Was Man United a watershed?

[Kano]

I really disagree with Letters on this. I think he is being much too optimistic. I dont think the team is very good; sure, Jack will make a difference if hes fit and keeps calm but people forget how many times RVP rescued us last season and he's not around. Also I saw the Chelsea game and I dont think we were unlucky to lose at all - they were quite a bit better than us. More worrying though were the Norwich defeat and the poor performance against QPR who we were lucky to beat. We no longer have the belief to think we will beat the shit teams whilst we are almost certain to lose to the top ones.

i think he (and others) are right to say that yes, on paper we have some players good enough to at least maintain the status quo of fourth - but as we know this isn't Football Manager. it sort of disproves the theory that all you need to succeed is money, as that will allow you to buy the best talent and you'll walk it. by that reckoning, our talent pool should be enough to keep us in the top four. but man managing a team, ensuring the focus is there game after game, juggling the squad through injury, rotating through form, keeping the forwards sharp and mid/def as a tight unit...none of that comes easy. wenger has shown that over the past 7 years through a failed youth project and selling off our best whilst trying to replace with more experience yet that gelling process does not just click into place.

it was there from the very first game against sunderland as we struggled to find any sort of rhythm with so many new partnerships across the team, particularly in the front 5/6. too many changes in a short period has left us looking like a bunch of strangers happy to give the simple pass but not reading or having the confidence in each other to do something more risky. the problem with that is our style of play depends on a certain closeness and bond between the players to really get it ticking, otherwise it becomes very easy to defend against. the most worrying sign is the lack of goals so far and no matter what the previous issues with old wenger sides, there was always goals in them. we probably do here too but they are either out of position, on the bench or starting life in a new league.