The Manchester United thread 2006/2007 - featuring BBB leaving early

[BBB]

Yup, he thinks he's the best player of the season so far

[pjburrage]

Mart, no wonder you're going to so many away games, you're getting in for free.

[BBB]

"It proves we shouldn't listen to Jose too much because he said we wouldn't be top at Christmas," joked Sir Alex during his post-match interview with Sky Sports. "He had to apologise to Andy Johnson [for saying the Everton striker dived] earlier in the week so we shouldn't listen to him all the time!

\o/

[BBB]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Pires777:

teehee </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

hello

[ericcantona7]

I'm sure the exact quote was something like "he had to apologise to Andy Johnson for lying earlier this week" which wfb, but maybe that's just what I heard in my head.

[Nick OGS20]

right, stats are imminent, few issues to resolve:

- blame for reo-coker's goal last week

- what foot he scored that goal with (i've not seen it yet :/)

- what foot Ronaldo tapped his second in with today (think it was his right)

also, let's have some more motm vurts

[Nick OGS20]

i love the fact pires isn't just your everyday ****. he'll actually gloat when you're 0-0 at half-time \O/

[pjburrage]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">- blame for reo-coker's goal last week </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Rio, Vida, Gaby, Carrick, Fergie

MOTM for today was Ronaldo (2nd Scholes)

[JulesMUFC]

motm today was ronaldo, 2nd scholesy

affg reo coker rio, shouldve dealt with harewood at the by line.

[James M]

blame for last week is vds, his dive towards the ball was a cardinal mistake

[Nick OGS20]

conflicting reports \O/

[JulesMUFC]

i agree vds didnt do great when the ball wasnt played in but it shouldve been allowed to be put across in the first place in my opinion.

[Nick OGS20]

look, someone answer the other two questions

[James M]

it was reo-coker's right foot.

and vds' fault

[James M]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IZz7GVW19Y

He should never have dived towards the ball

[Weststandred]

Got home from the game about an hour ago, was a good day out. Train from Preston to Birmingham NS, got fecking searched when we got there, i'm 15 ffs and iirc I don't carry weapons. Went to Cap 'n' gown? for a little while then went into The Aston or something across the road, to meet these brummies to get our tickets. I was in Doug Ellis Upper (the stand above you BBB), first goal we cheered a bit, not going mental because we didn't want to get kicked out. But no one was arsed, so for the other 2 (especially scholesy's) we went crazy. After the game we went back to the Cap 'n' gown for a couple of hours, before own train home. It was mint on train on the way back, Everton, Blackburn and a few United fans all coming back from away games, had a laugh. ROVERS TICKETS FOR ARSENAL WERE £32 FFS, United get shat on away from home, once again.

scholesy

[Nick OGS20]

what should he have done then, just stood there and let reo-coker pick his spot? i can't see how that's VDS' fault

[James M]

if you're at your near post you don't dive towards the ball like that, it leaves far too much of the goal open. you dive across the line and hope the shot goes along the ground. every time. it's the way you increase the likelihood of you saving the shot.

[Nick OGS20]

when the forward is so close i think the keeper has a right to try and intercept the shot at source rather than gambling on it hitting him. far more inclined to blame rio for letting harewood put the ball across and/or whoever it was who put in a pretty feeble effort to stop the cross into harewood in the first place.

[Gazz22]

MotM: Ronaldo

Runner-up: Scholes

I'd say VDS was at fault for West Ham's goal. He should have just came and took the ball. It looks like he went at it all wrong.

[James M]

nah nick, it was poor judgement from vds, as any competent goalkeeper will tell you

[Nick OGS20]

i am a more than competent keeper , and from the brief look at it that i've had, he has a right to go for it

[Richie J]

james, i'm a competent goalkeeper. you're wrong.

