Sep 21
United come through its acid test unscathed
This should quite easily be among the most breathtaking United matches in recent times. The drama, the talk going into the match, the punches being thrown pre-match between managers, fans and players alike, everything contributed into elevating the stakes to stratospheric proportions.
It was a derby after all, with three points to bag, but with so much talk, United and United fans would have absolutely hated losing this game much more than past derbies.
The match began at a frenetic pace; it took Rooney all of two minutes to open the scoring, keeping with his rich vein of form. For the first fifteen minutes, it was all United. The players played like this really mattered. After all, whilst a United win would mean status quo, a loss would make everyone in the press bleat about how City have “finally arrived”. That talk would be far too annoying for any supporter, and it’s good to see the players recognized that during the first fifteen minutes.
If there was one recurring theme that could characterize this match it was individual errors. Foster’s indecision — trying to be cute when an adherence to basic goal keeping fundamentals, of clearing the lines, would have worked — was brutally exploited by a certain Argentinian hobbit, who passed it to Barry to stroke it home. 1-1.
After that City gained the ascendancy during the half with Tevez going close; hitting the post. A Tevez goal would have made me absolutely sick, and I’m sure a lot of the fans in the stands who booed him at every opportunity would have felt the same. Thankfully we went into halftime, level, and hopefully, a Ferguson bollocking lying in wait.
Before we talk about events that were to follow, I must praise the manager for getting his tactics right. We didn’t accord the unnecessary respect we seem to give to any decent side at OT [like our 4-5-1 against Arsenal at home, for instance] 4-4-2 it was, and a fearless one at that. Park was more or less expected to do the defensive work, whilst Giggs started on the left.
We started the second half with much more purpose, ran City’s midfield ragged, Ryan Giggs, Darren Fletcher growing into colossal figures in the match; the two combining to score two of our four goals. Anderson also was impressive in lending urgency and steel to our midfield alongside Fletcher. It’s glaringly obvious now, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, our midfield looks far better with Fletcher in it. And he was everywhere, now even attacking the ball at full pelt in the box. We have been crying out for midfielders who can step up to share the goal scoring burden. Yesterday Fletcher did just that, and more.
To be fair, not much could be done about Bellamy’s first goal — it was a belter and a fabulous one. However, once we made it 3-2 with another Fletcher header, and winded down the clock, Ferdinand inexplicably looped the ball, in an attempt to be the footballing equivalent of cool as some of his rap idols, gifting the ball away with another counter attacking goal from Bellamy. Foster was beaten at his near post, but the fault squarely lay on Rio. I wouldn’t hound him for it; I’m sure he’s yet to fully recover from his injury. With Evans also playing on through pain in other games, with a dodgy ankle, we have some issues with our defence that needs sorting.
Much has been made out of the extra time given to United resulting in our injury time goal, but according to the MOTD2 analysis, Bellamy’s goal celebration took 56 seconds, the Carrick-Anderson substitution would add another thirty seconds thus giving us a total added time of 5:26. We scored at 5:27; a second later, which is not something Hughes should be mad about. What he should really be talking about was the mindless hoofing City’s defence resorted to in an attempt to see out the day, rather than holding on to the ball to run down the clock. High scoring derbies, are often a showcase for poor defending, whilst being great for the neutral. Yesterday was no different in that respect. We made some glaring individual errors which Ferguson was rightly angry about, but given the way we dominated the second half we would have scored 6-7 goals if not for Given’s late reaction saves. City were abject defensively, and it will take them a while to gel together as a back four.
It’s fantastic to see Michael Owen net the winner for us. We’ve swapped Tevez for Owen, saving us millions, but earning us absolute gold; in terms of Owen’s quality, if he can approach his form of old (and staying fit). I like the way we’ve handled him so far, nursing him onto the big stage rather than rushing him and expecting the world out of him. He gives us a different option, completely predatory in nature, and his experience and intelligent movement was the difference yesterday. Ferguson spoke about giving him more chances and it’s good to see him make the right noises ever since he joined United.
