Mar 18
SAF Sounds Words of Caution | Safety Arrangements for Roma
Just the two issues worth talking about today, at least at the time of writing.
Sir Alex has made his disappointment about his strikers’ profligacy in front of goal quite clear. We saw that Liverpool-esque composure in front of goal, costing us a place in the FA Cup semi final and we so nearly drew with Derby County but for Ronaldo’s late goal.
Fergie’s words couldn’t have come in at a more crucial time. We seem set to take an outright lead at the summit of the league table, in midweek against Bolton, while the relegation threatened Trotters will look to have a good go at us, taking heart from Derby’s performance on Saturday. Bolton did beat us earlier this season, and they will look to play their usual dangerous tough tackling game, something that will most certainly rile Sir Alex. Anyway, the point is we cannot afford to be wasteful in front of goal and SAF had this to say:
We’ve got big games, Bolton at home and then Liverpool on Sunday and we want to start taking chances. We’re making them, and I suppose that’s the biggest bonus of all. If we keep making them, you know at some point someone’s going to suffer. We just have to keep going with that. We made it hard for ourselves against Derby because we missed so many chances. We were really charitable. Maybe it’s a little sticky spell, but we want to get over that.
And one would find that hard to disagree, especially if one remembers the smash and grab win United fashioned at Anfield. At this point, as legs tire, we can’t expect to pulverize opposition every other day. But taking the few chances that come ones’ way would be the key to the title.
The other news of significance doing the rounds is about concerns for United fans’ safety when they travel to Roma for the Champions’ League quarterfinal fixture. According to reports:
A delegation led by Ken Ramsden, United’s club secretary, will meet Roma’s officials to discuss ways of ensuring the safety of the travelling supporters when the clubs meet in the quarter-finals. […] United will also ask for permission to take their own stewards and there will be a major presence of officers from Greater Manchester police. Special arrangements will be made to take English supporters to the stadium in a convoy of buses, and United are appealing for their fans to take extreme care.
It’s good that the club is taking the utmost care to prevent a recurrence of incidents from last time. Let’s hope our travelling support make it back safe and sound.
Back to the league, United take on Bolton tomorrow, so join us then as we will look to preview the game.
Related items from Red Rants:- Man Utd vs Roma: Preview
- The Day After Roma
- Sporting Lisbon vs Man Utd - Preview
- A Word of Caution
- Travel with Manchester United
Tags: Daily Roundup
March 18th, 2008 at 11:42
United fans have been injured the last two times they’ve traveled to Rome. Hopefully they can stay safe this time around (and that they can return the complement when the Romans visit us).
March 18th, 2008 at 12:19
hope the lads turn up tmorrow
March 18th, 2008 at 13:49
How many United fans need to be injured before UEFA takes action against them?!
March 18th, 2008 at 14:26
what do you guys think about the david villa rumors on manutd.com? do we need another 5′ 9″ striker?
March 18th, 2008 at 15:19
rimachenko in some ways yes, he is nearly everything we are looking for in a striker, pce, movement, a definite goalscorer, and he gets involved up in the build up play great, being able to create chances for others and for himself out of nothing. But you were right to point out his height because we do lack that height upfront, and although I don’t look at that as a particularly big problem, even more so since we’ve gotten Manucho, many others do. The other factor to consider is whether we want to spend £25m again on another striker. Since 2004 we have spent around £60m on strikers, and it’s amazing that we still don’t have an out and out goalscorer just like David villa, although unlike most others I am more than happy with the striking options we will have this summer, however I was one of the people who wanted to stand up against all of the Saha-bashers, but he’s now made me lose all confidence in him and we should definitely cut our losses with him his summer.
March 18th, 2008 at 17:00
Same here julio in the past few games we have looked kind of tired and I’m just hoping
this is a mental fatigue and not a physical problem that some of our boys are experiencing.Some how rooney
does not look lively on the pitch ,He works hard but he simply does not look like he’s enjoying his football
I just hope we are ready for the big one on sunday….
March 18th, 2008 at 19:51
Being Canadian this is part the world football culture I just don’t get. This has nothing to do with team allegiance or passion. It’s just an excuse for criminals to voice their frustrations over their miserable lives in a physicsally violent manner.
I am originally from Edmonton Alberta Canada where we have a heated and long bitter rivalry with our sister city Calgary 100 miles to the south. As heated and as bitter as the rivalry gets over our Canadian football and hockey teams, we never resort to life threatening violence and hooliganism. This kind of behavior is abhorrent and disgusting to Candians.
Europe, South America and other footballing regions of the globe need to get their heads out of their collective asses and deal with this nonsense before it is too late. Enjoying a football game without the threat of violence is a must and a right. Get rid of all standing areas, alcohol and individuals for life as well as profile them like they do terrorists. I realize that some of this has been done but more needs to be done. When I watch the FOOTBALL FACTORIES with Denny Dyer I am just appalled that the normal and calm fans and supporters do not get enraged with their clubs as well as the local authorities to disband and imprison members of the fascist weapon carrying firms. JUST FUCKING RIDICULOUS!! I hope the visit to Roma isn’t the massacre I think it may be. What a bunch of wankers!
March 19th, 2008 at 8:42
it seems campbell has earned a u21 spot for england, great things to come from him, def goalscorer. something tells me despite all our stiker problems, saf will not buy one in the summer.