Players yesterday

[boo radley]

All were fantastic right to the end save by Howard. Think Baxter was better than stated elsewhere and I like this switching of Baxter and Murphy later in games.
Has Flynn been on spinach because he seem to out strength nearly all these days and those who thought he was slow should watch the run in the second half where the ball boy obviously ignited Flynns fart after the build up of spinach gas because it looked like the fastest run I've ever seen giving away what looked about ten yards to their defender.
But one of the unsung heros who has been under anothers shadow since they both came deserves a special mention yesterday. Harris had the best game I've seen him have yet.

 

[SwissBlade]

Commentators (Martin Tyler and another bloke) couldn't really work Baxter out. They implied that the way Baxter plays makes it easier for centre halves. I disagree. Centre halves prefer a predictable striker. One that they can pass between the two centre halves and follow in a small predictable area.

Baxter doesn't play like that. He's very self sacrificing. He drops deep, so deep that the defenders have no option but to leave him, pulls wide, wide and deep. In many ways a free role. This allows Murphy, Flynn, Scougall and Coady to burst forward, again unpredictable.

Baxter was deep and wide when we go the throw for the goal. So unmarked he played a sublime ball into the box. Both centre halves weren't marking anyone and Flynn was able to attack the back post. A nightmare to deal with!

I think this unorthodox role of his is underplayed and we know we have goals elsewhere on the pitch. Good players create space for themselves, better players create space for others.

I'd be interested to see Bergen Blade 's views on the Baxter role.

 

[sitwell]

If Bob Harris had arrived on his own ,not with Scougal and Brayford he would be a hero ,he was magnificent yesterday.

 

[Grecian2000]

If Bob Harris had arrived on his own ,not with Scougal and Brayford he would be a hero ,he was magnificent yesterday.

He's been nothing below steady and most often way above that every game he's played. The uneashing of a pair of proper full backs has been the catalyst for me.

His blocking of two crosses, within a couple of minutes of each other, late on yesterday (the second with his bollocks by the look of it) was the icing on the cake.

 

[SwissBlade]

If Bob Harris had arrived on his own ,not with Scougal and Brayford he would be a hero ,he was magnificent yesterday.

When him and Brayford joined he looked excellent, but seemed to struggle a bit in the next games. But yesterday I thought he was great. With him and Brayford we have this frightening second wave attack.

Got to say this is the most exciting united TEAM I've watched in my 36 years.

 

[sitwell]

' The uneashing of a pair of proper full backs has been the catalyst for me'. Spot on ,my opinion too ,they have freed other players to do what they are good at. The keeper too.

 

[crucialkneeligaman]

Think Nigel was right, one or two looked nervous understandably for the first 15 mins but once they settled down it was another top display from one and all, Harrys runs from the back seem to terrify the opposition. Difficult to pick out a standout player but at a push would say Connor Coady.

 

[Rossb123]

I didn't realise how good Howards save was until I just saw the replay, he is definitely one of the heros of recent weeks.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Commentators (Martin Tyler and another bloke) couldn't really work Baxter out. They implied that the way Baxter plays makes it easier for centre halves. I disagree. Centre halves prefer a predictable striker. One that they can pass between the two centre halves and follow in a small predictable area.

Baxter doesn't play like that. He's very self sacrificing. He drops deep, so deep that the defenders have no option but to leave him, pulls wide, wide and deep. In many ways a free role. This allows Murphy, Flynn, Scougall and Coady to burst forward, again unpredictable.

Baxter was deep and wide when we go the throw for the goal. So unmarked he played a sublime ball into the box. Both centre halves weren't marking anyone and Flynn was able to attack the back post. A nightmare to deal with!

I think this unorthodox role of his is underplayed and we know we have goals elsewhere on the pitch. Good players create space for themselves, better players create space for others.

I'd be interested to see Bergen Blade 's views on the Baxter role.

I don't know if he's a permanent solution, but I agree with you, he's doing well and it's working in the current team. We've got a lot of forward movement and although sometimes we miss a striker running in behind defences (which he very rarely does), we have Murphy, Scougall, Coady and Flynn regularly getting into the box. I'm quite keen on our current first eleven and playing style. It's modern and effective. We have a solid set up with many different attacking threats - a good balance.

Bit more in this piece: http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/41833336-4-5-1-a-positive-formation

 

[grafikhaus]

Commentators (Martin Tyler and another bloke) couldn't really work Baxter out. They implied that the way Baxter plays makes it easier for centre halves. I disagree. Centre halves prefer a predictable striker. One that they can pass between the two centre halves and follow in a small predictable area.

Baxter doesn't play like that. He's very self sacrificing. He drops deep, so deep that the defenders have no option but to leave him, pulls wide, wide and deep. In many ways a free role. This allows Murphy, Flynn, Scougall and Coady to burst forward, again unpredictable.

Baxter was deep and wide when we go the throw for the goal. So unmarked he played a sublime ball into the box. Both centre halves weren't marking anyone and Flynn was able to attack the back post. A nightmare to deal with!

I think this unorthodox role of his is underplayed and we know we have goals elsewhere on the pitch. Good players create space for themselves, better players create space for others.

I'd be interested to see Bergen Blade 's views on the Baxter role.

Quite agree, Swiss. United are playing a style I've never seen before. Whether this is by accident, design or just the players we've got, I don't know. But it's great!
It's been accepted wisdom in football to 'get to the byline' and 'get it across'. United do it in a totally different way. Runs and attacks can come from every angle and direction. The 'two banks of four' are a joy to watch. We let the opposition come so far forward but no further before we 'ambush' them by sheer speed and numbers to such an extent that I'm not too fussed when the opposition have the ball. Often, they end up retreating, playing it sideways or one of their attacks ends up back in their keeper's arms!
Possibly the reason we don't over-rely on crosses is that we don't have a big target man but a cross goes from 100% possession of the ball to 50% at best - the goalie usually being favourite. This was well illustrated last Tuesday v. Peterborough. They had 15 corners which resulted in little or no threat.
It's similar with goalkeeping clearances - 100% to, I'd say 40% possession as the ball-facing defenders have the advantage. This is something Howard must work on, maybe by studying Charlton's goalies 'flat' kicks which contrasted with the usual high punt upfield.

