Cheating Barca

So Real and Barca are the two teams we are all supposed to look up to?  What a load of balls. 

Barcelona may at times be quite brilliant, but for the other 85 minutes they are just cheating, falling down, crying wankers!  It's time the love-fest from the media saw the light and recognised the truth.  Their tippy, tappy, falling down football is just not entertaining.   They are cheats and that is the end of that.  Want some proof -- check out the following video released by Real following the game yesterday:

http://www.realmadrid.com/cs/Satellite/en/1330054873516/noticia/Noticia/Television_images_show_that_Pepe_did_not_touch_Alves__leg.htm

A disgrace.  Uefa should throw the book at them and chuck them out of the CL with immediate effect.

I tell you, if we get to Wembley I would be happy to play either of these two teams.  Pick this week's team and go out there and play our game.  Lets beat the cheating wankers!

Thoughts on the Fulham game

So easy it was almost boring. Maybe it's built into the DNA of a United fan to crave that attacking surge in the last 20 minutes as we go in search of a winner. When we don't have to go through that it just doesn't feel right somehow! But you know what? More than happy to take it!!

So here's my initial thoughts on today's game:

1. Great to be able to play the squad players in a "must-win" game. With players coming back from injury, SAF was able to rest VDS, Rio, Carrick, Giggs, Chico and Rooney (lol). They will all now be fresh for Tuesday.

2. Nani was the diffence for us today. Created both goals with some great skill and was a threat throughout. How he is not on the list of player of the year players is simply beyond me. Without doubt our most improved player.

3. Tony V continues to look strong and it is amazing how well he has come back from injury. Doesn't look as he was ever away. I though he was supported well by Gibson and Anderson in midfield, although Gibson should have done better with a couple of chances. In defense, Smalling looked good and Evra looked more like himself.

4. Interesting tactics from SAF. Happy to let Fulham come on to us and then hit them on the break. They were so ineffective, it worked well. Only problem was that they were so ineffective, the game became easy and as a result we retreated to first gear. There was always the sign though that we could step up if required.

5. Kit Kat rumored in the press this morning to be looking to move on in the summer. To honest its for the best. He does not inspire confidence and it would be good for his career to move on.

6. Nice rest for Rooney - thanks FA for making SAF's decision easy - just amazed that the cameras didn't search him out ever two minutes!!

So overall, a nice easy three points that puts all the pressure on Arsenal tomorrow. Very much expect a 1-1 result for them at Blackpool.

Look forwArd to your comments!

Thoughts on Arsene's press conference

Very weird press conference from Arsene Wenger today which seems to be in danger of alienating a lot of the remaining supporters who are still behind him and his "project":

"If there is someone better than you, you have to accept it one day… if Manchester United is better than us, we have to say congratulations. What is important is that we give absolutely everything to beat them - and that is, for me, success."

"It doesn't hurt me personally, but it bothers me that the players do not get the recognition for what they have put in since the start of the season," Wenger said. "It is important we realise this team is absolutely amazing for what they do at their age. One day people will understand that, but at the moment, I am not sure many people do."

Does appear that he is losing the plot and giving up?  Doesn't seem to get the fact that players, teams and managers are judged on trophies won.  It's great if you can do it with beautiful football, but in the end of the day you have to win! 

This can only be good news for United this weekend.  Defeat of Fulham and you can really see Arsenal collapsing against Blackpool.

Come on United!

Thoughts on Sir Alex / SAF/ Fergie / The Boss

28 YEARS AGO I was a season ticket holder at Aberdeen as Fergie let his all-conquering team past Bayern Munich (3-2 at Pittodrie with two goals in the last 15 minutes -- still the best game I have ever been to) in the quarters of the Cup Winner's Cup, past Waterschei 5-2 on aggregate and then of course Real Madrid 2-1 in a rain-soaked Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg.  Twenty Eight years ago!  Fu*k. What the Fu*k? Fu*k. 

A young team taken up through the ranks with a few purchases - Weir, McGee, Strachan - to help them along.   A team that attacked, attacked, attacked.  Didn't know when to be beat.  Kept playing until the very last minute.  Went to Ibrox and Parkhead and just loved to win.  Never forget Doug Rougvie warming up in the hot sun right in front of the Celtic fans purely to wind them up.  It was Fergie through and through --- We're Aberdeen, and we'll do what we want!  LOL.

28 YEARS LATER and it really is unreal when you think that he is still at it.  He may be almost 70, but nothing has been lost.  He has gathered experience and presence, but he is still following the ideals that served him so well at Aberdeen.  Youth is still key.  Attack is the prefered option.  Never say die.  United against the world.  The drive to win, but to win well!

A few things have stood out for me recently:

• In the last two games, SAF has brought on Chico and Nani for Evra and Rafa respectively.  No other manager would even think of it, never mind have the balls to make the change.  Masterstroke in both games, with Tony V looking right at place at right back.
• Team selection against Arsenal was right out of the "what the fu*k" book.  When I saw the team my first thought was that the FA Cup was being sacrificed.  After 28 years I should have known better.  The Brazilian twins were immense in midfield and Arsenal clueless.
• By commenting on Lee Mason and the rumour that he was pressurized by the FA to make a report on Rooney, saying he feels sorry for him, he has very successfully just re-enforced the fact that any player caught swearing on camera and not punished will correctly lead to pressure on the ref and the FA as to why the fu*k not.
• Loved the reaction to the fans after the game on Wed (photo above).  "Its us against them" was the message "we're United and we'll do what we want!"

