You knew the Reds risked a match where the defensive miscues, like today, could leave the offense with too much to over come, yet you never-ever suspected the disappointment would come against Blackburn at home.
First, Berba gives up a penalty to make it 1-0 Blackburn. Why is Berba marking Samba? Probably it’s our best match-up, given the injuries.
Second, you find the Yak stumbling, bumbling his way to a 2-0 Blackburn lead well against the run of play.
United would draw level, as one thing you can count on from Sir Alex is if it’s not working, he’ll change shape at half time. The substitution of Anderson for Chicharito after the break put Welbeck, Valencia, and Rafael back in their natural positions; no more duplicate runs from Berba, Welbeck, and Hernandez.
Valencia was marvelous on the flank, providing high quality service to get around the edge of the bus parked in front of goal.
With the score line level, you’d still bet large sums that United would win, let alone draw today. The stats point to a relative siege for large stretches of the match for Sir Alex’s men.
But it wasn’t to be, as the ultimate coup de gras finds a feeble De Gea’s clearance gifting Blackburn the lead and victory. Game, set, and match Rovers.
This loss demonstrates how tired the squad look, how desperately they need two healthy center halves and Carrick returned to midfield, and how Fergie now has a full-blown keeper controversy, with Lindegaard’s five clean sheets in five games contrasting sharply with De Gea’s poor performance in this match.
This result guarantees City will sit top of the table at the turn of the year. The Red Devil’s ascent fell one game shy of the 2011 Premier League summit.
United must simply write this one off and use it as motivation in preparation for Newcastle midweek. Get well boys. Cheers.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Monday, December 26, 2011
Merry Christmas
The United response to the holiday fixture list has been fantastic, with consecutive 5-0 thrashings of Fulham and Wigan inside a week despite the growing list of causalities.
Consider these trends…
Nani scoring on a header – a freakin’ header – while the away supporters work all the way down song sheet into a Georgie Best World at Craven Cottage.
Today, there’s Carrick as a center-half, Valencia at right back, a Darron Gibson sighting in central midfield, plus a hat trick for that the seldom used reserve, Dimitar Berbatov.
Add to the mix Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City all drawing and dropping two points, and welcome to your own personal Winter Wonderland tied a top of the Premier League.
Perhaps only the most optimistic Red Devils envisioned United level with City before the New Year. Well, here we sit tied at the top of the table only separated by a goal differential reduced from the high teens to five in a month.
Ferguson’s men won eight of their past nine to reach this point, with the only dropped points coming from THAT penalty decision against Ferdinand. One corrected call and United would sit top by two points.
You simply wonder what City must be thinking, as the pressure mounts on the blue half of Manchester.
Consider United’s accomplishment up against the injury list, which includes Anderson, Cleverly, da Silva twins, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Jones, Smalling, and Vidic, with the Captain and Fletcher likely lost for the rest of the campaign.
Pinch me, I must be dreaming, as United will only get better when players start returning from the hospital ward.
Now, let’s think about the team sheet just before kickoff.
If you were the gaffer, would you play Carrick in defense and give a run out for Gibson today? In reality, what other choice did Fergie have?
Maybe play Evra central and give a starting nod to the young Fryars or bring back Rafael a bit too early from injury. Actually, the Carrick call looks more reasonable against the options available, as the Frenchman is way too small to play central.
Wigan can be a dangerous side, as they have skilled-but-inconsistent players that can be easily overrun by truly committed side. Yet, if you give them hope, miraculously they’re capable of playing some entertaining possession-football – a real Doctor Jeckll and Mr. Hyde side.
Thankfully, the Latics were in a giving mood today. Hopefully, Fergie returns the favor and breaks deep into his wine selection to treat Roberto Martinez. Afterall one good deed deserves another. Merry Christmas.
-----
Back at you after the Blackburn match. Cheers.
Consider these trends…
Nani scoring on a header – a freakin’ header – while the away supporters work all the way down song sheet into a Georgie Best World at Craven Cottage.
Today, there’s Carrick as a center-half, Valencia at right back, a Darron Gibson sighting in central midfield, plus a hat trick for that the seldom used reserve, Dimitar Berbatov.
Add to the mix Chelsea, Liverpool, and Man City all drawing and dropping two points, and welcome to your own personal Winter Wonderland tied a top of the Premier League.
Perhaps only the most optimistic Red Devils envisioned United level with City before the New Year. Well, here we sit tied at the top of the table only separated by a goal differential reduced from the high teens to five in a month.
Ferguson’s men won eight of their past nine to reach this point, with the only dropped points coming from THAT penalty decision against Ferdinand. One corrected call and United would sit top by two points.
You simply wonder what City must be thinking, as the pressure mounts on the blue half of Manchester.
Consider United’s accomplishment up against the injury list, which includes Anderson, Cleverly, da Silva twins, Ferdinand, Fletcher, Jones, Smalling, and Vidic, with the Captain and Fletcher likely lost for the rest of the campaign.
Pinch me, I must be dreaming, as United will only get better when players start returning from the hospital ward.
Now, let’s think about the team sheet just before kickoff.
If you were the gaffer, would you play Carrick in defense and give a run out for Gibson today? In reality, what other choice did Fergie have?
Maybe play Evra central and give a starting nod to the young Fryars or bring back Rafael a bit too early from injury. Actually, the Carrick call looks more reasonable against the options available, as the Frenchman is way too small to play central.
Wigan can be a dangerous side, as they have skilled-but-inconsistent players that can be easily overrun by truly committed side. Yet, if you give them hope, miraculously they’re capable of playing some entertaining possession-football – a real Doctor Jeckll and Mr. Hyde side.
Thankfully, the Latics were in a giving mood today. Hopefully, Fergie returns the favor and breaks deep into his wine selection to treat Roberto Martinez. Afterall one good deed deserves another. Merry Christmas.
-----
Back at you after the Blackburn match. Cheers.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Confidence Restored
If you ever needed a demonstration how United need to attack, simply re-watch today’s 5-0 thrashing of Fulham.
Fluid movement seemed effortless for the Reds, as United ended up employing four wing players much of the match, with Valencia at right back and Giggs in the center of midfield.
So effective were the flanks that it seemed as if the Cottagers played the morning after a wild Christmas party – looking tired, hung-over and bewildered.
Party on indeed.
Where do you start, with so much to relish? Let’s keep it to the customary five reactions to the match.
First, Carrick and Giggs controlled the match – that is control with a capital “C”.
Both players maintained possession and distributed the ball wonderfully to the wings, which Fulham couldn’t deal with, so they dropped off the ball even further. This provided the dynamic duo even more time over the ball… you get the picture.
As Warren Barton teased, Giggs could have played today with a cigar in one hand, a brandy in another – he simply did what he wanted with grace and ease. Fittingly, Giggs netted the third goal for United just before half off a deflection that brought to the fore that amused-and-delighted grin to the number eleven’s face, that priceless picture we’ve witnessed on so many occasions. All Reds should name their first-born son Ryan, seriously.
Second, the Rooney and Welbeck combination regained their early season mojo, as both strikers netted a goal a piece. Rooney’s 30+-yard strike that kissed off the post was reminiscent of an audacious Ronaldo long-range effort circa 2008 and a definite goal-of-the-week candidate.
This combination works when Welbeck’s touch is “on”, and Dany didn’t disappoint. He maintained possession as well as provided the effort, pace, and length to pressure the ball effectively. Often, Fulham started deep with the long number nineteen and Rooney narrowing as well as directing the possible escape routes out of their defensive half, which led to turnovers and a lop-sided possession statistic in favor of United. Brilliant job, lads.
Third, this match, like so many others, came with injuries – this time to Jones and Young. Jones’ head injury – thanks to an intentional elbow, I’d argue, from Clint Dempsy – merited a yellow, if not a red card from Mark Halsey.
I simply can’t understand how no card was given, as in real time you clearly saw Dempsey leading with and holding his elbow out above his headline upon connection with United’s number four. The only explanation lies in the referee being reluctant to show colors so early in the match. It’s a stone-cold yellow, in my book.
Jones’ injury could be a huge blow because concussions hold their own peculiar and unpredictable spell over their victims. Let us hope that Jones will be back soon, as the Red Devils sorely needs his versatility during the crowded holiday fixture list.
Fourth, Nani’s blistering form continued today, as he tormented Fulham from wide positions, often with either Evra or Valencia overlapping him. You cannot underestimate the importance of Nani’s full-length run down the left flank that created United’s first goal.
Once burned, twice shy became the rule, as Fulham’s fullbacks never recovered from watching the obvious ease with which the Portuguese rounded the defense to provide Welbeck with a side-footer from ten yards out.
Fifth and finally, the past two months have witnessed United pressing too much in the final third of the pitch leading to uncomfortable 1-0 victories and the infamous penalty decision to Newcastle at home.
Reds really needed a match where the goals came easily and freely. This was the match. The score line should restore the player’s confidence in the wide attacking play that was so effective in the early days of the season. When Ferguson’s men get it going down the wing, they’re extremely difficult to stop.
Admittedly, United cannot afford to be so expansive against the highest quality opposition, but you suspect both matches in West London brought back that swagger we’ve all come to expect from a Sir Alex Ferguson side. Just consider Rooney’s superb long-range laser or Berbatov’s delicious back-heal-redirect just in side the far post. Both strikes simply exude class and assurance.
Goals can be contagious with this side, as this match reminds the Reds to relax, play your game, and trust each other. The goals do come, and quite often, in bunches.
----
Back at you after the Wigan match. Cheers.
Fluid movement seemed effortless for the Reds, as United ended up employing four wing players much of the match, with Valencia at right back and Giggs in the center of midfield.
So effective were the flanks that it seemed as if the Cottagers played the morning after a wild Christmas party – looking tired, hung-over and bewildered.
Party on indeed.
Where do you start, with so much to relish? Let’s keep it to the customary five reactions to the match.
First, Carrick and Giggs controlled the match – that is control with a capital “C”.
Both players maintained possession and distributed the ball wonderfully to the wings, which Fulham couldn’t deal with, so they dropped off the ball even further. This provided the dynamic duo even more time over the ball… you get the picture.
As Warren Barton teased, Giggs could have played today with a cigar in one hand, a brandy in another – he simply did what he wanted with grace and ease. Fittingly, Giggs netted the third goal for United just before half off a deflection that brought to the fore that amused-and-delighted grin to the number eleven’s face, that priceless picture we’ve witnessed on so many occasions. All Reds should name their first-born son Ryan, seriously.
Second, the Rooney and Welbeck combination regained their early season mojo, as both strikers netted a goal a piece. Rooney’s 30+-yard strike that kissed off the post was reminiscent of an audacious Ronaldo long-range effort circa 2008 and a definite goal-of-the-week candidate.
This combination works when Welbeck’s touch is “on”, and Dany didn’t disappoint. He maintained possession as well as provided the effort, pace, and length to pressure the ball effectively. Often, Fulham started deep with the long number nineteen and Rooney narrowing as well as directing the possible escape routes out of their defensive half, which led to turnovers and a lop-sided possession statistic in favor of United. Brilliant job, lads.
Third, this match, like so many others, came with injuries – this time to Jones and Young. Jones’ head injury – thanks to an intentional elbow, I’d argue, from Clint Dempsy – merited a yellow, if not a red card from Mark Halsey.
I simply can’t understand how no card was given, as in real time you clearly saw Dempsey leading with and holding his elbow out above his headline upon connection with United’s number four. The only explanation lies in the referee being reluctant to show colors so early in the match. It’s a stone-cold yellow, in my book.
Jones’ injury could be a huge blow because concussions hold their own peculiar and unpredictable spell over their victims. Let us hope that Jones will be back soon, as the Red Devils sorely needs his versatility during the crowded holiday fixture list.
Fourth, Nani’s blistering form continued today, as he tormented Fulham from wide positions, often with either Evra or Valencia overlapping him. You cannot underestimate the importance of Nani’s full-length run down the left flank that created United’s first goal.
Once burned, twice shy became the rule, as Fulham’s fullbacks never recovered from watching the obvious ease with which the Portuguese rounded the defense to provide Welbeck with a side-footer from ten yards out.
Fifth and finally, the past two months have witnessed United pressing too much in the final third of the pitch leading to uncomfortable 1-0 victories and the infamous penalty decision to Newcastle at home.
Reds really needed a match where the goals came easily and freely. This was the match. The score line should restore the player’s confidence in the wide attacking play that was so effective in the early days of the season. When Ferguson’s men get it going down the wing, they’re extremely difficult to stop.
Admittedly, United cannot afford to be so expansive against the highest quality opposition, but you suspect both matches in West London brought back that swagger we’ve all come to expect from a Sir Alex Ferguson side. Just consider Rooney’s superb long-range laser or Berbatov’s delicious back-heal-redirect just in side the far post. Both strikes simply exude class and assurance.
Goals can be contagious with this side, as this match reminds the Reds to relax, play your game, and trust each other. The goals do come, and quite often, in bunches.
----
Back at you after the Wigan match. Cheers.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Five Reactions To The Victory Over Wolves
Playing Wolverhamton at home after the massive disappointment midweek provided the perfect tonic for what ails United, with a comfortable 4-1 victory.
Normal service resumed around goal with Rooney and Nani netting two goals apiece, and in truth, it could have been much more lopsided, as Mick McCarthy’s side left too many delicious pockets of space for the Red Devils to exploit.
Here are my five immediate reactions to this victory.
First, United are clearly a club in transition at the moment. All illusions of a seamless evolution from one generation to another disappeared with Red’s Champions League exit this past week.
Simply look at the age and form of the squad at the moment.
You have extreme youth with the de Silvas, De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Welbeck, Cleverly, and Macheda, coupled with aging veterans still playing in Berbatov, Giggs, Owen and Rio, as well as the recently departed Brown, Neville, O’Shea, Scholes, and van der Sar.
With youthful defenders, we’ve witnessed more errors and shots on goal than you’d expect from a Ferguson side thus far this year.
Today’s culprit was Chris Smalling, who repeatedly let Matt Jarvis get around the edge with the same move, which led to the cross that provided Wolves’ only goal.
It’s not so much that he got beat, which happens, it’s that he didn’t adjust to the threat against him.
Reviewing tape, Smalling will be embarrassed by witnessing himself beat repeatedly with so much help provided by the hardworking Valencia. He’ll learn, without question, but his error provided Wolves a huge lifeline early in the second half. Against a different side on a different day, United would not be so lucky.
Second, United desperately need an in-form Nani with the current injury list and lack of execution around goal. Thankfully, the number seventeen hath obliged.
Everyone knows the Portuguese winger created the most goals last term, as he can beat anyone – sometimes two or even three – off the dribble. His ability to get around the outside edge, nutmeg defenders, or cut inside causes defenders nightmares.
In Basel, Nani looked the most likely to score, as he toyed with anyone attempting to cover him, albeit his crosses left teammates wanting.
Today, he opened the Red Devils account with a brilliant jaunt across the top of the box before slotting home his shot just inside the post. This goal loosened up United’s play with Rooney, not coincidentally, netting the second soon afterwards.
Third, welcome back, Rio Ferdinand, as his elegant anticipation and timing returns precisely when United need it most.
We all have questions about his durability and fitness, but with what we’ve seen during the Newcastle, Basel, and Wolves matches, Sir Alex must be greatly encouraged. United need veteran leadership to help cover for and develop the youngsters. Rio is providing that quality at the moment.
Fourth, Phil Jones is a stud. Period.
Certainly, he’s still learning his craft, especially at center half, but just look at the nineteen year old: he’s our preferred central midfield option at the moment, which speaks to his talent and versatility as well as United’s lack of consistency and depth in the center of the park.
Where would the Red Devils be without this lad? I shudder the thought, as he’s filled a gaping whole in the middle of the formation.
Fifth, and most important, this victory restores some confidence around goal, particularly for Rooney, and applies much-needed pressure on City, especially after being knocked out of Champions League.
A loss to Chelsea would summon up anxiety on the Blue Moon, as they have yet to deal with adversity this campaign outside of an unnamed player’s soap opera. Until City win the Premier League, the inevitable questions will surface upon each slip-up.
We may all look back at this very week, where United fell out of European glory, as the turning point for this season and this squad of players.
The price paid for being complacent and having concentration lapses on defensive leave sharp bitterness in Red Devil mouths.
Have the youngsters learned that simply donning the red shirt doesn’t guarantee anything and that you must earn everything against everybody at this level of football?
Have the youth been taught how hard you must work to develop and maintain that elusive form that saw opponents battered early in the season?
We shall all find out soon enough, as today was one baby-step in the right direction.
-----
Won’t have a write-up after the QPR match, but will be back at you after Fulham at Craven Cottage. Cheers.
Normal service resumed around goal with Rooney and Nani netting two goals apiece, and in truth, it could have been much more lopsided, as Mick McCarthy’s side left too many delicious pockets of space for the Red Devils to exploit.
Here are my five immediate reactions to this victory.
First, United are clearly a club in transition at the moment. All illusions of a seamless evolution from one generation to another disappeared with Red’s Champions League exit this past week.
Simply look at the age and form of the squad at the moment.
You have extreme youth with the de Silvas, De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Welbeck, Cleverly, and Macheda, coupled with aging veterans still playing in Berbatov, Giggs, Owen and Rio, as well as the recently departed Brown, Neville, O’Shea, Scholes, and van der Sar.
With youthful defenders, we’ve witnessed more errors and shots on goal than you’d expect from a Ferguson side thus far this year.
Today’s culprit was Chris Smalling, who repeatedly let Matt Jarvis get around the edge with the same move, which led to the cross that provided Wolves’ only goal.
