QUOTE(Duke Red @ Oct 17 2011, 08:13 AM)
I must say I was surprised when I saw your starting lineup. I can understand the need to rest players every now and then and although I agree we aren't exactly contenders for the title, it is still rare for managers to rest players in derbies of this magnitude. Fergie himself mentioned how much importance this tie holds prior to the game. It's also the first time I can remember him selecting such a cautious lineup in your visits to Anfield.
I'm still sticking to my Michael Moores theory that it was partly due to mind games from Kenny and Rafa. The former saying it was just another 3 points and the latter claiming you keep winning because of money

I don't agree but if you're playing mind games, you don't always mean what you say.
Oh well. Que sera sera.
Mind games? Nope. Not at all. Seeing our record against your team in Anfield were pretty much poor, I do think Fergie rather have a point than no point at all. Thus, he went for the safest route he knows. Resting main players and rotated the squad.
QUOTE(sKyWiR3pT3lTd @ Oct 17 2011, 12:12 PM)
With the big match has ended over the weekend, lets look forward for another performing match against the newcomers , Norwich City on Sunday morning (Saturday 17:30 GMT).
Need to improve? We need a lethargic start, sloppy passes has to be improved into accurate passes. Although we played confident game over the weekend, we need more energetic start. I understand the international games has caused the problem, but it should not be an excuses all the time.
Where's the free-flow-move passing gone?, we need to improve on the free-flow-pass-and-move back into the game. The lack of incisive movement played an equally important role in the lack of forward passes, there were no barnstorming runs from the center of the park, and no razor-sharp vision to find the diagonal balls to the wings. The key for Kenny Dalglish and his coaching team now is to help our side unlock a stifling midfield.
Defensive Errors? Yes, it was an overall solid defensive performance. Yes, our defenders and midfielders restricted United to just two shots on target all afternoon.
Skrtel has failed to mark his man towards the run to the equalizer. We've only kept 2 clean sheet thus far, this needs addressing.Chances created & converted? Game after game, the frustration isn't as much about the chances we create, but the lack of finishing ability to convert them. KD should have opted to bring in Bellamy as he has the finishing ability which would be able to kill off the United game. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the reason why KD has not brought him in even for 5 mins.
Reliance on Suarez is a biggest mistake, as we need to improve as a team play rather than a one-man-show. The frustration of unable to convert chances into goal could bring him lot more pressure and to raise his tempers , as we know how good he is at it. The positive thing here is , the Captain is back with a bang. That was a top notch free kick. His typical way of scoring freekick , where we could have seen all the thunder bolt shots in his young days, this is top CLASS ! and he is capable of scoring important goals.
Full backs performance was top notch on Saturday and we defended well for the entire game, until the 80th min. Kelly , Carra, Enrique in particular played their part. Well done!. Skrtel, you need more lesson from Carra / Kelly / Enrique. I hope Coates gets his games soon. Resurgence as a team was on the card, we have shown that we can beat anyone if we all the above improved.
Well done ! Looking forward for Norwich City's visit this weekend.
YNWA !
I couldn't understand why people are blaming Skrtel for Hernandez's goal. For all we know, Hernandez is even troublesome to Mr. Captain, Leader & Legend John Terry. IMO, Vidic himself might be having problems with Hernandez.
Goodness, there are sour grapes whenever things doesn't go one's way. That's part and parcel of the game. And again, IMO, Benitez is more of a sour grape when he claimed that Fergie won the league by spending a lot.
Just to add a few 'notes'.
Regarding that Suarez-Evra incident, just let the FA investigate first. It is either one of them is wrong. Before anyone saying anything about Evra, Suarez himself is not really a saint. Please read don't retaliate because it's quite pointless and the debate will go on and on and on.
1. Even the linesman saw fit to disrespect Liverpool by disallowing an offside goal scored by Luis Suarez, who was carded himself for repeatedly calling the assistant a filthy Spanish word. With Liverpool down to nine it was time for cool heads, so Suarez was hauled off and on came that paragon of virtue Craig Bellamy.
2. Suarez also insisted he "respects everybody". Why don't we ask Otman Bakkal, or the entire nation of Ghana?
This post has been edited by boxsystem: Oct 17 2011, 09:23 PM