Apr 19
Blackburn v Manchester United - Preview
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United
Ewood Park, Saturday 19 April 2008, 17:15
The numbers point, as usual, to a United win - Blackburn have lost to United more than they’ve lost to any other team since the Premier League started, we did the double against them last season, Blackburn have lost 7 out of 7 fixtures against the Big Four this season, lost the last game to Liverpool while United are on a high after beating Arsenal.
Blackburn’s season is more or less over - they have an outside chance for qualifying for Europe via the InterToto Cup but that will require several results to go their way. United have, after beating Arsenal on Sunday and watching Chelsea draw with Wigan, one hand on the title, but it will take all their professionalism and focus to finish the job off as champions.
This fixture is the first of four season-deciding matches for United - Blackburn away on Saturday evening is followed by Barcelona away on Wednesday, Chelsea away on Saturday (early afternoon kickoff) before hosting Barcelona at home on Tuesday. 4 games in 11 days that will more or less make the difference between a good and great season.
With that in mind, Ferguson may choose to rotate some of his squad and rest a couple of his players on Saturday. You’d think that Ronaldo is undroppable, considering his form but to me he’s seemed like needing a rest in the last couple of games and surely sitting on the bench is better than having lumps kicked out of him on Saturday.
The other person who might be held back is Owen Hargreaves (who is injured according to some reports but with no official word I doubt it) - Hargo has been in great form whenever he’s played for United and (as long as he can keep his tendonitis under control) will be a valuable squad member in the coming years.
There have been rumours that Vidic will be ready to start against Blackburn. As much as I’d like him to start playing again, I’m thinking (hoping) that Fergie gives Pique another runout and holds Vida back for Barcelona (or he could rest Rio and start with Vidic, depends on what Fergie sees on the training ground on Friday).
However, I don’t expect wholesale changes. Fergie and the players know that if United can scrape to wins over the next 11 days, they’ll have enough time to rest. Expect this side to go at Blackburn all guns blazing, with Giggs, and possibly Silvestre and Anderson getting starts. Too bad Fletch isn’t back - he would have been good for this type of (scrappy) game.
Prediction: 2-1 to United.
Over to you.
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Manchester United Fixtures for the 07/08 Season
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
- Barclona v Man Utd: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
April 19th, 2008 at 8:17
I think Blackburn is a really strong side. They deserve to be in the top 4! United always has it difficult against Blackburn, and I think today will be no difference.
Yesterday I read that Anderson was a doubt for today. I hope he isnt. This will be the kind of game he likes. Two teams attacking and playing against an agressive side. He loves these games! Hope he scores today too.
VDS should continue in goal, Wes, Rio and Evra should start, but I would rather have Pique playing this game and rest Vidic to wednesday. Ronaldo got a rest against Roma and will have some weeks rest after the season, but now is no time to put him on the bench. He must start! And if Nani is fit, lets play him too.
My team:
VDS
Brown Rio Pique Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Scholes/Anderson(if fit) Giggs/Nani(if fit)
Rooney Tevez
These games always have lots of goals(4-3 in 2006 and 4-1 in 2007) so I think this will be an entertaining game with some goals. Hopefully most of them goes Uniteds way. My prediction: 3-1 to United. Ronaldo, Rio and Rooney to score.
April 19th, 2008 at 8:56
VDS
Neville-Rio-Pique-Silvestre
Park-Carrick-Scholes/Andy-Giggs/Nani
Wazza-Tevez
Gary and Mikel shud get starts….Ronaldo rested….maybe can throw in Vidic and Welbeck later if the game is safe….
April 19th, 2008 at 8:57
andy and park and welbeck to score…
April 19th, 2008 at 9:15
RedDevil is right. We cannot discount the fact that Blackburn is a quality side with some quality players like Bentley and Friedel. Their strikers especially Santa Cruz are also good. I wouldn’t be that nervous if this game was at OT but as it at Blackburn, I think I’m starting to feel a bit nervous. We absolutely must win this game, regardless of what happens next week at the Bridge. I see West Ham as a bogey team and Wigan is well coached and playing at home on the last day of the season. Call me insecure but I’m sweating worst case scenarios all over the place. Could that useless and pathetically coached Chelsea team actually nip us at the end? Doubtful, but you never know. Football is a game of few chances and lucky breaks. Nothing is a foregone conclusion. My prediction United squeak by 2-1 on a late Ronaldo goal.
