Comments on: Reaction To Porto – All To Play For or All Over? http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over a Manchester United blog Fri, 25 May 2012 19:37:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 By: Devilton http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43328 Devilton Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:33:31 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43328 We should, and we might just beat Porto to advance, but i don't believe we have the legs to win the CL this year. We look stretched as it is and we still have 10+ games to go. Sorry to say this but players like Scholes and Neville should seriously consider retirement at the end of his season. They have been exceptional but there is no point in carrying on if it destroys their legacy. Both players have had more bad games then good and surely they deserve to be remembered as heroes and not the one's who cost us wins. Having said that, some of our current 'stars' need to pull their socks up as well. Defensively we were shambles and attacking wise there just wasn't enough sharpness for me to believe we have a chance against a truely top side like Barca (who look odds on to lift the title this year). I hope i'm wrong...but i think we have played at least 10 games too many this season. We should have fielded a completely second team for the carling and possibly even FA cup if we wanted to honestly go for the quintuple. Personally i'll be glad with the Prem title, and possibly the FA cup. The CL would be awesome achievement, but history does not back us as a team that can repeat the feat in successive years. We should, and we might just beat Porto to advance, but i don’t believe we have the legs to win the CL this year. We look stretched as it is and we still have 10+ games to go. Sorry to say this but players like Scholes and Neville should seriously consider retirement at the end of his season. They have been exceptional but there is no point in carrying on if it destroys their legacy. Both players have had more bad games then good and surely they deserve to be remembered as heroes and not the one’s who cost us wins.

Having said that, some of our current ‘stars’ need to pull their socks up as well. Defensively we were shambles and attacking wise there just wasn’t enough sharpness for me to believe we have a chance against a truely top side like Barca (who look odds on to lift the title this year).

I hope i’m wrong…but i think we have played at least 10 games too many this season. We should have fielded a completely second team for the carling and possibly even FA cup if we wanted to honestly go for the quintuple.

Personally i’ll be glad with the Prem title, and possibly the FA cup. The CL would be awesome achievement, but history does not back us as a team that can repeat the feat in successive years.

]]> By: Asher in NYC http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43137 Asher in NYC Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:46:36 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43137 I dont think that we're out of it, seeing the quality we have in our side, we are more than capable of getting the win at Porto, although the way we've been playing I cant imagine us not conceeding in Porto. We must get an early goal, by early I mean within the first 20 minutes of the game. By scoring early we put the pressure on Porto, who will have to score to remain in the tie, but I think it will expose them and enable to find space on the counter. My prediction: Manchester 2 Ronaldo 17' Tevez 69' F.C. Porto 1 Hulk 87' I dont think that we’re out of it, seeing the quality we have in our side, we are more than capable of getting the win at Porto, although the way we’ve been playing I cant imagine us not conceeding in Porto.

We must get an early goal, by early I mean within the first 20 minutes of the game. By scoring early we put the pressure on Porto, who will have to score to remain in the tie, but I think it will expose them and enable to find space on the counter.

My prediction:

Manchester 2 Ronaldo 17′ Tevez 69′
F.C. Porto 1 Hulk 87′

]]> By: Miguel http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43113 Miguel Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:00:03 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43113 From my point of view, the best tactic to win at Porto is to play open. This may seem completely silly but I know a lot more about them than most Mancunians. Like other Portuguese teams, Porto's style of play is very different from the Premier League. In Portugal you don't usually lift the ball from the ground too often, so our weakest spot is playing the ball in the air. It's true that Porto has some strong heading defenders (like Bruno Alves, the one who offered the goal to Rooney), but overall, it is very difficult for them to play against a constant crossing and high ball playing into the area. So, I was the Man Coach, I would tell my defenders to come up in the field to help the midfield, and pressure up from that place, keeping them in their midfield and constantly crossing into the area, with two good headers (tevez+ronaldo?) there. Sounds too simple? yes because it's just the old english style of play you were used to see in the seventies and eighties. Since Porto has some very quick attackers (rodriguez, lisandro, hulk), this would no doubt give them extra chances (if they could get the ball). But I would rather do this and win 3-2 than playing 4-5-1 like they did last night hoping to win 1-0, because this will be the most sure path to defeat. From my point of view, the best tactic to win at Porto is to play open. This may seem completely silly but I know a lot more about them than most Mancunians. Like other Portuguese teams, Porto’s style of play is very different from the Premier League. In Portugal you don’t usually lift the ball from the ground too often, so our weakest spot is playing the ball in the air. It’s true that Porto has some strong heading defenders (like Bruno Alves, the one who offered the goal to Rooney), but overall, it is very difficult for them to play against a constant crossing and high ball playing into the area. So, I was the Man Coach, I would tell my defenders to come up in the field to help the midfield, and pressure up from that place, keeping them in their midfield and constantly crossing into the area, with two good headers (tevez+ronaldo?) there.
Sounds too simple? yes because it’s just the old english style of play you were used to see in the seventies and eighties.
Since Porto has some very quick attackers (rodriguez, lisandro, hulk), this would no doubt give them extra chances (if they could get the ball). But I would rather do this and win 3-2 than playing 4-5-1 like they did last night hoping to win 1-0, because this will be the most sure path to defeat.

