Apr 26
Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
I had a dream yesterday. Barcelona bangs four goals against us at Old Trafford. Then we come back and keep pounding their net, scoring goals in the process — and in bucket loads. But for some reason the score still reads 4-2, or something like that. Apparently we keep scoring but we still seem short. Then I woke up briefly and checked the date on my watch, and thanked my stars that it was only a dream. And then I slumped back into bed only for that dream to continue — the same thing on loop. We keep banging in the goals and we still seem short. Then we take the lead. Only for them to go on a three goal blitz. I didn’t know the final score because it became clear that they were winning, and try as we might we didn’t manage to overhaul them. I couldn’t take it any longer: I woke up, brushed my teeth, rushed to work and calmed myself over a cup of coffee.
Moral: Dreams can be rather crap.
Oh well, hopefully Ronaldo, Rooney and co read this (I know, I am so full of myself eh?) and vow to never let such a dreadful thing happen. Ever.
Right. Now that I’ve got that off my chest let’s move on to today.
In the midst of all the talk over our goalless draw against Barcelona, we may seem to have lost the significance of today’s game. It’s alright as long as it’s just us and not the players. Today is a day where we could effectively clinch the title and concentrate fully on the game on Tuesday.
But first the pre-match talk.
The Fergie is back in form. This time his ire is directed at Sky. The reason? The blindingly familiar issue of fixture congestion. We know these are the kinds of things managers say at this stage so we’ll leave it at that without further comment. Here’s the gist, though:
“The fixture is not fair in terms of its timing. Chelsea’s game was on Tuesday so they have had four days to get themselves ready, which is a big advantage, there is no question about that. It is not fair, but what can you do? If you shake hands with the devil you can’t complain. Football did a deal with television and the game is subject to television’s control nowadays. But we are suffering because of that. Chelsea have had four days’ rest and we have had two and a half. That extra day makes a hell of a difference.”[link]
United players were allowed to bask in the Spanish sun to rejuvenate themselves for a day before flying back to the isles, so hopefully that helps the players. Perhaps it was the sun that made Ronaldo’s mood swing for a moment to blurt for the 7856th time that he’d like to one day play in Spain, after being asked for the 7855th time.
SAF also reckons the incentive of the Premier League title should be enough for the players to shrug off their tired legs. Seriously, the likes of Ronaldo, Rooney and Rio have to be machines if they manage to come out of the next five days, or so, flying!
Team news, and there is some good news. And what news can be better than the news that comes from the horse’s mouth?
Yes, iron-man is to return after shrugging off his stomach virus like it was a dead fly on his shoulder — I exaggerate, don’t I?
Anyway, on to the probable starting XI, here’s my take: Fab four and EVDS at the back. Anderson + Carrick in central midfield. Nani, Giggs and Rooney, Ronaldo upfront. I think Tevez won’t start.
About Chelsea, I’d imagine Avram Grant would consult Hank Ten Cate, Steve Clarke or whoever in charge; take their advice; and then decide on some formation of his own anyway. So we’ll see what he has to throw at us.
I hope Fergie does attack Chelsea and not them show too much respect.
Prediction: 1-0 to United. Of course, an early United goal would guarantee a rout.
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Barcelona: Preview
- Sporting Lisbon vs Man Utd - Preview
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Boro v Man Utd: Preview
Tags: Game Preview
April 26th, 2008 at 10:08
scary dream…
3-0 to united.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:11
[Dan]
Tell me about it.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:34
February 21st 2004-April 26th 2008. The time Chelsea went without losing at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League. Cant wait!
Scary dream RR, hope it wont happen!
But I too had a dream last night. United played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Avram Grant was smiling(:-o) and Fergie looked like the king of the world. United had a corner and Vidic scored. Another corner and Vidic scored again. And to complete the hat-trick, he scored with a curler from all but 40 yards. And to complete the rout, Ronaldo scored with a penalty. Wouldnt that be great? Sadly it was only a dream. For now….
