Berba-Wonderland

Berbatov once, then twice. Brutal Liverpool. More defensive miscues. Another two-goal lead blown. Hat-trick! United 3, Liverpool 2!!

Any questions?

While there will be much rejoicing amongst the Reds and a temptation to remember the Cliff Notes version of today, it can't take away from another nervy performance by United's defense. The fan in me doesn't want to analyze the longer term trend here, as how in the world United didn't just simply maul this pathetic Liverpool side is beyond me.

Granted, it's a derby game. Granted, a single goal can change everything in football.

And yet, I completely agree with consensus that Liverpool have no width, no creativity, and no serious prospects for a title challenge this term. When you start Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole in wide positions against United, you're in serious trouble in my book, especially with David Ngog and Ryan Babel available. Btw, what exactly does Maxi do for Liverpool?! It's beyond me.

When I look objectively at the performance, the Red Devils were once again on thin ice against a vastly inferior team. Yes, you heard me: vastly inferior team. All you have to do is ask the Pool players themselves, as they mutter in the press about how difficult it will be for them to land in the top three.

United were within a referee's yellow-versus-red-card decision from pulling up lame and dropping points at home in the most cherished derby game of the year. The lapses in concentration which gave the penalty and free kick for the second goal are utterly shocking. And, once something goes bad, you can clearly see the players’ posture on the pitch transform.

Borrowing from last week's glass half full or half empty premise, there are three very clear outcomes from this match:

First, United cannot win the title without Rio Ferdinand. When Rio and Vidic combine in the center, it seems to have a calming influence on everyone around them both wide and directly in front of them. Calmer heads need to prevail across the backline, as Jonny Evans needs more time to mature.

Second, United clearly need more energy and cover from the midfield in latter stages in these matches, especially after watching Everton and Liverpool gain a firmer grip on possession and tempo late-on. This clearly isn't lost on Fergie nor United, but what other prospects are available? Most options are out of form or injured at the momentum, while Darren Gibson isn't the type of engine needed, as he plays a specific role moving forward, not covering for anyone.

Last and most important, of course, we should let go of our worries and savor the afterglow of an extraordinary victory. Today the bottle of bubbly goes to Player of the Match, Ditimar Berbatov, to whom Fergie noted earlier "you must have faith and we are being rewarded this season for our confidence in a player who has a touch of genius about him".

Thus, United brethren:

We're walking along, singing our song – walking in a Berba-Wonderland.

There's only onnnnnne Ditimar Berbatov!

Half Full or Half Empty?

It's always a matter of perspective.

Living in Minneapolis, there's a sportswriter named Sid Hartman, who's still writing pieces for the main, local paper at the age of 90. The man's a legend both for his ego-centric personality, name-dropping, AND for his general unwillingness to criticize sports athletes.

Essentially, he's developed fantastic relations with, and gained access to, even the hardest-to-reach athletes, as they know he'll likely write something positive about them or allow the athletes to answer their critics through quotes in his column. Readers either love him or hate his work.

So, how do we view United's first four matches?

The glass is half full when you consider:
- The performance of, say, Berbatov, Scholes, Giggs, Vidic, Fletcher, and van der Sar.
- United have largely played well, overall, especially looking dangerous in attack.
- You knew United's World Cup contingent would need time to find form this campaign.
- United employ Sir Alex Ferguson, arguably the best man-manager in the modern game.

The glass is half empty when you consider:
- Select performances of Evans and Evra or the absence of Anderson, Hargreaves and Ferdinand.
- United's sudden lapses of concentration amongst the backline during away matches.
- Four valuable points given – and I mean given – away in four matches.
- United's manager can not lead this club forever, as the drop-off is almost inevitable.

Thus far, the central questions with this club aren’t whether they'll score goals or about the depth in midfield. Rather, it’s “How many will United concede late-on the road this term?”

Upon reflection, after reading a number of articles, blogs, and posts amongst United supporters, I'm coming to my own conclusion: United supporters are spoiled when critiquing individual defenders.

I make no excuse for the mental collapses at Fulham or Everton; both are utterly shocking and inexcusable. Not up to standard. No way; no how.

But are they a momentary aberration or a trend? Are the issues fixable?

It's all your perspective.

United rightfully maintain exceptionally-high standards under Sir Alex Ferguson. Principally, the defense has become a cornerstone to United's success, especially the last four years. The Red Devils have been treated to arguably THE single best defense in the EPL over this four year stretch. Our perspective is born from watching United shut-up-shop repeatedly against the competition.

Thus, when I see people coming down full-throttle on Jonny Evans and some speculating that he's not up to United's standards, that's when I have a problem.

Yes, Jonny has been inconsistent at times and has looked out-classed during high-level Champions League matches. No argument here.

But go back to just prior to SAF purchasing Rio Ferdinand for a minute. Remember that defense?