April 19th, 2008 at 9:17
RedDevil the 4-1 game was utd at home. The away game was one 1-0 courtesy of a beautiful saha finish in a hard fought game in the rain. But remember when utd get to mid april they are usually unbeatable regardless of their position in the league. My team would be
Foster,
Brown,rio,pique,evra.
Ronaldo,carrick,anderson-son-son,Nani.
Roo and Tevez.
GGMU
April 19th, 2008 at 10:22
u’ve got it wrong big time Bilal
blackburn havent lost 7 out of 7 against the top4 this season
they drew against arsenal and pool at ewood park and drew against chelsea at SB..
we have won at ewood park only once in the last 5 or 6 yrs..
that was last yr and before that i guess it was when dwight and becks scored if i remember right.
its not an easy game in any sense of the word.it will a real tough game unless we really put on a show and play them off the park.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:05
The only thing that I can predict are numerous Rooney vs. Friedel situations. He seems to always raise his game against us.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:24
tricky game, anything can happen. I hope there are no more injuries as blackburn are sure to play a rough game.
April 19th, 2008 at 11:44
nah it wont be a tough game, blackburn are now savage-less…bad pun alert
April 19th, 2008 at 11:45
This is gonna be hard, its a lancashire derby. There’s local pride at stake here, i expect Blackburn to put up more of a fight against us than they did last week against the scouse. But having said that, i expect us to win, getting one step closer to title triumph.I agree with you Grogs, 2-1 to the Reds, with Ronaldo and Teves scoring.I hope that Dan is right though, easier on the heart!
April 19th, 2008 at 12:34
I think there could be 1 or 2 suprises with our line up. I hear Nani is fit and so is Vidic so they must play and get some action before the Barca game.
Van Der Sar
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Carrick Scholes Anderson
Ronaldo Rooney Nani
I’d expect Rooney, Ronaldo and Evra to be replaced by Tevez, Park + Silvestre if things have been wrapped up.
2-0 to united - Ronaldo and Rooney.
April 19th, 2008 at 13:07
JOS I do like your view on the football things. As we can see football isn’t the same anymore . I mean who is the forward who’s the midfielder. Are there clear positions or do they depend on players’ creation and needs of the attcking psition?
You know, Manchester has never had the first scorer when we won the EPL, except 3 times I think.
1st time was Yorke 18 goals 98-99 together with Owen and Hasselbaink
2nd 2002-03 RvN 25 goals.
So , it was 2 times we had the first scorer.
All these LONELY STRIKER goals (215) by RvN gave as the 4 domestic titles , one time each , between the seasons 01-02 and 05-06
So, who fcks that lonely Striker ?
April 19th, 2008 at 15:57
i’ve given it a lot of thought, and i feel that as long as our current strikers get a chance next season, im open to a big name striker buy, preferably villa, but will want manucho and campbell to get their chances and welbeck to get loaned out to a championship, or a bottom of the premier league club(derby would of been great because i doubt he would have trouble getting into their first-team) just to get some experience. Yes im a sell out after all.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:10
Team news:
That was a joke, just waiting for the team news. Would be a wierd side to play, wouldnt it considering the importance of this game. Should have the real lineup in 10-15 minutes!
VDS
Neville
Pique
Silvestre
Oshea
Nani
Carrick
Possebon
Park
Tevez
Welbeck
April 19th, 2008 at 16:14
my gosh, that is a team that probably beat the bottom 2 though in fairness jb.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:17
Im not JB, Im RD!
April 19th, 2008 at 16:18
whoops! sorry
April 19th, 2008 at 16:22
golly ,what’s wrong dan.This is usually the hardest bit every weekend waiting for the team news,the game ,the performance then the most crucial the result.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:24
…nothings wrong with me…
April 19th, 2008 at 16:27
who’s been commenting as “Sam”?!
that name’s taken in this site, matey!
April 19th, 2008 at 16:27
any news on anderson’s and owen’s fitness
April 19th, 2008 at 16:28
DERBY SCORED!!! DERBY SCORED!!! :-O
April 19th, 2008 at 16:29
but what are you gonna do about it Sam, are you the real Sam:-)
April 19th, 2008 at 16:32
anyone know of a united friendly pub in london near heathrow airport? I have a layover durring the chelski match and want to watch with some lads singing the same songs as me.
