Saturday, December 31, 2011

One of Those Days

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Back at you hopefully after THE match midweek. Cheers to you and yours.