Sep 12
Tottenham vs Manchester United: Preview
Tottenham away has never been a stroll in the park. Saying that, our last eight Premier League visits to White Hart Lane have yielded six wins and two draws. Easy pickings then, or so one may be led to believe. Well if you’re that naive then I’d advise you to stop reading here as Saturday’s trip to the capital will certainly be a massive test for a United side that have hardly stormed out of the blocks so far this season.
Last week I was quick to announce that the meeting with Arsenal would prove our first real test of the season. Well if that was the first, a trip to Spurs is certainly the second and arguably the more difficult at that.
I’m sure you won’t need me to tell you this but Tottenham are flying at the moment and have recorded their best start to a league season since 1960 with four wins on the trot. Jermain Defoe is in a rich vein of goalscoring form and Aaron Lennon is steadily staking his claim as the most feared winger in England at present. Although enough about the opposition, let’s talk United shall we?
From a team news perspective, Rio Ferdinand could be in line for a return to the side having been sidelined with a thigh injury since August. Fantastic news as that would not only reunite the formidable Ferdinand – Vidic partnership but it would also allow Jonny Evans a much-needed rest.
Edwin van der Sar looks no closer to a return so Ben Foster will undoubtedly continue to deputise following a sturdy, if not spectacular run in the first team to date. With John O’Shea a doubt, depending on Ferdinand’s fitness, Wes Brown may be handed a start at right-back although Fabio and Gary Neville are plausible alternative options. Patrice Evra will need to have his wits about him at left-back as he faces up to an in-form and frighteningly quick Aaron Lennon but pace isn’t exactly something that the Frenchman is lacking himself.
It’s become an almost unenviable task to predict a Sir Alex midfield but I’m expecting Park to get the nod with one of Antonio Valencia or Nani, probably the latter, on the opposite flank. Darren Fletcher should certainly vacate one of the central midfield berths with my bet being Anderson to come in alongside him following a decent showing for the reserves. Wayne Rooney will continue to provide our most potent attacking threat up-top and I would be extremely suprised if Dimitar Berbatov didn’t return against his former employers.
Our opposition will be without influential Croatian playmaker Luka Modric while central defenders Jonathan Woodgate and Matt Dawson are also missing and Sebastien Bassong remains a doubt. Skipper Ledley King does look as though he will be fit enough to play and Niko Kranjcar should be handed his debut in place of his international compatriot Modric.
As well as confirming that both Ferdinand and Neville are in contention, Sir Alex admitted in his pre-match press conference that Tottenham are going to prove a tricky proposition and that they have every chance of breaking into the top four this term.
“I watched a couple of videos yesterday and they’ll be a handful for us,” said Ferguson.
“But that’s the nature of the Premier League. Hopefully I can pick the right team and get a good result.
“I think Tottenham can break into the top four. Harry’s [Redknapp] brought in a few of his own types of players, players he’s familiar with like Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.”
Following our victory over the Gunners, dressing room confidence should be high on Saturday and our record against Spurs does bode well too. Saying that, I’m sure Tottenham will be keen to show that they are serious about an invasion on the top four this season and I expect we’ll have to be at our very best to ensure we get a result.
After a somewhat unconvincing start to the current campaign, I predict the lads will step it up a gear from now on, starting at White Hart Lane where I see us snatching all three points in a tough and testing encounter.
Prediction: 2-0 United
Related items from Red Rants:
- Man Utd v Tottenham: Preview
- Man Utd v Everton: Preview
- Man Utd v Tottenham: Carling Cup Final Preview
- Tottenham v Manchester United – Match Thread
- Manchester United 2006/2007 Season Review
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Shami: I think it’s his attitude, not his confidence. I think he had a run in with Fergie just before the season started and what you are seeing is symptoms from too much exposure from Fergie’s doghouse.
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@Craig Mc: Personally, I hate Adebayor as a player but I have nothing against what he did. It’s moments like that which bring out so much passion and intensity in players and fans, it’s great for the game. So many sports are run by lawyers and accountants who lack a spark of passion and who just don’t get it, and players who take the money and care not a damn. This is war mate. It’s sports but it is war. At least that’s the way we fans look at it. Why shouldn’t a player feel that way? He feels he was mistreated at Arsenal and especially by the Arse fans, so let him have his fun. He earned it with his goal that was a dagger in the hearts of those fans. Rubbing it in like that may seem classless, but like you said, when it’s one of our guys like Neville doing it to Liverpool, we see nothing wrong with it. I see nothing wrong with kissing the badge of your current team either.
