I get a lot of stick on the blog, from our own fans and rivals unlike, because of my unwavering optimism. If we have a dreadful game, I will take it on board, but try and find the silver lining, however difficult that may be. There are optimists and pessimists (or realists as they would probably refer to themselves) within every fan base and of course neither one is better than the other.
But during our dreadful patch, when Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick were playing in the centre of defence, on the occasions when even Park Ji-Sung was called upon to play at right back, I wasn’t alone in defending the team, because it had to be done. We were absolutely crippled by defensive injuries, with the meek Tomasz Kuszczak behind our out of position players. It shouldn’t have come as any surprise that we weren’t going to play well. Not only because we had no defenders and therefore inexperienced midfielders filling their shoes, but because our players were being taken from their most effective positions. How is Fletch supposed to hassle our opponent’s creative midfielder from right back? How is Carrick supposed to play a great ball through to the strikers from the centre of defence?
In the 3-0 defeat against Fulham, we played Kuszczak in goal, De Laet at right back, Carrick and Fletcher in the centre of defence, and Evra at left back. Just one of our back five was a player we wouldn’t consider unusual to start in the league. It was a dreadful game of football and a dreadful performance from our perspective, but what can you expect? How would Chelsea get on with Turnball in goal, Sam Hutchinson at right back, Ballack and Lampard in the centre of defence, and Ashley Cole at left back?
Things have to get worse before they can better though and that defeat to Leeds was about as bad as it can get. Getting knocked out of the Cup by a team you hate is bad enough, let alone when they’re two divisions below you and the team you put out is relatively strong. Everyone has a bad day at the office but it was the lack of effort and commitment that hurt as much as the result. If our players couldn’t work themselves up for a cup tie against Leeds, what was going to get their fires burning?
But since then, we’ve got better and better. I’d like to think some of this was down to the disappointment of the Leeds game, but more obviously, the returning players.
Looking at the games that followed, at Birmingham, we played: Kus, Rafael, Brown, Evans and Evra (2 out of our best 5), at Burnley: VDS, Nev, Brown, Evans and Evra (3 out of our first choice 5), at Hull: VDS, Rafael, Ferdinand, Evans and Evra (3 out of our first choice 5) and at Arsenal: VDS, Rafael, Evans, Brown and Evra (3 out of our first choice 5). Whilst still not there, this is a big improvement than the one first choice player in defence we saw at Fulham. Rio and Vidic, our first choice central defensive pairing, haven’t played together since October. Is it any wonder we’ve conceded double the number of goals we had at this point last season?
But having Van der Sar back in goal has made the world of difference. Not just because he’s bold enough to come and claim balls that Kuszczak and Foster probably wouldn’t, but because of his ability to organise and settle our defence. He tells them where to go, gives them a bollocking when they mess up and settles their nerves. Since he’s returned, we’ve won 3-0, 4-0 and 3-1 in the league, the only goal conceded a deflection at the Emirates. You have to hope the manager can say all the right things to keep him playing beyond this season.
Vidic was expected back against Arsenal but now we’re left hoping he will be back for Portsmouth. Hopefully it will be Jonny Evans who partners him in the centre of defence, whilst Rio Ferdinand serves his ridiculous ban, with Wes at right back. Evra, who has been consistently excellent, playing in every single league game this season, will of course take up his position on the left flank.
Our midfield put in an excellent shift against Arsenal and did the job against City. Whilst people ignorantly refer to us as a one man team, it is interesting to see where the goals have come from recently.
Taking in to consideration the games against Arsenal, both legs against City, Hull and Burnley, Rooney has scored 7, midfielders have scored 5 (including the goal against Arsenal, which was made by Nani and would have been tapped in by Park) and Berbatov and Diouf have 1 each. There’s no denying what a massively important player Rooney is for us, whether he’s scoring goals or otherwise, but his team mates have been pulling their weight too.
This isn’t a big fat I told you so, it’s far too early for that, but it’s reassuring to see that when we do have something that resembles a proper team available to play, we do pick up good results. We’ve never beaten Arsenal at the Emirates in the league and to do it so emphatically at the weekend, when the pressure was on and we were still without our best central defenders, says an awful lot about what this team is capable of.
Look at things plainly, Chelsea should win the league this season. The only major injury they’ve had to deal with is Michael Essien, but he’s still only missed 9 league games. Rio has missed 18 league games, Van der Sar has missed 16 and Vidic has missed 11. Drogba has been at the ACoN but only missed 3 league games because of it and is back for Hull tonight.
For United to win the league this season would see us achieve something no English club ever has before, winning the title four seasons in a row. Are we right for that to be the minimum expectation for us? I don’t think so. What are our expectations? To win the league every year? Football doesn’t work like that, not in this country at least.
If Chelsea don’t win the league this season, serious questions should be asked of them. If we don’t win the league this season, we can point to the weeks when we didn’t have a defence, the fact we had just sold The Best Player in the World (TM), and the reality that a fourth title is unprecedented.
Not winning the league this season wouldn’t mean we were dead buried. If we can push Chelsea to the end then we have to be proud of that and look forward to the following season. New signings like Valencia and Obertan will be a year further in to their United careers, Rooney is only 24-years-old, Evans and the da Silvas are coming through in defence, Nani might actually turn out to be brilliant, and whatever the issue with the Glazers, we will be given funds to buy (although I’d rather not think about where that money is coming from!). Chelsea are banned in the transfer market and if we are able to get anywhere near them come May, they will have to be terrified for the season ahead, when a defensive injury crisis is unlikely to strike again.
As it is, unsurprisingly, I still think we will win the league this season, because we have a team of winners who believe we can do it. We have a captain who sticks his finger up at the man we hate and celebrates with all the passion in the world in front of our biggest rivals, not a captain who shags his team mates’ birds. We have a striker who every team in the world wishes they had. We have a solid base of players who have been with us since they were children and put their heart and sould in to every match. We have been there and done it all before. We have a history of going where no team has gone before, from the European Cup, to the first Premiership title, to the Treble. So can we win a fourth title on the trot? It’s too early to say I told you so and we definitely will, but honestly, I don’t see why we can’t.
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I really think its too early for this Scott. The problem with this season has been consistency. After a good performance there has been a surprise lacklusture performance. We really need to go on a good run now.The next 4 weeks will define our season. VIlla,Everton and Milan away and a Carling Cup final to come. If we can do well there, we will be in a really healthy position
As of now, its Chelsea’s league to throw away and allow us back in it. They are not exactly playing well but are getting the results and now Drogba is back.They did well without him although the fixtures they had were hardly testing
After portsmouth we’ve got away games at everton and villa, with the everton game being an early kick of. If we can pick up at least 7 points from the next 3 games then i think we’ll have a great chance.
AIG – it’s really too early to say what? That we play better when we have a defence made of defenders and our midfielders playing in midfield? You say the problems with this season have been inconsistency, but do you not think that is because of the injury crisis? If we’d drawn with Fulham away and drawn with Villa at home, we’d be top of the league right now. Do you not think that tells us something?
