Sep 29
Man Utd 2-0 Bolton: Ref Reprieve Earns Win
No, it wasn’t a penalty; everyone by now would testify. I’m not sure if Ronaldo dived, as lot of pundits would claim — though, I think he could have stood his ground. But it was the sort of break you needed in the game to come away with a win.
As usual I’ve taken longer than required to come up with a match report so it will be brief.
The tactics:
Didn’t have much to argue about apart from Neville’s continued presence in the starting XI. However, I mustn’t be too harsh because I see Fergie giving him a fair run to see if he improves. I don’t see it happen at this point, although he has been marginally better every game he’s played so far. However, I think it’s unlikely he’s ever going to scale the heights of his career. Hopefully SAF plays Brown against Aalborg to make the lad stop wondering if the boss has actually forgotten him.
Berbatov:
He’s been dividing opinion among fans everywhere. I thought he was actually good yesterday although his involvement has been subtle. Rooney’s introduction made his contribution more apparent. I think it’s unfair to judge Berbatov until we know for sure if he’s understood our system completely.
Substitutions:
I wasn’t sure of Scholes’ longevity, or should I say ability to influence a game for the full 90 minutes, but yesterday’s substitutions — the bringing on of Scholes and Rooney — showed how much of a difference he could make. Rooney, more so, showed his hunger channeled into the position he was supposed to revel in. He wanted to prove himself in the attacking end, and in partnership with a familiar friend, Ronaldo, scored a peach. As I said in the past, I reserve judgement on Rooney untill I see a fair bit of him this season. Perhaps Christmas would be a good time for me to judge the boy as his understanding with Berbatov grows. I also saw Scholesy make a couple of forward runs for the first time in years.
The penalty:
Perhaps the most dubious of penalties you would see. It’s unfortunate the game will be known for that rather than our general bossing of midfield and possession in the second half. The press are quick to call Ronaldo out for diving — which I’m not sure of, and I think is borne more out of the need to sensationalize things.
The Performance:
We are getting there. It’s a win. The next one’s at Blackburn, I believe, and it has been tricky in the past. But I think we have a better chance against Paul Ince’s boys than Sparky’s Blackburn. I haven’t been too impressed with them this season. Arsenal’s loss to Hull was a positive to take out of the weekend and Chelsea are still grinding out less than impressive wins; there is a good chance they’ll drop points. Liverpool, however, are winning but I wouldn’t put them on a pedestal yet. And City lost, ha! So it’s a rather decent weekend overall, I must say.
How was your weekend, then?
Related items from Red Rants:
- Rooney Out For A Month
- Who Is Your Role Model?
- Bolton vs Man Utd: Preview
- A Mini-Break
- Man Utd 2-0 Bolton: Ronaldo Usurps Best
Tags: Match Reports
Craig Mc (195)
RedDevilEddy (170)
Opti (135)
Moscow is my heaven (96)
Ian (95)
Sorry for the delay folks — need to have a word with my ISP. The preview is up.
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@Stephen: Stephen Bro, I can’t bloody believe it, but the GF is mithering the hell out of me to take her to a United game
, and it is all down to your previous posts about your doll of a girlfriend, and how she goes to occasional games with you. My GF is a real girlie girl, not interested in sport at all, but suddenly she wants a pilgrimage to OT. I think she finds Ronnie, Hargo and Tomaz too dishy for words (her comment). I am definately trying to put her off, because I always go with load of the lads, where the language is choice and terrace banter fierce. What the feck have you done Stephen Bro 
. Don’t know what to do about this one mate, but I know she’s only going for the eye candy players, especially pretty boy Ronnie 
.
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@Stephen: Stephen I had four hours sleep this am, but sleep like a baby, so it is like the same as 8 hours. I am a nocturnal-ist, and love being up when everyone else sleeps
, and as I work for myself, it doesn’t matter if I happen to be late to the office 
. Anyway smoocher, how much sleep do you get with that gorgeous girl of yours 
.