Manchester United have had a great away form is 2008. Unbeaten since the West Ham game, drawn against Spurs, Rovers, Boro. We have played entertaining football all season and scored tons of goals. Ronaldo has had the best season of his life, We have seen a back 4 that has only conceded 19 goals in the Premiership. Our new signings have been amazing in their own aspects. Tevez has scored goals that we desperately needed at the time, Nani has shown what a talent he is, his corners and shots are out of this world, Hargreaves has protected the back 4 and scored some really good free kicks, and Anderson has amazed us with his dribbling skills, strenght, vision and the way he dominates other players like Fabregas and Gerrard. It has been a season to remember thanks to everything that has happened since we kicked off at Wembley Stadium against Chelsea. We won on penalties thanks to the magnificent VDS. When I look back at this season I will remember Ronaldos season, the way this team comunicates on the pitch, the Munich memorial, Uniteds amazing season and the games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle. And if we win at Chelsea, three more things will be added to that list! A Premier League trophy, a win at Stamford Bridge and the will to win that this team has shown. Now for the game.
If United win today we will be Champions again. United are tired after a week that has seen us play Blackburn and Barca. Chelsea got a day more rest and thanks to Riise-pudding, their confidence is high. In Barcelona Ronaldo missed a penalty, we defended like masters and spared players like Vidic and Anderson. I think Scholes will be found in the team against Barca so he should get a rest. Anderson was rested and turns out in the big games, so I think he will play too. I feel sorry for Lampard since he lost his mother, but his loss is to our good. United should play with a 3-man midfield to dominate Chelsea. That may prove the important factor for this game. My team:
VDS
Brown Rio Vidic Evra
Ronaldo Carrick Owen Anderson Nani
Rooney.
Prediction: 2-0 to United. We can win this quite easily if we score an eaarly goal, but since its Chelsea I think it will be a close match. Ronaldo and Rooney to score. COME ON YOU REDS! BE CHAMPIONS!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:40
Is anyone else wondering why Ronaldo has suddenly been made a striker? I know the amount of goals he has scored would make that seem obvious but he has scored those goals from the wing!
Why now, at this point of a season where he has played so well that comparisons with George Best are no longer unfounded (i think that speaks louder than any statistics), are things being changed around?
Maybe next season try him as an out and out striker, but not now there is too much at stake and we need the same Ronaldo we have had all season, not take risks by swapping his position.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:05
why did every1 have nightmares last night:-)
though mine was’nt related to footy but still i was freking lost in a jungle in hardcore rain and then thankfully i woke up
2 hrs to go big sunday evening for us here lots of people meeting up in both sides will be huge
I so badly want us to win
and RedDevil i guess ur dream was seen with open eyes …… Just kidding
Anyways will be tight and rough today and we’ll win it 1-0 ,and i feel some1 odd is gonna score
cheers
April 26th, 2008 at 11:10
Just to add: Ronaldo has scored against EVERY Premiership side except for Chelsea. I think that will change today!
April 26th, 2008 at 11:36
Ferguson will take the shackles off today and give us the chance to virtually secure the title in style. I expect 4-3-3 in the same style we’ve played against the other Big 4 teams, and some fluid counter attacking play.
April 26th, 2008 at 11:47
JB, You there mate? Got da lineups soon?
April 26th, 2008 at 12:15
ESPN is saying that there are a couple of important ommisions,.. haven’t confirmed it though
April 26th, 2008 at 12:15
Lineup:
GK: VDS
RB: Brown
CB: Vidic
CB: Rio
LB: Silvestre
RM: Nani
CM: Anderson
CM: Carrick
CM: Fletcher
LM: Giggs
ST: Rooney
subs: TK, Oshea, Tevez, Ronaldo, Hargreaves.
Fergie said changes, but I think this is a bit drastic.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:15
whoaaaaaaa… whats with that???
April 26th, 2008 at 12:16
chelsea team?
April 26th, 2008 at 12:17
Guys, the team isn’t too bad. One similar to it beat Arsenal 4-0. It’s very energetic.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:18
Cole
Terry
Calvalho
Ferriera
Essien
Mikel
Ballack
Kalou
Joe Cole
Drogba
April 26th, 2008 at 12:18
Worst lineup of the season… happy to see fletcher though…
No Ronaldo?!?!?!? I hope he will be substituted in the 2nd half…
April 26th, 2008 at 12:18
that is a good team
April 26th, 2008 at 12:19
I agree with Sam.. Was just a bit surprised..
April 26th, 2008 at 12:20
worst line up of the season??? WHAT!!! Full strength defence with carrick and andy and fletch not 2 bad
nani and giggs is gd aswell with rooney upfront whats so bad about that team???
