For the first time since 2007, Man United have failed to score in back-to-back league games. It is a fact that will not have gone unnoticed amongs the traditionalists in the Stretford End. The main question being - would this have happened with Fergie in charge?
A quick look at the history books, not very far back, would give David Moyes a bit of relief. As recently as Fergie's penultimate home match in charge, Chelsea took all three points from Old Trafford, and that was with an unwanted manager, not with the 'Special One', who many believe will take the power back from the recent Manchester duopoly.
The Liverpool record is even less of a concern. Before last season, Fergie went four league visits to Anfield without success. Anyone suggesting Moyes is under any serious pressure to start winning games is under pressure themselves to attract readers, although victory tomorrow, and a first home goal or three, against Crystal Palace will do a lot to ensure the Scot sleeps that bit easier as he eases his feet under the table.
What most concerns many United fans is Moyes' lack of European experience, with his only taste of Champions League action coming in Everton's qualifier defeat to Villarreal in 2005. His first true 'acid' test will come on Tuesday night, with Bayer Leverkusen visiting in the first round of action. Victory, and a convincing one, against Palace, will ensure the challenge is greeted with firm optimism by most of the naysayers.
Robin Van Persie, the much-adored top scorer of last season will be hoping to pick up where he left off against Swansea, while Marouane Fellani will finally make his long-awaited debut. Although the big Belgian does not provide the midfield wizardry so craved at Old Trafford, he does perhaps bring a bullying threat from set-pieces, and more bite to the midfield - which could give the flair players more chance to shine. Michael Carrick's eye for a pass should not be underestimated, and Shinji Kagawa's criminally under-used craft could be a route to victory, particularly against the weaker sides who come to park the bus.
Fortunately for the neutral, Ian Holloway seldom parks the bus, even against the big boys. It is a high-risk strategy which did not bear fruit over a full season at Blackpool, but very occasionally paid off in thrilling style, such as in the 2-1 win over an admittedly ailing Liverpool. Tomorrow lunchtime will provide some clue as to whether he has curbed his enthusiasm - yet as is often repeated, to invite pressure against the big boys is often merely an exercise in keeping the scoreline respectable.
Some bias-free and considered sporting opinion, courtesy of me, Gerry Walton!
Friday, 13 September 2013
Thursday, 5 September 2013
The Arsenal's Warchest
Arsenal's unleashing of their self-styled warchest turned out to be the equivalent of an accidental round of fire with the safety off, rather than a carefully planned multi-staged assault. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, a monstrous bid was tabled for a player whose position no outside observer thought needed strengthening.
The £42.4m arrival of Mezut Ozil raised many an eyebrow on transfer deadline, representing the most expensive incoming British transfer of the summer. This was also the biggest transfer Arsenal had ever been involved in - absolutely shattering the £15m paid for Andrei Arshavin. With Arsene Wenger coming under increased pressure after an opening-day 3-1 humbling at home to Aston Villa, the focus naturally came upon their transfer activity, with the side requiring maintenance beyond the freebie of Yaya Sonogo.
However, was attacking midfield really the area in most need of attention for such a sum? Sure, Mathieu Flamini's re-signing on a free will represent a shrewd accquisition, but that is the best Arsenal could attract as a midfield enforcer? A look across at White Hart Lane, or even further afield to the Etihad Stadium would suggest that thee are plenty of midfield generals available (or at least there were before AVB snapped them all up).
Wenger has always been the most complicated of judges of a player. Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive, probably puts it best when he says, "He is pretty blind to price tags, he looks at what he sees with his eyes and makes judgements based on that, not on reputations and prices."
But in today's era of directors of football and increasingly impatient fans, Wenger is putting his reputation and managerial future on the line by only trusting those instincts of his.
His apparent ignorance of central defence, which has never truly convinced since the departures of both Kolo Toure and then Gael Clichy, threatens to dwarf any magic at the other end of the park. Jack Wilshere, Ozil, Theo Walcott, and Santi Carzola provide a fearsome supply line of tricks and goals, yet if one of their moves breaks down and Flamini is either out-of-form or injured, what happens then? Counter-attack city, my friend. The defence needs a leader, an experienced head to gather round, not to muddle around and grow together as a group. By the time their flaws are ironed out, Arsenal may already have surrendered their top four spot.
