Jan 08
Hurt Pride (Park) and Looking Ahead to Chelsea
I happened to give the game a miss — not intentionally, mind — but it turns out, from reports all over, that my decision was far from ill-advised.
On the surface there couldn’t have been a bigger mismatch; a side that just attained its zenith of footballing glory was pitted against one that had plunged to humiliating depths of footballing failure. But as the cliches go with cup games like these, form books are usually ripped to shreds.
But — yes, there are plenty of buts here — while it’s understandable that a team can have an off day, displaying the sort of ineptitude (apparently) that belies the vast array of talent available certainly isn’t. Again, my lack of game watching time prevents me from passing judgements on our performance on Pride Park, but when Fergie himself said we were lucky to escape with a 1-0 defeat rather than a 4-0 thumping [not to mention, our 'phenomenal' two shots on goal], then it’s a case for worry.
Not that this sort of a result was a bolt from the blue. All season we’ve been as disjointed as I can remember from recent memory. We’ve shown as much grace in our general play as Godzilla in a figure skating competition and, for most part, the finishing ability of a blind folded archer. Blame this decay, from a deadly, high speed counter attacking menace, on something systemic, or on Sir Alex, or on a side that’s seemingly reached its peak — but the answers are not that simple. There are problems in the side, but I can’t pin the blame squarely on one person. Anyway, mine is not to mull on the negatives extensively, but talk about what lies in store, which leads me to the final part in this meandering piece.
Teams can pick themselves from a rut when there is enough motivation. Mental attributes are never to be underestimated especially when the ability of players is not in question. And a situation presents itself beautifully, over the weekend, with the Blue Russians driving up to Old Trafford. Both teams are currently looking for a corner to turn, a tonic for their respective illnesses. Chelsea, after a belligerent start to their season, have fallen on bad days. United have never really seen bright days this season — there have been a few good performances, but never a string of them to strike fear. A win for either side would be the shot they so badly seek.
What I am looking forward to is a performance from the lads to make a statement to the rest of the league. I know, a win would be great. But performance is something I’d be looking for over the end result. Of course, I’d be gutted if we lost. But I need the giant that is United to wake up from it’s slumber and I need Sunday to be the day they stir — and a stirring performance is what I ask.
But, from recent history, we have been attritional against the top four sides (barring some Arsenal games). So it is going to be a big ask of us to go gung-ho against a side of Chelsea’s stature. But we must play to win, and it should be reflected on the pitch. Full stop.
There has been case for optimism at times — Berbatov and Carrick against Southampton, Rooney’s cameos at times, Ronaldo’s road rage on his Ferrari… er, scratch that last one. But we need it as a collective force and I hope the Chelsea game is the one that kicks our season to a higher gear — to say the least.
Meanwhile, a couple of other things that I thought of penning down along with this post:
1. The Tevez PR machine is on a full-fledged damage limitation exercise. There is only so much that can be lost in translation. But Tevez’s reaction was to newspaper reports [i.e., quotes attributed to Fergie], which are alleged to be the work of a mischief making journo. Despite all the charm from his agents et al, there certainly is something to all this — mischief or no mischief. The bottomline: Tevez will feel frustrated if United continue to stall on his contract, and this story will make an appearance again. So watch this space.
2. We keep stalling on Tevez’s contract but we’ve snapped up a defender who couldn’t make it to the first team at Stoke. Here’s wishing the lad all the best to his United career.
Related items from Red Rants:
- It hurts like hell
- Chelsea vs Manchester United: Preview
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
- Man Utd v Newcastle: Preview
- Manchester United’s 08/09 Champions’ League Opponents
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Stephen (454)
Craig Mc (344)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Grognard: no Sir Bob?
Rafa’s little cry was hilarious due to the fact that he had notes made up in front of him. How obsessive can one get? Also you could see that he had planned on taking the high road and delivering a calm little speech to everyone. However as it wore on you could see the anger rise in his veins. I hope Fergie takes the piss out of him
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youre right liam, he had a list of dates ready for the question
rafa is feeling the pressure, he has only gone and proved fergies point!
