Oct 01
United Cage the Canaries
Today was one of those rare days at Old Trafford where I would have liked to be in the dressing room at halftime to watch for the hairdryer. After all, for 45 minutes Fergie had sat on his hands through what has to be one of the dullest and most uninspiring home performances in recent memory. The lads hardly created a chance and showed even less passion and hunger for the opening half and so Fergie would have had a legitimate right to go off on them at halftime.
The truth is that if not for Rooney’s occasional burst of interest and Nani’s wayward shots, nobody seemed interested in playing against Norwich’s defend at all costs defence. Full credit to Norwich though. For 67 minutes they performed a Herculean feat by not only keeping United off the score sheet but by also limiting their scoring chances to nothing more than a few speculative efforts and Chicharito’s half dozen offside runs. In fact, they were actually dangerous punting the ball up to their lone striker who for whatever given reason seemed to cause fits for the young aliases Jones and Evans. Morrison, Hoolahan, Bennett, Pilkington, Martin, and the rest of the Norwich eleven were causing us fits and frustrating us to the point of surrender. Just who the Hell are these guys and why do we play down to the level of a club like this?
Fact is our line-up lacked the spark to really get things done. Young was not even dressed and Park, yes Park must play at home against a minnow mustn’t he? Personally, I’d play him at Liverpool where he can be of some use rather than have his uninspiring non-creative presence drag us further down against a club where Park’s defensive strengths are not needed.
Finally after almost 70 minutes of old fashioned graft and workmanship Norwich finally concedes on the most innocent of corner kicks. Rooney did well to direct the ball to Anderson who found himself in the ideal spot for a can’t miss header. Success for Anderson who for the most part had been our poorest player up to that point. It’s a funny game isn’t it? And yet Norwich did not give up and were incredibly unlucky not to equalize after a shot deflected onto the post with Lindegaard wrong footed and beaten and then Morrison was sent in all alone only to show why he is a punter with zero talent as he went on to make a meal of it.
Hey, wasn’t I accusing Norwich of parking the bus? Well I guess the bus has been revved up and it was moving quite briskly for the last twenty minutes or so.
The goal did seem to fire up the club however, as we played with a little more spark for the remainder of the match while the reinvigorated troops pushed and clogged through the muck that was Norwich and capped it all off with an 87th minute Welbeck goal. The addition of Danny Welbeck also invigorated our attack enough so that our one instance of off the ball movement in the game brought on the second goal one a wonderful counter attacking 1,2 between Welbeck and Park and Danny plotting it home. Still, there was no quit in Norwich and they did threaten us right to the whistle.
For me the game was a return to the boring and stale football displayed by this club over the previous two seasons. But then again, after the near disaster vs Basel earlier this week, it should have been expected. Fergie wanted a better defensive performance and this sacrificed our enterprising and as Fergie put it, our “cavalier attitude” of late. Forgive me but I love this club when it is cavalier. The problem has been that he is tinkering too much with the defence simply because he has had too many injuries and too many options to play with. Note to Fergie, when everyone is back and healthy, pick your back four and stick with them.
Fergie never had much to say other than to compliment fellow Scot manager Paul Lambert for having prepared his club well to meet the test of United at OT. These are the games Fergie loves. He could care less about champagne football. He loves 2-0 score lines and that is what the lads dished out for him. The result is in and we are still in first and so at the end of the day that is all that matters for the likes of Fergie. Sorry folks but I woke up early to watch this match here in Canada and I for one wished I had slept in and not wasted my time. I am a firm believer that the game at the professional level should not just be about results, but it must offer one his money worth in entertainment value as well.
High notes for the match are few and low moments are many but I’ll try to keep it short simply because writing any more about this uneventful match is becoming work more than pleasure.
High:
United won 2-0
- Phil Jones was immense again having baled out his club and most importantly Jonny Evans on numerous occasion with his tackles and presence
- United won 2-0
Low:
Jonny Evans continues to lose his men in one on one marking
- Patrice Evra is a waste of time with the ball at his feet in the attacking end
- Valencia is not a fullback and this experiment should be terminated yesterday
- I like De Gea but I feel more comfortable with Lindegaard between the pipes
- Anderson needs to stop sleepwalking through the first half of games
- Can whoever kidnapped Darren Fletcher and replaced him with this uninspiring doppelganger please return him or at least name your ransom price already?
- Yes Park had an assist but for me there is no way he should be starting against minnows
- Berbatov is a better option against par the bus teams because he can hold the ball up and because he gives us more physical presence in the box
- As predicted, never ever expect Rooney to score after coming back from injury. I wonder how long it will be before he scores again?
- Chicharito is becoming a pain in the neck with his constant offside runs. He needs to be more observant and time his runs better
In closing, let me say that I was happy at the club winning and keeping a clean sheet but I am disappointed by the style of or should I say the lack of style in our football of late. To all my critics please understand, I watch this game and love this team because I love champagne entertaining football and I fully expect it when we play at home against a minnow. Today is proof positive that I rarely ever get what I want and more importantly, none of us supporters got what we bloody well deserve, other than a win. Today is a perfect example for me at least that winning isn’t everything, but it sure beats losing. So now it’s off for another endlessly frustrating and disgusting international break (this in season nonsense needs to be addressed and stopped) before we face Liverpool at Anfield. I’m hoping our defenders and Cleverley will be back by then because we will need them as I know Liverpool will try to move heaven and earth to beat us. And frankly, if we continue to play like we have this week, they will.
Van
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Tags: Match Reports
The_Philosopher (408)
Redrich (221)
Opti (210)
Stephen (151)
Moscow (147)
I love Ando
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Me too
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good observations, esp. Phil Jones’ contributions. Felt like he was almost everywhere on the pitch just to make sure Norwich won’t be able to score. Best positive among the negatives
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Where the Hell is everyone? WTF? Game day and there are only two hits to the game review? Some fans we have.
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Grog don’t get your DO DAHS in a twist my friend – we are not ignoring you mate. It is just that we all discussed the fook out of the game play in the last thread, because yours wasn’t up at the time, and you know that the boards always buzzing immediately post game! Besides the family guys on here working all week and have to take good care of the missus kids at weekends so not too many posts. I enjoyed your post mate and agreed with most of it. Ignore our once a year poster SHANNON – he should take his own advice and FOOK off to anywhere he chooses except here!
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I wasn’t upset that I or my review were being ignored, just that nobody was around to discuss the match after it had finished. That’s usually not the case. Anyway, I’ll work on untwisting my do dahs for the next match.
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Groggy, when there are so many posts added in one or two days, discussions get diluted. When you decide to post your view of the game as a new post rather than a set of comments in the game-day post, you are, in fact, diluting the discussion (comment section).
Personally, I like what you all post (JayWire, Groggy, Eddy, Eddie, Shaun, etc…) but I think there are too many posts, which limits the possibility of discussion.
