FAN ARTICLES
Tactics to beat Man Utd
Comments (74) : Do not, I repeat DO NOT hoof the ball from defence to attack! A pass played from defence to attack in the air is: (A) predictable and therefore easy to defend, (B) difficult for your attackers to control and as a result YOU LOSE POSSESSION!!!
If you give up possession easily against good footballers they will create chances against you. The more times you hoof the ball upfield and consequently lose possession, the more chances you will indirectly hand to your opponents. As a result, it becomes almost impossible to keep a clean sheet as they will eventually and inevitably score a goal if you keep giving them possession of the ball.
Now I?ve got that off my chest, let?s look at our opponents and assess where they may have possible weaknesses:
1. Van der Saar ? aged 39, slow off his line, can?t jump. Therefore, (a) play passes in behind their back four for our forwards to run onto. Such passes must be played FROM MIDFIELD! I know we haven?t seen one for a long time, but please at least try to play a pass on the ground for a forward to run onto. With this in mind we must play with pace upfront ? therefore we must play with two attackers. Saha, Vaughan, and Anichebe all have pace. To play with just Yakubu on his own upfront would be a capitulation and unforgiveable (incidentally to play Yakubu upfront and Fellaini off him against Arsenal was astonishing ? no pace and what an insult to the other attackers to play Fellaini in that role).
(b) Ensure that Arteta and Pienaar vary their positions, on occasions, and play slightly infield, away from the touchline and closer to central midfield when we are in possession of the ball. From those positions they can look to play straighter balls in behind the Man Utd back four, or play chipped and weighted passes over their back four. Furthermore, give them freedom to swap their positions with each other and Osman. Man Utd will almost certainly expect Arteta to be on the right wing and Pienaar on the left wing. I?d give them something to think about straight from the start and swap them over. Arteta on the left wing enables him to play straighter passes with his right foot and more importantly greater opportunities to strike shots from outside the box as he cuts infield from the left.
(c) Play corners or free kicks high and beyond the goal to be headed back into the front of goal area in the hope it falls to one of our players. VDS won?t come for them, he never does, because he knows he can?t jump (he?s too old).
2. Ferdinand ? pressure him when he?s in possession. He can be great but he?s prone to errors. With this in mind this could be the sort of game to play Vaughan to harass Ferdinand. He always gives 100% and at least we?d know he wouldn?t meekly accept defeat like some of the players who I could name. Whoever plays with Yakubu should play up against Man Utd backline looking to break beyond and behind them. But also he will be required to run the channels to give midfielders options. Yakubu should drop deep , in ?the hole ? away from Man Utd?s central defenders ? he?s got the ability to retain possession in this position and can play short passes well. Also can turn and look for a shot from distance.
3. Brown ? he doesn?t like being pressured. Not a great first touch on him. Stay close to him when we are defending and try to close him down quickly as soon as he receives the ball. With luck he may lose possession in a dangerous position and give us a chance.
4. Evra ? brilliant and athletic attacking fullback. But therein lies his weakness. I?ve never seen a fullback advance so often so high upfield and more often than not into opposition?s penalty area. As soon as he does this the whole team should be looking for it. One of our forwards should then drop into position to the right side of central midfield. As soon as we regain possession that forward should start a diagonal run at pace into the channel where Evra should be. A long pass over the top of Man Utd midfield into that channel should be hit immediately once we regain possession. A Man Utd central defender is likely to try to come across to cover but they?ll be running at pace. If there is a clumsy touch in the box when running at pace then there is always a chance of a penalty (and a sending off). If our forward can beat that central defender he will be in on goal with a chance. Midfielders should get themselves into position to pick up any lose balls on the edge of the box.
5. Central midfield ? (a) A definite weakness for ManUtd at present. Scholes and Hargreaves injured. Fletcher an average player. O?Shea a central defender playing out of position. Anderson, inconsistent. Giggs, may possibly play central midfield due to injuries ? again not his position and very poor defensively (he can?t tackle). His great asset is running with pace. Not enough room in central midfield to do this. So whichever of them plays we can compete against them.
