Attacking the Stretford End in the first half?

stevoc

Full Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2011
Messages
25,077
I've noticed recently we seem to be choosing to play towards the Stretford End in the first half of games. At first I thought it was just a bit of shithousery from the opposition after they'd won the toss. Traditionally we've always attacked the Stretford in the 2nd Half of games.

Anyone know when or more importantly why we started doing this?
 
stevoc said:
I've noticed recently we seem to be choosing to play towards the Stretford End in the first half of games. At first I thought it was just a bit of shithousery from the opposition after they'd won the toss. Traditionally we've always attacked the Stretford in the 2nd Half of games.

Anyone know when or more importantly why we started doing this?
Click to expand...
I know we often do this when the sun is facing us. So vs Arsenal this was the case. Today I’m not sure why!
 
stevoc said:
I've noticed recently we seem to be choosing to play towards the Stretford End in the first half of games. At first I thought it was just a bit of shithousery from the opposition after they'd won the toss. Traditionally we've always attacked the Stretford in the 2nd Half of games.

Anyone know when or more importantly why we started doing this?
Click to expand...
Before the game Amorim said he doesn’t care which way we play first.
 
stevoc said:
I've noticed recently we seem to be choosing to play towards the Stretford End in the first half of games. At first I thought it was just a bit of shithousery from the opposition after they'd won the toss. Traditionally we've always attacked the Stretford in the 2nd Half of games.

Anyone know when or more importantly why we started doing this?
Click to expand...
Noticed too. Assume it was down to us having really poor first halves at home so often so maybe trying something to boost the team from the off?
 

Hopefully it's just a short-term thing to get the crowd up for it from minute 1. If we start having a positive few weeks of form, we'll surely return to kicking towards the Stretford End in the second half.
 
youngrell said:
Noticed too. Assume it was down to us having really poor first halves at home so often so maybe trying something to boost the team from the off?
Click to expand...

Looks like you are correct.

Gabriel Djemba-Bebe said:

Hopefully it's just a short-term thing to get the crowd up for it from minute 1. If we start having a positive few weeks of form, we'll surely return to kicking towards the Stretford End in the second half.
Click to expand...
 
In the old days, it was considered a bad omen. I remember one time that City decided to kick in at the Stretford End. They got dog's abuse for that but they still won 1-0. I seem to remember Liverpool doing the same thing once when Keegan played for them but the abuse that day was ten times worse. The City team actually joined in with the banter with Mike Summerbee conducting the crowd as they sang about his nose. Tommy Smith on the other hand stood there mouthing 'feck off you cnuts' and sticking V signs up. He'd be sent off today but it was different back then.
 
Last edited:
Amorim, Bruno etc realised that there was a mental issue with playing at Old Trafford, so are trying to change up the usual traditions to break the negative cycle
 
I hate it :lol:.

When the Europa hits the crunch we need to be attacking our main end - been lobbying the fan groups to tell Amorim.

Genuinely think it's a cock up but thus far stats tell you otherwise. So what do I know.
 
I suppose when things aren’t going well, the existing routine won’t be helping and the players probably feel a change might jolt them out of it. If they’re feeling the crowd’s anxiety they will feel a bit entrapped, even though the fans have actually been pretty tolerant on the whole. Anything is worth trying. Let’s hope things are slowly coming together.
 
I don’t like it either but if the players think it’s helping them then that’s fair enough. I suppose if you compare it to boxing, the second half is the championship rounds and sooner or later they might feel they need the support to get them over the line instead when games become a bit more frantic towards the end.
 
I can see the logic. We've really struggled at Old Trafford this season. Perhaps part of the thinking is that by attacking the Stretford End in the first half, it will get us off to a decent start. Hence, not conceding the opening goal of the game, which has tended to happen quite a lot.
 
First ten Hag decides to swap the dugouts around, now this.