And I have no problem if Tevez tries some classless act against Fergie. It will spark the rivalry and the intensity for the return match and it will only be great for the buildup of the game and the intensity of the season. My God, this is a game of passion and emotion. Lets not quash this by political correct nonsense that does nothing but create an atmosphere reminiscent to a snooze fest. I say Tevez should knock himself out, but then nobody should hold it against us if we throw daggers at him either.
Let me tell you about Tevez. At his core he is a king sized chicken shit. He probably won’t even play which I would consider very convenient indeed. And if he does play and even scores, I expect a real celebration but I honestly don’t think he has the sack to make a fool out of Fergie.
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@Cyclops-Red: I agree with you on Rooneys behaviour but we must not forget that he is still only 23 years of age although it seems that he has been around alot longer so he has got alot of energy that he at times chanels in the wrong way, but hopfully although he is still young he is quite experienced and now that he will hopfully be played in his right position and hopfully not run up and down the way he use to which will also avoid any unnecessary injuries. Wayne Rooney to win Golden Boot
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@Craig Mc: Thanks for that info mate as I did not hear the interview after the game however, like you I was also hoping the owen would also get a run-in of the bench but all that was put to bed after scholes was redcarded. Never mind hope this is a start of good things to come goalscoring wise and one of the strikers can be rested so that owen can get alot some game time. (I hope he is not injured but I cannot see how he can be as he was not on international duty but then again he it could have happened in traning).
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@Grognard: The selection of Jenas and Huddlestone made us win the game. I agree that Redknapp is underrated, but selecting those two was basically conceding the midfield battle to us.
@Grognard: But for me Carrick has probably been the poorest of ou players in this earl season. His passing has gone missing, and I think SAF got it right selecting Scholes infront of him. Only he should have substituted Scholes as soon as he got a yellow!
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@Grognard: I don’t know where you got that fact from but as far as I know, on average from 04/05 to date Spurs have had a higher net average spending per year than United.
Club
Tottenham Bought: £249,000,000 Sold: £163,550,000 Net: £85,450,000 Per season: £14,241,667
Manchester United Bought: £188,650,000 Sold: £161,050,000 Net: £27,600,000 Per season (average): £4,600,000
Spurs have been among the biggest spenders over the past many years. They can’t scout decent talent, they splurge on the likes of Darren Bent, and Kaboul. And even if they buy reasonable talent they end up fucking it up. Don’t let Redknapp’s reputation fool you. He has spent a fair bit even during his tenure, not including purchases that happened in Ramos/Jol’s time.
Source of data: http://transferleague.co.uk/
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@Grognard: So great for the game that they are talking about A BAN for both offences – thuggery to Van Persie 3 games, and inciting fan violence 3 games. I should bloody think so too. Unlike you, I don’t sanction either offence Grog – sorry!
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@Craig Mc: I was against Neville’s fine v Liverpool. I thought that passion was justified. But the FA still punished him so I will be mighty angry if the FA don’t do anything about Adebayor.
As for his stamp on van Persie, I think it was disgraceful. I would rate diving a lesser crime than thuggery. At least no one gets hurt when someone dives.
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@Grognard: That’s the difference mate between you and I
. I believe in humility, NOT RUBBING PEOPLES FACES IN SHIT, as Adeby-whore did – not to mention his galloping the full length of the pitch like feckin crazy horse, eyes on fire, like he was high on crystal meth. I am not one of the “I told you so” merchants, and you know that from experience Grog 
. I don’t appreciate it, the Adeby-whore type of behaviour, whether it is from him, or from our own players. You know how I have gone on about Rooney’s crazt behaviour when he loses it. Let the fans lambast each other with jocular banter, but the players NO NEVER 
.
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@Red Ranter: I thought Nev deserved discipline for running to the Scouse fans mate, as I do with anybody. One day a footballer is going to be set upon by incensed fans overflowing onto the pitch, after being so goaded by player/s. We really do not want to go back to those days eh?