Within that club, a player such as Jonny Evans at the tender age of 22, would have been better appreciated amongst supporters for his effort at learning his craft under fire. From that perspective, United supporters would have been overjoyed to have a good center-half with tremendous upside playing arguably the toughest position in football.

But not today. On the individual level, if your point of comparison is the Ferdinand-Vidic partnership, then your perspective toward player evaluation will be inevitably skewed.

On the collective level, however, in terms of team defense, the two late collapses are much more disturbing, especially the two injury time goals conceded yesterday.

Collectively, you don't want your club to focus on avoiding the negative from happening in matches. In the team psyche, you don't want any attention paid to your past performances. That's what's at issue here: the possibility of building up some late-game nerves and giving opponents more hope during the latter stages of matches during this campaign.

On a day where Sir Alex pulled a masterstroke of man-management by simultaneously protecting Rooney and reminding him of what he could throw away in one fell swoop, all while allowing the club to get on with the difficult match at hand, the conceding two late goals feel like an ominous sign, much like the early season loss to Burnley. Possible regrets duly noted.

Obviously, much remains to be seen, as you can line-up all the old cliches about this being “early days” and the like.

Yet, on a day where I feel the Sid Hartmanesque need to sing Fergie’s praises for the umpteenth time, here, with a seriously-disappointing outcome, it feels strangely off.

Unlike that same sports writer, this glass seems half empty. Let's hope we don't look back with another regret duly noted.

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Back at you next weekend after the Rangers and Pool matches. Cheers.

Come Out, Come Out Wherever You Are

That's the pivotal point, really, when United play mid-table-or-lower opposition at home: are the opposition willing to play?

You expect the 4-5-1 formation and the majority of possession, but would this be “one of those days” where scoring becomes difficult, the game becomes nervy?

At kickoff, West Ham did employ the predictable formation, but sought every opportunity to push Kieron Dyer up the left flank with Carleton Cole. Credit to West Ham for attacking when the opportunity presented itself.

Also at kickoff, much too much had been made of Wayne Rooney's goalless streak in the British media, which was going on something like 12 or 13 games.

Last Spring, astute United supporters worried the physical and mental strain of carrying United would come back to haunt Rooney at some point, as the cumulative knocks and minutes proved Wazza's human after all.

Fast-forward to the present; it's with joy and delight that we watched a trademark Scholes pass switch the point of attack, travel just inches over Spector's shoulder and land comfortably at Giggs' feet. Quickly and decisively Giggs tears apart Spector. Penalty.

Up steps Wazza. It's one-nil to the good. Streak broken.

But, much more than Rooney's own personal duck were broken during this comfortable match:
- United proved yet again their focus only sharpens after disappointment.
- The back-line were solid, with another vintage performance from Captain Vidic.
- Nani and Berbatov were constant threats, as their confidence continues to grow.
- Scholes and Giggs were immaculate in attack.
- Rooney showed signs of getting his legs, touch, and feel for the game.
- Owen, Carrick, and Smalling got a run out as substitutes, while Park and Valencia rested.

As the commentator said after Nani's exquisitely-taken goal, “Just another picture-book goal at Old Trafford.”

And that's the point: expectation.

Sir Alex and the senior players instill an aura of belief in this club that cannot be underestimated, as we've seen it repeatedly at Old Trafford: almost-ho-hum brilliant football.

Each year, I always enjoy the over-reaction of the media in England to the early part of the campaign, as you know Tottenham will be obliterated for losing at home today to a suddenly-plucky Wigan.

But this result shouldn't surprise us entirely, as Wigan are a bit schizophrenic and Spurs fell prey to the inevitable hangover match after a massive result earlier in the week. It's a straight, one-off bad result for Harry's Spurs, plain and simple.

Each year, people love to question United.

Yet United's propensity to play compelling football so routinely after dropped points demonstrates that belief, that confidence that prove Fergie's men haven't lost anything at all. These games also provide a wonderful opportunity for player development without pressure for those like Chris Smalling that need first-team football.

Thus, the cycle continues: points earned, confidence gained, and expectations continue from one generation to the next. That's the United way.

So, after all's said and done, West Ham did come out to play and the result was a comprehensive 3-0 United victory. You just gotta wonder what type of tabloid-headline-play-on-Hammers awaits Grant's men as they return to London at the bottom of the league. Have fun looking it up, United brethren.

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Next report will be after the Everton match. Cheers.

Evergreen, Sublime, and Cliché

After United's comprehensive 3-0 victory over Newcastle, you can only sit back in deep admiration of the skill, craft and guile so elegantly displayed by the ginger-haired assasin.

And, no Scholes’ master-class performance would be remotely complete without a poorly placed tackle or two, ultimately leading a yellow card to open the EPL season: the cherry on top of the sundae.

I know, I know.