]]> By: King Eric http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43088 King Eric Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:59:15 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43088 Whilst I appreciate that CQ is a good number 2 I cannot understand why people are saying how we really miss him like he is the be all and end all. People were saying between Aug and Dec how we really have missed him then between Jan and March when our form was superb, not a mention of CQ. Now we have hit a bad patch it seems that some folk think he will be the answer. In Fergie I trust. Whilst I appreciate that CQ is a good number 2 I cannot understand why people are saying how we really miss him like he is the be all and end all. People were saying between Aug and Dec how we really have missed him then between Jan and March when our form was superb, not a mention of CQ. Now we have hit a bad patch it seems that some folk think he will be the answer. In Fergie I trust.

]]> By: wazza http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43086 wazza Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:56:08 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43086 we clearly need a winter break when a team like United has been involved in every competition & going all the way in each of them.the goals conceded lately has to do with fatigue considering we kept the record of clean sheets with ever changing back 4. we clearly need a winter break when a team like United has been involved in every competition & going all the way in each of them.the goals conceded lately has to do with fatigue considering we kept the record of clean sheets with ever changing back 4.

]]> By: DK http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43078 DK Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:40:07 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43078 It's a bad spell. Although we may not agree with Fergie's choices and specifically how he choses to play them (Rooney and/or Tevez, Carrick and/or Scholes) the fact is Brown, Ferdinand, Anderson, Berbatov were out yesterday. That is 30%-40% of the first choice team (depending on whether you think that Anderson is frst choice). Considering we could have lost this game I view this as an open tie. We are Manchester United and we can go and score goals against any team in the world at any point in time. The team needs our support and it all starts on Saturday at Sunderland. It's time to regroup and forget about divisions. We are top of the league and technically 4 points ahead of the dippers (as the game in hand is Portsmouth at OT). So everybody please get behind the team. The scousers will stumble soon so I would not worry about them as it is best to have your trough at this stage than in May. We shall not be moved. It’s a bad spell. Although we may not agree with Fergie’s choices and specifically how he choses to play them (Rooney and/or Tevez, Carrick and/or Scholes) the fact is Brown, Ferdinand, Anderson, Berbatov were out yesterday. That is 30%-40% of the first choice team (depending on whether you think that Anderson is frst choice). Considering we could have lost this game I view this as an open tie. We are Manchester United and we can go and score goals against any team in the world at any point in time. The team needs our support and it all starts on Saturday at Sunderland. It’s time to regroup and forget about divisions. We are top of the league and technically 4 points ahead of the dippers (as the game in hand is Portsmouth at OT). So everybody please get behind the team. The scousers will stumble soon so I would not worry about them as it is best to have your trough at this stage than in May.

We shall not be moved.