(b) So who should we play there? We MUST play a defensive midfielder in front of our back four to try to nullify Man Utd?s attacking talents. Rodwell or Castillo must play. Fellaini and Neville are too slow and just not acceptable in that position as they are guaranteed to give free kicks away on the edge of our box (a form of football suicide against Man Utd with Ronaldo, Rooney and Berbatov all brilliant free kick takers).Osman, if on form, gives support to the attack but only play him for 60/70 mins. After that he?s invariably a spent force. I?d have Fellaini on the bench and look to bring him on at that point.
So much for Man Utd?s weaknesses, what about dealing with their strengths?
1. Ronaldo ? Baines played him very well last year so he must play, he has quick feet and great balance to match Ronaldo. Lescott is having a troublesome season and the last thing he needs is a poor game against Ronaldo. Also Baines?s delivery into the box can be excellent so there is always the chance he may create a goal. Also he should be allowed to take some of our freekicks rather than predictably letting Arteta take them all.
2. Left wing for Man Utd is likely to be Park or Giggs. Both use pace to attack opposition?s right back. Neville is too slow so Hibbert must play.
3. Since they?ve been managed by Ferguson Man Utd have always been outstanding on the break. Therefore our fullbacks MUST play defensively. They must concentrate on their defensive position even when we are attacking. Man Utd always look to play on the break , just look at the positions Ronaldo and Rooney take up when the opposition are attacking ? they look for open space to the wings or just infield away from the touchline. Our fullbacks must be alert to this and stay close to them.
Incidentally, when did Everton last score a goal on the break? Does DM do any training with the team in this respect?
4.Rooney and Berbatov ? I think in Jagielka and Lescott we have two central defenders who can match them but they must get cover from our defensive central midfielder, i.e. Rodwell or Castillo. In any event I don?t think Rooney has ever played well against us as his heart is not in it when he plays us. Berbatov can be lethargic so we can deal with him.
To conclude, I believe we can win this game but we must have a positive tactical plan to:
(a) take advantage of situations which will arise in the game, and
(b) create positions where we can cause Man Utd problems.
Hoofball and the over reliance on Arteta creating a chance will simply not work. Surely, after so many failures against the big 4, Moyes must try something different.
Reader Comments (74)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 22/10/2008 at 17:42:51
Man Utd are the reigning European and English champions but would probably get relegated if every team employed these tactics.
However, the facts of the matter are that our best player for 20 years is their 4th or 5th best player. They are superb team full of pace, flair, skill and technical ability. The only way we will win is if we do all the obvious things you say and we play to the best of our ability and they play very very badly.
3 Posted 22/10/2008 at 17:26:27
4 Posted 22/10/2008 at 17:57:17
But by god fella! Do you not have a job?
That was one hell of a post!
I'm looking forward to a good game! We are playing really well and Ithink Rooney is going to be on real fire on Saturday!
All the best of luck!
5 Posted 22/10/2008 at 18:06:06
6 Posted 22/10/2008 at 18:15:03
Hoofball when it has more than one man up front - when you?re hoofing to tall strikers for knock downs - is by far the best tactic moyes could employ, in my opinion.
Vaughan, Saha and the Yak up front. Hoof it up to them, and bypass the world-class midfield. Three tall strikers scrapping it out against 2 centre backs. Sorted.
But it?ll be 4-5-1 so I dont know why we bother speculating.
7 Posted 22/10/2008 at 17:37:31
You suggest we should play balls thru for our forward/s to run onto as if it?s that simple. In truth we won?t be able to do that as they will sit deep, just as they always do when they?re away from home. With your two upfront this will mean a massive gap between our forwards and midfield causing our midfield to push up, which will in turn cause our defence to play a high-line. And United therefore will just sit back, hit us on the break, kill us with pace, and score. And we?ll respond by going on the attack to get an equaliser and they?ll do exactly the same thing again.