As a United supporter, you must ask yourself “Am I living in a dream world, some form of Groundhog Day or Life on Mars episode that takes you back in time to relive yet again another elegant display by the man who scores goals?"

If so, I don't ever want to leave this place.

No way, no how could anyone have expected this fine form from the two long-standing servants to the club. Yet, Messrs Scholes and Giggs continue to amaze, delight, and re-define our expectations of thirty-something footballers.

But really, how much longer must we put up with the same, repetitive descriptions of our beloved midfielders?!

How many times have we witnessed “evergreen” Giggs and “sublime” Scholes to describe their vintage performances?!

The fact that one game into the 2010/11 campaign, I'm having flashbacks to three years’ worth of superlative match reports praising on one, the other, or both players is astonishing.

The other fact - that reporters have become altogether repetitive with their own language after such fine performances - demonstrates their own awe and virtual speechlessness, with the descriptions becoming almost cliché.

Thirty-five is the new twenty-five, with the evergreen and sublime, the men avoiding father time.

Cheers to another year of relentless, redundant adjectives and hyperbole from the men you must see.

I don't ever want to leave this place indeed.

Are You Ready for Some Football?!

So much anticipation, so little time.

The beginning of the English Premier League campaign can be a strange one, timing-wise, for an American sports lover, as the pennant races are in full swing, NFL preseason games have begun, and the PGA continues, with basketball and hockey waiting in the wings.

As the years have progressed, my love for true football – soccer – has grown, as evidenced by this blog, but I've never lost my allegiances and passion for my hometown Gophers, Twins, Vikings, Wild, and even Timber-Chihuahuas (Timberwolves).

Yet, while I watched brief stretches of the Twins and Vikings games this weekend, I watched the entire Spurs v City and Pool v Arsenal matches, along with the first half of Villa v West Ham.

There's something strange about watching 3-4 hours of football during our all-too-brief Minnesota summer, especially when it doesn't involve United. And, next weekend, we'll order a month's worth of the football package on the in-laws DirecTV just to watch Fulham v United during a potentially-glorious Sunday morning at the lake cabin.

Please do not read into this commentary that I'm complaining or whining. Far from it. I'm ecstatic with the start of the EPL Season. But, on such occasions, both my outdoor nature and other sports allegiances feel somewhat conflicted, somewhat restrained by football passions.

Which brings me to United v Newcastle.

I freakin' hate waiting until Monday for this match, as my work schedule won't allow me to watch it live, regrettably, but thankfully the game's timing does allow United's players an extra-and-needed day or two of rest.

Tomorrow, I'll head home from work hoping my own personal media blackout will hold and not ruin the result for me and another United supporter or two that will manage to avoid all things football related until the DVR-provided 5:30pm CDT kickoff.

One benefit of being in America is the ability to successfully maintain a media blackout for EPL matches. True enough.

Another benefit of being Stateside is watching entire football matches on weekend mornings, thereby giving you the afternoon and evening for important, non-footballing pursuits, such as attending a good friend's wedding without any conflict, for example. Another bonus.

The HUGE drawback of being in the US is the time difference for any midweek games that kickoff midday, such the need to take vacation to watch important Champions League matches. That bites.

So, as Hank Williams Jr. warms up his NFL intro, yes indeed, I'm more than ready for some real football.

Cheers. Back at you on Tuesday with thoughts about the opening match.

Season Preview

Oh, the sweet anticipation.

Tomorrow's Community Shield officially starts United's campaign against the primary title-challenger, Chelsea. The World Cup, as marvelous as it is, will never substitute for United. No way, no how.

It's been almost 3 months since the season ended, with several intriguing story lines that lead us into the 2010-2011 campaign, including:
- Rooney and Rio's forgettable World Cups
- A successful North American Tour
- Javier Hernandez' and Tom Cleverly's emergence
- Chris Smalling needing more seasoning
- Diouf and Wellbeck headed out on loan
- A substantial injury list (Rio, Anderson, Hargreaves, Carrick, Obertan & Da Silvas)
- Growing Green and Gold discontent

The lack of high-priced talent acquisitions adds to an already volatile mix of angst among the Red Devil supporters. There's been growing discontent with United's lack of spending on transfer targets. I wonder if Javier Hernandez cost £30M, would people trust that Fergie does have a transfer kitty? Ah, but I digress.

United return every key player from last year's campaign, with the addition of Chicharito and Smalling as well as Cleverly pushing himself into consideration to stay with the first team this term. You can easily argue that this squad is stronger than last year's edition. True, the club needs to pick and choose Neville's, Giggs' and Scholes' moments, but there appears to be plenty of cover across the team.

Only Sir Alex knows if the youth and veterans within the club merit only two off-season pick-ups. United barely missed the title on the last day of the season, largely without Rio and Vidic playing together, which is an accomplishment. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades, as my old shop teacher used to say.