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Rafa the crazy fat Gaffer gorged on too many cakes called Jaffa
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@Stephen: I still think he’s outstanding and his EURO 08 proved that other than the final. He was outstanding for the whole season last year for Chelsea. Once he returned he was arguably the third best player in the Prem behind Ronny and Torres. But lets remember too that he is over 30 so his best is certainly behind him. I also think that only AV Grant of all people utilized him properly last year and that’s because Lampard was out with an injury. Those two cannot coexist on the same team because in so many ways they are identical and play the same position. He should never have gone to Chelsea.
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@Stephen: Old guys are like that. But truthfully, British players I feel were found wanting in a lot of the more subtle and finesse oriented skills. Best was the one exception to that rule as far as UK players are concerned. Edwards was probably fantastic but that era was so different in terms of the way the game is played, I wonder how he would have coped with todays marking. I mean the 50′s had score lines like 6-4 and 5-3. Even in the 70′s you wonder at how much more space there was for players. Today defenders are in your face everywhere on the pitch and immediately. It’s like comparing apples with broccoli.
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@Craig Mc: It’s fucking Chelsea mate. I’d risk heart failure and an the apocalypse for Man Utd vs Chelsea. She just doesn’t get it, bloody females.
You go to that match mate and give us a damned good report of how the crowd was and what kind of mischief you got yourself into. 
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@dan(u-ol): All I’ve seen was highlights and he did look good. But to be fair, longevity and an outstanding international career have to be part of the package to make my team and most other peoples.
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@Liam: Fergie hasn’t got the heart for it anymore. He laughs these things off and then goes on about his business. He reserves his hatred and wrath for the referees and the FA. RAFA can go take a long walk off a short pier. He has no class and absolutely no value as a top flight manager despite his lucky as Hell European triumph. He’s a total Spanish Fly using wanker.
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Craig Mc, i dont know much about it cos im not married cos im only 18, but if your mrs is giving you grief then just offer her a deal. You will spend the day with her and take her wherever she wants on the saturday, and then the sunday is yours to go to watch united. Easy, good for you and your mrs, or atleast thats the way i would do it mate.
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And apparently Ron is off to Real in 2010… yeah… riiiiiight.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article5477891.ece
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@Matthew: Matthew we’re not married YET Bro, but we are very committed to one another. Like any relationship to make it work, there has to be compromise on both sides. Otherwise it is world was mate
. I see her point that I have been sick with flu for 10 days, and she is concerned that with the freezing weather, standing on the terraces will only bring it all back and make me sick again. I have told her though that it will make me even sicker to have to miss this game, and United need all their fan warriors to do VERBAL harm to Chelsea players, and now to Verbal Diarrhoea man Benitez, and all his lavatory talk. I know she’s just trying to be caring, but I also know how to work on her to bring the compromise. I will get to the match, but as Grog often says, it will take some grovelling and I know the SAD face routine and moping always seem to work for me 
.
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@Grognard: George Best only a sub mate, he was the most naturally gifted player ever to put a pair of boots on chum and only Pele would I ever consider putting on the list before him, the rest, including Maradona and Cruyff would go on after those two.
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When Fergie makes jokes, he doesn’t need NOTES, because he is quick witted, and not like SOMEBODY TELL ME WHAT TO SAY Benitez. Fergie is as off the cuff as you can get, what comes out of his mouth is never planned, he just says it as he sees it. I wonder who wrote Rafa’s sspeech for him, because sure as hell somebody did. Maybe his lawyers. What a joke he has become. He will have a breakdown if he doesn’t win the league now. Poor old Rafa, someone dial 999 and get a doctor.
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@Fred The Red: I agree Fred
.
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@Grognard: in fact heres a United sides that would give that team of yours a game
Schmichael
Neville
Ferdinand
Stamm
Evra
Ronaldo
Edwards
Charlton
Best
Cantona
Law
Four Ballon Dor winners, not bad
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Benitez should chill. Otherwise he will be due more kidney stones. Maybe he should take up yoga or something? Or take a holiday or something.
I love how cool Fergie is. He rants and raves at the referees but it is just a smokescreen and he is loving the pressure.
Scolari and Benitez will crack I am sure of it.
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@Fred The Red: That’s your opinion mate but I don’t share it. Best was great but he also played half a career at the top before his boozing destroyed him. And it’s ludicrous to think that I would take off either Cruyff, Pele or Mueller off the forward line to fit him in because of a United bias. No sir. His greatness cannot be ignored and that’s why he beat an awful lot of great player to get onto the subs bench.
