May 03 2008
Man Utd v West Ham: Preview
Two games left. Two wins, and the title will be ours.
But again, as they say, it’s one game at a time.
Apr 29 2008
Man Utd v Barcelona: Preview
Sorry for the late preview.
So it boils down to today. It could make our season or break it. I know this is a strange thing to say because we can still win the title. But for a manager like Fergie who desperately wants to win at least a double, this would be as close as they come.
Apr 26 2008
Chelsea v Man Utd: Preview
I had a dream yesterday. Barcelona bangs four goals against us at Old Trafford. Then we come back and keep pounding their net, scoring goals in the process — and in bucket loads. But for some reason the score still reads 4-2, or something like that. Apparently we keep scoring but we still seem short. Then I woke up briefly and checked the date on my watch, and thanked my stars that it was only a dream. And then I slumped back into bed only for that dream to continue — the same thing on loop. We keep banging in the goals and we still seem short. Then we take the lead. Only for them to go on a three goal blitz. I didn’t know the final score because it became clear that they were winning, and try as we might we didn’t manage to overhaul them. I couldn’t take it any longer: I woke up, brushed my teeth, rushed to work and calmed myself over a cup of coffee.
Moral: Dreams can be rather crap.
Oh well, hopefully Ronaldo, Rooney and co read this (I know, I am so full of myself eh?) and vow to never let such a dreadful thing happen. Ever.
Right. Now that I’ve got that off my chest let’s move on to today.
Apr 23 2008
Barclona v Man Utd: Preview
Manchester United return to the stadium where we experienced our greatest European night. That night in Barcelona was something all United fans would savour, as would Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs. Today, however, we will face the home team in the intimidating cauldron that is the Camp Nou.
Much has been made about how mouth watering this clash is going to be but that would be the media talking. Yes, we will get to see the odd flourish or two because of the number of creative players that will be on display. But I think it would be a cagey affair.
Apr 19 2008
Blackburn v Manchester United - Preview
Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United
Ewood Park, Saturday 19 April 2008, 17:15
The numbers point, as usual, to a United win - Blackburn have lost to United more than they’ve lost to any other team since the Premier League started, we did the double against them last season, Blackburn have lost 7 out of 7 fixtures against the Big Four this season, lost the last game to Liverpool while United are on a high after beating Arsenal.
Blackburn’s season is more or less over - they have an outside chance for qualifying for Europe via the InterToto Cup but that will require several results to go their way. United have, after beating Arsenal on Sunday and watching Chelsea draw with Wigan, one hand on the title, but it will take all their professionalism and focus to finish the job off as champions.
Apr 09 2008
Man Utd v Roma: Preview
Welcome back. Yesterday, Liverpool beat Arsenal 4-2. Yes, the ‘dippers actually scored four goals. How they manage to turn it in Europe is beyond me. I didn’t get to see the game but from reports, they were helped by a dodgy looking penalty decision. I really can’t feel too happy nor too sad about the result. I heard that Wenger looked like he was going to kill himself by digging his head into the turf. Meanwhile Chelsea completed a robotic win against a Fenerbahce side that showed little ambition going forward.
So there you have the first semifinal decided: 90 minutes, and perhaps a little more, of shit slinging orgy. But all that’s an aeon and a half away. So let’s get to today’s game against Roma.
Apr 06 2008
Boro v Man Utd: Preview
Arsenal were dealt another major blow yesterday by Liverpool, of all teams. Man City, on the other hand, showed little intention to do us any favours by rolling over for Chelsea — like they did last time while getting spanked 6-1. So Chelsea creep up with a two point gap. Therefore we must win this game to keep the pressure up going into the crunch fixtures, which include Arsenal at home and Chelsea away. Blackburn away could also prove to be tricky and West Ham can prove to be a potential banana skin.
But that is all looking too far ahead. Fact is, we can make things very easy for us if we beat inferior opposition, i.e., those outside the supposed big four.
Apr 01 2008
Roma v Man Utd: Preview
Four things spring to mind when we talk about a clash with Roma: Foremost in every United fan (and every Roma fan as well, albeit with a hint of dread) would be the 7-1 win at Old Trafford; the second would be the shit United fans had to put up with every time they went to Rome; the third, although to a lesser extent, would be Francesco Totti; and the fourth, especially when we got to hear the draw would have been, ‘Oh no, not again!’
So there we go, in yet another edition of a Roma-United clash; the word ‘clash’, we’d hope is not literal, and something our fans don’t face today.
But before diving into the excitement, let’s get a little United related news out of the way first. It’ll be quick, I assure you.
Mar 29 2008
Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview - Tougher than it looks
After the disappointment at the international stage (some might call it a Newcastle-like tendency to expect too much) we return to Premier League action as United take on Villa at Old Trafford and with Arsenal and Chelsea facing relatively easier opponents (Bolton (away) and Boro (home)), the pressure is on the champions to win this game ahead of their CL quarterfinal away leg against Roma.
Aston Villa have taken something of a stumble, losing two games on the trot. On the other hand, Manchester United have been in title-winning form over the last few games, winning the last 5 and not conceding for 300 minutes. I could quote you more stats (we’ve never lost at home to Villa in the Prem) but the long and short of it is - United are on form and at home, Villa are out of form and away from home, and from only that I would point to a 2-1 or 3-1 win tomorrow evening.
But if only it were that easy!
Continue reading “Manchester United v Aston Villa Preview - Tougher than it looks”
Mar 23 2008
Man Utd v Liverpool: Preview
Our dear scouse friends appear fairly bullish ahead of today’s game and fair play to them — they have been knocking in more goals of late. Chelsea play Arsenal at the Bridge in the Grand Slam “Bang Thank You Ma’am For Such Over-Hyped Match Ups That Almost Always Produce Less of A Spectacle Than Was Promised By The Mugs At Sky” Sunday. I just can’t stand the hubris over such announcements by television people. But then, they have to make their living too and events such as this Sunday only serve to keep them going. Speaking of Sundays, a Happy Easter to all who celebrate this festival. Oh, and let me break a secret: the easter bunny is fictional. It does not exist. So wallow in your disappointment as I begin to preview the all important game against the ‘dippers. I also have a secret about Santa that I’d want to let in on, but I’ll leave it until Christmas.