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@Stephen: I fully understand how you feel about him letting you down but lets give the lad the benefit of the doubt. He made a huge mistake that was misguided by his heart and by his family and culture. He realized his mistake and about his naive desires and has apologized. Yesterday I read that Madrid has abandoned their pursuit of him which although very suspect may indicate that he has basically told them to forget about it. So all I’m saying is if you really look hard, you will find people you know or are close to who deserve your wrath and feeling of disappointment more than a misguided football player who has now seen the light. Forgiveness mate, it’s all about forgiveness. Give it a try, it will make you feel good. He never stole from you or betrayed you with another man or stabbed you in the back at work etc. A few months ago I felt just as pissed off with him and I had made the major claim that Ronaldo was dead to me. Then my friend up and died last week. Now he really is dead to me. Again, it’s all about perspective. I certainly learned a lesson about being a bit too extreme over silly and trivial things. Roony is a fantastic player who plays for our chosen team. We need to embrace that bit of great fortune and cheer him and the lads to further glory. Lets not live in the past over some small period of stupidity and confusion. It’s not like any of us haven’t made a major mistake or two. Problem is his was being magnified and blown way out of proportion by a corrupt and often irresponsible media. I say give him another chance and guardedly open your heart to him one more time.
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@Grognard: Grognard I thought you were the agent of doom and gloom, the prince of darkness.
Oh how the tide has turned. 
Seriously though I can see what Stephen is trying to say. I also personally want to like Ronaldo because he’s a United player, but I still can’t do it because there is tremendous inner conflict when I see him play. I guess we just have to learn to live with it.
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@Red Ranter: Yes, well call me eccentric. I’ve had a bad few weeks and my perspective on life in general has had a turn for the better. That’s not to say that I am all wine and roses now. Just watch if United lays an egg in Denmark today. I’ll show you doom and gloom.
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@RedDevilEddy: Fair enough mate. He was my third favorite player behind (and I am ashamed to say it) Ballack (still angry he went to Chelsea) and the much more palatable Riquelme. I too have sworn off things regarding him but I am giving him a chance to prove me wrong and to win me over again over time. His loyalty more than his play will be the deciding factor. But until then it’s VIVA Ronaldo.
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@RedDevilEddy: No I am not German. I am Canadian with Greek roots. I just happen to love Germany, Bayern Munich and everything to do with their football and culture. I guess you can say I am a wannabe German although I am proud of my Greek heritage and I am even prouder to be a Canadian living a great country where we are incredibly tolerant of all nationalities and races. Having said that I spit on Italian football as well as I hate Spanish and French football with a passion.
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@Craig Mc: I’ve been down that road mate. This is her way of getting you to appreciate and accept her way and her domain. She will demand more attention both in and out of bed. My ex did the very same thing when it came to baseball and American football. She will also eventually ask you to buy her something or demand something of you. They are nice to look at, smell nice, feel nice and taste nice but deep down inside they are devilish manipulators who should never be fully trusted. Everything comes with a price and never underestimate their hidden agendas. Still, it is nice of them when they give the extra effort to give you some enjoyment and contentment, but never mistake that for something like love and total devotion. With women it comes at a price.
I’m 49 and I have been around the block with many a woman before and only now when I am single after many years of being attached can I look back at my mistakes and naive ways and look back at how I handled things and realize that they are much smarter and much more cunning than us. Part of this is because they have fewer interests and hobbies than us. Craig, you may be your girlfriend’s number one hobby. And if this is true you will have to get used to having to please her and be there for her over anything else. But she isn’t stupid. She doesn’t want to force you into a choice. She will play along with the footy thing until it bores her. Chances are it will be rather soon. What won’t be tolerated by her is you making her second to United. Especially after she has entered the camp of the enemy or competition (OT) and smelled out the competition for your heart and attention. Still, all the best of luck to you bro, but keep your guard up. They are cunning and very sinister underneath that beauty and makeup. And that’s not bitterness or disappointment talking here. It’s experience. Trust me.
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@Grognard: Feck me Grog, you make it sound bloody awful
. If all you say is true, I better phone Ronaldo and get his “I’m a slave crown.” I don’t think my GF would ever want out Grog, even though I do love United. I give her plenty of time, and as you can see from my posts I am a very passionate, ardent person, and she gets plenty of doting 
. We just click Grog, and we’re totally on the same wave length. We have our moments, but our fights are more tiffs than volcanic eruptions 
. I don’t think we ever had a full scale war 
. Bet RR would never believe that, after my warfare on this blog regarding those players I like, and those I don’t. Come to think of it though, I don’t really dislike any United players, but just the overly hysterical Rooney FANS. I am quickly learning though, that they feel the same way about me and Nani hysteria perhaps 
. Gotta love it eh Grog?.
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@Craig Mc: I never mind warfare on the blog as long as no one attacks anyone personally.
I actually believe that you are a pretty loving person. Passionate people usually have soft centres. This is from experience.
You don’t understand me, do you?
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@Red Ranter: RR thank you kindly
. I want to understand you 
, I want to understand most people, I expect we all do 
.
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