But why go to a poor Man Utd team and set up for a 0-0 like we are playing Barcelona?. We could of won the game if we actually attacked a bit more, christ we created some good chances even without a striker playing.

I personally expect from a new manager to start with big changes, to show that he has something new to offer for the team that should give us more hope to believe that he can save the team. 

So clearly it's the individual's fault for our poor performances and that this "talented" group of players are not to blame.

So clearly it's the individual's fault for our poor performances and that this "talented" group of players are not to blame.

 

Of course, get ready it's going to be the direct fault of more individuals while we're becoming a sidekick in any title challenge like we were a few years ago. Back then we were at least a great cup team, now we have a handful of players who can actually perform under pressure so that's probably not happening.

 

Unless Roman finally listens to Emenalo, gives him unlimited financial support to go and get us more posers and 2m default options.

It was a good point playing away at Old Trafford without a striker in the squad. 3 games unbeaten, clean sheets, 5 goals in the last 3 games, looking like Texiria is signing.

Things are improving.

Are you Jose in disguise

Disappointed there wasn't much real attempt to go for the win at any point, and moments of good fortune or this would have gone down as a very poor performance and result.

But all things considered, a point from that is not too shabby.

Edited December 28, 201510 yr by GhostOfDembaPast

Guus did OK. Looks like he played the first half - even though we were awful - to frustrate United. All the pressure on LvG and they're at home. We gave them more than a fright in the second half and could have nicked it, even if we didn't deserve to. Thought Ivanovic got the better of Martial and Matic - howler excluded - was solid.

Edited December 28, 201510 yr by EmeraldBlue

It was a good point playing away at Old Trafford without a striker in the squad. 3 games unbeaten, clean sheets, 5 goals in the last 3 games, looking like Texiria is signing.

Things are improving.

Grand scheme of things yes we were lucky to get a point and at United a point is always good.

So clearly it's the individual's fault for our poor performances and that this "talented" group of players are not to blame.

Cleary. ghost of Jose still haunting us it seems.

 

 

Are you Jose in disguise

That is exactly what I was coming on here to post.

 

He is picking the exact same team as Jose did and I do not believe our results would be any worse if Jose was still here.

Both teams were lucky. We were with a few Courtois saves, they were with Matic, a few De Gea saves and two red cards for dirty Rooney and Herrera fouls. Guus is not the problem.

Two games in and Guus is already making the exact same mistakes as Jose did by picking the exact same team.

Hazard up front don't score goals! Don't work. Done to death already!

**Today, a very exciting bench**

Yet surprise, surprise only Rambo actually used ...

Let's give Guus a bit of time to evaluate the whole squad...not sure what he could do tonight without any fit strikers...I'm no fan of the false 9 either but not sure what else he could do

They were there for the taking, second half. A Kennedy or a Traore would surely have caused them real problems on the counter, I thought.

Seems Guus wanted to play it safe, which is understandable, but if the next game isn't a win, you can be sure the grumblings will really start, especially if it's the similar team selection and tactics being used.

That Costa yellow was most unfortunate.

I wonder if Jose still manage the match from his living room, it's exactly the same formation, players and even subs. We improved a little in the last 3 games, probably more due to the fact we had some well deserved luck and correct calls from the referee. Let's hope by now Hiddink figured out Farbragas is not to be trusted, or lets hope his injury will last a few more weeks.

What Guus can really change in a week, especially at such a busy period. Cahill and Fabregas were injured, Costa was suspended. If we're still playing the same system and serving up the same crap towards the end of January I'll be worried, but for now I don't think we can expect him to conjure up a miracle or make wholesale changes straight away.

We had forward players in Traore who has been used as a striker in his time in Holland.

We instead went with a false 9 that's proved useless many times in the past when we used it but still we went down that route.

Guys like Kennedy who have impressed when the majority fail to shine don't get a chance despite players blowing out their arses.

It's basic stuff and Guus isn't doing anything different to what was before him (that's we sacked because we apparently wanted fresh ideas). I mean RLC coming on for less than 60 seconds, that's just laughable.

I've not seen anything in the first games from Guus to think the seasons going to get any better.

Guus has been in charge for barely one week & that includes the Christmas upheaval. I think he needs to be given time to assess the squad individualy. He hasn't been watching all season like we have. Granted Steve Holland could fill him in but I'd prefer a manager to make his own mind up.

We had forward players in Traore who has been used as a striker in his time in Holland.

 

from his comments it looks like hiddink doesn't view him as a striker. which I suppose is fair enough- the vast majority of his career / playing education hasn't been there.

 

We instead went with a false 9 that's proved useless many times in the past when we used it but still we went down that route.

 

it has had some limited effect- spurs away this season, arsenal away with oscar up there last, but I agree to a point. this squad isn't really set up for it.

 

there is no point having a false 9 with willian in the team and without ramires in midfield if we're using this squad. it requires people who will run beyond the striker. our midfield stayed behind the ball and willian's inclination is to receive the ball to feet.

Guys like Kennedy who have impressed when the majority fail to shine don't get a chance despite players blowing out their arses.