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If some of the paps have got it right, then when Man Pity play us next weekend, they will be missing Tevez, Robinho AND Adeby-whore, whom they say the authorities are going to fast track any ban they feel is due after todays proceedings!
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@NicoQB: How can Carrick be the poorest of our players when he has hardly played? And Hary never had a choice but to put Jenas in for attack purposes once they fell behind and also, Modric was injured. Modric is a great player and the talisman of their attack. He is their Ronaldo.
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@Red Ranter: I am not talking about their habits and history. I am talking under Harry. In my opinion he has spent wisely and within the team’s parameters. Remember, Spurs cannot attract the big name talent because they aren’t big name enough. They tried to get Arshavin, Huntelaar and many other big names but they are Spurs and their reputation isn’t up there with the big four. So they go and buy from that second echelon of talent available. Sometimes they succeed with players like Defoe, Berbatov Ginola etc, and many times the fail because that second echelon of talent is highly volatile and very unpredictable. I’ll give them credit for one thing, they try unlike Everton and Villa and even Arsenal that spend nothing and disappoint their fans every year with a lack of true ambition.
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@Craig Mc: I was not talking about the thuggery against van Persie. I was strictly talking about the celebration. Of course any act of violence like that on another player needs to be punished but as for the celebration after the goal, I have nothing against it. If he was playing for United and scored a goal and went off like that against Gooner fans or Liverpool fans, I’d bloody love it.
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@Craig Mc: That’s your prerogative mate. But kindly refrain from labeling me in that way because you really don’t know me. I beleive the game requires passion and emotion to be played at the highest level and I have no problem taunting the opposition fans because it will happen the other way eventually. All things even out in the end. It’s having a little bit of fun and letting off innocent steam. Had he spit at them or thrown something at them, that would be a different case.
As for our differences, we may have them but I wouldn’t be so harsh to judge my decision making and actions as being inferior to yours. We are just different. I believe in showing ego and dominance over my opponent and their fans. It’s called intimidation and mojo. Trash talk is something i don’t like but then Adebayor celebrating in front of Gooners fans or Neville celebrating and taunting Liverpool fans doesn’t bother me as much as Lampard kissing his fucking ring or Tevez taking his god damned baby soother out or Bebeto rocking his imaginary baby like a fucking clown. Those celebrations are fucking gay and speak of little boys wearing dresses. That’s what pisses me off after goals are scored.
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@Red Ranter: I think those figures are skewed by Ronaldo’s transfer, and so without that huge 80m windfall we don’t look that great in comparison.
Also the nature of United having good talent, then allows them to sell good talent and of course at a good price.
I think Spurs, over the last few years have turned their squad inside out and over and over, in an attempt to stave off what appeared to be the dire circumstances of relegation and that coupled with the fact that prior to that, they were on the cusp of breaking into the top 4 and wanted to boost their chances there!
I think Levy has contrasting attributes. He drives a very hard bargain for the players that he sells and then gives his managers almost Carte Blanch on their needs for new players. Maybe it’s the one that complements the other, but he does seem sloppy with personnel issues
I think Grognard has a point when he says that Spurs and teams like Spurs will not attract the top, top players, and so, perhaps, they need to keep bringing in the journeymen types until they settle on a suitable squad!!
It’s not ideal, but at least they give it go, try to compete with the top teams, and offer their fans some hope for the future!
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@Grognard: I’m a little shocked by your slaying of Scholes today. I thought he played well and controlled CMF quite handily.
Of course, there was that horrible shot in the first half, and the fact that he got himself sent off AGAIN, but honestly I not sure what you were watching.
You can bombard me with a bunch expletives if you wish, but it wasn’t the way I saw it. Because I value your opinion, I’ll watch the game a second time tomorrow, and I’ll report back!!
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I am happy today! I was lucky enough to start the game a minute late and missed the lineup. Seeing Giggs and Scholes together starting was a bit worrying, especially after 46 seconds played. But I believed!
Giggs goal was a peach and he is the player on my next jersey — hands down THE LIVING LEGEND!
Despite a poor start, watching Vidic defend our box was amazing. I find him better than Jaap Stam (even Ferdinand), defensively.
