I-TOLD-YOU-SO, but it was another situation calling for a change in tactics/strategy/personnel. When Newcastle’s defence collapsed into the box, there was no alternative but to continue playing the ball on the ground – and it didn’t work. Lacking that “alternative” among the squad’s current personnel, why not put Vidic/Ferdinand/O’Shea into the centre-forward position ?

One of the few attractive aspects of Jose Mourinho’s management was his willingness to make radical changes in tactics/strategy/personnel when things weren’t working – and he often got results from these radical changes. I just hate criticizing SAF but this is one (frequently repeated) scenario when he was inflexible in the face of a brick wall. One of the old footie knight’s great strengths has been his resoluteness but sometimes he might consider “an alternative”. Yesterday was another text-book example of why UTD need a big, man-monster – Jan Koller anyone ? – who could create consterantion in the opponent’s penalty area so that there might be some scraps for the others to feed off.

On the bright side, Frazier Campbell, looked the business to me – that “save” by Given was incredibly unlucky for the kid; and he forced Given into another very, very athletic save, too. Besides those two moments, Campbell was bright, athletic, fast, and sseems to know where the goal is. I was chuffed with his performance.

Despite the scoreline, UTD “won the game” on chances. Too bad that footie isn’t scored like boxing !

In all seriousness, there is no denying Chelsea are going to be a big big threat to us this year, their start reminded me of us against Fulham 2 years ago but of course there’s a long way to go yet!

We’ve lost quite a few important players early on, but I am excited about the prospect of having Da Silva’s and Possebon coming into the team and I think Campbell did pretty well yesterday. They had a lot of luck / their keeper had a great game and we conceded a goal we really shouldn’t have. It’s why we love football.

This is life and everythings alright.

Yes the difference last season was 2 points despite the fact that we only had two points from our first three games last season.

If we win our next two games we will collect 5 more points after 3 games than we did after 3 games last season.

Relax. As was pointed our earlier. It’s only one game. There is 37 left. the rent boys, dippers and le arse will loose points as well.

And we are not in desperate need of a striker. We have played the last two years with no more strikers than we have today and done well. There is nothing to suggest that we can’t do well this season as well. Having said that. A striker would a good addition to our squad.

Drew I don’t agree completely with your comment about the injuries. All though not an excuse for the loss it is an explanation. I think that can’t be overlooked. If we would have had a true replacement for Carrick when he got injured the result, for me, would have been different. O’Shea was really disappointing and was a non-factor for the majority of the game. It doesn’t explain why the players didn’t reach there full potential on the day, it does effect why certain players got on the pitch.

Gary I thought the atmosphere was right on the mark for the performance given on the pitch. I think all United fans expected to much going into the game, I know I was hoping for a 3-1, 2-0 win.

The overall performance wasn’t that poor, and Newcastle played well and made things difficult. I had hoped are big stars would have stepped up more but the fact we brought on Possebon and Da Silva when looking for the win I think shows the issue of injury we are suffering from. Possebon played ok and Da Silva showed some promise. I was upset about the loss, but it is still early. Things need to change quickly cause United can’t afford to fall behind Chelsea, Arsenal, or Liverpool. The entire EPL has improved a lot and winning the league might be its most difficult.

And my observations on Rooney have been echoed my many over at Red Rant….

Did you see his cross with the outside of his foot for Campbell’s header? Rooney started the game looking really sharp and ran after lost causes all day and got frustrated and faded in the second half like the whole team did.

The atmosphere today was dissapointing thats nothing new. The amount of twats that turn up there and sit there in silence and then stand up when we sing stand up for the champions, whats the fucking point! Why dont these twats start singing for the champions! The club only has themselfs to blame for the lack of atmosphere. The genuine fans are scattered round the ground and the corporate twats get decent seats when they shouldnt fucking be there in the first place and at worst they should be stuck up in the north stand 3rd tier out the fucking way rather then getting the front section of the quadrants.