4-5-1 & 0.71 Goals a Game!

Between FSC, ESPN & TVANTS I have managed to watch every Man Utd game this season. The points we have amassed so far in the prem is not too disappointing. We are a little off the pace but we're in striking distance, there or thereabouts.

What is disappointing though are the performances - as a whole and of some individuals. There's one reason for this and one reason alone - formation. If someone dreamed this up formation on Championship Manager they might call it 4-5-1 lockdown or something like that. It's the sort of tactic you might switch to for the last 10 to snatch a scrappy 0-1 away from home when things really haven't gone your way. We have conceded just 2 goals in 7 first team outings this season - which is great but it comes at a cost.

Firstly, we're vulnerable. It's a very fine line we walk knowing that if we concede a goal we're not going to get 3 points.

Most importantly though, it's boring. Can anyone honestly say that they have enjoyed watching a Man Utd game so far this season? Every game has been crap.. we haven't scored more than 1 goal in a game for an unbelievable 13 games now! 4 goals in 6 prem games so far this season - same as Derby, only Reading have less.

So why do we persist with negative, unattractive footy? Fergie's European obsession. He & Carlos obviously see this as the way to conquer the Champions League. I can't say he's wrong on that. The result on Wednesday away against a decent sporting side was a good one. It took a couple of world class saves from VDS to get there but it was a good result. You can say the tactics worked - just about. Group stage away games in the champions league are often dull affairs. 1 point is never a bad return and 3 will often see you through. We have learned to suffer these nights.

But is it really necessary to employ the same tactic in the prem, especially at home? Every game so far this season has been played in preparation for that game on Wednesday. What we witnessed against Reading on the opening day of the season was not ruthless champions chomping at the bit for repeat premiership success - it was basically a champions league practice match. One up front is all we need, that's why Tevez wasn't on the bench. 50 minutes into the new season with Rooney on his way to hospital and we're lumping long balls up to our new target man - John O'Shea. 2 points lost. We have one tactic - away to Sporting, home to Sunderland - same game.

Fergie has never been and never will be a master tactician with lots of fancy formations. That's fine, we know that. But there's a whole lot in between 1 and lots. 2 for instance. 1 tactic for Europe and 1 for the premiership, or maybe 1 for home games and 1 for away games. Or perhaps even 3!!! One for home games, 1 for away PL games and another 1 for away CL games.

Things have to change. I think he might start with 2 up front tomorrow. I hope and pray one of them is not Giggs.