As far as their front-line goes, well Oliver Giroud scored the vital goal in the North London derby, yet question marks remain over his consistency. Perhaps with Ozil's arrival, now is Walcott's time to finally prove his worth as the frontline goalscorer he so desperately craves to be. The nagging suspiscion remains however, that a reliable replacement for Robin Van Persie would have been a better use of the Ozil money.
The future does look bright at Arsenal. However, the brightness, as ever of late remains slightly hazy. The Gunners look set to remain as easy as ever on the eye, but with that fatal soft centre gaping ever wider at the heart of their midfield and defence. I suppose someone has to provide the entertainment - but can Wenger provide the trophies his fans, and Ozil himself, expect?
The £42.4m arrival of Mezut Ozil raised many an eyebrow on transfer deadline, representing the most expensive incoming British transfer of the summer. This was also the biggest transfer Arsenal had ever been involved in - absolutely shattering the £15m paid for Andrei Arshavin. With Arsene Wenger coming under increased pressure after an opening-day 3-1 humbling at home to Aston Villa, the focus naturally came upon their transfer activity, with the side requiring maintenance beyond the freebie of Yaya Sonogo.
However, was attacking midfield really the area in most need of attention for such a sum? Sure, Mathieu Flamini's re-signing on a free will represent a shrewd accquisition, but that is the best Arsenal could attract as a midfield enforcer? A look across at White Hart Lane, or even further afield to the Etihad Stadium would suggest that thee are plenty of midfield generals available (or at least there were before AVB snapped them all up).
Wenger has always been the most complicated of judges of a player. Ivan Gazidis, the Arsenal chief executive, probably puts it best when he says, "He is pretty blind to price tags, he looks at what he sees with his eyes and makes judgements based on that, not on reputations and prices."
But in today's era of directors of football and increasingly impatient fans, Wenger is putting his reputation and managerial future on the line by only trusting those instincts of his.
His apparent ignorance of central defence, which has never truly convinced since the departures of both Kolo Toure and then Gael Clichy, threatens to dwarf any magic at the other end of the park. Jack Wilshere, Ozil, Theo Walcott, and Santi Carzola provide a fearsome supply line of tricks and goals, yet if one of their moves breaks down and Flamini is either out-of-form or injured, what happens then? Counter-attack city, my friend. The defence needs a leader, an experienced head to gather round, not to muddle around and grow together as a group. By the time their flaws are ironed out, Arsenal may already have surrendered their top four spot.
As far as their front-line goes, well Oliver Giroud scored the vital goal in the North London derby, yet question marks remain over his consistency. Perhaps with Ozil's arrival, now is Walcott's time to finally prove his worth as the frontline goalscorer he so desperately craves to be. The nagging suspiscion remains however, that a reliable replacement for Robin Van Persie would have been a better use of the Ozil money.
The future does look bright at Arsenal. However, the brightness, as ever of late remains slightly hazy. The Gunners look set to remain as easy as ever on the eye, but with that fatal soft centre gaping ever wider at the heart of their midfield and defence. I suppose someone has to provide the entertainment - but can Wenger provide the trophies his fans, and Ozil himself, expect?
Thursday, 22 August 2013
Murky Waters Of The Tyne.
The bell for round two was sounded on Monday evening, taking
the form of a referee’s whistle. This season threatened to be more of the same
for Newcastle before a ball had even been kicked, with a summer of
unsatisfactory transfer (in)activity behind them.
Within 45 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, two goals down and
a man light, the Magpies were on the ropes, already struggling for breath,
looking to their corner for inspiration. They could have been forgiven for
wondering exactly who to turn to. Alan Pardew brought smiles to the faces of
players and fans alike with a stunning first full season in charge, but lately
has been giving the impression of a joyless puppet, as the walls close in
around him.
Joe Kinnear was brought in to help the boss with transfers, yet the
only addition to the squad has been the on-loan signing of a player, Loic Remy,
who Newcastle nearly signed in January. Oh, and since then he has become
embroiled in controversial off-the-pitch legal stew. Valid questions can be
asked about his temperament, but his ability and strike-rate for another
struggling side in QPR cannot be denied.
