This is my first ever blog post. Woo! Let's see how this goes...
So last night was our first round leg against Chelsea. Before the game I wasn't really sure what to expect given we haven't won down there in so many years & have had countless decisions against us too. Nonetheless we didn't deserve to lose there in the league so I was more optimistic we could get something than pessimistic.
Supporters
Once again, as always, our away support was fantastic! I love watching away games on Sky listening to all our songs & being able to pick all words "We'll do what we want". "Who's that *** from Argentina, who's that money...". Do you think our fans will also get banned for swearing on camera? Probably given the recent "RESPECT" campaign.
Overview & team line-up
Anyway back to the game. Rio back (more on that below) and great to Chicharito given the nod. Not a fan of Berbatov despite is 20+ goals. Besides the scousers selling an injury prone, over-rated Spaniard for £50m to Chelsea buying the little mexican was the singing of the season. I remember sending my dad a text the day he scored against Argentina in their 3-1 defeat saying "Fergie's found a gem & the signing of the world cup". We definitely need a song. If any-one warrants a song from this season that doesn't already have one it has to be him! He always offers a different dimension up-front & I get tired watching him sprint!
The game
Every player played well - Rio back in action again was great to see & as good as Smalling has been (and he has been very good) to have Rio was back could see us home. I did see a cheeky little image of a certain Torres raising his hands at Rio during one point but I guess UEFA will fail to investigate this coz that's what they do. We started shaky but played well throughout. I'm not the biggest fan of Michael Carrick - never have been - but his performance in the centre of the park last night was his best in a red shirt for a considerable amount of time!!! Rafael, Vidic, Evra, The work-horse Park, Hernandez all WORKED for the team. I remember in the second half Hernandez lost the ball and chased back 45 yeards to win it back & a free-kick. Commitment & one which sums up every players commitment. We looked like we WANTED TO WIN - a far cry from Hull & Liverpool a few weeks back.
Giggsy
"Ryan Giggs, playing in central midfield, was simply peerless. His stamina, his pace, his unyielding commitment to the cause would be exemplary in a 27 year old. In a man ten years older, they deserve to be the subject of scientific investigation."
Quite rightly so.
Wazza
So now onto Mr. Rooney. In my opinion whatever he gets up to in his personal life is his choice. HOWEVER, when its affecting his performance on the pitch it becomes a problem to me and millions of us out there. I'm not going to patronise anybody by running through his actions the past 12 months as I'm sure we've all heard the stories. But, the past few weeks - I guess since THAT volley - he's been back to playing similar to the Wayne of old. His hat-trick at weekend was world class, especially the second goal. A strikers instinct was re-born. Envisage pass, 1st touch past defender, 2nd shoot across keeper. 2-2 & game-on What he did after that I guess is something we could debate for hours.
Last night however, it was finally like watching somebody ENJOY his football again. Gone was the recent "I'm pissed off with the world & it owes me something" attitude - he even smiled when he scored! I can't remember the last time he looked "happy" after playing & scoring. The goal itself was great football to watch. Terrific pass from Carrick (first time for everything in a season) The defining moment was Giggsys touch - 20 years of professional football shows its class - with that first-time, 3 yard touch past a mesmerised defender & perfect square ball to the man of the moment. I went a bit mental when that went in I'm not gonna lie. Needs must.
Penalty?
The penna was... a penalty no matter how much Fergie "hasn't seen it yet" or Evra defends it BUT remember the Fletcher hand-ball that wasn't 2 years ago, numerous crap offsides against us & most recently the curly haired prick snapping at Rooney off the ball a few weeks ago that warranted a second yellow & thus a red card? What goes around comes around & Chelsea need to accept that. Little Frank Jr. almost popped up with his typical deflection/easy chance goal in the first half but for Evra's heroics. Either way WE WON & go into the second leg 1-0 up with the home advantage. That may suit Chelsea given they need to attack us but our home form is as good as anyones in the world & I'd be pretty upset if we threw this away.
Finally...
Overall, a fantastic performance that, although may not send shudders around Europe such as Barca, Real & Schalkes emphatic wins, it still puts us in the drivers seat!!!!
I guess around 21:35 next tuesday we'll know where we stand in this competition...