And finally, all praise must be reserved for Ryan Giggs. I wrote an article last week on the need for our old guard to call it quits, but I made a clear exception on Giggs. Today showed us why he still has a big role to play. I remain sceptical on his ability to play all ninety minutes on a regular basis. But he stood head and shoulders apart yesterday. The clear standout performer alongside Fletcher. He lacks the pace but his intelligence and ability to weave past players, as if in slow motion, was still on display — and almost surreal, in a way.
Three matches of real importance, i.e., Arsenal, Spurs and City, and nine points from the three. We eked out a win against Arsenal playing poorly. We beat Spurs in a commanding display, and we got the result against City despite the nervy nature of the contest. Chelsea as a threat loom large, following their thrashing of Spurs, but for now, we can be satisfied that we’ve passed our first acid test of this season.
Before I sign off, here’s the MOTD2 video of the derby, in full streaming goodness. Watch it before it’s taken down:
Manchester United v Manchester City
Related items from Red Rants:
- Test forum
- Preparing to beat Reading
- Anderson Glad to be Back
- Stoke City vs Manchester United: Preview
- United warmup for Arsenal with second half blitz
Tags: Match Reports
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Stephen: Go back watch the video and see where he is positioned. He is not in the ideal position or in a strong triple threat pose ready to jump or dive for a ball. As usual, he was caught with his pants down, out of position and slow to react. But yes, the blame still is 99% O’Shea’s as no keeper should ever take the blame for a goal like that. But great keepers give themselves a sliver of a chance at getting a finger or palm on the ball because they are awake and in better position.
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@Craig Mc: They may stroll around more than you like because they are playing a slower more Italian style of play like what Fergie has imposed on the main team. Remember, Macheda is Italian and comes from a culture where traditionally strikers do not run around like Carlos Tevez. They act much more like Berbatov. As for Welbeck, he should know better. I also think the lads may feel down because having seen both Ronaldo and Tevez go, they probably felt they would get more of a show than they have been given up to now. It’s natural for young kids to then mentally tune out. I wouldn’t worry about them too much. And De Laet should be starting for us as long as Brown is still not fit.
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@spizzy: 100% in agreement with you mate. Trust me you have way more allies on this than those few mystery men who still believe in Foster. They kind of remind me of US Republicans who lie through their teeth and say whatever they can to destroy Obama’s health care plan. Delusional and desperate but with no case for their position whatsoever. But they still do their thing and never give up hope that they will be vindicated in the end. KEEP DREAMING JOBRONIES! Lies, deceit, anger, skullduggery, whatever it takes for all of us to see that Ben Foster is a world class Sepp Maier waiting to happen.
It is truly comical and sad all in one. I don’t what they are taking but if it would make my back pain go away, I’d become addicted to it too. Even if it left me without any common sense or good taste. 
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@Beachryan: What? I heard through the grapevine and my local barber shop that the reason Ronaldo left was because Fergie told him Ben Foster was going to be our future #1. Ronaldo then got on the phone to Madrid and begged them to buy him as he felt he could no longer play for a manager that was willing to throw in the towel to our future.
Seriously mate, you have the right to support that useless pratt all you want and all the power to you. But you have no right whatsoever to tell others to fuck off and to even feel the sentiment because you are simply FLAT WRONG. Your position is simply not tenable right now. Perhaps if some miracle happens like one day Foster wakes up and looks at himself in the mirror and a goalkeeper looks back at him, then perhaps we all might jump on that lonely bandwagon. Until then, refrain from putting down others while you try to defend a forlorn position. But if you must defend a hopeless cause, be polite about it because nobody likes to have abuse thrown at them. You are too smart and to good a contributor on this blog to resort to that kind of crap.
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@Traverse: I have been down on Sparky for quite a while now. Simply because he is a Man Utd alumni who walks around with an aura of hatred and bitterness towards the club and towards Fergie especially. I do not know where this animosity comes from? He was like this when he was at Blackburn too. I can see a bit of a point from the perspective of Roy Keane but not from Sparky. This is why I love Steve Bruce. He always has a nice thing to say or a pleasant demeanor before and after a game towards the team and Fergie. Yes it’s about being professional and doing their job but above all, Hughes needs to remember that once United, always United and that his loyalty to his present club is one determined by nothing more than a paycheck. If that requires one to start acting like an asshole and lying through their teeth, then he is dead to me.