It’s not so much that he got beat, which happens, it’s that he didn’t adjust to the threat against him.
Reviewing tape, Smalling will be embarrassed by witnessing himself beat repeatedly with so much help provided by the hardworking Valencia. He’ll learn, without question, but his error provided Wolves a huge lifeline early in the second half. Against a different side on a different day, United would not be so lucky.
Second, United desperately need an in-form Nani with the current injury list and lack of execution around goal. Thankfully, the number seventeen hath obliged.
Everyone knows the Portuguese winger created the most goals last term, as he can beat anyone – sometimes two or even three – off the dribble. His ability to get around the outside edge, nutmeg defenders, or cut inside causes defenders nightmares.
In Basel, Nani looked the most likely to score, as he toyed with anyone attempting to cover him, albeit his crosses left teammates wanting.
Today, he opened the Red Devils account with a brilliant jaunt across the top of the box before slotting home his shot just inside the post. This goal loosened up United’s play with Rooney, not coincidentally, netting the second soon afterwards.
Third, welcome back, Rio Ferdinand, as his elegant anticipation and timing returns precisely when United need it most.
We all have questions about his durability and fitness, but with what we’ve seen during the Newcastle, Basel, and Wolves matches, Sir Alex must be greatly encouraged. United need veteran leadership to help cover for and develop the youngsters. Rio is providing that quality at the moment.
Fourth, Phil Jones is a stud. Period.
Certainly, he’s still learning his craft, especially at center half, but just look at the nineteen year old: he’s our preferred central midfield option at the moment, which speaks to his talent and versatility as well as United’s lack of consistency and depth in the center of the park.
Where would the Red Devils be without this lad? I shudder the thought, as he’s filled a gaping whole in the middle of the formation.
Fifth, and most important, this victory restores some confidence around goal, particularly for Rooney, and applies much-needed pressure on City, especially after being knocked out of Champions League.
A loss to Chelsea would summon up anxiety on the Blue Moon, as they have yet to deal with adversity this campaign outside of an unnamed player’s soap opera. Until City win the Premier League, the inevitable questions will surface upon each slip-up.
We may all look back at this very week, where United fell out of European glory, as the turning point for this season and this squad of players.
The price paid for being complacent and having concentration lapses on defensive leave sharp bitterness in Red Devil mouths.
Have the youngsters learned that simply donning the red shirt doesn’t guarantee anything and that you must earn everything against everybody at this level of football?
Have the youth been taught how hard you must work to develop and maintain that elusive form that saw opponents battered early in the season?
We shall all find out soon enough, as today was one baby-step in the right direction.
-----
Won’t have a write-up after the QPR match, but will be back at you after Fulham at Craven Cottage. Cheers.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Villa Park Dominance Continues
United extend the unbeaten string at Villa Park to twenty-one matches after a 1-0 victory in a disjointed affair that saw three different players stretchered off the pitch.
Based on this causality list, you’d imagine a tight, no-holds-bar match, but it was quite the contrary.
Seemingly a supernatural curse befell the unfortunate three, as they all went down on at their own accord out of the blue, and you can’t blame the famously immaculate surface at Aston Villa. Sun rises. Sun sets. Villa Park is a velvety carpet. It’s that predictable.
Last match, the Red Devils were simply profligate in front of goal with their many chances.
Today, United bossed possession, yet failed to create as many opportunities in front of goal against a largely uninspired side.
So poor were the Villains, in fact, that they allowed Jones and Carrick to dictate matters to Villa’s three central midfielders. Nobody bothered to track Jones on his forays forward, which led to the game’s only goal in the 20th minute – a brilliant, top-shelf volley off a Nani cross from six yards.
Such was the delight on Jones’ and the managerial staff’s faces, with the number four pointing to his manager immediately after the strike, that you figured the player had a personal wager with the Scot. Smiles all around. United seemed in pole position to pile on the goals.
But again, it was not to be.
United played out their recent script, as the Reds simply oozed control over the match, yet found concentration, execution, or ideas lacking at THE critical moment in attack.
We’ve seen this Groundhog Day adventure before.
Nani dribbling away possession. Valencia getting his crosses blocked. Young looking a shadow of his early season form. Players standing over the ball too long. Rooney frustrated by the inability to pick him out crashing goal-side when someone gets around the edge. Somebody hitting a gilt-edged opportunity wide.
Against Newcastle and now Villa, we’ve witnessed poor focus cost the Reds two goals. Each time, the forward needlessly strayed a yard offside while drooling for the juicy final pass. Today’s culprit was Danny Welbeck.
You know that in the end, the goals will come – it’s inevitable given the quality of the side. In the big picture, the Reds continue to pick up points while not playing their best football. No large worries here.
But in the short-term, let’s hope the final third form doesn’t cost us all too much away at Basel.
Sir Alex’s men put themselves in a position of needing a result on the last day of group play in a weak group. As we’ve seen before, all it takes is one unlucky break for the Red Devils to pay a hefty price.
Let’s hope that Wednesday provides a much-needed cathartic release around goal. As we all know United are way overdue for one.
---
Back at you hopefully after THE match midweek. Cheers to you and yours.
Based on this causality list, you’d imagine a tight, no-holds-bar match, but it was quite the contrary.
Seemingly a supernatural curse befell the unfortunate three, as they all went down on at their own accord out of the blue, and you can’t blame the famously immaculate surface at Aston Villa. Sun rises. Sun sets. Villa Park is a velvety carpet. It’s that predictable.
Last match, the Red Devils were simply profligate in front of goal with their many chances.
Today, United bossed possession, yet failed to create as many opportunities in front of goal against a largely uninspired side.
So poor were the Villains, in fact, that they allowed Jones and Carrick to dictate matters to Villa’s three central midfielders. Nobody bothered to track Jones on his forays forward, which led to the game’s only goal in the 20th minute – a brilliant, top-shelf volley off a Nani cross from six yards.
Such was the delight on Jones’ and the managerial staff’s faces, with the number four pointing to his manager immediately after the strike, that you figured the player had a personal wager with the Scot. Smiles all around. United seemed in pole position to pile on the goals.
But again, it was not to be.
United played out their recent script, as the Reds simply oozed control over the match, yet found concentration, execution, or ideas lacking at THE critical moment in attack.
We’ve seen this Groundhog Day adventure before.
Nani dribbling away possession. Valencia getting his crosses blocked. Young looking a shadow of his early season form. Players standing over the ball too long. Rooney frustrated by the inability to pick him out crashing goal-side when someone gets around the edge. Somebody hitting a gilt-edged opportunity wide.
Against Newcastle and now Villa, we’ve witnessed poor focus cost the Reds two goals. Each time, the forward needlessly strayed a yard offside while drooling for the juicy final pass. Today’s culprit was Danny Welbeck.
You know that in the end, the goals will come – it’s inevitable given the quality of the side. In the big picture, the Reds continue to pick up points while not playing their best football. No large worries here.
But in the short-term, let’s hope the final third form doesn’t cost us all too much away at Basel.
Sir Alex’s men put themselves in a position of needing a result on the last day of group play in a weak group. As we’ve seen before, all it takes is one unlucky break for the Red Devils to pay a hefty price.
Let’s hope that Wednesday provides a much-needed cathartic release around goal. As we all know United are way overdue for one.
---
Back at you hopefully after THE match midweek. Cheers to you and yours.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Wasteful or Unlucky?
All Geordies should run to the local corner store and play the lottery immediately. Oh wait, on second thought, they’ve already maxed out their luck today. Never mind.
Of course, the initial reactions will focus on the linesman’s gift penalty from a textbook-perfect tackle, poor finishing, and game-of-the-season keeping from the Krul Dutchman.
A closer look, however, reveals something else entirely.
Yes, I agree, Sir Alex, that the match’s outcome was a travesty. However, during the previous run of successive one-nil victories, United rode lady luck both in poor finishing, wasteful possession, and the odd defensive lapse.
Midweek and today we’ve witnessed the extreme cost for being profligate.
Against Benfica, the Reds gifted the Portuguese side an own-goal along with a horrible clearance from De Gea, right after you felt the lad had turned a corner with this type of game-changing error. Either time, had the player simply held his mettle, the pressure at Old Trafford dissipates measurably.
Today, we find the linesman in a giving mood to the barcodes, who hardly deserved a point in the second half, albeit Newcastle did attack when the opportunity presented itself in the first half and for that reason you give them a modicum of credit.
But United blew countless chances, only to score the lone goal from a crazy deflected clearance off Chicharito’s backside. Clinical finishing hath become elusive, as United do not sustain concentration long enough to put inferior sides away by two-plus goals, with something like 10 goals in the last 8 or 9 matches.
That’s simply not good enough. And Fergie knows it.
The inevitable pressure does come, but the lack of end-product leads to bad habits, including players pressing, standing over the ball too long, or trying difficult-if-not impossible balls way too often.
Players seem to lack belief the goals will come. Frustration begets more aggravation in this cycle, such as Nani dribbling through the entire defense only to over-hit his shot or cross, take you pick. Brilliance suddenly leads to a building collective annoyance.
United play best when up-tempo balls to space force defenses to keep up with rapid-fire decision-making, as pace and movement lead to the gaps the Reds exploit, often with tap-ins from lovely passing. Everybody knows this.
Yet, the Red Devils seem to have lost control over this gear, at times, which isn’t characteristic of a Sir Alex Ferguson side. Form and function become elusive at the most inopportune of moments for about nine game running now.
Thus, we find the season on edge, with United needing a result at Basel to advance from an easy Champions League group and the possibility of falling seven points behind City by tomorrow evening.
Sure, United feel rightfully aggrieved to have conceded an unjust penalty, but such a turn hath been brewing for a while. Just add up the number of minutes with a narrow one-goal lead, which is way too long to avoid lady luck’s pendulum swinging the wrong direction. Thus, we find Sir Alex’s tirade to deflect attention from profligacy in front of goal.
United need to rekindle their ruthlessness right quick, otherwise, prospects in Europe and England could evaporate all too quickly. And luck would have absolutely nothing to do with it.
----------------------
Back at you after the Villa match. Cheers.
Of course, the initial reactions will focus on the linesman’s gift penalty from a textbook-perfect tackle, poor finishing, and game-of-the-season keeping from the Krul Dutchman.
A closer look, however, reveals something else entirely.
Yes, I agree, Sir Alex, that the match’s outcome was a travesty. However, during the previous run of successive one-nil victories, United rode lady luck both in poor finishing, wasteful possession, and the odd defensive lapse.
Midweek and today we’ve witnessed the extreme cost for being profligate.
Against Benfica, the Reds gifted the Portuguese side an own-goal along with a horrible clearance from De Gea, right after you felt the lad had turned a corner with this type of game-changing error. Either time, had the player simply held his mettle, the pressure at Old Trafford dissipates measurably.
Today, we find the linesman in a giving mood to the barcodes, who hardly deserved a point in the second half, albeit Newcastle did attack when the opportunity presented itself in the first half and for that reason you give them a modicum of credit.
But United blew countless chances, only to score the lone goal from a crazy deflected clearance off Chicharito’s backside. Clinical finishing hath become elusive, as United do not sustain concentration long enough to put inferior sides away by two-plus goals, with something like 10 goals in the last 8 or 9 matches.
That’s simply not good enough. And Fergie knows it.
The inevitable pressure does come, but the lack of end-product leads to bad habits, including players pressing, standing over the ball too long, or trying difficult-if-not impossible balls way too often.
Players seem to lack belief the goals will come. Frustration begets more aggravation in this cycle, such as Nani dribbling through the entire defense only to over-hit his shot or cross, take you pick. Brilliance suddenly leads to a building collective annoyance.
United play best when up-tempo balls to space force defenses to keep up with rapid-fire decision-making, as pace and movement lead to the gaps the Reds exploit, often with tap-ins from lovely passing. Everybody knows this.
Yet, the Red Devils seem to have lost control over this gear, at times, which isn’t characteristic of a Sir Alex Ferguson side. Form and function become elusive at the most inopportune of moments for about nine game running now.
Thus, we find the season on edge, with United needing a result at Basel to advance from an easy Champions League group and the possibility of falling seven points behind City by tomorrow evening.
Sure, United feel rightfully aggrieved to have conceded an unjust penalty, but such a turn hath been brewing for a while. Just add up the number of minutes with a narrow one-goal lead, which is way too long to avoid lady luck’s pendulum swinging the wrong direction. Thus, we find Sir Alex’s tirade to deflect attention from profligacy in front of goal.
United need to rekindle their ruthlessness right quick, otherwise, prospects in Europe and England could evaporate all too quickly. And luck would have absolutely nothing to do with it.
----------------------
Back at you after the Villa match. Cheers.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Another Clean Sheet
My last post was “One-nil to the United” poking fun at the score in a boring-boring-Arsenal kind of way.
But, today’s match was no prank whatsoever, with three clean sheets on the trot in the Premier League.
Sir Alex’s men largely controlled this match, with a stern focus on defensive shape before over-committing anything bombing forward. A professional three road points gained ahead of fixtures against Benfica and Newcastle this week, a job well done – thank you very much.
Here are five thoughts about this match.
First, all props to the Swansea supporters, who were fantastic throughout the match, including of course, their acknowledgement when Giggs was substituted off late on. Certainly, TV audio didn’t do justice to the volumes coming from the Swans faithful, who relished their first glamour Premiership match of the season with full voice.
Second, in honor of the ubiquitous 11-11-11 homage-to-Spinal Tap image floating around Facebook earlier this month, it’s fitting that the Welsh number eleven would take a wasteful Swansea turnover, nutmeg the defender with his assist to Chicharito for the only goal of the match in the eleventh minute. After all, when you need that little extra something, you know, to push it over the top – always turn to number eleven, that’s our motto.
Third, our goal-scoring-hero Chicharito continues to provide the pace and poaching instincts needed along Ferguson’s front line, as he’s especially money away from home this campaign. With his customary aplomb, the Little Pea’s poach was made to look easy, despite the pass hit with pace tight to his body. Away form demons be gone, the little Mexican declares with each match-winning goal.
Fourth, how good does De Gea look now in his United kit?
The lad’s been brilliant over the last six weeks. He did everything asked of him today, including difficult punch-clears off crosses that caused so many problems early on. Often, the United keeper wouldn’t even come for them, but now, he looks much, much more assured.
You always knew De Gea had God-given, shot-stopping ability – that was without question. The biggest problem was he had no presence in his area, especially in the air. His play today demonstrates his improved presence in the box, with the back line much, much more comfortable with him.
Fifth and most important, United rediscovered their commitment to defense after the shellacking against City. Impressively, the Red Devils haven’t conceded a goal since that match, which comes down to overall shape, solid keeping, and Nemanja Vidic.
Outside of an occasional error, such as Jones ball watching on Sinclair’s horrible miss, Sir Alex’s men kept an excellent defensive shape today, with everybody seamlessly covering for each and pressuring the ball appropriately – no flying in late, leaving a huge gap, if beaten.
The composure, positional awareness, and opportune counter-attacking speak to a resurgent build-from-the-back mentality, especially away from home, which suites this squad’s strengths – the front and back lines.
Don’t get me wrong, the wing play and overall quality in the midfield are quite good, but thus far, we’ve watched a lack of health, depth, and form plague United’s midfield.
To compete with Barcelona, I still contend, United lack a rare, world-class midfielder. The Red’s issues in the midfield come when the central players fail to dictated match, then tend to fall back too far off the ball too close to goal, which helps explain the lop-sided shots-conceded stats thus far.
Ah, but I digress, as the midfield today, especially Carrick, were as cool as the sheet beneath your pillow. All you Carrick-haters, just watch the game again and focus on his undoubted influence over proceedings. He’s my co-MOTM tied with a certain Nemanja Vidic.
The old cliché that the captains need to “lead by example” holds true in spades for our beloved defender. Nobody, I repeat, nobody demonstrates more consistent and contagious commitment than the number fifteen. His brave header just ahead of a Swan forward’s boot exemplifies his all-in mentality at a critical moment.
Seriously, as a Red Devil, how could you look Vidic in the eye without matching that effort? Not a chance. There’s an aura building around this captain that you’d better not let him down, a bit Keane-like, without the ever-obvious scowling. It’s more like a half-crazed look of intensity, one from someone not to be crossed.
Thus we have another clean sheet brought to you from he who comes from Serbia. After all, you know what he’ll do to ya. Cheers.
------
Back at you hopefully after the Benfica tilt, but surely after the Newcastle match. Btw, I’m for Kinnear.
But, today’s match was no prank whatsoever, with three clean sheets on the trot in the Premier League.
Sir Alex’s men largely controlled this match, with a stern focus on defensive shape before over-committing anything bombing forward. A professional three road points gained ahead of fixtures against Benfica and Newcastle this week, a job well done – thank you very much.
Here are five thoughts about this match.
First, all props to the Swansea supporters, who were fantastic throughout the match, including of course, their acknowledgement when Giggs was substituted off late on. Certainly, TV audio didn’t do justice to the volumes coming from the Swans faithful, who relished their first glamour Premiership match of the season with full voice.
Second, in honor of the ubiquitous 11-11-11 homage-to-Spinal Tap image floating around Facebook earlier this month, it’s fitting that the Welsh number eleven would take a wasteful Swansea turnover, nutmeg the defender with his assist to Chicharito for the only goal of the match in the eleventh minute. After all, when you need that little extra something, you know, to push it over the top – always turn to number eleven, that’s our motto.