United are successful because they have so many options and ways to play and condequently whichever way we play the odds are against us. HOWEVER, the best chance of us winning is to play 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1, screen the defence, make sure we?ve always got at least one midfielder supporting the striker, but not always the same one so it?s difficult for them to mark us, and play with discipline, but with a high tempo to upset their rhythm.
Beyond that, it is, quite simply, up to us the fans to raise the roof, inspire the team, and create a game to kick-start the season.
10 Posted 22/10/2008 at 19:23:45
Like Arsenal, Utd do get a lot of goals from short passing in and around the box - so I?d adopt a 5-4-1 formation.
Yobo, Jags and Lescott holding the area...
Nev, Castillo and Baines as defensive midfielders...
Arteta, Osman and Pienaar creating and taking chances from outside the box...
and Yakubu - ?being Yakubu?
Don?t care if Rooney or Ronaldo get the ball near the corner flag if they have to get past 2/3 players - better than having tonnes of space in front of goal.
11 Posted 22/10/2008 at 19:39:02
12 Posted 22/10/2008 at 19:50:31
I think we should set out to attack and attack and attack. I seriously think all attack is the best option. id play 4-4-2. Howard, Hibbert, Jagielka, Yobo, Baines, Osman, Fellaini, Arteta, Pienaar, Yakubu, Vaughan. How about trying that, it can't be any worse than what we've already done this season.
About time Arteta delivered and please leave Neville away from the team forever, especially when we play 1 of skys team because he always makes a right cock up. But i can bet Neville plays and Moyes is ultra defensive, when it will be undone 5 minutes in. About time we put 1 over United, 1 win in 13 years is beyond pathetic. Didnt we use to be their bogy team. Then again we dont have the likes of Alan Ball, Alex Young or Kevin Sheedy these days. Hopefully Moyes will prove me wrong but i doubt it.
14 Posted 22/10/2008 at 20:33:39
15 Posted 22/10/2008 at 20:41:49
16 Posted 22/10/2008 at 20:37:18
Its got as much chance as the footballing guidelines above.
17 Posted 22/10/2008 at 20:45:26
18 Posted 22/10/2008 at 20:43:40
Ferdinand is one of the best defenders in the world and one of Man U?s top 3 players. To cite him as a weakness for me is completely laughable and destroys some of the credible (but obvious) points you make.
19 Posted 22/10/2008 at 21:31:07
It is so easy this football management lark isn’t it? At least if Davey is fired anytime soon we now have a master tactician of a fan ready to fill his boots!
Sometimes you have no option other than to play a long aimless ball upfield. Trying to always pass the ball out of defence with limited footballers like Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka and Lescott is tantamount to suicide. The last thing we want to be doing is giving the ball away to Rooney, Ronaldo, Berbatov et al within 30 yards of our goal.
Pass the ball when we are able to by all means but when under pressure clearing our lines is often the better option.
If we get beat on Saturday it might just be due to the fact that United are miles better than us as opposed to the tactics of David Moyes.
20 Posted 22/10/2008 at 21:48:26
21 Posted 22/10/2008 at 21:56:12
22 Posted 22/10/2008 at 22:54:41
"Sometimes you have no option other than to play a long aimless ball upfield. Trying to always pass the ball out of defence with limited footballers like Hibbert, Neville, Yobo, Jagielka and Lescott is tantamount to suicide"
Why does Davey Boy do the same for.................... EVERY match???
Please, Moyes's stats speak for itself: 5 wins in 25; 18 goals conceded in 8 games, he is grossly incompetent and can't think of a new approach.
23 Posted 22/10/2008 at 23:03:08
He will never be a midfielder.
Central defender yes but please stop advocating him in midfield .
24 Posted 22/10/2008 at 23:39:45
(b) create positions where we can cause Man Utd problems."
I can now see why managers are forced to take their coaching badges.