]]> By: Jitters http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43065 Jitters Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:03:36 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43065 @AlexofManc Spot on mate, sadly )-: @AlexofManc

Spot on mate, sadly )-:

]]> By: Jitters http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43062 Jitters Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:59:52 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43062 We looked naive and under-coached, like a team from the 90's. Porto (and the scousers) out thought our side and the reason the passing was so bad is that the most of the players didn't know what they should be doing with the ball when they had it and those that did know found that no-one was where they should be. Its a fine line between being dynamic and creative, and wandering about like lost souls, the way Ronaldo and others have been doing this season. Carrick never plays well with Scholes in the side and sadly the game has moved on and left the great ginger one behind. Only Rooney looks great and only him and Tevez and maybe Fletch look like they are working hard. Phelan is no replacement for Queiroz and SAFs best chance for a decade may be slipping away..... We looked naive and under-coached, like a team from the 90′s. Porto (and the scousers) out thought our side and the reason the passing was so bad is that the most of the players didn’t know what they should be doing with the ball when they had it and those that did know found that no-one was where they should be. Its a fine line between being dynamic and creative, and wandering about like lost souls, the way Ronaldo and others have been doing this season. Carrick never plays well with Scholes in the side and sadly the game has moved on and left the great ginger one behind. Only Rooney looks great and only him and Tevez and maybe Fletch look like they are working hard. Phelan is no replacement for Queiroz and SAFs best chance for a decade may be slipping away…..

]]> By: James http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43061 James Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:55:34 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43061 i agree with mahesh, i am more concerned about our league form. If Porto play as openly as they did yesterday at home then i am convinced we can outscore them and go through. In the league, we had some tough games - Arsenal, City, Boro(well they always take points off us) but now i am concerned about some of the other ones, including Sunderland and Spurs coming up. I don't know what has happened to Carrick, and Scholes seems to be ineffective unless we are at home against a weaker premier league side. The problem is, i don't think we have the personnel to suit any particular system. The last time we had a settled first 11 was back in 06/07 before Saha got injured. If we want to fully utilise Rooney's ability then we need to play him behind Berbatov or Tevez, but both of those players seem reluctant to lead the line. It would allow us to play two more defensive midfield players and Ronaldo on one of the wings but who could play on the other side? Giggs possibly, but can he still play on the wing?, Park works hard etc etc but is he really good enough in the final third, and Nani is inconsistent to put it kindly. A 4-3-3 means we dont have this problem but then we have to waste Rooney on the left. What do we do!? i agree with mahesh, i am more concerned about our league form. If Porto play as openly as they did yesterday at home then i am convinced we can outscore them and go through. In the league, we had some tough games – Arsenal, City, Boro(well they always take points off us) but now i am concerned about some of the other ones, including Sunderland and Spurs coming up. I don’t know what has happened to Carrick, and Scholes seems to be ineffective unless we are at home against a weaker premier league side.
The problem is, i don’t think we have the personnel to suit any particular system. The last time we had a settled first 11 was back in 06/07 before Saha got injured. If we want to fully utilise Rooney’s ability then we need to play him behind Berbatov or Tevez, but both of those players seem reluctant to lead the line. It would allow us to play two more defensive midfield players and Ronaldo on one of the wings but who could play on the other side? Giggs possibly, but can he still play on the wing?, Park works hard etc etc but is he really good enough in the final third, and Nani is inconsistent to put it kindly. A 4-3-3 means we dont have this problem but then we have to waste Rooney on the left. What do we do!?

