Manager reaction.

[Lighthouse]

Claudio Ranieri gave a frank assessment of his side's performance today at Old Trafford as the Whites fell to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of a ruthless Manchester United side.

The Manager has made his side aware that in order to survive in the Premier League they cannot afford to put in a showing as they did in the opening 45 minutes and must look to match the intensity and aptitude shown in the second half. 

"I want to talk about the whole game, not just one incident and the referee," Ranieri said.

"The referee can make mistakes just as a manager can make mistakes.

"Players can make mistakes as well and this is just football.

"In the first half it was all Manchester United. They played very well with powerful qualities. We didn't realise what happened.

"The second half was much better. We had the desire to try and play our best and we scored a goal.

"At that moment there wasn't a foul. At the time I couldn't see on the pitch but I watched after on video and I saw my player touch the ball only and the referee gave a second yellow card.

"That moment again changed the match because from the first minute of the second half it was much better for us.

"We showed what we have to do if we want to survive in the Premier League.

"I said to my players. If you play like in the first half it is the way to relegation. But if we play like in the second half we can survive.

"It is very clear.

"We have to react, we have to think about it and we have to have desire to be in the Premier League next season because nobody gives a gift."

A recent standout performer for the Whites was absent from the starting XI today as Calum Chambers picked up a slight injury in training prior to the match at Old Trafford.

Despite missing out today Ranieri hopes to have Chambers back for the London derby against West Ham United next weekend at Craven Cottage.

"Chambers suffered a little problem and was in London," he stated. "He didn't travel with us.

"I hope he will be ready to be back next week."

[YoungsBitter]

We all agree with that last point "I hope he will be ready to be back next week."
He has some big decisions about the midfield apart from Chambers, especially if we play 442.

[nose returns]

seri should not play for a long while
anguissa should never play again
vieto is talented but so lightweight so not really up to it.
stef jo not good enough, kmac too slow
we haven't got many left.
but if the manager persists wth seri you kknow there is something very wrong at the club because nobody would ever pick him based on his lack of form or effort.

[Matt10]

Think it's the right reaction because that red card changed everything and destroyed our momentum. In my mind it was still 2-1 because Mata was offsides on the 3rd goal. We clawed our way back in the second half and dominated possession. Really unfortunate.

I already made the point in my thoughts thread, but this was a match we needed some questions answered. Those who are just placing ultimatums left and right are just a typical reaction to a poor performance. We're getting relegated, banish [this player] or [that player] for life, yada yada yada. Typical.

It's not to say the positions aren't valid in some respects, but this isn't FIFA, you can't just sign players knowing their Overall value 100% of the time. Our depth was tested, as was our positional modification, and we got the answers we need. Let's hope those players are now ready when called upon. The manager giving them a go, while a poor match result, is a boost in confidence regardless. Any current or former player would recognize that. It will make a difference in the long run, and I hope it is a positive one. 

[Statto]

I like the man but he ball$ed it up today. Most of the team now picks itself and until further notice, should not be changed. If any of the following aren't playing until reinforcements are signed in January, we are going down, and it is the manager's fault for not doing the bleeding obvious.

                   Rico

Christie    Odoi    Mawson   ?

?        Chambers    ?  Sessegnon

                   Cairney

                 Mitrovic       

[Milo]

I like the man but he ball$ed it up today. Most of the team now picks itself and until further notice, should not be changed. If any of the following aren't playing until reinforcements are signed in January, we are going down, and it is the manager's fault for not doing the bleeding obvious.

                   Rico

Christie    Odoi    Mawson   ?

?        Chambers    ?  Sessegnon

                   Cairney

                 Mitrovic       

Can I squeeze Bryan in at LB after today?

[hovewhite]

I like the man but he ball$ed it up today. Most of the team now picks itself and until further notice, should not be changed. If any of the following aren't playing until reinforcements are signed in January, we are going down, and it is the manager's fault for not doing the bleeding obvious.

                   Rico

Christie    Odoi    Mawson   ?

?        Chambers    ?  Sessegnon

                   Cairney

                 Mitrovic       

Can I squeeze Bryan in at LB after today?

agree with those picks and MLM also over Bryan and really should have gone with the same defensive unit.

[bigalffc]

seri should not play for a long while
anguissa should never play again
vieto is talented but so lightweight so not really up to it.
stef jo not good enough, kmac too slow
we haven't got many left.
but if the manager persists wth seri you kknow there is something very wrong at the club because nobody would ever pick him based on his lack of form or effort.

I agree with your comments on Seri,Anguisa and Vietto, but until we get replacements at least Stefjo and Kmac give their all.