| What a frustrating match that was 07:31 - Feb 27 with 1210 views | Steve_M |
First half, mixed defensively but enough attacking play to force two errors from United and I think we deserved to be 2-2, we should have had a penalty as well. The sense that we had a chance was palpable under the stands at half-time.
We even came out early for the second half, but then made so many mistakes in two minutes that it gave United something to hold onto. We had hardly conceded from a set piece all season and then looked vulnerable every single time last night.
In the same way that we struggled to break down packed defences in League 1 before the January window in 2023, we clearly can't play against sides who sit back at this level. Even a poor Southampton side with a but of organisation proved too stubborn.
There's lots of endeavour but we're too slow and not sharp enough when we do half-work opportunities. The downside of having such a young set of forwards I suppose, could really have done with a bit of guile from Chaplin in there last night.
Unfortunately we've fallen off a cliff in terms of belief since the start of the year, a bit of bad luck at Fulham and against Brighton (with the non-sending off) and then two particularly hard games. The four matches since Liverpool though, one point and the way we've contrived to lose three matches we shouldn't have in such contrastingly different ways.....
We've come a long way in three years under McKenna but we're failing on our own terms this season at the moment. Setting the club up well for next season and beyond is important but we've let ourselves down on the pitch a bit too much to enjoy this bit very much. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 07:34 - Feb 27 with 1160 views | homer_123 |
Far too balanced a post Steve. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 07:34 - Feb 27 with 1152 views | cooperd5 |
Sums it up well for me. I knew on about 70 mins we most likely wouldn't score, we cannot see a way around that type of defense. |  | | |
| What a frustrating match that was on 07:38 - Feb 27 with 1121 views | BanksterDebtSlave |
Strolling towards mediocrity. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 07:39 - Feb 27 with 1119 views | Dubtractor |
| What a frustrating match that was on 07:34 - Feb 27 by cooperd5 |
Sums it up well for me. I knew on about 70 mins we most likely wouldn't score, we cannot see a way around that type of defense. |
I sort of felt like that as soon as maguire scored. You could predict how it would pan out from there.
The low block has always been McKenna's kryptonite. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 07:42 - Feb 27 with 1084 views | BseaBlue |
The main issue last night was that we didn't move the ball anywhere near quick enough. Every time it came into the middle, we'd ponder and then it would go sideways or backwards giving United every opportunity to drop in.
It highlighted 2 particular issues. 1) Woolfenden makes a huge difference in the back line when it comes to us trying to play forwards. 2) We desperately need a proactive midfielder that can open things up.
I know he is world class, but every time Bruno Fernades got the ball he'd stick one on a six pence down our right hand side for United to break. |  | | |
| What a frustrating match that was on 07:49 - Feb 27 with 1040 views | tractorboy1978 |
"We've contrived to lose three matches we shouldn't have in such contrastingly different ways"
Said the same to a couple of mates last night. Can extend that to throughout the whole season as well. We've managed to find varying ways to lose games far too often - GK mistakes, set pieces, missing chances, giving away soft penalties, poor refereeing decisions, red cards when doing well in games. For a team like us you need absolutely everything to come together to get wins in this league and it just hasn't happened enough. |  | | |
| What a frustrating match that was on 08:43 - Feb 27 with 883 views | Ace_High1 |
Very good post.
That is what is frustrating, we are self harming our own chances through how we manage passages of play and we shoot ourselves in the foot.
Yes quality is a factor but almost every game we are in, until we self destruct.
It is the hope that kills you and so many games have been nearly there for the taking, that is what will leave me feeling we have wasted this opportunity this season. Just needs to end now and Wolves to pull clear so there is no more thinking "a win here and we might.....". |  | | |
| What a frustrating match that was on 09:13 - Feb 27 with 784 views | cbower |
Best post match post. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 09:40 - Feb 27 with 740 views | Guthrum |
The biggest issue was an inability to deliver the ball into the box. Simply lifting the ball into the area or attempting a cross when out wide would have stood the chance of making something happen. But we just kept on passing until we lost it. Reminded me a bit of the first half-season after McKenna arrived, when we couldn't unlock defences and were trying too hard to walk it in.
That and we were undone by some very skilful dead-ball delivery on the part of Fernandes. |  |
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| What a frustrating match that was on 10:25 - Feb 27 with 688 views | patrickswell |
Regarding that “Has it been an appalling season” thread, no it hasn’t been an appalling season, but if we go down this year, the over-riding emotion will be one of frustration. Is it now 22 points dropped from winning positions? Hold onto at least half of those and we’d have a 6 point gap over Wolves.
We’re just not good enough for this level….yet. |  | | |
| What a frustrating match that was on 13:42 - Feb 27 with 549 views | Steve_M |
| What a frustrating match that was on 07:42 - Feb 27 by BseaBlue |
The main issue last night was that we didn't move the ball anywhere near quick enough. Every time it came into the middle, we'd ponder and then it would go sideways or backwards giving United every opportunity to drop in.
It highlighted 2 particular issues. 1) Woolfenden makes a huge difference in the back line when it comes to us trying to play forwards. 2) We desperately need a proactive midfielder that can open things up.
I know he is world class, but every time Bruno Fernades got the ball he'd stick one on a six pence down our right hand side for United to break. |
On the Wolfenden point, I also thought we kept Axel on far too long yesterday (and against Southampton FWIW). With that much pressure we need a better attacking player on the pitch. Echoes of when we used Harry Clarke to attack in a way Doancien couldn't - except PL ready full backs to do that cost £20m+
We didn't play that second ha;f like we really believed we were going to score again - and that really shouldn't have been the case after the first 45. | |
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