Ratings vs United

[Piedro]

People were giving him shit in first 10 mins as he was just passing it between him, Matip and Lovren. He had nowhere to go at any point, their tactics basically fucked his game.

I thought as the game went on he was everywhere and led by example. Involved in most things. I dont really like him but he was very good today.

To be fair, not many were bad. We played well.

 

[LarryHagman]

Don’t know how anyone can give Firmino a 6, he’s fuckin shit.

 

[StevieM]

I didn't think Firmino was bad at all - worked tirelessly and created space and opportunities for others.

I also thought Gomez, was variable - did well, but got caught out a few times as well.

 

[StevieM]

... well... as much space and opportunity as you can expect with the opposition playing 9 in defence.

 

[KopRed]

Henderson had one of his better defensive displays, but ultimately united didn't try and create through the middle, everything was down the flanks

So he wasn't really tested

His passing was meh.

Worked hard, but that's about it

Pretty much. He is getting really cosy with his destroyer cum recycling role. He doesn't add anything to the attack or take any risks anymore.

He is not good enough for a team which face parked buses 50% of the time.

 

[Athens]

Hendo does his best, but as a midfield general he is like something out of "Dad's Army." I am hoping that this chappie Keita will provide the dynamism we need.

"Permission to pass forward Captain Mainwaring"

 

[JohnnyRocket]

Why can't Wijnaldum play like that every week?

I can almost guarantee he's going be horseshite next week at Spurs

 

[mom]

Can't comment on ratings as only saw MOTD but considering our form and theirs, this was a good result. Considering no lallana or Mane, and our usual defensive displays, it was a really good result.

 

[Frogfish]

No one thought Henderson had a really good game today? I thought he was our best player, as did the 3 lads i went for a pint with after the match.

Im fucked now but i thought we did ok today, not really any poor performances.

More fucked off with them. Thats Mourinho though hey?

Totally agree. I thought he did what was required, anchored the midfield so that Lukaku and Martial had little space to work in and was on them in a flash when they did get the ball. Other than that made himself available time after time for the defence to work a way out of their 'press' and kept the ball rotating and flowing. He wasn't there to be the creative force today. Interestingly he was MOTM (8) in one of the medias ratings and generally scored a (7) in the others. Which is about right IMO.

Mignolet - 6 (nothing to do)
Moreno - 7.5
Lovren - 7.5
Matip - 7
Gomez - 8
Henderson - 7.5
Wijnaldum - 7
Can - 6
Salah - 7
Firmino - 6.5
Coutinho - 7.5

Klopp (9) - we dominated and but for rank profligacy would have won comfortably. Think Carra and Neville are wrong in suggesting he should have, when making subs, have sacrificed a midfielder and dropped Coutinho in there for Solanke or Sturridge up front. We did what we had to do first - brilliantly contained Lukaku and Martial (and later Rashford), dominated midfield and created more than enough chances to have won.

 

[KopRed]

Klopp (9) - we dominated and but for rank profligacy would have won comfortably. Think Carra and Neville are wrong in suggesting he should have, when making subs, have sacrificed a midfielder and dropped Coutinho in there for Solanke or Sturridge up front. We did what we had to do first - brilliantly contained Lukaku and Martial (and later Rashford), dominated midfield and created more than enough chances to have won.

Easy for them to say. When we lose control of the midfield and allow rashford/lingaard's speed to score, the same guys are going to lay into Klopp. Bunch of hypocrites. There's a reason why they are seated on that armchair.

 

[MomoWASright]

Coutinho was fucked just before he came off so no way he could have dropped anywhere but to the ground.

 

[ibromurph]

Easy for them to say. When we lose control of the midfield and allow rashford/lingaard's speed to score, the same guys are going to lay into Klopp. Bunch of hypocrites. There's a reason why they are seated on that armchair.

It's exactly what Mourinho was hoping for, and it's why Klopp is an intelligent manager.

I think he made the right changes (save Sturridge; I'd have gone for Solanke), and about 10 minutes too late.

Regardless, the recklessness in going all out attack against a counter attacking Mourinho side will forever by highlighted by Gerrard's slip (when only a draw was necessary). We closed the door on their one and only gameplan but just didn't put away our 3 glorious chances (compared to their 1).

 

[rurikbird]

https://thisisfutbol.com/2017/10/bl...fans-react-to-henderson-display-v-man-united/

I remember Lucas being criticized in exactly those terms and after exactly those types of performances, when the attack struggled to create chances and somehow people blamed the DM for "lack of ambition." There is a kernel of truth in that - of course a Pirlo or an Alonso would offer more in that situation than either one of Lucas or Henderson. But still, I think the DM gets an unfair amount of blame in those games, probably because they tend to have a lot of the ball.

