Post-season thoughts, hopes, doom, gloom and Welbeck (and Carrick) love
Ten year anniversary for a key, unsung, cog at United
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Sir Alex Ferguson has already written off Liverpool’s chances of challenging for the Premier League next season – even before a ball has been kicked. The United manager was speaking on Wednesday when he claimed that ‘Chelsea were a bigger threat’ and that ‘other teams will know more about them’ – indicating they’ll work out how to play against Benitez’s 4-2-3-1 favoured formation.
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that the Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech may well have moved to United prior to his transfer to Chelsea from French club Rennes. The Chelsea goalkeeper was bought, along with former United target Arjen Robben, by Claudio Ranieri before Roman Abramovich came to power at Stamford Bridge. Fergie spoke on how close United were ingetting the Czech Republic International.
Nick Miller of football365 describes United as “the best of an average bunch”…
We could be accused of going a little blog crazy over the last couple of days but what with United’s victory and Liverpool’s draw putting the Champions 7 points ahead of the chasing pack, there was bound to be a media backlash.
And so came the first, from football365.com’s Nick Miller (http://football365.com/story/0,17033,13320_4956614,00.html) , who far from gives kudos to United, derides their achievement by questioning that they are “the best of a simply average bunch”, and says “seriously – this is a debate”.
Well, so far, we’ve been slighted for the myth that we haven’t scored so often. On 46 goals, we’ve scored more than any other team. As such, our defensive record has been referred to as the main reason we are in such a good position. The goals statistics defy this.
Our totally commanding home show this season, despite the number of teams who have come to Old Trafford with the sole aim of making it difficult for us, has been somewhat offset by what (at least a few games ago) seemed a dodgy away record. A record that could be quickly disspelled when recognising we had played all of last season’s top half sides away by Christmas, and were still well within touching distance.
There are plenty more statistics that could be told, however, ask yourself this question. When Liverpool were top a few weeks ago, were they labelled “the best of a simply average bunch”? When Arsenal were leading the pack after their favourable fixture list up until this point last season, were they labelled “the best of a simply average bunch”? And when Chelsea were sweeping all before them with a powerful defensive unit, were they labelled “the best of a simply average bunch”?
No, they weren’t. Arsenal were hailed as the best football side in the country (and, in some quarters, the best football side the country had ever seen), and Chelsea were feared as the most intimidating side of a generation.
I have often scribed my disgust at the way British journalism has failed to truly recognise the feats of Sir Alex’s sides but to belittle the achievements of a side that has lost just twice in twenty six games but are still seven points ahead of a team with only one defeat in that time (and, incidentally, we’re world champions) as “average” winners by ‘default’ is an incredible slight on a team which could potentially go on to have the most successful season in British football history. Yes, the internet does provide a path for the less knowledgable or embittered folk to cast their opinions, but the greater concern is that Sir Alex’s sides of 2007, 2008 and the squad of today will have their achievements belittled by wannabe journalists who think because they have a pathway to a widely viewed platform, that their opinion holds any kind of credence in a proper discussion. Breaking news, pal, you may befriend a bunch of deluded scousers and gooners but in the long run you will hold no water.
You may be forgiven, as I could, that we would be getting some credit for such a fantastic turnaround in such a short space of time.
But then, I was crowing about waiting for credit for a Premier League and Champions League double last season. Little did I know we were doing it with an average side….
Source:(Yolkie)
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A dominating Manchester United performance saw the English and European Champions crush Chelsea 3-0 with goals from Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov.
After an abject display against Derby in the Carling Cup and a less than convincing league performance in recent weeks, the pressure was really on Sir Alex Ferguson to send his team out to perform – especially in the wake of Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez’s incredibly nonsensical outburst on Friday.
Fergie’s team selection was met with some sceptiscm due to the decision to start with Ryan Giggs and Darren Fletcher in the centre of midfield – however, the selection of the 35 year old mercurial Welshman was a masterstroke as the United legend was by far the best player on the pitch.
Chelsea have an incredible away record this season but offered little threat in a dull opening period that beat into life late in the first half – the Red Devils mustered some urgency and a clever quick corner from Rooney that was crossed by Giggs and scored by Ronaldo was disallowed by the officials. No danger, however, as the re-taken kick was duly flicked by Berbatov and headed in by Vidic in injury time.