I said it was Chelsea’s league to throw away, so I don’t understand which part of what I’ve written you’ve taken issue with?
The thing is,whenever Rooney plays well,we as a team play well.
If he isn’t firing on all cylinders,we tend to struggle for goals.
@Scott
I meant too early to say we will win the league but you did mention it was Chelsea’s league to throw away so i am sorry for that
I agree that injuries have ripped our defence apart but there were some results that could have been avoided.I am referring to the 2-2 draw with Sunderland and the defeats to Burnley and Villa and also the dippers Think we had a good enough team to win all of them.
I dont have an issue with anything you have written. I am not denying that the position we find ourselves is really good considering the problems we have had. We have a winning mentality and have players who have ‘been there done that’ that could be vital come the end of the season but first we must get through this difficult run of games and still be within touching distance of the rentboys.
the facts you list for our injury crisis at the back look impressive, but i think you’re being to harsh with the likes of rafael and in particularly evans (when pointing out we played with x of the 5 regulars). he was part of our defense that had the longest run of not conceeding last season and he also performed well every time he played.
i think we should not forget, that “injury crisis” are not just down to bad luck. remember the season when we lost at the san siro 3-0 in the CL semis? we had some serious defensive injuries aswell. maybe chelsea are doing something better than we do (in training?).
as for your prediction on who will win the title, i’m looking forward to the last months of the season quite comfortably. we’ll do well for sure, i’m confident we can (and will) win it again!
Thanks for a good and well reflected article, Scott – as always reassuring and to the point (and I guess that’s the main reason we hang around this great blog; congrats on the title).
Your comments on Chelsea reminds me of Fergie’s mind games a few years back – when he around this time said that Arsenal would win the title; “they can only throw it away themselves now” (something along those lines). And they did, spectacularly. Only wish he would say that about Chelsea – them being (probably) 4 points off tonight. See if they could take the pressure.
Scott, there is a select few on here that match your optimism week in week out, I think of conversations between myself and Costas, GHTT and others. You get returning readers because of this.
You are right there are some fans who are too ‘trigger happy’ and are quick to voice their dispair.
But well done to the boys who would still sing their heart out when we’re losing to the Dippers/Fulham or Burnley. In Fergie we trust and United till we die.
Going back over old posts it’s apparant I agree with you a lot, I hope this is a good thing, although there is a lot of stick recieved. Your winning awards for a reason Scott. Keep it up!
Like the article Scott.
Afrer the Leeds game I actually blasted the players down to having no spirit and they seemed unwilling to believe. The performances against City and Arsenal however have changed my opinion.
Chelsea’s league to lose, but somehow, I think there’s a huge chance of them actually throwing it away to us.
I hope we have turned the corner now, and the team will be more consistentcy till end of May.
Despite everything, I still cannot beleive that we lost at Burnley, Villa at home and we could not beat Sunderland and Birmingham.
I hate it when we have to rely on others getting results for us. and we have seen time and time again when other teams play United they play like there is no tomorrow but when they play Chelsea, it looks like just another match for them (an example of this, Burnley last Saturday when Chelsea were there for taking).
Nevertheless, we should be ready to pounce. In the past we have overturned bigger gaps that 4 points so there is no reason why we cannot BELIEVE that we can do it again.
LUHG
@Scott
Fantastic read
if united blow a game or just get out played because there not at the races the review you write on this is full of the silver lining but why is that a bad thing.
Fulham are premier league team and could hit europe this season if they tried but to say they can beat united the way they did was all down to Fulham is as deluded as a bitter so the silver lining is something every united fan is looking for ive if its over shadowed by anger
another fantastic read for the books
Rentboys getting FAR too much credit. Mark my words they WILL drop points and fuck up. Starting tonight at the KC. Most over rated cunt’s in league. Haven’t seen them play well once yet but like aig says they pick up the points.
good day mates,
brilliant post scott. i wish all the players can read this, so they will know how we really have confidence in them. for me, if we do winning the league these year, this could be probably one of the toughest as far as i can remember, considering all the injuries, problems on and off the field, as well as losing the best player in the world (TM). and like aig said, its chelsea title to throw away. i dont think other team could cope with injuries that we had and yet still managed to stay in the race, furthermore in the final pf a domestic cup. yes we do had frustrating moments this season in leeds and villa, as well in burnley game, not to mention fulham away, but every time we bounce back strongly and the emerging stars such as rafael, jonny and fletch certainly give us a big boost. i believe we can still win the league, plus chelski still had to come to old trafford and we will give them battering. cant wait for the game.
stretford Ender – Costas optimistic? No chance. No offence Costas!
Why is it Chelsea’s to throw away? Beat them at home and one point in it. Assuming they get the full 3 tonight.
I think Man Utd will win the league too. Chelsea must be worried now. And they need to be. I’ve got a funny feeling Hull will do us a favour tonite and if not then Arse will!
Scott, I simply loved the captain comparison bit! Do you allow me to copy that bit and paste it to my MSN message?
good article mate.i sometimes think you are too optimistic but this article’s spot on.utd are looking better these days and the strange thing is that 4-3-3 seems to work.presence of carrick and fletcher seems to give scholes nore freedom and has played some killer passes in last few games.it also give our opponents less time on the ball making their scoring difficult.but its only gonna work with rooney up front with his mobility and determination.i don’t hink it would work with berba up front.that means berba’s not gonna get many games.i think utd should stick with 4-3-3 in all the upcoming big games like villa,everton but use 4-4-2 against lesser teams like say pompey to give our other strikers some playing time.nani seems to have improved a lot recently and i just hope anderson does the same.it would really put us in the strong position to win the leage…
‘…There are optimists and pessimists (or realists as they would probably refer to themselves)…’
Spot on Scott! I’m the eternal ‘realist’.
It looks very good indeed.
Some of our key players are returning and most of our first-choice players are hitting peak form.
I’d like to think that we can continue our good form for the next couple of weeks, as long as nobody gets injured.
Imagine if Berbatov hits top form and Rio and Vidic return to bolster the defence? I would even start believing in another European Cup final!
Who knows with all this shite with tiny tears, how will it effect the chelsea players, there cud be more stories to come out.
King eric
hull are rubbish.i dont expect chelsea to drop points there.
It is chelseas to throw away.beat them at home and we will be a point behind .right but i am not too sure this united wont lose any more games before the end of the season.chelsea are not a hull or burnley so we cant take it for granted we will beat them.with villa and everton away coming up there is also a possiblity we could fall further behind
Glad to see the optimism, who cares if it may be “too early”? As soon as Rooney scored our second I thought, “we are going to hit top form right at the perfect moment!” Perhaps our poor results during the holiday season has made it a bridge too far but you’re right in thinking that being a point behind Chelsea (with a game more played) is an absolute indictment of their team.
Whether we go on to win the league or not, if we make a good run until the end of the year optimism will be overflowing in our team. Surely Chelsea’s ageing squad can’t expect to have another run at the title after this year?
Squeaky bum time!