Third, our goal-scoring-hero Chicharito continues to provide the pace and poaching instincts needed along Ferguson’s front line, as he’s especially money away from home this campaign. With his customary aplomb, the Little Pea’s poach was made to look easy, despite the pass hit with pace tight to his body. Away form demons be gone, the little Mexican declares with each match-winning goal.
Fourth, how good does De Gea look now in his United kit?
The lad’s been brilliant over the last six weeks. He did everything asked of him today, including difficult punch-clears off crosses that caused so many problems early on. Often, the United keeper wouldn’t even come for them, but now, he looks much, much more assured.
You always knew De Gea had God-given, shot-stopping ability – that was without question. The biggest problem was he had no presence in his area, especially in the air. His play today demonstrates his improved presence in the box, with the back line much, much more comfortable with him.
Fifth and most important, United rediscovered their commitment to defense after the shellacking against City. Impressively, the Red Devils haven’t conceded a goal since that match, which comes down to overall shape, solid keeping, and Nemanja Vidic.
Outside of an occasional error, such as Jones ball watching on Sinclair’s horrible miss, Sir Alex’s men kept an excellent defensive shape today, with everybody seamlessly covering for each and pressuring the ball appropriately – no flying in late, leaving a huge gap, if beaten.
The composure, positional awareness, and opportune counter-attacking speak to a resurgent build-from-the-back mentality, especially away from home, which suites this squad’s strengths – the front and back lines.
Don’t get me wrong, the wing play and overall quality in the midfield are quite good, but thus far, we’ve watched a lack of health, depth, and form plague United’s midfield.
To compete with Barcelona, I still contend, United lack a rare, world-class midfielder. The Red’s issues in the midfield come when the central players fail to dictated match, then tend to fall back too far off the ball too close to goal, which helps explain the lop-sided shots-conceded stats thus far.
Ah, but I digress, as the midfield today, especially Carrick, were as cool as the sheet beneath your pillow. All you Carrick-haters, just watch the game again and focus on his undoubted influence over proceedings. He’s my co-MOTM tied with a certain Nemanja Vidic.
The old cliché that the captains need to “lead by example” holds true in spades for our beloved defender. Nobody, I repeat, nobody demonstrates more consistent and contagious commitment than the number fifteen. His brave header just ahead of a Swan forward’s boot exemplifies his all-in mentality at a critical moment.
Seriously, as a Red Devil, how could you look Vidic in the eye without matching that effort? Not a chance. There’s an aura building around this captain that you’d better not let him down, a bit Keane-like, without the ever-obvious scowling. It’s more like a half-crazed look of intensity, one from someone not to be crossed.
Thus we have another clean sheet brought to you from he who comes from Serbia. After all, you know what he’ll do to ya. Cheers.
------
Back at you hopefully after the Benfica tilt, but surely after the Newcastle match. Btw, I’m for Kinnear.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
One-nil to the United
Is this the dawn of a new era at Old Trafford? One-nil victories and shut up shop football?
Hardly.
On this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sir Alex’s reign, you wonder if naming the North Stand after gaffer himself pulled at the superstitious strings within the player ranks, a sign of his eventual retirement.
You’d think so, or more likely, the ghosts of matches-past crept into the Red Devil psyche. Starting with a 4-3-3 and Rooney in a central midfield role for a second straight Premiership match, you could bet Sir Alex wanted stern shape in defense with the top three pushing play forward.
It didn’t happen.
United without two central strikers were too easily defended, as the pocket of space in the backwash of Chicharito’s runs was largely wasted in the formation with Sunderland’s disciplined defense.
Welbeck and Nani didn’t do enough to get around the outside edge of their defenders, leaving the Reds to stand around and hit slow, predictable passes amongst themselves – too often moving laterally or even backwards – and constantly looking for someone else to make decisive runs off the ball.
United became stagnant and disjointed, playing right into Sunderland’s desired tempo. An occasional diagonal ball from Rooney switched play and showed promise only to have the player involved give up possession cheaply.
One suspects this side feels lingering effects from the drubbing, as players so known for their skill and ability to play fast football collectively look uncertain of themselves, and at times, their teammates.
Simply said: the mojo’s gone missing at the moment.
With that said, the Reds nabbed all three points, which at season’s end, will equal the tally from the 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal. Points are points, oh Zen-master – let us never forget that fact.
Thus, let us look at three positives moving forward in the campaign.
First, Rooney played three different positions today and handled all of them with his customary aplomb. The match commentators kept repeating that Wazza’s skills were wasted playing so far removed from the top line. I completely disagree, given the state of the midfield at the moment.
True, Rooney’s best position is in the hole just behind the striker, especially a speedy one such as Chicharito or Welbeck. Given time, the lad is lethal.
However, United’s midfield possess too many injuries or central players out-of-form at the moment, with Carrick and Cleverley coming back from injury and Anderson wildly inconsistent, leaving Fletcher, who himself is gaining form from a long-term spell out, as THE viable option at the moment.
Sure, you can play Park central and utilize his industry, but his slight build can be exploited in the box. Plus, he’s dangerous out wide, where his lovely turn-and-counter attack on left flank proved today.
Sure, you can play Giggs central as well, but admittedly, he doesn’t cover enough ground as one of only two central midfielders.
Thus, until either Carrick or Cleverley return, Ferguson’s completely justified in bringing a measure of composure and creativity to the midfield with Wayne Rooney. This shows the gaffer’s ability to adapt, one to be appreciated not criticized at the moment.
Second, the international break couldn’t come at a better moment for United, buying time for the aforementioned central midfielders to heal, train, and return to form, as well as the other injuries to Rafael, Smalling, and company to mend.
On August 1st, had you known that United would have 26 points from 11 matches and sit second on November 5th, you’d feel the Reds were positioned for the traditional surge in the second half of the season.
After today’s admittedly lack-luster result, United will sit second through the break, as you can always trust a SAF side to gain momentum as the season progresses. No serious worries here.
Last, the much-maligned Michael Carrick’s value should become crystal clear for anyone with remotely high football intelligence. Without him, United lack something.
Yes, I know, when Carrick makes a blunder, such as the costly turnover that led to City’s goal in last season’s FA Cup, that he looks horrible. Yes, he’s not your traditional hard man to shield the back four. Yes, we all remember him – and the rest of the squad for the matter –chasing the game in the Champions League Final.
Yet, upon reflection and to be fair, he possesses incredibly quick and accurate passing ability, the same skill that led to inch-perfect switch to Giggs, who found Rooney for the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge in the Champion’s League last season. Point. Counter-point.
Carrick’s value is in solid positioning and quick distribution from the back, which helps United’s tempo immensely. If you don’t believe me, simply research his passing efficiency against Anderson, for example. The results are shocking.
Without either Cleverly or Carrick, United’s central midfield’s passing lacks an edge.
With both players, it allows Rooney to play in the hole and for rapid transitions to attacking from the wing, a United trademark. Thus, United’s central midfield fortunes are tied to both players improving fitness, which improve by the day now, another good sign.
Thus, on this the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fergie’s reign at United, we honor our favorite Glaswegian, one who’s brought immeasurable joy to our hearts from his glorious attacking football.
We’ll never be found singing “One-nil to the United”, and for that, we can count ourselves blessed.
-----------------------
Back at you after the trip to Swansea City. Cheers.
Hardly.
On this, the twenty-fifth anniversary of Sir Alex’s reign, you wonder if naming the North Stand after gaffer himself pulled at the superstitious strings within the player ranks, a sign of his eventual retirement.
You’d think so, or more likely, the ghosts of matches-past crept into the Red Devil psyche. Starting with a 4-3-3 and Rooney in a central midfield role for a second straight Premiership match, you could bet Sir Alex wanted stern shape in defense with the top three pushing play forward.
It didn’t happen.
United without two central strikers were too easily defended, as the pocket of space in the backwash of Chicharito’s runs was largely wasted in the formation with Sunderland’s disciplined defense.
Welbeck and Nani didn’t do enough to get around the outside edge of their defenders, leaving the Reds to stand around and hit slow, predictable passes amongst themselves – too often moving laterally or even backwards – and constantly looking for someone else to make decisive runs off the ball.
United became stagnant and disjointed, playing right into Sunderland’s desired tempo. An occasional diagonal ball from Rooney switched play and showed promise only to have the player involved give up possession cheaply.
One suspects this side feels lingering effects from the drubbing, as players so known for their skill and ability to play fast football collectively look uncertain of themselves, and at times, their teammates.
Simply said: the mojo’s gone missing at the moment.
With that said, the Reds nabbed all three points, which at season’s end, will equal the tally from the 8-2 drubbing of Arsenal. Points are points, oh Zen-master – let us never forget that fact.
Thus, let us look at three positives moving forward in the campaign.
First, Rooney played three different positions today and handled all of them with his customary aplomb. The match commentators kept repeating that Wazza’s skills were wasted playing so far removed from the top line. I completely disagree, given the state of the midfield at the moment.
True, Rooney’s best position is in the hole just behind the striker, especially a speedy one such as Chicharito or Welbeck. Given time, the lad is lethal.
However, United’s midfield possess too many injuries or central players out-of-form at the moment, with Carrick and Cleverley coming back from injury and Anderson wildly inconsistent, leaving Fletcher, who himself is gaining form from a long-term spell out, as THE viable option at the moment.
Sure, you can play Park central and utilize his industry, but his slight build can be exploited in the box. Plus, he’s dangerous out wide, where his lovely turn-and-counter attack on left flank proved today.
Sure, you can play Giggs central as well, but admittedly, he doesn’t cover enough ground as one of only two central midfielders.
Thus, until either Carrick or Cleverley return, Ferguson’s completely justified in bringing a measure of composure and creativity to the midfield with Wayne Rooney. This shows the gaffer’s ability to adapt, one to be appreciated not criticized at the moment.
Second, the international break couldn’t come at a better moment for United, buying time for the aforementioned central midfielders to heal, train, and return to form, as well as the other injuries to Rafael, Smalling, and company to mend.
On August 1st, had you known that United would have 26 points from 11 matches and sit second on November 5th, you’d feel the Reds were positioned for the traditional surge in the second half of the season.
After today’s admittedly lack-luster result, United will sit second through the break, as you can always trust a SAF side to gain momentum as the season progresses. No serious worries here.
Last, the much-maligned Michael Carrick’s value should become crystal clear for anyone with remotely high football intelligence. Without him, United lack something.
Yes, I know, when Carrick makes a blunder, such as the costly turnover that led to City’s goal in last season’s FA Cup, that he looks horrible. Yes, he’s not your traditional hard man to shield the back four. Yes, we all remember him – and the rest of the squad for the matter –chasing the game in the Champions League Final.
Yet, upon reflection and to be fair, he possesses incredibly quick and accurate passing ability, the same skill that led to inch-perfect switch to Giggs, who found Rooney for the decisive goal at Stamford Bridge in the Champion’s League last season. Point. Counter-point.
Carrick’s value is in solid positioning and quick distribution from the back, which helps United’s tempo immensely. If you don’t believe me, simply research his passing efficiency against Anderson, for example. The results are shocking.
Without either Cleverly or Carrick, United’s central midfield’s passing lacks an edge.
With both players, it allows Rooney to play in the hole and for rapid transitions to attacking from the wing, a United trademark. Thus, United’s central midfield fortunes are tied to both players improving fitness, which improve by the day now, another good sign.
Thus, on this the twenty-fifth anniversary of Fergie’s reign at United, we honor our favorite Glaswegian, one who’s brought immeasurable joy to our hearts from his glorious attacking football.
We’ll never be found singing “One-nil to the United”, and for that, we can count ourselves blessed.
-----------------------
Back at you after the trip to Swansea City. Cheers.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Ship Steadied
United defended a 1-0 lead away at Everton for three HUGE points to right the Red Devil ship after the loss last week. No coincidence, then, that the man at the helm was none other than Nemanja Vidic.
United played a 4-5-1 with Cleverley, Fletcher, Park, Rooney, and Welbeck moving to the midfield and with Chicharito as the lone striker, who bagged his fourth of the season in the 19th minute. Backline included Jones, Evans and Evra partnering the number fifteen.
You felt that United, once up and after customarily going for the jugular for a 5-10 minute spell, would play compact, counter-attacking football to prove – almost to a fault – that they could staunchly hold this margin of victory in the second half.
Inevitably, at some point, Everton would open up in the quest for the equalizer, and indeed, a couple of breaks fell for the Reds. Yet, United proved wasteful with their limited chances, leaving Ferguson to take off the goal-scoring-but-possession-challenged Hernandez for the holding and heading ability of Berba in the 67th minute.
What’s striking about this game was the sheer concentration and communication among Ferguson’s men in the defensive half, in contrast to events of the past several months.
A late non-penalty call by Mark Halsey seemed spot-on upon further review as Magaye Gueye lost his footing in a 50-50 clash with Evra. Had Everton leveled at this point, much of the talk would be about United’s possible demise, and admittedly, my focus would be on lack of United possession in the second half.
Regardless, you can’t take anything away from the Man of the Match performance by Vidic. Rock solid. Clear communication. Never putting in a head or foot in wrong. The Red Devils look a different side with their true captain back in the fold.
Beyond the beloved captain, however, Cleverley demonstrated yet again that his tight one-touch passing improves United’s tempo and led to the ample space for Evra’s cross to Chicharito’s decisive goal.
Without the number twenty-three, or Rooney dropping back to a central role for that matter, United’s midfield seems too similar, with great wide players with some defensive frailties and too many utilitarian runners manning the center of the park.
Cleverley’s ample energy and rhythmic-and-intricate passing wrong foots defenders and improves the quality of United’s runs off the ball, given the mismatches it creates. Quite simply, he becomes the heartbeat in the center sorely missed the last few months.
Thus, his health yet again becomes a great concern, as let’s hope his substitution in the 57th minute proves to be more cautionary than signal another significant injury blow. The Reds can’t afford it at the moment.
Overall, surly, United can and will get better as the year progresses, but don’t be surprised to see more 4-5-1 formations in tricky fixtures, especially away.
After last week’s effort left the Reds clamoring for someone to take charge of the play on the pitch, the man from Serbia heeded the call.
Well done, Nemanja. You’re THE Captain United ever so richly deserve.
------
Back at you after the midweek Champions League tilt.
United played a 4-5-1 with Cleverley, Fletcher, Park, Rooney, and Welbeck moving to the midfield and with Chicharito as the lone striker, who bagged his fourth of the season in the 19th minute. Backline included Jones, Evans and Evra partnering the number fifteen.
You felt that United, once up and after customarily going for the jugular for a 5-10 minute spell, would play compact, counter-attacking football to prove – almost to a fault – that they could staunchly hold this margin of victory in the second half.
Inevitably, at some point, Everton would open up in the quest for the equalizer, and indeed, a couple of breaks fell for the Reds. Yet, United proved wasteful with their limited chances, leaving Ferguson to take off the goal-scoring-but-possession-challenged Hernandez for the holding and heading ability of Berba in the 67th minute.
What’s striking about this game was the sheer concentration and communication among Ferguson’s men in the defensive half, in contrast to events of the past several months.
A late non-penalty call by Mark Halsey seemed spot-on upon further review as Magaye Gueye lost his footing in a 50-50 clash with Evra. Had Everton leveled at this point, much of the talk would be about United’s possible demise, and admittedly, my focus would be on lack of United possession in the second half.
Regardless, you can’t take anything away from the Man of the Match performance by Vidic. Rock solid. Clear communication. Never putting in a head or foot in wrong. The Red Devils look a different side with their true captain back in the fold.
Beyond the beloved captain, however, Cleverley demonstrated yet again that his tight one-touch passing improves United’s tempo and led to the ample space for Evra’s cross to Chicharito’s decisive goal.
Without the number twenty-three, or Rooney dropping back to a central role for that matter, United’s midfield seems too similar, with great wide players with some defensive frailties and too many utilitarian runners manning the center of the park.
Cleverley’s ample energy and rhythmic-and-intricate passing wrong foots defenders and improves the quality of United’s runs off the ball, given the mismatches it creates. Quite simply, he becomes the heartbeat in the center sorely missed the last few months.
Thus, his health yet again becomes a great concern, as let’s hope his substitution in the 57th minute proves to be more cautionary than signal another significant injury blow. The Reds can’t afford it at the moment.
Overall, surly, United can and will get better as the year progresses, but don’t be surprised to see more 4-5-1 formations in tricky fixtures, especially away.
After last week’s effort left the Reds clamoring for someone to take charge of the play on the pitch, the man from Serbia heeded the call.
Well done, Nemanja. You’re THE Captain United ever so richly deserve.
------
Back at you after the midweek Champions League tilt.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Gutted & Gobsmacked
Go ahead and repeat after me: “It’s only a game. It’s only a game. It’s only a game.”
Yeah, right. Doesn’t help, does it.
You can’t turn your allegiance on and off like a switch once you’ve been bitten, even in the heart of North America.
Sure, you avoid the constant replay of City goals. Sure, you avoid all the newspaper headlines and water cooler talk lingering into the week, with the local Vikings-Packers rivalry surly to dominate sports discussions on Monday.
But, you can’t escape the worst, I repeat, worst home loss in eighty-plus years. You can’t escape the poor will shown by the Red Devils in this match. You can’t escape that all this happened with the friggin’ money grabbers – um, err – Glazers in attendance to underline a nagging problem – hope the Bears maul the Bucs.
United’s annual debt payments were on full display today, as the missing, world-class midfielders – one creative, one iron fox – cost oodles of dosh. This United club cannot afford to take a £35M roll of the dice, plus hugely inflated wages, on anyone over 25 years of age, unlike City.