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I have to disagree Opti, I think the new posts are posted at relevant time (ie pre match / post match / no game days) The content RR is posting nowadays is excellent stuff and we’re all learning and improving.
There’s a new way (I keep saying this I know….but….!) of interacting with the site on it’s way. It’s not going to affect the current format but it will work alongside it and hopefully compliment it. Not sure exactly when but when it’s here I hope everyone will embrace it with an open mind and give some honest / fair feedback on it.
As for the comments at the moment……….there’s a list of ‘Latest Comments’ links down the right hand side of every page. I’ve extended that list to 25, there’s nothing stopping people keeping track of where and what people are talking about.
I think the gaffs improved over the last few months, I’d like to think that the fact you’ve stayed with us means you like it too.
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I never criticized the content, just the number of postings per day. Why not do pre-game posts the DAY BEFORE the game, instead of a couple hours before, for example? Then the post-match report after the match on same day… this allows discussion for forment over 12+ hrs, instead of 2-4 hrs pre-game…
A new way of interacting would be well-appreciated. Looking forward to it.
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‘Posts p/day’ is very rarely more than one. Ok, Saturday there was 2 but there’s Academy and 1st team to cover. I agree the preview could be posted earlier but Eddie does previews and, just like everyone else, he has time constraints. It’s a challenge keeping the blog going/running in a professional manner when we do it for love not money (so to speak). You wouldn’t believe the amount of organisation/communication that goes on behind it all.
Talk nicely to Eddie and he might get some up earlier………but also consider there’s time zones/differences between us all.
I’m chuffed people give a shit enough to even speak about this
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Sorry mate I disagree. Posts on here have to be followed like we all follow the changing days. A new post goes up, you take your conversation and debate and move over there. I mean really, how hard can it be to carry on a conversation to a new post. It used to be done all the time in the old days only because we would go a week without a new post so when one came, we all jumped to it.
I see no point in talking about a match concluded inside a match preview post and I see no point talking about an upcoming match in a post that is reviewing the match just played. Everyone needs to just get with the flow of this blog rather than still hang on to the old way which was slow, archaic and dull.
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Your reports suck!
“Some fans we have?”
Fuck off to Bayen Munich
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And you are…… ?
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pmsl
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Ha ha, IM only new year but I know one thing dont attack the GROG.
You have zero respect man!
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Sing with me…..
Aaaaare you RedTan in disguise, aaaaare you RedTan in disguise…..?”
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Good day to you to Red Tan. Now go and crawl under that rock of yours until next we meet ok.
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I’m hoping cancer.
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Good report Grog.
You mention Fergie should, pick his back for and stick with them. It’s a tough call, who would you go for?
I’m thinking Jones, Ferdinand, Vidic, Rafael…
On a side note, does anyone know how OBERTAN is playing at Newcastle, I always thought the lad had a bit of potential?
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I think our strongest back 4 is Jones-Smalling-Vidic-Evra. Rio looks completely out of depth this season, and his performances against City, Basel and Stoke have been horrendous! I think Fergie also has noticed that, so his performances may be reduced… It’s not his injuries stopping him now, it’s Rio hinself. And that is a worry for me
The lad seems to lack the focus a real defender needs, while Smalling is a beast!
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I think Rio has lost 2-3 yards of pace…that used to be a strength in his game and its now a liability..I think his injuries have also limited his reflexes and ability to jump quickly…
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They are loving Obertan at N’Castle mate – he is doing ok for them and is picked every game to play!
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My choice of our back 4 will be:
Jones – Smalling – Vidic – Evans.
The twins are too injury prone.
I know Evans is not everyone’s cup of tea, but he will be much better defensively than Evra. At least untill we buy a new left back.
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Zeki Fryers is being groomed for that along with a very good prospect in Sean McGinty in the Reserves/Youth setup…left back is definitely up for grabs in the next couple of years…
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My choice for back four would be Smalling, Jones, Vidic and the Old Trafford fan of the week awarded by a poll of fans. My feeling is the winners would all be better than Patrice Evra and hold up to the physical demands better than Fabio. I also like Rafael at RB but if he could only stay healthy. A big if when it comes to both twins.
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I have always said having the twins is like having one very useful player..they are injured so often and can’t seem to finish games so much so that they sub for each other a lot of the time..that said its important to remember they are only 21! It’s quite normal for younger players to suffer a lot of muscle injuries by nature of growth and growing into their bodies…the twins do take this to a whole unnecessary level though! Mentally you have to wonder if they have what it takes to play through pain…
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I think my choice would be jonesy at RB, which allows him to get forward whenever as he loves doing, smalling and vida in centre, and at LB, well can i just anyone but evra. Fryers, fabio, rafael, evans, eddy, craig’s grandma, whoever, just not evra please.
That means rio on the bench, but bearing in mind his age, his injury record, and his poor form this season (sort of tailed out from the end of the last campaign too) id say the bench is where he should be. Dont get me wrong though, i bloody love rio, and still think he could be invaluable for us over the course of the season. Think giggsy, and the way hes been utlised this season, well like that.
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I’m willing to have a contest amongst Red Rants bloggers to find Evra’s replacement amongst us. My vote is for Eddy.
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Well I thought it wouldn’t be TOO LONG coming – reports in Italy and other places is that Ranieri is offering Man Utd a straight swap deal of Schneider for Lil man NANI. Fergie should let the lad go, because he sure as fook doesn’t appreciate Nani, and Nani should be allowed to go where he will indeed become WORLD NUMERO UNO. I will miss the fook out of Nani if he goes – but at least he will be playing in all the CL games!
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Nani was shite yesterday mate, what happend to him?!
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Not as shite as you mate
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You called me shit!
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Did I? OOPS sorry
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@CRAIG dude stop thinking nani is bigger than the club because he is not and why does he need to go anywhere else to be noticed as a great footballer?? and especially if he goes to inter- his career will plumit and if he goes to madrid he will also fall down the toliet so the only other place is barca and they have messi and sanchez so i think he is just fine right here and he knows that too…………
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FFS Ash mi man – are you kidding me? If you don’t know the answer to your own question – well I despair! You really believe I think Lil Man is bigger than the club – your wrong. It is a queation of whether the lad fits the club = ala Berba. What you think Berba wouldn’t be magic somewhere in a different system to Uniteds? Of course he fookin would mare. Same with Nani. What you don’t know Fergie well enough to understand that he has his favourite boys, and IF you are not one of them, you will neer be all that you can be in the right team withthe right manager. Fergie is the greatest manager, but I am not dishonest enough to admit that Fergie can be loyal to some players more than he should be and shite treatment to others. If you think Nani with right team and Mangagement wouldn’t be so up there amongst the absolute best world players, then we obviously hsve different vision mete. I think IMHO you are wrong- NANI would be fantastic for Inte and Real M or Barca. How cme is it that foreign coaches and players cn see this more thsn the british lot? Why do Inter insist on only exchanging Nani and no other United player. Mabybe Roon might be the only other player they might consider. But Rooney is played even when he does fook all for half a season – because Fergie hasb hisb favourites and Nani isn’t one of them. Nani has been with us 5 years now, and Fergie has left him out of CL finals starting spot. Do I think he would fare better at Inter and Real M – you bet I do. Ihave that much faith in the lad, and I think foreign coaches do too obviously. I watched his games for Portugal when Ronaldo was out for all the gamesb with injury, and Nani was the biggest thing in getting them to WC finals. The Portuguese acknowledge that. No one will ever convince me that United have same faith in the lad. So let Nani and Berba go where they will be immense and come back to OT with their new teams and turn it the fook on.
