Haven't read all this thread so apologies for repeating what others have probably said : )
Firstly, we are a very good Premier League team with a manager as good as Eddie (note, not better but as good as, in my opinion). When our finishing improves, I believe it will, and our luck changes in front of goal, we'll beat teams like them by a couple of goals. Some of our attacking play and work without the ball was terrific. Every part of the team shone this evening, Neto, our 10 defenders, our 10 midfielders and our 10 attackers, all outstanding. I know we had subs come on but we still carried on, without skipping a beat : )
We played well enough to easily beat ManU but it's almost impossible to beat 12 men and the VAR referee, those extra 2 men cost us the victory. Haven't seen their penalty in any detail but the little snippet I've seen, it looks very harsh. Ours? never not a penalty. We've had softer ones overturned and given against us. It's a massive "EFF OFF little club and your supporters. You'll never be as big and glamorous as the glamorous big clubs". If we ever want to get to 50 points, we've got to "earn" 60. Compared to the Super Duper Mega clubs we start with Minus 10 each season : )
Although I'm annoyed about the result and as the beer soaks into my brain, we were brilliant today and couldn't be prouder of "the lads" : )
Hate to say it but Andoni is clearly an upgrade over Howe at this level.
Billing has been benched out of the squad.
Andoni said as much, big attitudes/sulkers don't play.
Sinisterra played really well and was perhaps put in a bit early...Andoni admitted it.
How refreshing, and sad to see him slip.....he is a great player.
Kerkez did great.
Aarons is a great player and played well for so long out.
Smith, doing great as is usual now.
Zabarnyi and Senesi, did well.
Outtara, ineffective once again
Cook, not too bad, better dead balls and some great play. The slip could have cost us but didn't.
Christie, a really good game.
Solanke, great finish, did well.
Kluivert a general nuisance, with the ability to get in goal scoring positions and put 1 out of 3 away.
Faivre, not liking...lightweight, bullied off the ball, will take on 5 players. Has ability buy needs to relax and not try and impress.
Unal, really again can't see much with what he brings. May likely improve, but is probably a bit like Faivre....trying to impress.
A new season will settle both Faivre and Unal into the squad.
Really miss Semenyo, and to a lesser extent Adams.
I think Adam's would have anchored that team well.
Kelly was good.
Neto was reasonable, but never gets near a penalty.
Outtara, the only player for me who didn't impose himself on the game in any manner.
And Unal to a lesser extent.