Aug 27
Reds 1-0 Spurs: Reds Scrape By, Brilliant Result
Even during United’s peak, last season, when they were brushing teams aside for fun, there were moments where one might have been perfectly justified in thinking if the team was actually capable of sustaining the form till the final lap. Those doubts weren’t put to rest by 4-0 defeats to Bolton or the opening day Fulham game. True, those games gave us a euphoric sense of pride, seeing our team crush opponents in such style. But there have been games, when, unconvincingly, the team managed to deliver a result that gave us a sense of satisfaction that more than made up for the obvious shortcomings. The 1-0 win against Liverpool was a case in point. So was the other Fulham game where Ronaldo’s goal sealed a late win.
Yesterday’s game against Spurs can neither be compared to the swashbuckling, Bolton-thrashing United, nor the one that beat the dippers at the death. Nor did it give us satisfaction. What it did give us, however, was a long overdue sense of relief.
While the team played under enormous pressure to deliver, it could be argued that Spurs might have been under more pressure than us. While their fans initially turned on their manager (which was ridiculous, in the first place) they did realize their folly and backed Martin Jol to the hilt in the light of events that transpired in their boardroom. With those factors in mind, it was surprising (or was it?) to see Tottenham show greater initiative - and that too at Old Trafford - than their counterparts.
The game was a study of contrasts from United’s perspective. Their last three games displayed the full array of attacking skills, but for the most important aspect of being able to finish those pretty build ups. The defence was also hardly tested.
Yesterday, however, the team was under fire from the word go - Robbie Keane, showing first signs of intent by hitting the woodwork very early in the game. Berbatov showed everyone why Tottenham would be absolutely nuts to let him go. The Bulgarian showing his class - be it in a withdrawn position with his touch, or with his movement in the box. Just ask Vidic and Ferdinand, who showed enough recovery and awareness to hoof his shot off the line. Again, ask Wes Brown, whose last ditch, valiant dive saved United the blushes. (There were controversies created by both situations, which I will touch upon later.) Gareth Bale was also impressive on debut - so there goes two players we let pass from under our collective noses. Although, this is not a time to weep over it.
Anyway, United’s performance was at best below par. And this is being generous. The Reds did camp on Tottenham’s half for a good portion of the match, but it never looked like they were going to create anything. There was the Tevez shot that was cleared off the line, Carrick’s 25 yarder and a few more chances. But none of them really made you feel that we were going to score. So the goal that Nani scored - that took a deflection off Tevez - was completely out of the blue.
While last season we were spoilt due to a surfeit of goals, this season, watching Nani’s goal was an experience in itself that reminded me again of the simple joys of winning and scoring goals against the odds, and, dare I say, as relative underdogs in the context of the match. As they say, beggars can’t be choosers - this felt like winning the lottery for that moment. Fergie’s alleged warning be damned, I wanted Nani to somersault all around the park, as some sort of an acrobatic salute to the fans.
Honestly, Nani and and the fans were due a goal, and after the horror show so far, we were all in a position to accept even the most dubious of deflections, as long as it found its way to the net.
Coming to the players, it was really hard to pick out one player that actually stood out. Carrick, as all have said, was poor. Vidic was uncertain in his positioning, something which played a role in his collision with Berbatov. Ferdinand was also in one of his bad days, that we have learned to get used to, over the past many seasons. Although his clearance off the line redeemed him somewhat. I am not sure how that redeemed him, but one tends to think of it that way if your defender does clear a ball off the line. Brown wasn’t spectacular but again his last ditch dive saved us.
Nani, but for the goal, wasn’t too threatening and the same can be said of Tevez. The pair ran their socks off, showed willingness to want the ball, but they need more time. This is certainly not a good situation to be expecting them to come off the blocks blazing, but results like this would help morale greatly. Things should get better from now on. Finally, I don’t understand why Scholes was playing deep when Hargreaves was there to tidy up things. The defensive midfielder completed another 90 minutes of tidy work and that is encouraging. The respective roles of the midfielders need to be sorted out. Soon.
Coming to the penalty claims, my opinion on the Brown is the same as what has been analysed a million times on Sky’s MOTD. Andy Gray, during the game, sounded strangely excited and was wanting the Brown penalty to be given. Although, no one should be more embarrassed than Alan Hansen who’s article in the Telegraph smacks of bias:
What will stick in the throat of Jol’s supporters is that after what happened at Anfield last Sunday there has been another refereeing decision that has determined the course of an absolutely crucial game. Wes Brown clearly handled the ball. It would have been one thing if Howard Webb had given a penalty but, had he done so, he should also have sent Brown off. If the penalty had been given and Spurs had scored, they would almost certainly have won the game - 1-0 up against 10 men with time running out.
