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Daily Ipswich: Episode 117- Manchester United Defeat Deep Dive
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Join Rob as he dives deeper into the defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. He shares his thoughts on the game and our survival hopes, delves into the issue of defending set pieces and discusses the latest example of a lack of creativity up front.
The Daily Ipswich Podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network, is the home of all your ITFC. Join us every weekday for the latest news, build-up and reaction in the club's first season back in the Premier League.
Host: Rob Binns
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Transcript
Introduction to the Daily Ipswich Podcast
00:00:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome back to the Daily Ipswich brought to you by the Global Sports Podcast Network. The only place to find daily content on every Premier League club. Premier League roundups in multiple languages and women's football.
00:00:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
My name is Rob Binns and I'm flying solo
Tactical Analysis and Reflections
00:00:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
today. going to take, effectively we're doing a Tactics Tuesday on a Friday. Looking back on that depressing defeat at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
00:00:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We'll round it off a bit more positively. you know We've got a chance at an FA Cup run on Monday night. Perhaps maybe that will not the full focus. Perhaps maybe that should be where we're starting to look at now. It looks a bit very dismal over the course of the season. On today's episode, like I said, it's going to be a Tactics Tuesday-esque episode just on a Friday.
00:01:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The two key points I'm going to dive into is the attack and particularly the second half just toothless is the word to describe it really and then of course i have to know Tom covered it a bit yesterday but I've got to go into set pieces as well because it's what lost us the game at the end of the day but before we get into either of those points I'm gonna give you my general thoughts like I say Tom kindly held down the thought straight after the game last night that yeah he was on the late late night recording after the full-time whistle he got his reaction so
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
he was on his own. so I'll give you my quick thoughts on that before we sort of dive in deeper into this episode. And I mean, yes it's not pretty, was it? it It was a very, very frustrating game, really.
Missed Opportunities Against Man Utd
00:01:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just, it's just such a huge opportunity missed. I mean, I said it going into the game that Old Trafford, going away at Old Trafford is not what it used to be. It's, a on paper, one of the easier games we're going to have in the season, particularly away from home, when you look at some of the other away games we've got left.
00:02:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're even starting with Palace next week. They're flying at the moment, or the week after next, sorry, after the FA Cup. the and So they're flying. It was one of the games you looked at and thought you had to go and get something from, and then they were handing us stuff on a plate. and I mean, they basically stored our goals for us, that And down to 10 men just before halftime as well. You thought it it really felt like the tide was going in our favour. You thought we're going early on, calamitous mistake. You thought this could be our night.
00:02:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
They put a couple of goals back, turn it around and you saw the normal worries creep in. Then they gift us another one. Don't know what the goalkeeper's doing. I mean, it's good work from Delap to sort of put him off, but he shouldn't be letting a cross in as a goalkeeper. But again, then 2-2.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
Obviously, before that, we'd had the you had the red card. You thought things were going to turn. Then it got gifted a two-all draw. And you just thought, through purely through United's own errors, there was a really good chance to go and get something in the second half. And we just didn't offer anything, did we? that was I was say conceding couple of minutes after the break because we're going to mess up any plan, obviously. And it's incredibly frustrating. Set-piece again. We'll get on to set-pieces later, but to effectively be given without a time. We had 45 clear minutes, effectively, where United just sat in and said, go on then, let's see if you can score.