It’s also what’s missing at the moment.
We all know Ferguson’s been brilliant at deflecting the real cost of the American’s ownership, until today, where it laid bare naked on the Old Trafford turf.
Ah, but I digress – back to the match at hand.
There’s absolutely zero shame losing to this City squad, which arguably is deeper and stronger than the Red Devils at this moment. The manner of the loss, on the other hand, is something else entirely.
Never-ever give up, should be the motto of any player donning the beloved Red shirt. Unfortunately today, several players did just that.
Patrice Evra showed no ability to rally the squad let alone defend his own flank, no thanks to Rio, a former captain as well, who played his worst game ever for United and justified the Chicago Fire transfer rumor.
We’ve learned in crystal clear, high-def if you can defend wide play, you can bottle this Sir Alex Ferguson side. No central can opener exists.
It’s so difficult to admit, but Mancini, not Fergie, got his tactics spot-on today, relying on Ya-Ya Toure on the right wing – sometimes – and trusting Agüero, Balotelli, and Silva to weave magic menace.
City possessed the edge, not the Reds, attacking effectively with as few as four players.
There’s no doubting now that Red’s defense hath become a weakness, with a revolving door not helping this unit develop anything close to cohesiveness. Add Jonny Evan’s 3-match ban only serving to make the short term even worse.
You could argue that the backline players are too young or too injured. The alchemy is wrong at the moment, as conceding the most shots in the Premier League pointed to real difficulty, not an over-inflated statistic by hopeful shots from distance.
We can take solace from knowing there’s nobody on the planet better at rallying his side than Ferguson.
But this match was in October, at home, and some players actually quit – a historically horrible result, in fact. Something else entirely is troubling my soul now.
Who in this squad will lead things from within the player-ranks?
Only Rooney and Fletcher seemed incensed at the effort and ballooning score. I almost expect someone else to get sent off wearing red, by taking serious aggression to the blues trying to inspire matters. None of that occurred. No capital-H “Hard” tackles. No spit and fury, but simply a look of embarrassed, empty faces.
C’mon lads, Robbo, Keane or Neville are not going to walk-in this locker room anytime soon. You need to figure it out yourselves.
You sense Rooney could be become that player, but you also feel it’s not exactly his time yet, with his flirtations away from Old Trafford lingering with players that lived through that soap opera.
For now, the squad can turn to Sir Alex’s leadership, which was on display immediately after the match.
After admitting it was his “worst ever” loss, he focused the attention elsewhere.
"We'll come back. By January we'll be okay. We usually get the show on the road in the second half of the season and that will have to be the case. We've played all the teams around us and they have all to play each other so the second half of the season is important to us now.
We will react, no question about that. It's a perfect result for us to react to because there is a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room and that will make an impact."
Hope so. Otherwise it could become a long season.
---
Back at you after the Everton match. Cheers.
Yeah, right. Doesn’t help, does it.
You can’t turn your allegiance on and off like a switch once you’ve been bitten, even in the heart of North America.
Sure, you avoid the constant replay of City goals. Sure, you avoid all the newspaper headlines and water cooler talk lingering into the week, with the local Vikings-Packers rivalry surly to dominate sports discussions on Monday.
But, you can’t escape the worst, I repeat, worst home loss in eighty-plus years. You can’t escape the poor will shown by the Red Devils in this match. You can’t escape that all this happened with the friggin’ money grabbers – um, err – Glazers in attendance to underline a nagging problem – hope the Bears maul the Bucs.
United’s annual debt payments were on full display today, as the missing, world-class midfielders – one creative, one iron fox – cost oodles of dosh. This United club cannot afford to take a £35M roll of the dice, plus hugely inflated wages, on anyone over 25 years of age, unlike City.
It’s also what’s missing at the moment.
We all know Ferguson’s been brilliant at deflecting the real cost of the American’s ownership, until today, where it laid bare naked on the Old Trafford turf.
Ah, but I digress – back to the match at hand.
There’s absolutely zero shame losing to this City squad, which arguably is deeper and stronger than the Red Devils at this moment. The manner of the loss, on the other hand, is something else entirely.
Never-ever give up, should be the motto of any player donning the beloved Red shirt. Unfortunately today, several players did just that.
Patrice Evra showed no ability to rally the squad let alone defend his own flank, no thanks to Rio, a former captain as well, who played his worst game ever for United and justified the Chicago Fire transfer rumor.
We’ve learned in crystal clear, high-def if you can defend wide play, you can bottle this Sir Alex Ferguson side. No central can opener exists.
It’s so difficult to admit, but Mancini, not Fergie, got his tactics spot-on today, relying on Ya-Ya Toure on the right wing – sometimes – and trusting Agüero, Balotelli, and Silva to weave magic menace.
City possessed the edge, not the Reds, attacking effectively with as few as four players.
There’s no doubting now that Red’s defense hath become a weakness, with a revolving door not helping this unit develop anything close to cohesiveness. Add Jonny Evan’s 3-match ban only serving to make the short term even worse.
You could argue that the backline players are too young or too injured. The alchemy is wrong at the moment, as conceding the most shots in the Premier League pointed to real difficulty, not an over-inflated statistic by hopeful shots from distance.
We can take solace from knowing there’s nobody on the planet better at rallying his side than Ferguson.
But this match was in October, at home, and some players actually quit – a historically horrible result, in fact. Something else entirely is troubling my soul now.
Who in this squad will lead things from within the player-ranks?
Only Rooney and Fletcher seemed incensed at the effort and ballooning score. I almost expect someone else to get sent off wearing red, by taking serious aggression to the blues trying to inspire matters. None of that occurred. No capital-H “Hard” tackles. No spit and fury, but simply a look of embarrassed, empty faces.
C’mon lads, Robbo, Keane or Neville are not going to walk-in this locker room anytime soon. You need to figure it out yourselves.
You sense Rooney could be become that player, but you also feel it’s not exactly his time yet, with his flirtations away from Old Trafford lingering with players that lived through that soap opera.
For now, the squad can turn to Sir Alex’s leadership, which was on display immediately after the match.
After admitting it was his “worst ever” loss, he focused the attention elsewhere.
"We'll come back. By January we'll be okay. We usually get the show on the road in the second half of the season and that will have to be the case. We've played all the teams around us and they have all to play each other so the second half of the season is important to us now.
We will react, no question about that. It's a perfect result for us to react to because there is a lot of embarrassment in the dressing room and that will make an impact."
Hope so. Otherwise it could become a long season.
---
Back at you after the Everton match. Cheers.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Mind the Gap
Looking at the team sheet prior to kickoff, many United supporters at the pub grumbled about setting up for a point at Anfield.
Welbeck alone upfront?! Jones in a five-man midfield?! It’s surreal to see such quality sitting on the bench, surly. No Anderson, Chicharito, Nani or Rooney.
On one hand, you could argue, a point could be seen as a moral victory, given the Red Devils track record at Liverpool the last three years. Apparently Ferguson believed Rooney’s temperament warranted too much risk to start him.
On the other hand, it seemed overly cautious, or as one of the commentators mentioned that Kevin Keegan said Fergie’s starting eleven was an insult to Pool. Point taken.
Both sides of this argument, however, knew the match would be industrious and intense, yet likely lack any flow or flair.
Rarely does this contest finish nil-nil, but that appeared increasingly possible after a largely uneventful first half, as neither side created much.
You knew this derby could come down to a single mistake, but who could have guessed it’d come from Father Time, as Giggs’ lack of wall discipline allowed the space for Gerrard’s set-piece opener. Ironic that the Welshman moved away from the shot to protect his groin, a fact duly noted across the pub on slow-motion replay.
Now had Ryan held his position and stopped the free kick, would we arrive at exactly the same net-result, with the first nil-nil score line in this derby since the Seventies? Or, would United’s plan work to perfection with a 1-0 Chicharito smash-and-grab job?
We will never know.
As the United supporters departed the pub, most left grumbling about playing for the draw, which typically would provide more satisfaction away at Anfield, especially after going a goal down.
Ah, but every Red Devil knows that City will likely win at home today, as the Blues sit 2-0 up to Villa at home at the time of this posting.
Mind the gap, gentlemen. We’re in for a long ride indeed.
---------
Back at you later, after the Champions League match on Tuesday. Glory, glory.
Welbeck alone upfront?! Jones in a five-man midfield?! It’s surreal to see such quality sitting on the bench, surly. No Anderson, Chicharito, Nani or Rooney.
On one hand, you could argue, a point could be seen as a moral victory, given the Red Devils track record at Liverpool the last three years. Apparently Ferguson believed Rooney’s temperament warranted too much risk to start him.
On the other hand, it seemed overly cautious, or as one of the commentators mentioned that Kevin Keegan said Fergie’s starting eleven was an insult to Pool. Point taken.
Both sides of this argument, however, knew the match would be industrious and intense, yet likely lack any flow or flair.
Rarely does this contest finish nil-nil, but that appeared increasingly possible after a largely uneventful first half, as neither side created much.
You knew this derby could come down to a single mistake, but who could have guessed it’d come from Father Time, as Giggs’ lack of wall discipline allowed the space for Gerrard’s set-piece opener. Ironic that the Welshman moved away from the shot to protect his groin, a fact duly noted across the pub on slow-motion replay.
Now had Ryan held his position and stopped the free kick, would we arrive at exactly the same net-result, with the first nil-nil score line in this derby since the Seventies? Or, would United’s plan work to perfection with a 1-0 Chicharito smash-and-grab job?
We will never know.
As the United supporters departed the pub, most left grumbling about playing for the draw, which typically would provide more satisfaction away at Anfield, especially after going a goal down.
Ah, but every Red Devil knows that City will likely win at home today, as the Blues sit 2-0 up to Villa at home at the time of this posting.
Mind the gap, gentlemen. We’re in for a long ride indeed.
---------
Back at you later, after the Champions League match on Tuesday. Glory, glory.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Five Things Learned from the Victory over Norwich City
Well, how things have changed since my last post – the 3-1 surreal victory over Chelsea.
United draw with Stoke away, cough up a 2-0 lead to Basel at home for another draw, and appear sub-par, especially on the final ball and across the backline, in today’s victory over an unlucky Norwich City side.
Here are five things we’ve learned this past week.
First, we realize again that form is fleeting, as it comes and goes despite everyone’s best effort – much like the weather.
Sure, form requires dedication, preparation, and effort, all within your control, but it also relies on health and the opportunity to work together, as a unit, to gain that understanding and edge required at the highest level of football – all factors beyond anyone’s control. Form requires both hard work and good fortune.
Which leads to the second point: the revolving injury door hath finally shown some of United’s weaknesses, especially across the backline.
You can look at all the stats you want, whether it’s United conceding the most shots on goal in the Premiership or a decrease in passing accuracy. All of these point directly to the trend, no doubt about it.
But, alas, the sheer number of high-quality chances conceded this term pinpoint the naïveté and lack of cohesion across the backline, with costly turnovers and poor positional play becoming more and more self-evident. The remarkable goal tally hid this fact, early, but now we face it clearly in a tight 2-0 victory.
My third point turns this troublesome-but-understandable trend on it’s ear, as we’ve forgotten how much inexperience is currently playing for United, a real testament to the strong play of the young backline.
Take Phil Jones, for example, who started the year superbly, appearing as a self-assured and strong as any mid-career center half.
However, against Basel, he came back to earth, as he learnt several lessons from a side that attacked with more cunning and creative off-the-ball movement forward from the midfield than your typical EPL side. He looked, at times, befuddled by the movement around him and found himself out of position more than in previous matches. Continental footy requires different positioning, as the education of Mr. Jones continues.
Contrast that midweek adventure against Norwich today, where he learned lessons about positioning himself against high, long-balls to an incredibly strong, well-positioned striker. At times, Jones was brilliant, especially when cutting out crosses when covering for United being outnumbered. At times, he was second-best to Route One balls to exceptionally strong positional play. Despite his fifty-odd top tier matches, he’s still only nineteen years old and learning on the fly.
United’s best backline still includes the names Ferdinand and Vidic first and foremost on the team sheet, which is a testament to the youngsters promise that some of us may have forgotten this simple but undeniable fact.
Fourth, I assert, Sir Alex’s midfield misses Tom Cleverley’s touch in keeping the attack flowing forward. The youngster’s a knack for turning his mark and making short and simple passes that create space for others cannot be underestimated. I’d love to see Anderson’s personal stats with and without Cleverley, as the Brazilian appears at his best with young Tom as a partner cutting through oppositions. When you combine this space with the youngster’s energy, United look different moving forward. It’s great news that he’s not far off from returning from injury.
Last and most important, despite the dip in form, United get points out of all three of the matches this past week. Never ever underestimate this fact. The trademark mastery of getting points when not playing well serves the Red Devils well, as United remain top of the table despite everything thus far, which is more than anyone else can say at this precise moment.
Which leads us to look forward at the difficult fixtures facing United in the month ahead, including Liverpool (a), Otelul Galat (a), City (h), and Everton (a). Three matches away, including some extra Champions League travel prior to the Manchester derby.
Form and health must improve across the squad to remain top of the league and on-course in the Champions League, as we can’t wait for the match on the 15th at Anfield.
------
Back at you after the Pool match. Cheers to you.
United draw with Stoke away, cough up a 2-0 lead to Basel at home for another draw, and appear sub-par, especially on the final ball and across the backline, in today’s victory over an unlucky Norwich City side.
Here are five things we’ve learned this past week.
First, we realize again that form is fleeting, as it comes and goes despite everyone’s best effort – much like the weather.
Sure, form requires dedication, preparation, and effort, all within your control, but it also relies on health and the opportunity to work together, as a unit, to gain that understanding and edge required at the highest level of football – all factors beyond anyone’s control. Form requires both hard work and good fortune.
Which leads to the second point: the revolving injury door hath finally shown some of United’s weaknesses, especially across the backline.
You can look at all the stats you want, whether it’s United conceding the most shots on goal in the Premiership or a decrease in passing accuracy. All of these point directly to the trend, no doubt about it.
But, alas, the sheer number of high-quality chances conceded this term pinpoint the naïveté and lack of cohesion across the backline, with costly turnovers and poor positional play becoming more and more self-evident. The remarkable goal tally hid this fact, early, but now we face it clearly in a tight 2-0 victory.
My third point turns this troublesome-but-understandable trend on it’s ear, as we’ve forgotten how much inexperience is currently playing for United, a real testament to the strong play of the young backline.
Take Phil Jones, for example, who started the year superbly, appearing as a self-assured and strong as any mid-career center half.
However, against Basel, he came back to earth, as he learnt several lessons from a side that attacked with more cunning and creative off-the-ball movement forward from the midfield than your typical EPL side. He looked, at times, befuddled by the movement around him and found himself out of position more than in previous matches. Continental footy requires different positioning, as the education of Mr. Jones continues.
Contrast that midweek adventure against Norwich today, where he learned lessons about positioning himself against high, long-balls to an incredibly strong, well-positioned striker. At times, Jones was brilliant, especially when cutting out crosses when covering for United being outnumbered. At times, he was second-best to Route One balls to exceptionally strong positional play. Despite his fifty-odd top tier matches, he’s still only nineteen years old and learning on the fly.
United’s best backline still includes the names Ferdinand and Vidic first and foremost on the team sheet, which is a testament to the youngsters promise that some of us may have forgotten this simple but undeniable fact.
Fourth, I assert, Sir Alex’s midfield misses Tom Cleverley’s touch in keeping the attack flowing forward. The youngster’s a knack for turning his mark and making short and simple passes that create space for others cannot be underestimated. I’d love to see Anderson’s personal stats with and without Cleverley, as the Brazilian appears at his best with young Tom as a partner cutting through oppositions. When you combine this space with the youngster’s energy, United look different moving forward. It’s great news that he’s not far off from returning from injury.
Last and most important, despite the dip in form, United get points out of all three of the matches this past week. Never ever underestimate this fact. The trademark mastery of getting points when not playing well serves the Red Devils well, as United remain top of the table despite everything thus far, which is more than anyone else can say at this precise moment.
Which leads us to look forward at the difficult fixtures facing United in the month ahead, including Liverpool (a), Otelul Galat (a), City (h), and Everton (a). Three matches away, including some extra Champions League travel prior to the Manchester derby.
Form and health must improve across the squad to remain top of the league and on-course in the Champions League, as we can’t wait for the match on the 15th at Anfield.
------
Back at you after the Pool match. Cheers to you.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Surreal Victory
There’s not much to gloat about after the Reds 3-1 victory of Chelsea, with both sides displaying wonderful attacking play and abject defending by the droves.
Sir Alex noted that United did well once the ball went wide, but conceded possession centrally with careless aplomb, as if United were playing a casual, after-hours five-a-side at Carrington, each turnover becoming more shocking than the previous gift.
Thank God the Blues felt the need to return favors because on a different day the visitors would head home winners.
Never in my life had I ever witnessed such entertaining, open play combined with such lousy finishing, memorable stuff for all the wrong reasons, as supporters pinched themselves surly, with the match feeling very much like a football version of a Salvatore Dali painting.
When Fergie compared Torres’ woeful miss to one of Diego Forlan’s worst, you know it’s just reached a new low for the £50M-man.
Which is too bad because the match showcased two superb goals, one by Nani and the other by Torres. Certainly both strikes should make Fox Soccer’s top ten goals of the week as well.
Enough about the “Theater of the Obsurd.” Ultimately, what does this tell us about United’s campaign right now?
First, this is just in: United, and Wayne Rooney in particular, are human afterall, contrary to the under-the-radar rumor that the Reds were really trial cyborgs, given this summer’s trip to Nike World HQ.