As for Maradona, you don’t have to like him mate, and God knows I hated his guts, but he is the second best player of all time behind Pele. Best could have been up there if booze, women and nightclubs were not his major priority. So lets be fair. Mueller is the all time goal scoring leader in German football history, 265 goals in 427 games. He scored 68 goals in
62 internationals (awesome), and he scored 13 goals in the World Cup and is the second all time scorer in European Cup history. Cruyff was voted the greatest European player ever just recently and won three European Player of the Year awards. He and Beckenbauer revolutionized the game and their positions. And Pele, well, he needs no intro nor does he need any defense. And so what are the numbers poor old George can muster that even come close to that? One European Player of the Year award. Great, but how many could he have won? Sorry but the truth hurts. Don’t get me wrong, I loved him too and I own three dvd’s all about his career and a book.
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@Fred The Red: What’s your beef mate? Honestly, can’t you look beyond your back yard? I love and respect Manchester United too but I am not blinded to the fact that greater players have played elsewhere. Your team is truly fantastic, no argument, but mine was one that represents the world, not your back yard. Sorry. Schmeichel was my third choice at keeper and Charlton was right up there too. As for everybody, not even close. That doesn’t mean I don’t love them or respect their greatness but we are competing with Pele, Beckenbauer, Maradona and Cruyff here. Grab a reality pill mate.
As for Balon D’Or winners, my team has 16. Case closed.
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@Fred The Red: Wow Fred that United team kicks arse, and 4 ballon d’ors impressive
. I’d like to think we could kick Grog’s teams arse Fred, because of course I am United always and ever, but Grog has a pretty great team there, so I’d settle for a draw 
.
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@Craig Mc: Sorry mate but it wouldn’t even be close. 4-1 for Grogs superteam. Just too much greatness on mine. I mean even comparing Evra, Neville and Stam who struggled to be regulars on their national team is a bit of a joke. I especially love Stam but he’s not even in the same class as his fellow countryman Ruud Krol. Schemeichel is my second favorite keeper of all time behind the great Maier who he happened to idolize and who he patterned his own game after. That is enough of an endorsement for Maier I think. And if anyone ever saw Carlos Alberto play at LB would laugh at the comparison of him with Evra. AAlberto was a master with great skill and a great shot much like that of Roberto Carlos years later. Ronaldo, Charlton, Edwards and Best is a great midfield except I consider Best a winger so that’s cheating and Ronaldo is too but I will live with him as a midfielder. If I considered Best a midfielder he would have had a better chance but still would fall short because the three I have are bloody legends with trophy cases as big as houses.
Finally, as much as I love United and admire Fred’s team, I believe my team would annihilate the Reds. Just too good
For comparison, here is my all time United 11;
GK Schmeichel
DF Irwin
DF Rio
DF Stam
DF Bruce
MF Keane
MF Charlton
MF Ronaldo
ST Law
ST Best
ST Cantona
SUBS;
GK Stepney
ST van Nistelrooy
MF Beckham
MF Robson
DF Buchan
Again no Duncan Edwards for the reasons I gave before, although had I seen him play, I’m sure I would have included him.
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this is what i like about dimi.
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@Grognard: That’s a superb all time United team…but one gripe…why the fuck is Beckham in there????? Surely Giggs or Scholes deserve a place on your bench ahead of him, no??
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@Fred The Red: That’s a great team too…you and Grog’s team is very similar if I’m not mistaken…but reading your team reminds me of a poser that has been bugging me for a while: who would you rather have in your team if you had to choose between Stam and Vidic? (Anybody is free to answer that question).
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‘Former Premier League referee Graham Poll agrees that Sir Alex Ferguson receives lenient treatment from the Football Association.’
Once a shit referee and a prick, always a shit referee and a prick.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4773786,00.html
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@Traverse: too true! shit pundit aswell!
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I’d just love it, love it, if we pissed ourselves laughing as we passed an imploding liverpool! But seriously, this could be the perfect wake up call for our players, how better to get them motivated than to make the rest of the campaign a fight not only for us to win the title, but to make sure the scouse dont get near their perch again. Unwittlingly the spanish waiter has played into our hands, thank you for your facts Rafa, you Muppet.
