United Vs Blackburn! Will Alex never learn??

Mossin

Alex is planning on resting some more of his top stars for tonights clash with Blackburn in the Carling Cup Semi-Final.

After the F.A. Cup fiasco last Sunday, you would have thought he would have learned. Blackburn are a considerably stronger force than Burton [no disrespect to Burton who played tremendously] and will provide Uniteds second string with a lot more trouble than Burton.

I know the derby is coming up on Saturday, but with the opportunity to reach a Cup Final at stake I cant make out why he continues to tinker with the team, it's not like the club is still in European competition later next month, and he needs to rest players.

Anyway despite all this I still put my money on United to win 2-1 despite Dickov scoring the first goal.

mayordenis

why would you put money on united reserves to do anything?
i'd barely put money on the united first choice eleven vs. blackburn, hopefully we'll see the pedersan show again.

Ruskie4Rent

There are two legs. I'd rather the first team had played in the FA cup and rotated them today.
Ah well, I believe they'll play better with more on the line. It wasn't a lack of quality on Sunday, it was the team's lack of ambition or willingness to go and kill off the match.

Xterminator

dont forget the lack of grass on the pitch last sunday too!

TBH I am hoping rovers keep a clean sheet and nick a goal or 2 at the other end. I'd love to see rooney not starting, as their not the same team without him.

I think 2-0 might prove to be too big a lead to overturn at old trafford in the second leg.

X

Mossin

why would i put money on the United reserves?? because hopefully Vidic and Evra will be starting tonight, alongside Brown and Bardsley, its not a bad defence!

in midfield he better go with, Park, Smith, Jones, Richardson if he is giving players a rest.

and up front, Solskjaer and Saha!

it's not a bad selection, with Rooney, Ronaldo, Scholes, O'Shea on the bench.

Lemlin

mayordenis wrote:

why would you put money on united reserves to do anything?
i'd barely put money on the united first choice eleven vs. blackburn, hopefully we'll see the pedersan show again.

Well said. Blackburn are something of a bogey team for United of late. We beat a full strength United team at the start of this season, drew with them twice last season (one of those games requiring a 93rd minute equaliser by United) and beat them 1-0 at the end of the season before.

Its been quite a while since United last beat us in a competitive game. I'm all for Fergie playing a weakened team though. Hopefully we'll see the Pedersen and Bellamy show!

I'd love to see Rooney come up against Mokoena again though. I'll never forget how, in the 0-0 game at Old Trafford last year, the man the media portray as a player who lives on the edge and is afraid of no-one was afraid to dive into a 50-50 tackle with the "hacksaw".

OTliddy

Squad(from http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/4597922.stm)):Van der Sar, Howard, Neville, Bardsley, Brown, Ferdinand, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Richardson, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Smith, Scholes, Giggs, Van Nistelrooy, Saha, Rooney, Rossi, Solskjaer.

That seems like as strong a squad as he can choose. He'll probably rest a few of the big guns on the bench, but still they shouldn't lose.

gracehopper

Blackburn are flying at the moment and it will take a decent performance from any United team to get a result, i think United should go for it and play the full strength team, it could be the only trophy we win all year (well also maybe the FA cup), Would love to get Arsenal in the final if we beat Blackburn over the 2 legs as we defo owe them one from last years FA cup final, where we played them off the park and lost

Prediction: score draw, 2-2, hopefully better than the tripe i watched last night

mayordenis

that is very silly altogether,
evra and vidic are undoubtedly very good signings but you can hardly expect an air tight defense by any stretch of the imagination.
Even disillusioned man utd fans must accept these things.

Mossin

I never said anything about an airtight defence! i said it's not a bad defence!

when one takes that Donkey Silvestre, that Sissy Ferdinand and the supposed captain Neville out of the defence [although Neville is solid enough], and replace them with Evra, Vidic, and Bardsley, it is already showing more strengths to me than the supposed first team defence.

if that is really the squad that Alex has to choose from OTliddy thne we shall have nothing to worry about now will we.
Blackburn may be on a high at the minute but every team has a blip, and United are the masters at ending a good streak and starting a bad one for teams.

d22ontour

mayordenis wrote:

i'd barely put money on the united first choice eleven vs. blackburn, hopefully we'll see the pedersan show again.