I would love to see welbeck get some game time today and 3points for the reds.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:32
Told yeah dan.Something aint right.Westham though are truly some fuck ups they can’t be derby.Oh well must be all those injuries.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:36
a strong team but i would of rather had foster in goal instead of PIG. the only reason giggs is playing is because of experience and nani just returned from injury, no ando
April 19th, 2008 at 16:37
Real line-up:
GK: TK
RB: Brown
CB: Rio
CB: Vidic
CB: Evra
RW: Ronaldo
CM: Scholes
CM: Carrick
LM: Giggs
ST: Rooney
ST: Tevez
Bench: Foster, Nani, Pique, Park, Oshea
Looks like Andersons and Owens injuries are too bad. Hope both of them are fit for wednesday. Would be more confident if Foster played instead of TK, but what can you do? Still predict 3-1 to United. Ronaldo, Rio and Rooney to score.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:37
Kuszczak
Brown
Rio
Vidic
Evra
Ronaldo
Carrick
Scholes
Giggs
Tevez
Rooney
SUBS
Foster
Park
Nani
Pique
O’Shea
April 19th, 2008 at 16:37
PIG
brown
vida
rio
evra
ronny
carrick
scholes
giggs
roo
tevez
subs:
foster
john
park
nani
pique
April 19th, 2008 at 16:38
wow us 3 are good
April 19th, 2008 at 16:39
Fergie must be off he’s cracker .No Edwin ,playing Vidic and then playing giggs and scholes that is a hell of a gamble.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:40
A very very good interview of Rio Ferdinand on BBC. He talks lot of sense, I am liking him evn more these days.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/7354942.stm
April 19th, 2008 at 16:40
dan by the way west ham are in the lead again.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:42
Hey, impressive! What are the odds for all three of us posting the lineup at the same time? Great
Hope United win today!
Oh and VDS got a slick knock so he is not risked with the Barca game coming up.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:42
van der sar has a groin strain, hopefully back for the home barca tie, but thats my opinion and not official.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:42
It’s quite possible that EVDS is injured. Don’t you think?
April 19th, 2008 at 16:43
julio, isn’t it time we trust Fergie with the team selections now? I mean, he usually gets it right. That is a good team, Anderson and Hargreaves had slight knocks so they couldn’t play apparently. Don’t know if that’s the case with VdS.
Come on United!
April 19th, 2008 at 16:43
Me too RR if only he was like this when he came to us we would be in a different league.He is playing well on and off the pitch.Surely United and england Captain material.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:44
Yup EVDS has suffered a knock, so hasn’t been risked keeping in mind the UCL game against Barcelona. According to manutd.com text commentary.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:45
Looks like Bolton might just beat Boro.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:47
if so, then why not play foster, i really do rate much, much higher then PIG and he could due with a bit more game time.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:48
If ever we needed Anderson’s energy and defensive capabilities, it would have been today against a physical side like Backburn. Instead, the once again out of form Scholes is in and I am worried about that. I’m hoping the Ginger Ninja helps me forget his invisibility act against Arsenal. EVDS is also a bloody worry. Pig is OK but he is not good with crosses or corners and Blackburn have Bentley and Pedersen who are very good at both. I smell problems.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:49
But Fergie rates Kuszczack higher which is why he picked him today. And let’s be fair, he hasn’t done much wrong has he? And if he were to drop him now, imagine the beating his confidence would suffer.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:51
Ahmed - Fletcher does horribly in scrappy games against run-of- the mill teams. Where he really excels is against top opposition, especially in Europe, transcending his game and leaving us to ask ourselves how a player like that doesn’t put in perfromances like that more regularly.
On the other hand, Carrick does perform against these teams, spreading them apart with his passing.
And TK is given preference over BF just because he needs match fitness should we need him in Europe.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:53
nah, fergie doesn’t rate him higher its just that the 2 important facts are that foster is not allowed to play for Europe and he has just come back from a long lay off.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:57
Foster isnt registered to play in europe so if Van Der Sar is injured then TK needs to play to be ready for weds.
Happy with that side, come on united.
April 19th, 2008 at 16:57
[Dan]
See, you know the two important facts. Then why ask about playing Foster? You just proved yourself wrong.
April 19th, 2008 at 17:02
you can still play foster despite the facts, this match is just as important as thursdays so there is just as much(and maybe more in PIGS case)of a chance of blunder from the keeper. but then you say match sharpness, match sharpness means nothing to pig, remember the string of games he had earlyier this season yet still could let in a goal at his near post from outside the box.