Thank god we are knocking the place down
 
AdamColeBebe said:
I'm just amazed people noticed this. Fair play!
Click to expand...
It's very apparent when you're at the games. I'm used to having the team attack my end in the second half of games, so it's a bit irritating that they've mixed it up. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept though if results improve :)
 
It's a decent move as our record scoring in the first half of games has been absolutely atrocious. Maybe sub consciously we're pacing ourselves to conserve energy to last the 90. This might help with starting games on the front foot like on Thursday night
 
I think we used to do this under Fergie more than people remember.

Off the top of my head, the 8-2 game we attacked Stretford end first half. The Rooney bicycle kick was as well.
 
If it works that we get better results who gives a feck. Other teams probably do it, Wanderers certainly do.
 
Remember the geese said:
It's very apparent when you're at the games. I'm used to having the team attack my end in the second half of games, so it's a bit irritating that they've mixed it up. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept though if results improve :)
Click to expand...
Aye tbf I didn't think of that. Well, whatever works eh?
 
It is an instruction, and is important like getting the groundsmen to load more water onto the penalty area defended by the opponents, also I've often wondered if at night matches they could do something with the lighting in the opponents half.... at the moment we need all the help we can get :lol::lol:
 
Adz_99 said:
I think we used to do this under Fergie more than people remember.

Off the top of my head, the 8-2 game we attacked Stretford end first half. The Rooney bicycle kick was as well.
Click to expand...

If the opposition won the toss and got to decide then a lot of the time they'd choose to have United play towards the Stretford End first half.

Uusally close rivals would do it, Arsenal, Liverpool, City etc.
 
Maticmaker said:
It is an instruction, and is important like getting the groundsmen to load more water onto the penalty area defended by the opponents, also I've often wondered if at night matches they could do something with the lighting in the opponents half.... at the moment we need all the help we can get :lol::lol:
Click to expand...

Heavy duty industrial fans behind our goal might be an idea as well. :confused:

That can be reversed to suck air in in the 2nd half :smirk:
 
When you have a record of winning 90% of your home league games when leading at half time, attacking the more famous and noisy end of the stadium in the first half makes sense to me? Just another blip against ETH that he didn't realize it.
 
Remember the geese said:
It's very apparent when you're at the games. I'm used to having the team attack my end in the second half of games, so it's a bit irritating that they've mixed it up. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept though if results improve :)
Click to expand...
Yeah, that inconvenience must be really hard on you. Stay strong!
 
Adz_99 said:
I think we used to do this under Fergie more than people remember.

Off the top of my head, the 8-2 game we attacked Stretford end first half. The Rooney bicycle kick was as well.
Click to expand...

That 5-2 game vs Spurs in 2009 springs to mind too. 2-0 down at half time, so all 7 goals would have gone into the East stand goal.
 
I'd imagine by next season we'll probably go back to the traditional way of playing towards the East stand in the first half.

But will Amorim switch the Dugouts back to the way they're supposed to be? :confused:

Still have no idea why Ten Hag changed that.
 
stevoc said:
I'd imagine by next season we'll probably go back to the traditional way of playing towards the East stand in the first half.

But will Amorim switch the Dugouts back to the way they're supposed to be? :confused:

Still have no idea why Ten Hag changed that.
Click to expand...

Because it's nearer the tunnel - some logic to it TBF

Especially as the tunnel used to be between the dug outs before development
 
Rood said:
Because it's nearer the tunnel - some logic to it TBF

Especially as the tunnel used to be between the dug outs before development
Click to expand...

Was that really the reason though?

There's only about 6-8 metres between the dugouts, it's not that much further to walk.
 
stevoc said:
Was that really the reason though?

There's only about 6-8 metres between the dugouts, it's not that much further to walk.
Click to expand...
Yes it's the reason

Away bench is now also on the side of the away fans, home bench on Stretford end side
 
Rood said:
Yes it's the reason

Away bench is now also on the side of the away fans, home bench on Stretford end side
Click to expand...

Bit if a silly one to make such a change after 30 odd years.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.