25 Posted 22/10/2008 at 23:36:35
26 Posted 23/10/2008 at 00:00:56
Rodwell is a midfielder, he hasn’t played in defence for a year and a half now. Andy Holden moved him there and he’s revelled for both club and country.
Just because he started as a defender does not mean his future is in that position, alot of players change positions during there football education and development.
It’s quite obvious he has all the attributes required to be a good all round midfielder. So yes he is a midfielder, that how Everton see him.
27 Posted 23/10/2008 at 01:28:32
COYB
28 Posted 23/10/2008 at 02:44:21
RIP School of Science.
29 Posted 23/10/2008 at 03:09:38
Here’s one I found at a Manure fan site:
Right that’s it! It’s fucking goals galore! We’re on fire and Kirkby town are low in confidence and their only decent goal threat is Cahill who’s scoring for fun for Australia.
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT pressure their back four as we’ll just be wasting time and energy in retrieving the ball. Sit back and have Ferdinand and Brown casually collect their aimless hoofs whilst lone-striker Yakubu stands around like a rhino in the baking sun.
1. Tim Howard. There’s one reason why we’re playing a 39 year old goalie and let go of Howard - it’s because he was crap! Howard may be faster and can jump, but he NEVER comes out to command his area! Keep throwing in crosses and watch him flap around aimlessly or more likely rooted dead in his 6 yard box.
b) There’s no need to TELL Rooney and Ronaldo to vary their positions. They play all over the park naturally and it’s like total football on steroids.
(c) Play corners or free kicks high and beyond the goal ... as Tim Howard won?t come for them, he never does, because he knows he can?t... COMMAND HIS PENALTY BOX!
2. Jags ? pressure him when he?s in possession. Wait don’t bother, wait for the hoof.
3. Lescott, Yobo - go green, save energy, wait for the hoof.
4. Baines. brilliant and athletic attacking fullback. But therein lies his weakness. I?ve never seen a fullback SO FUCKING SMALL that he never wins a header challenge in the left-back position.
5. Central midfield - Expect David Copperfield disappearing acts in Arteta. Mind the children too.
(b) So who should we play there? We’ve got 30+ players who could crap them! Massive headache for SAF, wouldn’t want to be in his shoes for this one!
So much for Everton’s weaknesses, what about dealing with their strengths?
Any takers????
30 Posted 23/10/2008 at 08:04:45
We have Castillo, Fellaini, Cahill, Osman, Arteta, Pienaar, Neville... he has no chance of playing in midfield as it stands and I doubt he will despite Everton's belief he is one.
If all our fit above then with Saha, Vaughan, Anichebe back I doubt he will make the bench.
31 Posted 23/10/2008 at 08:15:16
You are another clearly suffering with memory loss. You talk eloquently about David Moyes? "....usual shit his pants 4-5-1 fucking shite...." whilst conveniently forgetting that we played our best football for years last season using this system.
Unfortunately the system relies upon Cahill being available and also Pienaar and Arteta joining in from the flanks. Watch out for the upturn in our fortunes after the United match.
All is not rosy in the garden at the moment and it would be folly to suggest otherwise. At a time like this, however, I choose to support the team and the manager in the knowledge that they have come good for us before and will do so again.
On a final point you chastise David Moyes for signing or re-signing ?limited? (my word) defenders. In the real world unfortunately we do not have the cash to splash on footballing defenders. That goes for the majority of the teams in the Premier League. And that is why the majority of the teams in the Premier League have a tendancy to launch long balls out of defence when pressurised by the opposition. This is not a habit solely related to Everton FC.
32 Posted 23/10/2008 at 08:24:27
First off, our very special Captain Marvel will no doubt come out with a rallying cry in the Echo tonight or tomorrow - this coupled with Moyes’ love for the ugly fucker will no doubt cement his starting place on Saturday in his "best position" of centre midfield (fuck me). Since Moyes has a love for shit, clueless, yard dog players, Hibbert and and Jagielka will be starting on Saturday also. Thirdly, as he likes to bemoan "our lack of height" every other week, a competent, fully able left back in Bainesy will make way for Lescott - a brilliant centre half who must be banging his head against the wall as to why he constantly gets played out of position. The rest of the team will then take it’s familiar foil and we will be playing a 4-5-1 system.
