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.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
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.
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