Post by Beeston on Jan 1, 2011 22:28:01 GMT
….and reading this board isn’t helping. I’ve followed the Albion for a very long time, so I’m used to disappointment, but this is one of those defeats that really sticks in the throat. Someone compared it to the play-off defeat against Derby, and I kind of know what he means.
United were there for the taking today. No question. Even after we gave them a goal start, they didn’t look all that confident and we looked threatening. The way we linked up play, won second balls, got people forward, even the way we defended first half made me feel we could and should beat them. By rights we should have gone in at half time 2-1 (or more) up.
The penalty miss was a sickener. It’s easy to use hindsight and say he never should have taken it, that Brunt or Dorrans would have buried it, but that’s how it was. It was clear that Pete was struggling, whereas Dorrans was having his best game for us in ages, and Brunt was right on the money again as usual. That’s where a decent outfield captain should have come in, whoever it was (I’d have Brunt, personally, but it should be someone who is going to influence his teammates and make decisions when they need making. Carson clearly doesn’t do that.)
Both United’s goals were poor from our point of view. The first one seemed to go in in slow motion, and Carson seemed completely leaden-footed. But we shouldn’t have allowed the ball to be crossed for Rooney in the first place, and it should have been dealt with better. Lots has already been written about the second. I blame Tchoyi for not doing his job, and Carson for not organizing the defence better.
I don’t buy this “Carson is the worst keeper we’ve ever had” argument. He did actually make some good saves today, but it is frustrating watching him stay glued to his line when he ought to be putting himself about more. Communication between him and his defenders is poor. Ollsson, when back, should make a difference but at the very least Carson should be relieved of the captaincy. Whether dropping him for Myhill would be a good thing or not, I really don’t know. I saw Myhill play at Leicester and he was OK but no great shakes. It’s ridiculous to suggest that Kiely should come back, though. Do people not remember what was said on here about him during Mowbray’s promotion season? I think RDM will stick with Carson, but there is a job to do in terms of coaching and building confidence right through the defence. To be fair, that’s probably not an impossible job. For the most part of the game the defence looked a lot more solid than it has for a while.
The Odemwingie situation is a difficult one for RDM. He’s clearly struggling, though again I think it’s a bit daft to say that you can see why Moscow wanted rid. He needs some help, and he probably needs a bit of a rest. But who to replace him? Until we do get a striker in (and I’m not convinced about Carew, either) we don’t have much to offer in that area.
As for the others, Thomas, Morrison, Cech, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Reid all put a god shift in today. They all “looked the part.” Even Zuvi did OK when he had to come on.
So it’s not all bad, and if Pete (or Dorrans, or Brunt) had put that penalty away we would all be happy and confident of our future. But he didn’t, we lost, and we’re on a very bad run and looking over our shoulders. Surely we have enough to stay up, don’t we?
Time for RDM and co to earn their corn…….
United were there for the taking today. No question. Even after we gave them a goal start, they didn’t look all that confident and we looked threatening. The way we linked up play, won second balls, got people forward, even the way we defended first half made me feel we could and should beat them. By rights we should have gone in at half time 2-1 (or more) up.
The penalty miss was a sickener. It’s easy to use hindsight and say he never should have taken it, that Brunt or Dorrans would have buried it, but that’s how it was. It was clear that Pete was struggling, whereas Dorrans was having his best game for us in ages, and Brunt was right on the money again as usual. That’s where a decent outfield captain should have come in, whoever it was (I’d have Brunt, personally, but it should be someone who is going to influence his teammates and make decisions when they need making. Carson clearly doesn’t do that.)
Both United’s goals were poor from our point of view. The first one seemed to go in in slow motion, and Carson seemed completely leaden-footed. But we shouldn’t have allowed the ball to be crossed for Rooney in the first place, and it should have been dealt with better. Lots has already been written about the second. I blame Tchoyi for not doing his job, and Carson for not organizing the defence better.
I don’t buy this “Carson is the worst keeper we’ve ever had” argument. He did actually make some good saves today, but it is frustrating watching him stay glued to his line when he ought to be putting himself about more. Communication between him and his defenders is poor. Ollsson, when back, should make a difference but at the very least Carson should be relieved of the captaincy. Whether dropping him for Myhill would be a good thing or not, I really don’t know. I saw Myhill play at Leicester and he was OK but no great shakes. It’s ridiculous to suggest that Kiely should come back, though. Do people not remember what was said on here about him during Mowbray’s promotion season? I think RDM will stick with Carson, but there is a job to do in terms of coaching and building confidence right through the defence. To be fair, that’s probably not an impossible job. For the most part of the game the defence looked a lot more solid than it has for a while.
The Odemwingie situation is a difficult one for RDM. He’s clearly struggling, though again I think it’s a bit daft to say that you can see why Moscow wanted rid. He needs some help, and he probably needs a bit of a rest. But who to replace him? Until we do get a striker in (and I’m not convinced about Carew, either) we don’t have much to offer in that area.
As for the others, Thomas, Morrison, Cech, Brunt, Mulumbu, Scharner, Dorrans, Reid all put a god shift in today. They all “looked the part.” Even Zuvi did OK when he had to come on.
So it’s not all bad, and if Pete (or Dorrans, or Brunt) had put that penalty away we would all be happy and confident of our future. But he didn’t, we lost, and we’re on a very bad run and looking over our shoulders. Surely we have enough to stay up, don’t we?
Time for RDM and co to earn their corn…….