April 19th, 2008 at 17:15
Yes, it’s important. But PIG is good, not nearly as bad as you think him to be. As usual you are letting your thoughts about playing our youth prospects blind you to facts about man management. PIG needs to be felt that he’s needed, very important for a ‘keeper’s morale. Foster can wait. He’s 24 and ‘keepers have longer careers. Patience is essential if you are a ‘keeper.
April 19th, 2008 at 17:17
Let’s watch the 1st half and hope for the best
April 19th, 2008 at 17:18
And we have Vidic back. Be positive mate.
April 19th, 2008 at 17:37
Every single one of our fans today at Ewood Park is a giant! I’m watching the game and they’ve been the only ones heard since the beginning.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:07
Bugger.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:07
Half Time: I’m very nervous right now…very nervous. This is not looking good. The scariest part is our players look rattled and quiet. We JUST cannot lose this match. Looking forward to Nani coming on in the 2nd half for Giggs.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:08
Seems like one of that days, nothing goes our way. The worst thing is that I don’t think we have anyone on the bench to make a difference. Nani maybe, but he hasn’t played for a month or so. Want to balm all timers, but everybody was really bad. The goal was stupid our deffence is not the best. This is a shity game and I will be happy with a draw
April 19th, 2008 at 18:09
The team is sleeping… zzzz Vidic seems shaky and Ferdinand is counting his money i guess!
We have seen this kind of “zombie play” in so many away games this season: Liverpool, Tottenham, Reading, West Ham, Middlesbrough. In theory we just need a draw.
We need a stiker/finisher/physical presence! But that´s old news…
April 19th, 2008 at 18:10
C’mon… Letit be last year’s Everton! plzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplzplz
April 19th, 2008 at 18:11
Well, one way of looking at it is this - we don’t have a better opportunity to put on a great show in the 2nd half and prove that we deserve to be champions, not Chelsea. I think the hairdryer is gonna blow full force for the next 10mins.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:14
Against a tough side like Blackburn you need far more fight, or at least speed, in the middle of the park. Scholes and Carrick together is just too soft, and wtf is going on with Giggs!
Bring on some speed with Nani and Park pleeaase!
April 19th, 2008 at 18:14
nani on for giggs please, i would say andy on for scholes but he’s injured so nani on for giggs. giggs and scholes just cant play together simple as. the goal, ha, this is why i said do not start vidic, bring him on during the game, but we started him and we are 1 down, dont get me wrong, its not his fault, but rustiness has shown. we should of played pique, bring rio of in the 60th minute and bring vidic on.
if we do lose, we will have to at least get a draw at stamford bridge and WIN the rest.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:17
What’s this? A Chelsea blog? One of those days? Rio counting his money? You’ll eat your words when Ronaldo scores.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:17
What a load of rubbish! We are playing like total shite. My worst case scenario is being realized because this team utilizes an unorthodox manner in which to use Tevez and Rooney. I am bloody sick and tired of seeing Wayne play the sidelines. He’s a god damned striker. Play him like one for Christ sake. Ronaldo has been invisible until his header and that last free kick just before the half was so incredibly selfish. Giggs has run well but his decision making and passing is horrible. Rooney is working oh so hard but accomplishing nothing because he needs to do his work more in the box. He’s also staring a second yellow card in the face as he is showing signs of cracking emotionally. We are being out physically intimidated. Meanwhile our slow footed central midfield is giving Bentley complete control of the midfield, and he is killing us. The goal was a fluke bounce but on the other hand, we have not got the breaks. When is Paul Scholes going to make a pass forward in this game? When Ronaldo isn’t playing well, we look like a very ordinary team. Not having Hargo and Anderson may be are undoing in this game. Jeez! I’m sorry but at this stage of the year, players need to play with a little pain and suck it up a bit. Being Canadian I just cannot handle the fact that footballers can not handle playing with any physical discomfort. Certainly hockey players and American football players don’t suffer from this problem. Only baseball players are as wimpy as this.
