Match Day Thread West Ham United v Manchester United

Losing Martial to a ball in the bollocks has been a godsend. Might not help his birthday celebrations tonight though.....

 

Succinct from Nev on Sky -

"How you can go from being so bad to so good...regularly?

"For it to continually happen, it is a mentality thing. Do they think they are better than they are? It's almost as if they need a real jolt to perform."

 

Five minutes added time ??

 

Job done - 4th spot in the PL. We have a tough December but so do the other teams in the top 4. Good result, he made hard work of it, but well done Ole.

 

Pogba was excellent today and very disciplined. He was very active even in the first half but we lacked creativity going forward. I think Pogba thinks he’s No. 10. He is not!! He is firmly a 6. If he accepts his strengths and stop pandering to what he isn’t, he would be a better all round player.

 

Props where it is due. Those changes turned it around.

I still have a problem with the inconsistent nature of this team. This is an absolutely brilliant team. But half the time, they are simply absolutely pants like the first half of most games.

 

To all those of you who think I'm a pessimistic sod, I placed an £80 bet at 5-1 at half-time for United to win

Keeping the faith

Actually I genuinely could not believe we'd lose to a side managed by Moyes.

 

Better odds than mine - but still a very satisfying bet.

 

What the ****ing hell was that? First we rest the 2 players that create goals for us and second we didn’t even want to play. We were flat as a pancake. Shows how generous West Ham were that we were only 1 down. Truly we could have been 3 or 4 down.

without Fernandes we are ****ing nothing. Sad but this is the reality.

good result but dreadful performance especially in the first hour.

 

I put £10 on us winning the league.

The following day was the Arsenal abomination. Nearly cashed in for £7 !!!!

The only reason we are not genuine title contenders is the management.

We've got the players.

 

Nearly posted this during the game believe it or not.

Is a midfield three of Pogba, DVDB and Fernandes that unthinkable, with Pogba at the base of it?

If I were manager, that's my midfield.

 

I don't usually bet and probably won't again. Heard the odds in the car at HT and thought they were ridiculous. Genuinely stupid odds imo.

Agree there is something very wrong. Is it weak leadership? Maybe they need a strong character at the top. Someone who commands respect and confidence, who is able to put out a team and tactics that inspire the players from kick-off.

 

I thought when Pogba came on against PSG he really had the bit between his teeth. I said in the match thread, if he had come on with 11 on the pitch, I am confident we would've got a result.

 

They're still only offering £7 ish cash out.

Think i'll ride this one out, could turn out interesting!

 

That was OGS’s formation against Leipzig. Rashford and Fernandes came on in the second half to win the match. May be that should be the tactics for the crucial last CL match? Keep Fernandes and Rashford on the bench until their players are tired.

 

may be the answer is fear rather than respect. It’s like we need a kick in the backside to perform. Many ex players said that they shook with fear going into the dressing room to face Fergie at half time when behind. One or two would face the terrifying hairdryer treatment in front of their mates. Can Ole do that? Of the players who rage when we stink there is only BF, and he is not even captain. Maguire has been/is subdued and all the others are really nice quiet guys.

 

It's what I meant, commanding respect is having that element of fear. Fear alone like Roy Keane managing Ipswich won't work. They have to believe in what you're saying, doing and instructing. I'm not sure Ole completely has either fear or belief from the players.

Can anyone imagine him having a strong word with a player who isn't pulling his weight or the defence because they've had a collective brainfart?

 

Fernandez should be captain in my opinion. He demands more from his fellow players and would relish the opportunity. Maguire is just not it for this team. He is too passive to be the leader. He is no Roy Keane, that’s for sure!

We need players in the mold Neville, Evra, Schmeichel, even Rooney. We need more vocal leaders in this team. Too many nice guys in the current setup.

 

Can see Bruno being given the armband next season - can't see it happening before then as it could impact further on Maguire's form, although truth be told I wouldn't mind betting he would relish handing it over - I don't think he enjoys the profile that goes with it.

 

Just watching the north london ****show, I cannot believe we lost to these two sides.