Apr 24
Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Preview
The twists and turns of the Premier League continue and thanks to the ‘Ginger Ninja’ Paul Scholes Manchester United are still in the title hunt, but credit must also go to this weeks visitors Tottenham Hotspur, who travel to Old Trafford as conquerors of Chelsea, thus reigniting the title race.
This game is of monumental importance to both clubs, United have to win to keep pace with Chelsea and Spurs need to win to make sure Manchester City don’t overtake them in the race for fourth. It promises to be an effervescent affair.
United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise during his Friday press conference, “I think this is the best Tottenham team in my time at United,” Sir Alex said. “When I came here they had Glenn Hoddle, Chris Waddle and Clive Allen, but this team has a lot of substance to it. He’s done a great job, Harry.“
Going into the match United have no new injury worries, in fact, Rio Ferdinand has recovered from a groin strain and Wes Brown from a foot injury. Ferdinand should partner Nemanja Vidic in the centre of defence, with Patrice Evra on the left. But there is a question mark over who will face off against Gareth Bale?
Will Fergie go with the experience of Gary Neville to combat the searing pace of Bale? Or will he opt for the sturdy John O’Shea? Or will youth get a chance in the shape of Rafael? Not to mention the fit again Wes Brown.
As United need three points, a four-man midfield will more than likely be used. Paul Scholes will have earned his place alongside Darren Fletcher. Antonio Valencia will take up his usual slot on the right and Nani should be brought in on the left side, as Ryan Giggs was poor against City last weekend.
Owen Hargreaves was in line for a spot on the bench, but he has once again been sidelined by injury, thankfully it is only a calf strain and not a recurrence of his knee problems.
One thing that is always certain is, if Wayne Rooney is fit then he will start… sometimes he will start even if he is not. This rule is not true when it comes to Dimitar Berbatov. Linked with a summer move away from Old Trafford, the Bulgarian will have a chance to show his current employers the form he displayed with his former employers when they visit Manchester on Saturday.
One thing though is the worry over Spurs’ current form, Sir Alex is pessimistic though:
“Of course I was delighted with Spurs’ displays against Arsenal and Chelsea. They were absolutely brilliant, and could’ve won by more goals than they did, but their performance level was terrific. Now I’m faced with the same problem, coming up against them.
“The good thing is that all our players have watched these games. They’ve seen the quality they’ve got and that helps – we’re not going into the unknown.”
As Ferguson mentioned, wins over Arsenal and Chelsea will have done wonders for the visitors’ confidence, especially as they should have won both fixtures by a much bigger margin than they eventually did. However, a trip to Old Trafford is something, which Spurs’ don’t do well. They last emerged victorious at Old Trafford 21 years ago, and last season they let slip a 2-0 half-time lead to eventually lose 5-2.
Having said that, Gareth Bale is in magnificent form having been pushed to a more advanced role. Luka Modric is showing touches of brilliance we all expect and Michael Dawson is playing himself into England contention with his imperious displays.
Unluckily for United, Aaron Lennon looks set to make his long awaited comeback from injury and will have a place on the Spurs bench. Jermaine Jenas and Ledley King could also be restored to the line-up, while Wilson Palacios is back from suspension.
Harry Redknapp is in buoyant mood after the recent victories, “They were two great victories. When you play the top three teams in the country within 10 days and to beat all three of them, that would take some beating. You are not going to do that too often in your life.
“I would have snapped your hand off for five points. I would probably have taken four to be honest with you. But we have another tough game tomorrow.
“The sun’s shining, it’s a great stadium, a fantastic place to play football against a great team. We’re looking forward to it.”
Lets hope Tottenham get stage fright in the Theatre of Dreams, the statistics certainly point to a United victory.
Spurs have not won in their last 66 Premier League visits to the ‘Big Four’ clubs and United are unbeaten in their last 17 league matches against Tottenham who have only beaten Manchester United three times in 35 matches in the Premier League.
We should go back to the top of the league on Saturday, if only for 24 hours. Unless of course Stoke aren’t beaten at Stamford Bridge on Sunday… stranger things have happened.