Good point.

I thought united would find it hard against them with a full strength team out never mind reserves.

Going for a draw all the same.

leeroybrown

Mossin wrote:

why would i put money on the United reserves?? because hopefully Vidic and Evra will be starting tonight, alongside Brown and Bardsley, its not a bad defence!

Given that the Russian soccer season had probably ended before December, I doubt that Vidic will be in peak fitness. I doubt he'll feature for a week or two.

And also, while it's four good players, if they were to play it would hardly constitute a good defence tonight. One player who has had his form questioned, one young emerging player and two new signings, one of whom reportedly doesn't have much English.

Ruskie4Rent

He's having his debut against Burton.

cournioni

Pity Pique isn't in the squad. He impressed me against Burton.

Mossin

Brown's form of late has been very good, and the last time i checked being able to speak english wasn't a requirement of being a good footballer.

anyone who has watched Evra at Monaco knows he is a solid left back, and Bardsley can only inprove from playing these types of games where the team is slightly under the cosh.

The Muppet

Heres the starting 11. Seems strong enough to me.

VDS

Neville Ferdinand Brown Silvestre

Ronaldo Smith Fletcher Giggs

Rooney Saha

Rikand

thats decent enough! should be a good game!

zAbbo

Blackburn to win 3-1

OTliddy

2-0 to United, Rooney and Saha to get a goal each

PHB

Too strong a squad for me imo, felt Pique should have played, as should have Rossi, its only the league cup.

Blackburn are looking dangerous on the left side, exposing Ronaldo's unwillingness to track back. However they didn't score from a very good oppurtunity, and I think Ronaldo could well punish them on the break.

The Muppet

Nice finish from saha 1 0 to unted

PHB

That was a great goal, how the **** did Rio not win that header, terrible defending.

The Muppet

PHB wrote:

That was a great goal, how the **** did Rio not win that header, terrible defending.

Nice strike alright .

The Muppet

Theres the topic our after match discussion, Savage puts rooney in a headlock and rooney nuts him trying to get out of it. Both players booked.

KdjaCL

The Muppet wrote:

Theres the topic our after match discussion, Savage puts rooney in a headlock and rooney nuts him trying to get out of it. Both players booked.

I know Savage is hard but why would anyone start on Smith and Rooney , not too bright at all.

One thing always bothers me about Blackburn Lucan Neill is a professional footballer who gets paid to play football as a defender, why cant he tackle? If he gets the ball without hurting the other guy he looks shocked. If he was a striker he would be told not to tackle ever.

kdjac

BaZmO*

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Pity Pique isn't in the squad. He impressed me against Burton.

I'm glad he didn't start for this match. As much as he impressed me in the Burton match he did make a couple of vital errors and I reckon Blackburn are too much of a bruiser team for him to of managed.

The Muppet wrote:

Theres the topic our after match discussion, Savage puts rooney in a headlock and rooney nuts him trying to get out of it. Both players booked.

Savage is such a beeyotch. How long did he stay on the deck for even though he started it. :rolleyes:

B.

PHB

gah, where was scholes?
He woulda been there, fletchers gotta learn that

on the plus side, Fletcher is being really demanding and controlling tonight, and knocking about lots of quality passes. Very impressed with him

deisedevil

Ya Fletch playing well tonight, very few mistakes. I think it's time to bring on park. Bit a pace might be too much for rovers now.

Hobart

BaZmO* wrote:

Savage is such a beeyotch. How long did he stay on the deck for even though he started it. :rolleyes:

B.