I don’t think the league is anyone’s to throw away, whoever wins their points will win the league… I think both teams have the same chance, 4 points is hardly anything
King Eric @ 14:25: “Rentboys getting FAR too much credit. Mark my words they WILL drop points and fuck up. Starting tonight at the KC. Most over rated cunt’s in league. Haven’t seen them play well once yet but like aig says they pick up the points.”
That’s just not fair or accurate – after they spluttered in their first game, which was (if I’m not mistaken) one of those grabbing-a-victory-from-the-jaws-of-a-draw situations, they went on a six or seven game run when they were just terrific.
By the time the RentBoyz played UTD in October (?), they were slowing down and got a thoroughly undeserved victory, courtesy of Martin Atkinson’s absurd refereeing decisions. Call that a draw so you would have to take those two points away from them and add one to us; give Rooney the open goal and a nil-one to TheLads and the EPL table would look very different at this moment-in-time.
@Scott
Please add to your article:
“And AlphaRS said Nani isn’t shite. Obby is no way a better player.
You read it here first…!”
Where are all the Nani haters now claiming should be sold?
All he needed was a sustained run in the team and a slight change in his decision making and look at what we have.
A player keeping Valencia out of the side. Who would have thought it?
I wudn’t say chelsea are overated, but i wud say there not as strong as the special one’s teams, who where formidable.
@ scott
mate your posts are excellent, like someone mentioned i just wish the lads could read this before or after a game, the way it inspires passion, belief, its incredible.
the ‘silver lining’ keeps us going, even though everyone else is just picking on the flaws of utd, every ABU cunt…
keep it up and come on utd!!!
Schmadmir @ 14:38: “Imagine if Berbatov hits top form and Rio and Vidic return to bolster the defence? I would even start believing in another European Cup final!”
Based on previous evidence, SAF wouldn’t pick Berbatov for an important match !!
Getting Rio and Vidic back, in top physical AND mental shape would give TheLads a chance – and in that competition no one has more than “a chance”.
In a curious way – “if it doesn’t kill you it makes you stronger” – the absence of Rio and Vidic might very well work to UTD’s short-term and longer-term benefit. Let me expand on this: Rio is now back to physical fitness but he needs more time to consolidate that – and, courtesy of the SweetFA, he’s going to get just that additional physio-therapy in February even while he will train and gain strength; Vidic is most likely already being packaged for sale – how much more would he be worth if he had another series of medals ?
This was always going to be a “transitional year” after the sale of CR and the need to figure out a new way to organize the attack. The defensive issues have been outrageous but they have been, by-and-large, surmounted. So, what is especially encouraging to an optimist like me is that SAF seems to lost faith in Berbatov and then he seems to have happened onto a new way to organize his attack/midfield with a 4-3-3 which provides great midfield strength as well as bringing out the very best in WayneRooney who is not only UTD’s best player but also the most important player.
Nani on the right seems to work really, really well – I’ve always championed this guy because of his speed, skill, and ability to conjure up the X-factor. What to do with Valencia and his undoubted speed and power ? There seem to be two alternatives: first play him as an inside-left (width can be supplied by Patrice Evra) so that he can smash the ball with his powerful right foot or else let him play the position at the front of the midfield-three because that’s where he plays for Ecuador.
While I think that the current midfield is still make-shift – Paul Scholes isn’t getting any younger and Michael Carrick isn’t getting any more assertive – it seems to work. In the medium term, I can see that someone is going to get the Scholes’ playing time and I’d like to believe that Anderson can evolve into that guy. In the longer term, Paul Pogba and Tom Cleverley and some others will be there to press Michael Carrick who looks like he’s going to be a fixture in the middle for the next two/three years. And, of course, Darren Fletcherinho is just getting better-and-better.
All that said, I remain a wary optimist – winning the EPL is still a possibility. To do that in the circumstances which Scott has brilliantly outlined would be a real achievement – and the glorious # 19. A FergyWonderLand, indeed.
willierednut @14:59: “I wudn’t say chelsea are overated, but i wud say there not as strong as the special one’s teams, who where formidable.”
That’s quite right – credit where credit’s due. When Jose got Drogba to link with Robben and Duff they were terrific – they spluttered when, as is inevitable, Robben went to the sick-bay and Duff’s form went off. After those 18 months of fantastic football, spearheaded by that threesome, Jose
went into a defensive shell because – well, because he had to and because Petr Cech was absolutely brilliant before he got that inadvertent knee in the head from Stephen Hunt.
If you look fairly at Mourinho’s track-record, he’s very flexible in terms of strategy and tactics. When he loses key players – like Robben at Chel$ki or, more recently, Eto’o for the African Cup of Nations, he has been able to make adjustments and his teams carry on winning. To me, he’s the next-best manager to SAF and that’s why I think it’s a no-brainer that he will be Fergy’s successor.
rio has appeled his 4th match ban and if he fails he’ll get a 5th match ban which is the carling cup final
anyway Gary Cook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmuhSuzJqAw
I partly agree and partly disagree. While 2 good and won games might turn to a consistent winning record, they might not as well. the play is much better, that`s for sure. Nani found himself, Rooney is good as ever. Brown should not play at the right back. I like little Rafael more and more. the experience he gains within these weeks is priceless. the boy is getting better and better. while hammered by Bellamy in the first leg he kept him away at home one week later and was great at Emirates following game.
What I do not really like is much optimism so early. there was so much optimism from you, Scott, when we were 1 point behind in December before ACoN and you put a lot of confidence Chelsea would drop points during that period. this didn`t happen.
so keep consistency for the following games and we will see.
to end up with some optimism WE`LL NEVER DIE, no matter what happens
well scott, according to madrid’s jorge valdano, they wouldn’t want him at madrid because english footballers can’t cut it in spain! so maybe not every club wants him. lol!
either valdano is an idiot, or a poor liar!
it’s good to be optimistic and i would like to think i suffer from a bit of the over optimism myself. while i also feel like the title is chelsea’s to lose at this point, i do feel that people are underestimating the psychological damage that the whole john terry scandal will have on himself and chelsea. brave, lion hearted john terry nonsense aside, having suffered a public humiliation of this magnitude, most likely getting stripped of the england armband, forever having questions about his loyalty to club and close mates, being rightly accused of dividing the england team’s dressing room and the english nation as a whole, and finally losing his wife and most likely custody of his children- that has surely must unsettle john terry!
now for the current chelsea squad to be built so much around their captain
as he is the face and heart of that club, it would be shocking if this didn’t unsettle them a bit and cause them to lose focus and drop points. all this “it’s personal and it won’t affect his performance on the pitch” ancelotti bollocks is laughable! you don’t basically humiliate yourself this badly and lose all your credibility, sponsorships, and wife and kids, by shagging an ex team mate (and current england team mate) girl, and still say that it is all a personal problem of terry.
chelsea may hold on on win (which i think won’t happen!) but they will certainly have a harder time now that terry has most likely unsettled their dressing room and is agonizing over ruining his own life through his sheer selfishness and stupidity. it’s about time he’s got his just punishment- his moscow humiliation wasn’t enough.
