

5.) 13 Feb 2014
Sorry Redsky but I think you were so wrong about Carrick and Cleverly last night. They did a brilliant job of breaking up Arsenal 's attacks and giving the ball to our more crceative players- Rooney, RVP, Mata and Valencia. We created the 3 best chances in the game which RVP failed to convert and so we blame our defensive midfield two for that.

6.) 13 Feb 2014
With regards to RVP: he does look out of sorts. Not sure what that can be attributed too; but he doesn't look very happy atm.

7.) 13 Feb 2014
Emptyred

Fair enough, IMO, if that's 'brilliant' then it just goes to show how far our standards have fallen in that area of the team.

Keane and Scholes were brilliant. What we have right now is just ordinary and one-dimensional. Still, we definitely looked better than our last 2 games.

It's just gutting to think that, in a 3-game stretch where we played Stoke, Fulham (bottom of the league and at home) and Arsenal, we've come away with 2 points out of possible 9.

8.) 13 Feb 2014
I think people too hung up on formations.

When you have someone like Rooney in the team, who just runs around everywhere, how can anyone say we're playing a particular formation? It usually changes depending on where Rooney is at that particular time!

And just because Valencia sticks to the right, Mata and Rooney/Kagawa/Januzaj can still swap around on the left side. can't they?

Plus, while we may all think 4231 is the future, at the minute, with a full back who needs constant covering, and a slow, one-dimensional midfield, how on earth can we play that particular formation, without being torn to pieces at the back?

Unfortunately, until we get the personnel in that are able to play this formation, then it's going to be starting 442 or 4411 every time.