It's refreshing to come away with two away games with wins for the first time in too long. It's more refreshing to not only see the starting line up...but the strength in depth on the bench and those still left out completely. Only point I have to disagree on is vis a vis Berba. It's not about the goals...but this year he has brought alot of composure and his technique is unrivalled. Just an opinion though. As long as on Tuesday he is celebrating alongside the other men in red this Tuesday- our opinions are not relevant in the meantime ;)
ReplyDeleteIt is very true! It's been far too long!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Berbatov. It's an interesting discussion and one that I always think people disagree with me about. They're entitled to their opinion but there's a reason behind why he never plays in big games & besides his hat-trick against Liverpool he has failed to score nor make significant contributions in big games. His champions league record is diabolical & in the premiership Nani has scored against more TEAMS than him who is, arguably, our "star striker".
Yesterday when he came on we looked slower and more sluggish without Hernandez movement. Michael Owen is a better finisher than him too (based on the fact if you had Berbatov or Owen with a 1-on-1 which one would you choose?).
Having said all this I still appreciate & indeed admire some of the stuff he does on a football pitch.
One thing however I wish we could change was when we had the dilemma of Tevez & Berbatov and as much as we hate to say I believe it was a mistake in letting Tevez go over Berbatov. The football of Rooney/Tevez/Ronaldow as the best for years and given the shoes Nani has stepped into it could have continued.
Now lets he proves me wrong, he scores the winner in every game left this season and we do the treble. Long shot but if he does that I'll happily eat my words and sing his name loud and clear!!!
Im not goin 2sit here and try to give reasons why Berba's the best player in the world or even United as Ill be fooling myself in that sense. Again-it's not about the 20goals and true-he has not scored in many games.On the other hand I don't think it is fair to judge anything done (you could ask 'if anything' actually due to the reason which will follow...) yesteday simply because when he came on we were running down the clock and playing on the counter but never really got the ball. People in Berba's position become 'non existant' for a matter of mins [unless you're Rooney and go all over] and yest was a case in point. He's not like Inzaghi,Raul or Ruud-ie neither is he a poacher. Take for ex the Blackburn game-the 4th(his third). I rem Evra passed to him in LB position and he backheeled it back to Evra.7seconds or so later (and a crossfield pass)he scored. Vs WHU-he was the quiet assassin!Whatever way done had we won 4-2 fom 2-0 down it would have been a fantastic comeback.OK he came on at 2-0 but more so it was 2-1 as it came as freekick was to be taken. Then at 2-1 down against a side facing relegation(others could be 'embarrased and rush)he got the ball on the left, flicked it over his head and that of their right back, controlled it on the line,ran to byeline and won a corner. Where am I heading here? Anybody without confidence and ability would have punted the ball to no mans land or risked trying to find a team mate who wasnt free. Yes he needs to do better in Europe, and yes he should score,or spread around goals. But he is still deservedly a United player- this year more then ever. He scored the goals Rooney wasnt getting prior to the derby. Maybe 1v1 people may go for Owen, but then the question should be- playing 90mins 2-3*/week who would you start?
ReplyDeleteVis a vis Hernandez-you know what I think! Absolute class. Actually yest in terms of ball control and attacking forays I felt he was poor simply because it was not a bad performance but I know..like you..that he can do better.Again it's to do with tactics (he was playing too wide for my liking but of course the Sir had a reason in mind and it worked). I think if he learns to cross better he would well be the finished article! Also he should focus on passing a player when starting an attack with his back to goal (something else Berba is an expert at).This is NOT criticising---it takes time and he is already 90% better then any 'stars' his age. We must not forget that he was used to a league completely different to ours and a lifestyle which is very...er..un Manc like. He's handled it brilliantly and I would have been happily surprised had he been 50% less effective then he has been. I remember being at the JJ saying I saw this kid we bought on Youtube and he looked decent to this bloke I got to know from said bar and the reply was 'Yeah let's hope so but a granny could look good on youtube' so I get that you're more than happy with him;) I want to insist-be it 1or2 of Roo, Hernandez or Berba to start I don't feel uneasy about anyone(or all three like v WHU would be just perfect!) and think even Owen should get his chance [Sat].Them 3 deserve to be there next yr. It's the same with Smalling. I was ecstatic to see Rio back but again I don't feel uneasy with Smalling. That's a good sign!On Tue-f*ck it (sidenote:FA don't ban me for foul language!) come May let's toast all our hero's for making dreams a reality. At the end of the day when Fergy chooses 11men- those are the men who represent us and they are the ones we rely on to live our fantasies 9months/yr.He's not one to allow anybody to take away our chance of fulfilling them from the comfort of our sofa or bar stool! So we can debate about our players all we want- but Fergy has but them there and we will never.EVER.not give him 100% of our trust!
I think Ive done your head with my talk-but I think you know- when it comes to United, the mind free flows just like our attacking philosophy ;)