Now to the game itself. We have a go and generally give a good account of ourselves... for about 15 minutes. Man Utd then score (via fat tramp Rooney, large fod Berbatov or the long necked, gawpy Ronaldo - take your pick). After that, our heads sink to the floor and surprise surprise - hoofball starts getting played.
The game eventually finishes 2 or 3 nil to Man Utd, with gobshite Phil Neville scoring a diving header own goal from the edge of the area. Moyes then decides to remind everyone for the 100th time in his post match interview that "we haven’t got the finances", "our squad isn’t big or strong enough" (I personally can’t believe Kenwright is letting him say these things, as not only is he making a cunt out of Kenwright but also out of our great club that is way bigger than David Moyes could ever come to terms with. I think it’s absolutely disgusting the way he’s getting away with saying these things, considering he’s just signed a big fuck off whopper contract for the next 5 years. I was a massive Moyes fan but the way he has carried on these past few months has put me right off him).
To conclude the weekends events, Neville the retard then comes out in Monday’s Echo with his obligatory "we’ll bounce back" article - again further cementing his place in the first eleven, not to mention David Moyes’ heart.
Obviously I hope I am oh so dearly wrong about the above, but with the way we’ve been for a long time, I can’t see things changing.
Anyhow, come on blue boys, prove me wrong and make a cunt out of me!
33 Posted 23/10/2008 at 09:13:22
If we do play Rodwell, I know it's a crazy idea, but why don?t we play him centre half? Thats his position for christ sake... but not this weekend, not up against Rooney, Berbatov and Ronaldo.
34 Posted 23/10/2008 at 09:21:40
I also see fat boy is on 99 club goals so far ? how do I know that its written in the stars for him to score on Saturday.
Again ? I hope I'm wrong but it's got all the signs for it
35 Posted 23/10/2008 at 09:38:20
Just as Lescott gets settled back into his natural role and Baines is playing well... drop Baines and move Lescott to a position that he clearly doesn't like to play.
Great idea!
36 Posted 23/10/2008 at 09:38:11
You should read again what Alan Codd wrote because that is exactly what will happen.
The run of games you refer to last season were the exception not the rule. All it took was one bump in the road (Fiorentina) & Moyes reverted to type.
A dozen or so great performances in 6½ years of dross tells its own story.
37 Posted 23/10/2008 at 10:27:50
You are another suffering with selective memory loss it would seem.
To dismiss the Moyes years as "..a dozen or so great performances in 6½ years of dross..." is frankly pathetic.
Bring back Walter Smith.
38 Posted 23/10/2008 at 10:26:31
And the real crowning turd in the water pipe is this comment about speed up front. You mention Vaughan, Saha and Anichebe. This suggests you think the Yak is slower than these. I disagree. I suspect Vic is the slowest of these, and that Saha and the Yak would be the front runners in a sprint race.
39 Posted 23/10/2008 at 10:33:35
40 Posted 23/10/2008 at 11:17:49
I do come up with them from time to time...ha ha!
Last season, the back four of Neville, Jagielka, Yobo & Lescott was outstanding. Moyes has messed up the only bit of the team that was functioning properly. Baines can't defend, Lescott can. £6 million for a midget. Get rid, along with Hibbert.
46 Posted 23/10/2008 at 11:45:32
Don't be scared of playing the youngsters play Anichebe and Vaughan Upfront they will terrorise the defence. Also put Carlo Nash in goal.
My team -
GK Nash
RB Jagielka
LB Valente
CB Yobo
CB Lescott (captain) go for it moyes
RM Pienaar
LM Baines
CM Castillo
AM Arteta (Free Role)
CF Anichebe
CF Vaughan
Subs - Howard, Yakubu, Fellaini, Neville, Rodwell
GO FOR IT boys!
