St1pe

I'm not feeling the optimism that some people seem to be. After a hard fought point at Man U then a good win midweek this is just the sort of game to kick our optimism in the balls. I just hope we aren't penned in all game while happily sitting back taking it. I'd definitely start Tiote over Colback but it won't happen. I'll be disappointed if Thauvin, Mitrovic and Perez all don't start. Their performances have deserved it.

Beats lying to yourself. They'll love you back one day. I promise. It'll be like the mid-90's again very soon. Not a clue what your on about here. I'm sure it's a class story though.

They were doing shooting drills but in groups of 4. They swapped between short passes to low crosses with each player making a different run or lay-off resulting in a shot. Each time was different to the next and it was done incredibly quickly.

I really enjoyed the game last night, the atmosphere was a bit flat but I suppose it's to be expected on an early round cup game. McClaren has a few selection problems now in my opinion; I'm assuming Thauvin has been bought to play on the left given how Sissoko seems a nailed on starter in that position but the ease in which Thauvin and Janmaat seemed to gel on that right hand side is very encouraging. Both players were head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch in terms of quality and I can only see that partnership getting better the more game time they're given. Maybe it will open up the possibility of Sissoko playing a more central position in a similar role of how Toure operates for Man City? I think it's also worth a mention at how well Tiote played. I was surprised to see a couple of people criticise him but I thought he was fairly dominant. We've lacked that aggressive force in the middle of the pitch and his distribution was much faster. The left side seemed a bit of a shambles though, Aarons surprised me at how bad he was. I think after a couple of mistakes it must have got to his head and then it just spiraled out of control. Haidara and him didn't seem to link up well at all, going forward or defensively. The centre backs also seemed poor. I suppose it's to be expected of Williamson because he's quite clearly not even of the standard of a squad player now - even with his goal - but Lascelles was equally poor. He got caught under the ball a few times, didn't particularly look comfortable or mobile with it at his feet and had a nightmare with their forward in the air. He could definitely benefit from a loan. The most encouraging thing for me was Steve McClaren. We were sat right behind the dug out and he was going absolutely mental at certain points in that second half. He audibly called this floated cross field ball Gouffran played "absolutely shit" or some variation. It seems like he has a real plan of how he wants us to play and an idea of how to go about making it happen. It'll take time but I'm convinced we're heading in the right direction. I might be easily pleased but I was chuffed to see the players that were on the bench actually being put through their paces by a coach rather than just letting them piss about with the ball which was the case under Pardew. The warm-up drills seemed far more advanced with the first team as well. Especially the stuff Cathro was doing with the forwards.

I'm looking forward to this one, it'll be my first game this season. I'd like to see Kemen get some minutes to see if the lad is worth the hassle but ideally a strong a first 11 as possible. I really hope Aarons, Thauvin and Perez are all heavily involved.

I thought he showed a real desire to close down as well. Considering Mitrovic was at times loitering around the right back spot doing the job Obertan should have been doing, in comparison I thought Thauvin looked an obvious improvement at both ends of the pitch. He was unlucky with that break at the end too. If the ball had been at anyone other that Cisse's feet we would have likely punished them in that situation.

For me Colback doesn't look half the player Guthrie did and considering the later is struggling in the Championship it's a massive worry. It's hard to say what his role actually is. He isn't particularly creative, he seems miles away from players when closing down and he gets bullied in a defensive capacity. For all Anita has his critics on here, he was always snapping around the Man U players' heels yesterday trying to make tackles and interceptions, Colback seemed miles off the pace. If our aim is top 10 we're really going to struggle carrying a player in such an important position.

Definitely agree with this.

I'd go as far to say that I've hated Taylor in parts of his career here but I thought he was excellent today.

Great point.

Great shift from Perez. He looked knackered coming off.

There has to be some real attempt to get forward because if we continue to encourage wave after wave of attacks it's hard to see us holding out.

Get him subbed ffs!!

Mitrovic looks really quite impressive.

We need to get Tiote back to the level he can play at based on how easily we've been bypassed in that half.

How can Obertan still be on the pitch? I don't even dislike the lad as much as some but today he's been shocking. Thauvin can't be any worse defensively because any chasing the full back would be an improvement.

I'm shocked at how bad we've started. This could get really ugly.

I'm already tired of watching Obertan amble back while players run past him.

I thought Shaw was fantastic last night. Not just his forward play but he he made some really solid tackles throughout the game.

Same. Good luck to the lad.

Despite Man U starting slowly to the season I thought they were impressive last night and I can't see how we'll cause them too many problems unless Mitrovic starts. I don't think Smalling or Blind will be able to deal with his physical approach but I can't see Darmian or Shaw having any problems nullifying out wide players, killing any decent service. I'd personally stick with Mbemba and Colo at cb because the more time they're given to form some sort of partnership the better. That would probably mean sticking Anita rb and marking Depay so... Erm, probably not.

I only sparingly saw highlights of the French league last season but I can't help but feel if this comes off we're getting our pants pulled down by Marseille. That's before considering the cut-price Cabella deal they'll likely get.

I'll believe this when I see it but I'm gutted Cabella isn't going to be a given a proper chance. He's been chronically misused in the awful long ball shit we've seen under Pardew and Carver. I'm convinced he'd have proven his worth in this new set-up.

Scored again.

Awful decision. He's been a terrible captain over the past season or so, openly attempted to leave on a number of occasions and his form on the pitch has been dreadful. We really needed a fresh set of cb's and a new leader on the pitch.