[Nick OGS20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">He should have just came and took the ball. It looks like he went at it all wrong. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

i'm more inclined to agree with that than the argument that he shouldn't go for it at all

[Nick OGS20]

gah, they didn't show ronnie's second goal in the end credits /O\

[James M]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Richie J:

james, i'm a competent goalkeeper. you're wrong. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

nah, you're welsh

he didn't have time to come and go for it, which is what he did, you can see him drop to his knees before realising he's completely misjudged it, he should have covered as much of the goal as possible

[Richie J]

he's attacking the cross, and doesn't make it. he's right to try and intercept it, and if you're putting the blame on him then yes, his mistake is not getting any contact on the cutback.

however he had no option but to attack the cross as reo-coker was unmarked in the middle. if he allows reo-coker a free shot at goal from 5 yards, no amount of making himself big is going to stop him from scoring

[James M]

he does nothing whatsover to put reo-coker off because he's flapping too much, all he does by committing himself is give reo coker the entire goal to aim at, rather then half a goal.

he either has to totally commit, immediately, to getting to the cutback, or block the goal. and he does neither.

[Richie J]

you're talking rubbish james.

if he's trying to save the shot then he should be spreading himself and attacking reo coker in a one-v-one type situation. that's not what he does.

there's no way he should be diving across his line, 5 yards away from the forward, in the vain hope that his 6'5 frame might cover enough of the 24' goal

[Nick OGS20]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Nick OGS20:

The United Thread Stat-tacular 2006-7: post-citeh

Appearances:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

1. Edwin VAN DER SAR | 18 | 6 | | | 24 |

2. Gary NEVILLE | 16 | 4 | | | 20 |

3. Patrice EVRA | 11(2) | 2(2) | | 0(1) | 13(5) |

4. Gabriel HEINZE | 6(3) | 3(1) | | 2 | 11(4) |

5. Rio FERDINAND | 19 | 4(1) | | | 23(1) |

6. Wes BROWN | 6(3) | 3 | | 2 | 11(3) |

7. Cristiano RONALDO | 17 | 5 | | 1 | 23 |

8. Wayne ROONEY | 15(1) | 6 | | 1 | 22(1) |

9. Louis SAHA | 16(1) | 5 | | | 21(1) |

11. Ryan GIGGS | 14(1) | 3 | | | 17(1) |

13. PARK Ji-Sung | 2(4) | | | | 2(4) |

14. Alan SMITH | | 0(2) | | 2 | 2(2) |

15. Nemanja VIDIC | 13 | 5 | | | 18 |

16. Michael CARRICK | 14(1) | 6 | | | 20(1) |

18. Paul SCHOLES | 15 | 5(1) | | | 20(1) |

20. Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER | 3(5) | 1(3) | | 1 | 5(8) |