Fact, What ship has never docked in Liverpool?
The Premiership
Seeing as the scousers seem to get their facts and jokes all mixed up
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@Craig Mc: completely agree Bro, hope it translates to the pitch
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href=”http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1111410/United-ready-distance-title-race-says-Fletcher.html?ITO=1490″> Our big game player reckons we’ll squeek it!
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I just love the way that genius of a man writes his rants down but still can’t get his facts right. He says that the respect campaign started with Mascherano’s sending off at OT. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t the official respect campaign start this season and wasn’t Mascherano’s sending off last season?
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@Nino: Well first of all, it’s my team so I guess I used a little artistic license. I personally have always been a big Beckham fan. Had he not gone to Madrid, we would not be questioning the selection. Make no mistake, he was great. Sure he wasn’t fast, not the greatest dribbler in the world but nobody and I mean nobody before him or since him has had a radar of a leg for crossing like he did. He was a great crosser and passer of the ball and he also was fantastic at the free kicks as we all know. It was tough picking him over Giggs as I am big Giggs fan and for me he is a true legend. Scholes wasn’t so hard to ignore. No doubt the Ginger Ninja has done great things with United but his style of play, although tidy and efficient, never really turned my crank. Oh I certainly considered him but then I asked, other than Beckham, who would I take off to put him on? And the answer was nobody. Great but just misses the grade along with Giggs. If I kept 7 subs Giggs would certainly have been there though.
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@Nino: That is so tough because both of them have similar qualities. I already chose Stam on my team because I feel that when he was here, he ruled like Rio and Vidic but virtually alone as he never had a partner of similar skill. I love Vidic but I still prefer Brucy over him and even Gary Pallister and Martin Buchan right now. But he has leaped over Gordon McQueen into fifth. By the time his career with us is over, he may have made it into the top two.
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@Nino: I would say Vidic. Most of us here put Rio in our side, and Staam and Rio are two very similar players. Vidic and Rio have different attributes. Like Rio is good on the ball, Vidic is good at tackling. Rio is good at positioning, while Vidic is a master in the air. Rio has pace, Vidic has strenght. And so on. In defense you should have 2 players with different attributs as well similar strengts. My all time United team:
GK: Peter Schmeicel
RB: Gary Neville
CB: Rio Ferdinand
CB: Steve Bruce
LB: Patrice Evra
RM: Cristiano Ronaldo
CDM: Roy Keane
CAM: George Best
LM: Ryan Giggs
ST: Eric “The King” Cantona
(my all time favorite United player)
ST: Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Go Norway)
subs:
Van Der Sar
Nemanja Vidic
Dennis Irwin
David Beckham
Paul Scholes
Bobby Charlton
Dennis Law
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@Traverse: This is why I sent an e-mail to World Soccer Dailey who have Grahma Poll on as a guest on their podcasts and said that I think he was a tosser and rather than have him plug his book on the air, they should get most of the people out there to buy the book and then get together an burn them all in a bonfire. Poll is an idiot and his World Cup gaff of allowing a player to play with two yellows is just typical of how stupid he was. I couldn’t care less what he thinks. I for one have felt for quite a while that Fergie does not receive the kind of respect from the FA that he deserves. And when they are lenient it’s because they realize the y jumped to the wrong conclusion about the Gaffer’s actions. Why? Because 95% of the time Fergie is right with his actions or criticisms.
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@Grognard: Grognard, I need your help. I’m new to this space but I’ve read your comments. Please mail me at manchesterunitedfan.m@gmail.com
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I just find it funny that Rafa now comes out and complains that Fergie and United get the the better schedule. He didn’t say that at the beginning of the first half of the season when United had to play last years top 9 clubs all on the road and that they played all three of the other top teams on the road after having played a midweek game in Europe. In all my years I have never ever seen a schedule that was designed in such a way to try to sabotage the team before it’s season even go under way.
