More of the same "play not to lose" mentality.... which will probably mean we might scrape a draw after going a goal behind. Nowt to do with Ole though, apparently we're not good enough and that's not down to the manager at all, but our squad not being good enough Crumb of comfort is Arsenal will attack so we might actually look good attacking wise but that will be shaped by their tactics not Ole's. Either way I expect this to be high scoring.
I expect he'll revert back to what is seen as the first team, which means Fred and/or McTominay back in midfield, with Cavani up front. Shaw and Bailly have to play as well, needs to be a solid defence. If Martial is to play, it's instead of Greenwood, who at the minute is another not worthy of his place in the team. I'd give Mata a go myself, but that's just pissing in the wind as Solskjaer insists on pace. Then doesn't bother using to when playing teams he doesn't deem worthy of trying against!
Shame he can't be in two side on the one day but it looks like Diallo has made a good start to life at OT scoring two in an emphatic win for the U23's - against Liverpool.
Bye bye league title race. It was fun while it lasted. Never mind Ole will be happy, he's playing for Top 4 so he can keep his job. We haven't scored from open play against ANY of our regular main rivals in the league - City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham. (6 games I believe) and 4 of those were 0-0 draws. That's what "playing not to lose" gets you.
At some point the penny has to drop that Solskjaer is not up to managing a club of this magnitude. He just isn't, the last two games have shown that. I will not accept the idea it's the players fault, that bit is the mangers job. Literally. Manage.
Neither team deserved to win. Too cautious although we could have snatched 3 points at the end. Lack of belief. That’s why I said that we were not real title challengers even when we were top. We are not as good as some think we are. The reality is that we are a ****ing top 4 side as best.
Best if he stays there. Or he'll have all that raw talent sucked out of him by Phelan, Carrick and Ole.
The reality is the squad is capable of much more. Our manager and coaching staff are not as good as some thing they are.
I really think it's important to note, these last two results haven't just happened out of the blue. They are the result of a continuing philosophy to have players play within themselves for fear of losing and a tactical approach against certain teams where the priority is not to lose at all costs. Eventually that becomes the psyche of the players and so when you need to go out and win games, the players can't. This doesn't just happen -it's developed over a period of time... by the manager.
The signs were all there from that Liverpool game at Anfield and it continues to be the case that we have yet to win a game against any of the perennial challengers. Arsenal is not even in that bracket and we have lost 4 points to them this season without being able to score a single fkin' goal. I mean, what tha flyin' f?! I have no doubt that we will eventually win against the "top sides". But my fear is that by that time, it won't really matter as City and Liverpool will be too far ahead to catch.
Anyone else think that Bruno has just been off his game for the last two or three games. For me he seems to have lost a little spark from his game and when his form dips, the performance of the whole side dips too.
I don't think it's just him. Bruno, Rashford, Greenwood... it's not just one player affecting the whole side. Along with Martial our whole attack looks devoid of any creativity unless one player produces a bit of individual brilliance. Tactically it's just not working.
I'm not sure there is much can be done in tactical terms as far as strikers are concerned. Yes, all three are off their game but I doubt Ole pulls them to one side just before kick-off and tells them to be ****e.........