COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY

From my seat: Man Utd (H)

By Ken Buckley   ::  29/10/2011 The games come thick and fast and this month was the month from hell considering that out of 5 games 4 were against big spenders and just 1 against a team that make up the rest that we want to be best of.

Today saw us entertain Man U who were coming off the back of a 1-6 reverse which should have seen us go at them with vim and vigour from the off but even considering that Sir Alex played a team not to lose rather than their usual attacking flair game we gave them far too much respect and paid a heavy price.

The line up saw the expected omission of Neville, Cahill and Drenthe but no Distin was a puzzler. Jags and Osman returned and Howard replaced Mucha. The attendance of just under 36,000 was down on this fixture from previous years.

We started well and within the first minute Coleman charged past Evra and shot unfortunately straight at the keeper and with muted force. It was a good chance it has to be said. United responded and Howard saved from Park.

Rooney, back on home soil, was afforded a reasonable reception except for one particular section of the Street end who were unforgiving. However it seemed water off a ducks back to him and but for the Ref. closing him down on the edge of the box he may well have made us pay for sloppy marking rather than poking it wide.

Then just before the 20min mark the out of sorts Baines sliced an intended pass or was it a clearance and allowed our players to be caught out of position and an Evra cross went to the back post that Baines was supposed to mark but due to his error was nowhere and Hernandez tapped home despite Jags best efforts to get across to him.

Just a little later we had quite a scary moment when Jags attempted a back header to Howard which did not have the required pace and a race ensued, Howard from his line and Welbeck from the edge of the box. Fortunately Howard won by a whisker and it remained 0-1.

It was then our turn, Osman in going past Vidic with excellent skill was upended near the edge of the box and from the free kick taken by Saha hit the wall. The ball came out to mid-field who worked it back in to Osman who tested De Gea. Just a few minutes later Rodwell strode forward after grabbing possession but hit his shot wide.

We were now pressing well but everything seemed fine in build up terms but the final third seemed once again a no go area. Fellaini was instrumental in almost all of our meaningful build up and just before the interval he was upended some 25yds out by a poor challenge by Fletcher. Many a ref would have booked him but hey this is Man U we are playing. Baines who was having a poor game stepped up and almost made up for his penalty miss on Wednesday night when he hit the bar full on with the keeper beaten. We didn?t let it phase us and just up to the break Saha had a couple of efforts that were at best powder puff.

H/T and the chat was of should changes be made and who for who considering our bench was best described as desperate. The manager decided to rest Bilyaletdinov who had has usual done some good things and some poor things and send on the overhyped Barkley.

The second half really belonged to the Blues but again it was that last third that let us down. We seem to be lacking a central midfield player who can surge and find a pass plus a striker who can put himself about and know how to finish. Yes I know this is old news but it still causes frustration to all associated with the club. Perhaps ?The Daisy Cutter? will be right and we can say Tata to our penalty box woes. United as you would expect had some forays forward and early on some close passing got Welbeck in but he lost control and was crowded out.

We attacked and Rodwell got forward and his left foot screamer that the keeper dived to save and it seemed to me he was lucky to have his face behind his hands. United did do some attacking but none of it was coming to anything and Howard was almost redundant since his early save. We continued to press forward but that final third was problematic as no matter who we put in seemed to lack the control or guile to either get in a decent cross or find a telling pass with Coleman and Baines being particularly out of sorts. Barkley unfortunately was unimpressive except for two or three long crossfield ball that found their target but Utd were happy to let that happen all day as it was always in front of them.

Before the end Utd had another chance when Welbeck got on the end of a good break but Howard was equal to his effort and palm away. We had a few penalty shouts especially for holding Fellaini but the Ref. Mr Halsey was having none of that despite venom from the faithful and outstretched arms from players. Rooney went down injured after a clash with Fellaini and as he lay prostrate the unforgiving section of the street end chanted ?Let him die??a bit harsh I thought.

We were pressing without looking likely to salvage something as we went into 6mins of time added which included when the liner on the Main Stand side in trying an intricate movement of waving his flag for offside as he ran toward the corner flag whilst slipping, doing the splits and receiving treatment for a hurt back. Fourth official Dowd took over.

We had a goalmouth scramble that was eventually cleared, Fellaini got himself booked for kicking the odious big headed Jones, we yelled for a pen when sub Gueye fell over (well it was worth a shout) Final Whistle and somehow it was a bit of an anti-climax as it had been one of those games that left you thinking we should have won whilst struggling to identify the missing ingredients. I am glad I am not the manager who tried all sorts throughout the game but I reckon it boiled down to the fact we just don?t have the players in positions that make a big difference.

MotM --- Fellaini (Unfortunately by a mile)
Overall I found it a frustrating game as all through I thought Utd were there to be beat but we just did not seem to have the self-belief and afforded them too much respect.

I also believe Barkley is well overhyped and is struggling to live up to it. To me he plays like a promising 17-year-old and if you were to compare say Rooney and Wilshere at that age there is no comparison so I am with the manager in limiting his appearances because I think there is something to come that will serve the club well but not as a boy wonder.

Of the substitutes today I thought only Vellios did much and he still looks more like an impact sub than a starter but there will come the day when the manager will have to start him due to such a small squad picking up injuries and suspensions.

On today?s showing I really hope the manager, players and staff can persuade Drenthe to cut out the hair-brained stupidity as I am convinced his sheer pace and shooting could well have seen a different outcome today.

Newcastle away next and then one of those most unwelcome international friendly breaks before it?s Wolves at home. We really are going to have to beat those around us this season.
UP THE BLUES

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