We’re free to do whatever they want

Posted on February 21, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Herzog's Child, Liverpool, Man United   31 Comments »

Author: Herzog’s Child

Follow Herzog’s Child on Twitter

Given the enormous brouhaha that emanated from the now tedious race-gate, one would be forgiven for thinking the sneering one’s refusal to shake the hand of someone he racially abused was the one and only vile act of February 11th last. Yet the day’s initial ugly act had already occurred when The Greater Manchester Police, those rarefied bastions of all that’s great and good about our society, felt obliged to confiscate and subsequently impound Red Issue fanzine for having the gall to provoke humour through its pages. Concealing a parody Ku Klux Klan cut-out mask embossed with a sympathy message for Luis Suarez, the ‘zine was rounded up from its sellers and carted off to the cop-shop on the grounds that the mask could potentially incite racial hatred and untold disturbance amongst supporters. That the size of the mask rendered it quite impossible to conceal one’s face mattered little. Nor did it seem pertinent that its message was overtly anti-racist. The message from those who felt compelled to drive Red Issue from the streets – an act which could have potentially set the publication’s future into ruination – was clear from their motivations: the satirising of serious situations are prohibited – when it suits those who can divvy out unjustified and criminally insidious authority. On a day blighted by an ever-enlarging grotesqueness permeating the game, the removal from the street of a publication that regularly exposes football’s absurdities was a low that could set a worrying trend. And the most worrying aspect is that most won’t care.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 6.4/10 (24 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)

Things: United and Liverpool haircuts; dancing babies and struggling managers

Posted on February 15, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Aston Villa, Bolton Wanderers, Doron, El Rob, Guest Writer, Liverpool, Man United, Nik, Premier League, Sleepy Nik, Things   No Comments »

Authors: Doron, Written Offside, Nik and Rob

Follow Doron, Written Offside, Nik and Rob on Twitter

Here arriveth the third installment of the “Things” column, covering random highlights and lowlights from last weekend’s football. Musings this week are brought to you as ever from Nik, Doron and Rob (he’s the funny one); with the added treat of James from Written Offside sharing some thoughts on Aston Villa. Enjoy.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 9.2/10 (11 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +5 (from 5 votes)

Talking Points: Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool

Posted on February 13, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Liverpool, Man United, Match Reports, Premier League, Sleepy Nik   7 Comments »

Authors: Stretford End, Doron and Nik

Follow Stretford End, Doron and Nik on Twitter

It’s sad really that many will expect to be reading about non-footballing issues on a piece written about a football game. To be honest, the biggest disappointment post-match was that the Guardian have discontinued their chalkboards and therefore here ends analysis via that method. Anyway, United moved temporarily top after a generally comfortable win over Liverpool as Rooney scored a quick-fire double. Scholes came in for Ashley Young in the only change from the Chelsea game. Liverpool surprisingly left out Bellamy and Suarez came in to start for the first time after his ban.

Here we discuss the talking points of the game and invite Liverpool fans to join in the discussion below.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 8.3/10 (18 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +6 (from 6 votes)

Talking Points: Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United (FA Cup)

Posted on January 29, 2012  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, FA Cup, Liverpool, Man United, Match Reports, Nik, Sleepy Nik   13 Comments »

Authors: Doron and Nik

Follow Doron and Nik on Twitter

United travelled west to Liverpool for a 4th round FA Cup game at rivals Liverpool. With injuries yet again hitting the side hard, they lined up in a 4-5-1 without key creative players Rooney or Nani. Rafael returned at right back whilst Carrick was joined in the middle by the oldies, Giggs and Scholes. Welbeck was asked to lead the line and at the back, De Gea was brought in at a ground he did well at last time out. Liverpool matched United’s formation with Carroll leading their attack and Carragher sitting in front of the back four.