@King Eric
Hi mate. Ha! None taken. I admit that I am one of the most pessimistic fans before games. As we talked about it recently with AIG, it’s actually a good luck charm.
What stretfordender might have meant, and I thank him for that, is that me, you, GHTT, AIG and a few others don’t crucify our players after a bad game. Even when we lost at Fulham, I was saying what Scott is saying here. The team simply CANNOT perform under these circumstances. How will Wazza, Owen and Valencia attack with confidence when they know that there’s chaos behind them? Well, thankfully our defenders are starting to return and hopefully it’s not to late for a final assault for the title.
scott all i gotta say is
fantastic read
it is this optimism which makes me believe.
hats off
Correction: It’s not a few others. There are plenty of positive fans here. Maybe the Nani situation will be a lesson to us all. Even I had a go at him once. Just one though!
Costas – Yeah true, we never slag them off.
aig – True. United may well drop points but whats to say the Chav’s are gonna beat Arsenal, Citeh and Everton away in the next 10 days? In my mind they have peaked whereas United are just hitting form. We are well capable of beating Villa with a full strength team and have a good record there. Goodison for me is the tricky game.
I think we can get maximum points from Pompey, Everton and Villa. Berbatov and Owen should start against Portsmouth as they need goals. If they dont get a goal against Pompey then they simply aren’t United quality. Simple as.
Everton and Villa especially will be difficult. I’m always confident when we go to Goodison but Villa away is just as hard as Arsenal away.
Come on Hull.
Great article Scott
Utterly fantastic post mate. You’ve summed up the situation brilliantly and your optimistic approach is one that more fans would do well to emulate. Credit to you.
@schmadmir
I don’t think Berbatov fits in to the United system of play and therfore he doesn’t have a place in the starting 11.
SAF is playing 4-3-3 again now. The formation that served us so well over the years.
A good article. After a few good matches, we now have confidence ahead of the challenges. Aston Villa and Fulham are the worst matches but like scott mention, we are hit hard by injuries. I think the turning point are the leeds game!
If we never lose the match, we wont be able to field strong side against City. If we never win the City matches, we wont be winning the league against Arsenal. Leeds game is the turning point! We starts to rotate less.
I’m so glad Nani perform well. Although many people think 3 matches doesn’t define a season. But i really thought he play well in the beginning of the season and then he got his injuries and when he came back he can’t regain his form and speak to the press. At the point, i had no choice to admit that Nani’s had to go after him speaking to the press. But credit to fergie for sticking with him. I think after leeds game, Sir Alex maybe try to put Nani out after frozen him on the sideline.
Watching Nani plays, although he stills makes some mistakes, i felt so happy at him performing. He is like a new signing for us. During Live matches, seldom do i come here to comment. Against Arsenal match, i had too much in me that i had to come here and scream. To me the first goal create will always be Nani goals although many thought it’s a own goal.
It could be great for Nani to score that fabulous goal with his stunning tricks that excites everyone and change their opinion and change the complexity of the game at Emirates. Not to mention that is the first 3D Goal!
3 matches doesn’t define one season but Nani sure had some contribution to the league table. Without him i think we would’nt have win so convincingly at the Emirates. Fergie said this is the most important match of the season not for nothing. It’s the turning point between success and failure.
Anyone notice how Arsenal fans react after the match? Almost everyone think their season is over with the massive gap. Imagine if we lost and it will be us feeling and thinking our season will be over. It’s that important.
If until the end of the season, Nani performing badly again, don’t slate him off. Given his impressive 3 match form. I believe we should give him time and chance. He can be a Manchester United player.
why not! great article!!
@ Costas,
Most football fans are fickle, I dont mean that in a bad way but they generaly only remember the last performance or they remember what they want about their past!
They fail to take on board a player like nani, look at him and his skill level and what good things he has about his game. People fail to acknowledge the fact he has been trying too hard, lacked some confidence & also as fergie has said now started to mature!
It wont be long before He has a bad game and i am sure people will jump on his back again!
Simularly the usual suspects get it.
Scholes – Few bad games & some cry out that he is done for!
Giggs. Last year people said he was past it at one point, then bang! Turned out to be one of our better players!
Park – His main attribute is his workrate and Defensive capabilities against an attack minded opposition! He provides better protection than Nani or Valencia! So he has his uses!
I think you can get my drift!! hahaha
Great read, Scott. With how we played on Sunday, I see no reason as to why we can’t win 4 on the trot.
i will be first to put my hands up. I cried for new players in the transfer window a striker to support rooney and a creative midfielder. I have never lost faith in the young players but the apples were taking a bit too long to get ready. nani is an example lets see where he goes from here. I dont doubt his talent. Anderson is going to come good, that much I can guarantee and he will take up the scholes role in that 4-3-3. He has pace, power and a bullet in his left foot. His development has been in the accuracy and distribution department of passing. he is definitely going to be one of our biggest stars. The problem is when Rooney has a bad day, everything goes south that is why I was of the opinion that he needs support especially when its crunch time. We have the players on paper but during the game the influence can not be felt. This win against arsenal also brings back something we lost,which is the fear factor. This is what wins us games before we even step on to the pitch.Now that its back , players have confidence and we have the respect back.
Scott, one thing that intrigues me about this article (which was a great read btw) is what you consider our first choice back 5. Personally I think our strongest back 5 at the minute would have to be: VDS, O’Shea/Rafael, Rio, Vidic, Evra. I can’t narrow down our 1st choice right back so I don’t know how I expect you to (can Fergie even do it?), but I’d say O’Shea and Rafael have performed far better than Gary or Wes this season (not that we’ve seen much of him at RB)
I agree 100% Scott.
Chelsea have Hull tonight away which is their only game in hand, then Arsenal at home, then Everton away. IMO there is no way they’ll get 9 points from all 3 matches. They’ll drop points. I even think they’ll draw tonight, Hull have been playing well-ish.
Chelsea only just managed to beat them at the bridge 2-1 with a last minute goal, and remember Hull beat a full strength Everton at home 3-2, and drew with West Ham 3-3. They’ve had some decent results, and off the back of 2-2 draw with Wolves I can see them confident of nicking a point
since they came so close at the bridge.
And in the same time Chelsea play those 3 games we play Pompey at home and Villa away. If we can win both matches I can see us being level with Chelsea or top of the table by the time we both face MILAN. I repeat, there is no way Chelsea will win all three games, they barely beat Burnley on Saturday, last thing they want is to go up north 3 days later with us hitting form and Terry sapping morale.
Guess time wil tell aye ? But your right even if we lose the title this year, apart from disappointment, whats the worse case scenario ? we start again next season building on the positives of this season. I’d still rather have our squad of players than any other team in the PL.
@The Edge – Our records at Villa and Everton in the Prem are almost identical so not sure why youe worry at one and not the other.
Everton Away = Won 13 Drawn 2 Lost 2
Villa Away = Won 11 Drawn 4 Lost 2
We should be looking at these next 3 games and collecting 9 points. Not to mention the added motivation of oweing Villa a beating!