Prediction: 2-1 United
Probable Line Up: van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra;, Valencia, Fletcher, Scholes, Nani; Berbatov, Rooney
***
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Related items from Red Rants:
- Tottenham v Manchester United – Match Thread
- Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur: Match Preview
- Man Utd v Tottenham: Carling Cup Final Preview
- Preview: Reds vs Spurs
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United: Match Preview
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (479)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Grognard: nice to see you back mate, hope things get better as time goes by, but I wont tell you lies, I hope Inter stuff Munich
, welcome back
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@Fred the Red: Thanks Fred. As for Inter stuffing Munich, I think you are right. I love Bayern as you know, but I feel that any team that can knock off Barcelona cannot be beat. Sure Bayern can win but it will take a really poor team performance by Inter.
Inter has advantages. They are superior at goalkeeper and in their back four unit. That for me is the big difference. Bayern is more creative and has better skilled players but they still find it hard to score goals up front from Gomez and Klose. Jeez, their goals are coming from their wingers Robben and Ribery and #3 striker Olic. Mourinho will have a plan to stop that. van Gaal is a great manager but for me he pales in comparison to the Special One who has that special extra ingredient which happens to also bring out the best in his team.
It’s hards to shutout Bayern as they have so many players that can bulge the net but Inter will do this. Even though Bayern beat Juventus and Fiorentina already, those Italian clubs were not Inter. And even thought they beat United, I still think Inter will win this game. It will be tight and boring and Inter will grab a garbage goal and win the game 1-0. And after that Mourinho will be able to basically write his own ticket to anywhere he wants except Old Trafford where we are plagued by awful owners and a manager that just does not know when it’s a good time to hang them up. Pity.
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All this talk about buying players is just silly guys. For me it’s really simple. Start putting your shorts and your Hawaiian shirts on and start going out to the beach or park for some sun and recreation. Nothing major is happening at OT when it comes to transfers until the Glazer’s are gone. We have no money for major purchases and I seriously doubt any of these rumors being true.
As for Modric, I have already said I think he is frail and soft. Injury prone and really for me, not as good as some seem to think he is. To be honest, he does nothing for me. Marik Hamsek in Italy is far superior if we must go for an eastern European and he can also score goals playing the AMF position. Gourcuff is the ideal player but I have never heard of him being linked with us. I mean really, Fergie hasn’t got a pot to piss in and he’s going to spend 25 million on Modric? MADNESS
. More like 25 pounds on a new black tie to counter balance his red nose and cheeks.
In my opinion United need two central midfielders and a striker. But before we can go after such players we need to clean house. Out with Anderson, Berbatov (that kills me to say this because I love Berba but he just isn’t working out for us), Carrick. Stop hanging on to failures. Carrick is not terrible but he is far from United class. Anderson is one of the worst signing this club has ever made because to this day I have yet to see an ounce of skill in him other than his ability to guard the ball with his big fat ass. Berba is supremely skilled but his style of play and lack of English blue collar work ethic does not endear him to the Northern fans who believe running at full speed and demonstrating no imagination or skill is far more wonderful than the magic Berba offers up. He belongs in Germany or Italy where his his lack of pace and hard work are not required of a striker, but where his technical ability and imagination are. If we can get rid of this baggage perhaps we can then take some money and buy a Benzema or Hamsik and maybe pry a Rodwell from the clutches of David Moyes if we promise him the managers seat in a year or two.
And finally, I have given up on talking about keepers because for me it is clear United will never have either of my two German wunderkinds Neuer or Adler. Therefore, I do not care anymore. In fact I am tired of United’s poor scouting and Fergie’s one dimensional talent searching. NEWSFLASH FERGIE!! There are great players who could perform for us who don’t have to have experience playing in the EPL for Spurs. The man really needs to get out more.
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2010/apr/30/paul-scholes-manchester-united-england
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@Grognard: the first goal will be critical in this match, if Inter get it, it could be curtains for Bayern. If Bayern get it and force Inter to come at them then you never know.
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Neville needs to do fergie a favour and retire.
