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Episode 191 - Make Sense of That
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Kieran bring you a rant episode today. Buckle in and join the conversation on our socials!
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Transcript
Disappointment with Manchester Derby
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm
00:00:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah i had a few choice words to say last night nre and tom pretty much summed it up ah in and a polite way i think ah think it's fair to say i think i had a few more choice words last night I've had a bit of time to cool down and calm down, and I still feel exactly the same.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, let's let's jump into it. Obviously, Niall and Tom did ah did a good job of reviewing you know raw reaction to the game on Sunday.
00:00:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um you know it It was a game I don't think... many of us expected to to sort of get a really good result out of, as in a win. um it It felt like going into it, it was one of those city of Manchester derbies that it was just going to be, this is going to be ugly, isn't it?
Haaland's Impact
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
You had this bad feeling and sense of dread going into the match. And hey, look, that that proved to be true in the end. Haaland actually started.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there you go. you know we We were talking about the danger of Haaland. Now he's gone and scored, was it now, eight goals in Manchester derbies. ah Phil Foden's now done the same.
00:01:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, it's it's just... Well, again, ill i I'll... If you humour me, let's go through it and let's relive that horrendous, horrendous day.
00:01:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I think we were...
City's Game Management
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think for a lot of the game we were pinned back. I think City just knew how to play this game. They knew how to beat United.
00:01:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was, let us have possession because we can't do a lot with it. And although going into this game, you know I think before this you know Premier League weekend, we had the highest XG. Now, if you are an XG believer, good on you.
00:02:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I kind of feel like it's a it's a a first indicator of how matches are going. But it's not the be-all and end-all because, let's say, a penalty is very high XG in the first place.
00:02:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
We know Brito Fernandes has missed one and scored one. So that's going to contribute massively to to what the XG actually is. But I thought, you know, we were making some chances. There were some good chances in the game created by United. Yeah, I'll just... say mainly in the second half towards the end when it was game over and there was nothing left really to play for. And City knew that and they just decided to play out the game.
00:02:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, we did make chances, I think. And Bermot
Fortuitous Goal Controversy
00:02:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
was, you know, the the bright spark in the game, forced a save from Dollaruma.
00:03:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a good save. I think it's a save most keepers are expected to save. um but he still pulls it off. Now, I'm not salty. Not very salty.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I just think, you know, we we we didn't we didn't challenge City enough. They they were well drilled. They got the blocks in. and And speaking of blocks, it's a block that comes perfectly back to Doku. So Doku's tried to cross the ball in.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's blocked, and it lands perfectly back to Doku to get the first time cross in. Now... That's a game of FIFA. You're calling for the script, aren't you? but If that's football manager, you think, and that that doesn't happen. Something's wrong with the match engine here. That's exactly what I thought.
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
How is that fair? I felt aggrieved at the time because I just thought, i did well, they're they're through. They're 1-0 up because of a lucky goal.
Goalkeeper Decision Critique
00:03:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i And I sort of said that in our little group chat, you know, in the game, raw reaction and all that.
00:03:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I genuinely didn't did feel, you know, I think we did make decent chances, not great chances, but we made decent chances. I think Dorgou was okay until it sort of came to the point where we weren't in it any anymore.
00:04:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that came at the second goal. where it's a typical Haaland goal. You know, Doku and Haaland, way too strong. um You've got two players all over Haaland. They still can't stop him.
00:04:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he dinks it over Altai. Now, we've had a lot of conversations about goalkeepers in our recent episodes. And you tell me whether Le Mans should have started the game or not.
00:04:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hindsight is 20-20. But I don't think Altai did too much wrong. There was a bit of a scary moment when he, I think he slightly miscontrols the ball. I've sort of etched much of the game out of my memory. But apart apart from that, I don't think there was a lot he could have done.
00:04:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, there's there's a header that comes in from it a cross that falls perfectly back to Docky to cross in again. Still not over it. Still not over it. Yeah, tears taste good, don't they?
00:05:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... you know it's It's a header that's looping away from Altai. Many keepers are struggling to say that anyway. Then you have the Haaland goal where he dinks it over Altai.
00:05:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Again, Altai's tried to you know slide in for the ball. Does he go too early? i think you sort of question that as well. But how early is too early against Haaland? Because he just has your number sometimes.
00:05:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the third goal.