22. John O'SHEA | 7(10)| 3(2) | | 1 | 11(12) |

23. Kieran RICHARDSON | 3(1) | 0(2) | | 2 | 5(3) |

24. Darren FLETCHER | 9(5) | 3(2) | | 1 | 13(6) |

25. David JONES | | | | 2 | 2 |

27. Mikael SILVESTRE | 4(5) | 2 | | 2 | 8(5) |

29. Tomasz KUSZCZAK | 1 | | | 2 | 3 |

34. Ryan SHAWCROSS | | | | 0(2) | 0(2) |

35. Kieran LEE | | | | 0(2) | 0(2) |

36. David GRAY | | | | 1 | 1 |

41. Philip MARSH | | | | 1 | 1 |

42. Michael BARNES | | | | 0(1) | 0(1) |

49. Ritchie JONES | | | | 1 | 1 |

</pre>

Goalscorers:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

9. Louis SAHA | 8 | 4 | | | 12 |

7. Cristiano RONALDO | 8 | | | | 8 |

8. Wayne ROONEY | 8 | | | | 8 |

20. Ole Gunnar SOLSKJAER | 4 | 1 | | 1 | 6 |

11. Ryan GIGGS | 2 | 1 | | | 3 |

15. Nemanja VIDIC | 2 | 1 | | | 3 |

18. Paul SCHOLES | 2 | 1 | | | 2 |

22. John O'SHEA | 1 | 1 | | | 2 |

24. Darren FLETCHER | 2 | | | | 2 |

3. Patrice EVRA | 1 | | | | 1 |

5. Rio FERDINAND | 1 | | | | 1 |

23. Kieran RICHARDSON | | 1 | | | 1 |

27. Mikael SILVESTRE | 1 | | | | 1 |

35. Kieran LEE | | | | 1 | 1 |

Own Goals | 1 | | | | 1 |

| | | | | |

Totals | 41 | 10 | | 2 | 53 |

</pre>

Penalties:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

9. Louis SAHA 3/4

</pre>

Penalties won:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

7. Cristiano RONALDO 2

8. Wayne ROONEY 1

11. Ryan GIGGS 1

</pre>

Assists:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

9. Louis SAHA 7

11. Ryan GIGGS 7

8. Wayne ROONEY 6

7. Cristiano RONALDO 6

2. Gary NEVILLE 3

3. Patrice EVRA 2

6. Wes BROWN 2

24. Darren FLETCHER 2

4. Gabriel HEINZE 1

13. PARK Ji-Sung 1

14. Alan SMITH 1

15. Nemanja VIDIC 1

16. Michael CARRICK 1

18. Paul SCHOLES 1

49. Ritchie JONES 1

</pre>

At Fault For Goal:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

4. Gabriel HEINZE 2

27. Mikael SILVESTRE 2

2. Gary NEVILLE 1

3. Patrice EVRA 1

5. Rio FERDINAND 1

6. Wes BROWN 1

7. Cristiano RONALDO 1

16. Michael CARRICK 1

22. John O'SHEA 1

</pre>

Clean Sheets:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Charlton away (EPL)

Tottenham home (EPL)

Benfica away (CL)

Newcastle home (EPL)

FC Kobenhavn home (CL)

Liverpool home (EPL)

Bolton away (EPL)

Portsmouth home (EPL)

Blackburn away (EPL)

Everton home (EPL)

Aston Villa away (EPL)

</pre>

Yellow Cards:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

18. Paul SCHOLES | 5 | 2 | | | 7 |

15. Nemanja VIDIC | 5 | | | | 5 |

3. Patrice EVRA | 3 | 1 | | | 4 |

8. Wayne ROONEY | 2 | 1 | | 1 | 4 |

6. Wes BROWN | 2 | | | 1 | 3 |

4. Gabriel HEINZE | 1 | 1 | | | 2 |

11. Ryan GIGGS | 2 | | | | 2 |

16. Michael CARRICK | 1 | 1 | | | 2 |

22. John O'SHEA | 2 | | | | 2 |

5. Rio FERDINAND | 1 | | | | 1 |

7. Cristiano RONALDO | | 1 | | | 1 |

9. Louis SAHA | 1 | | | | 1 |

23. Kieran RICHARDSON | 1 | | | 1 | 1 |

24. Darren FLETCHER | | 1 | | | 1 |

25. David JONES | | | | 1 | 1 |

27. Mikael SILVESTRE | | 1 | | | 1 |

35. Kieran LEE | | | | 1 | 1 |

</pre>

Average Goals Per Game: 2.59 (70 in 27)

Average Goals Scored Per Game: 1.96 (53 in 27)

Average Goals Conceded Per Game: 0.63 (17 in 27)

Games Won When Scoring First Goal: 16/17 (94.12%)

Games Drawn When Scoring First Goal: 1/17 (5.88%)

Games Lost When Scoring First Goal: 0/17

Games Won When Conceding First Goal: 4/10 (40%)

Games Drawn When Conceding First Goal: 1/10 (10%)

Games Lost When Conceding First Goal: 5/10 (50%)

Games Won When Leading At Half-Time: 11/12 (91.67%)

Games Drawn When Leading At Half-Time: 1/12 (8.33%)

Games Lost When Leading At Half-Time: 0/12

Games Won When Drawing At Half-Time: 8/13 (61.54%)

Games Drawn When Drawing At Half-Time: 1/13 (7.69%)

Games Lost When Drawing At Half-Time: 4/13 (30.77%)

