SSFC

Been really impressed with Shelvey and Diame as a duo.....they have been solid and made their presence felt. Dummett has definitely been a surprise. In many ways the whole backline deserves a shout as a unit. 1 goal allowed in the last 4 matches is great stuff.

That sequence of 5 tackles that started with Yedlin and ended with the Atsu foul (but actually ended with Dummett clearing out Mahrez) was the epitome of most of this season. Kenedy has been a difference maker as he came in with a chip on his shoulder.Everyone of those guys gave everything they had in terms of effort. The goal was a silly one to concede but it matters not. SAFETY and onward...Fat Sam we see you... (not like we could miss him but go with it).

When we end up 3 points clear at the end...THIS IS THE GAME

What a debut

I do agree though that he is offside far too often, especially for his position.

Yedlin is 2nd on the team in tackles per 90, like 4th in interceptions, and overall in defensive metrics is 2nd behind Lascelles. I also believe he is on the lowest wages out of all defenders (believe half of what Gamez is paid). Should also be on atleast a couple more assists if players had any ability to finish (a couple were outlined a few posts back and a Diame sitter). He is far from the problem with this side. If I was gonna outline positional upgrades, he would be far down the list. Now if a mid table side can be had (assuming safety of course) over the next year or so...then maybe pushing him down the depth chart makes sense. RIght now he is one of the best values in the club.

Havent seen it mentioned but I thought Yedlin did well against Choupo-Moting who is a bull on the ball. He had a couple little runs but all in all I though he frustrated him pretty well and I think that was evident in that yellow card challenge. Always a bit worried when Yedlin is up against a physical power like that. Lacelles of course helps a lot of that tbf.

Jury is still out for me. Definitely has it in him and Im sure he will show more poise long term. Need Jamal back in the side cause atleast at that point it atleast looks like 3 Premier league players (think Jamal brings a confidence to the backline). Guys looked disjointed today albeit against a team clearly at a different level. Hopefully he learns a little something today that you got to be way more physical at times. I think reading the game in front of him and such is good but crosses today were a bit concerning considering.

As the squad continues to improve it would be nice to see him on the overlap more often especially on the break. He was a bolt of lightning on the goal. Got taken to school a little bit but that is alright, more crucial games to come than this United one.

Clark is miles better than he was at Villa. Yedlin wasn't that highly rated at Sunderland either was he? Yedlin was raw yeah. He hasnt been fully committed to the sport for all that long compared to other players his age. He really is in about his 8th year of playing the sport with any sort of seriousness. He played multiple sports here in the US till he was about 16. So he got exactly what he needed was a manager who could help sort his raw ability into a competent player. True testament to Rafa and the staff (plus Yedlin's eagerness to learn). Who knows how good Yedlin would be had he gotten the same tutelage as someone like Manquillo who was raised in the Atletico system and elsewhere. Our American developmental system has been whack (getting better but not good enough). So really Yedlin had to overcome starting later, and the developmental system we have. Its why Ive always attested to fellow US fans that he will bloom later, it will limit his ceiling, but he could still become a good player at a high level. In terms of development...he is probably more along the lines of a 21 year old IMO. With his elite athleticism maybe his ceiling can be higher than I thought. Still Rafa and the staff deserve major applause for bringing that out of him. /rant

You could probably give him £50m and we'd be pushing for European places. Get a real #10 and #9 and we are in business IMO. Obviously still depth issues in certain area but imagine having a league average attack.

Hopefully something comes from the foreign interest because with Yedlin and Lascelles (and not discounting Clark and the others)its beginning to look like we can have a proper defense for the foreseeable future. Dont want to see guys that are looking like they can be part of the future off to make sure we have money. Heck in a lot of ways the glaring holes are the front men and then the leftside but the wing has some guys that need a proper go. Having funds injected into that attack and who knows what can happen....I know getting ahead of myself but things look good and with even an average attack for the level...we are probably on 12 to 16 points today.

You talking about Yedlin?

Mane didnt even look like he was playing. Props to Yedlin for that. Not easy to do these days keeping him quiet. Plus showing Moreno the ground was nice on that shoulder to shoulder. I knwo that Lovren didnt intend to hand the ball at the end but on those types of play I have a hard time understanding how its not a pen...clear DOGSO. When you are talking clear goals there is really no benefit to give..especially in the 6 yard box. Unfortunately for us it didnt get called and that call gets made a lot. If his hand is at his side its one thing but when you go to ground and your arms extend out, well that should be the price you pay for risking going to ground in the 6 yard box.

A young squad with varied PL experience. My issue with yesterday's performance is the respect thing you said as well - in the matches we won, we played with intelligence and looked fearless in our press, attack, etc. We looked nervous and slightly fearful at both Huddersfield and Brighton; hell maybe it has to do with playing them and knowing them last season? I don't know. But we didn't show any of that fear or nerves versus Swansea, West Ham or Stoke. I doubt we'll play with that fear at home to Liverpool either. In hindsight, while I wasnt against the plan, I do wonder if it had been more advantageous to really go for it going forward. Cause if we lost that way, its fine....we had 3 on the trot and we looked to push things positively. Now its situation where we are goalless @ Huddersfield and @Brighton. Worrying to say the least and cant be good for the confidence of the attack (and they need confidence badly). I get the game plan but wish it had been different.

Yeah there was one...and it may have been just before the Lascelles foul.... that he undercut him bad and that was what he was trying to do because he knew he couldnt beat him in the air (Yedlin is small but can jump). Ive seen those given as yellows before because its extremely dangerous and frankly a dirty play at the spot in the field (nothing can really come from winning that dual without a few passes after). In the box I get it cause maybe it causes chaos that leads to a goal. Also that foul where Yedlin ran March down and got in front of him was a terrible call as well. Brighton definitely got some home cooking although that doesnt excuse the toothless nature in front of goal.

Yep Hemed being charged and might get a 3 match ban. Probably will get off (dont really know the ins and outs on fight the charge). Had there not been a dust up between the two, I would have probably been more inclined to agree it was accident BUT Hemed could have fallen over Yedlin as the play was dead IIRC and then Yedlin may have gotten a yellow cause he was a bit out of control and slipped. Alas, he didnt and now leaves up to judgment....I felt that it was surely avoidable by taking a longer stride or falling over but it seemed he didnt care enough to do either.

People keep saying this but there was no sign of chemistry or cohesion between them today. Could have just been the circumstances of course. I think the thinking is simply 'Shelvey's better than Hayden' without taking into account the job Hayden does that Shelvey never does. Yeah that is the problem is the defensive work and work rate. Hayden help stave off those early chances in front of net. Honestly a January signing of someone proven that is capable of playing that role would be nice. Even if its a loan move for the rest of the way. I cant see Rafa indulging the idea of Shelvey-Merino but would love to be proven wrong.

Like I said earlier, this is gonna be the theme alot this year on the road. We are toothless in the attack if Joselu is gonna miss all these chances. Ayoze provides work rate but he leaves alot to be desired going forward. Really would love to see it 'click' for Mitrovic when he gets his chance. Anyways, its a road loss, and we re-focus and keep grinding. About 1/6 of the way thru the season and we are probably a 1/4 of the way to safety and with the lack of end product at the most key positions in the attack, that is the only goal..safety.

Would like to see Mitro get a couple games here soon. I mean he must see the opportunity that he could have here.

Unfortunately this is gonna be the case a lot this year especially away from home. Just toothless in attack.

Toothless

With Hemed getting in his face earlier I dont know if that wasnt intentional

Wish there was someone to get on some ofthese crosses :'(

I wonder how mad Hemed was when Yedlin got undercut earlier