@ Scott – I think people come on here fresh from the pain of defeat and often vent raw pain and emotion without a clear head, while you leave a bit of time for the dust to settle (Although I’m sure you came on drunk after a defeat, maybe the Fulham game with a bit of a rant). I think when most people look at the injuries we’ve had and the position we’re in, we’ve got to be favouries for the title! Like someone said earlier, a different ref in the Chelsea game and there’d only be a point in it. And with everyone going on about how great Chelsea are and how poor we’ve been….1 point…come on, how are we not favourites!
@BigPhil – if it came down to it: Champions League final; Gary, Wes, O’Shea and Rafael all fit and raring to go, there is no doubt in my mind that the best option would be none other than Wesley Brown.
I’m interested in what might be regarded as our best back five.
For instance, I rather think young Rafael can’t be far off being first-choice right-back now.
And I’d point to the City game at OT to underline the point. We were 2-0 up and cruising, with Bellamy hardly getting a kick all night (no jokes about coins and bottles please!). Fergie wanted to close the game out and, understandably, looked to the experience of Wes and swapped him for Rafael. But within a few minutes Wes was caught on his heels, Bellamy had the time and space to cross for the equaliser and suddenly things started to look a bit rocky.
Fergie realised this and quickly reacted by bringing on Valencia, who is better at backing up the defence, for Nani, who had been torturing the City left flank. I wonder if the boss regretted taking off Rafael?
Rafael didn’t do a bad job at the Emirates (to be fair, none of them did) and gave a good account of himself against Arshavin, who didn’t seem to want to know after he had been cleaned out by Wes quite early on.
It’s sad to think that Gary Neville’s future is all behind him now, While O’Shea’s injury has hurt us more than might have been expected. But the relatively unnoticed development of Rafael has offered a measure of compensation. He’s young, exuberant and will make mistakes. But he also appears to be learning and is growing up fast, football-wise.
Anyone agree?
Chelsea have been playing shite all season, true they’ve got the results but so have we, they should be 10 points clear of everybody by now, what excuse do they have ? Liverpool as we all know are reliant on Gerrard and the injury prone Spaniard, Arsenal need to sign Darren Fletcher and Berbatov (lol) and UNITED have had the foundation of our team injured for the first half of the season. But like Scott points out Chelsea haven’t had ANY major injury problems except the immense ESSIEN, so they really should be out of sight right now, like Barcelona are ahead of Madrid.
We all know Chelsea are known to bottle it when it comes down to a run in, so why should this year be any different. FUCK CHELSEA.
I wonder what the odds are for Hunt to crack another cunts skull ? hahaha
BigPhil – VDS, Wes, Rio, Vidic and Evra is our strongest back 4. When all players are available, I can’t see how JoS or Rafael would get in at right back ahead of Wes. Maybe next season, when Rafael has come on more, but for now, deffo Wes.
@BigPhil
If Brown back to his fitness. He will be my first choice. Look at how good he is when in 2008. Although he might be playing badly now but he is just recovering from injuries recently and being rush in to the side.
just got home from work and this was a pleasant read. sums up our season very well.. I still thought Chelsea were “un-banned” from the tr. market?? .. are they still banned till summer 2011 ?
Agree – VDS Wes Rio Vidic Evra, first choice back four!
Great article…
Also remember that we’ve now been to liverpool, chelsea, arsenal and spurs. We do have tricky away games at villa, everton and citeh to come but to win the league we should be looking at winning at least 2 of those.
Chelsea have to visit us, liverpool, everton and spurs so it’s defintely wide open. I also have a sneaking feeling that arsenal might get a result on Sunday.
The “problem” Fergie has now is deciding whether to revert back to 4-4-2 or stick with the 4-3-3 side which is looking very impressive. I’d personally like to see Valencia and Nani either side of Rooney to see how that works. It could be devastating, especially in the european games.
With regards to back 4 i think it picks itself!
Brown – Ferdinand – Vidic – Evra
I have been extreemly impressed with Evans, he has came into the back four and has played very very well! If when vidic and rio return to the team if their form isnt 100% i can see either on the bench!
Some might argue differently but i dont see too much difference between the 3 in respect to their position and excluding their style of play!
Vidic & RIo i would rate at 98 out of 100 and evans 95 out of 100
Some debate over Brown and Raf & Nev my ratings are as follows!
Brown 93 Out of 100
Raf 89
Nevile 85
Oshea 85
Feels like playing football manager or Championship manager! Rolling back the years! hahahaah
I agree with all of you that a 2008 Wes Brown would easily be first choice RB, but I’m not convinced that he just “isn’t fit” at the minute. He’s barely had a spell out injured since the start of the season – a lot less so than Rio or Vidic anyway. Wes hasn’t impressed me at all this year – he’s looked “decent” at times but he’s not filled me with confidence. We may have to face it that he’s just not as good as he was before his injuries of last season. O’Shea early in the season and Rafael in the last month or so have looked far better than he has all season. MKRed makes a good point above about the City game. Rafael coped well with Bellamy all game, then Wes comes on supposedly to see the game out and looks a lot dodgier than Rafael did the whole game.
I don’t know if you guys are thinking that Wes will recapture his 2008 form (and I hope he does), but based on current form at least, Rafael is playing far better.
opps
Please note – I rated brown 93 at right back… He would be a 95 at centre back!
In my eyes!
One hell of an article scott
@bigphil2003
Wont take Brown long to get back to fitness, However keeping him fit is always the issue for me!
Comparing Brown & Rafas performance in the city game is quite difficult!
How can you do an honest comparison. When brown was on the pitch City were pumped up and dominating the game at that point. Our Players were sitting deeper than normal and they had more possesion in our last third than previously.
I think Rafa would have struggled just as much, was difficult for brown coming on to a game like that. Brown was needed for his height and ability to defend crosses!
Rafa is one for the future, in my eyes he has some maturing to do. He needs time and gently eased into the team!
In fergie we trust!
I think Rafael made a couple of mistakes against Bellamy also. Dived in for a header on the touch line which he missed completely and Bellamy was away….instead of chasing back hell for leather he started shouting at Nani to get back. Still needs to mature as a player and will definately have it in the future, but at the moment some of his decision making and positional play is lacking. I think Brown is a better full back than a centre back, when Brown and Evans play together there are lapses in concentration. Evans has matured a hell of a lot and has had to with our injuries, but he does have a nasty habit of making one or two mistakes per game.
I wasn’t intending to trigger a Wes v Rafael debate. Wes has long been one of my personal favourites (he went to school with my son’s best mate, after all), but I was hoping to draw attention to the strides young Rafael has made recently and the way he has been growing by the game.
And comparisons on Sunday would be inoccuous anyway as the gaffer said afterwards that Wes had been unwell before the game and was actually sick at half-time.
What I do think we’re seeing is a further example of Fergie’s shrewd management: he’s bringing through a young player in a way that keeps the pressure off yet lets the kid learn and show what he is capable of.