No, the Reds will not beat every team by three, four, or five goals on the trot. No, United will not go 38-0 in the EPL. No, the Red Devils haven’t already won the league.
Fergie’s men show tremendous potential, but along with that “p-word” comes youthful naïveté and some inevitable mistakes, with De Gea the focal point for any early criticism.
We knew uneven form would hit the Red Devils, at some point, but the sheer carelessness in the defensive third today shocked everyone, as we’ve all grown accustomed to the backline’s impressiveness this campaign.
Second, United’s excellent central midfield play dropped off noticeably these past two matches. You could accept a drop off away from home in the Champions League, given the opposition’s challenge and squad rotation, with key cogs such as Fletcher needing minutes to hone his form. Fine, we can get on with that.
But, players like Anderson were rested in Portugal with today’s match in mind, which makes his form, as an example, somewhat concerning.
As good as Anderson has been, today’s performance reminded us of just how frustrating the extremely talented Brazilian can be. His gift to Torres early in the match easily could have been a match-influencing event, had the number nine not been so wasteful with the opportunity. Most Championship strikers take that pass and slot it in the back of the net.
United really need Anderson, Cleverly, Carrick, and Fletcher to perform consistently at the highest level, if new ground is to be made in the Champions League, in particular, and in retaining the EPL title. The Reds desperately need two of these men in top gear at all times this term. Loosing Cleverly looks a real blow at the moment, as the Reds could have used his immaculate possession and short-tempo passing today.
Third, United’s wide play is the envy of everybody not named Barcelona. Sir Alex’s astute purchase of Ashley Young proved a masterstroke, when combined with Nani, Park, and Valencia provides different, equally intimidating options out wide.
Young’s pace, darting runs inside, and excellent service creates problems en mass for the opposition’s backline, while Nani can quite literally dribble through triple-teams and hit lasers like today.
Valencia provides power, pace, and excellent crossing from the right side, while Park’s industry and improved finishing threaten oppositions with an unenviable pick-your-poison, regardless the combination.
So, we’ve learned that United are indeed humanSo, we’ve learned that United are indeed human, impressive and still unbeaten this term. Add to the mix a City draw and Pool loss and it’s been a tremendous weekend. Top of the league to you, mate. The view looks fine – really fine.
-----------------------------
Back at you after the Norwich match, as I’m headed to Moab, Utah for some hiking and mountain biking. Until then, cheers to you.
Sir Alex noted that United did well once the ball went wide, but conceded possession centrally with careless aplomb, as if United were playing a casual, after-hours five-a-side at Carrington, each turnover becoming more shocking than the previous gift.
Thank God the Blues felt the need to return favors because on a different day the visitors would head home winners.
Never in my life had I ever witnessed such entertaining, open play combined with such lousy finishing, memorable stuff for all the wrong reasons, as supporters pinched themselves surly, with the match feeling very much like a football version of a Salvatore Dali painting.
When Fergie compared Torres’ woeful miss to one of Diego Forlan’s worst, you know it’s just reached a new low for the £50M-man.
Which is too bad because the match showcased two superb goals, one by Nani and the other by Torres. Certainly both strikes should make Fox Soccer’s top ten goals of the week as well.
Enough about the “Theater of the Obsurd.” Ultimately, what does this tell us about United’s campaign right now?
First, this is just in: United, and Wayne Rooney in particular, are human afterall, contrary to the under-the-radar rumor that the Reds were really trial cyborgs, given this summer’s trip to Nike World HQ.
No, the Reds will not beat every team by three, four, or five goals on the trot. No, United will not go 38-0 in the EPL. No, the Red Devils haven’t already won the league.
Fergie’s men show tremendous potential, but along with that “p-word” comes youthful naïveté and some inevitable mistakes, with De Gea the focal point for any early criticism.
We knew uneven form would hit the Red Devils, at some point, but the sheer carelessness in the defensive third today shocked everyone, as we’ve all grown accustomed to the backline’s impressiveness this campaign.
Second, United’s excellent central midfield play dropped off noticeably these past two matches. You could accept a drop off away from home in the Champions League, given the opposition’s challenge and squad rotation, with key cogs such as Fletcher needing minutes to hone his form. Fine, we can get on with that.
But, players like Anderson were rested in Portugal with today’s match in mind, which makes his form, as an example, somewhat concerning.
As good as Anderson has been, today’s performance reminded us of just how frustrating the extremely talented Brazilian can be. His gift to Torres early in the match easily could have been a match-influencing event, had the number nine not been so wasteful with the opportunity. Most Championship strikers take that pass and slot it in the back of the net.
United really need Anderson, Cleverly, Carrick, and Fletcher to perform consistently at the highest level, if new ground is to be made in the Champions League, in particular, and in retaining the EPL title. The Reds desperately need two of these men in top gear at all times this term. Loosing Cleverly looks a real blow at the moment, as the Reds could have used his immaculate possession and short-tempo passing today.
Third, United’s wide play is the envy of everybody not named Barcelona. Sir Alex’s astute purchase of Ashley Young proved a masterstroke, when combined with Nani, Park, and Valencia provides different, equally intimidating options out wide.
Young’s pace, darting runs inside, and excellent service creates problems en mass for the opposition’s backline, while Nani can quite literally dribble through triple-teams and hit lasers like today.
Valencia provides power, pace, and excellent crossing from the right side, while Park’s industry and improved finishing threaten oppositions with an unenviable pick-your-poison, regardless the combination.
So, we’ve learned that United are indeed humanSo, we’ve learned that United are indeed human, impressive and still unbeaten this term. Add to the mix a City draw and Pool loss and it’s been a tremendous weekend. Top of the league to you, mate. The view looks fine – really fine.
-----------------------------
Back at you after the Norwich match, as I’m headed to Moab, Utah for some hiking and mountain biking. Until then, cheers to you.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Stuffed and Bagged
Who knew Fox Soccer’s newly touted “Goals on Sunday” program would be encapsulated within a single match. United were absolutely breathtaking, while Arsenal looked like a shadow of themselves from this past decade.
The big question for Arsenal is “Are you City in disguise?”
Maybe it’s because I count several Arsenal supporters amongst my friends. Maybe I’ve got a lower tolerance for human suffering. Or, maybe my rational mind cannot comprehend what’s just happened.
Amidst all the joy with United’s brilliance, there’s at least a twinge of sadness for Arsene Wenger’s Theater of Horrors. Watching Piers Morgan slaughter the nutty professor in the post-game show brings to the fore the real possibility that Wenger’s days could be numbered. After such a loss, nothing’s out of the realm of possibility, including mass defections by around Christmas time.
It’s a pity, as well, because the Arsenal manager has been a colorful character capable of putting together some extremely attractive, attacking sides. You’d be missed, Arsene.
Ah, but Champaign football certainly reigned supreme today at Old Trafford. The only blemish on an otherwise splendid day occurred involved Danny Welbeck injuring his hamstring. Get well, Danny-boy.
Here are five things we’ve learned from this match.
First, Arsenal lack a spine in more ways than one. There’s sooo much wrong with the Gunners at the moment, with key players leaving, poor defending, shabby tactics, and a tight-wad management, one stubbornly refusing to pay semi-inflated prices for glaring holes in his side.
Despite these massive problems, yet, Arsenal appear to lack THE quality required in the Premiere League: heart. Case in point, after United’s fourth goal, Arshavin can be seen laughing with Rooney. Are you kidding me?! Somebody should deck that elf, many a Gunner must have thought. What certain North London fans wouldn’t give to return to “One-nil to the Arsenal” days.
Second, it’s clear that Sir Alex’s strategy relies more on overall attacking pace, from every angle possible, than on expensive-and-creative midfield magicians.
Given the form thus far, we’d be utterly shocked to see a certain Inter center-half arrive at Old Trafford by midweek. United could certainly use another world-class center midfielder, but those players remain difficult to land and involve risky sums of cash. Better to give Anderson and Cleverley more time and space to grow and mature right now.
Third, you simply keep repeating it to yourself, don’t you… the average age is 23 years old… they’re just kids… Just look at the class, pace, and hunger within this side. It’s absolutely astounding.
Today’s well-deserved 8-2 score line came against an Arsenal squad sans key players, but a Gunner side nonetheless. This wasn’t QPR after being decimated by injury, for the love of God. No, it’s still THE Arsenal, thank you very much.
Fourth, Wayne Rooney certainly looks comfortable being THE man on the United squad, one well worth of the prestigious number ten.
Today’s hat trick symbolizes his alpha status within the squad and reminds us all what’s he’s capable of after a largely disappointing year much of the last campaign. Wazza’s recovered his form and hairdo while putting to bed the moniker The Boy Wayne. From today forward, it’s THE Man Wayne, thank you very much indeed.
And finally, albeit based on a small sample size, United and City look equally impressive, both with stunning attaching options and depth within each squad.
Money can’t buy you love or happiness, but it certainly can help build a formidable football side. The primary difference between the blue and red halves of Manchester now comes down to age and philosophy, one where United still hold dear a real psychological advantage over The Middle Eastlands.
There truly is a United “way” of doing things, one where no member of the squad is bigger than the club nor the manager. You will never say that about City’s high-priced, mercenary talent.
Thus, we take delight in knowing our kids are more than all right, especially after a serious taxidermy job done to a major rival.
-----
Back at you after the Bolton match. Cheers to you during the international break.
The big question for Arsenal is “Are you City in disguise?”
Maybe it’s because I count several Arsenal supporters amongst my friends. Maybe I’ve got a lower tolerance for human suffering. Or, maybe my rational mind cannot comprehend what’s just happened.
Amidst all the joy with United’s brilliance, there’s at least a twinge of sadness for Arsene Wenger’s Theater of Horrors. Watching Piers Morgan slaughter the nutty professor in the post-game show brings to the fore the real possibility that Wenger’s days could be numbered. After such a loss, nothing’s out of the realm of possibility, including mass defections by around Christmas time.
It’s a pity, as well, because the Arsenal manager has been a colorful character capable of putting together some extremely attractive, attacking sides. You’d be missed, Arsene.
Ah, but Champaign football certainly reigned supreme today at Old Trafford. The only blemish on an otherwise splendid day occurred involved Danny Welbeck injuring his hamstring. Get well, Danny-boy.
Here are five things we’ve learned from this match.
First, Arsenal lack a spine in more ways than one. There’s sooo much wrong with the Gunners at the moment, with key players leaving, poor defending, shabby tactics, and a tight-wad management, one stubbornly refusing to pay semi-inflated prices for glaring holes in his side.
Despite these massive problems, yet, Arsenal appear to lack THE quality required in the Premiere League: heart. Case in point, after United’s fourth goal, Arshavin can be seen laughing with Rooney. Are you kidding me?! Somebody should deck that elf, many a Gunner must have thought. What certain North London fans wouldn’t give to return to “One-nil to the Arsenal” days.
Second, it’s clear that Sir Alex’s strategy relies more on overall attacking pace, from every angle possible, than on expensive-and-creative midfield magicians.
Given the form thus far, we’d be utterly shocked to see a certain Inter center-half arrive at Old Trafford by midweek. United could certainly use another world-class center midfielder, but those players remain difficult to land and involve risky sums of cash. Better to give Anderson and Cleverley more time and space to grow and mature right now.
Third, you simply keep repeating it to yourself, don’t you… the average age is 23 years old… they’re just kids… Just look at the class, pace, and hunger within this side. It’s absolutely astounding.
Today’s well-deserved 8-2 score line came against an Arsenal squad sans key players, but a Gunner side nonetheless. This wasn’t QPR after being decimated by injury, for the love of God. No, it’s still THE Arsenal, thank you very much.
Fourth, Wayne Rooney certainly looks comfortable being THE man on the United squad, one well worth of the prestigious number ten.
Today’s hat trick symbolizes his alpha status within the squad and reminds us all what’s he’s capable of after a largely disappointing year much of the last campaign. Wazza’s recovered his form and hairdo while putting to bed the moniker The Boy Wayne. From today forward, it’s THE Man Wayne, thank you very much indeed.
And finally, albeit based on a small sample size, United and City look equally impressive, both with stunning attaching options and depth within each squad.
Money can’t buy you love or happiness, but it certainly can help build a formidable football side. The primary difference between the blue and red halves of Manchester now comes down to age and philosophy, one where United still hold dear a real psychological advantage over The Middle Eastlands.
There truly is a United “way” of doing things, one where no member of the squad is bigger than the club nor the manager. You will never say that about City’s high-priced, mercenary talent.
Thus, we take delight in knowing our kids are more than all right, especially after a serious taxidermy job done to a major rival.
-----
Back at you after the Bolton match. Cheers to you during the international break.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Color Me Impressed
Well, well, well, listen to the pundits purr about United’s youngsters now when all they too often questioned Sir Alex for relying on too heavily on evergreen twosome for the past two or three campaigns.
After today’s performance, the future couldn’t look brighter, unless Fergie finds his own personal fountain of youth to roll back father time.
Scratch that, I think SAF has found his own age-defying elixir: the task of reshaping this United squad for infinity and beyond.
How cool and confident did Fergie look on the sidelines today – completely at ease watching his new fledglings demonstrate their class right before our eyes.
We all know that United’s youth, at some point, will cost the Red Devils in a tight match somewhere, somehow this season.
But, you’d be hard pressed to find any knowledgeable football fan today without some bit of astonishment at the relentless excellence on display.
In the words of the wonderful Replacement’s song: Color Me Impressed
.
What if someone told you last June that United would start Cleverly, De Gea, Evans, Jones, Smalling, and Welbeck at home to Spurs. What score would you have predicted?
Despite Spurs’ dreadful record versus United, especially at Old Trafford, you’d be tempted to think that every dog has it’s day and maybe ‘Arry’s men could scratch out a point away, or perhaps even a victory.
Not a chance. Old United gives way to New United, thank you very much.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when Phil Jones, my MOTM, nearly went full field on a marauding run with the ball – you could hear 75,000+ simultaneously gasp and buzz with delight. If my memory serves me correctly, the lad didn’t put a foot in wrong against an extremely gifted Spurs side.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when De Gea picked up his first clean sheet, including a drag-back with van der Vaart closing in and fouling the lad. Confidence? Certainly. Stupidity? Absolutely. It’s all part of the learning curve for the youngster.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when Anderson and Welback picked open the Spurs defense to see Ander-son-son-son score and break out into the electric boogie, Crouchie-style. Brilliant, that is.
But, alas, today’s match was brought to yours truly via TiVo, after work on a beautiful evening in Minneapolis where I sat inside after undergoing the usual media blackout in the afternoon.
As a Red Devil, we’ve come to expect greatness, thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Like you, I’ve been caught up in United’s wonderful diversion from the rest of the world’s cares, one where it never ceases to amaze these many-odd years on how the Red’s relentless success still finds ways to surprise and delight you, much like Mr. Jones’ foray up field earlier this evening or Welbeck’s clever back-heeled pass.
Besides, name another club that can net a £40m sponsorship for their domestic training kit? Yes, training kit, a remarkable bit of business.
Thus, the kids and the global brand will be all right indeed.
----------------
Back at you after the Arsenal match. Cheers.
After today’s performance, the future couldn’t look brighter, unless Fergie finds his own personal fountain of youth to roll back father time.
Scratch that, I think SAF has found his own age-defying elixir: the task of reshaping this United squad for infinity and beyond.
How cool and confident did Fergie look on the sidelines today – completely at ease watching his new fledglings demonstrate their class right before our eyes.
We all know that United’s youth, at some point, will cost the Red Devils in a tight match somewhere, somehow this season.
But, you’d be hard pressed to find any knowledgeable football fan today without some bit of astonishment at the relentless excellence on display.
In the words of the wonderful Replacement’s song: Color Me Impressed
.What if someone told you last June that United would start Cleverly, De Gea, Evans, Jones, Smalling, and Welbeck at home to Spurs. What score would you have predicted?
Despite Spurs’ dreadful record versus United, especially at Old Trafford, you’d be tempted to think that every dog has it’s day and maybe ‘Arry’s men could scratch out a point away, or perhaps even a victory.
Not a chance. Old United gives way to New United, thank you very much.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when Phil Jones, my MOTM, nearly went full field on a marauding run with the ball – you could hear 75,000+ simultaneously gasp and buzz with delight. If my memory serves me correctly, the lad didn’t put a foot in wrong against an extremely gifted Spurs side.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when De Gea picked up his first clean sheet, including a drag-back with van der Vaart closing in and fouling the lad. Confidence? Certainly. Stupidity? Absolutely. It’s all part of the learning curve for the youngster.
Oh, to have been at Old Trafford when Anderson and Welback picked open the Spurs defense to see Ander-son-son-son score and break out into the electric boogie, Crouchie-style. Brilliant, that is.
But, alas, today’s match was brought to yours truly via TiVo, after work on a beautiful evening in Minneapolis where I sat inside after undergoing the usual media blackout in the afternoon.
As a Red Devil, we’ve come to expect greatness, thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Like you, I’ve been caught up in United’s wonderful diversion from the rest of the world’s cares, one where it never ceases to amaze these many-odd years on how the Red’s relentless success still finds ways to surprise and delight you, much like Mr. Jones’ foray up field earlier this evening or Welbeck’s clever back-heeled pass.
Besides, name another club that can net a £40m sponsorship for their domestic training kit? Yes, training kit, a remarkable bit of business.
Thus, the kids and the global brand will be all right indeed.