00:03:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we offered absolutely nothing. And it's such a real concern. I we've had these concerns all year. We wondered if Spurs, there were some positive signs at Spurs, despite the result at the weekend, that maybe in terms of chance of create creation, that we were maybe going to step it up a bit Had 17 shots against Spurs, a few half-decent chances in there that maybe it was a sort step on the right way. it was just... It set up, you don't want to say the biggest half of the season, but it set up an absolutely crucial 45 minutes. A real big opportunity to cut that gap right back down to two points. Obviously, Tom said it yesterday, we've still got to play Wolves. just one to
00:04:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
That will be one of the biggest deciding factors of the season when Wolves come to Portman Road in April. you want to get You need to get to that point. You need to be work still in the race if you're not above them already in the ideal world. But you need to be well in that race by time that game comes around. And this was this was a golden opportunity. You get in at half-time with a man advantage.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're not going to get many better opportunities to close that gap. Particularly when you look at some of the games coming up. Like I say, Palace are flying at the moment. Then you've Forest after that. that again and very obviously Forrester just keep ticking along. You thought every time they have the odd defeat in there, you think it's going to derail them and they just go and get another great result the next game.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're going to be well up for especially
Facing Relegation and Upcoming Fixtures
00:05:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
depending on the say regardless of what happens in the cup game, they're going to have an extra because they're either going to be thinking, but we beat if they beat if they knock us out, they'll be thinking we've beat these twice this year, we've got go to get the job done. If we knock them out, they'll want revenge. so There's some really big games coming up that are going to be significantly more difficult than that game was. So we had United basically giving it to us on a plate at one point that, I said it's in our podcast group chat at half time, they might as well just score goal, they might as well just kick ball in their own net for us because they're doing everything. But, I mean, with the left wing back, he's, in fairness to him, he made a horrible mistake, basically, say, just effectively just set Philogene up. It might have been going in without Philogene getting a touch on it. Like, don't know, there's no communication there. In fairness to him, he got himself back in the game and he was looking all right and then he just,
00:05:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
disgraceful challenge on, not that he meant it, obviously, because it was an accident, but it's a horrible, horrible challenge. Clear red card. I can't believe the ref's not given it, by the way. I mean, that's been brushed over fairly quickly because they are bailed him out. The fact the ref on the pitch, don't think he even gave it as a foul at all. He could have forgiven the yellow card, but I think he was going to, I think he was goingnna play on after a tackle like that. though It's just, I don't care how far away he was that There's something, like, how how could he watch that happen there and think, yeah, play on?
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing wrong with that. i might be wrong, but so I'm pretty sure he did not blow the whistle. We had to wait. If the ball hadn't gone off pitch for throw-in, then to let VAR have a look, and like the play would have carried on.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm pretty sure it didn't look like he gave it himself. But luckily, VAR done his job, got the red card out. And, know what saying? again, you've got to give De Lapp some credit for the second goal.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a good to say, obviously, Philogene's teased it in the box. De Lapp is just sort of, he's twisting and turning where he's going to run to. He's catching the centre-halves out, and more importantly, he's caught Anana out, who's just, you can see him just step the wrong way.
00:07:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
think he's anticipating a touch from De Lapp, and then he can't get back to pick it out the bottom corner. So, De Lapp deserves some credit, but again, it's another gift from United. Like said, they've let him. They've played us the wrong goal and let her cross in, and got a red card in 45 minutes to keep us well in, to bail us out from our own mistakes.
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's fair to say we'd have been favourites going into the second half with 10 men. And so with the scores being level, a lot of neutrals watching that game would have backed us to go on and win then. But what we saw in the second half was really, really poor. And it's another big opportunity that's passed us by that I said Spurs was an opportunity and we didn't,
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
with how we played that you sort of felt we played well enough to get something and didn't do enough of it. This was a huge opportunity. Even even before the context of the first half, I said coming into this week that I'm looking at games in this fixture room that I think, where can we pick up wins? And this was one of them. Like I said, it's surprising to hear, maybe obviously with the history of Man United and how empower i impressive the form has been at Old Trafford over the years. But this season, it's not there.
00:08:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was, what, three home wins in the last few months, if that's something like that. All against sort of teams down the bottom. Admittedly, obviously, we are one of them as well, but they're so gettable at home. And they basically let us, for 45 minutes, they let us try and get at them.
00:08:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we didn't lay a glove. It's so, so frustrating, the game. It's a huge opportunity missed. And for me, I've accepted fate now. ive i I've tried to stay positive.