I used to be a huge Mark Hughes fan. And Mark Hughes owes everything to Fergie for making him a truly memorable striker in the game. Lowering himself to these antics and comments is just showing how classless he is and how hopeless his cause is. If I were him, I would look internally at his own inability to manage and ask why he has so many players suspended or pending suspension , why he cannot maintain discipline amongst that band of misfits and why his tactics were so useless and ridiculous to the point where they allowed United to take control of the second half. If Sparky is looking for someone to blame for that loss, well he hasn’t got far to go. Just look at yourself Sparky, you useless overrated git of a manager. Sold yourself and your soul to Satan, or was that a Sultan? You reap what you sew. One thing is for sure, Mark Hughes will definitely not be the replacement for Fergie at United. His inability to manage and his lack of loyalty have cost him dearly.
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@Beachryan: His injury history is definitely a negative but when healthy like in all of 2007-08, he was awesome. He was the best RB in all of Europe that year. Yes Maicon and Alves may have been more dynamic but none of them were as good positionally or as good defensively as him. And his crossing and decision making had really improved as well. I for one love Wes Brown but he needs to find the courage to play with a little pain because I’m sorry, whatever it is he has, cannot be so bad that it takes more than year to get over it. I mean Hargreaves may return before him and their injuries are not even comparable in terms of severity. He needs to toughen up a bit and fight through some discomfort. Some players are just not good at doing that. Louis Saha for example.
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@Craig Mc: Jake had no business on the pitch but yes 4-3 mate is classic. As for Bellamy, being a poor loser is really nothing new for that wanker now is it? He is a criminal right up their with modern street thugs and and perpetual recidivists. Professor Moriarty he aint.
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@Grognard: I can’t blame Sparky to be honest. Players and managers don’t think like fans necessarily. Also, he grew up a Chelsea fan, and a lot of his close associates say that he is more a Chelsea boy than a United one. He made his name for United, but he’s is far more real about football and tries to keep things straight as far as his football career goes.
I don’t mind him standing up to Ferguson. True his defending of Adebayor and Bellamy was ridiculous, but managers are myopic like that. I think Hughes, like a lot of ex-players/ managers doesn’t have the time to be caught up with what fans think of him, and I don’t begrudge him anything for the way he’s conducted himself. He’s the manager of our rivals, and I think it behooves him to behave in the way he has so far.
We view it from the point of fans, but I don’t think he does. So fair play to him.
He was and will continue to be a United legend as a player, and some of the abuse fans hurled at him lately would amuse him considering, as a player he was a thorough professional and gave everything. Never whined about the manager, never whined about the club etc. He’s been dignified for most part. And he recognises that fan memories can be too short which is why he doesn’t give a fuck about them anymore. I can completely understand his behaviour.
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Also the whole sold your soul to Satan bit by going to City, is a tad dramatic. Going to a cash rich club like City with big budget to manage is always going to be a step up over managing Blackburn Rovers. What does one expect? Wait till Ferguson retires and hold out hope that he’ll be rolled out a red carpet welcome into Old Trafford?
Hughes did what is right for his managerial career, and I can’t understand why people get so worked up over that.
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@Red Ranter: This post just made me lose a lot of respect for you RedRanter. If that sentiment wants to make you use expletives – fair enough. But I could NEVER agree with said sentiments you have posted about Mark Hughes. He will not be offered the United job, no way, and especially as SAF has a big say in his successor!
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@Grognard: At least he wasn’t beating up women this time, as is his usual practice Grog. See he only hits guys too if he had golf clubs as weapons, or if the guy LIKE JAKE is restrained and can’t fight back. And Lying Bastard Hughes says that the fan was aggressive in behaviour towards Bellamy. The TV pictures tell a total different story, and show Mark Hughes for the lying deceiver he has become. United have banned Jake for life, but we know how to get him into OT, and so do most United fans. Besides as Man Utd said, they can only ban and keep track on season ticket holders. They cannot stop fans buying from other fans, or the spivs! Bellamy has got away with a warning because of spineless and testicle less FA hierarchy. Who also gave Gary Nev a warning! Bloody typical.