The summer has mainly seen the dream team of Pardew and
Kinnear making noises about possible signings, with ‘getting them over the line’
being the buzz phrase of choice. Well as things stand, getting the ball over
one line and keeping it from crossing another are both proving troublesome.
With Steven Taylor banned for three games, and Santon remaining inexplicably injured,
Mike Williamson is within touching distance of game time, an outcome that will
leave many heads in hands.
To get the season on the right track, and avoid a relegation
scrap, many things are required. Unfortunately, a change of manager (and
director of football for that matter) should be high on the agenda, as even
that would lead to better performances from a group of players that have lost
their motivation, their drive, and pride for the shirt, if it ever existed in
the first place for the Frenchmen.
Next, is a replacement for Yohan Cabaye, who, while
immensely talented, is obviously unhappy on Tyneside. A winger, a forward, and
another centre-back are also needed, before anyone else even leaves. One thing
is for sure – Cabaye is what attracted a lot of the better French players to
the club. With his departure, many will follow.
With home games against West Ham and Fulham to come, four
points are a minimum requirement for anyone looking to claim Newcastle are
heading in the right direction. A small percentage of Newcastle fans will
doubtlessly be hoping for a complete implosion in the next couple of weeks in
order to rid themselves of the unholy trinity, but one would hope the eleven
that takes the field will retain a decent level of support, or the club may
find itself in a relegation tailspin that no manager can reverse.
Sunday, 21 April 2013
How to Ward Off Count Suarez
Luis Suarez, having revealed himself to be an unlikely rival to Edward and Bella in the 'most popular vampire' stakes, will next be striking at Newcastle's home, St James' Park. This being an occasion with many thousands of people attending, will be the perfect chance for this particular day-vampire to continue his old-fashioned brand of retribution on society.
All hope is of course not lost. There are measures dating back centuries for people wishing to rid their midst of the neck-guzzling enemy.
Rob Elliott in the Newcastle goal would be well-advised to decorate his posts with branches of wild rose and hawthorn plant. Or, to the horror of any nearby stewards and camera-men, garlic. Such a devise would ideally send Suarez scurrying back to his Anfield hideout. Human safety aside, Newcastle's hopes of securing a surely relegation-banishing three points would be boosted no end.
Alan Pardew could also hang a mirror facing outwards from the Liverpool changing room door. Vampires are said in some cultures to not have a soul, and the lack of shadow, or reflection from Suarez will scare him off.
One other method of vampire protection is quite simple - do not invite them into your home. However, Mike Ashley the Newcastle owner already made this mistake by permitting the Uruguayan on the premises during last season's 2-0 win for the Toon. Now he may come and go as he pleases.
Should these methods prove unsuccessful, there are many methods of destruction. However, with this particular author unwilling to be seen to be encouraging any criminal activity, you will have to use your imaginations and do your own research!
With Suarez now having been involved in two seperate biting incidents on a football pitch, the Magpies would be forgiven for wearing a bit more neck-protecting headwear than normal.
They may also have concerns about how they will protect themselves in a footballing sense against the soulless South American, as they continue to struggle against another relegation. Defeat on Saturday may prove another stake to the heart of their top-flight soul, and they've been looking rather pale for awhile now.
All hope is of course not lost. There are measures dating back centuries for people wishing to rid their midst of the neck-guzzling enemy.
Rob Elliott in the Newcastle goal would be well-advised to decorate his posts with branches of wild rose and hawthorn plant. Or, to the horror of any nearby stewards and camera-men, garlic. Such a devise would ideally send Suarez scurrying back to his Anfield hideout. Human safety aside, Newcastle's hopes of securing a surely relegation-banishing three points would be boosted no end.
Alan Pardew could also hang a mirror facing outwards from the Liverpool changing room door. Vampires are said in some cultures to not have a soul, and the lack of shadow, or reflection from Suarez will scare him off.
One other method of vampire protection is quite simple - do not invite them into your home. However, Mike Ashley the Newcastle owner already made this mistake by permitting the Uruguayan on the premises during last season's 2-0 win for the Toon. Now he may come and go as he pleases.
Should these methods prove unsuccessful, there are many methods of destruction. However, with this particular author unwilling to be seen to be encouraging any criminal activity, you will have to use your imaginations and do your own research!
