Evra: We should have punished Wolves

December 16, 2009

PATRICE Evra is unhappy that United did not inflict even more damage on Wolves.

Wolves boss Mick McCarthy has faced huge criticism following his decision to make 10 changes at Old Trafford.

A 3-0 defeat has been viewed as suitable punishment for what the Premier League may yet decide is bringing the competitive integrity of the whole championship into question. But Evra does not think so.

With a goal difference gap to make up on Chelsea despite recent handsome wins at West Ham and Portsmouth, the France full-back feels United should have capitalised on their weakened opponents and registered their second five-goal haul of the campaign.

"I was not happy to only score three goals," said Evra.

"We respect Wolves but we should have done better.

"The goal difference is important and, in a game like that, we should have won by five or six."

Had Wayne Rooney snaffled a clear chance in the opening minutes, United might well have doubled their winning margin, which really would have increased the heat on McCarthy.

Instead, they had to settle for a three-timer for the sixth time in eight games, taking their overall Premier League tally for the season to 37.

Although that figure is still behind Chelsea and Arsenal, it is over halfway to last year's tally of 68, which Ferguson does not believe was good enough, especially as Cristiano Ronaldo was responsible for 18 of them.

It was a situation Ferguson demanded should be addressed and, so far, he is delighted with the response.

"Our scoring rate last season was good enough to win the title but it hardly blew anyone out of the water," said Ferguson.

"A few weeks ago I asked the players to be more decisive with their chances, especially in the early part of a match, instead of appearing to take the relaxed view that there will be another along in a minute.

"It seems they took my plea on board."

None more so than Antonio Valencia, whose six-goal haul is just one short of his tally in three seasons at Wigan.

The Ecuador winger has settled well into life at United. And, while any comparisons with Ronaldo would be totally unfair, he is starting to make an impact on a regular basis.

His latest effort was one of his best too, the 23-year-old reading Dimitar Berbatov's intentions as the Bulgarian launched an overhead kick into his path.

The crisp first-time finish that crashed into the roof of the net looked easy, but that was more to do with the ability of the man concerned.

"Antonio is improving," said Ferguson.

"When he came he was a quiet young man. Now he is expansive in his game and he is expressing himself.

"We like to see all young players develop when they come here. He is capable of scoring goals and we are pleased with that."

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There's Only One Keano, Baltimore, USA (16/12/2009 at 17:58)

If I didn't know better, I'd think that Evra's first name was Paddy and that he came through the youth ranks at United. His commitment and mentality are exactly in line with the expectations and traditions of this club. Rarely does he put a foot wrong and his comments off the pitch match the dedication he shows to the club on it. I loved watching him captain the side a few matches ago. He truly "gets" what it means to be a United player.

Excellence Of Execution (16/12/2009 at 18:12)

It seems Jonny Evra is with the moaners on this one!!

blacksocks, stretfordend (16/12/2009 at 19:54)

I thought this was a very lacklustre display from United. In fact I thought we played better against Villa. 2 of the goals from set pieces and we didn't exactly create a hatful of chances against one of the worst teams I have seen in the PL. All a bit worrying...

bobbydazzler (16/12/2009 at 20:08)

keano baltimore

hear hear he gives the impression that he loves united as much as we do. it is refreshing that he echoes what many on here feel about last night's game ie a missed opportunity.

alias seems to think goal difference does'nt count for much. try telling that to bobby charlton who won a championship on goal difference . then again he was a leeds united supporter in those days and was not aware of this in our history.

neal 07, south stand lower (16/12/2009 at 22:43)

Patrice you are correct and if only a lot of the others had both your attitude and work rate.

Last night was shocking, yes we won 3-0 at home, well done, but unlike most fans on here, I look beyond the result and it is not good

We have been struggling at home all season in all competitions, slack, lacklustre, lethargic, sloppy performances!! What the hell has happened to attacking teams and scaring them about what they will face at Old Trafford, this season it appears that all visiting teams come with a genuine hope of getting at least a point

Also I know it was a cold night, but the atmosphere was pathetic, Ive heard better at funerals!!! Yes and I sit in the library of South Stand, where I am often frowned upon for daring to sing!!!

Ben Taylor (17/12/2009 at 02:17)

We can't reach a point where we as fans dismiss a 3-0 win as not good enough. The main thing is that we won the game first. However I agree the performance was not good enough. The problem seems to be the lax attitude in front of goal. I think the players saw the Wolves team and got complacent, so didn't play at there normal level. The team has to be more ruthless in front of goal, but the problem is that we don't actually have good goalscorers. Upfront Rooney is a top top player, but finishing is not his strong point. He does however do more than most for our team and has contributed enough goals so far. The same can't be said of the Berbatov whose record at Man Utd is poor, even though he does create alot of chances. However in terms of scoring his chances his success rate is poor. In midfield we have alot of hard workers but not good goalscorers. Scholes is older now so he can't do what he did in the past. The younger guys aren't in his level at all. Anderson is shocking in front of goal with a record of like 1 goal in 100 games. Carrick is not a strong goalscorer and is normally reluctant to shoot. Valencia has done well for us, but Park, Fletcher and Nani do not score enough. Gibson has potential because he isn't afraid to shot and manages to hit the target more than most. My point is that with strikers like Berbatov and Rooney, both of whom are not really 30 goals a season strikers, we need our midfielders to start scoring more goals. Berbatov get alot of flack but he seems to be more of a creater of chances, like Bergkamp did for Arsenal. He will hopefully give you around 12-15 goals a season, but also between 10-15 assists as well. But players have to start putting those chances away.

chris, oxford (17/12/2009 at 09:30)

Its great to hear one of our own players come out with statements like this, Wolves were there for a major battering and we let them get away with it - remember the Ipswich 9-0 demolition? How I miss those days!

Come on lads, follow Paddy's example and get stuck in.

Duncan, London (17/12/2009 at 09:42)

I'll second (third) that Keano. Great professional - top performance every match.

Monkey tennis?, yes please (17/12/2009 at 09:47)

Indeed, we should have scored more, but from the performance from the team as a whole, 3 was a decent return, so shouldn't grumble much about that.

Gilly, Belgium (17/12/2009 at 12:35)

I agree with Patrice where are the goals going to come from ?????????
midfield , defence , but our forwards are lacking i think !, Rooney Berbato, Owen and Valencia , they score now and again its just not enough, come on guys get your backs into it !

Alias Smith, over the moon (17/12/2009 at 12:44)

Wow, bobbyd, I bet you're really proud of that comment.

bobbydazzler (17/12/2009 at 15:59)

alias

you are obviously not a student of our history or you WOULD HAVE KNOWN that united were the last team to win the league title on goal difference. you pretenders need to be educated. so now you know perhaps you will re appraise you stance on the importance of goal difference.

bobbydazzler (17/12/2009 at 16:03)

chris oxford .

the reason that united did'nt batter wolves RESERVES is that our lads were DEFLATED when they saw the wolves lineup and they just could'nt get motoring. that is what our resident know all is telling us is the cause of uniteds lack of a killer instinct in this game.

Alias Smith, over the moon (17/12/2009 at 16:06)

Yeah, another nice one bobbyd. Well done.

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