Incidentally, I see Sam Hewson is another off on loan. I imagine there will be others and, hopefully that will mean some more of the Under-18s, who somehow got knocked out of the Youth Cup last week, getting protracted runs in the reserves? I knows he’s recovering from injury and has played in fits and starts, but I’ve liked the look of Petrucci lately and was wondering if he might be ready to kick on a la Macheda. Possibly Eikram, Corry Evans, Matt James and Dudgeon, too?
fully fit wes brown over nev/raph/o’shea. not the same nev these days, more of a spiritual leader than anything else, raph still learning, and o’shea is getting closer to wes but wes has the better experience and (not to live in the past too much) his 2007-8 season has earned him the spot. unfortunately the words “fully fit” and “wes brown” have hardly gone together in his career, have they?
bigger question right now: nani or valencia? for me nani.
MK Red – Certainl agree with Sir Alex’s excellent management of the kids. Not sure Brown was fully fit for the second leg against City, he was on the bench. But he could so easily have left Rafael on the bench in the 2nd leg after the treatment he got from Bellamy. As it is I think Rafael got a lot of confidence from being selected again, and although he made a couple of errors of judgement in the game I think he played a lot better and will only benefit from the experience.
@trevor:
I think you forgot Carrick in your list! ANother one who comes under heavy critisism from time to time.
Interesting debate about our defenders. We all agree on Rio, Vida, Evra and VDS. The right back spot is a mystery. I have to say that I have been impressed with Rafa’s progress over the last month. If Brown can rediscover his 07-08 form, he is also my first pick.
However, I can’t discount the season O’Shea had as a RB last season. In terms of defending, I think he is our best choice as a right back, because he can help out with his height.
I’m really happy that Nani gets support. But don’t slate him off for some bad display. On his day he is so good that even Valencia who is performaning so well since the beginning of the season is being push to the bench. That is how good he really is. Nani change the whole season for us. Given that Arsenal match is the most important match of the season. He change the game and help us won the game. I know i have said twice already but i’m still getting so delighted.
From Man United site.
Nani MOTM Wallpaper!
http://i50.tinypic.com/205zkes.jpg
@trevor – I like your optimism but you’ll excuse me if I find it hard to believe that Wes Brown won’t take long to get back to full fitness when he hasn’t been fully fit (or at least playing like he is) since the start of the 08-09 season. Hopefully you’re right though!
Ashley Cole was caught doing 104mph in a 50mph zone………………….
When questioned by police as to why he was speeding, he said “l’ve just heard John Terry is parked outside my house.”
Valid points regarding our resilience during a nasty spell of injuries. There’s no doubting that we’ve a good squad, with some great players littered throughout. The fact we’ve hung onto the table-top is testament to our players and manager, but it’s been helped by poor form around us – CSK London / Arsenal / Liverpool and ourselves, have all stuttered through the first half of the season. I don’t want to detract from our progress but it’s got to be weighted with the performance of competitors.
I, for one, have said repeatedly that winning the premiership is not the be-all and end-all this season. I think the main objective should be to test our ‘potential’ first-teamers. If we get to the end of 09/10 and have a clear idea of the have’s versus the have-nots, we’ll be in a great position for 10/11 and onward.
Anderson/Nani/Gibson/Foster/Kuszczak/DaSilva x 2/Evans/Obertan/Valencia/Welbeck/Macheda/Tosic/Da Laet – Along with others, these lads are potentially the future of Man Utd, and it’s important we understand who’s up for the challenge before we lose the all-important Giggs/Scholes/Neville/VDS/Ferdinand(?) combination. If we can see potential gaps, Fergie can spend a few bob to fill them come summertime.
Ferguson is a master at blending one team into the next while maintaining the competitive edge, but I wouldn’t begrudge him the right to blood fresh players and give them their chance. It’s nice to see he’s given Nani a chance to shine in his preferred position, and about time. I had given-up on the lad but felt he deserved one more shot before getting shown the door in the summer – do or die. Fair play to the lad, he’s stepped-up and performed.
Any optimism should be tempered with a degree of caution and any pessimism should be treated the same way. The press is built on agony and ecstasy, it’s up to the fans to keep a level-head throughout. There are still question-marks over certain players / certain selections / formations and player usage. Raising these questions is fundamental to being a fan(atic), keeps us awake at night and in-torment through the season.
Makes us feel a part of the club and involved with the team.
Scott the Red – well in the next phew games we will see where we are some tough games ahead. I will still say this time ands time again united are a striker short with how poor berbatov has been who has been fergies worst buy and owen who is in and out of the team.
Great article.
Seperate news, mate who works at the press association, told me it will be in tomorrow’s newspapers, but Lampard & Essien have had Bridge’s ex as well.
That’s what you call a team player!
Very well said!! Its insane how much the expectations just keep increasing!!
Slightly off topic: Van Der Sar admits that he hasn’t considered playing for another season as yet
http://wazzasaidso.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/van-der-sar-no-thoughts-about-future/
@Costas
Erm… I left carrick off that list as i am openly critical of Carrick! hahaah knew someone would say something!!!
I know he does a good job, but he frustrates me and i dont think is living up to his potential at all. Maybe ive been spoilt watching Scholes for too long!
trevor – carrick has never frustrated me, carrick is never going to do what keane done or what Y toure essien mascherano does by getting stuck in but he is always consistant. yes he is not a world class player in the class of scholes xavi iniesta fabrigas but he does his job well and his performence against arsenal was just brilliant.
Capello phoned Bridge to tell him that he’d spoken with John Terry and he has indeed lost the captains arm band! He then asked him if he could do him a favour and look under his bed for him, see if he left it there!!! Goldenballs….you are kidding about Lampard and Essien right?
@knightsmith lol
Good article Scott. Why can’t we do four in a row? Half the team missing this season well defence n keeper n are second in the table, rentboys with the best team are possibly only four points clear. 41 points to play for n we always do it the hard way, n so we can do four in a row.
Keep the red flag flying high!!!
this will be the sweetest title yet when we win it. it’s going to be tough, but it’s still within our hand. beat chelski & we’ll juz be one point behind. when we beat them, there’ll still be 5-6 more games to go i believe. they will crack. juz like how anelka blew it after crying-shag-my-pal-wifey Terry comical slip in CL’08. if we dont beat them at old trafford, bar another mike dean alike freak show, then we got no one to blame. ê injuries we got this year is quite ridiculous, & we (fuck me, no fans curse pls) probably wont see another one of such magnitude soon. but personally, i dont like to see us going around claiming é title is ours if ONLY we didnt suffer those defensive calamity. a league is a league, it’s play over 38 games. when u finish on top, u r é best team for that season end of. you juz bloody work harder & make sure u win it ê next season. for those barren years in the past, didn’t we came up stronger afterwards?
i believe we FINALLY into a run now. è season’s is fliping around juz like Nani now.
@rooney the new king
I think Carrick performs well, plays some great football. He just frustrates me. I am not expecting a keane, Im not expecting a gerrard or whoever. With regards to defending i have never expected him to get stuck in, he plays a more positional game which often goes un noticed and maybe at times i forget it too, he often channels attackers into non threatening positions more than a Gut Renching Tackle Like Keane!
For me
1 – I find he looks and is uncomfortable on the ball at times.