The linesman has blown a called offside that wasn’t, gave Blackburn a great chance when the ball was clearly out. Styles is my least referee in the league and he is allowing Blackburn to out muscle our smaller lads. We need some magic but I just feel it’s not going to come today. Hopefully the shoes and hairdryers will be flying in the dressing room because we could be looking at our demise in the league this season. Man I was afraid of this matchup, much more than the Middlesbrough game.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:18
prayers have been awnsered giggs of nani on
April 19th, 2008 at 18:19
For once I agree with you Dan. Nani on for Giggs please.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:19
It seems like everyone is sleeping. Only Vidic, Carrick, Evra, and Rooney are awake. Hopefully SAF can wake them up…yesss..NANI..
April 19th, 2008 at 18:20
Nani in who is it for though I missed it (I’m in class)
April 19th, 2008 at 18:21
Nani is on for 2nd half
April 19th, 2008 at 18:37
its amazing that we have no midfield when neither hargo or anderson is playing, we lack speed or any urgency, scholes and carrick is possibly our worst midfield pairing this season, last season they were perfect amazing together, this seasons they have not been able to rekindle that magic,
April 19th, 2008 at 18:39
Mr Muhozi I can’t agree with you but its looking kinda flat today.
April 19th, 2008 at 18:39
Blackburn are doing an amazing job of slowing things down. There’s barely been 5 mins of football in the first 15 mins of the second half…
April 19th, 2008 at 18:48
This is the slowest game I’ve seen since champions league matches against teams that are ahead of us. Each free kick/throw in/goal kick takes about 2 minutes. Dulll
April 19th, 2008 at 18:55
how long is left?
We look like scoring or what??
April 19th, 2008 at 19:01
It’s that man Friedel again. God I hate him!
April 19th, 2008 at 19:01
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 19th, 2008 at 19:01
Wow, cheers Rob Styles. Good save with the arm from the defender…
April 19th, 2008 at 19:01
TEVEZ, god dammit why is he Argentinian
April 19th, 2008 at 19:02
i love you tevez, i really do.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:03
WE’LL NEVER DIE! There’s still time for a second goal.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:08
worst refereeing EVER
April 19th, 2008 at 19:10
1-1 Tevez equalises. Thank God.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:10
Tevez u genius. big fukin point. not ideal but what can ya do
April 19th, 2008 at 19:11
3 PENALTIES?
Agreed Muhozi
FCK OFF FRIEDEL!
April 19th, 2008 at 19:11
if im not mistaken, we would have lose 2 matches if chelsea where to win the league, as long as we get at least a draw at chelsea we should win the league.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:11
Fuck you ref!I swear if nani started the game we would have won.Giggs play is pathetic…its embarrassing.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:12
the ref did not want us to win at all.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:15
Potential Rooney injury as well.. Horrible horrible game for us.. Not a good result, noone got a rest for midweek and Rooney’s injury… We should’ve had 3 penalties, 2 of which were clear cut…
April 19th, 2008 at 19:17
nani was immense.period. the crosses, the commitment, the running,etc. vidic looked a lot shaky with his clearances, ronaldo had his ups and downs (more down time though), kudos to rooney for all his effort, scholes redeemed himself to some extent in the second half.
Just shows why we need nani on at Nou Camp and not giggs, and boy, did we miss hargo, andy for the second half where possession and energy were required.
I am backing SAF to mastermind a victory at Bridge. Cant afford to give this title away. Common u devils
April 19th, 2008 at 19:19
and mind you, we wont be hearing Queiroz or SAF ranting abt the ref after their previous warnings, but they were abysmal
April 19th, 2008 at 19:23
Glad we got the point…but what i am really concerned is the game against west ham. If we even draw at chelsea, then we need to get point off of West Ham, who face it, are one of our bogey teams!
April 19th, 2008 at 19:25
for a change, our team at nou camp pretty much selects itself, even if rooney is injured…
April 19th, 2008 at 19:26
theres a mistake on bbc btw, it says we have 83 points…
April 19th, 2008 at 19:27
We played well only for the last 10min..till then I couldn’t stand the match! Fuckin ref made it worse also. But hasn’t TEVEZ scored the MOST CRUCIAL goals this season?????
Hopefully Rooney will be fit for the SB match. I think it isn’t the worst thing if he doesn’t play at the Nou Camp.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:32
Stop blaming it on the refs, you starting to sound like gooners. Nobody gets every call good or bad, we played shitty today and are lucking to leave with a point, end of story.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:34
BBC Five Live say Rooney isn’t too much of a worry for CL…great news if it’s true
April 19th, 2008 at 19:37
Well that was close and Tevez does it again, I am not even gonna go for Reffering. We did have our chances, but Freidel the cunt and luck didn’t help us. I do think that Tevez saved us, now even if we loose in Stanford, we are still will be ahead, Draw or a win will solve the problem. how many times Tevez has scored and saved points this year.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:37
Awful game from United… Appart from Evra our defence was shit… Ferdinand and Vidic were looking very clumsy and nervous. What the hell happened?
