Match Day Thread WBA v Manchester United

Another game against piss poor opposition.

Is it too much to expect to win, or do we still have to accept we're merely getting there and trying really hard and must not expect to win any game?

I can see this panning out in usual Ole United mode; City draw at Spurs and instead of going on to beat West Brom, we either match the draw or lose, making up no ground.

You all now that will happen!

I'm going for a dreadful 1-1 draw and hoping it has the desired reverse jinx effect.

 

To be absolutely honest, if we can't beat West Brom we may as well just pack up and **** off home for the rest of the season.

Front three has to be Rashford, Cavani & Greenwood and the middle three would be, for me, McTominay, DVDB and Fernandes.

Give Donny another crack at it.

Does NOT need both Fred and McTom. And it definitely does not need Matic.

 

Huge game given the Leicester win and the City v Spuds game later on. Would it be too much to ask for the Spuds to put a decent enough performance together to scramble a win or a draw - probably, or given the inevitable unravelling of Jose - definitely.
I can see Diallo getting a few minutes on the pitch for this one - could be interesting.

 

We have to win. Title race is unlikely now but going 8 points clear of Livpl and finishing 2nd at least sets us up for next season.

 

These are the games we drop points in, the difference between being a decent team and challengers.

TBH i used to hate these types of games even with Fergie in charge because we could **** them up back then also. How many times over the years have we had chances to "keep up/go ahead" and ****ed up? not sure if you are like me but i usually know when it's coming

 

We've just got to try to win every name now, the cautious approach isn't any good to anyone.

Finishing second will rightly be seen as an improvement but it's far better for that to be a few points behind than ten or fifteen points behind, or even twenty at the current rate.

If we finish within a few points there's genuine reason for optimism to kick on and go one better next season.

 

Definitely agree this is the type of game we won't win.

Although Allardyce is historically a whipping boy of ours so hopefully we will!

 

This is exactly how I see it. How many points above Livpl and the points below City will be a good indicator of progress and whether we're in a strong position to aim for the title next season.

Ideally if it's a few points, we strengthen in key areas over the summer (cb and possibly rw depending on Dialo) to complete the squad and push on

 

Looking at Kounde and Haaland apparently.

Sancho bound to come back into it as well, massively 'discounted'.

 

Most likely the game when WBA get a much needed boost - bloody Allardyce effect. With Diallo coming on so well I can't see us going for Sancho, I'd much rather we signed cavanion for another year and bought Haaland - Ole definitely has something up his sleeve there.

 

Team news

De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Rashford, Martial, Cavani.

Subs: Henderson, Bailly, Greenwood, James, Telles, Matic, Williams, Van de Beek, Tuanzebe.

 

Suggests Rashford on the right, which is not ideal.

If Bailly is fully fit I'd have him over Lindelof every time.

Other than that, still a very decent side.

 

Yeh generally ok. But why not give De Beek another start. It's West Brom, an ideal game. He has 2 games in a row, hopefully leading to a run.

 

Lol

just lol

 

And that's why!

Lindelof is ****ing ****e.

 

Has someone pointed out to Ole we seem to concede early goals and maybe he and his coaching staff should address this?

Not sure he's noticed.

 

It's a genuine concern that if we don't show a genuine intention to sign this type of player that Bruno gonna get pissed off enough to want to leave.

He seems sick of having to carry the team to me. Others need to step the **** up.

We should also get Pogba signed up, show some intent.

Pogba is way better than Fred, Matic, McTominay and DVDB put together, keep him.

 

We just can't create anything.

As I said months ago, we rely heavily on individual brilliance than any tactical style of forward play. And so it proves again with Bruno today.

 

Funny thing is I doubt many think we're now going to kick on to win this game.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if we concede again. Expect them to score again early in the second half.

 

It's not just that. I'm beginning to think Bruno's game is suffering. I used to think it's because he's tired. But he's come out and said he's not. And I believe him. Watching that half it seems like he's being de-skilled the way we play. It's sucking the life out of his creative play.