Man Utd 0-0 Saints - Match Thread

[hypochondriac]

Think we need a bit more positivity on this forum now. A few games ago it looked like we were cut adrift and going to end the season with zero interest and no hope apart from building for next year in the championship. Leeds aside, we've strung together some decent results and put together some performances that should mean we can keep picking up points till the end of the season. If nothing else, I'm grateful that I can maintain an interest until the last few games and the team and Selles have given us something to support. Let's keep it going. 

[bpsaint]

Just an opinion of course, but the fact United went down to 10 could have actually worked against us as they tightened it up, seen it so many times where the red card just kills the game.

Ultimately though not many teams will come back from Old Trafford with a point and a clean sheet, that should be celebrated. A few unlikely draws against the big six will prove vital if we can win a few of our kinder remaining fixtures.

[HKsaint]

I prefer to have Orsic rather than AA on the bench. 

[OttawaSaint]

On 12/03/2023 at 09:47, OttawaSaint said:

Not sure why we are persisting with Baz. The stats show that if the ball isn't right at him his save % is low. He's even let in a few that were right at him.

We need saves back there to grind out the results we need. 

Well I got this wrong. Hopefully this helps his confidence from here on in. 

Edited 13 March, 2023 by OttawaSaint

[S-Clarke]

That was a fantastic performance, even before the 10 men we had the better chances. To be frustrated to be coming away from OT with a draw says it all for me, we didn't have that bit of luck in front of goal. It's been a criticism of us this season that we haven't created, never look like scoring etc, but we were electric today. The press worked perfect, guilt edged chances galore - a little bit of luck and that's a win for us. 

A really, really impressive complete performance bar the goal. Can't fault anyone today, they were all excellent and did their jobs to perfection.

What we have now is a settled team, a settled spine - and you can see it. The back 2 work well together, not Bednarek's biggest fan but you have to give him credit and in a 2 I think he's working well. We looked so balanced because we had a left back at left back and a right back at right back. It's not rocket science really, play our best players in their best positions and look what happens.

Bazunu excellent as well. He's just a raw kid with some great potential.

This result should be a springboard for us. We have an opportunity to get ourselves out of the bottom 3 in midweek. This has got to be taken in my opinion, or this result means diddly squat.

Edited 12 March, 2023 by S-Clarke

[Holmes_and_Watson]

I'd have taken a point before the start. We were commited enough. But we lack the finishing and creative touches we've always needed. We were mostly taking advantage of attackingplay, rather than controlling it, leading to some scrappy chances. But we did have good ones, as the game opened up and just fell short. Lots of positives today, and Selles will jhave seen plenty to improve on. I'd rather look at it that way, and that we are still in touch, rather than failing to take a lead against 10 men. Man Utd continue to be full of men children. Hard to wish them any kind of European or domestic success with players like that.

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Imagine if we’d replaced Ralph with someone decent instead of Nathan Truss

Those 10 games have fucked us, let’s make no mistake. Ralph’s start wasn’t great and he was justifiably sacked, but that run of 10 or so games, which had a number of ‘6 pointers’ have relegated us. 

[InvictaSaint]

Definitely getting tighter....

[hypochondriac]

2 minutes ago, Dman said:

Disagree. We played against 10 men for the majority of the game and missed some really, really big chances. 
 

For us to get anything at the big clubs we need, a bit of luck and them not to be at their best and for us to take our chances. 
 

We had the luck (10 men) and United weren’t great, but we didn’t do our bit. 
 

It was a very good performance, in front of goal, aside though. 
 

Fee like swapping out Adams and sulemena came too early, we were on top and id have liked to have seen another 10 mins of them. 

We did get something at one of the big clubs. We have just claimed a very hard earnt point that keeps us in touch with those above us. We also got another clean sheet and generally looked better than at any time in the league under Jones. 

[Boris Karloff]

I wish everyone would stop moaning. Last week we got very lucky. This week the luck wasn't with us.

At least we created plenty of chances. De Gea was man of the match and it just didn't quite fall for us. 

Our finishing isn't great but we knew that. A good performance overall. 

 

[OldNick]

4 minutes ago, Saint-Michael said:

Selles made the wrong decisions with his subtitutions.

 

No he didn’t as we got a result

[Convict Colony]

I just sense one game sulemana is gonna absolutely destroy a rightback, just a gut feel.

Walcott had been good but today he messed up passes on the break, didnt convert a 1-1 etc 

Charly offers a lot to our play and if you look up dynamic in the dictionary its his photo.

Lavia was awesome.

Benderak was very good as was ABK.

KWP - probably our best player

Annoyed with A.Armstrong again messing up a simple pass, liked mara's workrate when he came on.

Forgot Stu came on

JWP was very good except for that brainfart about appealing for a foul rather than getting a free ball.

