Going quietly about our business...

[Linz]

Ask most United fans and they'll talk of crap football, poor signings and a disappointing start to the season.

If you'd have asked United fans last season at this point, they'd have probably said the same thing.

Yet have a look at the table today and our complaints and general pessimism doesn't exactly tell the full story. We're sixth... alright, Leicester have a game in hand and all that... but we're actually sixth in the table!

Are we mounting yet another stealthy attack on the play-offs in the same vein as last season, when it took a Preston win at Birmingham at the end of April for United fans to actually believe we'd be in with a shout of finishing in the top six?

Should we carry on whinging because it's good luck?

 

[Bladesman]

No because we wont win the play offs.

 

[Linz]

No because we wont win the play offs.

So we should aim for 1st, 2nd or 7th then?

 

[Santos]

Ask most United fans and they'll talk of crap football, poor signings and a disappointing start to the season.

If you'd have asked United fans last season at this point, they'd have probably said the same thing.

Yet have a look at the table today and our complaints and general pessimism doesn't exactly tell the full story. We're sixth... alright, Leicester have a game in hand and all that... but we're actually sixth in the table!

Are we mounting yet another stealthy attack on the play-offs in the same vein as last season, when it took a Preston win at Birmingham at the end of April for United fans to actually believe we'd be in with a shout of finishing in the top six?

Should we carry on whinging because it's good luck?

In my opinion we've been doing fine this season apart from an eight game spell where injuries crippled us. I will be very suprised if we're not in the top 6. It seems that in the last few games that this group of players are getting the bit between their teeth and are knowing eachothers game. I also believe that after having playes like Davies, Treacy Cotterill etc playing, we now have a core group of perhaps 15 players who are extremely capable.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think Blackwell's managed to get the players motivated again. The team selection reflects a primary aim of stopping the opposition from playing their game, and with the players again being more up for it and more confident than the opposition, this is something we are pretty good at. We had no pace, no width, poor movement and not much creativity in the starting line up, but we nicked a goal, and in the end we outfought and frustrated them.

 

[Foxy]

I think Blackwell's managed to get the players motivated again. The team selection reflects a primary aim of stopping the opposition from playing their game, and with the players again being more up for it and more confident than the opposition, this is something we are pretty good at. We had no pace, no width, poor movement and not much creativity in the starting line up, but we nicked a goal, and in the end we outfought and frustrated them.

You could also say that once again we played 5 different players who could be classed as strikers during the game. Making three attack-minded substitutions whilst 1-0 up, albeit Hendo wasn't on for long!

I'd say its a little harsh on the way we played today to say that we had little movement and creativity in the starting lineup, when the starting lineup actually gave us the goal. We put together some good moves both before and after the substitutions.

Yes we could have started with Wardy on the right, Cresswell on the left and Camara up front with Evans.... This would have given us more pace and movement.... But would have again been 4 "strikers" on the pitch at once.

Wouldn't we have brought on Stewart, Geary and Fortune if Blackwell was as defensive as people say?

 

[Bergen Blade]

I think it's a good idea in general to put on some pace from the bench when you're in the lead. As the opposition has to go forward there is often more space for them to run into, which means they can be actually more effective than if they had started the game. I applauded the decision to bring on Camara and Ward in the second half.

Not only that though, from a defensive viewpoint, their ability to run with the ball, forcing their players to track back, rather than spending their energy on attacking runs or forcing them to keep, say their full backs back rather than joining in with attacks because they have to mind the fresh-legged substitutes - means that these types of substitutions can be good defensive moves as well.

Against Bristol City away Blackwell did the opposite, bringing on Fortune as a fifth centre half/defensive midfielder, with the result being that we wasted a two goal lead (before we fortunately added a third).

In midfield we had four players who all prefer to play centrally, hence "no width"; and among the front six, none of them can run fast, hence "no pace". I think we are fooling ourselves if we pretend that it was a good attacking performance today. I am not saying we're rubbish, as today's line up also has many strengths, and even brought us a very good result. If we disagree Foxy, it's not about being harsh or not, it's about what we're good at and not so good at.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

My problem with this season is that I don't think we have played well yet.

Now as a fan I don't suppose that is a problem while we are winning but I think it does create a problem when it comes to big one off games. Our players don't believe we are better than the opposition and I believe this is because we so rarely really outplay anyone.

I had this opinion last season as to why we blow the big matches only for us to finally get the ball down and give Preston a real lesson. Then when I thought Blackie had proven me wrong we go and fuck it up at Wembley back to the shitting ourselves on the big occasion.
My problem is I can see us making the playoff final again and then thinking "shit, what on earth are we doing here" even though I think we could field the best 11 on the pitch.
We just don't believe in ourselves because he never hit our full potential.

Please excuse the poor grammar and spelling. It's late and I'll read through it again tomorrow and make the corrections.

 

[tomtheblade]

Exactly, Bob i've been saying this all along.

Confidence is key with our squad/manager. If we believed in ourselves and went at the opposition we'd do even better than we are now i think. We have the capability to play offensive, attacking confident football but don't because our manager is shit scared of losing. He's doing ok, but like you say this defensive attitude always bites you in the backside in the big games.