With Suarez now having been involved in two seperate biting incidents on a football pitch, the Magpies would be forgiven for wearing a bit more neck-protecting headwear than normal.
They may also have concerns about how they will protect themselves in a footballing sense against the soulless South American, as they continue to struggle against another relegation. Defeat on Saturday may prove another stake to the heart of their top-flight soul, and they've been looking rather pale for awhile now.
Tuesday, 12 March 2013
Why Reading may have been wrong to sack McDermott
There are lies, damned lies, and statistics. Allow me to present you some of these statistics. Brian McDermott's somewhat surprising sacking as Reading manager yesterday again threw up the debate on whether there are too many irresponsible owners and chairman in Premier League football these days.
As I write, Reading are 19th, four points from safety, and with nine games to save their skins. While I would certainly have chosen them as the first team to go down, I never imagined the boss would get the chop. As many have already commented, McDermott performed miracles to even get the Royals this far - and they certainly haven't disgraced themselves in the top division.
What this blog is about though, is whether sacking the manager at this stage ever improves a team's position.
My own personal logic would dictate that once the January transfer window is out of the way, it is harder for a new manager to make changes, and that any improvements made can only be psychological - the 'honeymoon period'.
So here we go - in the ten years since the transfer window was introduced, let's see whether rash late-season managerial decisions ever help the league position. All sackings (and sackings only, not resignations) will be included, from February onwards.
2003 - Terry Venables (Leeds) - 15th/15th NO
Jean Tigana (Fulham - 15th/14th YES
2004 - No sackings after January
2005 - Kevin Keegan (Man City) - 12th/8th YES
2006 - Graeme Souness (Newcastle)- 15th/7th YES
Mick McCarthy (Sunderland) - 20th/20th NO
2007 - Chris Coleman (Fulham) - 15th/16th NO
2008 - No sackings after January (Mind you, there were eight managerial changes between the start of the season and Allardyce leaving Newcastle in January, including seven sackings... panic stations!)
2009 - Tony Adams (Portsmouth) - 16th/14th YES
Felipe Scolari (Chelsea) - 4th/3rd YES
2010 - Phil Brown (Hull) - 19th/19th NO
2011 - Roberto Di Matteo (West Brom) - 16th/11th YES
2012 - Mick McCarthy (Wolves) - 18th/20th NO
Andres Villas-Boas (Chelsea) - 5th/6th NO
So on 12 occasions in the last ten years, chairmen have decided to remove their managers, giving new incumbents no chance to make their own personnel changes. Does it work?
On the face of it, it seems to be an equal split. In six out of 12 scenarios, the league position was improved. Glenn Roeder, Guus Hiddink, and Stuart Pearce proving late season miracle workers at Newcastle, Chelsea, and Man City.
When dealing with the worst relegation concerns however, changing the guard has historically had no effect. Twice the departing manager has been Mick McCarthy. His Sunderland side were down anyway, and went on to become statistically the worst side in Premier League history. Wolves had more of a fighting chance, but Terry Connor blew it, managing no wins.
Ian Dowie had a similarly fruitless attempt at reviving Phil Brown's sinking Hull.
So, Mr Anton Zingarevich faces a challenging task in replacing Brian McDermott. Not one chairman of a team in the relegation zone has sacked their manager after the transfer window and escaped relegation. In each instance, they have been dismissing the manager that got them into the Premier League in the first place.
So late on in the season, with no new signings on the horizon, it is perhaps best to plan for bouncing back. Who better to do that than the man with proven success in that area? If Reading buck the trend, perhaps the men upstairs will get some credit. For now, they will earn the contempt they deserve.
As I write, Reading are 19th, four points from safety, and with nine games to save their skins. While I would certainly have chosen them as the first team to go down, I never imagined the boss would get the chop. As many have already commented, McDermott performed miracles to even get the Royals this far - and they certainly haven't disgraced themselves in the top division.
What this blog is about though, is whether sacking the manager at this stage ever improves a team's position.
My own personal logic would dictate that once the January transfer window is out of the way, it is harder for a new manager to make changes, and that any improvements made can only be psychological - the 'honeymoon period'.
So here we go - in the ten years since the transfer window was introduced, let's see whether rash late-season managerial decisions ever help the league position. All sackings (and sackings only, not resignations) will be included, from February onwards.