Fletcher was, as Grognard stated, a german shepherd in our midfield — terrorizing Tot’ham’s players and forcing errors. Solid game.
Anderson scoring is summed up by the eloquence of Eddy (I felt for you the second the ball went in).
Scholes was meh in my eyes… the red card cancels out his good deeds today and seeing carrick was a relief — despite knowing that Carrick has performed below average this season.
Rooney. I love this kid! Yes, he missed 2-3 huge chances but scored an amazing goal. He is the heart of United.
Evra had his best game in a while — truly OUTSTANDING! Running up and down, passing, crossing, tackling. Gotta love it!
Foster — had a solid game with one amazing save. I still do not trust him for our long-term success and hope the Manuel Neuer/Adler rumors hold water. Getting access to GOLTV allows me to watch Bundesliga now, so I can judge Neuer/Adler outside of YouTube.
The rest of the team was average.
Lastly, Fergie got it right again. Forever, in Fergie I trust (FIFIT)!
Of course, watching Michigan beat Notre Dame in the big house and having Michigan State and Ohio state both lose made United’s win sooo much sweeter!
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First up, i am a huge Scholes fan. His passing and vision used to be second to none. but a long string of poor performances from last season and this day’s performance has highlighted to me that he is no longer the calm and cool midfield maestro from before with a bad tackle or two in him.
he looks so jaded and angry all the time when he is on the pitch, not enjoying his football. i used to remember when keane was around, he was the level headed on with giggs, knowing that the best form of revenge is by taking the ball and shoving it up the opponents net. now only giggs seems capable of using skill to combat cheats..
Scholes needs to buck up and focus… he is lunging here, there, and everywhere. we dont need that from him, he need to keep dummying and close down the opponent… not scythe him down.
i really hope to see his return to the days when he would float passes to unlock defenses… and partnered with the midfield monster fletcher, it could be a return to the glory midfield days of the 90s… if not… then he has to sit it out for smaller opposition to rest the first choices…
and foster… great reflexes, poor judgement… but today he showed better judgement. hope this climb continues!
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While my relationship to Man City is not that of a normal United fan, I did find their mauling of Arsenal a bit heavy for my anti-arsenal taste. When City were relegated back in the hey-dey (95-96), I saw the tears of City’s supporters as they were informed on the last game day that they would be relegated. It left an impression on my 12 year old football mind. Since then I have had a soft spot for City. It has always been Arsenal that I found our worst foe and most recently Chelsea (obviously, living outside Britain shelters me from hating team based on location === for example, Liverpool to me is not a top rival but more of a clown-team, always attempting to out-do us only for them for fall flat on their face and then look at us and say “Eeeeh, why you did that?” ).
However, today I turned a new leaf. I felt bad for Arsenal getting their butts beaten by a Frankenstein City team. With Tevez’ transfer saga and his behavior City is moving back into contention for top rivals and one of the teams to dislike more and more. Sparky has sold his soul for success and I hope he NEVER manages the team we all love. In fact, this places City in top 2 rivals for me. Chelsea’s riches and competition along with the last couple of years of ill-fated events (stealing Essien, Ballack, Mikel from us and the Evra saga) has them as my #1 rival and the team I wish the worst.
City are number two. I think we can beat them with or without Tevez and the larger the margin the better.
Glory glory Man United!
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@owen: Owen, please show some respect to fellow posters. Obviously, none of us will get everything right about the team this year and they is why we are the fans and Fergie the Maestro.
I agree with Grognard on Foster but not on many other things, nonetheless, I respect his opinions and attempt to convey mine as skillfully as I can.
Don’t forget, respect is a two-way road.
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Rooney makes me think “Ronaldo who?”. In the absence of Ronaldo, Rooney has shined even more and has taken on the role of a true striker and he is fitting that role very very well. Today he worked harder than any other player and showed his true excellence. If he has a good world cup then he will win World Player of the Year; he is truly amazing.
And, Giggs’ freekick was vintage and i am glad to finally see Ando get a goal.
