The Football Thread 2017-18

[Tomous]

Bit of a bogey team for us in recent years too. They play exactly as they did today sit in make it difficult and usually scalp a goal or two from somewhere. We gave them nothing today and blew them away once they had run out of steam.

Wasnt because we ran out of steam, was due to the change of formation. We brought on two wingers for a centre back and defensive midfield...both of who were pretty useless and off the pace. Neither offered any threat or could even hold the ball up. So we gave you nothing extra to worry about while also giving you a load of extra space in our defence to exploit. Shows lack of squad depth really and will hopefully encourage attacking signings

But then United's subs alone were worth at least double our whole starting eleven. I think we competed for 80 minutes and matched United well enough with the difference being a set piece. We lost heavily because we tried to change things when we needed a goal, and I'd rather we went for it at that point than not.

[Denster]

The second goal of the game was key but I think United were the better side throughout. Swansea defended deep and hit on the counter but only really threatened when they scuffed the bar early on. Other than that I thought we dealt with any threat pretty well. We were a little sloppy in the first half but hit the bar and Rashford should have put us 1-0 up when clean through. Once we scored we controlled the game and carried the greater threat for the majority of the second half. Once the second went in. Game over.

It's early days but it seems clear that Matic gives us protection and greater impetus - freeing Mikhtaryan and Pogba and we have more direct and speedier threat going forward as a result.

Early days but promising. Very promising.

[Photek]

This Robertson looks a player.

[Curls]

Its tough to see Man U thrashing teams and liverpool not being able to break them down.

[Tomous]

Also think Pogba was very lucky not to get a second yellow for late challenge on Olsson. One of those that would definitely have been a yellow if he hadn't already been booked.

[Photek]

Mane!

[Saint of Killers]

Given that the 2nd foul wasn't nasty and came so close to the first one (which usually meets the criteria for refs giving players a pass) I think it's fairer to say he'd have been unlucky to be sent off.

[Tomous]

Given that the 2nd foul wasn't nasty and came so close to the first one (which usually meets the criteria for refs giving players a pass) I think it's fairer to say he'd have been unlucky to be sent off.

Have to disagree. Timing shouldn't make a difference and while it wasn't nasty, it was very late.

[Denster]

Important win for Liverpool this.

[Photek]

A 1-0 win!

[Hypes]

Benteke didn't score against us!

[Finiarél]

Robertson looks decent. Can put a decent cross in.
Really think Solanke will be good for us.

Clean sheet!

[Photek]

Matip kept tekkers quiet.

[PurplePenguin]

Given that the 2nd foul wasn't nasty and came so close to the first one (which usually meets the criteria for refs giving players a pass) I think it's fairer to say he'd have been unlucky to be sent off.

Have to disagree. Timing shouldn't make a difference and while it wasn't nasty, it was very late.

I think you're clutching at straws if you think Pogba should have been off. For example Blind was fouled before Pogba's yellow and nothing was given, it was just as bad as Pogba's first foul. He slid in on Blind with his studs up, missed the ball and took the player. So if that isn't a yellow there's no chance that second tackle of Pogba's was a yellow.

Swansea just didn't have any threat which isn't a surprise when you sell your best player and your other forward has a broken arm. Considering some of our recent results against Swansea a 4-0 result is perfect no matter when the goals come or how.

[Tomous]

Given that the 2nd foul wasn't nasty and came so close to the first one (which usually meets the criteria for refs giving players a pass) I think it's fairer to say he'd have been unlucky to be sent off.

Have to disagree. Timing shouldn't make a difference and while it wasn't nasty, it was very late.

I think you're clutching at straws if you think Pogba should have been off. For example Blind was fouled before Pogba's yellow and nothing was given, it was just as bad as Pogba's first foul. He slid in on Blind with his studs up, missed the ball and took the player. So if that isn't a yellow there's no chance that second tackle of Pogba's was a yellow.

Swansea just didn't have any threat which isn't a surprise when you sell your best player and your other forward has a broken arm. Considering some of our recent results against Swansea a 4-0 result is perfect no matter when the goals come or how.

If I remember the one on Blind correctly I thought that was a foul and could easily have been a yellow as well. I understand why the ref didn't give either though, there was clearly some game management going on but I don't think it's clutching at straws to say it's lucky when if that had happened at the 60-70 minute mark, the outcome would probably have been different.

Goal threat is certainly our main issue at the moment but hopefully we'll change that in the next 2 weeks with the Sigurdsson money. From our perspective i thought until we changed formation we played very well and contained United's threat. The goal came from a set piece and we were always going to struggle there against United's height. The other three were disappointing given the space we gave away but show how clinical United are, all superbly taken.

[Benzin]

Luka

Got a lot more work to do, worrying when your best players are loaners...

[Preezy]

Can't help but be impressed with back to back 4-nillies, nice to see the goals getting spread around the team as well.

[Corazon de Leon]

Can't help but be impressed with back to back 4-nillies, nice to see the goals getting spread around the team as well.

That's always a good sign for me - when the goals come from everywhere it means you're not relying on a Lukaku to get you through the hard games.

Of all the bigger teams, I like United the best so I hope they have a good season.

[darksideby182]

FFS Arsenal

[Dowbocop]

FFS Arsenal

Butland has been really good today. We should have gone in ahead at half time but for his saves. I do worry a bit about just how much quality we have at centre half.

Another brave save...