Who knows how long Sir Alex will remain as manager, but as an Aberdeen fan who saw him leave in 1986 (ok so I then followed him to Old Trafford), all I can say is savour every minute!  He will be sadly sadly missed when he does step down, but without doubt he will leave an immense platform behind and we all know that it will be a roller coaster ride until that day.   Buckle up and enjoy the ride!!

Would love to hear your comments .........

Thoughts from the Canadian Rockies on this weekend

It's April 7th and we've had yet another dump of snow in the Canadian Rockies!  No wonder my plans for the weekend include being in front of the tv with Man United v Fulham and then the Masters being the order of the day!  One of the many advantages of living in Canada, is that we get all of the top 4 games live each week (although it's still hard to get up for the lunch time games which kick-off here at 5:45am!!).

On the face of it, in a normal week, a home game against Fulham would be seen as a pretty certain home win.  But of course with seven games to go in the league, a game sandwiched between two champions league matches against Chelsea, Rooney suspended and a semi against City next week, this is no normal week!  It will be a hard game, but hopefully one that we can get through.

But there does seem to be a sense of momentum building up within the team and the supporters.  In fact there has been ever since the defeat to Liverpool.  Maybe it's the "siege mentality", maybe its the return to form of Rooney, the return of a number of players from injury or perhaps just the fact that at last we seem to be actually playing like Man United. 

There has been a sense that each game is being taken one game at a time -- a cliche, but one that seems to have been lost on some of our rivals who have been rather more vocal in the press.  SAF knows exactly what he's doing and the message seems to have got to the players -- well perhaps except Rooney and his incident with the camera.  But even that may actually help with the final push.  There is a huge perceived injustice amongst the fans following the FA's ridiculous ban, and I am sure that this is just as strongly felt by the players.  It will just make them that bit more determined.  That bit more a team.  That bit stronger in the 3rd minute of extra-time when we need that goal to take the points.

So that brings us to this weekend.  I feel that quite simply we have to win against Fulham to keep the pressure on Arsenal and Chelsea.  Win and we go 10 points ahead of Arsenal before their game on Sunday away to Blackpool.  Blackpool are fighting for their lives, strong at home and against an Arsenal team that has had some really disappointing results over the past few weeks .......  If we win, I can see a 1-1 draw there.   As for Chelsea ..... the draw against Stoke was damaging last week and they will be hurting from our win yesterday.  I expect them to win on Saturday but that may depend on whether or not they decide to rest players ahead of Tuesday.

I believe that SAF will look to freshen the side up again.  Here's my thoughts on team selection (although the chances of me ever picking the same team as Sir Alex is pretty slim to say the least).  Would love to hear your thoughts:

Keeper
Kuszczak

Van der Sar looked to be struggling a bit with a calf strain.  Makes sense to rest him for Tues.

Defence
Fabio    Rio      Vidic     Evra

No news yet on Rafa, but looked like he will be out for a few weeks.  Hopefully just a dead leg, but even that could take a couple of games.  So his brother should come in. 

Likely to play Rio again to build up fitness in what should be an easier game for him.

Would ideally like to see Evra rested since he has looked off-form over the last couple of games.  However, unless O'Shea or Rafeal are fit, Evra likely to play.

Midfield
Valencia    Scholes   Anderson   Nani

Giggs to be rested after two games with Scholes coming in.

Anderson looked great for the reserves with two goals today.  Time to get him back in the first team.  Nani also fresh and raring to go.

Forwards
Berbatov   Chico

Reckon Chico will be chosen to play with Berbi with Owen coming on in the second half.  Of course this could easily be the other way round, but reckon we need to give Owen some play time in case we need him over the coming weeks.

Forecast

Going for a 3-1 win for United with a couple from Berbi and one from Anderson (well you never know, eh?).  Chelsea to win 3-0 and Arsenal to drop another couple of points at Blackpool.

Would love to hear what you think!

Reactions to the first leg against Chelsea

Ok, so this is my first ever blog -- so here goes ......

It's only half-time but a few thoughts ………..

·         Best away performance of the year.  Chelsea came into it at the end of both halves but that was it, and we always looked as though we had a couple of gears to move up through if needed.  If Chico had been one inch taller he would have scored twice.

·         Chelsea looked poor.  No cohesion up front and Torres looks lost.

·         Great tactics to control midfield with Rooney and Park coming back to support Carrick and Giggs when Chelsea attacked but still being available to support Chico and Tony in attack.  Nice and fluid.

·         Two terrible tackles in the first 20 mins on Rooney.  Both players should have been booked – had they been they would have been off for second yellows in the second.

·         Terry clearly heard saying “what the fuck?”.   Strangely no press witch hunt this morning.

·         Valencia, Rooney, Carrick, Rio and VDS all superb.

·         Evra worrying loss of form.   Hopefully he will get over it soon.

·         Loved the fact that SAF brought on Nani when Rafa was injured – attack attack attack!

·         Pretty certain that it was a peno by Evra – unseen by the ref and twenty officials on the goal line.  Waste of space, but heh its about time we had a ref’s decision go our way against them.

·         Big game now on Sat against Fulham – no doubt a few changes to be fresh for Tuesday.

·         In the return we need to go out there to win again – cannot afford to sit back.  Rooney will be fresh and will play with Berbi in that one.  Early goal for Rooney and take it from there.   Will be awesome atmosphere.

Time to breath and get ready for the Fulham game at Old Trafford.  We are due a good result against them.  Thought's on the team:

Kit Kat

Fabio   Rio    Vidic     Evra

Valencia  Scholes  Anderson  Nani

Berbi   Chico