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Hey Rimmers – where are ya mate. My computer keeps fookin up my sig name or I do mate – not sure which – haha! Anyway – could you kindly sort out my reply to ASH – thsnkyou boss
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DONE
I think……
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You did? Well shame on you Rimmers – why didn’t you correct all my spelling mistakes and typos in that post while you were at it – what a TYPO mess that post to Ash was
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I’ve seen worse!
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The only two clubs as big in stature throughout the world with United are Barca and Madrid and they don’t need Nani as they are all full at that position. Nani goes anywhere else and it’s a downgrade big time. Funny thing is I was playing Dortmund in a season session on FIFA 12 yesterday when I noticed United had sold Nani to Spurs. I just had to laugh, like that would ever happen. Games!!
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Honestly mate, where is this coming from? It’s not liek Nani isn’t playing a vital role for this club. He is Fergie’s first choice at RM and his second choice at LM. He plays in 7 out of 8 games and he is excelling right now to a point where he is finally being referred tro by media as world class and amongst the elite. For me that makes him definitely NOT FOR SALE AT ANY PRICE.
Unless he wants to go, why would I entertain such a deal? Am I missing something here? Did Nani request a move like Ronaldo? Has Nani been wasting away on the bench like Tevez or Berbatov? No. So whats with all this grief over Fergie’s usage or lack of appreciation? Seriously, I just don’t understand mate.
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Maybe its just me Grog – but I hate Fergie has never picked Nani for the CL finals, it grieves me. Still NOBODY has answered the question I put – Ranieri wants to deal with United over a straight swap Schneider for Nani – so who would swap Nani to get Schneider – Kapiche?
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I hate a lot of the things Fergie does mate but playing Nani sparingly is not something he does. His caution is the only reason he has not dressed Nani in those big matches. I’m thinking his performance against Chelsea a few weeks ago will have changed his mind on that.
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I’m not saying its right but i suspect its because Fergie’s goal has been trying to strike a balance between offense and defense when playing Barca and he just didn’t think nani provided enough defensively to include him against barca…I think nani has evelolved and shown he can do both when needed so Fergie has no excuse now…
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Craig, to be fair i do agree with you somewhat that nani never has, nor probably ever will be, most peoples favourite, and that includes fergie. Yesterday for example, i wasnt exactly best pleased at the way he hauled off nani and left on the hapless park for the last 30 mins. Yes nani was shite on the whole, but we all know what he can do, pulling something out of nothing, so i didnt like the way he was made to make way, and park staying on despite being just as hopeless. Guess it doesnt matter this time, as we won, and to his credit, park laid on welbs for the 2nd, but i agree, when its between nani and park/giggs/fletcher or one of his blue eyed boys, its always nani who has to make way. Not saying he hates the lil man, just that for me (and you) i feel he underestimates what a genius we have sometimes.
But i dont want to open a can of worms here. That was already opened last week.
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I reckon Ferdinand will regain his form, the only issues is injuries I think… seems his body is fucked.
Heard Obertan was playing every game, hope he performs well- though hopefully not too wel,l a la Forlan, Pique… hate it when we let guys go and they go on to be brilliant. Though to be fair, it is pretty rare for us…
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Better for Obertan to have left and gotten his chance to make his mark somewhere, ’cause he wasn’t going to get it here, not with who was in front of him.
Did show a lot of potential in the preseason, so I had a little hope that he would stick around and get a fair amount of games this season, but it was the best decision for him for his present and future to move on.
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Instead of some of you moaning about Nani’s performance yesterday, when nearly all of our players gave shite performances – just answer the question – should Nani be swapped for Schneider? I wouldn’t mind anymore, because I absolutely know for certain, no doubt whatsoever, that United will not do as well without NANI as he will do somewhere else. I AM NOT TRYING TO GOAD ANYBODY just for devilment, I really believe it guys.
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I actually agree with you there, but Nani’s production and wastefulness over the last few years turned people against him……it’s always hard to turn those people around, especially if they’ve been openly vocal about it.
Imagine Manuel Neuer having a nightmare for the next 3 years and Grognard coming out with “I always said he wasn’t very good”
I’d laugh, you’d laugh and we’d be laughing with everyone else on here…..same principal but in reverse.
Chill quietly enjoy your opportunity for smugness and realise why most people
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Nani is fine where he is and he stars for us. SO what if he has the odd quiet game. The league is full of park the bus teams who make it hard for a speedster like the Lil Man to do well in all games. Still, for me he is co MVP with Rooney and just as indispensable.
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Am I the only one who thought Jones was rather poor overall yesterday. He made some great last ditch tackles that saved our asses but he was pathetic against the aerial game especially the Norwich striker Morrison and we were making silly mistakes cos of him. this seems to be a common trend as he seems to struggle at set pieces and aerial clearances. HE loves to push up without taking into account whats behind more often than not.
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Wow RMJ at last someone who sees that Jones’y good as he is in other areas of his game, is very wanting when it comes to his aerial abilities, and yes he is forceful going forward but he does leave us floundering and open at the back, because he ventures a bit too often. This he can get away with when he plays right back, but he is not and never will be a CH. Smalling is far the better central defender. I would like to see Jones tried in DMF, just to assess how he is, because like Vidic he is one of our very best tacklers!
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I agree Craig, Rio was all over the place against Basel and yesterday Evans was running back and playing too deep to cover for him. Jones has a lot of excellent qualities but this part of the game is becoming more and more obvious as Norwich took a page out of basel’s playbook and did the same but the quality in players showed. our fans love an all action player like Jones but look down on players that dont exactly display teh epitome of such qualities. For example, Fletcher who was pathetic but people cheer him while booing you know who for making the sensible play. Yesterday Evans did fine considering how bad Jones and Evra was and that really irks me sometimes.
I’ll say it, i didn’t think Welbeck would make it and been gladly proven wrong. Also, I am surprised by the lack of squad rotation when compared to last year. Why bring Rooney and Hernandez when the clearly looked out of sorts yesterday when we have Berbatov, Owen and Welbeck? this was Norwich and we should have rotated and given Rooney the game off especially in light of international break and such.
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Tell me about it mate – couldn’t agree with you more.