 

[happyhippy]

Ask most United fans and they'll talk of crap football, poor signings and a disappointing start to the season.

If you'd have asked United fans last season at this point, they'd have probably said the same thing.

Yet have a look at the table today and our complaints and general pessimism doesn't exactly tell the full story. We're sixth... alright, Leicester have a game in hand and all that... but we're actually sixth in the table!

Are we mounting yet another stealthy attack on the play-offs in the same vein as last season, when it took a Preston win at Birmingham at the end of April for United fans to actually believe we'd be in with a shout of finishing in the top six?

Should we carry on whinging because it's good luck?

I'll carry on whinging because it's my life blood. In fact, I'll whinge about what you say, in fact. A Preston win at Birmingham gave us a chance of the top two, not the top six.



I think the sensible question is "We are roughly where we thought we should be, but can we progress?"

Fuck me, that was vaguely cogent ....

 

[Ballinpigpubs13]

My problem with this season is that I don't think we have played well yet.

Agreed

I think the problem with this season is that we seem to be a team of two halves and hav'nt properly took somebody to the cleaners. Yesterday against Boro, a game of two halves, against the pigs, first half utter delerium, second half shitting ourselves for a full 45 mins!
We are good in patches but have not hit top gear all season.

 

[DuncDisorderly]

...and hav'nt properly took somebody to the cleaners.

It would be lovely to see us give someone a real hiding, but its not compulsary to stuff an opposition by five goals to get promoted. Birmingham were 'crap' most of last season but did enough to get up, marathon not a sprint, etc etc etc.

Anyway, I think there is a general trait amongst all football fans to forget an important truth...

The other team are trying to win the game too.

There I said it.

Middlesborough yesterday were tight, defended well and pressed us hard all game, had a couple of decent chances to score, but in the end we were good enough. We weren't 50% better, maybe we were 2% better, but such margins are enough for success.

3pts. Keep the faith. UTB...

 

[Casper]

Ask most United fans and they'll talk of crap football, poor signings and a disappointing start to the season.

If you'd have asked United fans last season at this point, they'd have probably said the same thing.

Yet have a look at the table today and our complaints and general pessimism doesn't exactly tell the full story. We're sixth... alright, Leicester have a game in hand and all that... but we're actually sixth in the table!

Are we mounting yet another stealthy attack on the play-offs in the same vein as last season, when it took a Preston win at Birmingham at the end of April for United fans to actually believe we'd be in with a shout of finishing in the top six?

Should we carry on whinging because it's good luck?

Come on Linz, we are a pessimistic bunch i agree, but when Preston beat Brum last season surely we were all ditching our Wembley plans and booking our summer hols for end of May

That last game against Palace was horrible and typical of the football gods. We were there in party mood, Brum scored early, we were frustratingly just off the pace and in the end left with another deflated journey back up the M1.

You know what, and i dont want to say this too loudly in case they hear me lol, i think the football gods owe us one and this will be our year.... Finish 5th or 6th, meet WBA or Forest at Wembley and do a Wolves! Come on!!!!!!!!

 

[grafikhaus]

You could well be right there, Linz. However...........

ask me again when we've played WBA, Forest and Newcastle away.

(Not forgetting Wendy, who are now surely destined for the play-offs, if not Europe )

 

[TonyAgana]

Completely agree with Bergen. To add to that, we were hugely fortunate to get a goal lead with that line-up. We created absolutely nothing in the first half without so much as a shot (let alone on target) and that is just something that I cannot get on with. It's too much of a risk to take at home. For all the pace on the bench, if we'd have gone 1-0 down they'd have put 10 men behind the ball and no matter how much pace we could bring on it would have been a big task to get back in it.

I'm delighted with the win, we played some wonderful stuff in spells and the players demonstrated how committed they were. But... it takes me back to what I was saying during our bad spell. The way we play under Blackwell puts us on a knife-edge between dogged success and turgid failure. We've experienced both this season and for all Blackwell complains about luck not being on our side when things are bad, equally he should come on the radio and say how wonderfully lucky we were to get the lead yesterday.

 

[Ollessendro]

Completely agree with Bergen. To add to that, we were hugely fortunate to get a goal lead with that line-up. We created absolutely nothing in the first half without so much as a shot (let alone on target) and that is just something that I cannot get on with. It's too much of a risk to take at home. For all the pace on the bench, if we'd have gone 1-0 down they'd have put 10 men behind the ball and no matter how much pace we could bring on it would have been a big task to get back in it.

I'm delighted with the win, we played some wonderful stuff in spells and the players demonstrated how committed they were. But... it takes me back to what I was saying during our bad spell. The way we play under Blackwell puts us on a knife-edge between dogged success and turgid failure. We've experienced both this season and for all Blackwell complains about luck not being on our side when things are bad, equally he should come on the radio and say how wonderfully lucky we were to get the lead yesterday.