Below, we discuss the talking points and invite Liverpool fans as well as United fans to join in the discussion.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 5.5/10 (11 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +4 (from 4 votes)

Talking Points: Liverpool 1-1 Manchester United

Posted on October 15, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Liverpool, Man United, Match Reports, Premier League   16 Comments »

Author: Doron

Follow Doron on Twitter

There was a typical Fergie surprise when the teams were announced before kick off – no Rooney, Nani, Hernandez or Anderson were starting. Instead, Jones played in midfield for the first time and Welbeck was asked to play up front alone. Steven Gerrard made his first start in 7 months for Liverpool and his goal saw them take the lead midway through the second half. Hernandez’s equaliser with nine minutes to go meant the sides had to settle for a point each. Here we discuss some of the key talking points from the game and welcome discussion from both United and Liverpool fans.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 7.4/10 (12 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +5 (from 7 votes)

Match Preview: Liverpool vs. Manchester United

Posted on October 14, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Liverpool, Man United, Match Previews, Premier League   2 Comments »

Author: Doron

Follow me on Twitter

“Come back when you’ve won 18″ they said. Well we’ve won 18 won 19 and now we’re back and we’re on top again. Hello Anfield, Manchester United are in town.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 0 (from 2 votes)

United’s midfield the key in trip to Anfield

Posted on October 14, 2011  by Stretford-end  in Liverpool, Man United, Players, Tactics   3 Comments »

Darren Fletcher

Author: Stretford_End

Over the years United and Liverpool can boast about some of the most iconic midfielders this country is lucky enough to have ever seen. From Robson to Keane for United and Souness to Gerrard for Liverpool, there have been some epic clashes in the centre of the park. The match at Anfield will mark the 183rd time the two sides have met but United haven’t picked up a victory (at Anfield) since the 1-0 win in the December of 2007 (scored by Carlos Tevez of all people). In the time since that victory United have lost 2-1 in 08/09, 2-0 in 09/10 and 3-1 last season. Last season, United looked extremely pedestrian in the middle of the midfield, with Scholes and Carrick – this time around, I expect Ferguson to look for energy and drive in Fletcher and Anderson.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 7.3/10 (6 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +1 (from 3 votes)

“LFC can expose Evans again, he isn’t that much to write home about”

Posted on October 13, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Liverpool, Man United   20 Comments »

Author: Doron

Follow Doron on Twitter

Ahead of the Liverpool game this weekend we decided to put various Liverpool-United related questions forward to serial tweeter and avid Liverpool fan, Mal Bennett. The topics covered include the biggest diver, the NextGen series and why Liverpool have had the edge at Anfield lately…

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 10.0/10 (4 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +2 (from 2 votes)

Greatest Ever British Manager Analysed

Posted on May 05, 2011  by Stretford-end  in Legends, Liverpool, Man United, Managers   21 Comments »

Busby and Ferguson

AUTHOR: – The Mancunian Red (Guest Blogger)

The question of who is the greatest manager to have managed in Britain has been a question which has been discussed but never properly analysed. It obviously has countless problems as it isn’t possible to compare many of the factors like for like. The criteria which I use to assess the managers obviously cannot be based purely on the number of trophies won, we also need to assess the resources and problems and longevity of success. I will begin with a brief explanation of the managers career then analyse some of the best and worst aspects of his career!

After much thought I narrowed the list to Clough, Busby, Fergie and Paisley. Leaving out the likes of Shankly, Herbert Chapman (the self proclaimed special one) and Sir Alf Ramsay was not easy and I will be happy to debate the pros and cons of my analysis should anyone desire. The case for Chapman is probably strongest and I should note I do feel at unease by his omission.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: +1 (from 1 vote)

The truth about the Liverpool vs. Man United FA Youth Cup tie

Posted on March 14, 2011  by nameonthetrophy  in Doron, Liverpool, Man United   74 Comments »

Hillsborough memorial service

AUTHOR: – Doron

I dislike Liverpool FC as much as the next United fan. But that’s normal right? That’s natural when there is an intense rivalry in sport. I’d be hard-pushed to find a Liverpool fan who doesn’t feel similarly about United. However, underneath the layers of rivalry, there are two very similar clubs with much in common.

VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)
VN:F [1.9.9_1125]
Rating: 0 (from 0 votes)

Featured Posts

Post-season thoughts, hopes, doom, gloom and Welbeck (and Carrick) love

Tweet Authors: Doron, Nik, Bricki, Herzog’s Child, Stretford End and...

Ten year anniversary for a key, unsung, cog at United

Tweet Author: Doron Follow Doron on Twitter Naturally, fans tend to think about the...

Podcast: transfer rumours assessed, youth development, buying success and more…

Tweet Authors: Doron and Phil Follow Doron, Phil and BTP on Twitter Beyond The Pitch...

Deconstructing the United capitulation excuses

Tweet Author: Doron Follow Doron on Twitter Coming to terms with United’s finish...