Perraud good defensively, crossing is still Chez's nightmare.

Adams was ok.

Bazunu was very good today guys, the irish neur was exceptional

Edited 12 March, 2023 by Convict Colony

[Jeremy Corbyn]

2 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

I prefer to have Orsic rather than AA on the bench. 

AA's biggest strength is his pressing/hard work. So either use him from the start of not at all, couldn't be less of an impact player.

[InvictaSaint]

Haven't we just stopped their run of scoring at least 2 goals in a game at OT since 1876 or something?

[gammon cheeks]

Good point .  Lavia is a class act and Alcaraz ....dont see the point of Mara ..rather have Ballard coming on to be honest .

[Brissysaint]

5 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

I prefer to have Orsic rather than AA on the bench. 

Isn’t he back in Croatia? 

[StrangelyBrown]

Well that's a point I didn't expect us to get.

Not conceding against United at Old Trafford this season is some achievement.

Hopefully we can take the defensive solidity into the game against Brentford and get ourselves 3 points 🤞

So far so good with Selles' Saints. UTS!!

[Convict Colony]

1 minute ago, Jeremy Corbyn said:

AA's biggest strength is his pressing/hard work. So either use him from the start of not at all, couldn't be less of an impact player.

Yeah everyone asking why aribo, orisic etc doesnt play its cos we have gone down the route of hard work beating talent and it makes it easier that those being left out dont have exceptional talent.

[RedWillie]

Got to take 

3 points from Wednesday now, we just have to.

[Dman]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

We did get something at one of the big clubs. We have just claimed a very hard earnt point that keeps us in touch with those above us. We also got another clean sheet and generally looked better than at any time in the league under Jones. 

I don’t disagree with this btw. I think Wednesday decides how much of a good point it was. 

Feels like the game was there to be won for us today and a bit more composure and quality in the final 3rd we would have. Something that isn’t often said at OT. 
 

[Anthony]

With my Saints hat on, Good performance. Would have taken a point beforehand.

Kind of got the feeling that if we had a gotten a goal earlier on, than we could have scored more, as they would have had to push forward more.

Was a funny old game, as both keepers played well, so any result could have been on the cards.

Wish we had kept Alcaraz on, as he was causing all types of problems for them, and at least we know he knows how to score.

 

Great game for the neutral though.

 

[BallBoy]

Stating the obvious but we have conceded 1 goal in 4 league games under Selles. That is a platform for progress.

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Dman said:

I don’t disagree with this btw. I think Wednesday decides how much of a good point it was. 

Feels like the game was there to be won for us today and a bit more composure and quality in the final 3rd we would have. Something that isn’t often said at OT. 
 

We could easily have lost and we could have not won last week but we didn't. Our form is actually pretty good right now and I hope we can keep it going. 

[The Juice]

We can talk all night about poor finishing etc. but, for me, Selles has found the formula to give this one more crack.

Walcott offered an intelligence that we have been lacking, and with Alcaraz and Sulemana was creating movement and space even before the sending off. 

Prowsie and Lavia well established and the back four look settled. 

If we can get four points from Brentford and Bournemouth (obvs we go for 6) it can change everything  

[OttawaSaint]

Too bad Smart arse Rasmus looked past Selles and got in the Welsh faker. 

Played like that and we'd have taken points from Forest, Villa, Wolves etc.

[Dman]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

We could easily have lost and we could have not won last week but we didn't. Our form is actually pretty good right now and I hope we can keep it going. 

Fair point. Was a cracking game and great to see us play with confidence and on the front foot. 
 

12 more performances like today and we will give ourselves a great chance of staying up. 

[skintsaint]

3 minutes ago, The Juice said:

If we can get four points from Brentford and Bournemouth

Blimey thats our next two, really is done and dusted with anything less than 3 points from that.

[Dman]

3 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said:

Too bad Smart arse Rasmus looked past Selles and got in the Welsh faker. 

Played like that and we'd have taken points from Forest, Villa, Wolves etc.

Easy to say in hindsight. 

Replacing Jones with an experiment like Selles is much easier than replacing Ralph with him, when there’s half the season left. 

There would have been up roar had Selles replaced Ralph. 
 

The Jones appointment was beyond stupidity though. 

[wooley7]

Really good game, can’t believe it ended 0-0.

So good to see that kind of performance.  Patterns of play, good defensive shape and a central midfield that is able to keep the ball moving and press and win the ball back.

Lavia is such a good player, so comfortable on the ball and skilful too. He is strong, quick and showed good stamina today. Lavia and JWP together is a quality midfield 2.

Walcott got in some great positions but as always the last pass or finish just wasn’t there.  Janny had a good game, we looked relatively solid defensively, Bella played very well.