00:08:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
as long as I can. I know Tom's still going strong on there. He knows, obviously, he was making the point yesterday with Wolves and Leicester still to play, is still and particularly as well as the other games. You never know. Five points is gettable down the bottom compared to, say, at the top when nobody ever drops points. But for me, i this this one was the hope killer for me. it's now I've accepted the fate. I'm just going to enjoy the last few games. and then If we start with a bonus, at this point, I expect relegation and anything but then I will gladly celebrate it. But at this point, I'm taking Premier League football for even for while I can because I don't think we'll be having it next season. i and
00:09:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've tried my hardest to keep positive. So this one, this one's killed me off because United weren't even good. they They defended well in the second half, but they were not good.
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Put it that way. like We were just worse. Whereas, like, if you say Saturday, we put a a decent enough shift in Spurs, but just better and more more clinical, crucially. United were not good.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
we were It was a case of they just had to be better than us, and we made that easy for them. But they played like that at home every week, which, to be fair, they near enough do. And there's a reason why. like The way they play won't win them many games if they play like that, but it was enough to beat us, which has been a problem.
00:10:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
one of the many problems this season. I'd like to say for me, not to start the podcast on a downer, but that's that's the hope killer for me that I'm fully now expecting. I've always a positive outlook on it, but I'm expecting to be relegated now.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
this This was the one. that To not even get a point from this situation, and it' it's killed me off. But like said, I'm not going to be down in the dumps about it. I'm going enjoy what we've got left and I'm going to hope rather than won be hope more than expectation that we get another season of Premier League football now. But like I said, the game is disappointing.
Sponsor Break and Tactical Deep Dive
00:10:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm going to have a quick break now as we hear from one of our sponsors on the network.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then I'll be diving a bit deeper into that attacking side of things, particularly the second half when we come back after this.
00:11:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm back now for the second part of today's episode. I keep going to call it Tactics Tuesday. We'll have to get some sort of Friday nickname. It said Flashback Friday. Maybe, I don't know.
00:11:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
But looking back to Wednesday night's defeat at Old Trafford, and let's focus in on the attacking side of things now, because it's something that feels like every one of these and analysis episodes after a game, it's a point that comes up, whether it's good or bad. And it came up against Spurs when we discussed that game.
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the early point of the week. And it was in a positive way. We were saying, look, overall, the game wasn't very good, an opportunity you missed. So don't want to let four goals in at home, all of that. But we made chances. 17 shots was one of the highest of the season.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was it a step in the right direction? And then we followed up with this game where... like We had 12 shots in total, just a three on target, bearing mind one of them was Philogene scoring an open goal from three yards out after Dorgue played him through.
00:12:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I don't even know Philogene's cross counts as a shot on target, although I have no idea if it if it will or not. but So we regressed in a situation where we were effectively allowed 45 minutes to build attacks and try and score effectively. United didn't make much effort after after going ahead, understandably so, with 10 men, but Let's say 12 shots, three on target. i don't know how many of them is first half, but 45 minutes without laying a glove when your opponent just backs off. Look, obviously we're not used to that.
00:13:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
we're not We're not a team who, if they say your Liverpools, your Manchester Citys, your Arsenals, teams do that to them every week. So they're used to, it they've got ways of breaking it down. Obviously they're at the other end of the table for a reason, turn the quality of personnel as well when it comes to breaking stuff down. But That's not something weird we're usually the team that maybe has to shut up shop a little bit and weather a storm. We're not the team that has to go and break somebody down.
00:13:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that was clear to see. the there was The lack of ideas was the big concern for me is that we saw we soon quickly realised that that was it for United in terms of attacking the game. It was quite similar, actually, at Forest when we went up there.
00:13:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
They went won them up and they sort seemed happy to sit on one nil rather than push for a second goal. And again, we just had no answer. It's like if teams keep it solid defensively, it's almost like we don't have the quality to break them down and make chances. Because it wasn't even like, so it's bad enough you' not to not score.