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The problem with quiet players is they are quiet because they are either talentless or lacking pace and skill to stand out in a action and exciting sport. People used to call Beckenbauer overrated and boring because he never sprinted or looked hard at work when what was happening is he was so damned good that he made what he did look easy and effortless. Trust me when I say that Carrick is not Beckenbauer and neither is Evans. The British game loves hard workers and fearless players that are enterprising which explain the love in many of us are having when it comes to Phil Jones. Carrick may be quietly efficient but his style of play negatively affects the rest of the team and how it plays.
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Hes actually a lot smaller than you think, our jones. Dont think hes even 6 foot yet, although that shouldnt mean hes incapable of leaping for any aerial balls that come in. Wouldnt say he was poor though yesterday, thought he was solid for the majority of the game, and his 2 last ditch tackles arguably won us the 3 points in the game.
Hes still 19 at the end of the day, and still growing as a player. I think on the whole hes been fantastic from the first game i saw him (in the flesh) in the community shield, to yesterday.
Without doubt i buy into what people are saying that he’ll be england and united captain within 10 years (and im never one to usually believe in hype). Great lad.
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@craig. YOU cant compare berba and nani. YES i agree berba would be great somewhere else, but with NANI ( and this debate is about nani)he is already a star player for us, he plays nearly every game and i just think it wouldnt benefit him to move anywhere else. HE didnt play the last 2 cl finals because he WASNT the player he IS now. THATS all
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Okay mate – I am not going to win this one am I – I get your viewpoint though
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Grog your learning all the Manc expressions – and now you’ve added DO DAHS to the list. You will have your own little book of Manc sayings soon
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Qualiteh!!
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Qualiteh indeed
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Mint (but don’t really pronounce the ‘t’ at the end)
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Haha, i love it when people write the way they speak. I love the way sometimes my southern mates look at me when i say something with my manc accent (unfortunately not that strong now after living daan saaf for so long) as if im from a different planet.
Manchester is my Heaven, London is my Hell.
Qualiteh, citeh, we never pronounce our Y’s and E’s like the londoners do we. Cos we dont sound like weve got a fucking plum in our mouth like the southerners
Love being a manc
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Overall in my life I’d say 75% of my favorite tv shows are British so I picked up a lot of the lingo from an early age because I felt at home with British tv and culture.
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ASSSSHEEENEEEEEREEDD!!!
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Well said from the boy Rooney.
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Its the dogs bollocks is one of my personal faves (means something is excellent, good, great), always cracks me up for some reason.
(probably wont know what the hell im talking about here). I personally love our tv police/detective shows, always quality.
Also love the way how when brits go on holiday to the old US of A, and say mate, they always think were australian
Grog, what sort of British shows you into? You a corrie or eastenders man
One id absolutely recommend to you mate is Life on Mars, set in 70s manchester. Quality show, in fact you remind me an awful lot of the police sergeant, lead character, Gene Hunt for some reason, only your not a city fan. Full of fantastic one liners, arrogance, an all round good bloke, so thats a compliment as he is quality.
Seriously mate check this show out, think you’d like it (just make sure its the british version and not the shitty american remake).
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If I love it I own and I have all the Life on Mars dvd’s as well as crime classics like Wire in the Blood, Touching Evil, Cracker, Ashes to Ashes and others. I love Brit comedies and Black Adder is among my all time favorite shows period. I also love Monty Python, Allo Allo, Thin Blue Line, and Fawlty Towers among others. My all time favorite dramas are The Sandbaggers, Spooks, Secret Army, Colditz, Soldier Soldier, I Claudius and House of Cards, Strike Back, and Hustle. I’m big on espionage and military dramas as you can see. There are many more but these would be the top shows although I know I am forgetting a few great ones. And Gene Hunt is my hero. In fact, Gene Hunt should be everyone’s idol. Love Philip Glenister. My top show of all time regardless of where it’s from is The Sandbaggers which I am sure many people have never heard of. Old school Le Carre style espionage that was so well written and acted but with a video tape budget. Just awesome writing though. The main character Burnside played by Roy Marsden is probably my favorite tv character of all time other than Edmund Blackadder and Lord Flasheart….WUFF WUFF!!
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How’s about……
‘stick some wood int’thole’
Means….shut the door!
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I am the FIFA 12 RedRants Champion!!!
Rimmers, eat my dust
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HAHA YOU BEAT ME TO IT >>>> SEE BELOW!! LOOOOOOL
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I’ll also like Craig to know that I scored two goals with Nani and totally made a fool out of Philip Lahm and Bayern with him!
United!United!
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Now that is a worthy win, using the most worthy winner – Lil man does it for Eddi
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You embarrassed Philip Lahm?
You’re dead to me. 
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FIFA 12 is simply awe inspiring. Playing Dortmund I find Mario Goetze to be completely unstoppable. 4 goals and 13 assists in 11 matches. At this pace he will have over 30 assists which is even greater than Nani. Yes it’s a game but as a gamer, using this player is a real treat because he has great finish and vision and pulls off any kind of pass. I also bought Berbatov as my striker and he is presently leading the Bundesliga with 9 goals in 11 matches and showing Fergie the finger every time he scores.
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Just thought you should all know…..I just beat RedDevilEddy 3 times on the spin
4-0
3-2
5-1
Unlucky Eddy, better luck next time mate
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You lying bastard!!
You were lucky with the 1-1 draw, but the 3-1 and 3-0 wins were eeeeaaasseeeh! 
Step it up Ian!
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I love it.
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CraigMc it is a crap deal. Sneijder’s market value is £30 million and his resale value is very limited. Nani’s market value must be at least £50 million and his resale value is very high.
I don’t see Nani staying at the club forever. But when we sell I hope we get £80 million and use that money to rebuild the club.
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Quality stuff from RMJ and Craig about Jones. At last, I’m not alone in my view of Jones. He is a quality player and I should say that first, so my criticism isn’t taken out of context. I totally agree with RMJ particularly. Jones is too rash and undisciplined in his defending. He still has that Premiership based defending in him, that needs to be exorcised. His positioning is very bad. But his “loud” way of playing is more visible to the fans and he easily stands out. So he’ll be visible when he makes that “last ditch tackle”but the preceding poor positioning is instantly forgotten. This puts the more disciplined players under pressure and leaves them exposed.
It’s wierd for me this season to see Evans playing like this. I can’t say I was his harshest critic, but I found more faults on him than positives. Especially given the fact that we sold Pique and Evans kinda stepped in to 2nd back up, really made his task to impress, me particularly, almost impossible. Pique is a player I rated so highly. Composed, skillful, excellent ball player and great positioning and technical ability. Evans though was a visible type, very loud, very rash and exciting. So I have to say, his new adopted style has surprised and impressed me the most. He has become a ball playing, technically aware centre back. He has been , by a mile, the best defender since the start of the season. He has also become a less visible player which is the defensive player I prefer.