On a side note, I loved when the commentator said (paraphrasing) about crouch’s flopping, “It’s like watching Bambi”
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@Grognard: As a player, I wont blame Adebayor. When the header went in, you could see on his face how much it meant to him. He ran, Usain Bolt style, across the whole pitch just to celebrate “against” the Arsenal fans. He got a lot of stick from them last summer, when he flirted with Milan. When Ronaldo flirted with Real in 2008, at laest we welcomed him back with open arms. We never considered him the same person in our jersey, but we still were glad to see the player on our team sheet and we looked at him as a hero. Thats how to respond to such… But Arsenal fans taunted Adebyor. When he returned, he was booed by fellow fans. When he kissed the Arsenal badge they tried to throw a coin at him. They made a faks transfer brochure just to taunt him! As you know many of my closest mates are Arsenal fans, and their general behavior against Adebayor pretty much sums it up. They called him a somalian whore, fucked up beast with no self-respect and the moment he left they would be happy. Thye couldnt stand him, some people went as far as saying they wouldnt care if he got seriously injured.
I mean, what kind of fans want that towards their probably best striker?! It ridculos! Manu Addebbayyabbaddawhore must have felt all the emotions and remebered all the fucked up things the fans have done to him, and it was just a natural reaction for him to make a celebration who just screamed “FUCK YOU!!!”. As a player, I cant blame him for that.
But as a person, I will blame him. Despite all the emotions he felt, all the pain he went through, he would be nothing without Arsenal. He was signed as a 20 year old from Monaco, and I had never heard of him. He wouldnt have become anything, so I think he should have some kind of respect to Arsenal. They have done a lot for him, so he should at least be a little bit thankful.
But then I guess the celebration was meant towards the fans, not Arsenal the club itself…
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City are gonna be an opponent this season. Maybe not a title contender, but they are gonna be tough to beat. They have a great attack with Ireland, Robinho, SWP, Adebawhore and Tevez. Their defence is also good, and that is where I feel their most important factor will be. If Richards can actually keep fit for a whole season, they will be there and there abouts. Lescott is overrated in my opinion, Toure has lost some of the tough approach he had at Arsenal some 4-5 years ago, Bridge is good but not great and they have one of the best Premier League keepers in Given. Its an alright defence, but Chelsea and United are stronger in that area. But Richards is one player I truly fear, in my opinion he has the potensial to become the best right back in the world. He reminds me so much of me, the power, the pace, the tough approach and not least the will to do everything to win. He is a great player, and I respect him even though he seems City through and through…
Arsenal are not going to be one of the best Premier League teams this season. They are good, but as usual they will play some bad games and they will lose those bad games, and they are so far away from having the required squad depth to win a title as possible. Liverpool had their chance last season, and the loss of Alonso will be noticed quite a lot this season. Aquilani is good, but still not the player Alonso was. And when Benayon is your best attacking player… well, lets just say that that doesnt really scream out title challengers!
Everton have lost Lescott and Arteta will be out for a long time. Until Jagielka and Arteta return, I will not fear them or even consider them top 6 material. Spurs are what they are, forever pretenders. Doomed to be dissapointed, and I wont predict anything about them just yet. The fitness of Modric and Lennon will be vital for their CL hunt. Villa have lost it, Fulham are now playing like they should be(relegation team) and unfortunately West Ham are waaaaaaaaaay to incosistent to challenge for the top 6 spot. They have a grea team, but if they dont start winning 2-3-4 games on the row they wont be anywhere near that spot.
Table prediction May 2010:
1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Liverpool
5. Arsenal
6. Spurs
7. West Ham
8. Everton
9. Aston Villa
10. Sunderland
11. Stoke
12. Blackburn Rovers
13. Hull City
14. Burnley
15. Fulham
16. Birmingham
17. Wigan
18. Bolton
19. Wolves
20. Pompey
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Fans are what make the club, the club…
but who cares about that guy? city mauled arsenal, good. adeuglywhore gets banned… good.
personally, if that means they are forced to play tevez(not likely since they have 10 other strikers to take over), and let us beat him and show him up as a talentless fool… even better… i really hope we show up shitty…
i hate money bag teams…. no heritage nor base for their sudden elite status..
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: I like that, “Frankencity” is a good handle for that monster!!
