Champions League - The Difference.

[GhostOfDixie]

Today. That performance today is the reason this side can't and won't get anywhere near Champions League spots. Nothing to do with the fact we had key players out, it had everything to do with the following footballers not taking advantage of a side low on confidence and in the relegation battle.

Jo
Pienaar
Osman
Fellaini

Those 4 players need to step up. Especially the last 3. With no Arteta, it's down to them to get creative and create chances. All I saw today was those three giving the ball away in key areas, and Jo missing a golden opportunity to score the second goal.

Yes the ref was dodgy with a couple of decisions. But the goals came from poor defending, lack of concentration and no communication.

We didn't play with a midfield today, it was defence and attackers. Poor.

I also don't understand how Osman managed to stay on the pitch, thought his performance today was dreadful, and less said about his free-kick the better. Reminded me of Gravesen during his first spell.

Anyway. 6th spot is all we can expect, and just ride the season out, enjoy Wembley and get ready for next season.

 

[Goat]

KNEEJERK

MOYES OUT

 

[Animal Farm]

Fellaini was shockingly bad.

 

[GhostOfDixie]

KNEEJERK

MOYES OUT

It's not a knee-jerk. Maybe keep those comments for the Ale House mate. We just got outplayed today by a side at the bottom of the table. Even with key players out, we still should have comfortably won this game.

The amount of times we did the following:

1. Big Hoof.
2. Lost the ball in the final third too cheaply.

The 1st won amounts more often than not to the other side retaining position.

The 2nd just means we don't create enough chances and put the other side on the break.

It's not rocket science.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Pienaar, a fashionable McFadden lately.

Last season he was great - hopefully playing for a contract wasn't the main reason.

He needs to step it up.

 

[Goat]

Soz mate, just trying to lighten the mood, carry on.

 

[GhostOfDixie]

Pienaar, a fashionable McFadden lately.

Last season he was great - hopefully playing for a contract wasn't the main reason.

He needs to step it up.

Yeah that's very true.

I just think if your going to go for top 4, and for Moyes to have a rally call for that very reason prior to the game, you need to offer more than what they offered.

Moyes needs to show more ambition. Saha wasn't working and looked ****ed. Bring on a 17 year old wonderkid - Jose Baxter. Worked for Rooney, why not Baxter? Why wait till 5 minutes to go to bring on Gosling?

I honestly feel sometimes that arrogance has come into our play and we expect to win. First half against Boro, 2nd against Stoke, the whole game today.

 

[GhostOfDixie]

Soz mate, just trying to lighten the mood, carry on.

I'm livid here mate. Shaking almost.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Yeah that's very true.

I just think if your going to go for top 4, and for Moyes to have a rally call for that very reason prior to the game, you need to offer more than what they offered.

Moyes needs to show more ambition. Saha wasn't working and looked ****ed. Bring on a 17 year old wonderkid - Jose Baxter. Worked for Rooney, why not Baxter? Why wait till 5 minutes to go to bring on Gosling?

I honestly feel sometimes that arrogance has come into our play and we expect to win. First half against Boro, 2nd against Stoke, the whole game today.

Spot on.

Losing 2-1, why not go for it? Whats there to lose?

Baffled me.

 

[GhostOfDixie]

Spot on.

Losing 2-1, why not go for it? Whats there to lose?

Baffled me.

Arrogance. Because it worked in other games, they expect the players on the pitch to do it again. Instead of making changes, ascertaining the way the other side are playing.

Even with tall strikers, we were still being outjumped by their defence. So why not play it on the ground? The end of the first half, and the whole of the second half was exactly the same. I saw no change in tactics, belief, desire, it was just the same.

It all baffles me.

 

[harry]

We played no different than how we played against blackburn and newcastle. we have no creativity in our team. but how many other prem teams would cope with the players we have lost?

 

[GhostOfDixie]

We played no different than how we played against blackburn and newcastle. we have no creativity in our team. but how many other prem teams would cope with the players we have lost?

I couldn't give a **** about anyone else's predicament. Villa and Arsenal dropping points is not going to give us Champions League football.

We had a great opportunity to go 1pt behind 4th spot, with those infront having difficult games. We blew it, quite simply.

Which brings me to the conclusion, that we are not ready for 4th spot.

 

[kenada_blue]

Pienaar is our 2nd most creative player next to Arteta - FACT!

 

[GhostOfDixie]

Pienaar is our 2nd most creative player next to Arteta - FACT!

What's your point?

 

[kenada_blue]

I couldn't give a **** about anyone else's predicament. Villa and Arsenal dropping points is not going to give us Champions League football.

We had a great opportunity to go 1pt behind 4th spot, with those infront having difficult games. We blew it, quite simply.

Which brings me to the conclusion, that we are not ready for 4th spot.

We'll never be ready for 4th spot. Not for another 3-4 years IMO and some coin.