Ferguson calls for United mean streak

19 October 2009 10:47
SIR Alex Ferguson is demanding United rediscover their mean streak. Twelve months ago the Reds were in the middle of a run of five clean sheets as British Summer Time came to an end. The champions built on those stats with their record winter shut-outs the backbone that secured the title. But despite leading the Premier League again United have been handing the opposition confidence-boosting goals. There have been three blanks recorded in the league this season but six sides have managed to score against the Reds with Bolton adding their name to the list last Saturday. The United boss isn't unduly concerned but he wants the figures in the goals against column to remain static. "In the past years we have had runs of games without losing goals which have been important in terms of winning the title. We have to get back to that," insists Sir Alex. "I think the goal against Bolton was a slack goal to lose. It was a soft header at the back post. We shouldn't be losing goals like that. "But Bolton are a handful and you have to give them credit. They made it tough for us. "I cannot analyse losing the goal in the same context as the Manchester City game because they were compete errors. United errors "Terrible errors. Or the second goal against Sunderland. These were bad errors. "We made it hard for ourselves. We could have been well in front but when Bolton scored that goal late on, it became a particularly nervous occasion. "There was a bit of panic at times. We got through but only just but some of our football was very good. "You like to have a good start but you don't always get one. "We could have scored more goals. There was great speed to our game and we were a constant threat. "When Bolton came into the game just before half-time we caught them on the break. That was the comfort zone for us. "Maybe it was too much because we were relaxed in terms of our play in the second half and we should have finished the game off quicker. "Sometimes you can leave yourself regretting these things but in the end we got through."

Source: Manchester_EveningNews