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I don’t know if this has been expressed (and please excuse me, it’s my birthday today and the drinks from last night are taking effect)but, yesterday’s performance was superb. I know everyone was in love with the flair of Ronaldo and the exciting play, but untill yesterday, I missed something. I missed the nasty bastard, passionate, physical United game….
… It’s back and I love it.
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@sig: Happy birthday mate!
As for Ronaldo, we dont need him when we have Rooney and Anderson.
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@Redrich: Sorry mate but I thought he was poor. His yellow cards were bad enough but I thought he was very slow and had a hard time keeping up in the middle. The play that really made me mad though was his giveaway just in front of our box that led to that great save by Foster. For such a careful player, that was very careless and at 1-1 could have cost us the game.
No problem if you don’t see it my way. I am not nor have I ever been a big Scholes fan but I’d appreciate and remember the great attributes he brought to games. But that is over now and he should hang the cleats up.
I will say this, I will be more than fair to him when and if he plays a strong game for us.
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: I see where you are coming from as I too have always hated Arsenal and Chlesea the most up until last season. Last season I finally joined the majority and realized that my hatred was misguided. Sure I still hate those London based stinknoids but Liverpool under Rafa is the Antichrist along with Real Madrid. How I hate these two teams for different reasons. Rafa is just so dislikable. I’m surprised his players and all Scousers like him because he has no personality and I’m debating whether he has a brain and a soul to boot. But his war last season with Fergie infuriated me and us losing to them twice just made me realize, that they were worth more hate than the others.
I too don’t give a rats ass about Man Shitty. A perpetual pretender and underachiever. Why there is a rivalry is beyond me? So what if they share the same city, they are and always will be utter shite and not worth the time of day or a paragraph written about them. Now their money and players like Tevez may make things interesting for a while but my God, we will all be long gone from this world by the time they win their third league championship.
As for Arsenal and Chelsea, yes I still don’t like them but I don’t hate them as much as i used to either. I admire and respect Ancelotti and always have. As for Wenger, like Fergie, I have really mellowed towards the Voyeur and I find that I actually have a great deal of respect for him and what he has accomplished. He’s not Fergie but he and his style of managing is good for the game. Too bad I have never like any of his players other than Arshavin and Bendtner.
And finally, I wish nothing but pain, cancer and disaster to hit all the executives at Real Madrid. They are everything that is wrong with the game and they stole my boy Ronaldo. For that they should suffer long painful days ahead.
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@Footy4Eddy: Adebayor is a no class punk. I couldn’t care less about his taunting the fans. They turned on him while he was still a player with the club and if I was him, i’d have done the same thing and maybe even worse. Like you said, Ronaldo at least got some respect and forgiveness from us. Forget that kind of thing from the classless numptees of London. Still, Adebayor’s cleat job on van Persie’s face was just disgraceful. Why? Because it wasn’t just a terrible thing and that it could seriously injure a player, but it was a selfish thing to do as he will probably get a three game ban for that. That hurts his team. I also think only a true punk would do that to a former teammate. Say what you will about being competitive in games, players who have platyed with each other have a respect that should prevent that kind of thing from happening. You never see Terry try something despicable like that against an England teammate like Rooney or Rio. You just treat your friends a little bit better. He’s a real punk for what he did and i am surprised Arsenal players never let him have it after the game. Instead it was all hugs and kisses. Arsenal has no heart or intensity as a team. I know this, if he did that to one of our players, I do not think he would get away with it.
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I was enjoying the Bayern vs Dortmund game yesterday and I am really impressed with a number of players. Van Gaul has done a good job reinvigorating players like Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Ribery as they were excellent and full of life. Robben looks like a great buy for them provided he stays healthy but their defense and goalkeeping has problems. But the reason I am bringing this game up is that I am glad Bayern are finally giving young striker Thomas Muller a chance to play. This young kid is fantastic and I have been high on him for a couple of years now. Well today he scored two great goals that reminded me of my all time favorite player the great Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. This kid has it all for a striker. Luca Toni isn’t getting played because of this lad and I think even Miro Klose and Mario Gomez will get less playing time as the season unfolds because of this kid. Just keep your eyes open for him because he is an emerging star to watch. Now if Bayern could find a LB (Lahm is playing RB) a CB to replace the departed Lucio and a goalkeeper, they will truly be a Champions League threat. And Van Gaul seems to have found the recipe for making Ribery happy and content as Ribery scored a cracker free kick today and rushed over to van Gaul and jumped on him and hugged him like he was his father. Interesting. Maybe he won’t be going to Spain after all.
