No, I'm not talking about top table sublime, I'm talking about a team that was picked to have a go at Man Utd and also keep its shape. It worked a treat.
One of the most enjoyable games I've seen in a long time, regardless of whether Man Utd were players amiss and having a bad spell. We were in the exact same boat, so there's no excuses on their part against our part.
Like chalk and cheese compared to the Leicester game.
You could've forgive the players for being nervous at home after a terrible showing against Leicester and the potential of a Man Utd resurgence on the cards, likely thought of by a fair few people from both sets of fans...but I saw something out there last night.
I saw a team that not only went into the game with the right frame of mind, they also went in as a well drilled unit which is pretty impressive when you consider the change up.
The Longstaff's were fantastic in the centre of the field and equally both deserving of a man of the match...but Matty's debut and the confident display and cracking shot that clipped the bar, plus his confidently well taken goal set up by a very impressive calm and assured display by Willems, made him my favourite for it.
I have a feeling a fair few fans will play this one down. If so then fine with me because I absolutely enjoyed that game considering what's went on.
I'm over the moon for Bruce because it's not been an easy transition for him but I think he's shown a lot of guts and proved he can actually manage and coach. It's about getting the right balance from what he has at his disposal.
He's found out that some of the players he has are way better than many give credit for, not only in skill but in determination and willingness to actually fit in.
Others need to get their confidence right (Almiron) and Joelinton just needs to find his way around to add in the extras I know he has in the tank. It's a definite learning curve for him in this league, as it is for a few others.
I thought it was a very solid team performance with some football that excited me.
Alain Saint Maximin worked very well and was a box of tricks. Once he learns to release that ball at times he will cause all kinds of problems on the front foot as well as the problems he causes just going on his own skilful jaunts.
It's great to have a player like him as long as he doesn't become too individualistic. I think he'll be a massive hit if injuries permit, just like I think Willems is going to be in that same vein if injuries perm it.
Have we just unearthed our ideal midfield partnership? I hope so..but I do know it has to be managed carefully and not to be overcooked....but I absolutely loved those two lads...the longstaff's.
I can't praise them highly enough.
Our backline were well drilled also. Schar did an amazing job and especially nicking that ball away from Rashford right in front of goal.
Lascelles did a sterling job as did Clark.
Yedlin also did well defending and also his pacey runs down the wing unsettling Man Utd just like Willems on the other side.
Carroll did a decent job when he came on in unsettling their defence and also defending set pieces.
A team full of energy, pace and overall bite. You can't ask for much more to be fair.
All in all we stopped Man Utd from getting into their stride for a large proportion of that game. The graft put in to do that naturally took its toll later on but the determination to keep going got us over the line in the end.
A well deserved 3 points and no luck about any of it overall.
To go into the international break with that confidence booster can hopefully gee this squad up and get us into a shape where we can make a decent fist of it this season and be comfortable. Fingers crossed we inch forward.
To say I'm happy would be an understatement. I've got a right buzz about me and actually seeing those two lads give an interview just put the icing on my cake.
A really enjoyable football game. Well done to all.
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Originally Posted by HughieG
