Reload Machine Gun!

No more Misfire tonight! Let's reload our machine gun and smash Fulham...... 5-0

Remembering Frank Swift

I didn't know a City player died in the Munich crash, until I saw the banners in the stands. What a fitting tribute then, last night's derby victory was to the former-number-one-turned-journo Frank Swift. Looking him up, I learned he was famous for single handed saves and for fainting after the 1934 FA cup victory, overcome with emotion. Sounds like a likable guy. He was also in the City side that won the league championship in 1937.

It is okay for me to gloat now?

Total Misfire

Pathetic way to end a week of commemoration of the Munich air crash. A special day ruined by the players who chose to misfire at the worst of times, in every sense.

Disastrous...I'm just lost for words. Did we lose focus on playing football in the midst of all the stuff going on this week? Sad, sad day.

This is a sore one and why the hell does it have to be City. But all credit to them who came into a supposedly tough fixture with great professionalism (unlike United). They had a game plan and they executed it to great effect and took their chances when it came (courtesy of some really shite play by United). They were organised and played efficiently and within themselves. Something that can't be said about United's play on the day.

Now the title is out of United's hands. Even if we beat Arsenal at home and stay undefeated (so much for all that undefeated talk aye Rio? Next time back up your words with actions) we'll need Arsenal to drop points, which looks hard to come by the way they are consistently racking up points.

Knee-jerk reactions: Tottenham Hotspurs vs Manchester United, English Premier League (and also the mid-week match against Portsmouth)

I didn't manage to catch the match against Pompey because over where I live, it was during unholy hours of the morning. But, from what I could gather, it was 15 minutes of football and then followed by 75 minutes of training exercise. Such was United's domination of a hapless Pompey. The Ginger Wizard was back, running the midfield like he owned it and it seemed like he was never away. Carrick had his best performance this season (probably due to playing next to Scholesy again). And we absolutely owned the ball and the middle of the park. Of course, Ronnie put his hand into his magic hat and pulled out 2 more goals, one of which was an awesome freekick. By all accounts, it could and should have been 6 - 0.

Highlights below;

Man Utd v Portsmouth
Uploaded by gunner300

 

After that, during the weekend, United strolled into White Hart Lane, probably expecting the same Spurs they faced last week in the FA Cup. Boy were they in for a shock.

After the FA Cup tie, I commented here that Tottenham didn't seem to believe they could beat us, despite playing well and scoring first. Well, this time around they certainly couldn't be accused of that. All credit to Spurs, they came out with a game plan and just about executed it to perfection. Aggressive and positive from the start. They got into United's face and never allowed us to get into our rhythm. Everyone of the Spurs players, competed all throughout the pitch, pressing at all times. Apart from the first 15 minutes and last 10 minutes or so, United were seriously unsettled and never got anything going. The first goal, really was just reward for Spurs hard work.

The period after the first goal was very very unnerving. I thought we were going to concede another one or worse, get someone sent off. It wasn't helped by the woeful refereeing by Mark Clattenburg, who has certainly made it into Sir Alex's top 10 shit list by now. What a shocker he had and not for the first time. So I was praying we got to half time only a goal down and with 11 guys still on the pitch.

I was sure Fergie would make some changes, at the 60th minute mark if not at half time. Part of the problem is again Owen Hargreaves, whom I have criticised on more than one occasion. His snarling, all action, tackling-anything-that-moves approach may be what he is best at, but I can't help but notice that everytime he plays in the middle of a 4-4-2, our midfield goes missing. We would be unable to retain the ball and control possession. Passing would go to pieces and we wouldn't be able to generate any sustained momentum going forwards. Leaving ourselves vulnerable to opponents applying pressure on our defence. It also wasn't very helpful that our players all sort of lost their composure, which was surprising considering United had 2 veterans in Scholes and Giggs on the pitch. It is at times like these that you expect Scholes and Giggs (especially because he's the skipper) to calm things down.