Giggs can´t play anymore in the starting XI, but everyone knows that even Giggs knows that! You see it in his face with that “deep look” after every bad cross, poor pass or lost of possesion… It looks like he´s thinking: “what is happening? i could do this easily some tim ago…”. I feel sorry for him and it´s damaging his image…
What about Rooney? I really like him but he plays everywhere unless in the middle as a striker, i just don´t get our tactics. Wake up SAF! W
We need to play a lot better if we want to win at least to West Ham and Wigan!
We kept a 3 point advantage until the Chelsea game, which was crucial as everyone knows.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:39
no, we played shitty yes, but a lot of his decisions where questionable and lets face it, every time rob styles refs a match for us, he all ways leans the other way with his decisions, like for instance, the warnock handball in the box, everyone in the stadium new it was a handball except the ref. and like in the first half when brown knocked the ball out of play, not on the line, completely out of play yet bently carries on as if he didnt realise and blackburn come close to scoring.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:42
Kal we don’t, if we draw with Chelski and win in Wigan we are done. The draw will let us to only win 1 of our games, the win will guarantee the Title and defeat (god forbid) will made us to win both our games. We can’t loose to Chelski, cause I agree that hammers are a boogie team
April 19th, 2008 at 19:47
It is not the ideal result but we have a 3 point advantage with 3 games to go. Anybody would have taken that at the start of the season.
Chelsea aren’t playing well at all and I belive we can go to Stamford Bridge and get a draw, or even win. But if we lose it will be slightly worrying as West Ham are a bogey team, atleast it is at Old Trafford. Chelsea still have to play Newcastle.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:50
I hate Friedel….
I LOVE Tevez…..
I love Nanis corners….
I hate the ref….
I think we can win the league at the Bridge, but it will be hard! Wouldnt be surprised if Tevez scores the winning goal there. Look at all his match-winning goals this season: Chelsea, Liverpool, Birmingham, Lyon, Spurs, Roma, Blackburn…did I forget any?
April 19th, 2008 at 19:51
right on johnsom…
but i must say, we werent “lucky”, we DESERVED atleast a point…
Friedel had a superhuman game that guy…I was screaming and shouting and swearing at the TV every time he made a save and boy were there so many game-changing saves. Please GOD please no scholes or giggs for Barca please!!!!!!! if u hang me upside down from the top of a 100 storey building, i would probably agree to one of the oldies, but definitely not both!
Barca will just murder us if we had two oldies slowing up the game like that!
April 19th, 2008 at 19:51
if we draw at chelsea and win at either wigan or west ham, then we’ve got the league, but we’re not winning any double with bad refereeing and a last 10 minute mentality shown today, i did not watch the first half as i was doing coursework, however from the second half, it was pretty obvious we lacked speed and nani for all that he could do was not able to inject life into the midfield, i stand by my earlier comment, we have to play either anderson or hargo in the midfield, if we play both we’re pretty much unbeatable, from the top of my head, we have yet to lose a game when both of the two start together, and we probably score the most goals, but that is of the top of my head so do not quote me on it.
April 19th, 2008 at 19:54
[RedDevil]
You missed Tottenham away
April 19th, 2008 at 19:56
Mr Muhozi: I had a look at the stats for the midfield partnerships a couple of weeks ago. At that point the best partnerships were Carrick/Anderson and Carrick/Fletcher.
April 19th, 2008 at 20:03
ahh ok jb, but how are they marked if you could remeber it could help,
April 19th, 2008 at 20:03
Point #1; Rob Styles is a true cunt (excuse my language).
Point #2; If ever there was a game that showed our over reliance on Ronaldo and the fact we have no depth at striker, today was that game. Pray Rooney’s injury doesn’t get worse over the next 24 hours.
Point #3; Why do we play like such fucking tossers and chicken shits on the road rather than try to attack and take it to the opponent? Only when things were desperate did we wake up.
Point #4; 5 years ago we had a chance to get Brad Friedel but Fergie went with the far inferior Tim Howard. Only Cech is a better keeper in England and even that is debatable considering the quality defenders he has in front of him.