47 Posted 23/10/2008 at 11:24:43
Keep the Faith
Mike
P.S. I predicted a 2-1 win against the Arseoles last week so what do I know?
48 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:01:00
I don’t think Moyes really does need to try anything different - we generally lose to Man United because they are one of the best teams in the world, not because of our tactics. Baines must start at left back, Castillo to shield the defence and Yakubu alone up front. Our only chance is to contain them and hope for a lucky break. Just the way it is unfortunately...
49 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:10:33
Maybe a fresh approach is what's needed. Just a thought, how about dropping Baines back to LB, moving Valente into Castillo?s position, and then possibly playing Fellaini on the left (might give him some more space) than 100 mph midfield. I wish he had Carsley in the team, and a younger Gravesen of five years ago.
I beleive 4-4-2 will test the United defence a bit more and not give them time, they play their attacks from defence
Over to you sir!
50 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:10:09
52 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:14:27
Are you Walter Smith in disguise? I only ask because the last time i saw so many players played out of position was when Walter was in charge!
Fellaini left mid? Valente centre mid? Is this a wind up??
As for Carlo Nash in goal then you obviously did not see him in the mini-derby the other week. He gifted the opposition a goal by dropping an easy shot and then got beaten at his near post by a free kick from wide on the touchline. I think we might be better sticking with Tim Howard and hoping that his defence afford him better protection that he has had in recent games.
53 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:24:01
Give me your line-up then, and reasons for
Over to you, sir.
54 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:09:10
Against most ?others? we should play and we?ll win more than less.
Everton forever.........
55 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:03:37
56 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:42:43
I?m happy to leave picking the team to David Moyes. After all he has the benefit of seeing the players on the training pitch all week.
Seeing as you asked however and assuming all are fit and available:
Howard
Neville
Baines
Jagielka
Yobo
Arteta
Rodwell
Osman
Fellaini
Pienaar
Yakubu
4-5-1 formation as we are too weak in midfield to play only 2 centrally against United. Lescott dropped on the basis that he needs a kick up the backside.
Over to you, Sir.
57 Posted 23/10/2008 at 12:52:18
I cant believe you would drop Lescott and put in Neville, maybe it?s you who?s Walter Smith in disguise!
59 Posted 23/10/2008 at 13:35:26
Is it true then that whatever team turns up at noon on Saturday they are doomed? Is it now the mentality of all supporters of this great team that defeat is the only conclusion? I?m sure DM doesnt feel all is lost? So come lets have some optimism, let's be positive it?s the only way to beat United. We sit back and they will score an abundance of goals.
Is everyone planning for the Championship or what?
COME ON LETS BE HAVING YOU (as Delia once said!)
60 Posted 23/10/2008 at 13:30:05
Based on recent performances, we simply cannot afford to concede a goal in the first half, the players heads drop, tactics go out the window, hoofball becomes prominent and we end up getting hammerred.
If we can go in 0-0 after 45 mins, then this will hopefully raise the confidence for the 2nd half, at which point, I would automatically revert to 4-4-2, as opposed to waiting for us to concede and then reacting, as Moyes usually does. Be PROACTIVE.
I would start with...
Howard
Neville/Hibbert (who is worst? I aint sure? particularly as Man Utd are the opposition)
Yobo
Jagielka
Lescott
Castillo
Pienarr (right)
Fellaini
Arteta (central - free role)
Baines (left)
Yakubu.
Then, second half, lose Yobo/Jags or Baines (i.e. Lescott into middle / Baines to left back), put Pin-head on the left, Arteta on the right and then get another forward up there, Vaughan or Anichebe. Not Saha for me, not looked great of late and will be too emotional given the situation and may try too hard.
Anyone agree??? Probably not, ha.