2003 - Terry Venables (Leeds) - 15th/15th NO
Jean Tigana (Fulham - 15th/14th YES
2004 - No sackings after January
2005 - Kevin Keegan (Man City) - 12th/8th YES
2006 - Graeme Souness (Newcastle)- 15th/7th YES
Mick McCarthy (Sunderland) - 20th/20th NO
2007 - Chris Coleman (Fulham) - 15th/16th NO
2008 - No sackings after January (Mind you, there were eight managerial changes between the start of the season and Allardyce leaving Newcastle in January, including seven sackings... panic stations!)
2009 - Tony Adams (Portsmouth) - 16th/14th YES
Felipe Scolari (Chelsea) - 4th/3rd YES
2010 - Phil Brown (Hull) - 19th/19th NO
2011 - Roberto Di Matteo (West Brom) - 16th/11th YES
2012 - Mick McCarthy (Wolves) - 18th/20th NO
Andres Villas-Boas (Chelsea) - 5th/6th NO
So on 12 occasions in the last ten years, chairmen have decided to remove their managers, giving new incumbents no chance to make their own personnel changes. Does it work?
On the face of it, it seems to be an equal split. In six out of 12 scenarios, the league position was improved. Glenn Roeder, Guus Hiddink, and Stuart Pearce proving late season miracle workers at Newcastle, Chelsea, and Man City.
When dealing with the worst relegation concerns however, changing the guard has historically had no effect. Twice the departing manager has been Mick McCarthy. His Sunderland side were down anyway, and went on to become statistically the worst side in Premier League history. Wolves had more of a fighting chance, but Terry Connor blew it, managing no wins.
Ian Dowie had a similarly fruitless attempt at reviving Phil Brown's sinking Hull.
So, Mr Anton Zingarevich faces a challenging task in replacing Brian McDermott. Not one chairman of a team in the relegation zone has sacked their manager after the transfer window and escaped relegation. In each instance, they have been dismissing the manager that got them into the Premier League in the first place.
So late on in the season, with no new signings on the horizon, it is perhaps best to plan for bouncing back. Who better to do that than the man with proven success in that area? If Reading buck the trend, perhaps the men upstairs will get some credit. For now, they will earn the contempt they deserve.
Wednesday, 6 March 2013
A Night At The Opera
Grand larceny may have long been abolished as a crime in the UK, but it appears everyone associated with Manchester United not only want it restored, but the penalty increased to hanging. A quick trawl through the murky depths of the BBC comments section revealed one particular fan urging his fellow aggrieved to make referee Cuneyt Cakir's life a misery forever and ever more.
For anyone who blacked out around 7.30 last night from the all the pre-match excitement, here is an action replay of the incident in question, where United's Portugese winger Nani stuck a few studs in Alvaro Arbeloa:
While obviously a red card seems a harsh decision, and a yellow would normally suffice in the Premier League, we have to remember the context.
European referees have always been somewhat stricter, when it comes to applying the rules to the very letter. And the English myth of decisions never going the way of the visitors at Old Trafford can be put to bed, as United are just another quite big fish in a pond full of them - few bigger than Real Madrid.
My own take on the situation - the ball was not in a dangerous area of the pitch and there was no need for Nani's boot to be that high. He didn't get the ball and his studs made contact with the opponent. As soon as your studs start showing in a key European encounter such as this, you are asking for trouble. Man United can consider themselves unlucky to be out - the ten minutes after the sending off are when they were cut open with the most ease.
BUT. The vitriol that has poured from the United camp since smacks of bad sportsmanship. Rio Ferdinand's aggressive clapping in the face of the officials at the final whistle flies in the face of the 'Respect' campaign. Yes, emotions run high in such a scenario.. but I wonder whether he even saw the incident.
Despite all I have written, would I give a red card for the tackle? The answer would be no, but I could understand why a red was given. Cakir was a very brave man. It was hardly in the league of incorrectly disallowed goals, or a missed offside. No mistakes were made. It is a matter of interpretation, and I have seen far more clear-cut decisions. I guess the only difference is that ITV's beloved Manchester United have been knocked out as a result, and 'that night in Barcelona' can no longer be wheeled out.
