Why is our form so good?

[KevieG]

Just playing devils advocate here, so take it easy superfans.

 

But the behind the scenes shit storm currently brewing seems far worse than the one we had earlier in the season, yet our form doesn't appear to have been affected, in fact, we seem rather settled on the playing front, formation-wise especially. The results, bar the standard United capitualtion, have been great.

 

Why is this the case?

[bigredruss]

because we are playing the best 11 or very close to it all the time

[El Rojo]

Just playing devils advocate here, so take it easy superfans.

 

But the behind the scenes shit storm currently brewing seems far worse than the one we had earlier in the season, yet our form doesn't appear to have been affected, in fact, we seem rather settled on the playing front, formation-wise especially. The results, bar the standard United capitualtion, have been great.

 

Why is this the case?

 

Us invariably being fantastic in Europe gave us a major boost from the Inter first leg on, and dare I say it we played a lot of shite teams in the league around the same time, which gave us confidence. Beating the likes of 'Boro, Newcastle, Reading etc.

 

The league campaign had already been fatally wounded at the turn of the year though, and we've a tendency to play a lot better domestically when it doesn't actually matter as much.

[Woo]

because we are playing the best 11 or very close to it all the time

 

Also because we have found a system that suits us. We played a second string at the emirates and dominated so I dont believe the best 11 completely (although this obviously is a major factor). Also because our players are fresher (FROM ROTATION!) than most other teams. Many people (media especially) have now noticed, but wont give rafa credit for it.

 

I wanted to go back to 4 - 4 - 2 next season, but if we can bring in the right players to supplement this formation then stick with the current one.

[Heighway]

I think it got to a stage where everyone, including the players, were sick of the off field stuff and could no longer use it as an excuse, and started to focus back on the football. Add to that a settled side and system and a race for 4th with your bitter rvials, which is always enough to jolt you out of your comfort zone.

 

In fairness, the results have been good but our performances have been very up and down. The Unted game for example was a pathetic showing.

[GOLDMEMBER]

We won a few games which gave us confidence, also we've had a much settled team and formation the last few weeks. Just a pity that some of those draws weren't wins otherwise we wouldn't be a million miles from the top.

[James H]

we've a tendency to play a lot better domestically when it doesn't actually matter as much.

 

Very true sadly, cases in point being the second quarter and the last 10 games of 2005/06.

[silverlining]

Just playing devils advocate here, so take it easy superfans.

 

But the behind the scenes shit storm currently brewing seems far worse than the one we had earlier in the season, yet our form doesn't appear to have been affected, in fact, we seem rather settled on the playing front, formation-wise especially. The results, bar the standard United capitualtion, have been great.

 

Why is this the case?

 

Because we have a first XI with several world class players in it, and we've spent over £100m on players in the last couple of years.

[Stu Monty]

*Walks in*

 

Rotation?

 

*Sneaks out*

[El Rojo]

Very true sadly, cases in point being the second quarter and the last 10 games of 2005/06.

 

It's a serious indictment of the mentality of some of our players, and maybe even the management, the fact that sometime between November and January we ALWAYS hit the wall domestically for a 6/8 game period.

 

I'm sure a man who pays as much attention to detail as Rafa is well aware of this though.

[KevieG]

Because we have a first XI with several world class players in it, and we've spent over £100m on players in the last couple of years.

 

These same players couldn't string 2 passes together between december and febuary though, as we effectively ruled ourselves out of the league.

 

The settled formation is the only difference I can see.

[spider-neil]

every season is the same, rafa rotates heavily at the start of the season and then less in the run in.

 

he has done this for four season and we have finished strongly each time, the only reason why our form in the league takes a dip towards the very end of the season is because during the quarters and semis rafa rotates as well.

if and when we are in the mix in regards to the league at the end of the season he will rotate less in the league in the run in as well.

 

for instance if everton were within three points of us you can guarantee rafa would pick his strongest side CL semi final or no.

[Rashid]

Best 11 mostly, a system that suits the players, Torres and Gerrard in unstoppable form.

