Glory Glory Man U?
Ask a Man United fan their prediction for this season and most will say “The Treble, again!”
The idea of Man U doing the treble seems laughable, even for me, a Man U fan (I would be really happy if they do pull off the treble). Football however unpredictable isn’t undecipherable.
Man U’s fixtures after the Christmas don’t seem too good. They have to play away games at Stamford Bridge, The Millennium Stadium, Anfield and Fratton Park. Yes, Fratton Park as well. Portsmouth will give Man U a good run for their money on their home ground, but I don’t see Man U not winning that. It’ll be a good game unless Portsmouth plays really badly.
Ask a Man United fan their prediction for this season and most will say “The Treble, again!”
The idea of Man U doing the treble seems laughable, even for me, a Man U fan (I would be really happy if they do pull off the treble). Football however unpredictable isn’t undecipherable.
Man U’s fixtures after the Christmas don’t seem too good. They have to play away games at Stamford Bridge, The Millennium Stadium, Anfield and Fratton Park. Yes, Fratton Park as well. Portsmouth will give Man U a good run for their money on their home ground, but I don’t see Man U not winning that. It’ll be a good game unless Portsmouth plays really badly.
Daunting Task : Stamford Bridge
Man U have already lost their home game to Arsenal. A goal by Emmanuel Adebayor (yes, one single solitary goal) sealing their fate. Arsenal haven’t yet lost at their new stadium, which isn’t good reading for Man U.
The home game against Chelsea was an “even Steven” game at 1-1. A costly error by full back Gabriel Heinze costing them 3 points, which allowed Ricardo Carvalho to head the ball in.
I may hate Chelsea for staying so close to Man U’s heels, but their master tactician, Jose Mourinho will never EVER let them lose a home game, especially one so crucial. So let us just assume Man U forfeits three points there.
Anfield is a fortress. Sure, Arsenal penetrated that fortress. However Jersey Dudek was keeping and I think that was what cost them. Rosicky’s goals seemed savable. Gerrard (Stevie G himself) didn’t go for the block. A piss poor performance by Liverpool that day, still they’re unbeaten at home in the premiership. Not good reading for Man U again.
Man U’s victories seem to depend on the man on fire. Stand up Cristiano Ronaldo. The game against Wigan was proof enough. I don’t think Wigan is exactly a weak team, nevertheless, the first eleven that Sir Alex played should have at least scrounged one goal. Yet they didn’t. SAF realizing his mistake, took off Darren Fletcher (I don’t know what he does to Man U’s attack, but obviously not very much) and brought on Ronaldo, who scored twice in that game (okay one was a penalty and Park may have scored if he wasn’t brought down).
The home game against Chelsea was an “even Steven” game at 1-1. A costly error by full back Gabriel Heinze costing them 3 points, which allowed Ricardo Carvalho to head the ball in.
I may hate Chelsea for staying so close to Man U’s heels, but their master tactician, Jose Mourinho will never EVER let them lose a home game, especially one so crucial. So let us just assume Man U forfeits three points there.
Anfield is a fortress. Sure, Arsenal penetrated that fortress. However Jersey Dudek was keeping and I think that was what cost them. Rosicky’s goals seemed savable. Gerrard (Stevie G himself) didn’t go for the block. A piss poor performance by Liverpool that day, still they’re unbeaten at home in the premiership. Not good reading for Man U again.
Man U’s victories seem to depend on the man on fire. Stand up Cristiano Ronaldo. The game against Wigan was proof enough. I don’t think Wigan is exactly a weak team, nevertheless, the first eleven that Sir Alex played should have at least scrounged one goal. Yet they didn’t. SAF realizing his mistake, took off Darren Fletcher (I don’t know what he does to Man U’s attack, but obviously not very much) and brought on Ronaldo, who scored twice in that game (okay one was a penalty and Park may have scored if he wasn’t brought down).
Man of the Moment - Cristiano Ronaldo
Paul Scholes is another player who will have an impact on Man U’s performance this season (he has had an impact on their performance every season actually). If Scholes plays well, he controls Man U’s game (except for their tackling of course).
Man U’s previous game, the FA Cup fixture against Villa was close. I absolutely drooled over some of Henrik Larsson’s touches and moves, but something was missing. Paul Scholes didn’t play that match and Ronaldo seemed to be off touch. Something was missing about his game. Sure he ran in, ran out, crossed in, crossed out, step over, step under, step right, step left, blah blah blah, but still he lacked that magical touch of his (otherwise we would have seen him scoring, or at least creating a spectacular goal).
Perennial - Paul Scholes
Wayne Rooney was by far the most wasteful player of the game. He had many shots and didn’t capitalize even once. The only worthwhile thing he did was when he squared up Larsson for his shot. Rooney surely, is more a creative player than a finisher; his goal scoring record this season will prove that. I think that’s what happens when you play alongside Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Louis Saha, both of whom are deadly goal scorers.
Man U’s got a problem with their defence as well. Yes, Vidic is a fantastic find, nobody would deny it. He’s a threat from set pieces and brings about solidity to the defence as well. Lets just see who’s come on in if for example one of the defenders get injured or suspended (God forbid). Right back, we have JOHN O SHEA! Brilliance, what a dynamic player (sarcasm). Center Half we have WES BROWN (hmm..) and MIKAEL SILVESTRE (the most useless person to play Center Half, actually it’s a close call between him and Khalid Boulahrouz, and maybe even Boumsong, Bramble could also fall into this category).
The only good replacement they have in defence is in the left back position. Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze. Both are prone to mistakes. They’re not exactly brilliant Maldini standards or anything, but they’re good enough, come up with overlaps and stuff. Speaking of overlaps, its hard to tell whether Gary Neville is a midfielder a Right Forward or a Right back.
Total Football? Hardly.
Man U’s got a problem with their defence as well. Yes, Vidic is a fantastic find, nobody would deny it. He’s a threat from set pieces and brings about solidity to the defence as well. Lets just see who’s come on in if for example one of the defenders get injured or suspended (God forbid). Right back, we have JOHN O SHEA! Brilliance, what a dynamic player (sarcasm). Center Half we have WES BROWN (hmm..) and MIKAEL SILVESTRE (the most useless person to play Center Half, actually it’s a close call between him and Khalid Boulahrouz, and maybe even Boumsong, Bramble could also fall into this category).
The only good replacement they have in defence is in the left back position. Patrice Evra and Gabriel Heinze. Both are prone to mistakes. They’re not exactly brilliant Maldini standards or anything, but they’re good enough, come up with overlaps and stuff. Speaking of overlaps, its hard to tell whether Gary Neville is a midfielder a Right Forward or a Right back.
Total Football? Hardly.
2 comments:
Well well, that's another thing that I didn't know about u. I thought that u were a cricket fan. But ur knowledge of football is excellent and ur analysis is 95% on the mark. I disagree with some of the them though. Anyways, looks good.
a good review u surprised me as i neva new u write so well ( u only talk high abt it) good job man and keep up
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