What I feel, personally, that people miss is that Nani's, Park's, and Valencia's performances improved markedly during the course of the season, enough to merit the gaffer's confidence this year. If this threesome were individual stocks, they're solid “hold” recommendations for your portfolio. None, with the exception of Park's industry perhaps, have demonstrated a consistent, world-class form, but you can see the development, the progress. Add the Da Silvas’ development into the mix, along with Evra's stellar play, and width shouldn't be a problem this term. Hardly.

Where United have the largest question marks are in the center of the park, with the health of the backline, van der Sar's age, and creative, linking play from someone not named Giggs and Scholes, as possible issues. Otherwise, I like the goal-scoring options in Berba, Chicharito, Owen, and Kiko to accompany Rooney. If Wazza goes down for any length of time, all bets are off, obviously, as he remains the one irreplaceable member of this squad.

Last year at this time, everyone doubted United in the post-Ronaldo era: “Where would the goals come from?!” And United proceeded to score more goals that the previous two years with Ronnie, as Rooney flourished in the spotlight.

This year, why should anyone doubt Sir Alex Ferguson's squad?! Personally, I don't get it. I see the potential pitfalls – center of the park, the debt – yet place 110%-trust in SAF's judgement.

As Daniel Taylor put it, Fergie's “job is to make 2010-11 more memorable for what happens in red and white rather than green and gold.” (http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/aug/07/alex-ferguson-manchester-united)

Here's to the red and white's nineteenth title.
Here's to Sir Alex's ultimate “mission accomplished.”

Oh, the sweet anticipation.

Living in America

Today's dual 1-0 victories for the US and England that advance both squads to the knock-out phase of the World Cup should bring extreme joy to my dual-footballing allegiances, being someone that passionately supports USA! USA! USA! and Inger-land.

So, why just the twinge of melancholoy?

Because I suspect supporting both squads will never again be as easy and uncomplicated as 1990-2010.

On one hand, supporting the US afforded the privilege of living in an underdog's world, one where you simply enjoy the football (soccer) unattached to expectations and greeting each new, positive development with joy.

Case in point: the 2002 loss to Germany in the quarter-finals. Yes, there was huge disappointment, sure, but also satisfaction in a great tournament and no lingering heartache over what could have been. The experience was whole and complete unto itself, especially since the American sporting media's attention quickly turns elsewhere and there were relatively few fans still discussing “what if” scenarios. No repeated discussions about THAT phantom foul. It's done. It's gone. Amen.

On the other hand, following England took effort. Effort to find matches on cable, and later, satellite TV. Effort to follow England on the internet. Effort to find a pub that showed big or impossible-to-find England qualifying matches.

It's also effort that allowed the luxury of detachment, as you could avoid the media maelstrom following big England losses to the likes of Germany, Argentina, Brazil, or Portugual by simply not surfing to your typical football websites.

Now, all that has changed.

We've gone from a world where Brit's pub in Minneapolis took major cajoling to put the 1996 European Championships on a TV in the back room for 25 football fans to world where an estimated 2,000 people packed the place for USA v England 2 hours before kickoff. Yes, at capacity 2 hours before kickoff. Stunning.

We've gone from a world where football (soccer) gets exceptionally poor TV ratings to one where ESPN/ABC shows every freakin' World Cup game and the reported ratings are very good. When you combine youth soccer participation rates with exposure on this scale, and the drama that is this edition of Team USA, you've just got to believe there's a whole generation of children and possibly some adults that stand the chance to fall for the beautiful game. By contrast, I was born in 1966 and we couldn't watch any World Cup group play until Mexico '86. And that was on Univision. My football fanaticism took root only after some serious exposure while living in Denmark in 1988, where I simply went bonkers for the high-quality action of the English First Division, Bundesliga, Serie A, and La Liga. And oh, the Dutch team of the Euros were a joy to watch too.

We've gone from a world where non-football fans never mention boo about the World Cup to me to one where I've been asked constantly about the rules, Rooney, Ronaldo, vuvuzelas, Team USA's chances, and even the French squad's antics by non-footballing folks. It's incredible. I can't tell you how many non-soccer-types have told me they're going to watch “some” soccer this go round.

I've always wanted the US to understand and show some interest in the beautiful game, as I find the overall ignorance bothersome and even embarrassing on some level.

Now that this new day may be dawning, what I didn't count on were the costs.

Gone are the days of carefree US and England collisions. Gone are the days of supporting the US without expectations. Gone is the luxury of on-call detachment from the football world.

We now live in an era where fans were found still celebrating an hour after the match, dancing to James Brown's “Living in America” at a soccer-themed bar in Milwaukee. As in Wisconsin. On a Wednesday. At noon.

Such is life in the new era. Embrace it. I'm sure there's more drama and fans yet to come.