----------------
Back at you after the Arsenal match. Cheers.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Job Done
It wasn’t pretty at times, but it’s three points on the road nonetheless. And it all started so well, too, with United clearly bossing play in the first twenty-odd minutes of the match until the moment that will hound the Red Devils new number one.
You just need to keep reminding yourself that it’s early days, yet this feels like a festering issue, one that could possibly derail another Reds keeper.
Watching the match at the pub, THE stat discussed ahead of kickoff was that De Gea allowed the most goals in La Liga from outside the penalty box. Not a good omen. And already, the United faithful feared another keeper draught such as the one that followed Peter Schmeichel.
Yet today’s howler came from well within the box, with the keeper taking the right angle but inexplicably failing to get down on what now-pundit Gary Neville called a “routine save.”
How long can Sir Alex go with De Gea, when clearly today, his mistake and failure to command his air space unnerved his backline?
Normally, you’d give young players time to adjust to their new surroundings. And, all things – er, prices – being equal, it appeared Lindegaard outplayed De Gea during United’s summer tour. Advantage Lindegaard.
Right now, Fergie faces an unenviable dilemma.
Pull the keeper and risk a blow to confidence. Play the keeper and risk more mistakes when he clearly isn’t comfortable with Premier League air space let alone long range efforts on goal.
I’m typically not one to overreact, especially with decisions at the helm of the United ship, but why not start the Dane and let De Gea ease into things more as a Red Devil?
Lindegaard commanded his backline while on tour in the States and appeared in great form. I know De Gea’s an excellent close-range shot stopper. I know De Gea’s is incredibly young, needing time and space to grow.
But should that learning curve come immediately against the likes of Spurs, Arsenal, and Liverpool?
I’d argue: absolutely not.
The English press will be merciless with the lad, as the more he makes mistakes, the more pressure will build on him, his team and his manager. Surly, there will be a new knick-name a la “Calamity James” in the offering soon, with “De Gaffe” the early bookies favorite, to greet the United squad in the papers throughout the campaign, and dare I say, his English career.
Which is an entirely unfortunate talking point, as there was plenty to like in this match.
First, SAF handed the pairing of Anderson and Cleverly starts. Both played well, earning their manager’s confidence, with young Thomas demonstrating maturity beyond his years as well as the wisdom behind his call-up in the England squad this past week. He certainly looks the part.
Second, United’s ability to come out strong and dictate the pace of the match to West Brom impressed, especially given the Red Devils road woes of the last campaign. Without the mistake in goal, you could easily see the Reds running out a 2-0 or 3-0 convincing victory today. The old adage “one goal changes everything” came to fruition, with West Brom gaining a huge lift from drawing level.
Last and most important, Fergie’s men found a way to win, unlike the other Top 6 contenders thus far, despite Rafael and Evra out from the start, plus Rio and Vidic leaving the match early with new injuries.
Newcomer Phil Jones never looked so good in United Red, with Rafael out over two months and Rio gone now for six weeks.
All in all, United find a way to win, or in the words of another new addition, Ashley Young talking to Sky Sports:
"It's the first game of season, we knew it was going to be tough coming to the Hawthorns but we have a never-say-die attitude and work to final whistle, and we got our rewards in the end."
Amazing how quickly Ashley’s already indoctrinated into United’s culture. But, should that really surprise us?
Earlier this week, Sir Bobby Charlton said in a new book '19' all credit for the United’s success lay at the feet of Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The record of 19 League titles goes down purely to Alex Ferguson, it would not have been possible without Alex Ferguson, that's for sure.
He is the epitome of everything that is good about Manchester United and the ethos of this club. He knows the game inside out. The reason everybody performs to their best is that he is in control, not just of his staff and the first team, but the whole of the club, and as a result it operates in unison.
There is no point suggesting anybody else to be manager of Manchester United, there is no one around who can fill his boots. I hope he can carry on for a long time yet.”
Here's to a job well done for many years to come. Cheers.
---------------
Back at you after the Spurs match.
You just need to keep reminding yourself that it’s early days, yet this feels like a festering issue, one that could possibly derail another Reds keeper.
Watching the match at the pub, THE stat discussed ahead of kickoff was that De Gea allowed the most goals in La Liga from outside the penalty box. Not a good omen. And already, the United faithful feared another keeper draught such as the one that followed Peter Schmeichel.
Yet today’s howler came from well within the box, with the keeper taking the right angle but inexplicably failing to get down on what now-pundit Gary Neville called a “routine save.”
How long can Sir Alex go with De Gea, when clearly today, his mistake and failure to command his air space unnerved his backline?
Normally, you’d give young players time to adjust to their new surroundings. And, all things – er, prices – being equal, it appeared Lindegaard outplayed De Gea during United’s summer tour. Advantage Lindegaard.
Right now, Fergie faces an unenviable dilemma.
Pull the keeper and risk a blow to confidence. Play the keeper and risk more mistakes when he clearly isn’t comfortable with Premier League air space let alone long range efforts on goal.
I’m typically not one to overreact, especially with decisions at the helm of the United ship, but why not start the Dane and let De Gea ease into things more as a Red Devil?
Lindegaard commanded his backline while on tour in the States and appeared in great form. I know De Gea’s an excellent close-range shot stopper. I know De Gea’s is incredibly young, needing time and space to grow.
But should that learning curve come immediately against the likes of Spurs, Arsenal, and Liverpool?
I’d argue: absolutely not.
The English press will be merciless with the lad, as the more he makes mistakes, the more pressure will build on him, his team and his manager. Surly, there will be a new knick-name a la “Calamity James” in the offering soon, with “De Gaffe” the early bookies favorite, to greet the United squad in the papers throughout the campaign, and dare I say, his English career.
Which is an entirely unfortunate talking point, as there was plenty to like in this match.
First, SAF handed the pairing of Anderson and Cleverly starts. Both played well, earning their manager’s confidence, with young Thomas demonstrating maturity beyond his years as well as the wisdom behind his call-up in the England squad this past week. He certainly looks the part.
Second, United’s ability to come out strong and dictate the pace of the match to West Brom impressed, especially given the Red Devils road woes of the last campaign. Without the mistake in goal, you could easily see the Reds running out a 2-0 or 3-0 convincing victory today. The old adage “one goal changes everything” came to fruition, with West Brom gaining a huge lift from drawing level.
Last and most important, Fergie’s men found a way to win, unlike the other Top 6 contenders thus far, despite Rafael and Evra out from the start, plus Rio and Vidic leaving the match early with new injuries.
Newcomer Phil Jones never looked so good in United Red, with Rafael out over two months and Rio gone now for six weeks.
All in all, United find a way to win, or in the words of another new addition, Ashley Young talking to Sky Sports:
"It's the first game of season, we knew it was going to be tough coming to the Hawthorns but we have a never-say-die attitude and work to final whistle, and we got our rewards in the end."
Amazing how quickly Ashley’s already indoctrinated into United’s culture. But, should that really surprise us?
Earlier this week, Sir Bobby Charlton said in a new book '19' all credit for the United’s success lay at the feet of Sir Alex Ferguson.
"The record of 19 League titles goes down purely to Alex Ferguson, it would not have been possible without Alex Ferguson, that's for sure.
He is the epitome of everything that is good about Manchester United and the ethos of this club. He knows the game inside out. The reason everybody performs to their best is that he is in control, not just of his staff and the first team, but the whole of the club, and as a result it operates in unison.
There is no point suggesting anybody else to be manager of Manchester United, there is no one around who can fill his boots. I hope he can carry on for a long time yet.”
Here's to a job well done for many years to come. Cheers.
---------------
Back at you after the Spurs match.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Lesson Delivered
Well, could you write a better script for demoralizing The Middle Eastlands?
What a stunning last-gasp victory for United and punishing defeat for City. Oh the joy in footballing lessons delivered, eh Wazza, when City are made to watch Vidic lift the Community Shield. “Brilliant, that is!”, says The Boy Wayne.
First, let me digress for a moment with a true confession.
I watched the match on tape delay after spending the weekend at a beautiful cabin on a lake in central Minnesota. Our summers are short and we simply couldn’t give up the opportunity to truly get away. Private lake. No motorized boats. Ah, peace and quiet with good friends. And besides, I’ll have to duck-out on future weekends for much more meaningful fixtures during the EPL campaign.
Thus, watching in the evening, knowing the result’s bagged hours ago only adds another strange temptation into the mix, especially when City go ahead 2-0 without playing particularly well.
Part of me wants to fast forward through another repeat of last year’s FA Cup semi-final. Part of me can’t stand to miss a minute, as football hath finally started.
Thank God the Red Devils didn’t try to fast forward their way through this “meaningless” match.
Yes, you can use six subs in the FA Community Shield.
Yes, it’s the pretense to something much bigger and better to come.
Yes, it’s a one-off, "friendly" Cup, if you will.
Yet, it’s City for the love of God, and you just can’t imagine the noisy neighbors gaining any sort of confidence from this game. No way. No how.
Thus, it’s with much delight that I report I caught the match; including watching another page turned in United’s storied history books.
With the substitution of Carrick, Rio, Vidic , and later Evra, the average age of the United squad was reported at 21 or 22 years old. Remarkable. Today’s young squad outplayed the current version, hands down.
And all the more incredible, Tom Cleverly appears to hold part of the answer to United’s central midfield questions.
Today he impressed yet again with abundant energy, purpose, and creativity moving forward, after his very own MOTM performance against Barcelona’s albeit reserves.
Sometimes the best moves in football can be non-transfers, where the manager provides the time and space for youngsters to take the mantle.
Cleverly helped Rooney dictate play in the second half during a real derby match, which make this accomplishment all the more impressive. It’s still early days, but Fergie appears to have caught lightening in a bottle at the most opportune of moments, immediately after Scholes’ retirement, with this lad.
Speaking of electricity, we must give Nani his due, after his two goals clearly and rightly earned him MOTM honors.
Nani’s performance bodes well for the up-coming campaign precisely because he has taken the challenge presented to him by the addition of Ashley Young. No pouting at all from the gerry curled one. Only commitment.
Nani can be as mesmerizing as anyone on the planet out wide with the ball at his feat, but this isn’t new news, as consistency of decision-making robs this player of opportunities.
Yet, step-by-step Nani’s end product progressed noticeably this past campaign and during this summer’s pre-season. It appears he's finally got it, much to our collective relief.
Thus, United appear primed for another Premier League campaign, with a new influx of youth to a title-winning side.
Surly, with youth comes mistakes, but you can really feel the power that rests within this side, as United were quicker, sharper, and more decisive than their blue counterparts.
A gulf in class still exists in Manchester. Consider it a message delivered.
----------
Back at you after the Weat Brom match. Cheers.
What a stunning last-gasp victory for United and punishing defeat for City. Oh the joy in footballing lessons delivered, eh Wazza, when City are made to watch Vidic lift the Community Shield. “Brilliant, that is!”, says The Boy Wayne.
First, let me digress for a moment with a true confession.
I watched the match on tape delay after spending the weekend at a beautiful cabin on a lake in central Minnesota. Our summers are short and we simply couldn’t give up the opportunity to truly get away. Private lake. No motorized boats. Ah, peace and quiet with good friends. And besides, I’ll have to duck-out on future weekends for much more meaningful fixtures during the EPL campaign.
Thus, watching in the evening, knowing the result’s bagged hours ago only adds another strange temptation into the mix, especially when City go ahead 2-0 without playing particularly well.
Part of me wants to fast forward through another repeat of last year’s FA Cup semi-final. Part of me can’t stand to miss a minute, as football hath finally started.
Thank God the Red Devils didn’t try to fast forward their way through this “meaningless” match.
Yes, you can use six subs in the FA Community Shield.
Yes, it’s the pretense to something much bigger and better to come.
Yes, it’s a one-off, "friendly" Cup, if you will.
Yet, it’s City for the love of God, and you just can’t imagine the noisy neighbors gaining any sort of confidence from this game. No way. No how.
Thus, it’s with much delight that I report I caught the match; including watching another page turned in United’s storied history books.
With the substitution of Carrick, Rio, Vidic , and later Evra, the average age of the United squad was reported at 21 or 22 years old. Remarkable. Today’s young squad outplayed the current version, hands down.
And all the more incredible, Tom Cleverly appears to hold part of the answer to United’s central midfield questions.
Today he impressed yet again with abundant energy, purpose, and creativity moving forward, after his very own MOTM performance against Barcelona’s albeit reserves.
Sometimes the best moves in football can be non-transfers, where the manager provides the time and space for youngsters to take the mantle.
Cleverly helped Rooney dictate play in the second half during a real derby match, which make this accomplishment all the more impressive. It’s still early days, but Fergie appears to have caught lightening in a bottle at the most opportune of moments, immediately after Scholes’ retirement, with this lad.
Speaking of electricity, we must give Nani his due, after his two goals clearly and rightly earned him MOTM honors.
Nani’s performance bodes well for the up-coming campaign precisely because he has taken the challenge presented to him by the addition of Ashley Young. No pouting at all from the gerry curled one. Only commitment.
Nani can be as mesmerizing as anyone on the planet out wide with the ball at his feat, but this isn’t new news, as consistency of decision-making robs this player of opportunities.
Yet, step-by-step Nani’s end product progressed noticeably this past campaign and during this summer’s pre-season. It appears he's finally got it, much to our collective relief.
Thus, United appear primed for another Premier League campaign, with a new influx of youth to a title-winning side.
Surly, with youth comes mistakes, but you can really feel the power that rests within this side, as United were quicker, sharper, and more decisive than their blue counterparts.
A gulf in class still exists in Manchester. Consider it a message delivered.
----------
Back at you after the Weat Brom match. Cheers.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Outclassed
What do you say? What can you say?
United lost to the best squad on the planet and, arguably, the strongest ever. Intellectually you get that.
You also can put a Pollyanna spin on things and say it was a good year and that you’re thankful for it. Intellectually you get this too.
But, now, right now in reality, it hurts. It really hurts.
Crashing expectations from a massive cup match is one thing – how many precious European Championships will you experience in your life? You never know.
But crashing expectations from seeing a gaping hole between yourself and the desired destination is something entirely different and unsettling.
Sublime Barca live light-years in front of the competition and appear to have room for another gear in the box, as we consider that Messi’s only 23 years old, for the love of God. We just sit in awe and watch His Maradonnaesqueness.
For United to reach the Catalan’s heights, it requires one or two world-class players outside of the current roster, I attest. We’re talking a minimum of one more Ronaldo, Messi, or more fittingly, Zizu, not some ordinary transfer or well-cultivated talent: something from another galaxy here. Viva Ronaldo indeed.
Admittedly, the Red Devils possess one master-class talent in Rooney as well as a host of brilliant players from Chicharito all the way through to Vidic.
However, the missing components involve, more precisely, pinnacle-caliber midfielder candidates – one to pull the strings, one to boss matters from box to box and shut down tikka-takka football.
Compounding matters include van der Sar’s certain retirement and the inevitable with Giggs’ and Scholes’ soon to come. In my view, this was a rebuilding year with a bonus EPL title and Champions League run.
Yet, none of that matters now in the haze of disappointment, which hangs and lingers all-too-long.
If you’ve ever read any of my blog posts, you surly anticipate and appreciate the predictable solace that will be found in trusting one Sir Alex Ferguson.
While many will debate whether or not Barca are best-of-all-time, US soccer journalists pondered if Mr. Ferguson was the best sports manager of all time. This conversation involved any sport, including baseball, basketball, hockey and American football.
The verdict?
Lombardi? Nope.
Phil Jackson? No way.
SAF is, without a doubt, the best ever. Simply tally the time and trophies. Best ever, bar none.
So, whom else would you want to be tied to on this new mountain climbing expedition? None other than Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson, that’s who.
Every single one of us loves and trusts our own favorite Glaswegian, especially when he’s got another target on the perch.
--------
I’ll be back at you sometime this Summer, probably after watching United live in the States and preparing for the 2011-2012 season in earnest. All the best to you during the off-season. Cheers.
United lost to the best squad on the planet and, arguably, the strongest ever. Intellectually you get that.
You also can put a Pollyanna spin on things and say it was a good year and that you’re thankful for it. Intellectually you get this too.
But, now, right now in reality, it hurts. It really hurts.
Crashing expectations from a massive cup match is one thing – how many precious European Championships will you experience in your life? You never know.
But crashing expectations from seeing a gaping hole between yourself and the desired destination is something entirely different and unsettling.
Sublime Barca live light-years in front of the competition and appear to have room for another gear in the box, as we consider that Messi’s only 23 years old, for the love of God. We just sit in awe and watch His Maradonnaesqueness.
For United to reach the Catalan’s heights, it requires one or two world-class players outside of the current roster, I attest. We’re talking a minimum of one more Ronaldo, Messi, or more fittingly, Zizu, not some ordinary transfer or well-cultivated talent: something from another galaxy here. Viva Ronaldo indeed.
Admittedly, the Red Devils possess one master-class talent in Rooney as well as a host of brilliant players from Chicharito all the way through to Vidic.
However, the missing components involve, more precisely, pinnacle-caliber midfielder candidates – one to pull the strings, one to boss matters from box to box and shut down tikka-takka football.
Compounding matters include van der Sar’s certain retirement and the inevitable with Giggs’ and Scholes’ soon to come. In my view, this was a rebuilding year with a bonus EPL title and Champions League run.
Yet, none of that matters now in the haze of disappointment, which hangs and lingers all-too-long.
If you’ve ever read any of my blog posts, you surly anticipate and appreciate the predictable solace that will be found in trusting one Sir Alex Ferguson.