]]> By: AlexOfMancunia http://therepublikofmancunia.com/reaction-to-porto-all-to-play-for-or-all-over/#comment-43056 AlexOfMancunia Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:48:00 +0000 http://therepublikofmancunia.com/?p=9503#comment-43056 We weren't the better side last night. We were extremely lucky to go into half time at 1-1 as they dicked all over us, and then we probably just shaded the second as Porto looked to settle for the draw. One of the things that struck me last night was how much more running Porto did than us. They ran all over us from start to finish. Whenever we had the ball they would pressure us into very sloppy passing, especially in the midfield (who I will get to later), and whenever they won in back they would break forward swiftly, and in numbers, often outnumbering our defence. Then when it came to our turn to counter attack, we had one or two players either running it into trouble, or struggling to hold it up whilst wainting for others to join them in attack, sadly though, Porto were back much quicker than we were. That isn't us. One of our most potent weapons is the speed and ruthlessness of our counter attacks, however this didn't happen once yesterday. In fact, it hasn't really happened for us all season, but that is a different matter. Also, another thing that was driving me crazy last night, was seeing our full backs push forward, and then jog back to position when Porto attacked, putting so much pressure on our centre backs. I don't know whether to account for this as laziness or fatigue, but whatever it was it wasn't helping with our defensive fragilties. Evra looked particularly leggy last night, and was guilty of doing this a lot. Finally, it's amazing how our midfield can do so little in attack, yet be nowhere to be seen in defence. Honestly, the only time I noticed Carrick and Scholes were on the pitch last night was when they were misplacing passes. There just seemed to be a chasm of space between our attackers and defenders that Porto exploited time and time again. I'm not one that is going to jump on Scholes and Neville's backs, just like I didn't when Giggs was getting so much flak a bit ago, however I don't think Scholes has the legs anymore to be starting the big games. It's nice to have him when against the smaller teams as he can dictate the play a little easier without having to run as much, but last night the game seemed to pass him by. Neville has just come back from a long injury, and needs the game time before he can be criticised, although when Wes and Rafael come back I think he'll have trouble getting back in the side. I really think we are missing Hargreaves at the moment, someone to help in defence and dynamic enough to attack when needed. Being honest, our midfield has been shit all season, and a shadow of itself the last few seasons. My theory is that we never got a settled midfield pairing at the start of the season (due to injuries forcing Fergie to rotate a lot) and so our midfield has been mixed and matched all season. As a side note, last night was one of the flattest atmospheres I've ever experienced on a Champions League night. The crowd were just as lethargic as the players, which didn't help with our shit start. I was expecting the place to be buzzing after Kiko's goal on Sunday, so I'm surprised and a bit disappointed, the players needed that boost from the crowd that we usually give, and we didn't turn up either. Shit night all round really. We weren’t the better side last night. We were extremely lucky to go into half time at 1-1 as they dicked all over us, and then we probably just shaded the second as Porto looked to settle for the draw.

One of the things that struck me last night was how much more running Porto did than us. They ran all over us from start to finish. Whenever we had the ball they would pressure us into very sloppy passing, especially in the midfield (who I will get to later), and whenever they won in back they would break forward swiftly, and in numbers, often outnumbering our defence. Then when it came to our turn to counter attack, we had one or two players either running it into trouble, or struggling to hold it up whilst wainting for others to join them in attack, sadly though, Porto were back much quicker than we were. That isn’t us. One of our most potent weapons is the speed and ruthlessness of our counter attacks, however this didn’t happen once yesterday. In fact, it hasn’t really happened for us all season, but that is a different matter.

Also, another thing that was driving me crazy last night, was seeing our full backs push forward, and then jog back to position when Porto attacked, putting so much pressure on our centre backs. I don’t know whether to account for this as laziness or fatigue, but whatever it was it wasn’t helping with our defensive fragilties. Evra looked particularly leggy last night, and was guilty of doing this a lot.

Finally, it’s amazing how our midfield can do so little in attack, yet be nowhere to be seen in defence. Honestly, the only time I noticed Carrick and Scholes were on the pitch last night was when they were misplacing passes. There just seemed to be a chasm of space between our attackers and defenders that Porto exploited time and time again.

I’m not one that is going to jump on Scholes and Neville’s backs, just like I didn’t when Giggs was getting so much flak a bit ago, however I don’t think Scholes has the legs anymore to be starting the big games. It’s nice to have him when against the smaller teams as he can dictate the play a little easier without having to run as much, but last night the game seemed to pass him by. Neville has just come back from a long injury, and needs the game time before he can be criticised, although when Wes and Rafael come back I think he’ll have trouble getting back in the side. I really think we are missing Hargreaves at the moment, someone to help in defence and dynamic enough to attack when needed. Being honest, our midfield has been shit all season, and a shadow of itself the last few seasons. My theory is that we never got a settled midfield pairing at the start of the season (due to injuries forcing Fergie to rotate a lot) and so our midfield has been mixed and matched all season.

As a side note, last night was one of the flattest atmospheres I’ve ever experienced on a Champions League night. The crowd were just as lethargic as the players, which didn’t help with our shit start. I was expecting the place to be buzzing after Kiko’s goal on Sunday, so I’m surprised and a bit disappointed, the players needed that boost from the crowd that we usually give, and we didn’t turn up either.

Shit night all round really.

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