Berlinknives
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2009
- Messages
- 8,308
I meant "Losing 3-0 to Fulham plus defensive crisis" dramatic, rather than just 94th minute game winner dramatic. Things which spark interest for the wrong reasons "dramatic", which is why I put quotation marks on the words.We have had a good few non event games in fairness, the most excitement for matchday threads on here this year has been for Carling cup games when we get to see the kids. We have no settled team, for obvious reasons, which doesn't help at all.
In seasons recently past we were fluid in attack and had 3 or 4 options in terms of shape and personel. This year we haven't even got one sure fire way of winning games. We have not been 'dramatic' as you put it, for a long time now. I felt this way about last season to be honest, then we were on the side of boring efficiency, now I have to agree with jdmufc, we are approaching just boring. And how we are second and how we beat the german champs with our injuries baffles me to be honest.
Take the amount of 'we need a striker' 'what's the best first XI' do we have no iconic players' threads about. There is something missing. The team doesn't lack talent, but Wayne Rooney and Evra apart (and Vidic at a push) the team lacks personality. Berbatov has the potential but doesn't seem to revel in the limelight the way great players do here.
How many other seasons would players have allowed Fulham fans to 'Olé olé' while they were in possession in our half? Nicky Butt wouldn't have stood for it. Keane once said he'd like Butt beside him in a fight. I'd say the two of them would batter most of today's team. We are not good enough to lack that fight, and it's not just today. I'm a huge Carrick fan but he's just too nice, so is Berbatov, and Valencia and Park, and Nani, and ... etc
Again this may all dissispate if we get a regular team playing and go on a roll. We are a reactionary bunch us football fans.
I don't think reducing rotation automatically brings results, Liverpool have the most settled (make the least changes) and least injury prone side of the top four and look at them. Competition for places, rests from long haul international games and 3 game weeks as well as injuries and suspension are going to play on any side.
I believe injuries have been more unsettling factor than rotation, the only real rotation that seems to be taking place involves Scholes/Giggs/Neville because the squad has been streched enough to make it unnescesary. The Carling Cup games show that the manager can organise a competitive side with any of the players he's got, the problem usually has been rushing players back in and dropping players in at the deep end.
There have been occasions like Liverpool at Anfield, where United feilded perhaps 9-10/11 of their first choice players and there could be no complaints. Other than the Burnley and Besiktas losses perhaps, it's difficult to argue that rotation has been the main factor to the side losing games.
I would say the fitness of Berbatov in particular has hindered the side in recent weeks as an attacking force, he's the most creative striker United have and yet he's been overlooked for the two big games this month. I cannot believe that this was simply for the sake of rotation. With regard to the defence and midfield Fergie's hands are moreorless tied here.
I do think aggression does need to be balanced with composure, Chelsea are not only top of the league but are top of the Fair Play League too. If anything United have aggressive players but the organisation of the side when the team falls behind never seems to be the same, particularly with key players missing.