Games Won When Losing At Half-Time: 1/2 (50%)

Games Drawn When Losing At Half-Time: 0/2

Games Lost When Losing At Half-Time: 1/2 (50%)

Time of Goals Scored:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

0 - 15 mins | 8 | | | | 8 |

15 - 30 mins | 5 | | | 1 | 6 |

30 - 45 mins | 5 | 4 | | | 9 |

45 - 60 mins | 4 | 3 | | | 7 |

60 - 75 mins | 11 | 2 | | | 13 |

75 - 90 mins | 8 | 1 | | | 9 |

Extra Time | | | | 1 | 1 |

</pre>

Time of Goals Conceded:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

0 - 15 mins | 2 | | | | 2 |

15 - 30 mins | | 2 | | 1 | 3 |

30 - 45 mins | 2 | 1 | | | 3 |

45 - 60 mins | 1 | | | | 1 |

60 - 75 mins | 4 | 1 | | 1 | 6 |

75 - 90 mins | 1 | 1 | | | 2 |

Extra Time | | | | | |

</pre>

Manner of Goals Scored:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

Left foot | 10 | 5 | | | 15 |

Right foot | 25 | 2 | | 2 | 29 |

Head | 5 | 3 | | | 8 |

Opponent | 1 | | | | 1 |

| | | | | |

Inside area | 35 | 8 | | 1 | 44 |

Outside area | 6 | 2 | | 1 | 9 |

| | | | | |

Open play | 35 | 6 | | 2 | 43 |

Set piece | 3 | 3 | | | 6 |

Direct freekick | 1 | | | | 1 |

Penalty | 2 | 1 | | | 3 |

</pre>

Manner of Goals Conceded:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

| Prem | ECL | FAC | TCC | Total |

| | | | | |

Left foot | 2 | 4 | | | 6 |

Right foot | 5 | 1 | | 2 | 8 |

Head | 2 | | | | 2 |

United player | 1 | | | | 1 |

| | | | | |

Inside area | 7 | 2 | | | 9 |

Outside area | 3 | 3 | | 2 | 8 |

| | | | | |

Open play | 7 | 3 | | 1 | 11 |

Set piece | 1 | | | | 1 |

Direct freekick | 1 | 2 | | 1 | 4 |

Penalty | 1 | | | | 1 |

</pre>

Form

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

Last Six (All comps): WWWWLW

Last Six (Prem/ship): DWWWLW

Home (All comps): WWDWWW

Home (Prem/ship): WWWDWW

Away (All comps): WWLWLW

Away (Prem/ship): WWWWLW

Games Unbeaten: 1 (all comps), 1 (premiership)

Consecutive Wins: 1 (all comps), 1 (premiership)

</pre>

Attendances:

Highest - 76,004, vs Portsmouth (Premiership, 4/11/06)

Lowest - 72,020, vs FC Kobenhavn (Champions League, 18/10/06)

Total - 902,194 (12 games)

Average - 75,183

Mart Leaving Early:

Sevilla home

Dubiously-legal female charity collectors ogled from the wall

Ten

Forthcoming Fixtures

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

26.12.06 Wigan Athletic (H) Premiership

30.12.06 Reading (H) Premiership

01.01.07 Newcastle United (A) Premiership

07.01.07 Aston Villa (H) FA Cup Third Round

13.01.07 Aston Villa (H) Premiership

21.01.07 Arsenal (A) Premiership

</pre>

--------------------------------------------------------------

Reserves Update

Appearances: Kieran Lee 11, Daniel Rose 10, Ryan Shawcross 9, Craig Cathcart 8(2), Ritchie Jones 8, Aaron Burns 8, Michael Barnes 7(3), Philip Marsh 7(3), Tom Heaton 7, David Gray 7(1), Michael Lea 6(1), Alan Smith 6, David Jones 6, Jamie Mullan 5(2), Séan Evans 4(2), Tomasz Kuszczak 4, Floribert N'Galula 2, Sam Hewson 1(1), Christopher Eagles 1, Liam Miller 1, Giuseppe Rossi 1, Ji-Sung Park 1, Kieran Richardson 1, Febian Brandy (5), Christy Fagan (2), Daniel Drinkwater (1), Magnus Wolff Eikrem (1),

