17th October vs Bolton. 2-1....Part II

…Well, that was all well and good, until Bolton’s one and only counter-attacking move, led by free-roaming Mark Davies – who moved comfortably from his own half to mid-way inside ours without a single challenge going in – knocked it wide to Kevin Davies, whose weak cross was rubbishy dealt with by Neville, as he was given another chance to whip it in and find Taylor for an undeserved goal. A few issues here: firstly, where was our midfield as M.Davies was untouchable running towards goal? Secondly, why did we have only 3 men inside the box as the second, successful cross went in (that's right, I counted)? And thirdly, why was Gary Neville playing??

After this well-worked yet shambolic (on our behalf) goal, Bolton were granted the sort of confidence and reassurance that nearly all other visiting teams have been offered this season; that provided by the realisation that United are actually pretty average – especially at the back – and can be broken with the right level urgency; as we begin to get sloppy and lack focus. Luckily for us though, plucky Bolton only had 20 minutes to try and win a point, or even all 3, whereas other teams this season (taking Sunderland two weeks ago as the main reference point here) normally have a whole 90.

So, one of our first/only silky, confident displays of the season was so nearly undone by the sort of laziness and general slacking in concentration that we have become rather used to of late. The final 20 were nervy and thoroughly unnecessary, as we should have well and truly wrapped the game up by half-time and been four up by the time they got their goal; to make Taylor’s header a mere consolation rather than a genuine chance.

So which United are we to have this season? The ‘Typical United’ who dominate possession, play a solid brand of 4-4-2 and create chances from midfield? Or the ‘Typical United’ of 2009/2010 who make it utterly impossible and needlessly difficult to claim a comfortable win. Well with this sort of contribution from those wonderful little Liverpool fans:

And this from England’s angelic, ultra composed captain:

…we might just be able to pull it off; whichever United turns up throughout the rest of the season.

Good.

• First 65 minutes.
• Valencia - showing real promise and true class with the freedom he is given on the right.
• Evra - unbelievable.
• Beach balls.
• 25th October... - we could pretty much end Liverpool season this time next week. Their season over before Halloween. Pure magic.

Bad.

• Last 25 minutes. Even with Van der Saar back (who I haven't mentioned at all because he had nothing to do), we showed the same lack of coherence for Taylor's goal that we have done recently with Foster.
• Gary Neville - not up to it. Bring back Brown.
• Owen - not up to it. Bring back Rooney...but use sparingly, as in only ever if we're fighting for a win with seconds remaining.

Player Ratings:
Van der saar 6; Evra 8 (O'Shea 83, 5), Ferdinand 6, Evans 7, Neville 6; Anderson 7 (Scholes 86, 5), Giggs 7, Carrick 6, Valencia 8; Owen 5 (Wellbeck 83, 5), Berbatov 7.