I'd argue it's realistic rather than negative. I think to qualify for Europe we need to find a way to win these matches away to poor opposition, and that's two in a row now we haven't, but each to their own I suppose.
In isolation I’m happy with a point considering fixture congestion and the spine of the team was missing. But after 2 defeats drawing to 18th place is a disappointment.
Please don’t judge the opponent by the league position. That was a team that lost narrowly to City (as we did) , then drew with Liverpool. They are a much improving team and looked a pretty good side to me. Two quality CMs and an exceptional attacking talent.
Djenepo is a regular for us so he was an obvious change - plus if you can't give youngsters a chance of the bench for 20 mins against sides in the relegation zone then when can you? Also, my point was more that it should have happened much earlier rather me thinking they should not have happened at all
Arsenal aren't really a relegation team though are they. Especially after todays performance against Chelsea
Note! If Man Utd were having to face a game loosing three of their most prominent players this season we would have heard it on the main news, following the bit about the pandemic and brexit
Tend to agree. But I also think anything can happen this season (as evidenced by Arsenal v Chelsea as we speak).
Still KWP was fouled by two Fulham players on his way into the box. Should have been a free kick at worst!!!
Fulham played well and aren’t in that relegation zone for much longer They won a lot of the one to one battles and we’re stronger than us in a way I’ve not seen in a while We were forced into some key changes and Ralph has got the first 11 playing exceptionally and now needs to try and get the squad up to that level Bedders Jack Prowsey all played well Diallo looked good but we lack physicality in the midfield when Oriels out and him and Prowsey, Stu, Theo and Moussa don’t have that 2 good offside goals and a constantly variable handball ruling going against us We win or we learn
It's a point away against a vastly improved team, with three of our main men out of the team. I think that's a pretty decent result. Yes, we're struggling a bit to create with Danny out and Stu off form, but we're bloody hard to beat right now, and that's the base line of a good team.
They aren’t poor and Europe is a bit of a pipe dream with our squad Remember we’re we were a very short time ago with the same squad
We know how well our best 11 can play together, because we’ve seen it. We have to learn how to be as effective with key players missing, that’s what the best sides do. And with the exception of Danny, none of our first teamers are exactly irreplaceable. Okay, we don’t have the squad others have, but we have decent options in most positions now.
That was a pretty awful game of football, both teams looking to capitalise on errors rather than create chances. We are hard to beat yes but we looked so lacking going forwards. Narrow margins, I don’t think either side deserved a win from that performance but luck was most definitely not on our side today. Ralph’s game management is a bit too conservative for me at times. The game could have been won after the 60th minute, we needed to get in behind rather than long ball and djenepo is the obvious candidate for that. He needs to find ways to adapt during the game as too often we are plan A from go to whoah. Anyway, easy to criticise I know but that was a frustrating watch.
Genuinely think with Ings fit we win today as well. I'm really pleased personally, all things considered
I am definitely much happier with a draw tonight than against Arsenal. Instead of both teams being poor, I thought both defences were good, especially Southampton's. We tried playing direct early on and then playing through the midfield in the second half but we missed Romeu's incisive passing and Vestergaards switches. I thought Diallo looked good but needs to build his strength. We needed our players to release the ball or shoot more in the final third. Points keep ticking over 25 from 15.
I think with long up front and Walcott having a very average day we were always going to struggle with scoring. If it were my team I’d have taken a risk with changes knowing that the next 2 are going to be 10 times harder to take points. We could be at the start of a lean spell but still points are better than losses.