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alright kids, good to have ya back grog. hope your doing alright m8. well the time is closing in, will the scousers do us a favour. i dont know, i just dont think their good enough to be honest, especially after extra time the other night. but lets live in hope for another 48 hours. come on you bin dippers. we dont want any favours, just do your fucking jobs. MUFC
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The problem I see with the Milner signing is we’ll end up paying over the odds. Like they say form is temporary, class is permanent. And while Milner is a good player £20-25 million is WAY too much for someone who is well short of world class.
Especially when Im sure we could get players like Hamsik, Gourcuff and Diego for a similar price.
The only advantage of going for someone like Milner is that we may be able to get a good swap deal involving Carrick.
As for the Bayern-Inter final. It is hard to call. With players like Robben, Ribery and the annoyingly prolific Olic Bayern have lots of goals in them. They do have defensive vulnerabilities, but you have to get behind their midfield to expose them, something we failed to do in the first leg.
So like all finals it is a question of who shows up on the day.
Inter however deserve to win. They knocked out both Chelsea and Barcelona on their route to the final. While Bayern scraped past Fiorentina and us on away goals. I think Bayern’s luck will eventually run out and they will get exposed.
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@colver: Why would you worry if we pay over the odds?
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@Owen: You won’t have to concern yourself about him much longer.
He’s dragged the team down to an unimaginable level and now he’ll bugger off to start the cycle all over again, somewhere else!!
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With a injury track record of brown and ferdinand and seeing this season MU play carrick and fletcher in back 4 i think its wise to invest in a more mature player than smalling as a able cover at the back
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@Vignesh: I think we’re vulnerable in every position, mate.
A center back would be great, along with a couple of MF’ers, a striker (maybe two) and a Goalie.
Lets go shopping!!
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@Vignesh: Lokk you cant do any thing when your four centre backs are injured.You cant have 10 centre backs.We have signed Smalling( i think he is good one as Wenger wanted him too).Vidic will remain hopefully.We have got some one called Dodo.De Laet can play .Evans is top class.
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@Redrich: But the most interesting thing is that with all lackings in different positions,we still need less changes than Pools,Arsenal and even Chelsea.
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@colver: Mate Dont forget Milner is choosen as the young player of the season ahead of likes of Fabregas,Rooney while Diego is choosen as the worst buy of the season in Italy.He cant excel in Italy.He will be all time flop in England.
Milner is very good and is world class.Dont underestimate him.
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Redrich, in our financial situation we need to count the pennies and paying over the odds just means we use up our entire transfer budget on one player and have even less funds for future purchases.
We’ve got burnt a lot paying for potential. Milner may be the young player of the year. But there is still a gamble involved. We do not know if this season was a one-off-after all form is temporary. We do not know if he will be able to step it up to the next level and cope with the demands of European football. We do not know whether he is one of those players who peak early, or whether he will develop a lot more.
Certainly he is not world class right now. As for whether he will be in the future. No-one knows.
Carrick is a good example of how that sort of signing can backfire. Carrick was also very impressive for Tottenham. He was also on the verge of breaking into the England team. He was getting rave reviews as the next Glenn Hoddle.
He comes to us and he looks like a shadow of the player he was at Tottenham and as with so many England central midfielders gets bossed by continental counterparts.
The only thing I would say about Milner is that his versatility makes him worth a few extra million.I see him more as a replacement for Giggs-capable as playing as a winger, an attacking midfielder, a central midfielder etc. So in that respect he could be a good signing.
But Id really like to see more creativity in our midfield. When our wingers aren’t firing we aren’t creating many chances and we cannot rely on Scholes and Giggs forever. In the European games we’ve struggled to keep the balls at times and that is something continental midfielders excel at.
So Im still holding out for Gourcuff. Which probably isn’t going to happen.
Hamsik in terms of situation/characteristics has a lot in common with Milner. On the plus side Hamsik would be cheaper and give us that bit of continental skill I think we need. On the negative side he’d take time to adapt to the Premier League and the Italian and Premier League are so different that there is no guarantee he’d make a successful adaptation.
As for Rodwell, there youd be paying for a LOT of potential, but ultimately potential and Id rather wait a season or two to give him a chance to fully develop at Everton.