00:14:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it wasn't even like we missed a big chance or anything. We just created nothing. I mean, I'll put it this way. I thought I better watch the highlights before I record this podcast. Just remind me of what happened because it's been 24 hours since the game at the time of recording.
00:14:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
remember what happened. it can the set so It showed the first half. It cut to the second half. It showed Harry Maguire's header, full-time whistle. Like I said, that was, what, 47th minute? There was another 40-odd, 43 minutes, and whatever stoppage time there was, to add on to that, not ay there was not a single thing deemed highlight-worthy in the second half after Harry Maguire's goal.
00:14:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that tells you all you need to know, doesn't it? Because that... That was our period to go and give everything, fight, try and make the chances, get ourselves in it. Obviously, we had the man advantage, which we tried which we could have said had to try and use so the best of our abilities in there as well.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And say not a single thing was deemed Harlow worthy in that 45-minute spell where the game was in our hands. Like I say, again, 50 minutes of the game played against 10 men.
00:15:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
We managed three shots on target in total where at least one of them came when it was 11 v 11. Like I say, obviously, look, you know, I deserve credit. They defended very well. That was obviously a big part of it.
00:15:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
they defend If they carried on defending as poorly as they did in the first half and making those sort of mistakes, we would have won the game. They shored themselves up second half. They do deserve credit for that. It's not not big it's not all about us But it's like I say, it's the it's the lack of chances more than the lack of goals. It was a thing for me that we've said it all year. If we don't start scoring more goals, we will end up going down.
00:15:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like I say, it was effectively 40 minutes. Yes, they were sitting really deep. It was always going to be difficult, but it was 40 odd minutes to say, go on then, try and score.
00:16:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we didn't even get close. is that's That's the really big concern for me. Like say, we looked out of our ideas. it was like I said it right at the start of the toothless. And that's that's a huge problem.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because, look, not every team is going to sit back like that. Obviously, more it's going to happen very rarely at all. one his Teams are more likely to come and have a go. And like say, we'd be the ones that sit in it.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a rare sort of game that we'll experience this year. But it just highlights so many of the attacking problems we have and have had all season that it was big...
Struggles with Set-Pieces and Defensive Blocks
00:16:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
frustration The thing is as well is that, obviously I've gone a lot about the second half, but ultimately the two goals we scored were complete, all Man Utd is doing there, complete gifts. We didn't break them down to make a clear cut opportunity and take it ourselves either. no We capitalised some big mistakes from them, which you've got to do. Obviously you're not going to turn, you've got to be there because it's not, just because they make a mistake at the back doesn't guarantee we score from it. We've done well and like I said, particularly the second goal,
00:17:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
the lap deserves a lot of credit for his involvement in it sort duping the defenders and the goalkeeper so the crossmates are way all the way in. Obviously, Philogene's got to be in the right place to give chase after the mistake as well. There's it's credit due to there from our players. It's not all just Man United are rubbish and gifted us a couple of goals, but for those to be the two goals we score in a game where we look very straight in the first half, set pieces aside, of which we'll get into, United didn't offer much.
00:17:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was sort the opportunity was there for us to go and take and get ourselves some points on a point or better. So they were, they were sort of happy to sit back, try counter or attack and win set pieces. And I'd say it, it done the job for them. But it was a, it was an opportunity. Like I say, it's a, it was a sort of really frustrating game that it's just a, ultimately it's a lack of quality.
00:18:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It has to be expected because back-to-back promotions, if they, two fantastic seasons in a row, but you are ultimately going to come up to the Premier League with a subpar squad when the majority of it was playing League One football two years ago.
00:18:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been our problem that there's been signings made to add the quality to the squad and some of them have been good, some of them haven't hit the same levels, but ultimately it was there's been a few times this season where we have lost games just because the lack of quality, of Premier League quality in the squad has been exposed and this was one of them.