2 – Not as composed as Scholes, Lampard, Fab, Etc!
3 – One minute can sprey the ball 30 yards to 1-2 feet of our player then for the next 3 10 yard passes either hit them short or off target!
its things like this i find frustrating, also doesnt help that Carrick underperforms for the first 1/4 of the season always looks out of sorts!
I know people will have other views but this how i see it!
trevor – passing composed and comfortable on the ball is carricks strengths and which has served united greatly the past phew years. and carrick is far more composer on the ball than lampard who teqnically in terms of passing spreading the ball is nowhere near has good as carrick.
i think it was costas that wrote last week if united dont win the title they should cut the title in half and give half to uniteds medical team. . . . if it wasnt him im sorry to whoever it was but costa i do remember what you said about a tattoo!!
@scott
I love your Blog your posts your stats and your positive out look
I also love how you let me put ɹǝʌǝ oǝpıʌ ʇsǝq emilys videos on here:)
ive got the songs emilys got the brains and the cutness but you made her famous enough to get paid for it.
I dont know if there were too many Nani haters on this site, there may of been one or 2 bad words but as i said before i wasnt a Nani hater nani was just a human frustrator , but hopefully he has knocked that bit out of his game. the last player at united apart from dong i slated was the football genius darren fletcher, ill never ever fall for that again
ɹǝʌǝ oǝpıʌ ʇsǝq
Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford will be a truly massive game. Should decide the outcome of the league. There’s a good few “what if”-moments this season, but if Chelsea end up winning the league by a point or two you’d have to wonder if it would have been different if they weren’t given that ridiculous goal at the Bridge.
@trevor
Carrick was the closest ive seen to keane on sunday
everything united did every play went through carrick and it happened to slick and fast you didnt really notice it ,just like keane .give and go while opening up loads of space.
i didnt even notice it till i watched the game on mutv early minday night while watching the rumble
Gotta hate tiny tears – I have not been a nani hater I had lost faith in him but the past phew games maybe he has proved me wrong, still we will see if he really does kick on until the end of the season now is the time for him to really step up. but the key to that is I will say time and time again if nani continues to play RW thats the key to his form because he is a RW, when he is on the left he looks poor.
Carrick needs too much space to spread the ball successfully. He operates very-well within a 5-man midfield, where he’s protected by two team-mates – hence his solid performances over the past couple of years (and in Sunday). Once we switch 4-4-2, Carrick finds it very difficult, he resorts to sidewards & backwards passing & disappears from the game.
He’s a good player but not a great player, a specialist for a certain system but not flexible enough to adapt. He cuts-off space from opposition as against cutting off their shins / passes very well when given space / performs well in attacking positions, though rarely occupies them. Would like to see a bit more aggression but it’s not in his nature.
You’ve got to measure our players against the biggest challenge they’ve had in the last few years and that’s Barca in the CL final. Unfortunately our midfield had no answers to the questions posed and that’s where my problem with Carrick lies – he’s going to get found-out unless he’s got Fletch and Scholes/Ando/Hargreaves stomping ground in and around him.
Lets hope we’ve everyone fit and free from suspension should we come up against them this year.
@trevor
I do agree with you. It’s strange really. He can hit 30yards so accurate some times and wrong pass to opponent in a few yards away. But at least he still good at passing the ball and holding the ball and know when to spray the ball and when to up the tempo. Just think of which player you want to play if you have Carrick or Gibson. You will feel more satisfied. =)
Actually if Carrick can bring the ball meaning if he can hold the ball and dribble through the middle, he will be better than some. He seldom brings the ball forward, only passing the ball which is why you seldom notice he was playing.
denton – It would appear that Paul Parker backs me up with the Rentboys performances. Don’t know which team you have watched to say they were superb early season. Every single game bar Arsenal I have watched them they have been poor. No width, no pace and no plan b. As for Carrick we will agree to disagree save to say you must be the only person I have spoken to who thought he had an average game on Sunday. He was excellent. Everything went through him and his one touch passing was a joy to watch. More of the same please Michael.
Jig3000 – Carrick was injured in the Champions League Final with a broken toe. Agree with you that he operates much better in a 5 man midfield.
gotta hate – Just read your post on Carrick. Like you it is only when watching it back again you realise how great Carrick was.
Trevor – Hi mate. Cannot understand how you can say Carrick is not “composed” on the ball. He is in my opinion.
King Eric – I think carrick works well in a 2 against the small teams when he has got scholes with him. when he is patnered with fletcher in a 2 it works well against the big teams but fergie plays a 3 against the big teams.
good read… keep it up!
King Eric – Carrick was very good on Sunday. He has his good spells and bad spells, but on his day he is very good, however I can see how he frustates people. On the Chelsea being poor argument. Can’t agree. Ok, they haven’t been awesome like some members of the press would have you believe, but they’ve played some belting games…took Sunderland apart at Stamford Bridge!
@ King Eric,
Sometimes i feel he gets flustered and Passes quickly in a panic. This is what i meaning.
@GHTT
He certainly did well on sunday, i do admit.
Nani or Valencia ? That is a difficult one to answer. I do believe that Denton Davey has a good answer for this one (at 15:07). Slightly, moving Valencia’s position to where he plays on the national side. Mr. Davey are you Chess Grandmaster ?
@ John Ferry
I also remember Sir Alex saying that Valencia plays centrally for the national team, I too would be interested in seeing him at the front of a midfield three. I think Nani must stay on the right, his confidence is sky high and in the past few matches we’ve seen what he’s capable of when brimming with confidence.
mike phelans comments are legendary, the penny has finally dropped for nani brilliant.
Could anyone confirm that it was a phone call from Quieroz telling Sir Alex to play Nani on the right due to his man of the match performances for Portugal that led to Sir Alex playing him on the right. If so, I’m extremely grateful that we continue to share solid links with Quieroz!
it made me wonder if united continue to go from strength to strength, someone said gary cooks comments and shittys arogance has woken the monster within united. does anyone else think shitty has wound united up because since the 2 semi final games united seem to be on a mission.
One question everyone, can you remember any part of any season where Nani had 3 consecutive good games? We always knew he had talent, of which he showed flashes, but I can’t remember any consistent run of games from him. Am I naive to think that might be a turning point?
Good for you not letting the doom and gloomers/ knee jerkers get to you after every bad result.
Great debate on the best back 4, vds goes without saying in goal. I wud go with, if all fit and on form wes rio vida evra, but rafael and jonny evans are knocking on the door.
@rooney the new king
“mike phelans comments are legendary, the penny has finally dropped for nani brilliant.”
Anyone can tell me what he means? He means the coins drop? Money fall which means Nani had no value in him?
@Che Guevarist
I’m not sure really. But 3 of the matches, you can say he is behind Rooney for Man of the Match. Arsenal game is definitely man of the match. A moment of magic change the game. I thought second half he was poor but everyone remember the magic he produced.
kel – you serious it basically means nani is finaly starting to realise his potiental and he has taken his final chance if he did not he was hinting united would have let nani go in the summer.
I think john terry needs to pick up that penny mickey phelans talking about.
