this years OT tactical battle

[Molby]

assuming all personnel available on both sides and the points difference being more or less as is, there is no way they will come at us all guns blazing

 

in fact I think they will play like the away team. They're winning games 1-0, using set pieces and corners well and are very hard to break down

 

they will probably go very solid in midfield and maybe even do something like play one up front and a 5 man midfield with Ronaldo given licence to attack down whatever flank he wants

 

breaking teams down is not our strong suit and we need to find a way - but first we need to ensure we give nothing away from set pieces...and that we beat City and Boro in the meantime of course.

[honourablegeorge]

You wouldn't back us to beat City and Boro at the moment though.

 

.

[Molby]

You wouldn't back us to beat City and Boro at the moment though.

 

.

 

 

well I wouldn't go that far

 

I'm hopeful but also concerned we don't slip up

 

if we do, it's probably all over anyway but really, City is an ideal game

in fact first things first, we need everyone back from the internationals safely

[Hassony]

You wouldn't back us to beat City and Boro at the moment though.

 

.

 

We will

 

my main worry about the united game is the ref, Howard webb will probably get it, and he has been dodgy this season

[muleskinner]

You wouldn't back us to beat City and Boro at the moment though.

 

.

 

I think we will beat both of them.

[Swipe]

We will

 

my main worry about the united game is the ref, Howard webb will probably get it, and he has been dodgy this season

 

Agree. Don't see how anyone can say he's still the best there is after his displays this season.

 

Boro game will probably be tight, but hopefully we can nick it.

[Bigal]

You wouldn't back us to beat City and Boro at the moment though.

 

.

 

based on??

 

we will batter boro

Edited February 10, 2009 by Bigal

[Molby]

I watched their game vs West Ham on Sunday

 

there seemed to be a bit of space in behind them and Cole did quite well

sadly his strike partner did not

 

in the second half this space disappeared - not exactly sure what happened as I wasn't watching closely enough but it would be handy if they leave a bit of space in behind if Torres and Gerrard are playing

[matty]

They will play for a draw, no question about it. Double marking on Torres and Gerrard - we'll need Riera and Kuyt getting into the box regularly.

[Bigal]

I watched their game vs West Ham on Sunday

 

there seemed to be a bit of space in behind them and Cole did quite well

sadly his strike partner did not

 

in the second half this space disappeared - not exactly sure what happened as I wasn't watching closely enough but it would be handy if they leave a bit of space in behind if Torres and Gerrard are playing

 

Yeah, it seems that they arent totally impregnable, they were caught out a few times, you have take advantage of this

[MarkD]

Without going all 'Andy@...' on this, they have been caught out a few times but either Ferdinand or Vidic have managed to apply a rugged last ditch challenge/rugby tackle just inside the boundary of the law.

 

The issue is that:

 

a) we need to be sharp and precise in attacking them - not many are

b) referee needs to be stron and even handed - not many are

[Tosh]

and width...

 

West Ham were so narrow on Sunday and still managed to carve a few chances

[Eskimo]

I don't think we will lose, question is will a draw be good enough?

[D.Boon]

They will be ultra defensive and attempt to kick us off the park, as usual.

 

The ref will let them, as usual.

 

Everyone will say what a great tactician Mr Ferguson is.

[Swipe]

I watched their game vs West Ham on Sunday

 

there seemed to be a bit of space in behind them and Cole did quite well

sadly his strike partner did not

 

in the second half this space disappeared - not exactly sure what happened as I wasn't watching closely enough but it would be handy if they leave a bit of space in behind if Torres and Gerrard are playing

 

I thought West Ham did well up until the 18 yard box.

 

Then they all - with Cole in particular - seemed to think they had all the time in the world.

 

Few occasions where they could have just had dig but again just dilly-dallied on the ball.

 

They had no width either. Reira and Kuyt could have big games for us there.

[MarkD]

I agree that Dirk will be a big player there as a lot of their play comes through Evra (when in the team). He needs to play him like he does Ashley Cole.

[sutty]

I think your tactics should be to sit still amongst the united fans

[richwilks]

We will

 

my main worry about the united game is the ref, Howard webb will probably get it, and he has been dodgy this season

 

I'd rather Howard Webb than Steve Bennett!!!!

[Knox_Harrington]

More opportunity for Dirk to continue to increase his spectacular big goals:small goals ratio.

 

Still, way to go for this. Need to win the other two in the meantime as well as get a result in Madrid.

[honourablegeorge]

Double marking on Torres

 

 

If you double mark Torres, he'll just score triple goals.

 

I can see it now, an Old Trafford hat trick.

[Molby]

big game team:

 

 

-----reina--------

 

------Arveloa-------carra---agger---Insua

 

Masch---------Xabi------Aurelio------

 

 

 

------Kuyt------Gerrard-------Riera/Benny

 

-----------------Torres-------------------

[Hassony]

12 players?

[sutty]

big game team:

-----reina--------

 

------Arveloa-------carra---agger---Insua

 

Masch---------Xabi------Aurelio------

------Kuyt------Gerrard-------Riera/Benny

 

-----------------Torres-------------------

 

I reckon the ref might pull us up on the 12 players idea

 

Might work though if he doesn't notice

[David Hodgson]

They will be ultra defensive and attempt to kick us off the park, as usual.

 

The ref will let them, as usual.

 

Everyone will say what a great tactician Mr Ferguson is.

 

Make no mistake they will go for us. Mr Ferguson will tell them that this is their chance to effectively knock us out, leaving them free to concentrate on the CL.

[Molby]

12 players?

 

 

how else we gonna win?

 

 

Riera and Benny on the bench - even better in a way

 

or take away both full backs get Skrtel on and play the Ajax way (might wanna practice this first)