A little wishful thinking eh, Alan? We do understand your beloved Liverpool were hard done by a referee error, but this time round Howard Webb got it spot on. So props to the ref. I am not really sure about the other penalty claim, although, to me it appeared that Vidic’s collision was an honest one and there wasn’t anything malicious to it.
Oh well, at the moment it is the win we need more than anything. So we’ll take it.
Saha and Anderson should hopefully return for the Sunderland game, although, in the case of Saha - a player who has been training for two weeks prior to the match - his not making the bench is most puzzling and frustrating.
The cracks need to be worked on, and one would hope that if we do manage to get past Sunderland in five days time unscathed, then the return of Ronaldo should hopefully boost team confidence and sort out formation once and for all.
Here’s to the comeback kings.
Our Prediction: 2-0, which was wrong, but we did back Nani and Tevez to score. Technically, both of them had parts to play in the goal. 
- The Week So Far: Spurs, Ole, Rooney, Keane, Strikers, Links, Sunderland, Transfer Madness
- Urawa Reds vs Manchester United: Post Match Notes
- Preview: Reds vs Spurs
- Reds vs Spurs: 26 Aug, 2007 4pm BST
- Preview: Pompey vs Reds
Tags: Match Reports
August 27th, 2007 at 11:44
It was definitely not a penalty, I agree.
Although addressing Scholes’ positioning, it looked like he started ‘in the hole’ but clearly struggled to thread through his usual passes, and kept having to go deeper to feel ‘at home’. Then when Eagles came on and Carrick went off he officially dropped back in where he’s used to with Giggs going behind Tevez. He was clearly more comfortable and that’s when our passing and tempo returned.
So in conclusion we desperately need Saha back. lol.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:46
btw about Eagles. I know everyone else seems to like him but even though he seemed to have a good preseason I don’t think he’s even close to being ready yet. Kieran Richardson is much better than him.
And did anyone see Rossi’s pen vs Valencia
August 27th, 2007 at 12:04
On Andy Gray, on the Last Word with the benefit of time to analyse the incident was edging towards it not being a penalty, backed up by further slow-mo replays on MOTD2 later on. I’ll cut Hansen a bit of slack because I assume he was working on a deadline for his column and may not have got time to analyse the incident in detail. On the game if you cast your mind back we had a lot of problems with Tottenham at home last season when Mido missed a number of good headed chances. Have to agree on the scrappy results, my biggest adrenalin rush from a game last season was Fulham away. IMO the only players to come away with much credit were Evra and Hargreaves the only two to make any attempt to lift the tempo of the match.
On a lighter note someone on RedIssue has suggested a possible song for Evra which made me laugh (to the tune of Postman Pat obviously):
Left Back Pat, Left Back Pat
Left Back Pat and his red and white hat
Bombing down the left wing
Banging loads of balls in
He makes your right back look so f*****g c**p
P.S. Feel free to edit out the last couple of words Red Ranter if you wish.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:10
[JB]
:D
That was hilarious! And about the language, you do realize that I am generally lax as far as moderating language goes. As long as there is no personal attack on fellow commenters, things are fine with me. Heck, I tend to drop the odd expletive in my posts! So feel free to vent your spleen
August 27th, 2007 at 12:15
I’m still quite new here so I wasn’t sure on the language policy, but don’t worry there will be a post full of expletives winging its way to you next time we lose! As for the song I’d love to here it get an airing at OT, it’s the best one I’ve seen since Johnny goes marching down the wing.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:20
the vidic collision was not a penalty because he only had eyes for the ball and if anythink it was erbatov who ran into him. 3 points in the bag and hopefull saha will be back for next weeks match against sunderland if he is it will be interesting to see who is dropped carrick, hargreaves or scholes? we should be able to beat sunderland and then get some momentum going.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:21
much relief now. much relief. valuable lesson learnt. time heals everything. This is what makes fergie an unprecedented manager. All i can say is that i feel ‘pity’ for sunderland to come to united at a time like this when confidence has sky rocketed. I ‘ wish him the best(worst) of luck when he comes back to Old T.