We can finally see some patterns of play, mixing the short and long game and creating overloads out wide. Some good passing moves and third man runs.  If today is the blue print then we will be in games were we wouldn’t expect to get results.

I hope today wasn’t another false dawn but as disappointed I am we didn’t get the win, I would have been very happy with a draw before kick off. It’s the performance that pleases me most, with some extra confidence I hope we can start scoring our chances.

Today didn’t look l anything like what this team, these players have shown this season. It reminded me of good times Ralph ball. I so want this to be what we see for the rest of the season, if we do, we can definitely stay up!

 

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Dman said:

Fair point. Was a cracking game and great to see us play with confidence and on the front foot. 
 

12 more performances like today and we will give ourselves a great chance of staying up. 

Nice comment. I think you were letting your immediate disappointment at not getting the 3 points overtake you a bit. In a day or two I think we will all recognise what a thoroughly decent point this is. Knowing saints we will probably get thrashed on Wednesday and then beat spurs! 

[bpsaint]

1 minute ago, skintsaint said:

Blimey thats our next two, really is done and dusted with anything less than 3 points from that.

It’s Brentford and spurs next not Bournemouth tbf

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Blimey thats our next two, really is done and dusted with anything less than 3 points from that.

Brentford then Spurs at SMS, then WHU away. B'mth is 25th April.

[Saint Matty 76]

Hopefully we can make Wednesday a sell-out, and the atmosphere a bit fucking better than Villa. Selles has definitely earned that much.

[saintscottofthenortham]

Just out from game. Bazunu… Monstrous. Bednarek… Monstrous. Funny feeling to come away disappointed with a point!

[wadesmith]

17 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Just an opinion of course, but the fact United went down to 10 could have actually worked against us as they tightened it up, seen it so many times where the red card just kills the game.

Ultimately though not many teams will come back from Old Trafford with a point and a clean sheet, that should be celebrated. A few unlikely draws against the big six will prove vital if we can win a few of our kinder remaining fixtures.

Hi Nathan!

[Saint_Jonny]

Bazunu doesn't make big saves tho.

[West end Saints]

The only time Man U have failed to score at home, in the league, this season, was 5 months ago against Newcastle. 

 

Excellent point. 

[OldNick]

I know it’s sound stupid, but in a funny way it was good we didn’t score as they may well have lifted Utd and their crowd, ok if it was last minute different.I have seen us many times play well against a big team core and that stirs the hornet nest

[JRM]

Excellent point, just a shame we don't have a goal scorer as would have been three. 

[skintsaint]

[Manuel]

Agree with people regarding our form improving and us appearing more enjoyable to watch, creating chances.  But the elephant in the room remains our inability to score from open play. I'd put money on one of our fullbacks to get the next one.  

[bpsaint]

3 minutes ago, wadesmith said:

Hi Nathan!

Haha hi!!

No in all seriousness it’s always been a problem with Saints for as long as I can remember, where a red card at any other point than us leading just seems to kill the game for us.

[Dman]

6 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

He’s not wrong. 
 

fair play to him, had a decent game today. 
 

Growing in confidence, as is the rest of the side? 

Edited 12 March, 2023 by Dman

[derry]

A good team performance. We lost to ten men a few weeks ago despite being a goal up. Utd have a great record at home and are a top side so controlling the game for long periods and creating the best chances we could have easily lost that one. Bazunu is my man of the match for two moments coming out and clearing and touching Fernandes shot onto the post plus some good blocks. The shape was good and we kept another clean sheet.

[wadesmith]

3 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Haha hi!!

No in all seriousness it’s always been a problem with Saints for as long as I can remember, where a red card at any other point than us leading just seems to kill the game for us.

I actually agree. Everyone piled on Jones for saying that, but he was probably onto something..whether he should have said it in an interview is another thing...& of course ultimately he was useless.

[stknowle]

27 minutes ago, HKsaint said:

I prefer to have Orsic rather than AA on the bench. 

Me too HK my old pal.

[Crab Lungs]

19 minutes ago, BallBoy said:

Stating the obvious but we have conceded 1 goal in 4 league games under Selles. That is a platform for progress.

Absolutely.

10 or 11, I’d have taken that point irrespective. Well done today Saints - just missed that cutting edge required

[OldNick]

Just head Den Haag seems he is playing the usual sour Man Utd managers. Apparently it wasn’t a sending off as Casemiro hadn’t been sent off in Europe in his 500 games he is totally innocen. the image I have seen shows it’s a bad challenge

Edited 12 March, 2023 by OldNick

[skintsaint]

Just now, OldNick said:

I have seen shows it’s a bad challenge

Was just like Germany in the 82 semi finals.

[hypochondriac]

Imagine you'd missed the game and then clicked onto bbc to check the result. You'd be buzzing and have expected a thrashing so that's a good result in anyone's book.