Maybe Sir Alex thinks the same, because he swapped Hargreaves for Carrick, and later Scholes and Giggs for Anderson and Nani. Only then did we start to impose ourselves on the game and applied pressure on the Spurs defence. Tottenham, again to their credit, were still fighting hard everywhere and came close on a number of occasions. But United, slowly but surely ratcheted up the pressure till finally we broke Spurs resistance and hearts with a goal way deep into added time.

I wouldn't say United were at their best but part of the reason was definitely because of Spurs giving it a huge go. I felt we were a bit surprised to find Tottenham playing like that which is probably why we panicked a bit.

Being a long time United fan, I certainly held the believe that it ain't over till the fat lady sang, and I'm glad I kept the faith right ill the end when Tevez scored. I felt (and Fergie did as well) that it was 1 point saved instead of 2 dropped considering all things. And we'll probably look back, at the end of the season, that this was one vital vital point saved. Championships are defined from matches like this when you get something out of nothing.

Highlights from the game;

Late, hungover and slightly delayed knee-jerk reactions: Manchester United vs Tottenham Hotspurs, FA Cup 4th Round

VS

As you can see, our logo is bigger than theirs.

Anyway, some thoughts about the game.

One, Spurs were good but also slightly shit. It is the reason why they continue to be also rans despite having a pretty good squad full of talent. They never really, really believed they could beat us. Yes it sounds crazy especially when they could have won (if Jenas didn't have the finishing ability of a camel) but despite United being slightly off colour and Spurs being very much in the match (and scoring the early goal), they never went for our jugular. Instead, you sort of get the feeling they were contented to get anything out of the match rather than focusing fully on beating United. I mean, its an FA Cup tie. They've got nothing to lose. I know they're in the Carling Cup final but that's a Mickey Mouse trophy compared to the FA Cup. They should have went out there and left it all out on the pitch. If they had did that, on a day United looked very much beatable, they would have gone through to the next round. Somehow it seemed like they were contented with their work earlier against Arsenal and thought this match was bonus and it would alright if they lose, so long as they tried.

Wrong attitude and a BIG reason why Tottenham continue to be underachievers. A lack of a winners attitude. Compare that to Liverpool. It isn't that they are that good or better than the Spurs but the bin dippers somehow misguidedly think they're one of the best teams around. It is this deluded believe that they can beat any team on a given day that allows them to do well in cup competitions, despite them actually being a crap mediocre team, as the league table shows.

Two, like I said, United were a bit off colour. We started slow off the blocks and it took Robbie Keane's goal to shock us into action. Even then there's a bit of misfiring going on all over the pitch. Defence a bit disorganised at times, midfield goes missing at times and forwards still making the wrong decisions and giving the ball away (more on why later). The 3 - 1 scoreline definitely flattered us as it was much closer than that.

Three, Hargreaves, Hargreaves, Hargreaves. Somebody needs to remind him what his primary job is. He is the midfield enforcer/anchorman and he shields the back four. He's supposed to break up play, tackle/foul/kick people, win the ball and play the simple ball to his teammates. Sure he can join the attack, SOMETIMES, but not at the price of leaving the Grand fucking Canyon down the middle for the opponents to exploit. This has happened for several times he's played. It compounds matters when he gets creative and loses the ball doing it and we are left dangerously outnumbered on a counter attack. It's like he thinks he's Paul Scholes. His position and awareness has been poor to say the least. It seems like he just runs after the man with the ball regardless. I mean, being a defensive midfielder isn't just about throwing yourself at anything that moves like a maniac, which is what Hargreaves is doing. Maybe he's trying to impress the new England boss and overdoing it, who knows. He definitely need to learn how to play more with his head, rather than just his feet.

Four, again it shows just how important it is to have continuity at the back. Vidic goes down with the flu, Brown steps in and you could see immediately that him and Rio lack understanding. Many times not knowing what his partner is doing/going to do. It isn't Brown or Rio's fault, they certainly didn't play poorly. There just needs to be consistency to the entire defensive unit because organisation and discipline is so much more important there than anywhere else.