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@Grognard: Everton are saying that Louis Saha is the all round complete striker, who has played a lot og games for them, and that he will get them 30 goals this season. Makes me wonder why United medical team couldn’t keep him fit, or did Saha give us a lot of kidology???
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@Craig Mc: Of course he’ll never be offered the United job. And I wouldn’t want him at United either. So I don’t understand what you’re trying to say?
Also, you don’t have to respect me. I’m ok with that.
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@Red Ranter:
Good, Good.
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Speaking of shit keepers, what happens when you have a really bad keeper and an equally shit striker? This
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Also, I think it’s time for people to move on to another thread. No particular reason, but just for everyone’s benefit, as newer threads load faster.
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@Red Ranter: I understand what you are saying and you are correct but he still should be showing his former boss and mentor a lot more respect. Be competitive and desire beating your mentor but being an asshole in the process is completely unnecessary and shows a lack of real class. And his defending of all his players borders on sociopathic because their crimes are not just poorly timed tackles. They are acts of violence and poor sportsmanship. But then again, it’s clear to me that Sparky knows nothing about sportsmanship.
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@Red Ranter: Of course it’s dramatic but I am looking at it from the point of view of a hard core loyalist supporter. Once United always United. United for life etc. You know what I mean? Nobody said I had to be reasonable about things. It irritates me greatly when players become traitors and go over to the enemy. Ince is a traitor, Tevez is a traitor, and hughes is a traitor. You need to go to teams that are not considered arch rivals of United. Shitty, Liverpool, Leeds, Arsenal and Chelsea to smaller degree are teams a former legend should never go play for or manage. It’s the principle of the thing.
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@Craig Mc: Banning that lad for life is a bit harsh. Yes he was on the filed but other than that, he didn’t harm anyone or throw anything. Ban him for the season but not for life. Another example of how United have lost touch with their base. A corporate monster, cold, clinical, unsympathetic and out of touch with it’s supporters.
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@Red Ranter: He still showed more mobility and dribbling skill than Foster. The striker kind of reminded me of Tevez circa 2008-09 I think.
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@Grognard: I hope that GMP take action and throw the book at this no-neck thug. The FA have no bollocks so unfortunately its down to the police to sort this mess out. The dick who ran onto the pitch was dealt with so why did Bellamy have to get involved? In case he was spat on from 20 yards? Yeah, right!
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Good article about Giggs performance…
But what I found more interesting was the comments, from Spurs fans, scousers, all and sundry acknowledging the class of the great one!
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16708_5573910,00.html
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@Grognard: You and I are hardcore loyalist supporters but it doesn’t apply necessarily to players and managers. It’s unreal of us to be expecting that kind of loyalty from players and managers. We don’t apply a blanket rule on players going to the other side. Ince, is a traitor not just because he moved to Liverpool, but because of his badge kissing and celebration in front of United fans — he rubbed it into us, which did it for fans.
Tevez wouldn’t have got the boos he did if he hadn’t whined his way out of Old Trafford and went about things silently instead.
Silvestre moved to Arsenal, but he still got a warm reception from United fans.
Hughes went to Chelsea but always got a good reception. And if history books are right, Denis Law continues to be a legend despite playing for City and scoring a goal that relegated us. So there is enough evidence that football fans can be reasonable. Which means we don’t always have to throw our intelligence into the dustbin, just because a player moves to the other side. Every case is subjective. Ronaldo moving to any Prem club other than us would have been unacceptable because it wouldn’t make sense. Tevez moving to City would have still not been a problem and fans would have pinned it on Fergie had Tevez not whined like a woman. And if Ruud is to move to any big four club today (perhaps other than Liverpool), I’m sure he will not get a chorus of boos.