April 26th, 2008 at 12:24
I think it is a good lineup. Anderson, Carrick and Fletcher can dominate a midfield, Nani and Giggs both are great crossers, one faster than the other. Rooney is a good striker if he only gets the good delivery. Except for Silvestre, I think those are amazing players and I think they will work well together. Prediction: United 2-0 Chelsea. Anderson and Rooney to score. COME ON YOU REDS!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:26
Nani and Giggs in attack?!?!
I know Nani is a damn good player…
But would like see him assisting more…
Last few matches, I felt he has had been selfish…
I don’t mean Nani shouldn’t have been there in the team lineup… But relying on him for goals is a bit too much to ask for… I hope he proves me wrong…
And about Giggs… no comments…
April 26th, 2008 at 12:30
we are not rellying on goals from nani we are rellying on him to assist rooney. We can’t play our strongest line up in 3 games in the space of a week. The game hasn’t even begun and your slaying the selection. Honestly there is no pleasing some fans!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:30
[AndyCR7]
You would expect Fergie to rest some players wouldn’t you. Considering Ronaldo’s been going at full tilt for a while it’s fair to keep him on the bench for now.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:33
Ah dudes, even I had a dream the night before. We lose 2-1 to Chelsea today (Giggsy gets the goal for us). What’s it with crap dreams! Hopefully, we can prove my dream wrong today, and then RR can get his dream proven wrong on Tuesday. It’s dream-shattering time!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:34
scary, but that line-up can get us a win.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:34
Thats what I’m saying…
Will Nani do what he is supposed to do?
I can see him wasting few attacking chances by not passing the ball to other players…
Again I say I hope he proves me wrong…
April 26th, 2008 at 12:39
I’m delighted! The worst thing that could have happened if we had played a full strength team only to be too exhausted to beat Barca at home.
We are only resting Ronaldo, Hargreaves, Evra, Tevez (who is on the bench anyways), Scholes (who is old and cannot be expected to play 3 games in a week…incidentally his exclusion means she is an almost certain starter against Barca), and Park (who is a squad player anyway)
But our team is still strong enough to beat Chelsea. You gotta fancy Carrick, Anderson and Fletcher against the Chelsea midfield and Rooney will relish the chance to play up front for a change and not have Ronaldo cramping his style
April 26th, 2008 at 12:40
AndyCR7 just let the match commence then you can comment on players performances don’t start before
a ball has been kicked
April 26th, 2008 at 12:40
Yeah it is also true that Ronaldo needs to be rested… And team should not rely on him too much…
3-0 to United…
April 26th, 2008 at 12:41
[Andycr7]
What other player do you have in mind? Park?
April 26th, 2008 at 12:47
fletch will play 70 minutes so he can play in the week.
April 26th, 2008 at 12:51
links?
April 26th, 2008 at 13:12
yea PLEASE- ANYONE PROVIDE A LINK TO WATCH THE GAME!!
Im in California, its 5.10am & iv just realised ESPN aint showing the match!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
April 26th, 2008 at 13:15
http://www3.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=10992&part=sports
April 26th, 2008 at 13:41
Shit 1-0 down. Why the hell are we playing so many long balls when Chelsea are so good in the air and our forwards are all short?
Now we are going to have to bring Ronaldo on and I’d have rather him fresh as can be for Barca.
April 26th, 2008 at 13:41
get sopcast and then go here: http://www3.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=10992&part=sports
April 26th, 2008 at 13:43
Ronaldo & Tevez in for Fletcher and giggs. We have nothing to loose anymore, so we might as well go down all guns blazing
April 26th, 2008 at 13:44
Aw Ballack! Shit! Nani has been really indecisive, Giggs has been slightly better than normal but still a passenger, Anderson has been in and out, Flecther has probably been our best player, Carrick has shown he can be the one to get the ball through Chelsea’s defence, and the back 4 have been bombarded with attacks but coped pretty well. Bad news about Vidic
I’d expect him back for midweek though.
April 26th, 2008 at 13:44
I don’t think they are playing long balls out of choice. They are being forced to. Due to lack of posession. This is Barca all over again.