00:18:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
we didn't have somebody who could... but Nobody sort had that little bit of magic you need when you're set sat against a low block like that. the Like I say, obviously, that the teams who play against them all the time, the teams at the top of the table, they've got ways to figure out. And they have ultimately, the other big thing is that they have really class players that can pull up the job and the opportunities out. like Obviously, we've got nobody near that level because we'd be right up at the of table if we did. But...
00:19:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's the problem. We haven't got someone who sort of can take the bit of magic on their own. And the point I'm making here, really, because there's no point comparing us to Arsenal, Liverpool, Man City, teams like that at the top.
00:19:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
The point I'm trying to make here is Wolves have got one. And that is the big problem. that I think if if you gave Wolves the same 45 minutes against 10 men, they would they would also struggle. that They're down there for a reason. They'd struggle like we did. But the difference maker is...
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
is it Mateus Cunha could probably pull a chance out nowhere, he would score a wonder goal himself he or pick a world-class ball out and give somebody else an opportunity. We haven't got somebody in that role. And that was really, it was showing, like I say, to not have a second half of football where we were meant to be, it was all about us, could we score?
00:19:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
That nobody, that the highlights produced could not find anything worthy of including apart from Harry Maguire's goal. And really, really damning oversight of our attack in play that has been a problem all year and like I say it's a lot it's a lack of quality thing that that got exposed and unfortunately that cost that's the reason why we didn't walk away from anything with the points well one of the reasons I should say actually the other one is set pieces which I'm going to move on to once we have another break to hear from a sponsor
00:20:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we are back for the final part of today's show. And let's talk about set pieces. And look, I know Tom tom covered set pieces yesterday on the episode, so I won't go on about it for too long. i don't want to make the same points that Tom did. But the big concern for me here was set pieces we've been good at.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
that has That has not been. And a season full of defensive errors here and there and say recently shipping the goals in lack of organisation that set pieces have sort of been the one time we do look quite organised and iss not it's not quite been a strength but it's certainly not been a big weakness compared to a lot of other teams. Wolves again come to mind there that they struggle from set pieces.
00:21:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's normally been something we're fairly good at and you'd feel fairly confident. say, United were relying on counter-attacks and set pieces. You'd sort it will be like normally be, okay, counters might be a problem but we're not bad at set pieces that there's a reason to say when we sit in as well that we've got players capable of sitting in and winning winning the headers in the key moments. Like when we play the five-back approach, we we resort the teams to crossing the ball in and then we win near enough every header.
00:21:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
we We're good at getting first contact on the ball from set pieces, but whether it was the way we set up or and counterpoint again, but how United set up, that again, they deserve credit.
00:22:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sort of been bashing our, done lot of bashing on our performance and deservedly so, but Ultimately, you've got give United some credit as well, but particularly as well, Bruno Fernandes.
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is one of the key factors there. that when When I say we're normally good at set pieces in this game, it's just the complete opposite. Tom used the word disarray, which sums it up absolutely perfectly for what happened.
00:22:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But ultimately, Bruno Fernandes is one of the best crossers in the league. there's not many lungs that There's not many people across the entire league who could whip a better ball in. from these set pieces, particularly that, I'm thinking of the three kick with the first goal, the area I've got put in.
00:22:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's not many better players in the league at that. And there's also, about Bruno Fernandes, that how many sub-par United performances has dug out on his own?
00:22:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he didn't do it on his own he didn't quite do it on his own this game, but again, they started slowly, they're off the pace and he whipped a really good ball in the box that causes an own goal. And then that gets spirits up.
00:23:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then at the weekend, you know, they were 2-0 down out of the game against Everton. He scored a free kick. he He has obviously got that quality there. And look, so we'll focus on the first one quickly. Because I don't actually blame Morsi for this at all.
