Mbemba Youre A Womble

Very good analysis, the only bit I'd argue is that we are very hard to score against. I don't think we are, we are very well organised defensively, but individually the defence isn't that good so someone is always likely to f*** up somewhere during the 90 mins. Sadly would agree. We invite pressure onto ourselves to no end sometimes, and whilst we make it difficult and a pain in the arse for teams to score - they inevitably do. On the whole, I think it's fair to say we are stronger defensively than offensively. But you need the right balance, with a threat and capability going forward or in possession. That's where we lack compared to many teams around us, which ends up with us defending a lot more. I don't think many teams in the bottom half really are considerably strong defensively though, we are probably one of the better sides at it simply because our principle in every game is that we are organised and structured across the pitch.

Whenever I've watched Man United this season play teams outside the top 6 they've looked really difficult to get at. Not particularly attractive, but highly functional and solid. Their record does back that up too, only losing to Huddersfield from what I can recall. Their record and failure to turn it on in the big games is the attributing factor to them being so far behind City. Bristol City and Spurs, Bristol especially should give teams so hope that they can be beaten, but I just don't see our side being the best set to do so. Our strengths so far have been being hard to score against, and being functional. Whilst in my mind, that really hasn't worked on the whole, I do appreciate that our weakness really is being able to attack teams. Think it was noted on MNF a while ago, that we need far more players involved in attacks to open up teams - which is totally true. But even then, when we do commit forward the abject quality sees offensive situations and transitions break down constantly. That happens against some of the worst defences in the league. I rate Man United as one of the most defensively solid teams across the whole pitch, so pairing that up with how we struggle to attack effectively, I just don't see us being able to threaten them. That's not even mentioning the quality they have. Likes of Pogba, Lukaku, Martial are well known flat track bullies - and just have a horrible feeling that today will be a day when they turn it on, and the country is left lauding how great Pogba is once more.

Sadly, I predict this will be Man United's more comfortable wins in recent weeks. To anyone who actually thinks we can win this game - how exactly do you see us being able to win? I can realistically see us not getting smashed, but winning, or even drawing - most definitely not.

Sad state that West Ham and Moyes can't allow a youth player to step up and fill the gap Evra is going to. Continually finding new things not to like about West Ham. Rarely, if ever I find myself wanting a team not to fall on their arse and fail it's West Ham.

Is anyone else slightly worried that very few players are showing signs of improvement or development under Rafa? Lascelles a side, I can't really think of a player that is performing, or showing any more potential than they did at the start of the season, or throughout last season (obviously factoring in differences in league). Lascelles performance wise has been consistently decent enough, probably the only player I'd say that's acquitted himself since the step up. Unless there is a change in ownership at the top, or a drastic and unprecedented change in direction that Charnley/Ashley are going to take with the club, I'm starting to worry that Rafa won't ever being able to push us up the league - in that he's the type of coach that is able to make a side more than the sum of it's parts.

Alex Song is training with Arsenal, free agent. Would happily have him in midfield as an option ahead of Hayden.