April 26th, 2008 at 13:46
Really poor half and we can all see the dangers of going for a draw with an opportunistic counter attacking strategy. Great for us that there is 45 minutes to actually get our football going and I expect United to step up and get the precious draw by taking the game to them! Ronaldo and Tevez must be a certainty for at least 30 minutes now, or what do you think guys?
April 26th, 2008 at 13:47
It doesnt look like Vida will get a hat-trick today. Shit…
Fletcher has been amazing, a real lifesaver for us so far. Impressed by him! Nani has ruined some of our few chanses this match, he was really selfish and have had many bad touches. Ronaldo should come on, he usually plays well with Nani on the other wing. Ronny in for Giggs i swhat I say. And what are all these high balls? Rooney aint THAT great in the air! Ronaldo will change this game, I say 2-1 to United with Rooney and Ronaldo to score. I am a born optimist!
Just like against Arsenal we have to come back from 1-0 down. I know United can do it!
April 26th, 2008 at 13:49
one player causing all the trouble..and thats Drogba, they manage to pass the ball to him somehow..and then he balances play between j.cole,kalou,essien,ballack, who surprisingly are all at hand…unlike us, where our players tend to stay behind only relying on the front 3 to start and finish the attack….
nani has been wasteful, giggs cant cross anymore, rooney hasnt touched the ball enough,
there has been some help from the wasteful kalou, but j.cole looks dangerous and its good he hasnt seen much of the ball…
ronaldo must be brought on…!! make him prove himself…
still backing us for a recovery win..and break their home record…
April 26th, 2008 at 13:51
this rollacoaster has become too much.how do you surrender the trophy at this stage?
April 26th, 2008 at 13:51
Well, I agree that Fletcher is one of our best players but he was the one who lost Ballack which was a pity. I mean, can’t give him that much space to attack the cross and we paid the price. However, I am as stated in the earlier post also optimistic and think United will get one back!
April 26th, 2008 at 13:51
time for Ronaldo to come on, we need this result! come on you reds!
April 26th, 2008 at 13:55
Tbh I don’t know why drogba hasnt yet been sent off, surely it was dangourous play with his kneeing of vida, then there was the dive in the box and then pushing Flecther twice. I make that 3 yellows he should have got
April 26th, 2008 at 13:58
cannot beleive this. looks like another shite team Fergies put out on the big occasion. cnt beleive it??
Why is silvestre in for the in form evra?
Why is fletcher starting?
Why drop RONALDO!
None of this makes sence to me. cant beleive i aint watchin this.
Please lads dig deeeep
April 26th, 2008 at 14:03
LISTEN GUYS WE NEEDED TO REST PLAYERS SO THEY ARE FRESH FOR BARCA!!! We don’t need to win this game chelsea do a draw is an exellent result all we need is the 1 goal
April 26th, 2008 at 14:05
chelsea seem to be picking up the 2nd balls with at least 4 players in any given area, its their typical diomand shaped midfield that we cant really cope with, thers not much in the way of wing play with giggs and nani misfiring, ive gotta opt for bringing on tevez but i dont know about ronaldo, hes still going missing in the big games and we all know that ashley cole can shut him down effectively. Is it just me or are edwin and wesley becoming something of a comedy duo? WAIT A MINUTE GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOALLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:06
anyone have the media player linc im stuck in london heathrow and cannot
acces the lincs on myp2p.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:07
WAZZA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:08
get him out of there…plssssssss…..we need him for Barca……hail him, salute him…go on..2-1 to the reds
April 26th, 2008 at 14:09
YAAAAAAAAS! WAZZAA YOU FUKIN SUPER HERO
April 26th, 2008 at 14:10
Rooney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Man even injured he did it. I was thinking if he was injured he shouldn’t have played, but o boy if I don’t feel sorry right now
April 26th, 2008 at 14:11
I agree with t_reason get Rooney off for Tevez and bring Ronaldo on for Nani
April 26th, 2008 at 14:14
It pains me to see Rooney struggling out there with his injury….WE NEED TO BUY A STRIKER. PERIOD.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:19
AM I right in thinkin we jst took off anderson for oshea???
April 26th, 2008 at 14:23
yh anderson off so oshea goes to rb and hargreaves in the cm position. Now that chelsea will be
throwing everything at us we will have a chance to hit them on the counter
April 26th, 2008 at 14:24
is tevez on yet?