One signing I definitely want us to make is Joe Cole on a free transfer. Even if he only makes a dozen appearances for us, his experience, creativity and skill would be invaluable for us.
As for our strikeforce. In an ideal world we’d get a top class partner for Rooney such as Villa, Fabiano or Benzema and relegate Berbatov to playing against bottom feeder clubs which seem to be the only clubs he is able to score against.
People rave about how Berbatov is a creative striker. But he hasn’t managed many assists this season and Id much rather we injected some creativity into our midfield and replaced Berbatov with a goal scoring striker.
In the Glazers world I think our best shot is to pray that Macheda has a breakthrough season and turns into a more than capable deputy and/or sidekick for Rooney.
I also hope we give this Hernandez kid a decent amount of games. Im sick of us buying nobodies from the developing world and never playing them then offloading them for a £5 million loss.
In order of likelihood I think Milner is a fair bet to join us. It seems to be our habit to buy from clubs just outside the top four rather than buy the best up and coming continental stars.
He’d be an improvement on Carrick, that is for sure. But I am not convinced he is the solution to the midfield problem that has plagued us ever since the heyday of Scholes and Keane in the middle.
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Regarding Dodo have we or have we not signed him?
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@Owen: Milner isn’t World class mate, tht term gets floated around so much it is unreal.
Milner is a good player on the back of a good season, buying him fro Villa would cost lot of money and we can spend our money better, Arteta, Hamsik, Gourcuff, Flamani, Rodwell and even as a decent squad player would be Scott Parker he has carried West Ham this season he obviously woud be a starter every week but he would be a vast improvement on Anderson.
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Also totally off topicish, how is Milner young player of the year aged 24????
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@Stephen: And how Rooney is still nominated for young player of the year.
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@Owen: And Torres last season, strange.
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Can’t believe we have sunk so low that some of us think Milner is a perfect signing for United, and world class.
This is embarrasing for a club of our standard. I’m not saying you guys who are discussing it are wrong, it’s just shit to hear that we are now seeking players like Milner! What’s next? Heskey? 
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I’d love for us to buy Gourcuff, Diego or Hamsik. Or Benzema for that matter! But we simply won’t, this club is in too much shit for that to happend. And why the fuck would Fergie go out to sign another midfielder? According to him we have more than enough great players there.
Fletcher, Hargreaves, Gibson, Scholes, Anderson, Carrick, Giggs are already competing for two of those spots, and next season both Pogba and Cleverley will be fighting for a spot as well. Hell, even Oshea and Park can do a job there! So forget buying a midfielder, it simply won’t happen. If anything Carrick and maybe Anderson will be sold, but that’s it on the transfer front there. If we will buy this summer, it will be up top and for a goalie. We need more, I know, but that’s what we will be looking for. A goalkeeper, Lloris, and a striker if Berbatov is sold, probably a cheap one. Who that striker is will be decided by where we end in the title race. If we end is second place, we will buy Carlton Cole, or someone of that standard. If we win the title, Benzema is not unlikely. So there, not much more to say besides… COME ON LIVERPOOL!
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@Stephen: I’d still love Fellaini even before Rodwell, IF he comes back the same player from injury. I think Fergie has said though, that with the new rules from EUFA coming in next year – he has to buy English players to meet those rules.
I agree about Scott Parker, I think he is good defensively and more importantly creatively!
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When I roll, my whole crew follows
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@Vignesh: Couldn’t agree with you more mate – because we haven’t got anybody anywhere near ready to come through from our reserves in these positions. Delaet is the best of the bunch, but he is better at fullback.
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@Owen: Everyone knows how much I love Wes Brown, but I think both Wes and Rio have played their best football, and are always in the knackers yard now. They will hang on until their 35 or 36 at OT though, as collectibles, because they have massive pay packets to take home whether playing or not. They have been fantastic servants for us, but I cannot for the life of me understand why United allow our older, constantly injured players to semi retire inside the club, and yet get full wages for it. No wonder Rio and Wes say they want to finish their careers with us. Because we are one of the only clubs it seems who keep so many players that length of time.
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@Stephen: 48 million quid for those two players isn’t what I would ever call value either Stephen.