00:05:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just silence for me, honestly. The third goal was probably criminal. I mean, the whole United team, fair play to them away from home trying to push for a goal to get us back in the game.
00:05:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
But no one at least sweeping at the back there. No one at least, you know, funnily enough, and I'm going to bring it back to Onana,
00:05:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
But for all his flaws, Inanna would have been there. He would have been 30 yards outside of his goal, maybe even at the halfway line, because that's just how he is. He's just he's he's basically wanting to contribute to the play.
00:06:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think Inanna would have been much further up than Altai and would have reacted and at least you know probably brought down Haaland, but he would have made a tackle. He would have made a challenge.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's... frustrating because as a modern day keeper, you sort of have to have your wits about you defensively. you You have to be a sweeper, especially when everybody is pushing up for this goal, to try and get this goal.
00:06:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know United are trying to are trying to get back into the game.
Sweeper Keeper Tactics
00:06:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's fine. I don't mind all 11 players pushing forward to try and get this goal, get back into the game and give us some semblance of hope But at that point, you've got to have your 11th player, the keeper, to be your sweeper.
00:06:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that if any counterattack starts, at least you've got your keeper there to try and you know kick it out for a throw. Or at least slow the play down. Just do something else with it so that the counter's not on.
00:07:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But because there's no sweeper there, because no one can can react to that, ironically... It just allows Haaland to make the run, you know, what's he four four yards, five yards inside his own half?
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So any ball, as long as it's weighted enough, Haaland's in. He doesn't need a head start, yet he got it. He got five-yard head start across anybody. And, you know, at that point, you're just sort of thinking, well, he's just going to finish this.
00:07:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
He will finish this. there There was a moment where, I mean, he should have had a hat-trick in this game, Harland. He should have. And how the ball doesn't go in as it as it hits the post is is beyond me.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
i I'm still trying to rack my head around how it didn't go in. It almost still did. But no, ah somehow somehow no. Somehow it was only 3-0. And then some of our brightest play was coming towards the end of the match when it was almost like we were playing for nothing.
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Yeah, i it was it was confusing. um i I sort of watched on as if to say, i i kind of knew this was going to happen, but I didn't want it to happen, but it is happening. And now I'm sad.
00:08:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just the way it's going at the moment. I don't really think City were ever out of second gear. They had our number the entire game. They let us attack. They let us have the ball you know towards the end of the game as well.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, looking at the stats, United had 55% possession. Now, did it feel like it? At times, yeah, it did.
Referee Decisions Dispute
00:08:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
But goodness gracious, we we didn't do enough.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I had my grievances as well with the referee. I thought in the first half, he let a lot for City go and pulled up United straight away. But there's only so much you could attribute to a referee for not calling 50-50 challenges. At some point, you have to grow up and play football.
00:09:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And United haven't. and we How long we're here again, about how long it's going to take. Well, look, more belly aching. I know if you're a hate watcher, you're loving this, but that's why you're here.
00:09:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And while you're here, we're going to go for a quick break. When we come back, more deliberation. And somehow we've got to walk away from this with something positive to take towards Chelsea.
00:09:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I might be here a while. Back after this.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've talked a lot about systems and we've talked a lot about, you know, the players have to adapt to the system, ingrain themselves, be part of that system. and and And every manager that comes in has their own system, their own set of instructions, their own sense of style of play, how each player plays.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
But one thing that doesn't really make a lot of sense First and foremost was the player selection. Now, if you told me we'd signed a goalkeeper, with Alton not in great form, and we'd just loaned out Inanna, and we brought in a keeper who, you know according to the stats, was doing very well in Belgium.
00:11:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Belgium, in a sense of the the Belgian Pro League, which isn't known for its defensive prowess. you need a lot you know There's a lot of attack in play. And so the the stats can be a bit misleading, as in they're a bit overinflated.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the decision not to start Le Mans today, and not only that, But for, you know, Amrum to say, i am starting Altai, I think it was the Friday, the Thursday or the Friday.
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, how much of your hand do you want to give away? i don't understand that. Is that, you know, if it works, you look like ah like a genius. But much like the penalties against Grimsby, where you're cowered in fear, that's what it looks like.