April 26th, 2008 at 14:26
[andyCR7]
absolutely right prediction abt nani,…he better start passing the ball on the counter…already wasted 3-4 attempts…cant afford to do that…
April 26th, 2008 at 14:38
April 26th, 2008 at 14:38
cant handle this. these cunts again. HOW LONG IS LEFT????
April 26th, 2008 at 14:40
aaah we have ROYALLY FOOKED UP
April 26th, 2008 at 14:47
well were still top of the league. please beat barca im heading to spain and i couldnt wear my kit if we loose
April 26th, 2008 at 14:47
SURELY THIS IS A NIGHTMARE
April 26th, 2008 at 14:47
now that makes it interesting! SHIT!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:48
Misery, can’t say anything else. I am going into hybernation
April 26th, 2008 at 14:49
That was a good laugh. Complacency may lose United the title!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:49
Feeling sick!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:49
What happening? I can’t believe we blew it again. Grognard, time to review the fairness in the game. We can blame the ref, and he did fuck up again, but we should’ve drawn atleast. Can’t believe those arseholes will be telling us that they are a better team…
April 26th, 2008 at 14:50
im utterly pissed, but we can still win the title.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:52
Bringing Anderson off and bringing O’Shea into midfield was a terrible substitution. Anderson was starting to get into the game, and just like MCRx3 said, it showed complacency. It came back and bit us in the ass. We could have brought on Tevez to keep the momentum and try on score a goal, or do nothing at all because we were doing well. And Utsav I don’t think the ref fucked up, definitely not for the penalty since it was the linesman’s decision, and he had a good game. Don’t go around blaming anyone else. I’m sure the blame will all get directed towards SAF anyways.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:53
Did it touch Carrick’s arm? I didn’t get to see the slowmo
April 26th, 2008 at 14:54
im pissed aswell but we just have to look forward to the barca game knowing that we are still ahead
in the prem and have west ham at home and wigan away which doesn’t look too challenging. COME ON YOU REDS!!!
April 26th, 2008 at 14:54
Damnit. Careless penalty given away costs us just when I thought we could have held out for a draw. Very similar to Barcelona but we were better on the counterattack second half.
Chelsea pressed us too much and we did not show enough composure and gave the ball away too much and hit too many stupid long balls. We only ever looked good when we got stuff going down the wings but Nani made some very poor decisions and Ashley Cole was too good. Ronaldo again was too easy to mark playing on his own up front and all he was able to do was win a few free kicks too far away to do any real damage.
On the plus side, great finish and composure from Rooney. More of that on Wednesday please. Just hope he recovers from the knock he picked up.
These sort of games we could use a target man if we are going to play this sort of long ball counter attack play.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:54
we played shit, AGAIN! we’ve not seen a good man united performance for a while now its starting to piss me off playing for a draw in these recent matches.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:54
I’m trying to find someone to vent my anger on, but in the end United
just played like shit
April 26th, 2008 at 14:55
Gut wrenching stuff,We will never stop doing things the hard way.Oh well bring on Barca.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:56
Can’t blame SAF guys. OSHea was on coz Anelka was. The players simply blew it. Only Giggs showed the urgency to carry forward our momentum of the 1st 20 min of the 2nd half.
April 26th, 2008 at 14:59
Wow, crap ending… As some guys say we should have drawn, but we got negative again after the equaliser even though we seemed to be able to hold them back. Still at the top and West Ham next week will show if we have a squad of true champions or not.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:05
We should still hold on for the title……..surely we’ll finish with two wins???
Fergie has to get a fukin grip of himself n stop playing ronaldo as a striker. Hes so 1 dimensional when he plays up front. it ruins the balance of the team.
ANDERSON HAD TO STAY on too. fair enuf we were trying to defend but it aint as if the boy is lightwieght. he defends like a beast!
wed better hope to god wayne wonders is ok…!
Got a bad feeling bout all this now
April 26th, 2008 at 15:08
I feel sick… Cant believe this! Why settle for a draw when we have the momentum and dont counter when we get the chance. Why, oh why Fergie do you do this to us. We have not played a good game since Roma! Champions dont settle for draws, they win matches. If the refs fuck up our season(Blackburn, Chelsea, Boro) I will be filled with anger and hate all summer! At least if we dont win anything. We must win at West Ham and WIgan, we have to! Ronaldo needs to be used as a winger, not a lone forward! Rooney can finish, we know that, but we need a striker. I am so pissed, cant believe what I just saw! I will now go to bed and hope that I wake up from this nightmare!