I must be watching a different game?? Was it not Smith who ploughed into the back of Savage? :rolleyes: Typical TBH.

deisedevil

Hobart wrote:

I must be watching a different game?? Was it not Smith who ploughed into the back of Savage? :rolleyes: Typical TBH.

Typical what? You obviously are watching a diff game, it doesn't matter what Smith did, the point that was being made was that Savage was trying to pretend he had a head injury, shur they were even talking about it at half time and saying it was a disgrace and that he's always doing it.

The Muppet

deisedevil wrote:

Ya Fletch playing well tonight, very few mistakes. I think it's time to bring on park. Bit a pace might be too much for rovers now.

I read somehere recently that Fergie thinks Fletcher will take two more years to reach his full potential. He played well enough this evening.

scuba steve

deisedevil wrote:

Ya Fletch playing well tonight, very few mistakes. I think it's time to bring on park. Bit a pace might be too much for rovers now.

park is injured isnt he?

deisedevil

Doh!! sorry. And i was lookin forward to him making an appearance an all, lol. I think he's gonna be a huge player for Utd. Still needs to mature a fair bit but he's an absoulte bundle of energy and he'd have any defender wrecked by the end of a game.

Hobart

deisedevil wrote:

Typical what? You obviously are watching a diff game, it doesn't matter what Smith did, the point that was being made was that Savage was trying to pretend he had a head injury, shur they were even talking about it at half time and saying it was a disgrace and that he's always doing it.

I was'nt commenting on the rights or wrongs or Robbie Savage's hystrionics. I was commenting on the fact that it was Savage that was fouled by Smith (do you deny this??), and not the reverse, that occured.

My Typical comment was directed at the Typical supporters that cannot see the wood for the trees. By being over zealous when they see a player on their own team suposedly being carded in the wrong. Heh!! Just like you and Bazmo above!!

PHB

pretty boring match, which i'm fairly annoyed at cause we didn't play youth players in the league cup, which is greatly disappointing.

Hobart

deisedevil wrote:

I think it's time to bring on park. Bit a pace might be too much for rovers now.

He is injured. Lol. You are some fan TBH. ROFL

shepthedog

8 yellow cards?? Was it a dirty match or just a bit physical??

One one isnt bad result for United.. Pedersen has a nasty habit of scoring against United.. Hes a good player, hes coming into his own, wouldnt be a bad signing for United maybe..

The Muppet

shepthedog wrote:

8 yellow cards?? Was it a dirty match or just a bit physical??

One one isnt bad result for United.. Pedersen has a nasty habit of scoring against United.. Hes a good player, hes coming into his own, wouldnt be a bad signing for United maybe..

No it wasn't a dirty match just physical. Utd would be happy enough to go back to OT level for the second leg.

deisedevil

Hobart wrote:

He is injured. Lol. You are some fan TBH. ROFL

Big deal! TBH! I hadn't heard anything about his knee injury and didn't see the subs for de match. Pathetic little dig you went throwing in.

Hobart wrote:

Savage that was fouled by Smith (do you deny this??)

Nope but Savage started it all off and at the end there he is actin the muppet thrown on the ground with his hands on his face pretending he was in a bad way.

Hobart

deisedevil wrote:

Nope but Savage started it all off

He was fouled by Smith. He (Savage) started nothing. Tell you what, J. Park fouled him. How is that for an analagy? It makes as much sense as your other comments!!

applehunter

Great 1st half but the second half was ****e.

I was really impressed with Rooney. Hes brilliant in fairness. If anything the guy does too much. Best player in England at the monent surely.

deisedevil

Hobart wrote:

He was fouled by Smith. He (Savage) started nothing. Tell you what, J. Park fouled him. How is that for an analagy? It makes as much sense as your other comments!!

He fouled Rooney, then Smith came in with the crazy tackle. Now your just dragging it away from what was being discussed, the fact that once again Savage is putting on the act . Now just leave it, i ain't interested in having a stupid arguement with you, i know only too well from reading this forum you love nothing more than to drag people into pointless arguements. Grow up.

