Euphoria is all very well, but you have to take stock and assess at some point. The result was spectacular, the performance amazing, but the opposition was poor. Whisper it quietly, but this Man Utd team was shorn of Rooney, Berbatov, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Carrick and Nani, amongst others! This was very much Man Utd's reserves, Grandad Giggs and the tots, so Sunderland will actually offer much sterner opposition on Sunday.
Obviously, if fit, Parker will return, with Kovac the logical choice to stand down. Should Cole play? Those with a short memory will give a knee jerk retort of yes, but who played up top when we won at Sunderland in the cup? That would be Obinna and Piquionne wouldn't it?
There's no news on our walking wounded. Has Dyer passed away in his sleep? Where is Jacobsen? What has happened to Da Costa? Where's Behrami? The emergence of Spector as the new Kaka is great news, but I have this horrible suspicion that, after Sunday's game he will be assessed more Kack than Kaka.
Sorry to introduce a dose of reality but Bent and company have been playing well (even without Bent!) and were good enough to take Chelsea apart - and whilst Chelsea were missing three key players, the rest of their big beasts were playing. This is a difficult game, more difficult that a cup outing against Man Utd's frozen stiffs!
17 comments:
The question could be even more complex. Do we go with the Wigan lineup, the Mancs lineup, or an amalgam of the two? In some ways the last choice seems logical, but would that combo pack be able to gel?
I think Spector deserves a look at midfield today in place of Kovac. Up front Obinna must play and I think Piquionne is the right partner. They were playing reasonably well together for that stretch of draws before Grant (who I believe should have been replaced prior to the Liverpool match) inexplicably broke up them up.
At the back I think we should just let Wally Downes play by himself. He seems far more capable than our current crop.
Fully agree Fanno. Although based on the Tuesday perfomance alone, I would prefer to see Ben Haim play instead of Gabbs on the left.
To answer your question from the other day I'm studying history at Essex uni. I had some involvement in the student protests but have committed no acts of violence.
People spent an entire day writing revolutionary messages on the outdoor, concrete floors of the campus only to see it snow later that evening! The general feeling around campus is "Why bother shouting & shivering in the snow when I will have graduated before the fees rise anyway?" Lazy students!
History, Masty. What period you studying at the moment?
Lars is back, he was cup tied against ManU
Is he fit? In which case he should be a shoe in at right back, with Parker returning to midfield in place of Kovac. Piquionne or Cole? Behrami or Barerra? Or might Faubert be an outside bet to play right midfield? Think Spector has to be given another go in centre midfield. I'm worried that Grant may pick his best 11 rather than his best team, so seeing a return either to 4-3-3 or to Obinna being used on left of midfield.
Green - Jacobsen, Tompkins, Upson, Ben Haim - Behrami, Spector, Parker - Piquionne, Obinna - Cole
4- 3 -3 and take the game to them. Could go 4-4-2 if Behrami goes right and Piquionne partners Cole. Boa unlucky to miss out but he deserved at least 3 yellow cards against Man U.
I do love this blog. Your all rather intelligent. It makes a nice change as being from dagenham I don't often experience debate.
As for tomorrows game I hope Grant sticks with Spector if Noble is out because Kovac is beyond poor. Ben Haim left back as I saw him against Stoke in the cup and he had Pennant in his pocket. Best of a bad bunch really. No need to get carried away and play Cole. Ok there is an argument that he is a confidence player and he should be given a go now he's scored two, but unfortunately we aren't in a position to gamble.
Cheers Bucky. Nice to know somebody in Dagenham can read and write! Joking mate!!!!
Haha. You jest but that's not far off the truth. The sad thing is that it tends to be out of choice. Reding is for nerds apparently.
17.18. I agree with your team, the only change I'd make is barrera for cole. I think a positive for us is Sunderland lack a big man up front which our defence just cannot handle x
I hear they have given up teaching the alphabet in some Dagenham wards mate. It's been reduced to 3 letters, BNP!
Great set of results for us today. Off the bottom at last. X
Damn you man! I was waiting for MOTD to watch without knowing the scores!!!!
Oh sorry mate. Massive clanger. I actually feel bad now. Really am sorry.
LOL no problems. I usually know by now anyway. Main focus is the Ashes at the moment! What a great couple of days!
It certainly has been. I was calling for Cook to be dropped for this series as he hasn't been a the races of late. I clearly know as much about cricket as I do about football. The Aussies body language suggests they think the tests been lost already. After the 3rd days play I think we should have 2 days to bowl them out for the win.
Calling for an Essex man to be dropped? Shame on you! At the moment there is a wonderful balance in the team, a lovely mix of chancers and grafters. Shame we don't have a fifth bowler, that may yet prove our undoing. A second quality spinner in this test would, I suspect, guarntee victory. We may struggle to bowl them out second time around on a flat wicket.
Lol. Yes I do appear to be most disloyal but I do have England's best interests at heart. I'm pleased I was wrong about the lad.
I think your spot on with your analysis of our chances. Unless Australia throw away their wickers like they did in the first innings it could be a very frustrating last couple of days
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