That’s the crime he has committed. He seems to have ditched Vidic as a mentor or template and has adopted the Ferdinand style. So far this season, his positioning has been top class, and moving away from the high risk tackling and chasing, which seems to be Jones’ m.o. Also, Jones’ forward runs are not balanced and well coordinated. So for me the best combination in central defence, for normally fit players, would be Smalling and Evans. Both are technically aware and make a good low risk partnership. Also, I believe Smalling is a better, more composed libero( “attacking centre back”) than Jones. I’d have Jones at right back and occasionally at centre back, till he calms down. He’s still young and if Evans can transform like he has, then I believe Jones can do the same with experience.
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I liked your comment (+1), but I don’t really agree with you on Evans being a great/better defender than Jones or Smalling. Vidic is a very visible defender, but I think he is far better than Ferdinand. Like Ferdinand, Evans often makes errors with the ball at his feet or lets the ball bounce in front of him and gets overrun opposing attacker. Norwich’s striker this past Saturday was a good example.
Regardless of poor positioning (if that is really true — show me!), Jones (like Vidic) makes the tackle when it counts…
I love your stuff, but I give a fiddlers’ fart about all these fancy italian titles, such as “libero”… we all know Dirk Kuyt is the greatest Libero
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Vidic better than Ferdinand?
Maybe. Certainly individually there is no contest nowadays.
But picture this: our defence, the whole of defence, always looked more secure with Ferdinand marshalling it.
Ferdinand makes (or made depending on what will be his form this season) his collegues better players, which is why i still rate Vidic a notch below Rio.
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@Nico & OPTI:- i dont think vidic is a better defender than Rio or vice a versa, they are on the same level and that is why to me they compliment each other so well and was our best pair. they are two different kinds of Defenders. Rio is the ball playing, tactically aware defender while Vidic is the gun-ho old school British defender and is a hard nosed tackler..currently like Jaywire said i too think Smalling is similar to Rio while i agree Evans who originally resembled Vidic but now plays without the same pizazz. Its incredible how people forget how good Evans was in the 08 and 09 seasons when he rotated with Rio and Vidic and played really well. Last season his confidence was shattered by playing with Scholes and Evra who were putting extra pressure on him due to offering no protection in front of him(aka no legs…much like basel and norwich game) and being shit respectively.
i think Jones will improve no doubt but the fact is he is 5’11 and that is short when compared to our other center backs who range from 6’4 to 6’2 save him. i hope he grows or gets springs for legs cos he has struggled against the aerial battle so far.
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So all the cuckoo’s flown the nest today eh? Rimmers where are you and your Red Ranter ARMY mate
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It’s funny howso many do a disappearing act on this blog art times. I need to get more of a life too but still, nothing short of illness would keep me from checking in a few times a day at least. People must be hooked on FIFA 12 or something because it’s been awfully quiet of late.
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Too true Grog! I think its FIFA 12 rather than anything to do with getting a life
. Not much news though Grog – no midweek game and nothing happening apart from upcoming BORING internationals. Whoever invented international games – well I wish they would take a long walk on a short pier 
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I blame it on the fact the blog was rudderless for so long that our group of regulars became to familiar. We had run out of fresh ideas, and had ran every posible debate into the ground. Now its at a point where we pretty much each others stance on particular issues inside and out. Couple that with posters now being emotionally invested in a player to succeed or fail. Without naming names(we are all guilty in a way) some want rooney,anderson, nani, Carrick, fletcher, park, Evans… to either succed or fail to justify all the hours spent debating.
The other thing I blame the lack of comments on was the way the blog was drastically changed. While I agree 100% the blog is better off than it was, I think certains things could have been handled a bit differently on both sides. some posters where to impatient to take a wait and see approach to the blog, and some where just to stuck in there ways to accept the changes and move on.
Hopefully as we get more and more new posters, the comments section will be buzzing again like it did a few years ago.
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Johnssom you’ve got far too much wisdom mate – you should post more often, and you know I am right mate, so lets be having you!
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I think there are a lot more readers who do not partake in the debating. You here from a few of them once in a blue moon or if I say something UNUNITED, that gets their panties in a twist. Still, I think more of the regulars need to show up and be counted more than they have been of late. Eddy has said this in the past and I agree with him that this blog is like the local footy pub for many of us who would love nothing more than meeting up with like minded United fans for an ale or two to discuss their passions. Apparently, for many that feeling is not shared.
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Correction Grog – I meant to say to take a long walk OFF a short pier! Just hope they can swim
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Taking a long walk off a short pier hanging over the White Cliffs of Dover would be even better.
Yes it is a quiet time but as for me, I still like to talk footy and just BS with the boys (aka lads in UK). It’s during the slow periods where we could all get to know each other a bit more and tap in to our interest and quirky natures. Still, I know this is a blog and it’s not life and death to most like it seems to be for me. Lets just say I love United and I love this blog.
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And somebody had to click the dislike button for that too? Honestly!!
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International break is sooooooo boring….
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If I were running FIFA I would ban international breaks until after the season. I would condense the season by two or three weeks and then allow for national teams to have an extended summer playing all the qualifiers and friendlies their stomachs can handle. In North America no league would ever allow any sport’s national team to delay or fix their schedule to accommodate them. It’s just not the capitalist thing to do. Thes clubs pay these players big money and already risk losing them to injury brought on by international duty. It seems to me that delaying and moving around schedules to fit these games in is definitely not in the best interest of any domestic league and it absolutely floors me that they put up with the status quo. I could care less about FIFA rules. If I took this problem to an international court of law I know the clubs would win because they pay the wages of these players and risk to lose the most. It’s totally whacked.
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And lets also not forget the fatigue that international duty brings upon a player which hinders his club’s performance.
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Anderson has an overall of 77 on FIFA 12. Sneijder is 88.
Looks like EA don’t share your player valuations Eddy boy
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79 on the update
And Cleverley is fucking 73! The fuck is that all about?
Welbeck is 76 and Jones is 75, with Rio 87… Smoking pot have we? 
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Thats why I use the edit feature and I do not consider it cheating because I know some of the programmers over at EA and they get their info from people all over the world who are as biased as some of the football pundits on tv. I know my players well enough to edit them accurately and thus improve their performance and make the game more pleasureful.
In my editing Anderson is an 80, Cleverley is an 80, Jones is an 81, Smalling a 79, Ronaldo 92 just to make him better than Messi,
and Nani is a 65. Just kidding there Craig about Nani. He is a healthy 85. Evra has been downgraded to 78 and that’s being kind
while Welbeck has been upgraded to 80 as well. And just to piss everyone off, Manuel Neuer is 99. Just joking about Neuer.
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Clev is 79 with me, Ando 82, Nani is 87, Welbeck is 81 and Jonesy is 79. Don’t want to be unfair
By the way Ronny should be 99, fucking monster of a man!
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By the way I’ve never said Anderson is a better player than Sneijder, in my opinion Wesley is the best player attacking midfielder in the world!
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I know buddy, I’m just messing about!
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Anderson is the best attacking player in the world.