Just saying a player becomes a villain merely by moving over to the other side is actually very simplistic way of viewing it. I’m sure had Tevez not whinged one bit, and moved to City he’d still have your sympathy.
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@Grognard: Harsh is a bit of an understatement Grog. Its total bollocks from Management. A season would have been long enough! He didn’t do anything except celebrate Owens goal – though he should have kept off the pitch. Bellamy walked 10 yards to attack him, and Hughes and Bellamy have the audacity to lie thru their back teeth and say the fan spat at Bellamy, and was aggressive and Bellamy defended himself. How can Hughes keep on lying like that when the TV pictures show his lies for what they are. He is so hardfaced. He is losing every bit of respect he ever had, and its not just United fans!
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I don’t know what went wrong with Saha. I was a huge Saha fan. I think our best forward partnership ever was Rooney and Saha in Ruud’s last season at the club. No doubt he’ll score lots of goals for Everton but he could just never stay fit for us. Maybe it was the medical staff, maybe it was terrible bad luck, but one thing I will say-when Saha was fit he was a class act and I would take a fit Saha over Berbatov any day. Of course the reality was he couldn’t stay fit for United and that is a shame. Looks like Hargreaves is going the same way.
I for one cannot wait till Edwin comes back. And at the end of the season I expect us to use some of the Ronaldo cash to buy a top tier striker. The obvious choice would be Neuer and I don’t care if it costs us £20 million. It is money well spent.
By the way I heard a rumour we have been taking a look at Hamsik. Anyone know much about him?
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@Red Ranter: I think I agree with most of what you say…, logically and rationally. I mean there’s not mush to argue about really.
But fandom, is really not a rational pursuit is it??
I must admit that I was surprised at myself this past WE, with how tight I was emotionally wound and I think my wife gave me a strange sideways glance, when at 10am, I was jumping up and down like a chimpanzee on crack, yelling….
“STICK THAT ONE UP YOUR KAISER, SPARKY”
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@colver: Hamsik is a class player mate, seen him a good few times in the past and its clear hes a top player, just needs a move to a bigger club imo to really show his potential. However if fergie really is looking to bring in a new AM then i would put the names gourcoff and also david silva who can play there above him. Its nothing against hamsik cos he is a class player but ive seen more of these 2 and i think both are ahead of him right now but then youve got to say these 2 would cost upto and over the £20m mark whereas im sure hamsik would be alot lower in value.
My personal choice would be david silva because he offers versatility, his main role is as a LM but he can perform equally as good in the iniesta role in the middle so hes a great all round player. I do hope though if were serious about strengthening in that area and silva is the player we have in mind that we bring him in january because im sure once silva has an outstanding world cup with spain his price is just going to rocket.
Same goes with a keeper too, adler, neuer, akinfeev have all been mentioned here and theyre all excellent keepers and i wouldnt mind out of which of those we ended up with, i just hope we do see a bit of business in january because with the world cup coming up as normal players values absolutely rocket and i dont want to hear the manager again going on about missing players like silva, neuer and akinfeev because he believes they arent worth the money, bring them in january and we can avoid the summer prices.
So anyway back to answer your question hamsik is a real talent and i would be happy if we brought him in because hes an improvement on what we have, but imo hes not the best option out there but im sure its all paper talk anyway.
Anyway night all
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@Craig Mc: I think the FA puts a huge amount of pressure on clubs to punish offenders severely.
If a club has a record of dealing with these issues lightly, the league could impose something really severe – like a Points Deduction.
I really don’t think they had much choice, mate!!
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@Matt: Someone asked earlier in the thread whether Silva would be cup tied for the CL and I’m pretty sure he would, because he’s played in the new Europa Cup.
So January would be unrealistic to sign him. Hopefully in the summer though!!
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@Redrich: I am sure almost every fan watching the game with the wifey, sisters, mothers, gfs, or clueless americans would get a glance or two as Owen tucked the shot into the bottom corner.
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@Redrich:
I completely lost the plot. Didn’t realise how wound-up I was and started behaving like some petulant school-kid. I was flicking the V-signs at Sparky as he was moaning at the fourth official right at the final whistle even though we’d won. 