 

[Oncy]

No one thought Henderson had a really good game today? I thought he was our best player, as did the 3 lads i went for a pint with after the match.

Im fucked now but i thought we did ok today, not really any poor performances.

More fucked off with them. Thats Mourinho though hey?

There were 3 occasions where he just hit a ball hoping someone would be there. He over hit or under hit a lot of passes. And worse I watched him hide away from passes on 3 occasions
He was bang average.

 

[SummerOnions]

I thought we played well and deserved to win. Play like that every week and we'll do well.

With Lallana to come back in we'll look a lot better. I think the City game shell shocked us but I feel if we played like that v city it would have been a different result

 

[keniget]

I thought we played well and deserved to win. Play like that every week and we'll do well.

We kinda do play like that every week.

I'd like to see us try something different up front. I am a fan of Firmino but at this moment in time - with Mane out in particular - we need to find out a way of getting someone in the team whose first priority is scoring goals.

 

[Portly]

It's surely time to give Solanke an extended run in the first team. When you play without a striker, it's common sense that you will struggle to score goals. Klopp is taking the piss giving Solanke 3 minutes at the end of the United match.

 

[Frogfish]

It's surely time to give Solanke an extended run in the first team. When you play without a striker, it's common sense that you will struggle to score goals. Klopp is taking the piss giving Solanke 3 minutes at the end of the United match.

He definitely has an eye for goal and knows how to get shots away. Currently a better option than Sturridge I'm sorry to say.

 

[Frogfish]

I thought we played well and deserved to win. Play like that every week and we'll do well.

With Lallana to come back in we'll look a lot better. I think the City game shell shocked us but I feel if we played like that v city it would have been a different result

Pretty much everyone agrees we looked the better team (regardless of scoreline) prior to the sending off. Stay at 11 vs. 11 and it would have been a different result for sure, whether that would have meant a win or draw or still losing no-one will ever know now.

 

[mark1975]

https://thisisfutbol.com/2017/10/bl...fans-react-to-henderson-display-v-man-united/

Great, an article about the musings of a few idiots on Twitter. You're in good company.

 

[beejay]

I thought Henderson had a good game as well, bossed the midfield and made some 50:50 tackles his own. Hugely involved in our build-up play which was excellent for the most part - looked like they had been told to trust the short ball between the lines and we did that very effectively.

My only criticism of this and a few other recent performances is that we have stopped getting loads of bodies in their box. It was a trait of our best form last season when we were flooding the area with players arriving late or in support. That's what would have been the difference today because we got behind the defence but didn't have enough options. If you see how many attackers City get into the penalty area at the moment, that's why they are scoring for fun but our midfielders are holding back 20 yds behind the play.

 

[My_Blood_Bleeds_Red]

Only one MOTM for me and thats De Gea.

We would've easily had won if it wasn't for him standing in the way.

 

[KopRed]

I thought Henderson had a good game as well, bossed the midfield and made some 50:50 tackles his own. Hugely involved in our build-up play which was excellent for the most part - looked like they had been told to trust the short ball between the lines and we did that very effectively.

My only criticism of this and a few other recent performances is that we have stopped getting loads of bodies in their box. It was a trait of our best form last season when we were flooding the area with players arriving late or in support. That's what would have been the difference today because we got behind the defence but didn't have enough options. If you see how many attackers City get into the penalty area at the moment, that's why they are scoring for fun but our midfielders are holding back 20 yds behind the play.

The problem with our midfielders is no one could bring the ball forward or pick a intricate pass in a crowded area. We just pass ourselves to death making no headway until the ball gets to Coutinho/Salah/Firmino who had to come deep to get the ball giving them lots to do. That is why we don't get bodies into the box because our forwards are busy slotting into the limited spaces they can find in midfield.

It also explains why we so desperately wanted Keita. I suspect Ox was brought in because he has the explosiveness that none of our central midfielders possessed.

 

[Red Bird]

I thought Henderson had a good game as well, bossed the midfield and made some 50:50 tackles his own. Hugely involved in our build-up play which was excellent for the most part - looked like they had been told to trust the short ball between the lines and we did that very effectively.

My only criticism of this and a few other recent performances is that we have stopped getting loads of bodies in their box. It was a trait of our best form last season when we were flooding the area with players arriving late or in support. That's what would have been the difference today because we got behind the defence but didn't have enough options. If you see how many attackers City get into the penalty area at the moment, that's why they are scoring for fun but our midfielders are holding back 20 yds behind the play.

Which is why the midfield must cope some criticism. I don't think they have confidence to take on opponents.