61 Posted 23/10/2008 at 13:47:13
I agree with you in relation to SAHA
62 Posted 23/10/2008 at 14:01:18
Your initial line-up for Everton against United was troubling. And I guess your heart was truly in it, but your brains were out on holiday.
I know you mean well and aren?t hurtful, but your line-up was fanciful at best and stupid at it?s worst.
If I work back from the front, your two forwards have actually shown a lot of promise over the last couple of years, and they will help us stay in the Championship next year, because they will be the starting pair upfront. In all truth, off what they have shown, they are OKAY players. Nothing spectacular. Championship players.
Your four midfielders can do a lot with the ball, but absolutely nothing to get the ball back. And as we have seen over the years, Baines is not actually a midfielder and off recent form, not actually a defender either. Castillo has not had a run in the first team in a month, and I?m not sure what you have planned for him. And are you saying Osman is unavailable? Is he? Because if he is, we have no chance of getting the weird goal.
Also, has jags ever played right back for us? I know you?re thinking right back, center back, what?s the difference. But, it is a bit of a difference in responsibilities and bringing the ball forward on the wing and getting crosses in. Not sure if I have ever seen him do those things. I have always liked Nuno, but he hasn?t had a full game in I can?t remember, plus he gets beaten for pace and there is a certain player who would run at him all day long on that side. I think you may have heard of him. Ronaldo? Ring a bell? By the way, Tim Howard is till our ?keeper and just because our back 4 has been absolutely terrible doesn?t mean you replace the ?keeper with someone who hasn?t played in the Prem in ages, and certainly hasn?t played against the likes of United. That lineup is an easy 3 or 4 nil victory for United.
Now to John McKie?s lineup.... The problem is with the exception of Castillo (who I don?t think is fit) this is probably what we will start with and United will get a goal around 35-40 mins in. And we will have had one or two shots on target and the yak will have run down three balls to Van de Sar before deciding this is crap. Arteta will be invisible, and Stevie P will do his best, but United?s pressure will be tough. DM will then wait until 71-72 min to bring on Saha and he will not be noticed until around the 90th min. Oh, look, they have put Saha in the Match. United will get another around the 80th and one in stoppage time, and we will limp away at 3-0. Neville will pick up a yellow for a horrible tackle in the 18th and you and I will spend the rest of the afternoon wondering at what juncture he will get his second yellow. That would be in the 88th minute for some stupid dissent thing. This is not the opponent you want to meet when you are struggling. I think you have to stay the course with the players you have been using and hope it turns around.
63 Posted 23/10/2008 at 14:54:12
"..... oh! What’s the bloody point ! "
64 Posted 23/10/2008 at 15:49:11
I?m sorry that you feel that my tactics are stupid, but the question is and nobody willingly is telling me this - should everton stick 11 men behind the ball or should we try and negate Utd?s tatcist and just go for it!, I agree that some players we have are championship level at best, but then what do you suggest. Jagielka has played right back for us on a numerous occassions last season, also how dare imply that my brains are on holiday! It seems to me that you and all the other negative supporters out their are quite happy to pick holes, but dont actual come up with a formation/tactics yourselves.
By all means pick holes on views and tactics, but do not start getting personal about people's abilities.
65 Posted 23/10/2008 at 16:13:06
You have to admit mate..
Suggesting Valente in midfield, a whole raft of players out of position..and putting the two V’s ahead of the Yak and Saha..was a bit daft..
Not to mention the bit about Gravesen..who was one of the most overated tarts we ever had play for us...4 years of headless utter crap, followed by 6 months of good football..doesn’t make him the messiah. It makes him a knob in my book.