While many will debate whether or not Barca are best-of-all-time, US soccer journalists pondered if Mr. Ferguson was the best sports manager of all time. This conversation involved any sport, including baseball, basketball, hockey and American football.
The verdict?
Lombardi? Nope.
Phil Jackson? No way.
SAF is, without a doubt, the best ever. Simply tally the time and trophies. Best ever, bar none.
So, whom else would you want to be tied to on this new mountain climbing expedition? None other than Sir Alexander Chapman Ferguson, that’s who.
Every single one of us loves and trusts our own favorite Glaswegian, especially when he’s got another target on the perch.
--------
I’ll be back at you sometime this Summer, probably after watching United live in the States and preparing for the 2011-2012 season in earnest. All the best to you during the off-season. Cheers.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Are You Ready for Some Football?
We’re almost inside T-minus 24 hours from The Final, The Dream Matchup. THE question you’ve just gotta ask yourself is are you physically, emotionally, and mentally ready for the match?
As a public service, especially to Red Devils Stateside or the Far East, below you’ll find your pre-match checklist.
Read carefully. Get your pen and paper ready for this all-important assessment. Each yes is worth one point; please note the bonus and extra point deductions in parenthesis.
Are you ready for THE FINAL? Find out…
1. Do you have your lucky United jersey (not washed during since the beginning of the knockout rounds = one extra, bonus point), scarf, and jeans worn during past glory ready?
2. Have you over-analyzed United’s tactics and team selection in the privacy of your own thoughts throughout the past week to the point of feelin’ like a gaffer yourself?
3. Do you already know who and where you’re meeting at least 3 hours before kickoff? (Deduct an extra point if you have no plans at all.)
4. Have you already researched a ridiculous, Cliff Clavenesque amount of stats on both teams, including their history in Europe?
5. Do you find yourself completely distracted, unable to work productively today? (Add a bonus point if you avoided scheduling any client appointments today. If you took the pre-match day off as vacation, then add two bonus points.)
6. Do you find yourself fantasizing about someone putting in a Nobby Stiles-like MOTM performance tomorrow? (If you have to ask “Who is Nobby Stiles?” deduct one point.)
7. Have you worried at least a few times today about the “beautiful” Barca turning to its ugly side, diving and gaming all over the place? (If you haven’t thought about it, deduct one extra point.)
8. Have you re-watched any portion of a United Champions League match this past week in anticipation of THE Final? (Add extra points per match for the ’68, ’99, or ’08 finals. Deduct a point for your own well-being if you watched the ’09 Final.)
9. Have you read something from blogs “The Busby Way”, “The Republik of Mancunia”, “Red Rants”, or “The United Religion” within the past 48 hours? (If you’ve read something from all four, add one additional point. If you don’t know any of the four, deduct a point.)
10. Have you dreamt about United since Saturday?
If you score a Spinal Tab eleven or higher, congratulations, as you deserve tickets to the final and to have your “United, wife, kids – in that order” or “Not Arrogant. Just Better” banner autographed by Sir Alex himself!
If you totaled eight or more points, then you’re definitely ready. Your preparation is its own reward here, as everything is lining up for your BIG day. Cheers to you!
If you scored in the range between five and seven, get a hold of yourself man – you’ve got some catching up to do.
If you scored less than five, are you a City fan in disguise?
Here’s to total victory tomorrow. Oh the sweet anticipation. Cheers.
-----------------
Back at you well after the match.
As a public service, especially to Red Devils Stateside or the Far East, below you’ll find your pre-match checklist.
Read carefully. Get your pen and paper ready for this all-important assessment. Each yes is worth one point; please note the bonus and extra point deductions in parenthesis.
Are you ready for THE FINAL? Find out…
1. Do you have your lucky United jersey (not washed during since the beginning of the knockout rounds = one extra, bonus point), scarf, and jeans worn during past glory ready?
2. Have you over-analyzed United’s tactics and team selection in the privacy of your own thoughts throughout the past week to the point of feelin’ like a gaffer yourself?
3. Do you already know who and where you’re meeting at least 3 hours before kickoff? (Deduct an extra point if you have no plans at all.)
4. Have you already researched a ridiculous, Cliff Clavenesque amount of stats on both teams, including their history in Europe?
5. Do you find yourself completely distracted, unable to work productively today? (Add a bonus point if you avoided scheduling any client appointments today. If you took the pre-match day off as vacation, then add two bonus points.)
6. Do you find yourself fantasizing about someone putting in a Nobby Stiles-like MOTM performance tomorrow? (If you have to ask “Who is Nobby Stiles?” deduct one point.)
7. Have you worried at least a few times today about the “beautiful” Barca turning to its ugly side, diving and gaming all over the place? (If you haven’t thought about it, deduct one extra point.)
8. Have you re-watched any portion of a United Champions League match this past week in anticipation of THE Final? (Add extra points per match for the ’68, ’99, or ’08 finals. Deduct a point for your own well-being if you watched the ’09 Final.)
9. Have you read something from blogs “The Busby Way”, “The Republik of Mancunia”, “Red Rants”, or “The United Religion” within the past 48 hours? (If you’ve read something from all four, add one additional point. If you don’t know any of the four, deduct a point.)
10. Have you dreamt about United since Saturday?
If you score a Spinal Tab eleven or higher, congratulations, as you deserve tickets to the final and to have your “United, wife, kids – in that order” or “Not Arrogant. Just Better” banner autographed by Sir Alex himself!
If you totaled eight or more points, then you’re definitely ready. Your preparation is its own reward here, as everything is lining up for your BIG day. Cheers to you!
If you scored in the range between five and seven, get a hold of yourself man – you’ve got some catching up to do.
If you scored less than five, are you a City fan in disguise?
Here’s to total victory tomorrow. Oh the sweet anticipation. Cheers.
-----------------
Back at you well after the match.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Everything and Nothing
What a contrast in fortunes playing out at Old Trafford today: Blackpool with everything on the line, while United with nothing outside of professional pride involved here.
Certainly the Red Devils want to keep their unbeaten home record in tact, with a goal for Berba to win the golden boot and an important run-out for Evra, Park, and Fletcher.
All party results aside, surly many a United supporter wouldn’t be overly disappointed with a draw against the Ian Holloway’s men, if it kept the Tangerine dream up for another season.
The Seasiders punched well above their weight to get this far, why not keep them up for another season, or so the reasoning goes, as they’ve shocked the pundits that had them on 10 points for the season.
Which leads me to the strange alchemy of emotions today.
Yes, you want United to win, Berba to score, and even VDS to keep a clean sheet in his final Old Trafford match.
But…
You want Blackpool up, Holloway to entertain next year, and even Charlie Adam to possibly stay in tangerine versus second-fiddle red on Merseyside.
In my heart-of-hearts, no result would make me entirely happy today, nor was I THAT invested in any result, really, which feels surreal given the tension felt by the bottom six or seven clubs headed into this final day.
Contrast the relaxed mode within the Red Devil camp with the tension we’ll all feel straightaway at kickoff next Saturday: we’re truly in the eye of the pre-Champions League Final storm immediately after the final whistle.
Adding a Dadaesque quality today, in Minneapolis, I lost 3-5 minutes of the match due to heavy thunderstorms blocking out the satellite feed right when United scored the equalizer. Our weather matched the tension felt by some an ocean away.
Strange days indeed. Most peculiar momma.
All Lennon quotes aside; tension and excitement are building already, and oh, how much would another Champions League trophy mean?
Four closing in on the Scouse five; VDS exiting stage left at the highest of heights; Sir Alex gaining another European Championship that he so richly deserves, especially after all that hath transpired this year, a rebuilding season spent on top of the league with the opportunity for the most memorable of doubles.
Yet, on this day, when the EPL trophy wears red, white, and black yet again, there’s a subdued quality to the celebrations after a marvelous side fell just short of an epic achievement.
A very, very special side went down today, and this United blogger salutes you, your panache and your industry this season, a Premiership-version of a classic Greek tragedy.
Never did we expect you to come so far. Never did we expect we’d feel the loss when you went down.
Cheers to you, Seasiders.
May your journeys be filled with much wonder and successful EPL aspirations. Spend your parachute payment money wisely. We’d welcome you back in the Premiership any year.
-----
Back at you possibly just before and certainly well after the Champions League Final. Oh, the anticipation… Cheers.
Certainly the Red Devils want to keep their unbeaten home record in tact, with a goal for Berba to win the golden boot and an important run-out for Evra, Park, and Fletcher.
All party results aside, surly many a United supporter wouldn’t be overly disappointed with a draw against the Ian Holloway’s men, if it kept the Tangerine dream up for another season.
The Seasiders punched well above their weight to get this far, why not keep them up for another season, or so the reasoning goes, as they’ve shocked the pundits that had them on 10 points for the season.
Which leads me to the strange alchemy of emotions today.
Yes, you want United to win, Berba to score, and even VDS to keep a clean sheet in his final Old Trafford match.
But…
You want Blackpool up, Holloway to entertain next year, and even Charlie Adam to possibly stay in tangerine versus second-fiddle red on Merseyside.
In my heart-of-hearts, no result would make me entirely happy today, nor was I THAT invested in any result, really, which feels surreal given the tension felt by the bottom six or seven clubs headed into this final day.
Contrast the relaxed mode within the Red Devil camp with the tension we’ll all feel straightaway at kickoff next Saturday: we’re truly in the eye of the pre-Champions League Final storm immediately after the final whistle.
Adding a Dadaesque quality today, in Minneapolis, I lost 3-5 minutes of the match due to heavy thunderstorms blocking out the satellite feed right when United scored the equalizer. Our weather matched the tension felt by some an ocean away.
Strange days indeed. Most peculiar momma.
All Lennon quotes aside; tension and excitement are building already, and oh, how much would another Champions League trophy mean?
Four closing in on the Scouse five; VDS exiting stage left at the highest of heights; Sir Alex gaining another European Championship that he so richly deserves, especially after all that hath transpired this year, a rebuilding season spent on top of the league with the opportunity for the most memorable of doubles.
Yet, on this day, when the EPL trophy wears red, white, and black yet again, there’s a subdued quality to the celebrations after a marvelous side fell just short of an epic achievement.
A very, very special side went down today, and this United blogger salutes you, your panache and your industry this season, a Premiership-version of a classic Greek tragedy.
Never did we expect you to come so far. Never did we expect we’d feel the loss when you went down.
Cheers to you, Seasiders.
May your journeys be filled with much wonder and successful EPL aspirations. Spend your parachute payment money wisely. We’d welcome you back in the Premiership any year.
-----
Back at you possibly just before and certainly well after the Champions League Final. Oh, the anticipation… Cheers.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Top of the Perch
So, how’s the view treating you?
In the immortal words of Billy Crystal as his Saturday Night Life character Fernando Lamas: “You look marvelous”
Indeed, N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n19
is maarrrrrvelous, daarrrrling.
The inevitable hath come to fruition, but it wasn’t easy and nor should it have been, given the tumult in the EPL this term.
United absolutely followed the season’s narrative with a late, away, and controversial draw in front of the jubilant Red Devil supporters holding up a plethora of 19- and perch-oriented signs.
This year’s title winners will now have the lowest points total in many a year, while teams with 39 points head into the final weekend with relegation still a possibility. As I’ve been writing all year: crazy stuff.
Top-tier English football’s bandwidth hath narrowed noticeably, adding a surreal quality to the to soap opera known as the Premier League.
How fitting then, this of all years, that there’s a FA Cup Final played BETWEEN EPL matches. What on God’s green earth is the FA doing?
Not that a United fan would mind, as the Red Devils’ No 19 takes attention and shine off of City’s accomplishments in London this afternoon.
Yet, even as a Red Devil myself, it’s distasteful and diminishes the FA Cup.
Yes, even as an American, I know about the Champions League Final being at Wembley and that the stadium needs to be cleared the two weeks prior to the event. I got it.
But, all EPL games could have been played tomorrow or a special dispensation could have been granted by EUFA to allow the FA Cup Final on Sunday. (Oh wait, then again there’s that little spat between the FA and EUFA/FIFA – now I get it, I guess.)
With so many strange twists and turns this year, it’s somehow fitting that the blue and red halves of Manchester win silverware on the same day. Not desired, but appropriate to the 2010/2011 Barclays Premier League, surly. (Closed circuit to the Streford End: the new banner should read 43 years – that’s my vote.)
Ah, but who are we to complain. Let’s return to THE tale of the day: The Red Devils’ beloved 19th top-flight title.
This one will be housed right next to the Cantona-delivered title of 1992-1993 in the hearts of the United faithful, each with it’s own special, affectionate charm – one a cathartic release from years of wanting, the other an impressive culmination of Sir Alex’s body of work.
However, there’s way too much conversation about this United squad lacking the trademark dominance and flair, given this is, arguably, Sir Alex Ferguson’s deepest side ever.
Need proof?
Just look at the goal scoring relay race this season, with Berba on fire early, Chicharito netting consistently as a sub, then as a starter, and of course, our very own White Pele finding form after the longest of spells in the football wilderness.
Just look at the revolving door across the backline much of the seasons, as we must not forget how central Chris Smalling, John O’Shea and even Wes Brown were to the squad in specific moments of this year.
What stands out about 2010/2011 are the stark contrasts and strident confidence displayed by our boys in red.
United scored more goals, won more games than anyone else thus far, yet won only half of the away victories compared to last term, where we finished second.
United carried an unbeaten streak deep into this season, yet drew away matches at an alarming rate and you never felt this was a dominant side.
United were on top of the table all year, with a brief exception of a matter of days when City took the lead having played three more games, and again, you never felt it was done and dusted.
Even today’s match provided plenty of contrasts, with the Red Devils maintaining 76% possession, creating plenty of early chances early yet somehow falling behind 1-0, and Tomasz Kuszczak’s nerves never allowing the United faithful a moment of calm, until both sides signed a peace treaty in the waning moments, as keep-ball by either side fulfilled mutual ambitions in the level 1-1 score line.
All drama and contrasts aside, confidence and consistency won Sir Alex’s men the trophy this year.
Self-belief simply drips off a Ferguson-managed side. Each year, they take late points, whether it’s an escape-draw at Villa Park or stunning come-backs at Bloomfield Road or Boleyn Ground, there’s a certain cool assurance about the side. Everyone expects it inside and outside United.
The Guardian’s Paul Wilson summed it up quoting former United keeper Ben Foster.
"United have a winning ethos all of their own," he said.
"That is what they carry on to the pitch and you've got to admire them for it. When they were 2-0 down at Blackpool, I knew for a fact they would come back and win. They have that toughness. It's expected. The manager doesn't tend to sign players if he doesn't see it in them. You don't get that anywhere else, not even at Chelsea.”
Of course you don’t get that anywhere else, silly bird. While the players change, there’s been only one constant at United: Sir Alex Ferguson. The one-off genius has done it again - absolutely amazing, that man.
So, what do you do immediately after winning the 19th top-flight trophy?
No, Disney isn’t an option. You focus the lads attention on the next ambition: Champions League glory.
Here, with three down and three to go, would you ever bet against SAF?
Appropriately, United announced that the Premier League victory parade will be at lunchtime on May 30, conveniently a couple of days after the Champions League Final.
You just gotta love the view from this perch.
Can you imagine the view from Number Six?
------
Back at you well after the Blackpool party. Cheers.
In the immortal words of Billy Crystal as his Saturday Night Life character Fernando Lamas: “You look marvelous”
Indeed, N-n-n-n-n-n-n-n19
is maarrrrrvelous, daarrrrling. The inevitable hath come to fruition, but it wasn’t easy and nor should it have been, given the tumult in the EPL this term.
United absolutely followed the season’s narrative with a late, away, and controversial draw in front of the jubilant Red Devil supporters holding up a plethora of 19- and perch-oriented signs.
This year’s title winners will now have the lowest points total in many a year, while teams with 39 points head into the final weekend with relegation still a possibility. As I’ve been writing all year: crazy stuff.
Top-tier English football’s bandwidth hath narrowed noticeably, adding a surreal quality to the to soap opera known as the Premier League.
How fitting then, this of all years, that there’s a FA Cup Final played BETWEEN EPL matches. What on God’s green earth is the FA doing?
Not that a United fan would mind, as the Red Devils’ No 19 takes attention and shine off of City’s accomplishments in London this afternoon.
Yet, even as a Red Devil myself, it’s distasteful and diminishes the FA Cup.
Yes, even as an American, I know about the Champions League Final being at Wembley and that the stadium needs to be cleared the two weeks prior to the event. I got it.
But, all EPL games could have been played tomorrow or a special dispensation could have been granted by EUFA to allow the FA Cup Final on Sunday. (Oh wait, then again there’s that little spat between the FA and EUFA/FIFA – now I get it, I guess.)
With so many strange twists and turns this year, it’s somehow fitting that the blue and red halves of Manchester win silverware on the same day. Not desired, but appropriate to the 2010/2011 Barclays Premier League, surly. (Closed circuit to the Streford End: the new banner should read 43 years – that’s my vote.)
Ah, but who are we to complain. Let’s return to THE tale of the day: The Red Devils’ beloved 19th top-flight title.
This one will be housed right next to the Cantona-delivered title of 1992-1993 in the hearts of the United faithful, each with it’s own special, affectionate charm – one a cathartic release from years of wanting, the other an impressive culmination of Sir Alex’s body of work.
However, there’s way too much conversation about this United squad lacking the trademark dominance and flair, given this is, arguably, Sir Alex Ferguson’s deepest side ever.
Need proof?
Just look at the goal scoring relay race this season, with Berba on fire early, Chicharito netting consistently as a sub, then as a starter, and of course, our very own White Pele finding form after the longest of spells in the football wilderness.
