[Archived] Manchester United v BRFC Preview - Sat 31st December

[Miker]

A few things:

-Not playing that great, but damn it I am overjoyed to be 1-0 up against United, even with their weakened squad. I hope we can hold on... what a way to welcome the new year that would be!!!

-After the last 2 games, I have a mancrush on Bunn. I get the feeling he's just top class. We have two fantastic keepers at the club.

-Rochina is so frustrating... brilliant ability, but no brains.

[imy9]

I did say at the start of the game that this is a game we can get something from and the first 45 confirms it.

Playing well, especially impressed with Hanley, for all his detractors he is a 20 year old centre half who is learning his trade at a club leaking goals and his last two performances have been excellent.

Now let's do the same in the second half and hopefully we'll get a draw.

[Andy3809]

Good first half performance though all things considered. We seem to be breaking out in twos and threes which is giving an option to play short and keep the ball and get the defence up the pitch. Yakubu gives little retention on his own and this has been killing us of late so it's good to see

[AllRoverAsia]

I know a minor thing, but why are we playing in that crappy yellow kit again like last week. We always play in blue and white at OT and Anfield.

Its the colour of a young Chick at the age they are slaughtered by Venkys - subliminal brand awareness idea

[yorkblue]

United wont stand off us and let us play 6 or 7 nothing passes in midfield in the second half. I fear it will turn into a second half like Sunderland. We look so slow going forward. Rochina keeps it well but must be the slowest player we have.

[Stuart]

Too early...?

[bigbrandjohn]

Dare to dream

[Paul Mellelieu]

Some good posts by a Rovers' fan here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/dec/31/manchester-united-blackburn-rovers-report

[bigbrandjohn]

Its the colour of a young Chick at the age they are slaughtered by Venkys - subliminal brand awareness idea

:lol:

[Drover]

Such a strange match to watch. Don't know what's happened to nzonzi recently but he just isn't doing it for me. just doesn't close down. Difficult to say which way this is going to go, surely united can't come out as subdued as they were in the first half.

I don't know how rochina fits into our team either.

Just hoping we don't try and over defend like second half vs sunderland or it could be a big turnaround.

[Exiled in Toronto]

I knew we had a chance when the sung Happy Birthday to Fergie at the beginning - no-one was taking this seriously.

We have done really well, not been under the cosh for long at all. We do have some good young players

[AllRoverAsia]

Still think Bunn is a much better keeper than Robinson too.

I must say in the few games I've seen him in Bunn is more than useful and looks better at low shots than Robbo and good on crosses.

[Paul Mellelieu]

4-1

[47er]

United wont stand off us and let us play 6 or 7 nothing passes in midfield in the second half. I fear it will turn into a second half like Sunderland. We look so slow going forward. Rochina keeps it well but must be the slowest player we have.

My thoughts exactly.There is no threat coming forward, we can only hold onto the ball in our own half and Manu are doing all the attacking. Can't keep them out indefinitely.

Having said that, I'm proud of the way we at least kept our shape in that first half, and the back 4 have been magnificent. Bunn too but his kicking is a bit wayward.

[otto man]

A McDonalds moment.

I'm Lovin it!

[Andy3809]

We have some fantastic young players who will be so important to the club if/when we go down next year.

Good enough to compete on low wages and cost nothing.

Mixed with a few established players would see us ok in the championship

[Exiled_Rover]

How's our closing down been?

Awful. Their final ball has been dreadful - partly because their CM partnership is a joke. It's laughably arrogant for Ferguson to pair those two and think he can beat a PL team.

[yorkblue]

It will take about 2 minutes of the second half to see which way this is going to go.I have a terrible feeling that at this moment Kean is masterminding his famous 9 - 1 - 0 formation. The thing in our favour is that United do have games like this on rare occasions where they just can't seem to get out of 1st gear for the whole game. If they find second gear we will lose.

[Clitherover]

Don't get excited people, we will implode in the second half.

[Devon Rover]

Did not expect that to be the half time score! Still a long way to go and I would bet on the United players getting a few birthday hairdryers lobbed at them before turning it around in the second half. But for now this scoreline is superb. Have we got some luck go our way in playing Utd when they have a poor defence, no Rooney and expecting to come out and walk all over us? Come on lads battle on....

[EWOODACE1]

cant help feel nani's finishing has helped us. saying that to be leading at old trafford at half time is a good performance

[Sysagent]

Anderson on for Hernandez, so changes made.

[AllRoverAsia]

Here we go - seatbelts on there could be turbulence

[Inta Beaver]

WOW Non of us were expecting that!

[Pugg]

Hanley is looking a lot better recently. Bunn looks excellent. Rochina frustrating. Berba is struggling with samba. Please lord, please let us hold on and turn this godawful season around.