66 Posted 23/10/2008 at 16:11:36
67 Posted 23/10/2008 at 17:08:57
And as Martin asked, what is my formation? Well, it is a simple one, there are 4 along the back, 5 in t he middle and 1 upfront. DM has rarely employed a different formation than that when faced with superior opposition. So, it remains to be seen who lines up for us in the middle with Cahill still out and Castillo a doubt. Rodwell.... did you see his ability to stand and watch a goal or two against the Gunners? Brilliant stuff. He had no idea where he was supposed to be on the pitch in the defensive end. And I don?t know if you have watched every match like I have this year, and sometimes twice, but the Yak has cost us three or four goals by being unable to get the ball out of his feet in the defensive third and get the ball up field. the first Gunner goal on Saturday was a headed clearance right to the Yak, who was dispossessed and it turned into a deflected goal in a matter of seconds.
While Rodwell and Baxter may be the future, and Vaughan and Vic the future too, they are certainly not the present, and for you to suggest they are shows how little you understand about the game.
I think SAF will not start Ronaldo this week. That?s the only chance we realistically have of coming away with a point. Any mistake we make will be punished and any mistake they make will be covered.
68 Posted 23/10/2008 at 17:49:12
69 Posted 23/10/2008 at 17:51:25
On a more serious note, I can’t see how technically we can beat them. Its going to need some good old fashioned bollocks, a few crunching tackles and a dose of luck.
70 Posted 23/10/2008 at 15:54:53
Against Man Utd? Can you send me some of what you’re smoking, please? Or is Clattenburg reffing, and feeling like he owes us something? Either way, that’s a vain hope against the ’other RS’.
71 Posted 23/10/2008 at 18:32:34
72 Posted 23/10/2008 at 19:23:21
73 Posted 24/10/2008 at 00:54:06
Sorry to bring this up here, but are you, or were you ever, anything to do with the church?
Does Oughtrington ’ring a bell’? Feel free not to answer, of course, but I’ve been trying to contact a namesake of yours.
74 Posted 24/10/2008 at 00:53:57
So what will we do on Saturday? My guess is that Moyes will send out an ultra cautious 4-5-1 aimlessly punting the ball up to an isolated Yakubu & constantly conceding possession, handing the initiative to our opponents. Eventually the constant pressure will lead to us conceding. Moyes will then fumble around not sure whether to change things around & try to force a change in the pattern of play or carry on as we are hoping that by some miracle we will manage an equalizer. While he?s piss balling around Utd will score a second & the game will be over. This is the moment Moyes will spring into action throwing on a second striker in a hopeless attempt to win a game that?s already lost
I hope to God I?m wrong but I seriously doubt it.
76 Posted 24/10/2008 at 11:37:45
77 Posted 24/10/2008 at 12:38:48
78 Posted 24/10/2008 at 13:21:11
79 Posted 24/10/2008 at 15:46:27
We place a sniper on the roofs of the stands in all 4 corners.
The first time one of their players crosses the half way they fire a warning shot across thier bows.
2Nd time they cross it. They lose a leg.
This will ensure that they stay in their own half and ensure we don’t have to defend anything .
We can then play our hoofball with confidence and i can guarantee us a least a draw.
80 Posted 24/10/2008 at 19:20:21
81 Posted 25/10/2008 at 01:32:21
82 Posted 26/10/2008 at 05:32:16
Keep possession, get in their faces, pressure Ferdinand.
FULL MARKS TO YOU PETE
83 Posted 27/10/2008 at 13:27:40
84 Posted 27/10/2008 at 15:29:52
Tut tut tut.
;)
85 Posted 28/10/2008 at 16:01:11
Over to you lot then!
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
1 Posted 22/10/2008 at 17:25:33
His instructions as follows.
"If you move more than 4 yards in any direction from that spot, you will be hauled off and local gangsters will be waiting in the changies with instructions to break both your thigh bones".
Why?
For any/all of those square balls or ’cut-backs’ they like so much and thrive on, you will be Johnny (’Jaggsy’?) on-the-spot.
For any of those balls that seem to drop with incredible regularity for Shrek or The Name Of The Rose, again you will be there to clear/sweep up.
If in doubt, row Z.
If you have time, Arteta.
Do not, at ANY time put the ball towards your own goal.
(you reading this Moyes!?)