Hobart

deisedevil wrote:

He fouled Rooney, then Smith came in with the crazy tackle. Now your just dragging it away from what was being discussed, the fact that once again Savage is putting on the act . Now just leave it, i ain't interested in having a stupid arguement with you, i know only too well from reading this forum you love nothing more than to drag people into pointless arguements. Grow up.

Grand, keep digging. :rolleyes:

cournioni

Hobart is what we call an ABU lads. Wait until he's taken off his tinted specs before getting into a pointless "merry-go-round" type arguement with him.

I enjoyed the game tonight. The first half was quite good to watch, second half not quite as good but I thought Ronaldo played well. He was passing the ball alot more and Giggs played well also. Rooney played his heart out yet again and Fletcher was surprisingly good. I'm very disappionted that United didn't win the game, but that is semi-finals for you...

Hobart

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Hobart is what people call an ABU lads. Wait until he's taken off his tinted specs before getting into a pointless "merry-go-round" type arguement with him.

I'm far from it TBH. I think Manu are one of the best teams in the world. If I was to be described in "your " terminology. I would be labeled a ABF. The F being Fergie. But that's for another thread.

I enjoyed the game tonight. The first half was quite good to watch, second half not quite as good but I thought Ronaldo played well. He was passing the ball alot more and Giggs played well also. Rooney played his heart out yet again and Fletcher was surprisingly good. I'm very disappionted that United didn't win the game, but that is semi-finals for you...

I thought the game was ok. The first half being the best of it. Rooney, as you rightly state, was the player on the night. I thought Ronaldo did a lot right and a lot wrong (he still has a tendency to showboat when it is not necessary) I thought Giggs had a good game, and Saha (to my surprise) had his game of the season.

Apart from that I thought Manu and Blackburn both did enough to earn a draw, with neither being dominant.

yop

Thought we played very well, Fletcher was good in midfield, thought Giggs and Ronaldo were very quite, Silvestre was his usual nervous self.

2 great finishes.

Smiths was a stupid tackle lucky not to have walked, Savage was his usual self, head lock should have seen him walk, poor level of refeering all around, some very strange decisions, especially with some of the challenges, laughable though he gave Neill 4 chances before he gave him yellow!

Still should be a good 2nd leg

Corben Dallas

Good result. Nicely set up for second leg, Blackburn to win it. ManU away hold no fears for us.

Smith steamrolled thru Savage, Savage reacted. Only Smith should have got booked. Also Did u see Rios two handed shove on Bellamy >>in the penalty box?
Poor refereeing decesions.

If Dickov/Bellamy/Kuqi can score first think Blackburn can get a result in Old Trafford.
C'mon MGP!!!!!!

PHB

Also Did u see Rios two handed shove on Bellamy >>in the penalty box?

If it was a foul, it was outside the box. A foul similar to the one committed to Saha by the kepper, but nobodies going to try claim that as a foul.

I expect us to comfortably win at Old Trafford, I'd say 3-0. Either way, we've got the away goal.

Hobart

PHB wrote:

If it was a foul, it was outside the box. A foul similar to the one committed to Saha by the kepper, but nobodies going to try claim that as a foul.

I expect us to comfortably win at Old Trafford, I'd say 3-0. Either way, we've got the away goal.

Ignoring your prediction, and the other alleged foul you mention, do you agree that the push actually took part? And if it did. Do you agree that it was a foul (outside the box or not)?

Fighting Irish

PORNAPSTER wrote:

Pity Pique isn't in the squad. He impressed me against Burton.

are you joking? he had a lot of the ball but looked pretty weak

PHB

If its a foul, which I can accept a view that it is, then the amount of fouls in that game was unreal. I think its a foul, and i've no problem with that, once consistancy is applied, say in relation to the four fouls on ronaldo not given in the first 20 minutes. But its a physical game, and I expect these sorta fouls to be given inconsistantly, and Rio got away with it, as he always tends to.