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: Careful there buddy, my wife’s American!!
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Apparently no love lost between Fergie and Sparky (sound’s like a cute children’s hour show, doesn’t it!
) so no wonder at the fireworks this past WE.
I look forward to the next round, with baited breath!!
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@Red Ranter: This badge kissing nonsense doesn’t bother me. It’s symbolic horseplay. Actually physically getting up and going to play for an enemy team is what is unforgivable, not them kissing a stupid crest on a shirt. What’s worse, Kim Philby being a traitor to his country and defecting to the USSR or him kissing the Soviet flag? When you play a long time for a team like United, you become part of the culture and the tradition. Things are expected of you both on and off the pitch and will always follow you even after you retire. I cannot get mad at a player who is no longer wanted by our club who signs with somebody else, but to sign with one of a handful of enemies is strictly forbidden in my books. And that’s what has happened here. I cannot begrudge Brucey or Keano for going after jobs to further their managerial career but those lads are United thru n thru and must therefore never ever sign to manage Arsenal, Liverpool or Shitty. It’s not too much to ask. Professionals look at things differently than the fans perhaps, but they should not be so removed from what it means to be part of this great team.
Michael Owen. Is he a traitor for having signed with us? Well some Scousers may think so because he was a Liverpool legend. But here is the thing, Rafa and Liverpool cut him loose. They didn’t want him so he went and struggled in Purgatory for five seasons until SAF came calling. As far as I am concerned, it is Liverpool that betrayed him. It’s a thorny issue but I just feel that long time players for a club need to be more understanding and sympathetic to the history and traditions of the club and to respect the club and it’s followers by always showing loyalty, no matter what. And if they take a job elsewhere fine, but never ever say a negative thing about United or our manager or players.
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@Craig Mc: I’d like to know what punishments others who have walked on the pitch over the years have gotten? If they all got lifetime bans then it’s simply a case of walking on the pitch. But when the lad doesn’t actually do anything to bring about Bellamy’s hostility, then I am not certain why that warrants a lifetime ban. Had Bellamy ignored him and moved on meant that the fan gets off with a slap on the wrist. It’s Bellamy who is the real criminal here and he is the one who should be banned. Had the lad spit on him or threw something at him, then that’s different. But he never did that. If I was that guy, I’d take United to court to get the ban rescinded.
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@Matt: Gourguff is an interesting choice because I think he could be had. Fergie has always had a very good relationship with his former CB Laurent Blanc and that relationship could pave the way for getting a player like that. But i still would prefer Silva myself.
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@Redrich: I don’t see how that is being cup tied if he is playing in a competition that doesn’t involve United. I could be wrong but I do not think he is cup tied unless he moves to a team that is in the competition like Villa for example.
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@Cyclops-Red: Truthfully, I really hate it when a former player I used to love gives me reason to just hate him. He was such a great and true player for us for so many years and now, I too just want to flip him the finger every chance I get. I never felt that way about him when he was with Blackburn.
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@Redrich: Pretty sad really. I also think it’s unfortunate that Fergie left early because he is the one that always goes on about drinking wine with fellow managers and being hurt if they do not stick around to indulge in a bottle with him. On that count, Fergie is guilty but it’s also very evident that Sparky is carrying some very heavy baggage along with him.
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@Grognard: OK, I went onto Eufa.com and they say that if you play in any Euro competition for one team, then you cant play for another team in anything other than the stupid Supercup. or whatever they want to call it.
I’m really not sure about this, but it was my take on it!
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@Grognard: I think that the managers can get involved in a little extra-rational curriculum too.
It has to do with their ego’s, and of course which one is the biggest.
No wonder we fans have a field day during these battles!!
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@Grognard: It’s not the act of badge kissing itself — it’s what it represents. It’s one thing to switch clubs (in Ince’s case he was cut loose by Ferguson and he moved to Liverpool via Inter) it’s completely another to taunt the ex-fans.