[Heighway]

What's the use of rotation early on in the season and finishing strongly if we're 14 points behind the leaders in April?

[Skidfingers McGonical]

Rafa and the players deserve a lot of credit for the recent form bar the United game.

 

Especially under the circumstances.

 

Rafa should get manager of the year for this.

[Brownie]

I think a lot of it is down to the settled team and shape that we've been using. In fact, I think it's obvious that this is the case.

 

The players seem more comfortable because they are gelling together and know where their team mates will be making their runs etc.

 

Fair play to Rafa for sticking with the shape after it worked well against Chelsea (away).

[Roy Hobbs]

Very true sadly, cases in point being the second quarter and the last 10 games of 2005/06.

 

When we had a very settled back 5 playing very, very well. On top of that we had balanced midfield 4 of "Kewell-Alonso-Momo-Gerrard" aswell. So we basically dominated games and won out. I take the point but there are/were many factors and putting it down to this is a little simplistic, IMO.

[KevieG]

Rafa and the players deserve a lot of credit for the recent form bar the United game.

 

Especially under the circumstances.

 

Rafa should get manager of the year for this.

 

For what?

[silverlining]

These same players couldn't string 2 passes together between december and febuary though, as we effectively ruled ourselves out of the league.

 

The settled formation is the only difference I can see.

 

Yeah, of course, but any side that can call on players like Torres, Gerrard, Reina, Carragher, Hyypia, Skittles, Finnan, Arbeloa, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano and Babel won't struggle forever.

 

Admittedly there are one or two obvious gaps and areas we can improve, and our consistency isn't the best, but all chat about "rotation" and "formation" aside, the bare facts are this: we have a lot of good players, and more of them than most of the other teams in the Premiership.

 

Which is why we're ahead of most of the other teams in the Premiership.

[JER]

We are playing a very similar system every week - the players all know what they are expected to do. Voronin being out has also benefited everybody :whistle:

[Skidfingers McGonical]

For what?

 

I am sensing you missed my sarcasm.

 

He should be applauded very highly along with the players for turning it around.

[rebel23]

every season is the same, rafa rotates heavily at the start of the season and then less in the run in.

 

he has done this for four season and we have finished strongly each time, the only reason why our form in the league takes a dip towards the very end of the season is because during the quarters and semis rafa rotates as well.

if and when we are in the mix in regards to the league at the end of the season he will rotate less in the league in the run in as well.

 

for instance if everton were within three points of us you can guarantee rafa would pick his strongest side CL semi final or no.

 

according to Fergie the season doesn't begin until the last 10 games:

 

Rotation is key to keeping players fit for run in - Football News - Telegraph

[Red Nick]

Its a totally different set of circumstances to what we had before.

 

Most importantly the manager is no longer dead man walking (well not until today anyway) and therefore the players can no longer take the piss

 

Also the players have got used to dealing with the situation which was very knew to them when it all kicked off

 

The manager also found a formation that suits his favourite players and its seems to be working

[lfc4eva99]

As the Sky and other pundits would say...

 

we are now in good form cuz sides we play are playing crap in games against us... :D

[spider-neil]

imho opinion we need to do the following to challenge for the league next season

 

a) identify one more player to reach double figures in the league (other than gerrard and torres), this player would almost certainly have turned some of our draws into wins.

 

b) hopefully nando in time will be as devestating in the league away from home as he is at home.

 

c) more adventuous play from deep positions i.e. the fullbacks and one of the central holding midfielders pressing further up the pitch home and away.

 

d) having a settled system (this seems to be 4-2-3-1) that gets used week in week out therefore even when personnel changes (which rafa will always do early season) the system is the same so players have a specific role and will bed in faster, case in point arsenal away in the league.

 

e) know what we what to do as a team when we go 1-0 up, we seem to be in two minds as wheter to park the bus and defend the 1-0 lead or go for the second killer goal, our inability to do one or the other has really hurt us big style.

 

that's pretty much it, no point stating keeping a settled spine for every game because rafa pretty much does that anyway.