Roy Keane may have been looking for a fight in the ITV studios, and looked ready to spontaneously combust if anyone dared to question his opinion in the wake of the match, but he had a point. In no way was it a definite red as he claimed, but the challenge could certainly be deemed to be dangerous within reason. It is not the outrageous miscarriage of justice that the Old Trafford PR machine would like us to believe.
It could even be argued that the controversial decisions were evened out five minutes later. Rafael's clearance against Varane's header had more than a hint of handball about it. Sure, it maybe wasn't intentional, but it stopped a goal, and his arm shouldn't have been in that position. Had that penalty been given, it would've been a certain red card.
On to the action itself, and it is hard to escape the suspicion that the red card changed the game. Man United were containing Madrid quite professionally, but Jose Mourinho earnt his stripes by sending on Modric in place of Arbeloa. He may even have been trying to spare Arbeloa a possible retribution tackle. Whatever the logic behind the decision, Modric's equalizer was wonderful.
With ten men, United looked all at sea - unable to cope with Real attacks. Ronaldo's winner was as inevitable as Fergie sending Rooney on to try and rescue the game - which he couldn't do.
The wait to replicate that fantastic 1999 treble will go on then - as will United's season. Ironically, their European exit may have been the final nail in the coffin of City's own title chances. Fergie's boys were already coping quite well with the rotation required to juggle Europe and the league. Now they can take it easy, with no unwelcome long trips away.
That will be of no consolation to the Old Trafford thousands who trudged away dripping with despair and hurt. As far as the playing staff goes, any burning injustice they feel would do well to go into next season's campaign. Fergie's team talks will be easy next season - 'You should have gone on to win last year, make sure of it yourself this time around.' For now though, it's all a bit sour grapes.
For anyone who blacked out around 7.30 last night from the all the pre-match excitement, here is an action replay of the incident in question, where United's Portugese winger Nani stuck a few studs in Alvaro Arbeloa:
While obviously a red card seems a harsh decision, and a yellow would normally suffice in the Premier League, we have to remember the context.
European referees have always been somewhat stricter, when it comes to applying the rules to the very letter. And the English myth of decisions never going the way of the visitors at Old Trafford can be put to bed, as United are just another quite big fish in a pond full of them - few bigger than Real Madrid.
My own take on the situation - the ball was not in a dangerous area of the pitch and there was no need for Nani's boot to be that high. He didn't get the ball and his studs made contact with the opponent. As soon as your studs start showing in a key European encounter such as this, you are asking for trouble. Man United can consider themselves unlucky to be out - the ten minutes after the sending off are when they were cut open with the most ease.
BUT. The vitriol that has poured from the United camp since smacks of bad sportsmanship. Rio Ferdinand's aggressive clapping in the face of the officials at the final whistle flies in the face of the 'Respect' campaign. Yes, emotions run high in such a scenario.. but I wonder whether he even saw the incident.
Despite all I have written, would I give a red card for the tackle? The answer would be no, but I could understand why a red was given. Cakir was a very brave man. It was hardly in the league of incorrectly disallowed goals, or a missed offside. No mistakes were made. It is a matter of interpretation, and I have seen far more clear-cut decisions. I guess the only difference is that ITV's beloved Manchester United have been knocked out as a result, and 'that night in Barcelona' can no longer be wheeled out.
Roy Keane may have been looking for a fight in the ITV studios, and looked ready to spontaneously combust if anyone dared to question his opinion in the wake of the match, but he had a point. In no way was it a definite red as he claimed, but the challenge could certainly be deemed to be dangerous within reason. It is not the outrageous miscarriage of justice that the Old Trafford PR machine would like us to believe.
It could even be argued that the controversial decisions were evened out five minutes later. Rafael's clearance against Varane's header had more than a hint of handball about it. Sure, it maybe wasn't intentional, but it stopped a goal, and his arm shouldn't have been in that position. Had that penalty been given, it would've been a certain red card.
On to the action itself, and it is hard to escape the suspicion that the red card changed the game. Man United were containing Madrid quite professionally, but Jose Mourinho earnt his stripes by sending on Modric in place of Arbeloa. He may even have been trying to spare Arbeloa a possible retribution tackle. Whatever the logic behind the decision, Modric's equalizer was wonderful.