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ASSSSHEEENEEEEEREEDD!!!
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I FUCKING MISS SPECIAL1 TV!
why the fuck is it finished? 
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AWELLA It’s supposedly coming back. Apparently Rosenstock is negotiating terms with somebody as we speak. They offered a teaser online last week that gives me great hope.
Be Champions.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AnonymousSpecial1TV?feature=mhee
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Oh I am the FIFA Champion!
Just ask Ian 
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Random but i liked this read:
http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2007/winter/proposal.html
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I’ve noticed a combination between Young, Ando and Rooney. Ever since the Chelsea game they’ve all suffered a loss in form, and although some people blame this on Cleverley I’d say it’s more about the trio not being paired. Contrary to what the majority’s opinion, I felt Ando had a good game against Chelsea. He made two mistakes which could have proven constly, but besides that both his pressing and passing was spot on. He delivered some class passes to Nani and Rooney, while Young skinned Bosignwa time and time again. Rooney, despite missing a penalty, also scored and played well. That is the last game they’ve all played well. Young had a horror show against Stoke, and Ando really looked out of depth. Then against Norwich, Wayne had his poorest game this season along with Ando.
I see a pattern here. The trio which is Anderson-Young-Rooney seems to be the axis of this team. Every time Ando plays in our midfield, he is deployed as the left central midfielder. It’s something Scholes also used to do in his days, which made it hard for him to pair the ginger and the dreadlocked Brazilian. With Young being our first “real” left winger since Giggsy in his best days, we’ve seen the best of Ando. He has a winger on his side which goes wide, comes inside, plays on touch passes and always puts himself in decent positions if Ando gets into trouble. They’ve worked really well together, and I blame Young, as well as having a run of games, on Ando finally having a consistent run of good games. Young, meanwhile, seem to rely heavily on Rooney. With Rooney playing as our left striker, also getting down, Young get’s an awful lot of support. Rooney really loves getting out on the left, have a pot shot or get some crosses in. You guys will notice that Wazza never swings crosses in from the right side, always the left, and his crossfield balls always goes from left to right. With Wazza being so close to Young, and their interchanging being so exeptional, Ashley get’s more freedom to run and help Ando. These three players make our left side, and so far they’ve been our most vital offensive outlet.
This also says a lot about Nani if you ask me. He’s taken care of our right side all on his own, and both created and scored many goals. Smalling, Jones, Valencia have all played right back this season, but we’ve rarely seen them support Nani like Evra does for Young, and very rarely has Chicharito or Fletch gone out to the right side. Nani has an awful lot of ground to cover himself, which almost makes it a one man show for him! Ando and Wazza often play balls out to the right, where Nani has an awful lot of room! This is because we really crowd the left area of the pitch. With Nani, Ando, Rooney and Evra all occupying the left side of the pitch, you can’t blame oppositions of getting dragged over! It’s an amazing tactic deployed by Fergie, as it keeps oppositions running during the whole fucking game, chasing shadows.
If we keep this up, this trio will soon become better than Rooney-Tevez-Ronaldo.
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interesting insight eddy!
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New Charlton-Best-Law!
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WHAT HAPPEND TO THE REDRANTS FIFA 12 ONLINE LEAGUE?
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You’re supposed to be sorting it out?
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I’m on it like a bad rash!
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Man… I just sent out a list of 10 questions about FIFA12, but an error occurred.
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Try again.
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keeps not allowing me to post them
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%$#@!
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For those of you who are obsessed with the tactical side of the beautiful game. It is quite the site…
http://www.zonalmarking.net/
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Great website. Michael Cox is the king.
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Just for you, Craig:
http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-Features/Football-News/2011/Oct/nani-wins-september-player-of-the-month-award.aspx
You’re not the only one who knows Nani’s worth, trust me. The fans know, and so does the staff. Perhaps the media don’t appreciate him as much as you might like, but the people that matter know what he means to the team.
Don’t believe everything that you read…Nani’s going to be at United for quite a while yet, and the great thing about that is that he’s only getting better and better. Great for us, scary for everyone else!
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Mate read closely – votes were from Arabic, Japanese, Korean, Italians and French – foreigners who know GOOD when they see it. I believe the lad is valued more by Man Utd foreign supporters – NUFF said!
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You must have skipped over the part where it said the official English site as well…which includes, among other places, folks from my part of the world and yours as well.
Come on man, is it that hard to fathom that Nani is a lot more loved by the overall masses, including SAF, supporters at Old Trafford, and the media, than you think?
Some people just want to stir things up, just for the sake of a story. Nani doesn’t want to go anywhere, and he isn’t going anywhere.
And look at it this way – for someone to even make up a fake story about a straight swap involving Nani and Sneijder shows that he’s now every bit a part of that elite level as the likes of Sneijder.
Not bad to have the Premier League’s best winger combo and one of the world’s best. Long may it continue!
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APOLOGIES FOR THE SITE BEING DOWN FOR MANY HOURS LAST NIGHT, THE SITE IS APPARENTLY UNDER ATTACK (SO TOO ARE A FEW OTHERS).
I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS SORTED NOW AND HOPEFULLY IT WON’T HAPPEN AGAIN.
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THAT’S OKEY, I WAS OFF PLAYING FIFA AT THAT TIME ANYWAY!
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Fucking City fans. The nerve. The only way they can get to United, attack our blog.
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My question list seems to be under #comment-167094, but I cannot see the post. When I re-post it, it claims its a duplicate but I don’t see it on here.
Any ideas?
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There’s no list of questions in any of your comments Opti.
Try to post it again but alter it slightly. No idea whyit thinks it’s a duplicate.
Failing that, email me the questions and I’ll edit your comment to add it in.
OK?
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Ronaldo is a beast, kinda miss him…
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Ronaldo eats beasts. He is King Conan, a slight downgrade from King Cantona.
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The RedRants FIFA 12 Official Online League is ready for use! For Xbox users only, because you guys with PS3 suck ass!
Name of the League is Red Rants Official, password is redrantscom. Join in!
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Boooo, PS3 FTW!!!
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Sad news guys
The Forbes list of the World’s Most Valuable Sports Brands
1 – New York Yankees (Baseball) – $340m
2 – Manchester United – $269m
3 – Real Madrid – $264m
4 – Dallas Cowboys (NFL) – $193m
5 – Bayern Munich – $179m
6 – Boston Red Sox (Baseball) – $173m
7 – Barcelona – $172m
8 – Arsenal – $158m
9 – AC Milan – $147m
10 – New England Patriots (NFL) – $146m
We got dumped to number 2 despite showing more growth basically b’cos well the dollar has a lot greater strength than the pound in the world market.
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How can Arsenal be worth so much? Have those guys actually seen them play this season?
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Jeez what does it say about me when my two favorite NFL teams are on it, my favorite baseball team, my two favorite footy teams too? I guess I follow the money or I just like Charlie Sheen, I’m in to WINNING.