August 27th, 2007 at 12:23
(y)
penalty appeal was on wes brown not vida
August 27th, 2007 at 12:47
(nelson)
there was also an appeal when vidic and berbatov collided
August 27th, 2007 at 12:56
i saw the mutv coverage of the game today and here’s my positives and negatives of the game
Positives
hargo oh my hargo u make me happpy
(Bloody hell Good buy fergie)
Do i need to say more
Evra was good as well he definately has a good vision to go up
Negatives
Tevez is still not getting on the act as i said last time i’ll be still harsh on him he’s shite
he was again squesed yesterday ala mancity style if rooney was there he would have easily done his usual one touch move pass the defenders second touch behind the keeper
but then he needs time and since we won yesterday u’ve got one more week to get into the act and plz make it quick
Giggs needs to do something abt his lack of confidence or the hunger to break in
he needs to see his famous goal running all way down the wing which we all have grown up to see
rest evry1 was at there calm self no-one came up or outshined
All in all we neede saha and anderson next week badly
And the good news is they both will be there i saw SAF interview and there chances are good to be on the bench
by the way chris eagles been getting enough play time
what are ur verdicts on Him evry1
August 27th, 2007 at 13:09
the result was what we needed and i cant hide my joy! tho yesterday we played mo lyk chelsea,holding the ball for long in midfield and allowing the spurs defence to organise itself.how i miss rooney and ron with the counter attacks..but the team did what was important and got the three points and am sure that will go a long way esp where morale is concerned
August 27th, 2007 at 14:01
Jb that chant is hilarious.seriously old trafford has to sing that one.
August 27th, 2007 at 17:15
In tribute for his 30 yard screamer more musical interludes from the lads at RedIssue (to Michael Jacksons Thriller). Not as good as Postman Evra, but not bad either.
Nani are you ok, are you ok Nani
Nani are you ok, are you ok Nani
You’ve been skinned by,
You’ve been beat by, a kid from Portugal
August 27th, 2007 at 19:09
giggs was the worst player on the pitch yesterday…..and i think fergie should try fletcher more on right wing in ronaldo’s absence….i think his work rate was much better than anyone else on the pitch……..
but overall 3 points in the bag…now we can come back on track….
August 27th, 2007 at 19:28
eagles, cm yes, rm NO!!, if he gets the right training eagles will be a force to be reckond with, he can become a goal scoring machine. are future line up
—–foster—–
bard-pique-vidic-simpson/evra
—-OH-ander-eagles—-
–nani-rooney/tevez-ronaldo
if our 4-3-3 formation proves succsesful, i think its bye bye tevez when his loan runs out.
August 27th, 2007 at 19:44
i think its terribly unfair to label Tevez shite after 3 games. Utd have 3 new players in the team. The middle keeps getting in each others way and the wide players keep cutting inside. We are playing ok considering we are missing our 2 pivotal players. everything will come good. just give it time….
August 27th, 2007 at 19:50
JB - that’s another screamer!
August 27th, 2007 at 20:48
The way Saha is recovering i bet rooney will be fit earlier than him.He was supposed to be back for the spurs game but he didn’t even make the bench.I doubt he’ll even be back for the sunderland game.SAF should make a decision now and exchange saha for anelka.
We can cope with the sulk but atleast he’ll be on the pitch and not in the recovery room.
BTW he’s in great form at the moment exactly what we need considering our woes in front of goal at present.Saha, even if he’s fit in a week’s time he’ll be rusty having been out for almost six months and with Tevez also finding his touch we’ll be having two shaky strikers upfront.Not an ideal thing for facing Everton and Chelsea!
August 27th, 2007 at 21:27
Some unfortunate news to report. There have been rumblings on a number of message boards today, that we may be having a press conference in the next 48 hours to announce the immediate retirement of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. I have to stress that these reports are still just rumours and there has been no confirmation from either the club or press yet.
August 27th, 2007 at 22:55
It is with deep regret that I bring the news that the aforementioned rumours have been confirmed. Sky Sports News breaking news are reporting that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has retired due to knee injury. I guess it is farewell to a legend and I wish him all the best for the future.
August 27th, 2007 at 23:25
I don’t see that anyone else has this story yet. Just Sky, so I’m going to wait for some more sources before I’d call this confirmed. God Bless you Mr. Solskjaer. Whatever you decide.
August 27th, 2007 at 23:32
its official, the baby faced assasin has retired, it sucks, now will fergie venture into the market and buy another striker
August 28th, 2007 at 0:37
It is official I’m afraid. Ole has announced his retirement. Good luck Ole for your future plans and thanks for the memories. A great and loyal United player who borders on the level of United legend. He scored a lot of big goals for the club and was the greatest Super Sub of all time.
I just wish Fergie hadn’t counted on his return as our fourth striker. It just leaves a bigger hole in that area and even more urgency to go buy a striker. Can we honestly survive on three strikers for the season?
August 28th, 2007 at 2:47
i agree fully with you, united need another striker unless dong can step in which i doubt he can
on a lighter note my favourite chant is
oh patrice/park where are from
eating frogs/dogs in that place you call home
it could be worse, you could be a scouse
eating rats in your council house
August 28th, 2007 at 7:08
Man i loved the last two lines of nani chant amazing specially in the thriller tone
And ole retiring thats out of the blue i would have loved to see him score the final goal at this years champions league
Anyways u’ve been the most loyal player and as adil alhinai said the baby faced assassin
But then manutd.com has’nt still confirmed so i am keeping my fingers crossed
plz one last season ole hang on