17 Sep 2017 19:12:06
Apart from the shoddy marking that led to the first goal, I thought this was our best display so far and the 4-0 scoreline isn't a fair reflection of the graft the players put in. This may not be a popular opinion, but I think the fault may lie with Koeman on this one, as his substitutions had a detrimental impact on the game and the confidence of the squad. First he took off Davies, who was arguably our most effective player, especially in terms of energy and dogged determination, when perhaps Gilfi should have gone first. Then he took off Gueye, who while not brilliant today was gumming up the midfield for us well as he always does, and then he took off Rooney, who looked up for it from the start and most likely to score. DCL, Sandro and Mirallas were not ideal replacements and admittedly I honestly don't know who should have been subbed or brought on to make a difference, but the fact remains that all 3 of their second half goals came after Koemans substitutions. Williams was playing well until then too, then he makes a silly mistake as the united players suddenly found more freedom in the centre. Don't get me wrong, I'm not calling for the manager to go, but he's got to stop playing players who aren't up to speed just because of justifying their price tags and limiting the involvement of players who he doesn't rate, just because they're less high profile. Hope we see a few like Niasse, Kenny and Lookman get a chance to prove themselves against Sunderland as we don't have a lot of options in those key roles. Disappointed to be sure, but I was pleased with the fight from the players today at least.
{Ed025's Note - the spirit was there yes mate, but you cant make errors like williams makes and hope to win anything, also when we have the ball in their half how come it nearly always ends up with pickford?, far too negative and that has to be down to the manager im afraid..
17 Sep 2017 19:40:32
Williams poor since he arrived in my opinion. Could have been a pen for foul on Lingard too. I'd rather see Keane and Holgate together. Williams past it. As is Jags really but rather him than Williams.
17 Sep 2017 20:27:51
I've been thinking this as well Jack. Maybe it's time we give Holgate a chance at CB. Defensively He's solid so maybe a chance there is due.
Williams today was great and played with aggression and tough in the tackle. Wait for it. Then he does the usual mistake he does in most games and absolutely mess it up.
Plenty wrong still but there were positives today.
17 Sep 2017 20:42:28
Rooney lost the ball at least 26 times in the first half (conservative guess) . Shouldn't have started second half. Was too eager to prove he still has it to jose and just made silly mistakes. He like all the team were playing too deep and we had no options up front. Game was crying out for some pace and again we had none on the pitch. Davies shouldn't have been taken off either. just my opinion.
17 Sep 2017 21:32:17
I agree Ed. Its all very well Koeman making wisecracks about Crystal Palaces board, but just because Moshiri sought him out to be our manager does not mean he has the safest job in the PL. His body language speaks volumes and I don't think he realised this job would be quite so much effort. Koeman has to have a word with himself or he may lose the dressing room.
{Ed025's Note - im not giving up on him just yet OHEFB and today was certainly an improvement in attitude at least, but i want to see pegs in the correct holes and the likes of ademola, kev, and johnjoe used as we need to put pressure on teams and not start on the back foot all the time mate;;
17 Sep 2017 22:36:12
To be fair Davies hadn't stopped running all game, and I think the lad was knackered.
18 Sep 2017 08:34:24
unfortunately the manager cannot legislate for individual mistakes, it is worrying that William and Jags senior internationals are so poor, they should be the leaders in this side but are error ridden! and Keane at times ls like a rabbit caught in a cars headlights, unsure what to do with the ball and making unforced errors!