Final Push To The End

I have not written anything over the last 3 games. First was the 4-4 draw against Chelsea in the second leg of the Champions League quarter final, second was the similar scoreline against Arsenal in the league and finally a 1-3 away win at Hull City.

There was something common in all these 3 games. Defensive lapse. To have conceded 9 goals in 3 games is not exactly the kind of performance any defence can be proud of. But on the same note, we scored plenty as well. One thing for sure is that no one can win a game by merely being free-scoring. Defensive steadfastness is the pillar to success. If we can't score, we must at least ensure that we don't concede. So what was the problem?

My assessment is that it is not a systemic problem but an individual one. Skrtel looked out of sorts for the past few games, Carragher alone can't save the world, Agger had not been given enough games to anchor a steady performance. Arbeloa, for me, was a key culprit. In the game against, Arsenal he was simply too slow, too complacent and too....whatever! Look at the game against Hull, he wasn't running enough to cover ground and track back to defend. Even when he did, he committed far too many errors. He looked unmotivated, too casual and out right lazy. Insua had been out standing thus far in the season but even he gave away a Hull City goal due to his failure to mark his man, running into the 6 yard box. The most astonishing thing was that he did not even attempt to chase and fight for the ball. If we are to continue winning and secure 3 points in the remaining 4 games in order to keep our title hopes alive, we need to stop conceding goals through slack defending. The drive and determination is not present in the defense department. Something needs to be rectified and rectified soon.

It was heart breaking to watch Spurs crumble like a pack of cards in the second half after storming to a 2 goal lead. The controversial penalty changed the dynamics of the game. If they had held on for 15minutes in the second half, I am sure Spurs would have gone on to win the game. That first MU goal gave those dogs belief and thus the resultant fight back which was no doubt astonishing.

But MU still have to play a derby against Man City and a final game against Arsenal. We can only keep ourselves in the race by ensuring 3 points in the every one of the last 4 games.

It doesn't help that Gerard is still injured and his return against Newcastle this Sunday will provide the boost I feel the team needs. If we can keep winning, I am sure the title challeng will go right to the wire this season.