DH1988

Why do they puzzle you? That says to me that its a striker that doesn't believe in his team mates ability to make consistent chances for him to capitalize on so he takes it upon himself.

I partly agree. However I have this conversation with a lot of people, I agree with the part of 'When he does get a chance his confidence comes into play' but realistically how few and far between are those chances? Watch the games, watch his runs, watch his movement. Put yourself in the same position, if your getting no service or you know the (certain?) players cannot play a particular pass, i.e. a nice subtle through ball or a weighted ball over the top then are you really going to keep making those darting sprinting runs? Or are you going to believe in your own ability (to take players on and such, what other choice is there?) and come deep/out wide to receive the ball in order to make something happen? I.e. Cross for Mata's goal.

Reading the last two pages I'm asking myself whether the majority of you watch our games or just highlights, quite a forward assumption I'll admit but our problems are: 1) Our midfield/Service 2) Confidence If you want me to explain the above in more details then let me know, and before I get a reply about the chances like the 3-2 United one where he should have hit it but tried to pull it back I think its pretty simple to chalk that and the ilk of those chances to confidence.

Look, that particular article about a youth team player was some years ago so lets not focus on that too much, yes it shows him in another light that the media of today has painted but at the end of the day John is John it is the same reason we do not focus on affairs, players ex-wives, gambling, court cases, accused of being racist to Ledley/Anton - concentrate on what happens in terms of his performances on the field and not much else.. As for standing behind him, no as I said, all I'm concerned with are his performances.

Confidence is rock bottom, I don't blame him either, when we do not have the players to pick his runs out let alone pass to him, yes Malouda I'm looking at you, he tends to take matters into his own hands coming back to get the ball deep or wide, which in turn sacrifices anyone in the box. Its not secret that he looks much more confident and upbeat when Mata is in CM.

Pity that De Gea saved Mata's freekick in the 93rd, wonderful strike, deserved a goal!

Ultimately we cost ourselves the game with our defending, United smelt blood and went for it, the players looked like they were lacking in instructions on whether to go for it or whether to sit and defend.. Far too open. I think it was common knowledge that United were going to get a big decision against us as Ferguson timed his interview well, as he usually does "I hope we get more luck.." etc.

Not sold, its a good read no doubt but in recent years he has painted himself in an unfortunate light in regards to the public. Granted this may still go on however we only know what is reported. On the field completely support Terry, off it I couldn't care less.

Ferdinand was utterly shocking today not sure why he tweets that.. ..Although he got some almighty stick today.. Don't think I can repeat it on the forums but very very funny

Stripped of the Captaincy, best thing that could of happened in this situation. We do not need Terry going to the Euros as captain, failing miserably, as we all can honestly say hand held up that England will not go anywhere at the Euros and having Terry made as the scapegoat citing that he is the reason/media frenzy over black players uneasy with John for our failings at the tournament, then crucifying him with this trial over Anton after the tourny. Instead take Neville's approach, slate clean and such.. But I do think that Terry should retire from internationals over this too.

I agree and have said the same to many fans/friends about AVB, I see this season as a season where he is saying "Right, let me try to play my way with the players we have and if it doesn't work then I'll sign the players I want to the summer after" or at least that is what I hope is going on because I cannot spend another season watching the likes of Malouda and such have such slow build up play/defensive team frailties.

AVB isn't going anywhere, it would simply cost us too much to sack him right now, as we spent £30m clearing out Carlo - I couldn't imagine what it would cost to relieve AVB and staff however what I feel is needed, as an interview troubled me recently in which AVB admitted that he couldn't tell certain players what to do (If you require a link I'll go find one but I'm sure someone would have read it), is an imposing figure on the bench and someone with a defensive tactical mindset to give input. What am I basing my opinion on? Di Matteo's football at West Brom which ultimately cost him his job, I can only surmise that the thinking behind his appointment was like a Butch like appointment, former player and such. Not to mention he has already voiced his opinion to re-evaluate his position at the end of the season. Mr.Holland? Great youth team director/developer/whatever term you want to use however the only reason I can see him as first team assistant coach is to help blood the youngsters into the squad and make the jump from reserve team football to first team football, which has happened, clearly... A touch too harsh on Mr.Holland perhaps but I just don't think, and this is my opinion, that he is supposed to be involved with our first team, no shame in stepping back down to reserve level. Lost faith in Torres? I still have faith, 27 years old and a £50 million price tag, I better have some faith as he has going nowhere. However there are glimpses of his old self, now what do I mean? Anyone can keep a close eye on him and see the diagonal runs he makes, and other runs. I personally sit 6 rows back so I have a pretty good view of his runs and the things he does as I'm sure a lot of you do too from the TV etc. but what we lack for Torres is simply this.. creative players. The players that can play through balls, the subtle little quick passes and I cannot emphasize and stress the word QUICK enough. How many times have we seen the players receive a ball, put their foot on it, look around, pass. That is ultimately another reason as to why I am counting the days until the summer transfer window so we can sign a few much needed players and clear out the old dead wood as AVB doesn't have the players required to play his system. Rambled a touch off track there as this is the AVB thread. I still believe, although worried for 4th spot.

I love the club. I do not love John Terry outside the club. I fully back him within 90 minutes (and extra time, barring some slippery surfaces) however I do not back him outside of the pitch as he is a terrible person, contract rebel, court cases, affairs, everything.. however such is the modern day footballer. As above, I back him as a club captain and on the field of play, shouldn't bring outside matters into it so lets just deal with the facts about the matters that occurred on it.. however! We do not have the facts so we cannot, as such everyone should just wait until the verdict.. And by everyone thats the FA included.

Hi guys.. Just signed up, regularly read the forums but after watching the match feel as though I want to voice my opinion and vent some frustration. I do believe in AVB and have always defended him to the hilt when having discussions with friends/work colleagues around the water cooler however after the window has just passed (And I know Jan is an inflated market etc. cup ties etc.) I fully expected him to sign someone for the left wing or someone with some creativity as an avid watcher of Torres' runs that nobody in our squad can pick out we desperately need someone that can play on the left; one, to stop Mata from playing there and play him CM like he's supposed to, two, to keep Malouda out of the team. I genuinely am worried that we will not finish fourth at this rate and if we do miss out on Champions League football next season we will struggle as Liverpool have in bringing in top players (Charlie Adam, I mean YOU!). This brings me to my point I do think we may need to change things up in order to hit fourth, and I do not think manager sacking is the way forward but I do think that we need to have Matteo/Holland take some gardening leave, permanently.