The goal was due reward as Ronaldo had previously been manhandled in the box by Carvalho but was denied a penalty. The decision may have been as a result of Benitez’s refereeing rant on Friday but was nonetheless incredible.
The lead was no more than United deserved and it prompted Chelsea to bring on Anelka at half time – but the Blues performance was even worse in the second half, and when Evra’s cross was finished by Rooney, the result was no longer in doubt.
Late on, Ronaldo’s wide free kick was met by Berbatov to inflict a 3-0 deficit on Chelsea, though it was no more than the champions deserved.
Sir Alex responded to Benitez’s rant as “ridiculous” in his post match interview but he will be far more content with his sides impressive statement than the state he worked the Liverpool coach up into.
Source:(Yolkie)
Top football magazine, FourFourTwo, have produced a quality article in their November edition that examines the player vs. club issue and where the power lies – you can’t miss the issue as it has Cantona’s face with graying beard on the front cover. We’re always reminded that ‘players wouldn’t get away with that in my day’ or ‘he’d get a clip round the ear and spend some times in the ressies’ when analysing the behaviour of some of today’s players – but does the power really lie with the player or do the clubs have more of say?
Ronaldo, Barry, Adebayor, Villa, Santi Cazorla, Lampard and Robinho are all featured in the article – which is interesting, considering that, of the players mentioned, only Robinho managed to move clubs on deadline day. Of course Tottenham would add Berbatov and Keane to that list, which would obviously flaw the point i’m trying to make – but out of the players mentioned only the Brazilian decided to jump ship and sign for Citeh on deadline day. Does this now mean that even with the Bosman ruling and the Webster ruling that clubs have the power?
Yes, we live in a football society where it seems for the top footballers, money is no object. Cristiano Ronaldo can easily command a mammoth £120,000 a week salary – which some people find amazing.
One person that wouldn’t find this extortionate (well maybe the sum for his day and age but in terms of ability being rewarded – he’d appreciate this) is former Red Billy Meredith, who in his day was the first footballing superstar. Meredith fought toothpick and nail to scrap the maximum wage that was forced upon footballers in those days – with the authorities labeling him greedy and a rebel. Meredith was in fact neither – just a player who wanted to be rewarded for his superior footballing talent. Why should he not be rewarded for training harder (in his own words) and being blessed with more naturally ability than the players of his time (not his own words)? In a sense I agree. Why should Ronaldo or Rooney be restricted in terms of how much they earn? Yes, they’ll be the argument that money then dictates where a player will end up. As we well know Ronaldo’s ‘childhood dream’ was to play at Real Madrid – so if there was a wage cap – I doubt he would still be at the club.
The article reveals that ‘Ronaldo and Robinho were exactly the same, only Robinho had the bottle to force a move’. Although, according to everyone’s favourite spokesperson – Pele, Robinho was at at the end of his tether to leave Real Madrid after the way the Spanish Champions had used Robinho in open transfer negotiations of our number 7. Let’s not beat around the bush – Robinho would have signed for Union Niederkappel as long as he got out of Madrid. Citeh have a ton of money and as shown by a mediocre side in Chelsea – money can help you in your quest for silverware. I’m not saying that money is the only resource needed to challenge for honours – not at all, but it does help massively towards achiving that goal.
Would Chelsea had of signed Essien for £24Million? Or Drogba for roughly the same amount? No of course not – this leads again to the point that rich clubs hold the cards over the players – they do not always get their own way as the media sometimes make out.
Manchester United stood strong over Ronaldo in the summer – a testament to the manager – who would not be bullied into submission; like there was any other outcome. This story has been discussed to death – but the importance of the fact that Fergie kept Madrid at bay, highlights that players don’t always get their own way. Ronaldo could have, if he’d have done a Robinho, ruined his reputation entirely – without getting any reward.
Its a bit different over at Arsenal and Chelsea where it looks like there was a share of power over the summer. Both Adebayor and Lampard flirted with the idea of moving away from their clubs and both were rewarded with handsome contracts. In this case are all parties happy? Well, nearly all expect for Barcelona and Inter Milan.
Gareth Barry’s situation aswell showed how much power the clubs have. Liverpool felt that Barry would go to them for a knock down fee due to unsettling the player but O’Neill stood strong and gave the attitude: ‘He can leave – for this price’. Obviously Benitez didn’t fancy forking out the £18Million for the ex-Villa captain and thus left it be.