Glad you're back, Bergen! Were you and your lot responsible for the Union Jack/Danish/Norwegian/Swedish flag near gangway D at the back of the kop on Sunday?

 

[sitwell]

The difference between Weir and Clough is ,Weir had a system from which he wouldn't move and tried to fit players into it when they clearly were not comfortable ,and he was too stubborn or stupid to alter this.
Clough has fallen on a shape and system by playing to the strengths of the players he has ,the players are clearly more comfortable and very happy playing this way ,and he also has the brains and bottle to change this when it requires ,therefore keeping the players happy but also exerting his authority.
The difference between poor and great management. We have landed ourselves a great manager who will attract good players and has the ability to tweak things on the pitch when needed.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Glad you're back, Bergen! Were you and your lot responsible for the Union Jack/Danish/Norwegian/Swedish flag near gangway D at the back of the kop on Sunday?

Yes, that's our flag! There were 19 of us, aged from 2 to 72. Fantastic match with an amazing atmosphere and we all had a great time.

 

[Silent Blade]

I don't know if he's a permanent solution, but I agree with you, he's doing well and it's working in the current team. We've got a lot of forward movement and although sometimes we miss a striker running in behind defences (which he very rarely does), we have Murphy, Scougall, Coady and Flynn regularly getting into the box. I'm quite keen on our current first eleven and playing style. It's modern and effective. We have a solid set up with many different attacking threats - a good balance.

Bit more in this piece: http://scandinavianblades.webs.com/apps/blog/entries/show/41833336-4-5-1-a-positive-formation

Baxter often plays deeper and our "no striker" formation is making the opposition CBs wonder who they should be marking. Coady has a lot of energy to run from the middle to the box and is difficult to mark.

 

[Trigger Blade]

Yes, that's our flag! There were 19 of us, aged from 2 to 72. Fantastic match with an amazing atmosphere and we all had a great time.

I was thinking yesterday about how when you booked, it was supposed to be Rotherham and a likely defeat and you ended up being there for one of the best days of recent times, good for you!

 

[bornablade]

Baxter often plays deeper and our "no striker" formation is making the opposition CBs wonder who they should be marking. Coady has a lot of energy to run from the middle to the box and is difficult to mark.

Baxter as the main striker crossing the ball into the box (for our first goal) without the presence of another recognised striker would have caused huge frustration a few months ago. Now other players are actively encouraged to take on their fair share of responsibility.

As you say Silent, CB's are confused about who they should be marking and Flynny took full advantage.

Maybe a little different but in Basset's days Brian Deane would often be found out wide putting in excellent crosses. Other players, Jock Bryson immediately springs to mind, would cause confusion with the CB's and weigh in with his fair share of goals.

Not really studied this. But are we playing this 'floating striker' in cup games only ie against more superior opposition. In league games have we generally adopted a Porter or Paynter formation?

When NC arrived he talked about wanting more goals from other areas of the pitch. As fans we seem to think 'Yeh I've heard all this before.' But Nige seems to do what he says.

 

[Bergen Blade]

Baxter as the main striker crossing the ball into the box (for our first goal) without the presence of another recognised striker would have caused huge frustration a few months ago. Now other players are actively encouraged to take on their fair share of responsibility.

As you say Silent, CB's are confused about who they should be marking and Flynny took full advantage.

Maybe a little different but in Basset's days Brian Deane would often be found out wide putting in excellent crosses. Other players, Jock Bryson immediately springs to mind, would cause confusion with the CB's and weigh in with his fair share of goals.

Not really studied this. But are we playing this 'floating striker' in cup games only ie against more superior opposition. In league games have we generally adopted a Porter or Paynter formation?

When NC arrived he talked about wanting more goals from other areas of the pitch. As fans we seem to think 'Yeh I've heard all this before.' But Nige seems to do what he says.

By the time we scored the goals Baxter had swapped positions with Murphy, so Baxter was actually playing wide left when he made the cross. It's true that he constantly pulls out of the traditional lone striker position though.

I think during second halves Clough is always monitoring when the two of them should switch to give us more pace down the middle, or just to confuse the opposition. The fact that both found space to make both goals after the swap, doing what they do best (Murphy running on the ball and Baxter playing killer passes), shows Clough's top class tactical management.

 

[WeareBlades]

having our defence so deep with doyle and coady infront of them CB's makes it so much harder for teams to break us down, they cant play in behind us and they cant put it in the air because Maguire and Collins win everything!

 

[Bergen Blade]

Baxter often plays deeper and our "no striker" formation is making the opposition CBs wonder who they should be marking. Coady has a lot of energy to run from the middle to the box and is difficult to mark.

Skip to 2:35 when Brayford makes the interception and watch Coady and Scougall bombing forward off the ball. As Murphy skips past them and cuts inside Flynn has also made a wholehearted run into the box and then Brayford is also joining in. Tremendous counter attack.

 

[Dec]

Maybe a little different but in Basset's days Brian Deane would often be found out wide putting in excellent crosses. Other players, Jock Bryson immediately springs to mind, would cause confusion with the CB's and weigh in with his fair share of goals.

I remember a certain Ched Evans often being found out wide after running the channels and he used to put some great balls across. Strikers seem to be good at crossing as they know what kind of ball they'd like to be on the receiving end of.