Scorers: Philip Marsh 7, Aaron Burns 6, Febian Brandy 2, Giuseppe Rossi 2, Michael Barnes 2, Kieran Lee 1, Christopher Eagles 1, David Jones 1, Ryan Shawcross 1, Daniel Rose 1, David Gray 1, Kieran Richardson 1, Alan Smith 1, own goals 1 (Webster, Wigan)

Premier Reserve League North Table:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

P W D L F A GD Pts

1. M'boro Res 8 6 1 1 19 6 +13 19

2. Man Utd Res 7 5 0 2 15 7 +8 15

3. N'castle Res 6 3 2 1 12 9 +3 11

</pre>

Next Fixture:

17.01.07 Bury (A) - Manchester Seniors Cup

--------------------------------------------------------------

Academy Update

Appearances: James Chester 15, Christy Fagan 14(1), Febian Brandy 13(1), James Derbyshire 11(3), Daniel Drinkwater 11(3), Magnus Wolff Eikrem 11(2), Craig Cathcart 10, Richard Eckersley 10, Sam Hewson 10, Benjamin Amos 10, Daniel Welbeck 8(6), Antonio Bryan 8(4), Conor McCormack 8(2), Michael Lea 6, Daniel Galbraith 5(1), Ron-Robert Zieler 5, Thomas Cleverley 4(1), Corrie Evans 3(3), Kenny Strickland 3(1), Oliver Norwood (2), Matthew James (2)

Scorers: Brandy 9, Fagan 5, Welbeck 5, Bryan 2, Galbraith 1, Hewson 2, Cathcart 1, Eikrem 1, Lea 1, Chester 1

U18 Academy Group C Table:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">

P W D L F A GD Pt

4. B'burn Yth 14 6 2 6 21 16 +5 20`

5. Man Utd Yth 15 5 3 7 28 29 -1 18

6. WBA Yth 14 5 2 7 20 23 -3 17

</pre>

Next Fixture:

16.12.06 S****horpe United (H) - FA Youth Cup, @ Ewen Fields, Hyde

--------------------------------------------------------------

Assists and at-fault-for's up for debate ofc. Suggestions for further stats welcome. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm with-holding judgement on the reo-coker goal until we've discussed it further, and i'm just assuming Ronaldo tapped in the third goal with his right peg. Just the one assist for today's goal, Nev for the third.

[Weststandred]

Loads of players could be at fault for the goal but imo it was Rio, he should of prevented the ball being played back across goal.

[pjburrage]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Next Fixture:

16.12.06 S****horpe United (H) - FA Youth Cup, @ Ewen Fields, Hyde

-------------------------------------------------------------- </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Shambles tbh.

[DamonWattsok]

as a goalkeeper myself, VdS not at fault btw

[Nick OGS20]

yeah, i cba doing that tonight, i need to sort out a few things with the youth stuff (the table's wrong for starters) but the official site is useless and the stats site i use is bookmarked on another laptop.

as if anyone reads it anyway

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Taz & The Devil:

Then we talk about end product and i think its agreed he has it in spades now. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wouldn't go that far just yet.

Ronaldo has been magnificent so far this season, and yeah his end product is much improved on what it was a year ago. But the best thing of all is that I still think there is a lot more to come from him. I'm not trying to be critical, but he still does things in a game where you're thinking "yeah that's a great run and it relieves the pressure on our defence, but he could have done more at the end of it."

Those occassions are less frequent than they used to be, but by the time he's into his mid-20's, and his decision-making will hopefully have improved with experience, he'll be even more effective.

Praise him by all means, but he's not the finished article yet, the thought of what he will be like when he is though, man

[pjburrage]

So how many papers to run with a headline akin to Merry Cristmas

[Ryno]

Fault for last weeks goal should be with Scholes for not tracking Reo-Coker and standing there with his hands on his hips.