00:12:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
what What are you doing, Ruben? You're giving one of your positions away, a position that's been constantly under the microscope for the last half a year, maybe more, so much more.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet you're freely giving that information away to City. Yeah, we'll we'll start, Altai. I have faith in him. He's not been in good form. Everyone at United is seeing that. Heck, one of the keepers that wasn't in form, we've sent on loan to Turkey to try and you know inspire and and get confidence back in him.
00:12:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet we're going to throw Altai, who's not in great form, not in great confidence, is not commanding his area, and we expect him to stop Haaland.
00:12:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
but then willfully admitting that you know days before the match. i I don't understand that decision. I really don't. it's like It's like if you have that position, you know, oh, we're in an injury crisis or whatever.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's a bit more well-known if you have an injury crisis, but you've what what is it with Amirim and signing players that they don't start? I don't understand this. Volta made it started against Newcastle, got a goal.
00:13:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Funny that. i I mean, Cesko did start start, didn't he? And that didn't that didn't go well. That didn't go well. He's on my next list. Don't you worry. But then you have starting Agate. Again, not in good form.
00:13:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
not in good form at all, and has been under pressure. We've sort of criticised performances from Agate. Niall has been his biggest critic across this podcast. I think it's fair to say. I think he'll agree with that.
00:13:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's been saying for a long time he's not impressed and he's not convinced by Agate. And that match didn't help. But what doesn't help is manager who doesn't understand when a player just needs to be on the bench or just needs to miss a game match and just say, look, this is this is your chance to just sit one out, have a breather and try and get some confidence and some form back.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's against City and Chelsea, ah you know, the game just gone and the game coming up. So there's not a lot of chance to gain confidence as you as you will. But choosing to start him over Casemiro or choosing to start him over Mainu boggles my mind.
00:14:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
How did Casemiro not start this game? A player who's ready for big matches, it's ingrained in him. And I feel like he started this season quite well as Casemiro.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think as Tom was saying on yesterday's episode, that he was actually being progressive in that in the time he was on the pitch. He was able to win the ball. he was he was yeah He is that destroyer in the middle of the park.
00:14:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
And as much as I want Ogata to be that role... He's not doing it effectively in the slightest. So now you've got someone who isn't in control of the midfield alongside Fernandes, who cannot control the midfield in this game.
00:15:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It just felt like the long balls over to the wings with a cross into the box. Again, not really to anybody or their blocks. They don't clear the first man. The corners that we had weren't clearing Haaland, who was marking the near post.
00:15:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rule one of football, clear them ma you know clear the near post. You've got to get past the first man. i The basics weren't there and and the fundamentals were all wrong. And ah once again, you know our attacking set pieces just just aren't there.
00:15:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, it it was it was not good. i don't think Shaw had a great game. ah don't and I I appreciate trying to get him into the squad.
00:15:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
I appreciate, you know, this centre-back role... trying to get him to at least have his defensive on the pitch, but I felt like he was too negative. In a game where you needed confidence, you needed to press forward. In this system, which prioritises wing backs pushing forward, being the entire width of the pitch, having your attacking midfielders stay slightly narrower,
00:16:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
in in essence, staying narrower, trying to look for either the underlap to stay narrower or maybe even running for the overlap. But again, the crosses don't come to Sesko.
00:16:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or if they do, they're not, you know, they they're sort of whipped cross or looping crosses, which City were dominant in the air all day. Why did it take 95 minutes for no one to realise that a whipped, you know, a floated cross wasn't working?
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why does that need 95 minutes for professional footballers not to understand what's going on? Why does it take more than 95 minutes for the manager to realize that something isn't working?
00:16:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
I appreciate a system coming in and I appreciate that a system takes time, but it's been nearly a year now and the system isn't working yet.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So how long do we have to wait? And how often do we have to have this conversation of this needs patience?
Transfer Strategy Reflection
00:17:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
You know, i i feel like I am patient. But when you get embarrassed ah twice in one season, twice in two months, it starts to wear a bit thin.
00:17:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you start to sort of question if it is the players. I mean, we've we've had a summer now. where we've brought in the likes of Sesko and Burma, who's been great. Cunha was out and that's unlucky, but injuries are part of football.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
i It happens. um you know You have Dorgu, who I think was was good in the game as well, trying to at least make something happen. I like Dorgu. I think he's great.
