That performance should put the doubters to bed...

[AC Mack]

We played Man United off the park at times. We were a joy to watch.

One slight quibble is I still think we looked a bit weak on the wings. Everywhere else we just had quality.

 

[MLE1]

Needs to stop being stubborn with Hume - poor from him today. - need a wing strategy - Talbi sub was ridiculous otherwise an excellent all round display - if only we had a goalscorer

 

[Popeye]

It’s paywalled but I think this should work. If not put the articles url into the search function on this page and it should.

You must be logged on to see external links

Worked like a charm. Thank you.

 

[TB22]

That Sadiki run was just brilliant . If only he lobbed it over the keeper. Hes a real grafter and he runs himself into the ground every match.

Lots of top performances today and we outplayed Man U most of the match.

 

[scott934]

I agree with the OP but think some of it comes from the pressure being taken off at he end of the season. It was beautiful short sharp passing today at times, I'd happily watch that type of performance all next season.

 

[bedlington mackem]

I posted about Le Bris saying in his press conference that we "can play with fredom" ..and i thought he has never spoke in those terms before. It was very evident today that we played freely and fluently. A joy to watch.

.....but we were also defensively very solid which was also really important after the Villa and Forest games

 

[chopsfc007]

.....but we were also defensively very solid which was also really important after the Villa and Forest games

That's what happens when you don't play mr sunderland when you have better options available or play a rb at left back back when you have two natural left backs on the bench

 

[Rokeroar]

Dream on. What does last week prove then or against NF.
Hume in mf really. The best thing the club can do is sell him so he cant get played there.
The problem is people come out with this stuff after a game that was Ok and is meaningless. He's proved time and time again O9, Hume, Rigg on wing

The state of this man

Back to our defensive best today. Just need that killer touch in front of goal and we'll be flying again.

I like Ballard but I honestly believe that was or best ch pairing today

 

[Geras]

The state of this man

I like Ballard but I honestly believe that was or best ch pairing today

If we dont play that back 4 next year we'd be mental. I'll cry my bloody eyes out if we let Geertruide get away . Total baller .

 

[Fletch]

Played some great football at times and won 90% of 50/50s … just lacking a goal , someone who could get 10-15 goals a season would make huge difference
Otherwise was great to watch IMO

 

[JO1912]

Thought we were outstanding tbh. Bit of a caveat with Man Us season effectively done but that shouldn’t take away our performance. Deserved to win and win well. Don’t put it quite above the arsenal and city performances but thought it was our best 90 minute performance of the season. Loved it

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

I didn't say it was, Cundy did.

Cundy is clueless

 

[hawaymadlad]

You're talking world class. It's bonkers when you think that Enzo is our only starting CM who won't be at the World Cup

And he might just be the best.

 

[Keb]

If we can learn to put away some of the great chances we create, we might get somewhere. Still, a very pleasing performance today.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I think his future depends on what happens at the very top this summer..

I agree, if City or Arsenal sack their managers then he’s a shoe in

 

[Daffy]

We bossed that game against a very good Man U side
Very encouraging

 

[nz joe]

I think we already knew that @brisbanemackem is, er, challenged

I was hoping no one was going to mention Brizzie.

 

[billyboy]

...saying Le Bris can't play any other way. Some of the attacking play was a joy to watch today. Fluid, movement all over. Hopefully a sign of things to come next season. Outstanding performance today. Well done lads and Regis

Just need to be more clinical in front of goal to ensure we win more games like today. Today was the perfect response to the debacle against forest!

 

[brisbanemackem]

I think we already knew that @brisbanemackem is, er, challenged

Thought we played very well today but only served to reinforce my critisisms of RLB.

I have never subscribed to the attitude that we should be grateful for survival as i have repeatedly said man for man we are a match quality wise for anyone but the top few teams and should be competing for European football.

Its taken RLB 36 games to realise that you have to move the ball quickly in the Premier League to stretch defenses.

Today we finally had some short corner routines and varied going long and short from goal kicks instead of our slow predictable play that has been on show for the majority of the season.

That was much better but if i could see the problems for months how has it taken hin 36 games to get his act together.

Still over cautious with European football a vague but small possibility he leaves it till last minute of normal time to bring on a second forward when 1 point would clearly not be enough.

I still maintain he is not the guy to take us forward.

 

[contrarian]

Xhaka interview after also pleasing, don’t listen to anyone through the summer who reckon he wants away.

Never listened to them anyway

That Sadiki run was just brilliant . If only he lobbed it over the keeper.

You mean like Diarra tried to do and has been pilloried and hung out to dry ever since?

I thought Sadiki had been a bit off lately but today he was immense. Got forward alot more than he has been doing this season....having Le Fee in the middle makes all the difference, he can see the runners now from there and 9/10 picks them out. Xhaka oozed class today. Ran the game.

I watched the game again today and would love to see the see the numbers for Xhaka
He was everywhere, defending, attacking, cajoling and organising team mates
He is an immense player
For my money his influence and savvy are every bit ( probably more ) as crucial as RLB
Best player and MF on the park
Fernandez and Mount cost over 120m and probably on 500k per week between them
Sadiki and Xhaka cost under 30m and probably less than 200k wages.
Hate to pi55 on chips but had we had a proper midfielder alongside them as opposed to Hume ( who let’s face it was atrocious today )
Special mention for Gerty who was also immense, especially in the second half