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@Grognard: I’ve been saying from the start of the season, it’ll be us of Chelsea for the league. Same old Arsenal, always flaky. Liverpool are their own worst enemy’s, buying 10 £8mil players instead of 4 £20mil players. No depth. Citeh are going to be in and around the top as will Spurs and who ends up in the top 4 out of Arsenal, Liverpool, Citeh and Spurs will come down to how they do against each other, us and Chelsea. I think all 6 of these teams are above everything else in the league, with Villa 2 good players behind, and then Everton, Sunderland and Fulham rounding out the top 10.
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Another note on Citeh, they are already missing Robinho and Tevez for next week’s Manc Derby, and it looks like they will be without Adebayabadabadoo, too.
The FA are ‘taking a close look’ at the two incidents involving him in yesterdays Arsenal game (the stamp and the celebration/goonerbaiting). Even if he gets away with leaving studmarks in Van Persie’s head (something we’ll agree that most of us would be willing to overlook), Neville got a 2 match ban for kissing his badge at the Liverpool fans a few years ago, and he was over by them when the goal went in anyway!
An attacking line of Craig Bellamy – Roque Santa-Cruz – SWP doesn’t sound quite as intimidating as Robinho – Adebayour – Tevez.
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@Footy4Eddy: Quote from Eddi – “some arsenal fans wouldn’t care IF Adebeywhore got SERIOUSLY INJURED.” Errrr just like Adebey-whore wouldn’t have cared less whether Van Persie got seriously injured from the Adebeywhore REVENGE need
. Mad Ade was frenzidly out of control, and behaving like a fiend drugged up – DESPICABLE! No excuse for him at all – he has fast become a City NO CLASS Merchant!
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I’m gutted the Judas won’t be playing. I was so looking forward to Vidic taking him out.
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@Lars: I agree mate, and it certainly makes you think doesn’t it, just how much our other players were held back in expressing their potential when Ronnie was here? I am not blaming Ronnie, because SAF based the United game planning around him while he was with us, yet some players are now looking like LIFE has been given to them on the pitch. Players like Rooney, Berba, Lil Man NANI, Fletch and Anderson are all beginning to step up. This can only be good for United. Like Giggsy said in post game interview yesterday, that none of the players got opportunity to take the pens or free kicks when Ronnie was there, but lately, Nani, Anderson, Rooney AND Giggsy himself have all had chance with set pieces. He said that a group of them are staying behind AFTER training to practice free kicks and pens etc. They all feel LIBERATED now with Ronnie gone. Hope all their hard work and practice pays off for United
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I’ve just read on Sky Sports that David Silva claims a large bid was made for him during the summer from a PL team. Wonder if that that was us?
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@sig: Happy birthday mate – have a good one
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many thanks for the birthday wishes… I was at the game yesterday and it was probably my fave performance for quite a while. Ben Foster looks to be embracing his role and getting a little more comfortable… but again Darren Fletcher… absolutley wonderful. I do feel though that we need an updated song for Anderson… is Fabregas or Arsenal for that matter relevant anymore?
If anyone fancys meeting up before the derby game next weekend, let me know… it looks like we won’t be up against Adebayor or Tevez now does it…
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Typical Scholes really, can’t seem to play a game without some dodgy goings on! Can’t wait to burst citys bubble!
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@Craig Mc: As long as it’s not physical, and as long as there is no abuse thrown it’s alright. Fans shower so much abuse on opposition players, so occasionally, I think when players feel they should dish some back verbally, the fans should be man enough to take it. It means that players actually care about the club and are emotionally invested for a change.
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@Red Ranter: Berbatov got it all day from Spurs yesterday (both the fans and their midfield), and he just got on with it. He just ignored them. What Rooney gets from Everton fans is 100% worse than what Adebayour got from the Arsenal fans, and he has never ran the full length of the pitch to wind them up.