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What I love about this list is Man Shitty nowhere in sight!
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this list just shows how much of a difference the US market and the rest of the world is…the sky deal with EPL is less than a billion a year while the NFL deal is worth 2 billion annually?..the disparity is insane when you consider that we have a bigger market
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I miss Ronny…
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C/O Opti
I have not bought FIFA12 (yet?) and since you guys are all drooling over the game, I
might as well ask you some Qs about it.
1) How is the new physics engine (i.e. physical contact, ball physics)? Is it just a
Does every EPL team have their own Stadium?
graphical improvement or does it improve game-play (i.e. dribbling, tackling)?
2) Have they improved the handballing (i.e. is it less random/often)?
3) Do the linesmen finally make mistakes on close off-side calls?
4) Do attackers move towards/chase a loose ball or do they still just stand and watch?
5) Do defenders (both CPU opponents and team-mates) position themselves better and
have better situational awareness (i.e. don’t play attacker on-side)?
6) Is it possible to have defensive line play off-side trap via controller commands?
7) Have they improved 1-2 (touch-and go) passing and control of secondary player’s
runs?
9) Have commentating been improved (i.e. do they discuss past events in season/league?
10) Has Manager Mode improved (sped up CPU game simulation time? better/faster
transfer system? scouting? player improvements?)
BONUS) What are your most/least favorite things about FIFA12 vs. FIFA11?
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Hey Mads, I’ve played quite a bit of FIFA 12, actually become addicted to it lately, so I think I’ll answer those!
1) It’s massivly improved! You can really feel the force in action when Vidic and Drogba both go for a header, and if Nani tries to feint his way past an opponent and gets a slight touch he will fall down along with the defender. Balance is really vital for skilful players, because of the new physics. Be a little weak or out of balance and you’ll lose the ball straight away. The feints are also a lot more explosive than in FIFA 11, so for a guy like me who tries to use every trick in the book I have a massive advantage.
2) Hanballs happen insanely often, sometimes out of nowhere and when it actually hits the head. I turned it off because it was so horrible!
3) I’ve not seen the linesman make any mistakes so far, but I’ve have been given a few penalties against me without me touching the opponent.
4) They try to chase it if you try to chase it, if you just stand there and expect it to magically appear at your feet you will never get it.
5) The defensive side has created a lot of controvercy. Yes, it is massivly improved, but it depends on how well you know football. Tactical defending helps the team organize and the defenders position themselves perfectly, at least top class centre backs like Rio and Vidic does. But unlike previous FIFA games, you have to be very, very patient when the opposition has the ball. If a striker has the ball on 30 yards, and you’re the only defender in front of him, he will try to drag you out of position so that room is exposed. And if you switch that defender and then use a, let’s say midfielder, to take over the pressing, your whole team will be out of shape. You’ll concede a lot of goals this way, and because some people just want to get the ball and score, they are very critical of the game. As a defender myself, I know that defending is just as important as attacking. You can’t score without the ball, and if your team is organzied the opposition shouldn’t be able to score on you either. The only time a defender should be aggressive is when you see the opposition attack without any plan or organization, and winning the ball would guarantee a scoring chance. Anyway, if you want a pointer from a guy who keeps clean sheets for 9 straight legendary games in a row, try not to press to hard. Close down room. Never press with your defender, just push them wide and tackle when needed if you are Rio or Evra or something. Try to press with midfielders and strikers, ALWAYS. This way your defence will stay solid throughout.
6) That has always been possible, and still is.
7) It’s not a drastic improvement, but it has become better alright! At least when playing online, where a one-two with Rooney and Hernandez can open up a whole defence. It’s not as easy to score one-on-one’s with the keeper as it used to be, so work on your finishing.
8 ) Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, City, United and Newcastle are the only Premier League teams with their own stadium.
9) Andy Gray has been replaced by Alan Smith, so they’ve got a whole new package of commenting! They’ll discuss form, new contracts, who is the top goalscorer, and when I had Chicharito injured for 3 games they zoomed in on his face while walking out of the tunnel, talking about how vital the comeback of my best goalscorer is!
Oh, and the Champions League commentator now has a FIFA workload, and not only World Cup base. He’ll talk about the Champions League finals of 2011 and 2009 when United face Barca, as well as give some insight into the rivalery of Liverpool and United.
10) I don’t usually buy players because I’m generally happy with our team, so haven’t really noticed anything. There is however a new feautre, called Transfer Deadline day which has a countdown clock and board of how much money is spent during the day. Rooney forced a transfer out of nowhere for me, which is actually really annoying… Couldn’t do anything about that, and same goes for players who during the season don’t get the expected game-time. They complain and ask to leave, but give them games when they need it and they’re happy.
BONUS) My favorite thing about FIFA is how fucking real it is! Can’t score two goals that look the same, and defenders are really smart. Surprisingly actually, as I always tend to cut in to the right foot of Ashley Young, and at the start of the game that worked without a problem. But after I’d done it 3 times, the defender kept anticipating that I’d go to his right, and he positions himself so that he takes the ball with ease. You need to have a variety and be creative to master this game.
I also love that they’ve introduced injuries like hamstrings and cramps. If in extra time, and you sprint with a tired player, he will go down injured while the ball is rolling and ask to be subbed. The team which had the ball when the game stopped, will then get it back from the oppositions as they kick it over the pitch.
Least favorite thing is probably the finishing… Sitters and one-on-one’s are incredibly hard, and where I on FIFA 11 could have scored 6 goals I now finish off only 1 or 2 of those glaring chances. Needs to work on finishing, serious!!
Hope this helped!
Eddy
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Thanks Eddy!!!
For #6, how do i get my defensive line to play off-side trap? Are you referring to changing tactics? If so, I don’t like changing my tactics for a quick off-side trap.
In FIFA 2000 or thereabouts I think L2 (on Playstation) would immediately get defensive line to play offside trap… it was a wonderful defensive tool.
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That’s how I think you do it, you just have to adapt the tactic at the right time.
I think, you try it out
I’ve never tried it!
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TO OPTI FROM GROGNARD – has same problem posting:
Opti, Eddy gave a good response but because the game is quite different for many I feel I too will offer my take.
1) How is the new physics engine (i.e. physical contact, ball physics)?
The new engine is a massive improvement over the past. Players now move more instinctively, far superior movement off the ball and close quarters dribbling is now a true delight. Now I can control the ball like Berba when he is in the box or just on top without too much risk of losing it due to lack of mobility. Players now move 180 degrees without any breaks or frame rate issues. The kicking of the ball is also better as now it is easier to get a hold of one from long distance and actually be accurate. Keepers are much better than before and now when they make saves, the top keepers do it in their own unique style. I honestly think I am watching Manuel Neuer when he saves or parry’s. Headers look better also as I used to find it hard to really get strong headers on goal.
2) Have they improved the handballing (i.e. is it less random/often)?