Just finished watching todays game and I think I am still in awe of Scholes' strike. I'm in envy if Nick, BBB and WSR for actually seeing it live.

As for the game, I thought that we were very shaky when it came to set pieces, Villa always seemed as though they were going to cause us problems every time they had an attacking one. Saying that, they were never going to bother us from open play. First half was a shambles, but the 2nd was much better. Ronny was awesome and I am so glad that he got a couple, Neville was more prominent aswell which is more like his form this season.

I also have to add that I was most impressed with Fletcher, his positioning was great and his movement off the ball was even better. He also showed that he is capable of picking out a few long range passes and actually hitting his target.

MOTM: Ronaldo

2nd: Fletcher

Next few games will be interesting with the bans to take into consideration.

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ryno:

As for the game, I thought that we were very shaky when it came to set pieces </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

When aren't we?

[Weststandred]

Killer question: Which volley was better Rooney's against Newcastle or Scholesy's against Villa?

[Ryno]

I've seen us much better in recent times, but today every time that ball came in from a corner or a FK it scared me.

[Ryno]

Scholes. IMO it is harder to control a ball when it is dropping for a higher distance when you are standing still.

When you strike a ball while on the move, it's also easier to get more power behind the shot and I think that Scholes matched Rooney's for power.

[Weststandred]

Btw that's not the best goal i've seen in person at Villa Park, I was there in 99' for the FA Cup semi-final. Giggsy

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Ryno:

I've seen us much better in recent times, but today every time that ball came in from a corner or a FK it scared me. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think I'm like that all the time, I remember in 2003/2004 some ridiculous stat where by Christmas 80% of the goals we had conceded where from set pieces, I've never been fully convinced since.

Not to mention the ridiculous number of free-kicks we have conceded this year.

[Mika]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Weststandred:

Btw that's not the best goal i've seen in person at Villa Park, I was there in 99' for the FA Cup semi-final. Giggsy </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would have been

[Mika]

Disclaimer: 80% may be an exaggeration. It was however, a bloody high proportion.

[Ryno]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mika:

Not to mention the ridiculous number of free-kicks we have conceded this year. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes that is definitely a big worry.

[Nick OGS20]

it doesn't help when your opponents have the uber-c**tish chris sutton in their ranks. his unique ability to molest opposition defenders and make it look like he's the one being fouled is always hard to deal with. thankfully nearly every other aspect of his game is dire.

i didn't think we were that bad on set-pieces today anyway, fwiw. there was a dodgy one first half where they hit the post, but we weren't too bad at all. i don't think we've been that bad in that department all season, frankly.

[Weststandred]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mika:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Weststandred:

Btw that's not the best goal i've seen in person at Villa Park, I was there in 99' for the FA Cup semi-final. Giggsy </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

You would have been </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

That comment meaning.. you don't believe me? fine believe what you like.

My view today was ace, nearly the top of the 2nd tier of the Doug Ellis stand, between the half-way line and the penalty area. Would of prefered to be in the United end though, obviously.

[Mika]

Not awful, just more vulnerable there than from open play, though I guess set pieces are always going to be more level playing field for the technically worse teams and our better defending as a whole might make it look worse than it is.

[Taz & The Devil]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Mika:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Taz & The Devil:

Then we talk about end product and i think its agreed he has it in spades now. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I wouldn't go that far just yet.

Ronaldo has been magnificent so far this season, and yeah his end product is much improved on what it was a year ago. But the best thing of all is that I still think there is a lot more to come from him. I'm not trying to be critical, but he still does things in a game where you're thinking "yeah that's a great run and it relieves the pressure on our defence, but he could have done more at the end of it."

Those occassions are less frequent than they used to be, but by the time he's into his mid-20's, and his decision-making will hopefully have improved with experience, he'll be even more effective.

Praise him by all means, but he's not the finished article yet, the thought of what he will be like when he is though, man </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I stand by what i said. Yes there is more to come from Ronnie, yes he still picks the wrong option at times but that doesnt mean he hasnt got end product in spades.