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@EduardoDaVinci4: Eddi what point are you trying to get over mate, because whatever it is – I missed it
.
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@CraigMc: Your smiley had “rolls”, just like mine. When my smiley rolls, then all the others do as well…
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Oh, and welcome back Grog. I’ve been worried about you, hope you are alright. I know you’ve been through a rough time, but just know that you’ve my thoughts and best wishes, along with others on this blog. Wish for the best mate, welcome back!
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Now we only lack RedRanter, and the whole crew is back….
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@EduardoDaVinci4: But where the hell he is
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@CraigMc: I like Screech also, he is a top player.
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Tosic is scoring for fun
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Anybody playing Pokemon Soul Silver or Heart Gold? If so, up for a battle?
Yeah, I’m kinda childish. But I’m very mature as well.
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@Owen: Who needs Milner when we’ve got Tosic.
It remains a mystery why this guy was never given a decent shot in the team. He’s proving the rumors wrong that he was not bought to attract Ljajic. Right now, his market value may even be higher than Ljajic’s.
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Tosic-inho.
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@EduardoDaVinci4:
You forgot Dan!
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@NicoQB: You forgot Omkar!
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@NicoQB: I think he has retired…
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@EduardoDaVinci4: Did he actually say he was leaving, or is he just taking a break?
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@Fred the Red: Problem is that I only see one goal in the entire match so yes, the first goal will be crucial. I think Inter’s defence will choke Bayern’s chances and they will steal one on the counter.
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@colver: It comes down to class at the back. Inter have a world class keeper and a great back four. Bayern have a great RB in Lahm and a decent back four as well as a backup 35 year old keeper who has started the season. For me this bridge in class will make a difference. Bayern’s forwards are far from sensational but they are decent. They have two outstanding wingers but it looks like Ribery will be out of the match and that is critical because it will allow Mourinho to pay special attention to Robben. Klose and Gomez will be on the bench and Muller is going to be a great striker one day but at only 20, he is prone to inconsistency right now. Gomez is a fat useless slug that for me makes Berba look positively brimming with energy. Olic is in the form of his life but really, he is not that great a player. He is a case of a player who’s style just suits the manager’s game plan.
Bayern have the attack but Inter have the defence to handle it. Inter also have the attack and Schneijder will find a way to expose the back four with a free kick or a well placed through ball to either Milito or Eto’o and it will be curtains for Bayern. I love Bayern but lets not get away from the fact they robbed United to go through and were even lucky to get by Fiorentina. They beat a Lyon team which for me were a disgrace while Inter beat both Chelsea and the might Bossa Nova which was no mean feat. I stand by my feelings that if you can beat Barcelona, you can beat anyone. The only chance Bayern have is if the Serie A season goes to the final week and Mourinho has to play all his starters and thus making them a little more fatigued than Bayern who wrapped up the Bundesliga title this morning. They can now rest. I’ve seen upsets before but I do not see Mourinho losing this one because his preparation and tactical genius is second to none.
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@Grog: Chelsea will draw tomorrow & Man Utd will win @ Sunderland & all of us here will dedicate the turn around events to you @ this time of your emotional recovery.
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Evra thinks fergi will “die on the bench”“It is his destiny”
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@EduardoDaVinci4: Thanks Eddy. I appreciate the kind words. I’m alright. My mother is in a better place and at peace. I need to believe that and move on. Biggest problem is I am suffering like Hargo these days. I have been on crutches for two weeks because of severe tendonitis/bursitis in my left heel and Achilles tendon. Incredibly painful and annoying. I have not been able to put any pressure on it for two weeks and it is getting better ever so slowly. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone. Weird though as I just cannot figure out how I got it and why it would not get better with anti inflammation meds. I am bushed having to walk around in crutches and having to go through my moms funeral and burial on crutches was just the pits.
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@Grognard: Wow, that sounds shit!
Sorry mate, I wish everything would be better for you. I really do..
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@Johnsom33: I think he said he was leaving, but I’m not quite sure. At least it’s been a long time since I last heard from him, so I guess he has left for forever..
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@Owen: Mate, if you don’t stop rolling your eyes so much, they will turn inside! You’ll be blind mate!
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