Unfortunately still a flaw. I have had five penalties given for minor if not questionable hand balls. Also, most defenders seem to have a problem keeping their arms down when battling for aerial balls and too many hand balls penalties are given for this. And yet there are not enough fouls given during the game play. I often see my players get butchered only to see the ref keep his whistle in his pocket
3) Do the linesmen finally make mistakes on close off-side calls?
Yes they do but I kind of like this because it is realistic as real refs get it right more often than not. Still, it can frustrate the Hell out of a player on a game.
4) Do attackers move towards/chase a loose ball or do they still just stand and watch?
Much more movement but also, in the settings feature, you can tweak the kind of tactics and movement you want your team to have. I set the running option high to about 70% and that tends to make my team not only more lively but the movement off the ball is outstanding. If only we had this kind of function when watching the real United.
5) Do defenders (both CPU opponents and team-mates) position themselves better and have better situational awareness (i.e. don’t play attacker on-side)?
Yes and no. I find defenders are as good as they are supposed to be for the most part but there is still defending that is slow to react in the box and the AI defending refuses to tackle in the box and often allows a speedy player to easily get by and have a crack. Not epidemic in proportion but still, it can piss you off. There are way more off side traps used by the AI and Chicharito seems to get caught way too often as he does in real life. One frustrating element is the off side rule itself is being administered by the old school method. Therefore if you score a goal and a teammate was offside but not anywhere near the play to influence it, he is offside. I hate this as it has cost me a half dozen goals already.
6) Is it possible to have defensive line play off-side trap via controller commands?
Yes it is but you should still give the command every minute or so because quite often these commands are not followed through until you alter them yourself.
7) Have they improved 1-2 (touch-and go) passing and control of secondary player’s runs?
In my estimation yes they have but the settings feature can also improve that aspect of your team’s game as well, it really does depend on the class of players on your team. United work the 1,2, well where Stoke don’t for example. Very realistic.
Does every EPL team have their own Stadium?
No and this will always be a an area of frustration for me. By now I would think that every stadium in England, Spain, Italy and Germany should be in the game. Top league’s of course. Also, for a North American game release you would think more US and Canadian stadiums would be offered for those who are in to MLS. My biggest complaint has always been the omission of the Argentine league, and not having every club from the Euros, World Cup and Copa as well as Champions League. Yes I know they haven’t got the Champions League license but they could offer every team in the competition and let us set up the league. I’d dearly love to set up a 12 team Copa but only 8 teams from that region are available.
9) Have commentating been improved (i.e. do they discuss past events in season/league?
Not really. It’s still awfully repetitive but I do like listening to Andy Townsend. Makes you feel you are watching a real game. There is improvement but it is not major.
10) Has Manager Mode improved (sped up CPU game simulation time? better/faster transfer system? scouting? player improvements?)
Major improvement. Transfers actually take some doing now although I feel there is a bit too much movement by teams you don’t control. I am playing the Bundesliga right now and 30% of the players who start with certain teams are with others. But then again, it makes for interesting stuff. The transfer deadline day even has a clock that ticks down by the hour. I love the scouting and youth system feature and the interaction by players who are either happy or unhappy. Simulations are a bit faster as the old game used to have some snags where it would take 30 seconds for a simulation to start. Much better now. The overall league interface and look is much improved and is more colorful with better articles.
BONUS) What are your most/least favorite things about FIFA12 vs. FIFA11?
I love the close quarters control and dribbling but for me the best thing is being able to go to the settings option and tweak the way you want your team to play and set up as well as your opponent. Yes you can cheat and make your opponent virtually useless but I like to make them play realistically. If I am playing Stoke I expect a park the bus mentally with everyone far back but one lone striker way out front receiving long balls. You could not have this before. Tactically and strategically the game has much more to offer.
I also love the ball physics. Shots, crosses and passes all look more realistic and players perform much more closer to their real life counterparts. Last season Wesley Sneijder would struggle to get a few assists over 10 matches and his kicks were not the way I know them to be. This year he would be among the assists leaders and his goals would be way up because the best players truly look and act like the best now.
Also fatigue and morale play a significant role in how you manage a team. If somebody has been riding my bench for a long time, his performance is hindered by poor form and morale but if you stick with him and play him say twice or three times in a row his play improves as does his morale. Balancing the team play and morale is tough and it isn’t easy keeping everyone happy. While playing Dortmund I bought Berbatov and made him my number one striker over Lucas Barrios. This pissed off Barrios despite the fact he would get a start every three games ans come in as a super sub. After 12 matches Berba had 9 goals and Barrios 6 so I would think both would be happy. Barrios was not and all through the first half of the season his agent andhim were bitching and whining like Carlos Tevez until he flatly came out and demanded a transfer despite starting the previous game and scoring twice. So I sold him to City and ended up buying Marko Marin from Bremen to improve my wide play after Kasagawa was lost for three months due to injury and Grosskreutz form fell.
Man I just love this game. Football Manager still rules when it comes to depth and realism but FIFA is more fun, quicker and you get to see and be part of the play on the pitch. And Mario Goetze is Maradona in this game. Hope this write up was of use to you. Get the game, despite some flaws, it is a major overhaul and addicting as heroin Ronaldo winks.
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Thanks for the details!
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From RedCafe – Berba’s interview with Paddy Crerand:
Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has revealed he is happy and loves representing the club.
Despite finishing as last season’s joint-top Premier League scorer, Berbatov has struggled to get playing time and has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
However, the 30-year-old stressed he and his family are content with life in Manchester and that he fails to find a fault with the local cuisine and weather.
“I’m happy here,” Berbatov told MUTV. “My family is together in Manchester. I hear people complain about the weather, there’s nothing to do and the food.
“But, for me, it’s not like that. I play for a club I love, the biggest club, and everything else doesn’t matter.”
The Bulgarian also touched on the first time he learned that the Red Devils were interested in signing him through his agent Emil Danchev.
He added: “He called me to say we have interest from Manchester United. I said, ‘Don’t joke with me,’ but he said he was serious.
“So I was speechless. When the biggest club contacts you, it’s a big deal for me coming from a small country like Bulgaria.”
Shortly before joining Sir Alex Ferguson’s side on transfer deadline day three years ago, Manchester City reportedly lodged an offer for his signature, and Berbatov explained why he snubbed the blue half of Manchester.
“My mind was always set on joining Manchester United,” he said.
“How can you not go to United? I don’t play for money. I play for glory and winning championships.”?
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I fookin salute you with that attitude Berba – nobody quite like you anymore into todays game of MERCENARY greedy bastard footballers. Big pat on the back from me mate!
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Class act on and off the pitch.
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WTF is happening with Fletch – poor sod, after being riddled with viruses, the lad now has tonsillitis – something wrong in all this – Fletch is run down to say the least. Needs investigating as to why he is picking up all these different bugs on a consistent level. So all you who pick on Fletch for his lesser performances since the virus illness, please have a rethink as to why he is not back to his top performance best! With you Fletch!
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