 

I don't think he has been that impressive but he probably deserves more minutes. maybe not to start away to united but I thought he could come on.

It's basic stuff and Guus isn't doing anything different to what was before him (that's we sacked because we apparently wanted fresh ideas).

 

no he was clearly sacked due to results. since jose has gone we've already gone on our longest unbeaten run this season. let that sink in. "fresh ideas" is a nebulous concept.

 

I mean RLC coming on for less than 60 seconds, that's just laughable.

 

bringing on the only remaining midfield player to waste time? hiddink is here to get results for chelsea not pander to the development of specific individuals.

I've not seen anything in the first games from Guus to think the seasons going to get any better.

 

a draw from a losing position? could've been a win had a penalty not been missed.

 

costa looking like a center forward?

 

he's only been with the team a few days, do you think he's really had enough time to confidently say that?

 

I'll offer you a bet- we'll finish higher than we were when he took over. £10 donation to the forum?

Edited December 28, 201510 yr by g3.7

We had forward players in Traore who has been used as a striker in his time in Holland.

We instead went with a false 9 that's proved useless many times in the past when we used it but still we went down that route.

Guys like Kennedy who have impressed when the majority fail to shine don't get a chance despite players blowing out their arses.

It's basic stuff and Guus isn't doing anything different to what was before him (that's we sacked because we apparently wanted fresh ideas). I mean RLC coming on for less than 60 seconds, that's just laughable.

I've not seen anything in the first games from Guus to think the seasons going to get any better.

 

Have to agree. It is early days and perhaps Hiddink is just trying to steady the ship after the disasterous start to the season but it was so disappointing yesterday how we seemed to settle for the point early on. 2 draws in 2 games when we would be better winning 1 and losing one and getting 3 points. At some point we have to be braver and gamble and actually try and win games. Felt sorry for RLC. I always think putting a player on when there is so little time left is a real slap in the face - whoever the player - felt embarrassed for him.

the fact that there were 3/4 players warming up on the sidelines since the end of the of the 1st half and yet only ramires and RLC came on, with the latter hardly able to make an impact. ramires for willian made no sense as ramires is not a wide or even attacking player, and he should have came on for matic if anyone. a logical swtich, you would have thought, would have been willian for traore or kenedy. it would be interesting to hear what the board have told guss and/or steve holland what thes requirements are in terms of player usage as our coaches seemed sh*t scared to try something more offensive. this defensive style of football is really affecting us and i am unsure exactly what our identity is supposed to be. i am actually warming to the idea of pellegrini coming in the summer if guus doesn't change things. 

Edited December 29, 201510 yr by enigma

Mikel says the dressing room atmosphere has improved under Guus:

 

“We’ve moved on and the atmosphere has improved since the change of manager. It’s fine now, we’ve just not been getting results. José is a fantastic manager and will always be a fantastic guy. But sometimes football is a cruel game and you have to move on. He came back to the club a second time and won two trophies but now he’s gone and we have to move on. Is it the right decision? Who knows? We’ll only see in the future."

“He [Hiddink] hasn’t changed much yet but he was here before and he knows the place and all the staff. The players are different – only me and John Terry were here before – but he knows what to do. We’re down there in the table for a reason so he can’t come in and perform miracles but we want to get out of there and climb the table. We’ve had three games now without losing so are making the right steps.”

 

On our appalling title defence:
 

"I’ve been as confused as everyone else. It’s difficult when you’re not playing, as you don’t really know what the problems are. I wasn’t playing that much under Mourinho so couldn’t put my finger on what was going wrong. It was a collective thing – the players and the manager were not performing.”

 

On the Man Utd game:

 

“Sometimes you could see in the game that they had chances to attack but were a little bit sceptical or hesitant. Maybe they were a little bit scared.
I don’t think they were really scared but just a bit cautious. They were playing not to lose as well. Because of the fast players we have up front, who can break, they were cautious and approached the game not to lose. Both teams are not in the right place right now to attack, attack, attack, attack. Sometimes you have to be smart and settle for a point.”

 

On the Rooney tackle on Oscar:

 

“I didn’t see the tackle but from what I’ve heard it was a bit high. The other players were talking about it at the end and they said he should have been sent off. Oscar is fine though.”

 

On our top four chances:

 

“I don’t think it’s gone yet. We’ve got a lot of games left to play and points to catch up. If we keep going in this direction and keep keeping clean sheets then we’ll definitely score goals.”

We have fast players up front?

Mikel says the dressing room atmosphere has improved under Guus:

 

“We’ve moved on and the atmosphere has improved since the change of manager.

 

This finger-pointing makes me sick. Just move on and shut up about José, no need for remaks like this in the public. Mikel has just gone down in my estimation.

This finger-pointing makes me sick. Just move on and shut up about José, no need for remaks like this in the public. Mikel has just gone down in my estimation.

 

 

Don't see a problem. If the atmosphere in the dressing room has improved I'm happy to hear that. He also said what a fantastic manager and guy Jose is so it is balanced.

 

Come on, we all know Jose got things wrong this time around so why try and hide the fact.