00:17:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
But... but You need 10 other players around you to to be doing that. In fact, Mbamo was, i thought, okay, the shots he had was okay. The chance he was creating was okay.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um but and But overall, you know we're here again. We're here again wondering how, why it went wrong and when and if it will get better.
00:18:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
what do we take into Chelsea I honestly don't know I haven't a clue because we signed a keeper a new keeper who didn't start it's a it's a common theme they can't all not be match fit once you sign them it doesn't make sense um I don't know I don't know I'd
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's I wouldn't say it's difficult because it's it's a football game. You lose, it happens. But having to watch a system that defensively is is vulnerable and attacking is not working.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
The system screams, we'll score one more than you, but we're not really scoring against the top opposition. you know We struggled against Burnley. We did struggle.
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was nice football, but it was a game playing, we'll have to score one more than you. And as someone who appreciates defensively solid tactics, always a bit scary when they score.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And especially when mentality was such a huge part of last season. Heads drop after 1-0. Now the heads didn't drop after 1-0. They dropped after 2-0. But that's bythe by the by.
00:19:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think I can't really envision how this improves and when. And all you can hope for is a better time at Chelsea, or at least hosting Chelsea, I should say.
00:19:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
We host Chelsea on Saturday, the 20th, half past five on Saturday. And i e pretty Well, Garnet is going to score against us. We know that.
00:20:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just written in the script. In fact, he'll score three, four, five, however many he wants. i So, yeah. I sort of came on here, had my thoughts up in here. I think I've said them.
00:20:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, so much money is being put into this system. And right now it isn't working. There's no result. We've spent a quarter of a billion.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
We've got to show it at some point, surely. But no, no, we we, you know, tails between our legs once again as we trudge back to Old Trafford, feeling sorry for ourselves in a game where Haaland just did Haaland things, but we just let him do it.
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
that was That was the worst part. We just let him. Tom said, i think on a previous episode, might have been about half a week ago, we're talking three or four episodes ago, that he wasn't confident that any player could stop Haaland.
00:21:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
What do you know? Tom was right. And that is why I'm pretty sure he's still top of football for fantasy. Yeah. Yeah. I have to sub out Seshko from my fantasy. I didn't do that.
00:21:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
I promised I would, and I didn't. So that's my fault.
00:21:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um In fact, do you know what? I'm going do it right now. I'm going to sub him out. Hang on. you're got you're You're here with me. No, I haven't devolved into madness. You're fine. I'm fine. Everyone's having i'm having fun. Everyone's having fun.
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right. I've subbed him out now. Mateta's going in, so corner flags be warned. Hopefully that's the solution. Watch this space if Cesco actually scores against Chelsea.
00:21:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm willing to take one for the team, or at least my fantasy, to see Cesco score.
00:21:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Watch this space, eh? Anyway, look, that's enough from me. That's enough of bleeding your ears. It's time for you to enjoy the rest of your day at the very least. And thank you so much for tuning in as well. It's been a bit of a slog.
00:22:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
is there ah Is there a better thing on the horizon? I don't know. Ever the pessimist and ever the optimist. You decide. But yeah, Chelsea's going to be a tough game.
00:22:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
They all are tough games. But hang in there. There's 34 Premier games to go. Yeah, I'm saying that already. Anyway, if you've enjoyed today's episode somehow, then you can follow us on all the social media.
Audience Engagement
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
You can start a conversation with us as GSPN Man United. We're on Twitter and X. We're on Facebook. We're on Instagram. And we're on TikTok. Hey, I remember them all.
00:22:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you're listening there on Spotify or Apple, as I hit my phone, you might have heard that. Sorry about that. You can... what i watch us on YouTube. You can watch all the episodes with camera and everything. See, I'm waving at you now. See, Apple and Spotify listeners, you're missing out.
00:22:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah You're missing out on a wave. Come join us on YouTube. It's at GSPN Daily Man United Podcast. It's so long, so you have to remember it. And of course, we couldn't bring you today's episodes with our partners at Zencast, because at Zencast, it gives you a plethora of tools at your disposal.
00:23:11
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00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if that sounds like that's up your street and you're ready to tell your story, check out the link in the show description to learn more about Zencastr. Thank you so much for listening and watching today's episode. It was a bit of a slog.
00:23:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll have more for you later on this week. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your day. Take care of yourselves. We'll talk to you soon. Bye-bye.