Chez

The 'backs against the wall game' under Koeman apart, this must be the first time since Hoddle that we have looked good playing five at the back. The fact United were doing the same perhaps helped. They looked like they didn't have a clue how to play it either! I wonder if Bree is more suited to a centre back role? Did ok last night. Hasn't got the pace or attacking ability to play fullback. I know with only about 8 CBs we are desperately short in that position, but you never know we might offload someone in the summer.

It wont be news to anyone, but Fernandes will be in great demand in the summer. Very very impressive tonight.

Yep. It's not long ago that we were 0-5 down after 25 minutes against Spurs.

Games certainly past him by earlier in his career when he played for us in the Prem. He was a total non entity in the more forward role. I was very worried we would be relying on him in the championship. He was asked to play a different game and when dominating possession his passing was a real asset, Without the ball he just doesn't have much of an impact on proceedings. Not sure he deserves the slating on the United match day thread, but fans need someone to blame i suppose.

We played well, but we must do it again on Sunday...and hopefully get a result. It can't be a one off. Forest are flying. It will be incredibly tough.

Thanks for posting that. Exactly how I feel. Proud of how the side went about it today. Hope we can replicate and get a result next time.

Could not disagree more. United were on getting on top, we weren't closing them down anywhere near as quick. Sulemana for example didn't do a ting for the last 20 minutes. Players did tire. Whether the players that came off were the ones most tired, I don't know.

This. Subs had to be made. Players were visibly tiring. We worked very hard to press them in first half. We suffered because of that. Sulemana should have come off after abut 75 minutes.

It's not all on Smallbone, but I agree, Archer or Armstrong was the sub at that point. Onuachu was shite when he came on.

Gutted we lost. It's been a while since I actually felt like that, we have been so far off the pace in other games. We were top quality in the first half. Creating proper chances that perhaps we should have taken. United did have two very good ones of their own. Our defence is still not the best. United were always going to improve second half, but to be honest we more than matched them for 20 minutes. Once Dibling went off, we lost a threat and control, and every sub seemed to take a little from us. No complaints though. I thought players did tire, so subs had to be made. Sulemana showed what one or two on here knew he could do. Pace is essential at this level. If only he could play against teams playing five a the back (and a young centre half exposed) every week.

Jesus, the hate for Smallbone on here is mental.

Gutted. Losing Dibling and then players tiring forcing subs has hurt us.

fuck off.

torturous.

Where the fuck is Bednarek going there? Sugawara needs to stay on his fucking feet.

Sulemana is tiring. Lot of great runs at high pace.

not pressing or getting as tight as we did allowing United back in it. Sugawara doesn't look after the ball as well as he should.

disappointing to lose Dibling. A massive attacking threat lost and United can now push on. Could have brought Armstrong and played him in a similar wide'ish role.

probably, but at least we are in it.

maybe its just time to move on?

Acceptable? Blimey. We created more `proper scoring chances' in one half than we have in about the last 10 games.

Not at all. Let's enjoy it this half time moment.

Now can he combat any changes United make. We were great, but they were pretty poor. Need to come out with the same intensity straight from the off.

blatant pull backs that prevent breakaways are fine by me.

aha.