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
He should have done better. that you can't You can't deny that. But the ball in from Fernandes is so good. It's into such a dangerous area that obviously... you're sort of expecting Hoyland to get a flick. He just ducks away from the ball almost, and then it more as he can't help but turn it in. is It's a ball into a really good area that is going to cause panic, going cause problems for defenders, and that's exactly what it did. And unfortunately, it resulted in an own goal. that Like say, you've got to give Bruno Fernandes credit because it was his deliveries that were causing the problems, partly. But
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
on the counter on the counter to that, look, I say something we've been good at is set pieces. The way we set up, we they were quite good at getting first contact. with We don't tend to concede too many. we set The way, obviously, you set up from corners is important. It causes, you've got to get yourself right, whether you do zone or a man-to-man, however you want to do it.
00:24:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's all about the first contact on the ball. And then if you don't win the first contact, it's then about the second contact on the ball. And we just weren't winning them. I mean, how many free headers does Harry Maguire get? I mean,
00:24:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I talk about Bruno Fernandes in terms of one of the best deliveries in the league. Harry Maguire is one of the he's one of the most dangerous men from set pieces in the league. One of the best headers of the ball in the league.
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he basically was got an unchallenged header on 90% of the set pieces Man United whipped in. How have we allowed that to happen constantly throughout the game? By the time he scores in the second half, you have multiple warnings in the first half.
00:24:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
you've just got to do better on that front. that You need to change something up. Go and stick one of your best defenders on him, say to Markham.
00:25:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, the De Ligt goal, I think so commo who somebody was running with him and just got completely left for dead. He gets his head on it. And then they keep saying, we defend the initial one well. Palmer makes a good save to stop him, Maguire scoring direct. and then we don't get to the second ball. Deleuze keeps it alive. And then we don't get to the third ball after Deleuze's shot was blocked or saved. Whoever got the touch on it. We then say, we don't get to the third ball as Deleuze taps it in.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just a calamity of errors, that one. and say The third goal as well. I mean, Harry Maguire, he's left up against Filagene. That is a system problem.
00:25:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm, I'm, Zonal Markin has its strengths so as, as it does its weaknesses. And I'm somebody who is quick to call out Zonal Markin and question the point of it when you've got, when when you can see goals like that, that why don't, especially after the first half, that you think by the second half, just go and stick O'Shea or Greaves on Maguire. He's, he's causing all the problems. I know you want them free to sort of try and attack the ball when it comes in, but you've got to analyse the threat.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, we had Coyce kind of block him, who got done straight away by a run. And then the ball's been dropped in the zone. and Again, another very good ball in, credit there. But it's been dropped in the zone of Philogene. And again, Jadon Philogene or Harry Maguire, only one winner in the air there, isn't it? You see it a lot of the time that the short the shorter players get de deployed in these blocker roles that when it goes wrong, they're just left trying to challenge a big centre-half for a header and it never ends well. And that's what happened, that Ultimately, after multiple warnings, say two goals from set pieces already, all sorts of problems being caused but that by the deliveries into the box.
00:26:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two minutes into the second half, we've let Harry Maguire have another free header because he's he's gone up against our short, our five foot nine or whatever, Philogene, his winger to compete for a header. it's It's really poor. It's poor defendant.
00:26:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's surprising, really, because like I can say, it's good deliveries from United, but to suddenly just flip a switch like that and go from being decent at set pieces and not being a big problem of the season to letting in three goals like that.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, the so like I say, the second one, how many times, do how many chances do you get? You lose every ball. You lose the first, second and third ball. The set-up is poor to allow Maguire to have a free header for the third one. The first one, I'll give it on the quality of delivery. It's bit unlucky in there from Morsi, but say ultimately that still say it's a good ball from Bruno. We've still got to do better, but We talk about poor goals to concede. Ultimately, considering the set piece, if you get done by clever routines, the sort one you can maybe accept because you don't see it coming, that balls in the box three times in poor goals to concede.
00:27:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like I say, that is one of the reasons why we didn't get a result. Because as soon as the other thing, at United have got that decision to make of do they sit in? and Because they wouldn't have been happy with a point.
