Monday, August 20, 2007

Lion's share of the possesion, a hatful of chances. In short, total domination. The result? Another loss of precious points. Seven points behind now, with just three games gone. A bit too early to hit the panic button, as even I would admit, but the the games against Reading, Portsmouth and Manchester City ought to be worrying Fergie.

Our guys had plenty of time on the ball, but the lack of clincial efficiency was unnerving for all of us so used to the free-flow of goals from our boys in scarlet red. Woeful finishing all round, and the attacking displays so far have reminded me of a strange phenomena for United; plenty of corners and no goals if we're not winning.

Its disturbing to note the absence of a true goal-poacher in our ranks, and while we didn't really need one last season, its become something to pray for this term. Linked to the likes of McCarthy and Anelka all summer, I'm surprised at the fact that we only got Tevez. No disrespect to him of course, but he seems much too similiar to Rooney. The build, the pace (or lack of), the power. The biggest worry of course, is the fact that both men operate best working behind a striker, and neither's a striker in the true sense of the word. How then do you play both men upfront effectively?

With Rooney out till October at the earliest, Fergie's not really had much to worry about on that account, but the fact that we've struggled so much to get so little back is a grave cause for concern. If Fergie's insistence on not getting a striker upfront to work with either Rooney or Tevez, or both, holds up, we could be in for a long hard slog.

Liverpool found out last season that a poor start kills off any championship ambitions. I just hope this season it isn't our turn.

i heard the crickets at 11:53 pm

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