April 26th, 2008 at 15:09
i thought anderson was doing better than carrick was, didnt see why he should be the one sacrificed unless the barca game was what fergie had in mind.
west ham’s gna be dangerous as usual.. but hope we’ll pull through!
COME’ON YOU REDS!
April 26th, 2008 at 15:10
Hard luck on that penalty .. Utd would have probably equalized but for some crucial clearances.. barca might just have the edge now… i think i’ll go to the fox sports bar this time around
April 26th, 2008 at 15:13
ashley cole and sheva was their lucky charm really, two goal bound shots cleared off the line?
and nani’s gotta have his head up more often, he had plenty of opportunities to play teammates into good positions. but hes young and hopefully he’ll develop that.
i love the drogba ballack disagreement. essien’s reaction was hilarious!
April 26th, 2008 at 15:15
OK so vidic got injured, rooney got injured, and we dropped 2 points in the last 10 minutes. I wanna break something.
But i guess if we dont beat west ham and wigan we dont deserve to be called champions… hopefully this fires us up and we demolish those two.
arghhhh im gutted
April 26th, 2008 at 15:22
United has always prided itself on finishing the season strongly. Is it me or is it the case that for the first time we are displaying underwhelming performances one after another??
I can’t remember the last game we truly dominated. Was it Newcastle?
It was good nonetheless to see United have some good periods of play in the second half, but somewhere along the line I think that our defence has become so good that the teamplan has shifted from “score a few to win the match” to “score one and defend the lead”. And what happens when we don’t boss the game in midfield and get possession? We rely on mistakes from the opposition to score goals! Milito nearly at Barca, and today Paulo Ferreira.
If one person is to blame it is SAF, who constantly meddles with our midfield and forward line-up!
Q: How is it that the defence was the only segment that managed to keep its season-long standards??
A: Because it is the one segment that had least drastic changes, with only natural back ups replacing players injured or that had to be rested.
Realred: Silvestre and Fletcher both had a good match.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:26
I feel like we were robbed in this game. Absolutely LOOTED. Two goal line clearances, Carrick brought down in the box just before Ronaldo’s shot was cleared by ashley cole and twas a clear penalty, and Carrick’s alleged handball was hardly intentional, he clearly tried to move out of the way and the ball was bound towards the penalty spot after taking deflection from him. Why the fuck linesman, WHY THE FUCK!????
Positive points from today: Rooney’s goal, Fletcher’s return (he was easily a 7.5/10 today), Silvestre was topnotch, Anderson’s hustling and speed on the counterattack(why take him off????????)
Its upto us now. We can either be totally exhausted and drained and simply lose all our momentum and drive going into the game against Barcelona and the remaining premier league games, OR we can get our heads together and fight until our hearts beat. Champions are made of steely veins, and these three games (Barca, West Ham, Wigan) will be the biggest test for this team.
PS: Chelsea are thoroughly undeserving winners today. Its not just a fans passion speaking. Agreed, they came to us in the first half, in the second we were much better but werely terribly unlucky.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:28
Thats it T- we have to demolish WESTHAM & WIGAN.
Can you imagine leading by a goal with ten minutes remaining?!! would just be too stressful.
GOTTA PUT BOTH THOSE GAMES TO BED ASAP
April 26th, 2008 at 15:29
Is anyone else beginning to think Fergie doesn’t know how to manage such a big squad? I think he wants to believe he can chop and change with no effect, but in fact the players just dont’ know where each other are going to be. We were so good last year because we stuck with a consistant, winning formula. I know we have to rest some times, but not only does personnel change, the formation, tactics, pace and everything seems to all over the place. I don’t think the players know whats going on
April 26th, 2008 at 15:32
Mihir, Carrick was not brought down, he fell down. And it was a handball from a fair distance and its not as if th ball was travelling at pace. Why does everyone blame the ref
? Because they are easy targets. We have been gifted decisions or the opposition team have had deicisions denied against us, so we have no need to complain. Referees are shite in the Premier League, but they don’t try to make bad decisions just against us.