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@Redrich: Well you’d be surprised. Factor out the Ronaldo transfer and you’ll see us spending a 15m more than Spurs. In fact I didn’t show you the stats for the net spending since the inception of the league according to which, Tottenham are still higher than us on the spending table. My point is, if a team continually spends that much, it has to be financial incompetence and mismanagement if they cannot build a side over the years (remember, Spurs have always been a financially decent club, well before the foriegn billionaires came about). I would give more credit to Everton under Moyes and Villa under O’Neill for maintaining consistency rather than Spurs. Harry has done a good job of that I have no doubt. But I am not convinced that Harry can ever rise above the mediocre even with enough money. He can do an adequate job for you.
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@Grognard: Villa have spent more than Spurs over the last few years actually. Under O’Neill they’ve had a major squad overhaul. Villa were flirting with relegation if you remember before O’Neill took charge. Of course, right now Randy Lerner is tightening purse strings because of the economy.
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@Red Ranter: I couldn’t agree with you less Boss – sorry! I think we have to take in some really serious repercussions in the present UGLY SPIRIT in which many football fans abuse players and managers of opposition teams. The passion is motivated mostly by hatred these days, and NOT by sporting banter between rival supporters – it is far too OTT and VILE in my honest opinion. Arsenal fans were already incensed with Adebeyour with a year long feud having preceded his departure from the Emirates. In this kind of highly charged environment, a player who LIGHTS THE BLUE TOUCH paper has to take the responsibility for what ensues on the terraces.
Why I don’t and could NEVER agree with you RR – fan aggro towards players or not.
1. Arsenal fans would already have been sufficiently affected by the Adebeyour goal anyway.
2. There were families with young children in the Arsenal contingent – who IF ALL THE ARSENAL FANS – rather than just a few had reacted and surged forward in mass anger towards the Adebayour goading, these kids could have been seriously hurt, or even KILLED. That is no exaggeration, because stewards and police trying to control the 200 or so Arsenal fans who did respond, were in the firing line themselves. Children were being pulled out or protected by parents. A steward was knocked out cold, and hospitalised for a while. I remember HILLSBOROUGH and though that wasnt due to fan anger, it was due to fans surging forward and trampling down others in the process. Sadly barriers at that time prevented them from getting out onto the pitch and safety. This time it was police and stewards stopping them from getting out. Like I said, very fortunate that the whole Arsenal contingent didn’t respond in aggressive behaviour. Adebayour provoked a mini riot rather than a MASSIVE one. I don’t know how anybody can condone that.
2. Bottles and a stool and other objects HARD and soft were thrown. If one of those bottles had hit Adebeyour on the head or temple – he could have been killed. If fans had managed to get to him – he could have been seriously hurt – where is the sense in that?
3. As Trav has said, other players and Managers have received equally if not worse abuse than Adebayour, and have not acted with such a MAD DOG mentality as the revenge hell bent Adebayour. Rooney, Beckham, Berba, Rio, all got it, so did Ronaldo post world cup and hid penchant for diving – but NONE of them responded like Mad Ade! He put himself and others in danger, and MAYBE you should do a madcap CARTOON for him RR in his full length gallop of the field to get to the Arsenal fans, as you did for Ballack and his mad chasing of the referee after the Barca CL defeat.
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: Are you a Big Ten alum?
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@Traverse: When healthy I would rate Everton as good as Villa and Spurs because they get an extra 15 points a season just on the ability of their manager.
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@Grognard: I’d agree, but with Arteta set to need another operation and not being back til possibly January I’d say he is a miss that would cost them a place r 2 in the league over half a season.
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@Traverse: Still, that’s pretty good depth they have developed over there and I cannot help but laugh at that poor ass clown Tevez for leaving one team due to lack of playing time to go to another team that for me has reason to give him even less playing time. Santa Cruz, Tevez all deserve what they get because they thought they were getting the financial windfall as well as getting to play every day, only to be content with the money in the end. If I was Tevez I would have signed with a team only if I got assurances that barring injury, I was starter. Many big clubs would never agree to that but the mid range clubs would be happy to do that because they don’t have 6 strikers on their books. Somehow I think old Carlito would have been a happier camper had he gone to a German club or maybe West Ham or Blackburn.
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