I have to say that when I saw the team line up yesterday I was a little mythed!? All credit to the lads (and I guess to KB) for grinding out the result. The funny thing for me (funny in a demoralising way) is that when Linz put up the article for the Boro fanzine, they asked for our most dangerous players. Natually everybody said Ward and Camara (and some Henderson). I was a bit bemused to see non starting. I mean fair enough on Hendo and Camara, as Cressy and Evans played very well at QPR. But what about Ward? If he wasn't fit then fair enough. But playing Williamson (a CM, and a very good one at that) on the right is ridiculous. Especially when Ward came off the bench to score and set up a goal within 2 minutes. Don't get me wrong this is a mini rant. I credit the team for beating Boro. Although it didn't seem like a sparkling performance, it seemed like deserved one.

 

[lenners]

Completely agree with Bergen. To add to that, we were hugely fortunate to get a goal lead with that line-up. We created absolutely nothing in the first half without so much as a shot (let alone on target) and that is just something that I cannot get on with. It's too much of a risk to take at home. For all the pace on the bench, if we'd have gone 1-0 down they'd have put 10 men behind the ball and no matter how much pace we could bring on it would have been a big task to get back in it.

I'm delighted with the win, we played some wonderful stuff in spells and the players demonstrated how committed they were. But... it takes me back to what I was saying during our bad spell. The way we play under Blackwell puts us on a knife-edge between dogged success and turgid failure. We've experienced both this season and for all Blackwell complains about luck not being on our side when things are bad, equally he should come on the radio and say how wonderfully lucky we were to get the lead yesterday.

Can't see how we were wonderfully lucky yesterday to get the lead.
We gradually took control of the game and deserved the win against one of the stronger teams in the division.
The first half was turgid but we did a job on them second half and this is one game, possibly Williamson aside, he got right.

 

[bartman]

We win,go into 6th place,one defeat in 12,KB haven't to cut costs,the team trying to play more football on the floor ,Quinny starting to play well and people on here still moan about everything as if they are gutted they are seeing progress

KB picked a team to win the game,we deservidely won the game,got three points. What's the problem ?

 

[Maidenhead]

Can't see how we were wonderfully lucky yesterday to get the lead.
We gradually took control of the game and deserved the win against one of the stronger teams in the division.
The first half was turgid but we did a job on them second half and this is one game, possibly Williamson aside, he got right.

I can't believe it.

I'm in complete agreement with Len !!!

 

[broomhillblade]

It's been said in the past that team spirit is poor, Discontent in the dressing room, etc.

No evidence of that yesterday. One moment summed it up for me. Shortly after Cresswell scored, he came over to the side of the pitch during a stoppage to get a drink. Henderson got off the bench and went up to him to congratulate him for the goal. No doubt it would be the same if the roles were reversed.

Also the response of the whole team after Monty had gone on a run and had a crack at goal. The shot was poor, but he was applauded for the effort by his teammates.

They may not be world-beaters but there were no passengers in the side yesterday.

 

[Greg.]

We should definitely be in the play offs at the end of the season. I can't see the two Welsh teams staying up there.

 

[TopBoy]

Ask most United fans and they'll talk of crap football, poor signings and a disappointing start to the season.

If you'd have asked United fans last season at this point, they'd have probably said the same thing.

Yet have a look at the table today and our complaints and general pessimism doesn't exactly tell the full story. We're sixth... alright, Leicester have a game in hand and all that... but we're actually sixth in the table!

Are we mounting yet another stealthy attack on the play-offs in the same vein as last season, when it took a Preston win at Birmingham at the end of April for United fans to actually believe we'd be in with a shout of finishing in the top six?

Should we carry on whinging because it's good luck?

Great point Linz, we're in an ideal position just away from the main media focus despite we've been ravaged with injuries and have been very average for 80% of the season. Imagine where we'd be if we'd had an average number of injuries.
I can see us falling short of automatic but I suggest everybody gets their London hotel booked for Saturday 22nd May so that we can celebrate a return to the top flight in the capital.

TB.

 

[rachyblade]

I think it just shows what a poor league it is this season.

 

[Micalijo]

Great point Linz, we're in an ideal position just away from the main media focus despite we've been ravaged with injuries and have been very average for 80% of the season. Imagine where we'd be if we'd had an average number of injuries.
I can see us falling short of automatic but I suggest everybody gets their London hotel booked for Saturday 22nd May so that we can celebrate a return to the top flight in the capital.

TB.

Imagine where we'd be if we had a manager who built a squad in summer with enough balance to deal with a few injuries (Ward, Monty - who was useless anyway before injury, Cresswell and Willo) in October and who could organise a side to avoid losing 3 goals at Coventry and avoid getting battered at Scunthorpe and Blackpool? Can't win em all I know but I swear that any old tom dick or harry would have this bunch in the play-offs. Lot of hard work to do yet with some very tough away games on the horizon.

Must stress I was impressed yesterday with second half - we looked a very strong outfit. As Bergen says, attacking subs look great when 1-0 up and we won't hear last of it from Blackwell but there is no doubt we look a much more solid unit, and even Bunny looked reasonably safe yesterday.