Also although Chelsea didn’t deserve to win, nor did we, it was a well fought out draw, or at least should have been if Ronaldo was playing.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:37
Here’s a question for everyone; if SAF somehow became the catalyst of losing the PL and the CL would anyone be happy to let him leave? I would never be happy if such a thing happened, but I was having a discussion with a few mates and they were of the view that “he has become senile and makes decisions which cost us points, plus Jose is available and SAF would be leaving a good, young team with many Portuguese speakers”. And I was just was wondering what everyone else would think.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:38
Nico QB: I agree, the only person to blame is SAF. I think if he would settled on a starting XI the team wouldnt be so up and down. We all have a pretty good idea of what our strongest XI looks like, but I dont belive they have had enough games to gel. Look how good the partnership of Rio and vidic has been this season. I attribute this to SAF not tinkering with it. Yes, we do have a great group of central midfielder but I think it is a case of too many chefs might spoil the soup.
hopefully we can win our next 3 games, but in the summer SAF really needs to focus on who he is going to ride with in the middle of the park. cause all this rotation isnt helping anyone.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:41
I don’t think we had a bad game.What worries me is Saf’s cowardice and the fact that he is constantly defended by the “real” fans 4 his negative tactics.The past 2 games have once again proved that a lack of offensive ambition will hurt us.Its not the way the team is built so let’s quickly throw it out of the window.Starting on Tuesday.This trend of being overly cautious should end.We played OK and were beginning 2 get into the game,then u have Anderson subbed 4 O’Shea in order 2 get a draw.What in the world did he offer defensively that Anderson can’t offer
April 26th, 2008 at 15:46
Conor iv been saying this for a while. The old boy is going senile! His team selections/tactics/ substituions all hinder our chances of success as far as im concerned.
ITS INFURIATING.
However- I still cant see anyone else in his position! he IS the club in so many ways
To answer your question tho, id hate to see MOurinho at OT- Hes too much of a cunt for me to want him! Hes not the right man for our club
So what dya reckon the chances of Newcastle doing us any favours next week then??!
April 26th, 2008 at 15:47
Jaywire, how often does SAF play negative tactics? Rarely. He gets defended because he knows it is not in our nature but believes with the changing times that sometimes a bit of negativity can be a success. Lets look at 2 separate examples: 1. Chelsea. Played defensively for 2 years in a row and won 2 championships with pure domination. 2.The CL in recent times. AC Milan, Porto and Liverpool(twice) all won the champions league based on defensive tactics away and then slightly more attacking at home. Sound familiar? If we win 4 more games our season will be a total success. That’s how I see it.
Realred, Mourinho may be a cunt but he’s successful. If he came here to play the shit on the stick football that Chelsea played though, there is no way I would want him here.
And I think the chances are very, very high. I’m expecting a 2-2 draw. I’m sure KK would love it, if he could do us a favour.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:48
Conor-With all due respect 2 u and your mates,Mourinho should never be allowed anywhere near OT even as the groundsman
April 26th, 2008 at 15:51
Any particular reason why Jaywire? 2nd best manager in world football without a doubt. I still favour SAF over him though.
April 26th, 2008 at 15:52
Beachryan, Ive been thinking that for a while now. When was the last time we played the same starting 11 in the same system 2 weeks in a row. Our form was much better when Scholes was injured and I think Fletcher was to at the start of the season, leaving us with only Carrick, Hargreaves and Anderson to choose from. Now dont get me wrong ,I dont like to see players getting injured but whenever SAF has to many options to choose from our team gets chopped and changed until the momentum go out of them
April 26th, 2008 at 16:00
Conor-The teams u mention with the exception of Milan,play the negative game throughout their season.In fact Porto don’t play like that anymore since Mourinho left.Point is that is how those teams are built.Defend first and the rest is a bonus.People like 2 throw this theory that defensive football will win u the tough games and trophies.The issue is it works only with teams who are specialists in that department not teams built on attack.People will tell u the defensive teams which have won the CL but forget that in between attacking teams also won playing their game or reached the final
April 26th, 2008 at 16:02
This is obviously the worst case scenario…having to battle right to the death, which is not desirable but does make everything much more interesting. What seemed like a comfortable cushion after the Arsenal game has turned into a cliffha