With ten men, United looked all at sea - unable to cope with Real attacks. Ronaldo's winner was as inevitable as Fergie sending Rooney on to try and rescue the game - which he couldn't do.
The wait to replicate that fantastic 1999 treble will go on then - as will United's season. Ironically, their European exit may have been the final nail in the coffin of City's own title chances. Fergie's boys were already coping quite well with the rotation required to juggle Europe and the league. Now they can take it easy, with no unwelcome long trips away.
That will be of no consolation to the Old Trafford thousands who trudged away dripping with despair and hurt. As far as the playing staff goes, any burning injustice they feel would do well to go into next season's campaign. Fergie's team talks will be easy next season - 'You should have gone on to win last year, make sure of it yourself this time around.' For now though, it's all a bit sour grapes.
Tuesday, 5 March 2013
A match already being described as on tonight...
Probably the biggest sporting event this side of the Atlantic this year takes place this evening. But what can you say about Cheltenham versus Chesterfield that hasn't already been said?
What's that you say? Manchester United are playing Real Madrid? Now there's a match that doesn't need any more spoken about it. So instead let's drop down a couple of levels and look at the nPower Championship.
Cardiff have been showing signs of finally breaking their promotion curse and joining Welsh neighbours Swansea in the Premier League. A seven point lead over third place seems positively nailbiting compared with the country's top division, and manager Malky Mackay will want to stretch that lead as his contenders host Derby tonight.
Derby are a funny club. Since Nigel Clough took charge on the back of dewy-eyed veterans, fondly recalling the Brian days, they have never looked in serious danger of promotion or relegation. Even as I write, they are closer to the bottom of the table than the play-off places. His final positions read - 18th, 14th, 19th and 12th. Derby currently lie 13th. This frustrates me, as whenever I've seen them play, they have shown some good football, and they are always capable of a big win. I hope Clough keeps his job long-term, and slowly inches Derby up the table, but I wonder whether if he wasn't his father's son would there have been more pressure on him?
Another big-name manager hoping to haul his side into the top flight is Gus Poyet at Brighton. Four wins in five games has given the Seagulls promotion push fresh bite. The FA Cup victory over Newcastle in January showcased a brand of football that would light up the Premier League. New signing Leonardo Ulloa has added cutting edge, with a hat-trick in Brighton's 4-1 win over Huddersfield at the weekend. I would love to see them in the top division, as I remember the days of them struggling in the old Third Division, with a young and sprightly Bobby Zamora as their goal machine.
For what it's worth, I predict a 2-1 win tonight for Fergie's men. Just so I can't be accused of ignoring the day's MASSIVE STORY completely. I'll leave that to the Beeb.
What's that you say? Manchester United are playing Real Madrid? Now there's a match that doesn't need any more spoken about it. So instead let's drop down a couple of levels and look at the nPower Championship.
Cardiff have been showing signs of finally breaking their promotion curse and joining Welsh neighbours Swansea in the Premier League. A seven point lead over third place seems positively nailbiting compared with the country's top division, and manager Malky Mackay will want to stretch that lead as his contenders host Derby tonight.
Derby are a funny club. Since Nigel Clough took charge on the back of dewy-eyed veterans, fondly recalling the Brian days, they have never looked in serious danger of promotion or relegation. Even as I write, they are closer to the bottom of the table than the play-off places. His final positions read - 18th, 14th, 19th and 12th. Derby currently lie 13th. This frustrates me, as whenever I've seen them play, they have shown some good football, and they are always capable of a big win. I hope Clough keeps his job long-term, and slowly inches Derby up the table, but I wonder whether if he wasn't his father's son would there have been more pressure on him?
Another big-name manager hoping to haul his side into the top flight is Gus Poyet at Brighton. Four wins in five games has given the Seagulls promotion push fresh bite. The FA Cup victory over Newcastle in January showcased a brand of football that would light up the Premier League. New signing Leonardo Ulloa has added cutting edge, with a hat-trick in Brighton's 4-1 win over Huddersfield at the weekend. I would love to see them in the top division, as I remember the days of them struggling in the old Third Division, with a young and sprightly Bobby Zamora as their goal machine.
For what it's worth, I predict a 2-1 win tonight for Fergie's men. Just so I can't be accused of ignoring the day's MASSIVE STORY completely. I'll leave that to the Beeb.
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