Congratulations to Grimsby whose tactics were spot on against us. A win on penalites for us would have been unjust and just provided a very thin veneer.
Ruben was right to play a changed team - Kobi needs to show he is a valued asset and I think he was a modest bright spot last night. Others needed to start but the attitude and determination to win was absent. While individual players need to look at themselves (Ugarte, Dalot and even Amad) you would expect the manager to motivate them.
I worry that the efforts of some individuals reflects a lack of enthusiasm for Rubenās tactics and I am concerned that he will walk away during the international break - I hope he doesnāt. We need to hold our nerve - there was some great football in the previous two games - and our rebuild needs to be seen as a two to three year project. I sincerely hope that he takes the time to build a great team.
Chelsea are up next. They will play Barcelona (home), Bayern Munich (away), Benfica (home), Atalanta (away), Ajax (home), Napoli (away), Pafos (home) and Qarabag (away)
What a diabolical way to organise a knockout tournament. All to get more teams in the competition & more money in the pockets of teams with more money to start with.
The luck of the draw used to mean who you played. Now it also means where you play āem. Bring back the European Cup, Fairs Cup and Cup Winners Cup. Top teams could then get back in the League Cup from the off rather than being gifted byes. We need more Grimsby v Man U and less Saudi Arabia v Qatar etc.
After their āmoral victoryā and their āthe best team lostā 1-0 defeat against Arsenal Amorim said in his post match interview that Manchester United where capable of beating ANY team in the World, the World he said.
After that defeat the fans where more gassed up then they have been years, that is how desperate their fans are and low their expectations have become. I donāt even know where they go from here Amorimās post match interview last night was alarming.
This new format is tougher than the one it replaced, for those in Pot 1 that is. Every team now plays two matches against Pot 1 opponents, whereas before Pot 1 teams avoided each other.
Not sure what you mean about a tough start. The draw was done by seeding order, but the playing order will likely be different.
I didnāt watch the draw itās an hour or two that could be better spent watching paint dry and so I googled it and thought it was the running order anyhow to be honest Iām not actually bothered about the playing order or who we are playing we owe Bayern and Inter one and Iām looking forward to playing Atleti at the Emirates and if we donāt get into the top 8 from that group of games then I will be very disappointed.
To be fair Bob, United WERE the better team against Arsenal. However, it proved yet again to be another false dawn. The match against Grimsby was one of the most embarrassing performances Iāve witnessed in 60 years as a ManU supporter, though fair play to Grimsby who were superb from players to fans.
Just when you think it canāt get any worse, it does!
WHU have bought Saintsā best player of last season, exciting playmaker Mateus Fernandes. Obviously I would have like us to have kept him but I understand why that was impossible.
I predict he will become an instant fan favourite at the Hammers.
I canāt help but feel that Chelsea never truly, really wanted Simons after all. It always seemed to be something that was dangled but not fully committed to. Maybe it was a deflection from other targets, an encouragement for other rivals to drop their own money on him? Dunno but always seemed a could be rather than should be.
Garnacho though? Inspired bargain purchase or just dressing room disturbing, manager aggravating, fan bating trouble? I assume Enzo Fernandez will be assigned the role of mentorā¦
Surprised we sold Alfie Gilchrist though. I thought he was nailed on to find his way into the team. Heās gritty, talented and skilful and a good footballing head on him that helps with some proper old school defending in front of goal, I thought he was exactly what we need! I think he may find himself only at WBA a short whileā¦
Firstly 4 months is not very old news at all and also the meeting/hearing hasnāt happened yet and the punishment has not yet been decided so it is both current and of interest.