I’m sure i’m due some criticism in brining up transfer rumours that everyone is sick of from the summer. The important thing though to remember is that although it is the clubs that, well in most cases over the summer, hold the cards – the players are deeply concerned by their reputation which is ultimately created and destroyed by the fans. We help to create heroes and unmask villains dependent on how they leave the club and in what circumstances they conduct themselves afterwards.
Are they welcomed back to the club with open arms, old songs chanting around the ground OR do they endure the barrage of abuse that will ultimately come their way? Ronaldo was very smart in not handing in a transfer request as he knew that his reputation could be destroyed in a matter of days. Robinho on the other hand was always classified as a talented player but was not a first team regular for Real Madrid in his time he spent with club. No doubt talented, the fee paid by Citeh for him was astonishing and faced the fact that every player has their price and that clubs do hold the cards; well nearly all clubs.
The witch hunt isn’t out quite just yet for someone to blame at the, shall we say, disappointing recent results. It started with a 2-1 defeat to UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg in which Paul Scholes got himself sent off for punching the ball into the net. Sandwiched in between that and the horrendous performance away at Liverpool was the comical transfer saga of moody face himself, Dimitar Berbatov. I’ve blogged enough about the Bulgarian forward and think he is an absolute quality footballer – but did we really need to fork out £30Million odd on him? Then we come to the game against Villarreal – the scoreless draw experts against us it would seem – however I wouldn’t quite get your box of tomatoes and rotten fruit yet, I quite enjoyed the game.
Ok it was a disappointing result, but there were a lot of positives out of the game. Firstly, the performance – United passed the ball much better than on Saturday, although were allowed to do a lot easier due to the significant less amount of pressing enforced by the laid back Eastern Spaniards. Yes, the yellow Submarine really was deep and as mentioned in the match report for the game, United missed the guile and creativity of a Scholes or Carrick in terms of creating chances through the middle of the park. Speaking of Park, the Korean was clearly brought down twice in the penalty box, which should have resulted in a penalty on both occasions – however both officials gazed at each other like nervous lovers and immediately waved play on. We can’t always get the correct decisions – but in both these instances they were stone wall penalties.
So, we’re actually in a better position at this point than we were last season – remember the stick we were getting having drawn with Reading and Pompey. Lost to Citeh, unbelievably, and scrapped a 1-0 win over Tottenham with a thunderbolt from Nani. We had five points out of a possible twelve, whereas now we have four points from a possible nine, the only problem is, we have Chelsea on Sunday, who haven’t lost at home for four years. To be honest, it does feel strange that we have had big game after big game so early on the season – especially when it usually takes us some time to get going.
Former United centre half, Gary Pallister, raised concerns this morning on Radio five, stating that this poor run of form would cost United in the long run. Although of course the results will hinder the progress of the club, in the league especially, I don’t know how we can really hit panic stations just yet. I mean we had Tevez missing the opening game, Rooney picking a virus up in Nigeria, Cristiano Ronaldo injured, Nani suspended, Anderson in China, Hargreaves injured, Giggs injured, Scholes suspended, Carrick injured and Berbatov hasn’t played at all this season – thats a big list. Once the team gets settled, players get back to match fitness, I have no doubt United will turn on the style. There is so much ability in this side – and it will shine through, we just need to be patient.
Chelsea on Sunday will not be an easy game. Firstly, the quality of the Londoners is immense and the side will be high in confidence after their 4-0 victory over French runners-up Bordeaux. Secondly, having been pipped to both trophies last season – they’ll be an extra edge to the game – which will of course be greeted to the tune of ‘Viva John Terry!’. Vidic is out, Carrick is out and it is doubtful that Ronaldo will start. Will Fergie attempt to play all three forwards again in an unbalanced lineup as he did against Liverpool? I hope not, although something will have to give. I hope he will go 4-4-2 with Rooney and Berbatov leading the line, Brown in to replace the suspended Vidic and a midfield quartet of Hargreaves, Anderson, Scholes and Giggs or Nani – which can then shift to a 4-3-3 if need be. Michael Essien is out, which is a big blow to Chelsea, however they have a decent, if a little less mobile, replacement in Jon Obi Mikel and i’m sure Drogba will make an appearance somewhere along the line. Combined with John Terry’s successful appeal, did you ever think there would be any other outcome, Chelsea will put out a very strong line up to try and make the gap even wider at the top come 5pm.