Just look at the revolving door across the backline much of the seasons, as we must not forget how central Chris Smalling, John O’Shea and even Wes Brown were to the squad in specific moments of this year.
What stands out about 2010/2011 are the stark contrasts and strident confidence displayed by our boys in red.
United scored more goals, won more games than anyone else thus far, yet won only half of the away victories compared to last term, where we finished second.
United carried an unbeaten streak deep into this season, yet drew away matches at an alarming rate and you never felt this was a dominant side.
United were on top of the table all year, with a brief exception of a matter of days when City took the lead having played three more games, and again, you never felt it was done and dusted.
Even today’s match provided plenty of contrasts, with the Red Devils maintaining 76% possession, creating plenty of early chances early yet somehow falling behind 1-0, and Tomasz Kuszczak’s nerves never allowing the United faithful a moment of calm, until both sides signed a peace treaty in the waning moments, as keep-ball by either side fulfilled mutual ambitions in the level 1-1 score line.
All drama and contrasts aside, confidence and consistency won Sir Alex’s men the trophy this year.
Self-belief simply drips off a Ferguson-managed side. Each year, they take late points, whether it’s an escape-draw at Villa Park or stunning come-backs at Bloomfield Road or Boleyn Ground, there’s a certain cool assurance about the side. Everyone expects it inside and outside United.
The Guardian’s Paul Wilson summed it up quoting former United keeper Ben Foster.
"United have a winning ethos all of their own," he said.
"That is what they carry on to the pitch and you've got to admire them for it. When they were 2-0 down at Blackpool, I knew for a fact they would come back and win. They have that toughness. It's expected. The manager doesn't tend to sign players if he doesn't see it in them. You don't get that anywhere else, not even at Chelsea.”
Of course you don’t get that anywhere else, silly bird. While the players change, there’s been only one constant at United: Sir Alex Ferguson. The one-off genius has done it again - absolutely amazing, that man.
So, what do you do immediately after winning the 19th top-flight trophy?
No, Disney isn’t an option. You focus the lads attention on the next ambition: Champions League glory.
Here, with three down and three to go, would you ever bet against SAF?
Appropriately, United announced that the Premier League victory parade will be at lunchtime on May 30, conveniently a couple of days after the Champions League Final.
You just gotta love the view from this perch.
Can you imagine the view from Number Six?
------
Back at you well after the Blackpool party. Cheers.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Take a Bow, Sir Alex
So many things running through my mind… Four out of the last five… Completely ON for the Double… AND, the beautiful number nineteen… utterly brilliant, brilliant, and brilliant!
Today’s fully deserved 2-1 victory makes it virtually impossible for Chelsea’s rent boys to over take United. One point from the final two matches, that’s all that’s required now, with Sir Alex doing a Wayne’s Worldesque bow to the Stretford End after the match.
Surly the Red Devils will claim the title before anyone kicks off next weekend, with a crazy-early start for supporters in the States.
Cancel the golf or the fishing opener. Rearrange priorities with your families. Next weekend comes the historic 19th title, and with it, a day’s worth of celebrating for every United fan.
And clinching the title next weekend also does wonders for Sir Alex’s men in preparations for the Champions League Final, with ample time and opportunity to reset emotions and focus on the task at hand on May 28th.
Oh, how much we’d all love for VDS to walk-off stage left into retirement with another CL winner’s medal and MOTM performance. He will be critical to any effort against Barcelona, assuredly.
Speaking of the CL, today’s match, I contend, was won last Tuesday when Fergie showed the balls to rotate the squad en mass against Schalke. Everyone who sat looked fresh, including Chicharito, Rooney, Park, and the backline, as United took a serious edge straight from kickoff.
We all remember last year when the Red Devils lost to Chelsea straight after being knocked out against Bayern Munich. No such problem this year with a rested squad. The football Gods are shining on us, you sense.
You knew this season the title wouldn’t come easy, as the rest of the EPL has improved measurably over past seasons with everyone near the top four dropping points throughout the season.
You knew this game wouldn’t be easy, as United dominated much of the match, except for select spells in the second half while playing compact, counter attacking footy.
I worried that the old cliché that a 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in all of football had some merit, as conceding Chelsea possession could help them find their rhythm and outmuscle the back line for a goal or two.
Somehow I sensed that the numerous chances that fell to Chicharito and Rooney wouldn’t go in, as if it HAD to go until the final whistle this year with this team and on this ground.
Think back for a moment – back to when Rooney put in his transfer request. Did you ever see this coming?
The most fitting image was the two architects, Rooney and Chicharito, arm-in-arm beaming in front of the Stetford End with the Double very much on after a job well done.
Every single one of us loves Sir Alex Ferguson. Credit the Gov for keeping the team’s energy and emotions intact for this decisive victory, as he told Sky Sports afterwards.
"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country. The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period - it's a fantastic achievement.
For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today has finalized it.
We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now.”
Indeed we will. After all, we’re Man United and we take what we want.
And, that includes the number nineteen special, than you very much.
---
Back at you some time after next Saturday’s clash at Blackburn. Cheers.
Today’s fully deserved 2-1 victory makes it virtually impossible for Chelsea’s rent boys to over take United. One point from the final two matches, that’s all that’s required now, with Sir Alex doing a Wayne’s Worldesque bow to the Stretford End after the match.
Surly the Red Devils will claim the title before anyone kicks off next weekend, with a crazy-early start for supporters in the States.
Cancel the golf or the fishing opener. Rearrange priorities with your families. Next weekend comes the historic 19th title, and with it, a day’s worth of celebrating for every United fan.
And clinching the title next weekend also does wonders for Sir Alex’s men in preparations for the Champions League Final, with ample time and opportunity to reset emotions and focus on the task at hand on May 28th.
Oh, how much we’d all love for VDS to walk-off stage left into retirement with another CL winner’s medal and MOTM performance. He will be critical to any effort against Barcelona, assuredly.
Speaking of the CL, today’s match, I contend, was won last Tuesday when Fergie showed the balls to rotate the squad en mass against Schalke. Everyone who sat looked fresh, including Chicharito, Rooney, Park, and the backline, as United took a serious edge straight from kickoff.
We all remember last year when the Red Devils lost to Chelsea straight after being knocked out against Bayern Munich. No such problem this year with a rested squad. The football Gods are shining on us, you sense.
You knew this season the title wouldn’t come easy, as the rest of the EPL has improved measurably over past seasons with everyone near the top four dropping points throughout the season.
You knew this game wouldn’t be easy, as United dominated much of the match, except for select spells in the second half while playing compact, counter attacking footy.
I worried that the old cliché that a 2-0 is the most dangerous lead in all of football had some merit, as conceding Chelsea possession could help them find their rhythm and outmuscle the back line for a goal or two.
Somehow I sensed that the numerous chances that fell to Chicharito and Rooney wouldn’t go in, as if it HAD to go until the final whistle this year with this team and on this ground.
Think back for a moment – back to when Rooney put in his transfer request. Did you ever see this coming?
The most fitting image was the two architects, Rooney and Chicharito, arm-in-arm beaming in front of the Stetford End with the Double very much on after a job well done.
Every single one of us loves Sir Alex Ferguson. Credit the Gov for keeping the team’s energy and emotions intact for this decisive victory, as he told Sky Sports afterwards.
"It's fantastic to be the most successful team in the country. The minute we won that first title in 1992 the door opened, and we've been involved in the first two all throughout that period - it's a fantastic achievement.
For the last 17 or 18 years it's been Arsenal and Chelsea as our nearest challengers, and the last few years it's been Chelsea. Arsenal made a great attempt this year but them losing today has finalized it.
We deserve the title and hopefully we'll get that point now.”
Indeed we will. After all, we’re Man United and we take what we want.
And, that includes the number nineteen special, than you very much.
---
Back at you some time after next Saturday’s clash at Blackburn. Cheers.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Sucker-Punch Missed
Could it go any other way this season?
With the eventual title-holders earning the honor, whomever that may be, with the fewest points in the past decade, the neutral observer knew it’d go down to the final weekend, even if that meant officials would gift-wrap victory yesterday for the Blues at White Hart Lane. Not one, mind you, but two non-goals allowed were required to keep Chelsea in the race…grrrrr…..
At kickoff, you knew United would frustrate Arsenal by playing compact, counter-attacking football which hath served the Red Devils so well on this ground the past two years. Play tight, force the Gunners wide, and defend – let Wenger’s men become frustrated around goal and lose composure. Surely Sir Alex’s eleven would get their chances against a mentally frail side.
Another good omen involved the appointment of Chris Foy to this match, as United have an unbeaten string running with the Merseyside-born referee going back something like seventeen matches.
And, Foy certainly played his part in evening out the refereeing controversy against the Blues by missing Vidic’s handball-penalty and getting in the way of three Arsenal passes all in the first half. Well done, Mr. Foy. You’ve single handedly sparked even more angst with the conspiracy theorists among the Gunner faithful regardless of the result.
By halftime, Arsenal had the majority of the possession and an additional chance or two created. However, the score line played right into Ferguson’s strategy, with the chance for the decisive goal and opportunity to win the beloved nineteenth title at home against Chelsea.
But, did you really think it would come that easy this year?
This is the United side that, any other year, would be on the outside looking in on the title race, as either Arsenal or Chelsea would be running away with it by now. Historically speaking, we’d be focused only on Champions League Final prospects.
This is the Jekyll-and-Hyde side that wins at home and drops points away. Such a disparity in form confounds football analysts and fans alike.
But did you really think the refs would play such a heavy hand in keeping Chelsea’s hopes alive? Not in your wildest dreams, which could be seen as foreboding omen for United.
The invisible hand of the football Gods, if you believed in them, seems to demand the most soap opera-like of finishes this of all years. Seemingly United’s nineteenth title mustn’t resemble the majority of the other EPL championships won thus far, instead it must come down to the penultimate date of May 22nd.
So, as we prepare for Champions League action on Wednesday and Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford next weekend, consider this match a sucker-punch missed, one that has connected so many times in the past few years, it’s bound to miss occasionally.
It seems destined to last until the very last moment, with United and Chelsea tied on goal differential.
Besides, how could it go any other way this year?
---
Back at you well after the Champions League clash on Wednesday. Cheers.
With the eventual title-holders earning the honor, whomever that may be, with the fewest points in the past decade, the neutral observer knew it’d go down to the final weekend, even if that meant officials would gift-wrap victory yesterday for the Blues at White Hart Lane. Not one, mind you, but two non-goals allowed were required to keep Chelsea in the race…grrrrr…..
At kickoff, you knew United would frustrate Arsenal by playing compact, counter-attacking football which hath served the Red Devils so well on this ground the past two years. Play tight, force the Gunners wide, and defend – let Wenger’s men become frustrated around goal and lose composure. Surely Sir Alex’s eleven would get their chances against a mentally frail side.
Another good omen involved the appointment of Chris Foy to this match, as United have an unbeaten string running with the Merseyside-born referee going back something like seventeen matches.
And, Foy certainly played his part in evening out the refereeing controversy against the Blues by missing Vidic’s handball-penalty and getting in the way of three Arsenal passes all in the first half. Well done, Mr. Foy. You’ve single handedly sparked even more angst with the conspiracy theorists among the Gunner faithful regardless of the result.
By halftime, Arsenal had the majority of the possession and an additional chance or two created. However, the score line played right into Ferguson’s strategy, with the chance for the decisive goal and opportunity to win the beloved nineteenth title at home against Chelsea.
But, did you really think it would come that easy this year?
This is the United side that, any other year, would be on the outside looking in on the title race, as either Arsenal or Chelsea would be running away with it by now. Historically speaking, we’d be focused only on Champions League Final prospects.
This is the Jekyll-and-Hyde side that wins at home and drops points away. Such a disparity in form confounds football analysts and fans alike.
But did you really think the refs would play such a heavy hand in keeping Chelsea’s hopes alive? Not in your wildest dreams, which could be seen as foreboding omen for United.
The invisible hand of the football Gods, if you believed in them, seems to demand the most soap opera-like of finishes this of all years. Seemingly United’s nineteenth title mustn’t resemble the majority of the other EPL championships won thus far, instead it must come down to the penultimate date of May 22nd.
So, as we prepare for Champions League action on Wednesday and Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford next weekend, consider this match a sucker-punch missed, one that has connected so many times in the past few years, it’s bound to miss occasionally.
It seems destined to last until the very last moment, with United and Chelsea tied on goal differential.
Besides, how could it go any other way this year?
---
Back at you well after the Champions League clash on Wednesday. Cheers.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Rooney Rebirth Complete
Three things were proven in United’s emphatic 2-0 victory over Schalke today.
First, Inter are much slower and older that we thought, given the goal tally conceded against today’s foes. Incredible they gave up five to this squad in one match.
Second, Schalke are truly a mid-table club in the Bundesliga on a cup run, who rode their soon-to-depart goalkeeper and counter attacking into the Champions League Semi-Finals. Punching well above their weight, the Blues looked intimidated by United and the weight of the match. Simply outclassed straight from the kickoff.
Third, United, and Rooney in particular, were sparkling, as the only remaining debate involves the degree of the Red Devils dominance versus the German hosts level of poor play.
But, it was far from certain at half time.
THE only thing United didn’t do in the forty-five minutes was score. Such dominance without end product provides a dangerous edge in a game of this magnitude.
Even the possession stat didn’t do the Red Devils justice at two-thirds to one-third, as Fergie’s men created chance after chance. United blew eleven – mind, you – eleven chances before half. Seldom do we witness this many opportunities between both sides in a two-legged series let alone by one team in one half. Incredible.
Which does lend to superstitious thoughts, as any team THAT wasteful could certainly pay a huge price – think Arsenal’s swan dive recently.
But, Sir Alex and the evergreen contingent kept the squad calm and composed at half; a clinical second half would follow the first – with Rooney and Giggs, the young and the old – taking hold of the match, putting it to bed, and calmly chatting with reporters afterwards.
No over-the-top celebrations. A calm look of a job well done, which bodes well for the Red Devils confidence heading into the EPL run-in. The second Champions League tie has become a training ground exercise between taxing contests away to Arsenal and home to Chelsea – a measure of emotional stability between difficult matches gained.
You felt that this United side could win the coveted nineteenth domestic title, yet for Champions League glory, the Reds seemed to lack that player capable of turning the match on its head with one touch, such as Ronaldo.
Not any longer. He goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.
THIS Wayne Rooney we witnessed against Chelsea and Schalke is the player that ruled domestic and Champions League football before turning his ankle against Bayern Munich last March.
The symbolism of United breaking the German Champions League hex and Wazza casting aside his own demons, on the very ground he saw red against Portugal in 2006 will not be lost on anyone.
We can now officially declare Rooney’s rebirth complete, and with it, United’s chances of lifting the Champions League trophy time immeasurably improved.
After all, is there anyone on the Schalke side that could conjure up a motivational speech akin to Bluto’s famous Animal House’s rally? I think not.
After all, we're the famous Man United and we're GOING to Wembley!
----
Back at you after the Arsenal match. Cheers.
First, Inter are much slower and older that we thought, given the goal tally conceded against today’s foes. Incredible they gave up five to this squad in one match.
Second, Schalke are truly a mid-table club in the Bundesliga on a cup run, who rode their soon-to-depart goalkeeper and counter attacking into the Champions League Semi-Finals. Punching well above their weight, the Blues looked intimidated by United and the weight of the match. Simply outclassed straight from the kickoff.
Third, United, and Rooney in particular, were sparkling, as the only remaining debate involves the degree of the Red Devils dominance versus the German hosts level of poor play.
But, it was far from certain at half time.
THE only thing United didn’t do in the forty-five minutes was score. Such dominance without end product provides a dangerous edge in a game of this magnitude.
Even the possession stat didn’t do the Red Devils justice at two-thirds to one-third, as Fergie’s men created chance after chance. United blew eleven – mind, you – eleven chances before half. Seldom do we witness this many opportunities between both sides in a two-legged series let alone by one team in one half. Incredible.
Which does lend to superstitious thoughts, as any team THAT wasteful could certainly pay a huge price – think Arsenal’s swan dive recently.
But, Sir Alex and the evergreen contingent kept the squad calm and composed at half; a clinical second half would follow the first – with Rooney and Giggs, the young and the old – taking hold of the match, putting it to bed, and calmly chatting with reporters afterwards.
No over-the-top celebrations. A calm look of a job well done, which bodes well for the Red Devils confidence heading into the EPL run-in. The second Champions League tie has become a training ground exercise between taxing contests away to Arsenal and home to Chelsea – a measure of emotional stability between difficult matches gained.
You felt that this United side could win the coveted nineteenth domestic title, yet for Champions League glory, the Reds seemed to lack that player capable of turning the match on its head with one touch, such as Ronaldo.
Not any longer. He goes by the name of Wayne Rooney.
THIS Wayne Rooney we witnessed against Chelsea and Schalke is the player that ruled domestic and Champions League football before turning his ankle against Bayern Munich last March.
The symbolism of United breaking the German Champions League hex and Wazza casting aside his own demons, on the very ground he saw red against Portugal in 2006 will not be lost on anyone.
We can now officially declare Rooney’s rebirth complete, and with it, United’s chances of lifting the Champions League trophy time immeasurably improved.
After all, is there anyone on the Schalke side that could conjure up a motivational speech akin to Bluto’s famous Animal House’s rally? I think not.
After all, we're the famous Man United and we're GOING to Wembley!
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Back at you after the Arsenal match. Cheers.
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