Five, Evra didn't have the best of games. For once he was exposed against speedy little Aaron Lennon who gave him a torrid time. Not entirely his fault as he should have had cover coming in from midfield (Hargreaves again). You could see he was knackered when he got subbed. This is also the first time I've seen Evra having problem's with a winger's pace. He's been solid and consistent just about all the time and he's also a real threat down the left flank. Evra's been a revelation so far and probably is the best left back in the league. Genuinely top class bloke as well.

Six, the Ginger Prince is BACK!!! Love to see him back in action and he looks like he was never away, pinging passes from all over the park and also doing the customary of giving the ball away in front of his own 18 yard box. Now all he needs to do is get needless bookings for badly mistimed tackles, hehehe. I just love Scholesy. Having him back for the run in is fantastic, with his experience and unquestioned quality. Only thing is, what's our centre midfield pairing going to be like? More headache for Fergie.

Seven, it is absolutely great to have Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo up front at the same time, 3 genuine world class, match winners. Anyone, of them would score and change the match. 2 of them could be on an off day and somebody would still pop up with the goods. In fact, all 3 could be on a off day (God forbid!) and they could still impact a match with a moment of quality or just for being on the pitch because they attract so much of the opponents defensive effort. Just like against Spurs, when Ronnie and Rooney were misfiring and the link up play (especially on the counter) just isn't as slick as it should be. Up pops Tevez for the equaliser.

Finally, it was always going to be Arsenal, wasn't it? Fergie knew it and we all knew it. 3 Premier League sides in a row. Somebody must really "love" United to come with with that draw. Oh well, since we were going to have to beat them bastards sooner or later anyway.

Here's the highlights from the game;

Up next, United turn their attentions back to the league. Pompey as usual, would be a tough opponent. A win is essential. United have got to let the 2 pretenders to the throne know who's boss and that all roads to trophies go through Old Trafford. The team will have to bring it, every single time they step on to the pitch. The games come thick and fast now. It is squeaky bum time!

"I zidn't zee ze inzedent!" - Monsieur Wenger

Taken from associated press and Al Jazeera;

BBC: "So your own players are having an altercation on the pitch whilst play was stopped"
Wenger insisted: "I did not know anything about it. I didn't see it."
BBC: "But there was a melee on the pitch involving several players and the referee"
Wenger: "I did not know anything about it. I didn't see it."
BBC: "But we have camera shots of you shouting in the direction of the players during the altercation and have had these analysed by lip readers. It is clear that you shout..
"Please my boys, I need you to stop as it will look like the teams doing a Keagan"
Wenger: "I did not know anything about it. I didn't see it."

Arsene Wenger in typical form there. Unfortunately for him, the whole world saw what he didn't.

Are Arsenal the worst losers in sport?

Fans have grown used to Wenger whimpering in defeat like a spoiled child who’s had his lollipop snatched, but after last night’s 5-1 thrashing by Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup he hit a new nadir for incredible childish excuses.

Asked whether the trophy was a priority, he retorted: “Not at all frankly.” Considering he had fielded the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor, William Gallas and Gilberto, it was about as believable as his suggestion that (and excuse us if you’ve heard this one before) he didn’t see Adebayor head-butting Nicklas Bendtner, that the scoreline was unfair on his team and that all Tottenham did was hit his side on the break. Magnanimous it was not.

Is that even a question? Ask Wenger about it and he'll probably say he didn't see what you're talking about.

Let's all laugh at Liverpool

Good one this, Manchester United fans hate Liverpool? No need - they're no longer rivals!

In other words, is the hatred that exists between the two sides now somewhat redundant as they are, in many ways, no longer actual rivals? With Liverpool now 14 points back in the race for the title and 17 long years past their last league success, clearly something has gone wrong in the past few years. Sure Rafa has won cups, including the Champions League in 2005, but let’s face it, the two teams are a world apart.

You'll walk home alone...weeping.