And expecting the likes of Keane, Bruce and Hughes to never manage Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea or City is too much to ask. If the United seat is not empty, you are denying them the chance to manage a very big club just so that it doesn’t blot the copybook of us fans? How is that even reasonable?
You’re argument is also a little confusing because you say, you’re ok with a player signing for another club if he’s not wanted by us, but they still should not sign for our rivals. What if he has a choice between Liverpool and Hull City? Any player in their right mind would go for a Champions’ League club.
I agree with your argument that they shouldn’t be bad mouthing the club and the manager, and on that count I think Mark Hughes has crossed several lines.
Personally, I am ok with players and managers doing what’s right for their career as long as they conduct themselves with dignity and professionalism on matters relating to their ex-clubs where they made their names.
But while I have been a bit annoyed with some of the stuff from Hughes, I don’t really have much of a problem with him moving to City. Or even Liverpool for that matter. It would have been a problem for me had there been a choice between us and one of our rivals.
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@Redrich: I think in the heat of the moment every fan is prone to such emotion. And I think it’s perfectly normal for such an irrational behaviour. That’s what defines fandom. But I think far from that in a sobered up state there is room for rational thinking and logical debating (I guess this site allows for such pursuits)
As a principle I look at the circumstances/motivations which causes a player/manager to move away from our club, to form my opinions on them rather than following a blanket policy of: player X moves to rivals = BAD. player X stays in club or moves to lesser club = GOOD. That’s all. 
Again, that’s just how I look at players/managers in the game, and I’m not telling anyone that this is the best way.
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@Grognard: Really??, I just love all the rivalry and banter. The passions it raises make me feel alive and aware that I’m still breathing this game.
Being a sports fan makes everyone feel love and hatred. Sometimes alternatively and quite often simultaneously. The idea of it all makes us passionate in our lives and passionate people make for a better world.
This game becomes a microcosm of our lives. Lots of failure, success, disappointment and elation. It’s what we are and what we want. The passion to succeed and the compassion for those that don’t.
You can read it in these posts, and you can see it on the pitch!!
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@Red Ranter: I know mate, but it’s probably gonna take a while for us all to sober up!!
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@Redrich: I think I am enjoying City’s rejuvenation under Hughes. The atmosphere appeared absolutely mindblowing from my living room. We have a real local derby rivalry which is fabulous for the Premier League as a whole. Bring em on I say.
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@Red Ranter: Amen, brother!!
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@Redrich: my wife is from the US of A as well. I still get made fun of/get glances when my emotions collide with footie in real time — it is not just a game, now is it?
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@[OPTI]Madschester United: I guess my wife and I wouldn’t categorize Americans as clueless mate. Even if they haven’t yet become generally clued in to “the game”.
You probably mean no malice, but you should be careful with those sweeping generalizations.
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@Beachryan: Stooping a bit low there, your lucky i got a thick skin and can take your juvenile comments and still laugh otherwise I’d diss your ben hoaxster loving ass so bad you’d wish you’d been aborted.
Ben foster fans are sooooo fickle it’s embarrassing, The guy makes so many errors it’s unbearable.I have heard of seeing the positives in everything, a silver lining in a dark cloud but seriously at some point, fans just have to acknowledge when a player just sucks. with ben you just know he’s going to screw up at some point. I for one I’m tired of people giving him the benefit of doubt, he is shite and the worst keeper to wear the united badge. I wouldn’t be suprised to learn he’s from liverpool, because he has excellent knee jerk reaction but when faced with a situation where he has to think of his next move, the gerbil firing up his brain just cant get the brain working. It seems as he gets his experience he seems to forget the basic’s, so minute is his brain it can’t handle new information and still keep the old.
And as long as EVDS is out, I have to suffer through his mistakes cause his supporters figure that time will eventually make him better, well newsflash, you can give him a year, even ten and he will never be good, and I can assure you ben foster just doesn’t have it in him to be a good keeper. And where is Dan, he is ben foster fan number 1, but he’s been a little quite lately
I love berbatov but if he continues with his rich goal scoring form i’ll have to denounce my love and get on his case.
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