00:28:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
So at some point they're going start going more forward and that's when you can make the man advantage count. By giving them a set-piece goal two minutes into the half, it gives them someone to protect and then that sets up the whole situation of them sitting back, happy to defend and us not having the answers to them. But all these things combined made for a really frustrating watch on Wednesday night.
Looking Ahead to the FA Cup
00:28:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I was saying it certainly dampened my hopes for the rest of the season, but Where I am more hopeful is the FA Cup, which is obviously what we turn our attention to now. It goes to the City ground on Monday night. We gave Forrest a decent game when we went up there. Again, it was the same sort of problem as the second half, that they got in front and were happy to sit in and we didn't and we struggled. But while it was nil-nil, we competed quite well. There's big opportunity there because they've just played Arsenal on on Wednesday night and they didn't make any changes from their game against Newcastle on Saturday.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... they're Their best 11 have just played, a hundred of' just display not all of them, 180 minutes, but effectively their best 11 has just started two difficult games in a row, two physical games in a row.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there's got be changes there. and If not for the reason of fatigue after those two games, the fact they've got Manchester City the weekend after a season-defining game for them. City are just a point behind them now after they beat Spurs.
00:29:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
I've gained a couple of points Wednesday night. It is... like see letting City go past you. It's been a classic. Once City get past somebody, they don't tend to give the position back, but obviously they're not on the same level of form this year, so you never know. But it's arguably Forest's most important game of the season the weekend after.
00:29:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like I said, the starting XI has just all played two games in a row, so you'd have to expect changes. But you'd almost think, from our point of view, we might as well go go full strength and try and have a cup run. yeah like I've changed my opinion about the FA Cup now, that I sat down here before the fourth round and said, we had the discussion of how seriously do we take it? Because do you take relegation in the cup run? I said no at the time, but after the games that have come in between that cup run, between the fourth and the fifth round, I think at this point, I just want a cup run for something to celebrate.
00:30:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah ah say Especially if you could, we are 180 minutes away before you start messing about extra time and stuff. 180 minutes away from Wembley. he put you got eagle you turn up on the day against Forest, get over the line, you're then 90 minutes away from Wembley for the semi-final. and I think a a cup run would be speed so night a bit it would be a high point to have alongside the season, I think, really. Because, like I go say, in my head, we're my My hopes of survival have been taking a big hit after that result on Wednesday night. So I've now changed my view. i love a cup run to, even just so that even if it's the quarterfinals, you'd be disappointed to go out of step before getting to Wembley. But an FA Cup quarterfinal would be something to celebrate if we get a result against Forest.
00:30:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then, as I said, the dare to dream a lot of big teams out the cup, you do quite simply never know. It's been done before. and Wigan comes to mind in 2013. It's been, You never know. And so in my head, with not and like I said at the start the show, don't switch full focus on the Cup because we still have we still have a good chance at survival if we sort ourselves out and win some big games. But I'd love a Cup run on the side. I've always seen it a sort of a secondary priority, but I'd love it to go now, is have that as a memory this
Future Episodes and Temporary Hosting Break
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
season. I've got a decent run in the FA Cup that maybe can gauld over some of the poorer performances in the Premier League. But we will have a full preview to that game.
00:31:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
on Monday, on the day of the game. So the perk of they of a Monday night game means obviously we can get our preview on the day of it. It's always a nice little bonus. But that is it for today's episode. So the the week's been about out sorts this week with the with the game happening on Wednesday night. We're slightly out sorts next week with the Forest game on the Monday night. But like I say, we get a preview on the day of the game, which is good. Now, of course, we'll have our we'll have the reaction to the game.
00:32:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
on the Tuesday and the Wednesday following up after for that and into next week. That'll do for today. hope you enjoyed the solo effort from myself. We'll say if you haven't done, you don't have to worry because I won't be on the next few episodes now. I'm off on holiday. So if you're sick of my voice after today's episode, I'll give you a few few days respite at least on the next few episodes. but So I will be back, back end of next week, but the boys will be with you on Monday for a Forest Preview.
00:32:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
But until then, goodbye.