Bailey

I think I also read somewhere that they changed their training methods at the start of the season to some new American style sessions. I dont really know of its merits but it was meant to be more enjoyable and reduce the risk of injuries... It doesnt seem to be working!

Everyone has mentioned the issues with our fullbacks, so I I'll add something different.

 

The thing that let us down the most was our passing up forward. It was fucking disgusting!! I reckon we must have set some sort of record for turnovers because it honestly seemed like Cahill, Fellaini, Yakubu and Jo were trying their hardest to give it to the opposition. I am really lost for words at how simple, simple passes under no pressure turned out so woefully.

On top of that our center backs decided that it wasn't important to mark the strikers, and our midfielders constantly decided not to follow the direct opponents after they had made a pass. Have they never heard of the basic give-and-go routine?!

Yeh I totally agree with the first bit. The whole passing and movement was pretty much non existant. The only passes we did make were backwards ones which ended up in a hoof up the pitch to 2 forwards who arent the greatest in the air!

I kind of feel a bit for the CB's though because the Fb's were so easily and consistently ripped apart. The midfield 2 didnt drop back and help the much so it meant a lot of the time they were at the best 2 on 2 and sometimes 4 on 2 of which when combined with quality movement (which there was) is always going to be dificult for the CBs to manage.

I vote Howard... He picked the ball out of his net with great precision and technique

All credit to Benfica for playing some quality and entertaining football but they were a good team made to look like world beaters by us tonight! I am thoroughly pissed off with the performance this evening especially the second half... Everything the management go on about such as determination, passion and pride seemed to go out the window against Benfica.

Iv never seen a professional football team move so little without the ball, especially in the midfield. There are the few exceptions as always but too many times the ball got to the midfield then they passed it backwards (seems to be a growing trend this year!) and then sit there with a opposition player between the them and the ball meaning the defence have to hoof it clear. Fellaini was a massive culprit of this. He just didnt look like he wanted to move, in fact he probably hasnt left the pitch yet! Im a big fan of his but after tonight abject performance there is no way anyone could stick up for him. He isnt a natural midfield player and shouldnt be relied upon to sit in the middle of the pitch as it completely negates his strengths which is off the shoulder of the main striker. Plus I also think its about time he shaved off his afro, I dont mean to get personal but he really does look like a twat!

Unfortunately he wasnt the only crap player with Cahill being virtually unheard, which is very dissapointing especially as captain! The fullback were obviously way outclassed and Di Maria actually showed how slow Gosling is which could be a big problem in the top flight. The strikers were also poor but I do have some sympathy for them having such terrible service from midfield. Jo looked the livelier of the lot but he just wasnt in the game enough.

On a slightly brighter note (if there is one!) I thought Rodwell did a decent enough job tonight, for someone so young and for me he showed the most heart of all of them out there tonight. He is without doubt the best passer at the club atm (alongside ateta when fit) but he does look a bit jaded and needs a rest. I also thought Distin did a good job with what he had around him tonight. There were a few times when he had to mark two attackers and with the exception of the poor marking for their corner I thought he did alright.

Next up is Bolton and after reading Moyes' comments it sounds like none of the absentees tonight will be back for the weekend with the addition of Billy looking like he might be out. The future looks bleak and unless we can start finding a balance in the centre of the park then we are really going to struggle!

Rant over