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05 08 2007 The worst penalty takers in the world 1 Man U 1
The debate before the match was what formation would Jose play. 4-3-3? 4-4-2? No - Jose yet again pleasantly
surprised me by beginning the game with no recognised striker up front: we essentially played 4-3-3-0!
Now I trust Jose immensely. I would not hesitate to pick him to deliver the missus' babies (if there was noone else
present). But with the skilful players Chelsea had on the pitch today I would have expected us to have one target man
up front who could feed our wingers (Cole, Malouda and SWP). However, Jose is the sports psychologist so perhaps his
thinking is that if we can hold our own against the Premiership champions with noone up front then that should stand us
in good stead for the rest of the season. Ironically in the end it was not the choice of formation that cost us but yet again
another woeful penalty taking farce. I can't seem to recall the last time we won a match on penalties since we had
Leboeuf & co smashing them in.
United probably deserved to go ahead but were cancelled out by a world class showing of strength and pace from the
impressive Malouda. The second half was a drab affair with some rather random refereeing and typically useless
decision making from the linesman.
In the end there was not much to say about the match. What can you say when Jose plays such a mad formation?
United fans will be pleased that eventually they won a trophy at the new Wembley. I would have loved to have started
the season with one piece of silverware in the cabinet: but let's not be greedy - there are far more important
competitions that we should be in the running for this season. What this match forecasts for Chelsea's chances to win
the league - I have no idea whatsoever!
surprised me by beginning the game with no recognised striker up front: we essentially played 4-3-3-0!
Now I trust Jose immensely. I would not hesitate to pick him to deliver the missus' babies (if there was noone else
present). But with the skilful players Chelsea had on the pitch today I would have expected us to have one target man
up front who could feed our wingers (Cole, Malouda and SWP). However, Jose is the sports psychologist so perhaps his
thinking is that if we can hold our own against the Premiership champions with noone up front then that should stand us
in good stead for the rest of the season. Ironically in the end it was not the choice of formation that cost us but yet again
another woeful penalty taking farce. I can't seem to recall the last time we won a match on penalties since we had
Leboeuf & co smashing them in.
United probably deserved to go ahead but were cancelled out by a world class showing of strength and pace from the
impressive Malouda. The second half was a drab affair with some rather random refereeing and typically useless
decision making from the linesman.
In the end there was not much to say about the match. What can you say when Jose plays such a mad formation?
United fans will be pleased that eventually they won a trophy at the new Wembley. I would have loved to have started
the season with one piece of silverware in the cabinet: but let's not be greedy - there are far more important
competitions that we should be in the running for this season. What this match forecasts for Chelsea's chances to win
the league - I have no idea whatsoever!