Despite all our problem scoring, we have weathered that terrible first half schedule surprisingly well. My prediction was that we would be fortunate to be 10 points behind after 19 games. Well we are only seven behind with a couple of games in hand. All considered, that’s pretty damned good. Now we need to take advantage of our good luck and destroy those 9 teams at home while never taking a break on the road. Should we take care of business as we are capable of, then not only will we make up the deficit, but we should win comfortably. I do not rate Liverpool and their wanker of a manager one bit, and Chelsea are not yet firing on all cylinders either. Tomorrow’s winner, if there is one will be the team that takes it all in my opinion. United need to win and make a statement of intent. A loss could be catastrophic from a morale and confidence standpoint and a draw will just keep things as they are while boosting Liverpool’s confidence. We must win.
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@phoenix red: Quality stuff mate.
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@RedDevilEddy: Nice team there mate but Ole as much as you love and I love him and as much as he has meant to the club does not belong over some great players who were far better scorers and starters too. To not include RVN in your subs is a sin mate. How Rooney over Ole? You used seven subs so I am still amazed that Ole never took his rightful place on the subs bench. Still, it’s your team and you can pick them as you like. Good job.
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@Grognard: Solskjærs instinct for goals was amazing. He for me was the perfect striker, in action and mentality. I think Ole at his peak was the best striker in the world(had it not been for Ronaldo(fatty)) because he could do absolutely everything asked form him.
Talking about strikers, this is what Torres and Gerrard to on their spare time: Liverpool players cant resist temptation! LOL
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@Grognard: Rooney for me does not posses the quality needed to be in my team. I demand goals from strikers, not assists or hard work all over the field. If Rooney could go 2 seasons in a row scoring 20 goals or more in both, then I would think about it. But Ruud, Cantona(who was not only a good striker, but a GOD), Solskjær and Law I ahev everything I need up front. Good on the ground, good in the air, good with both feet and deadly goalscorers in all.
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Just a few diddy’s that I read that I found very interesting. Juan Veron has told Tevez that he should stay put in Manchester and not move. He claims that it would be a great mistake to leave the biggest club in the world. He also praises Fergie and feels bad that he did not play as well enough for us to prevent being sold. Surprisng humility and common sense from a player I would have thought was bitter about his time here.
Elsewhere, Artur Boruc has given the reason for some of his screw ups this year for Celtic. Apparently he has had to deal with a very painful and heart wrenching divorce and this totally screwed him up. I certainly can relate to this kind of pain and what it does to one’s mind and soul. I ended up crashing my business due to my own breakup after ten years and it nearly destroyed me. So to all you Boruc detractors who claim he is not good enough and he has had some cockups this season, now you know the reason. This keeper is truly world class when his head is in the game.
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@RedDevilEddy: He had great instincts indeed but he rarely played well when he actually got to start a game. Some players just have the right makeup to come in late and turn on the magic, but aren’t quite as prolific when they start games. The same happens in football with quarterbacks and in baseball with pitchers.
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@RedDevilEddy: I have news for you mate. Cantona never score more goals on average than Rooney. He never had a season where he hit for more than 18 in the EPL and I think his average was around 14. That’s Rooney’s average. Cantona had the style and substance and perhaps Rooney doesn’t have the style but he certainly has the substance. But hey, he never made my team either. But then again, neither did Ole, and I like him a lot.
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@Grognard: Yeah, maybe. It was very close between Ruud and Ole of who I was gonna choose, but Ole got the nod because his personality and, well, his nationality.
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@Grognard: Like I said, Cantona was not olny a player, but a GOD! If a United fan dont have Cantona in his United team, the player that changed Manchester United forever, something just aint right…
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JOSE QUITS JOB!!!
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@RedDevilEddy: No argument there. But it’s also important to remember, that when it comes to forwards, he kind of redefined the position and it’s potential. He proved that you don’t have to be a Mueller or RVN to play that role. That you can score half the number of goals and still be highly productive by you assists, presence and imaginative creativity on the pitch. He truly is the KING.
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@RedDevilEddy: Well I’m just totally gutted. I love “I’m on Setanta Sports” It’s the only time I actually loved Jose, when he was in the form of a puppet. I wonder why they scrapped the show or is it just a ploy? I have to say that this season was not as funny as last year and that may have a lot to do with it. I’m really going to miss Dave from Newcastle as well as the Voyeur. Shutup Eddy. Be Champions!
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Jog on, Jog on
with your head in your hands
cause you’ll never win the league
you’ll NEEEVEEEERRR win the league
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and that is why they’ll never win the league! 2 points against Stoke is just abysmal for title challengers.
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