Point #5; Scholes and Carrick together wait for the other to do something and thus always pass the buck to each other and nothing ever happens. And they are so woefully slow and lethargic as a pairing.
We dodged a massive bullet aimed at our hearts today. Thank you to the Apache for the big goal as well as the more than quiet Scholes for the flick on. I love Giggs and I think he still can contribute, but not as a starter. Nani should have started. Today our sudden lack of depth almost killed us. A rash of injuries at such a crucial time makes me wonder what the Hell they are doing in training that’s risking players like this. Fuck Off Louis Saha! Fuck Off straight back to France you piece of shit covered balsa wood. What a useless baby and a complete coward with no intestinal fortitude. I’m just sick and tired of this porcelain doll’s fragile nature. We really needed him today.
When will Fergie wake up and stop playing Rooney wide? It’s driving me crazy. When he makes the change due to urgency, Wayne gets to glorious scoring chances in the box and the team’s offensive play improved as a result. You cannot play this game without a target man. When will Fergie and everyone out there wake up to the fact that we need a quality striker as well as 2 strikers for added depth? Imagine what a Huntelaar or Gomez would have offered us today when trying to dribble the ball through decent defenders wasn’t working? Enough already. We need help at striker. If Rooney misses time it will become even more obvious how much this policy of playing 4-6-0 is not good for the future progress of this team.
Player Ratings; Although I should just grade them all as 5-10 and save myself time, here goes.
KOOZWHATEVER 6/10 - Just not quality enough. Can’t be blamed for the goal but was wanting on numerous crosses and corners.
Never really to make too many big saves other than Bentley’s long shot.
BROWN 7/10 - May have been the best player for united as he got everything right and never really made a mistake.
RIO 7/10 - Suspect on the goal but I see it as a fluke ricochet. Was steady if unspectacular.
VIDIC 6/10 - He seemed a little nervous and hesitant at times but this is because of rust. Slightly responsible for the goal but then again, it was a fluke bounce.
EVRA 7/10 - Had a solid game and made some great runs but his finished cross or pass never ever cam off. Worked hard.
GIGGS 5/10 - Ran better than some of his other poor desplays but his passes and crosses were just awful. When he made that great cut in the first half he should have cut the ball back to Tevez who was in perfect position for a great shot on goal. Instead he tried to find Ronaldo at the far post where he was a bit too wide. His lack of extra gear this season seems to be really affecting his first touch a bit but more so his passes.
CARRICK 6/10 - Just a very slow and unambitious performance bordering on bloody cowardice. There comes a time when you have to change speed and urgency and gear up. Carrick was slow and was more than content to play paddy cake with Scholes all afternoon.
SCHOLES 6/10 - Almost invisible again. Never really made any mistakes but I can’t remember anytime in the game that he attempted a forward pass. Like Carrick he was playing like a chicken shit and slowing the team’s pace down when we were one goal down. He needs to find some bravery and challenge defenders by making more adventurous forward passes and through balls. In fact, when was the last time Scholes attempted a through pass? At least desperation forced him in the box for the quality flick on for Tevez’ goal. Other than that, utterly forgettable.
RONALDO 7/10 - His worst performance of the season and still, he gets a 7 because he still had the teams best scoring chances and was unlucky not to score two goals. Drifted in and out of the game all afternoon and was selfish at times which frustrated me greatly.
ROONEY 6/10 - Just didn’t seem interested in the first half but turned it up a notch in the second half. To echo Capello’s thought’s he once again made nothing of his few chances. Pretty well died off after his injury and should have been taken off earlier to prevent making the injury worse. And where was a striker to replace him? But NOOOOOO! We don’t need no bloody strikers.
TEVEZ 7/10 - Worked hard and was always just a half step or a bounce away from making more out of his opportunities. Doesn’t offer much in the first half of games but he is a dynamite scorer late in tight games. All the more reason why he should be a super sub next season. It’s no knock on the lad, it’s playing him the way he can best help us. Just like ole used to.
PARK Not enough time to grade.
NANI 7/10 - Injected life in an otherwise lackluster and pathetic team performance. Had he played 10 more minutes we might have won it and he would have been United’s player of the match. He should start every game the rest of the way.
O’SHEA 6/10 - Didn’t hurt the team but never really made much of an impression. I’m wondering why brown was subbed off for him?
FERGIE 5/10 - Fergie has to