Fergie made a jibe at the age of the Chelsea squad in pre-season, something that seemed to ruffle some feathers in the Chelsea camp. When you look at the two sides – you see two great teams that are very different in style and to be fair to Fergie in terms of age also. We can talk all day long about history and tradition of both clubs – however, in today’s game, Chelsea are a massive force that will want revenge for last season’s events. One thing some fans forget is that there can be a period of domination – but that domination can’t occur every season, year after year – as much as fans want to see their side win, there has to be realistic expectations. Can United win a triple Premier League crown again? Or can United be the first side since AC Milan in 1990 to win back to back European Cups? Both answers are yes of course they can but in order to start playing with the style and grace that we all know is there – the team must get some consistency going. I’ve blogged many times about the difficulty in picking up Rooney, Tevez, Ronaldo and Giggs when they interchange positions so frequently – the process takes time – so yet again we must remember, patience is a virtue my friend.
Maybe I should be concentrating on United’s fortunes rather than that of a rival, but I just couldn’t believe the amount of moaning that went on today in the pre-match interviews. Now lets get this out of the way – Wenger is a top manager – he’s done wonders for Arsenal and although I do believe Arsenal fans over hype what he has done in terms of what other managers have done for their clubs (not a criticism, I just don’t believe Wenger is on the same level as Jesus!), however the man has transformed Arsenal from a bunch of indisciplined (you may laugh but i’m talking in terms of the drinking and diet culture) layabouts to a top footballing side. End of the day, I like good football and he promotes that but he is a sore loser and I believe he does feel the pressure.
Wenger commented today on the fact that “everyone is out to get Arsenal” and to be honest it’s nonsense. In his ambition to diffuse the pressure away from his young Arsenal side, your mind immediately flocks back to that April game in 2003 against Bolton. 2-0 they were with Wiltord, the prankster that he is, sticking his tongue out at the cameras – the media and Arsenal knew how this was going to end apparently. Cue goals from the iconic caveman himself Martin Keown and world cup winner Youri Djorkaeff, Arsenal ended up drawing the game 2-2. United went onto win the league that season and images of Wenger looking a little worse for wear at the end of that Bolton match will live with him for ever. Tie off, sweat pouring from his brow. He really was feeling the pressure and fast forward five years and he’s hoping his young talented side won’t crumble as his more experienced Championship winning side did. Arsenal have a good side but Wenger really should stick to what he is good at and thats coaching players to play good decent football – not mind games.
Whilst over the other side of London Avram ‘Caretaker’ Grant was coming out with some even sillier comments. Blaming the media left, right and center for all of Chelsea’s problems. Sure it was the media that made Cech come running out and miss his punch as Woodgate glanced a header past him. It may also be the media’s fault for Grant trying to accommodate Nickolas Anelka in a left wing position whilst Joe Cole (a player whom I really admire for his creativity and skill) sits on the bench.
We all make mistakes in football from an amateur level right up to international level, but one thing you must do is take some responsibility. If Terry and the assistant have a scrap so what? Why not put a positive spin on it as Mr Wenger would. Something like, ‘they’re just too passionate about our amazing side’. Or better yet……’I didn’t see it’.
Apparently, United are already under pressure having spent heavily in the summer on transfers. Who could come out with such a comments? Maybe Arsene Wenger who see’s himself as a careful purchaser of players? Nope. Maybe Rafa Benitez trying to take an early swipe at Liverpool’s main rivals? Nope. It comes out of mouth of Jose ‘I’m speaking out of my arse’ Mourinho.
Mourinho brings a lot to the English game in terms of personality, tactical knowhow and charm. However, he does speak a whole lot of nonsense at times. Does he forget the vast amount of player he has bought who have underachieved at Stamford Bridge under his management? Firstly, last summer he brought in Shevchenko and Ballack which a) upset the balance of the team and b) underperformed significantly in the race for the title. Who should be blamed? The players have obviously been hit hard by the media but does anyone blame Jose? No. Mourinho has the ability like Fergie and like Clough to ‘blame everyone else’ but the way his sides play football doesn’t always allow for such an arrogant attitude towards football.
Mourinho believes he is the wind up merchant and is starting early, but to be honest nothing will get past Fergie. Fans get irate and wound up over what rival managers say all the time. I’m more bemused than annoyed in regards to this story as I can’t believe a manager would leave themselves so open to being a hypocrite.