 

[Oncy]

Only one MOTM for me and thats De Gea.

We would've easily had won if it wasn't for him standing in the way.

He only made one proper save. The rest was us being shit.

 

[keniget]

Wijnaldum looked great for parts of the game. There is such a difference in his play when he's being positive and taking responsibility.

In games like that we need more players like Coutinho (like Lallana) in midfield because the likes of Henderson and Can, good as they are at certain things, are just too slow both in terms of vision and execution.

Ponderously passing it about at the back trying to figure out how to get it further up the field for half the game is just playing into the hands of teams that come to sit back and defend.

And yeah, we need to decide what we think of Solanke and Sturridge sharpish. If it's "not very much", we need to go out and buy a striker who represents a genuine starting option.

 

[Buddha]

We kinda do play like that every week.

I'd like to see us try something different up front. I am a fan of Firmino but at this moment in time - with Mane out in particular - we need to find out a way of getting someone in the team whose first priority is scoring goals.

With Mane out I'd like to see a diamond with 2 up top; Firmino working alongside an out and out striker (Sturridge or Solanke). Salah in a free role behind the front two (he was pretty central much of the time yesterday).

Something like this...

Gomez.......Matip.......Lovren.........Moreno/Robertson

..........................Hendo/Can...................................

.......Can/Wijnaldum...............Coutinho..................

...............<-----------Salah----------->......................

...................Firmino........Solanke/Sturridge............

 

[SummerOnions]

We kinda do play like that every week.

I'd like to see us try something different up front. I am a fan of Firmino but at this moment in time - with Mane out in particular - we need to find out a way of getting someone in the team whose first priority is scoring goals.

I dont think we do.

We tend to play better when we have a game plan in mind and I think v the bigger team we pay more attention. If we did that in the games v lesser teams we might win more.

 

[mark1975]

Agree completely mate. We don't play with that level of aggression and solidity against the lesser sides, we were doubling up on every challenge and quicker at clearing our lines.

 

[manwithnoname]

We played pretty well without any real attacking threat; Mourinho surprised nobody with his tactics and team selection; a drab and boring game ensued, with only a handful of chances. Certainly Mourinho will be happier with the point, but it would have been a travesty if United had got any more than that.

Mignolet (7) Not really much to do, to say the least, the Lukaku chance was a fairly routine stop.

Moreno (7) He had a couple of nervous moments until United stopped attacking altogether, and was then almost entirely employed as an attacking outlet. Worked so hard, with his mobility and passing very useful. Having a fine season so far.

Matip (7) One of his better games, which was probably because he didn't have to do much defending, which isn't his forte. Is so comfortable in possession and got forward well. almost scored too, but De Gea pulled off a great save.

Lovren (7) Handled what very little Lukaku had to offer, and was robust and reliable in the challenge and with his passing, which can veer towards the sloppy but was precise here.

Gomez (8) Contender for MotM, he showed great composure and also showed off an impressive array of passing, long and short. Has had several horrible games this season, but was in fine form. Hope he can keep this level up.

Can (6) Had one glorious chance, which he slashed wildly at. Got through a lot of defensive work, and had a decent scrap with Herrera, but he still seems to think and move in slow motion at times.

Wijnaldum (7) After one of the most spineless displays ever, the Shithouse Ghost turned in a far more typical "homer" display. The first half was especially impressive, with a high work-rate and sharp, short passing. Seemed to lack the ability or inclination to actually take his man on very often, though, and there wasn't enough movement ahead of him, so there was lots of lateral play.

Henderson (7) Another impressive defensive display, with plenty of his trademark energy and hard work. He didn't do much creatively, and was happy to let the likes of Coutinho do more of the attacking build-up, but he was solid and busy. A classic 7/10 Ready Salted crisps Henderson display, really.

Coutinho (7) Possibly unlucky not to win a penalty, with a typically hip-swivelling run across the United area, Coutinho was almost impossible to get the ball from at times. Herrera had been tasked with choking off space and forcing him deeper, and Coutinho worked hard to combat the lack of room, until he tired and faded.

Salah (7) He was our biggest (arguably only) attacking threat, with that searing pace and attacking brio causing Darmian and co all sorts of problems. Phil Jones did well to cut off some of the channels, but it was all hands to the pumps to stop him at times. Lots of tricks and quick turns, but still looks like he needs about three chances in order to score.

Firmino (6) He's been fucking shit for 6 weeks, but this was a hugely improved performance. He managed to find space a few times in the box with clever movement and footwork, and worked hard against a packed defence. Still never ever looked like scoring though, obviously, but nobody really expects him to.