HULL JUST SCORED !!!!!
BOLLOCKS !!!!!!
HULL 1
RENT BOYS 1
“Lampard flapping around like a cunt, goes down under no pressure whatsoever and wins a free kick on the edge of the box. You already know what happened next – Drogba puts it away. 1-1. typical theiving best mate’s girlfirend fucking inbred cunty bollock bastards that they are. see this is what I mean, Chelsea play shit football all day long.
Playing for free kicks against Hull, hardly the stuff of champions is it ?
I f***ing hate Chelsea.
Half time at the KC Stadium, Hull 1 Rentboys 1.
Over to you Andy…..”
from the looks of things, unless Chelsea start collapsing around the 18 yard box Hull should hold on for a draw. But you KNOW what these sneaky no good bastards are like, you turn around to make a sandwich and they’re busy trying to fuck your missus…. speaking of which, Terry’s picked up a yellow.
HANG ON HULL !!!!!!
ok its official, the referees a wanker.
In other news,
Welbecks on the score sheet once again for Preston.
well done lad keep it up.
Well the title is now ours to win, with Chelsea still to come to OT.
Get in.
YES HULL DRAW
HAHAHAHAHA !!!!!
WHO THE FUCK ARE CHELSEA !!!!!! ??????
NO it is not……
Hull 1 chelsea 1….:)
Scott, there you were saying your cup was always half-full, and then you turned it upside-down (a bit) when you mentioned Kuszczak.
I know that Kuszczak’s not VDS, but he came in for a total of 8 games, conceding only 4 behind a Bassett’s Allsorts of a back four. (That’s 0.5 of a goal a game, substantially better than our 0.833 goal a game average so far this season). During that run he made some outstanding saves that have kept us in the chase. As an ex-keeper, I know only too well the value of having a regular pair of centre-halves in front of you. Kuszczak’s had none of that.
I know that he hasn’t got VDS’s confidence outside of the 6 yard box, but IMHO he’s a good way ahead of Foster.
Anyway, to be honest I am getting a bit teed off with some of the muppets around me, who are always getting on Kuszczak’s back when in reality the boy done good. Anyway, at least one of my local morons is still slagging Fletcher off!
Jig3000 @ 18:12 – I completely agree with your assessment of Michael Carrick’s strengths and weaknesses. Others might not be sympathetic to your viewpoint but you have at least one who is – and I suppose Don Fabio would agree, too.
King Eric @ 16:25: “denton – It would appear that Paul Parker backs me up with the Rentboys performances. Don’t know which team you have watched to say they were superb early season.”
I’d like to be able to be more specific but I just don’t have those details at the tip of my fingertips – they did batter Bolton away, four nil, just before playing UTD at Stamford Bridge, but that is the last result my search came up with. I do recall, however and in the most general terms, that they were pretty dominant in September and October but that I noted they had been pretty dominant in September and October the previous season, under the “leadership” of BigPhilScolari. I seem to recall writing on this blog that even though they were provided with a referee-aided victory at Stamford Bridge, they were not getting any younger and that it’s a long, long season. So, while Paul Parker might back up your sense that the RentBoyz have been shite-on-a-stick this season, I have a different recollection but hardly a precise and accurate one.
I like the fact that Scott’s blog provides us with the opportunity to “compare notes” with fellow UTD-fanatics. Living in Toronto, I don’t have much opportunity to do so in the flesh, as it were. My only fellow-traveller is my son’s former nursery-school playmate who has grown up to be a RightManc. Elliott comes by early almost every Saturday/Sunday morning so that we can do the high-fives and celebrate together. Otherwise, RepublikOfMancunia is my only respite from living so far from FergyWonderland. I know that you and I have agreed-to-disagree on a number of topics – and that’s a good thing. Disagreements of a mutually-respecting form make me reconsider my prejudices and question my opinions – and that, too, is a good thing. BUT knowing that we are both in agreement about the possibility of the glorious # 19 is an even better thing. Cheers, mate.
Scott, I borrowed your quotes on our captain, Neville.
Anyway, spot on the article. I felt the same way. Chelsea should be miles ahead. Differences only 2 points now and if we keep on our form and BATTERED them at OT, Champs for sure!
Carricks still wank
Great Article Mate.. Really inspirational and reflects on the spirit our team showed in the weekend. We just need our players like Nani, Berba etc. to believe in themselves and in the team. The ability is there, just need some more application.
Great articel Scott…as it turns out, I’m a “realist”. At the beginning of the season, I thought we had a good chance to win the PL, but was convinced we would find it difficult in the CL. Well. I could still turn out to be right, but the recent form has made me believe that anything is possible! True – I lost hope after Fulham and Sunderland, but fuck me, what do I know! What upset me in those games, was not that we lost (and trust me, I have no issue if we win fuckall for a couple of years, but just go out and play like fighters), but the manner in which we played. But seems like SAF has got it figured out now, so keeping my fingers crossed for the next 3-4 games!!
I am really not worried if we win or not but I want the race to going down to the wire.
denton davey Said,February 2nd, 2010 @15:07 Schmadmir @ 14:38: “Imagine if Berbatov hits top form and Rio and Vidic return to bolster the defence? I would even start believing in another European Cup final!”
Based on previous evidence, SAF wouldn’t pick Berbatov for an important match !!
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That’s true, but if he doesn’t get a consistent run in the team, how can he deliver the goods from the top shelf? I think he’s a wonderful player, but we’ve done well without him, so who knows?
The most important thing is that we win the league, regardless of the line-ups to come.
denton – Thanks mate. Yes we do differ on some points but by the same token I agree with a hell of a lot you say. Even if you don’t agree with my views you always give reasons as to why and not just say “I disagree”. It would be boring if we all thought the same denton. Your posts are some of the best on here and always very articulate. Keep it up. Cheers!!
Damn, that chelski have got their transfer ban removed! What’s that all about? Another case of money talking or were they really not guilty? Who can tell!
The problem is Scott your posts don’t recognise the idea that both optimists and pessimists can be right because they judge the team on different criteria. Even that may be too much of a generalisation. Though I doubt I have posted frequently enough to consider myself the subject of your topic, or indeed that I have said anything terribly negative I still stick up for the fact that you have no right to intimate an ‘I told you so’.
The reason for this is people rarely define what they are talking about in a discussion. You’ve done numerous posts favorably comparing this season to last season but as it stands we are out of the FA Cup whereas last season we got to the semi final. We have to win the league cup to equal last season in that competition- win the league- in which case we are second at present and get to the final of the champions league.
So it is my belief that your comments are often not consistent because in this topic you are intimating and ‘I told you so’ in a season where we are destined to be less successful than last year- but in other topics/statements creating the pretense that things are better.
If that’s not enough you often hold up last year as a comparision when in reality no one thought 68 goals was a good landmark. Finally your stated belief that Ronaldo scoring 9 goals in his last 18 games (which united won last season), scoring in 6 individual matches, making a matchwinning contribution on at least 5 of those ocassions was to paraphrase you- ‘not all that’ means that most people should take your views with a pinch of salt.