“GENIUS”

Is the word Old Trafford displayed at Paul Scholes’s not-so-last game.

Sometimes people dream of things they have absolutely no control of. Like me dreaming about Scholes playing in a United shirt again after his heart-breaking, gut-wrenching, making-me-throw-up retirement last season. It took me weeks to get over the greatest midfield talent this club has ever had. Judging from my constant telling of people (people that don’t even care about soccer included) that Scholes should come back, its fair to say that I never got over it. And then the dream, out of nowhere, just came true. What do you say when your dreams come true? It was about 6:30 AM in Santa Monica, and I chose to run around my living room multiple times like a deranged person.

No, Kompany should not have been sent off. There are two camps, as usual. Lets visit both sides before I reveal my opinion. Going by the book, reckless intent to foul is cause for a yellow/red card, for which the degree of intent, and subsequent color of the card is at the full discretion of the referee. Simply stated – you do NOT need to make contact to get sent off so long as the referee decides that your actions indicated an intent to tackle unlawfully. Yes, I’ve read the FA’s Rules of the Association and Laws of the Game. And Yes, Kompany’s lunge was the most blatant example of a tackle intended to murder. He came in at full pace, with both feet, at the same time, with studs off the ground. Basically, all the items on the checklist for a red-card tackle attempt, Kompany checked with a bold, black sharpie. Had Nani not hopped over him in time, Nani would have died today. But Nani did hop, and there was no contact.

I cannot emphasize my words enough. Thus, technically speaking, if we are reffing textbook, the ref made the right decision. Big BUT. This is England. A place where real men play football, and where players really fight for the ball. What are we, La Liga?? Come on now. If Premiership players are sent off for something like that, we are no different than the delicate fairies that play in Spain. And THAT, above all, is my greatest fear for this league. In conclusion, here’s my opinion. Kompany should have been yellow carded, heavily reprimanded, and watched closely for the rest of the game. NO red card. I sympathize with Manchester City football club. Unfortunately, while I do sympathize, City are also wrong in saying that his decision was not in line with the rules, because it was. I simply lament, as City does, the strict interpretation of the rules.

Would that have changed the game? Always possible in these situations, but as always in these situations, no one knows. But we had scored, and were well in control before that incident. The ref was too strict for my taste, but the blame still goes to Kompany for giving him just cause. Massive credit to City for playing the way they did in the second half. So much grit, tremendous spirit – and I applaud that wholeheartedly. And many thumbs down for United in the second half. This team bugs the shit out of me because we haven’t been showing that United never-die mentality. Its irritating, and it bothers me much more than our league position or our non-champs league status.

Scholesy. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. No. 22. Subbed in, and made me tear up. I’m not even ashamed. I cried. For the first time in a long time. And proudly. He was definitely rusty out of the gates, made a terrible tap back to Evra on a throw in, put us in a terrible situation, and Lindegaard decided to butterfinger what would have been a routine save. Beyond that gaffe however, the Ginger Prince showed us the quality we’ve missed and made the frazzled midfield look like a well-oiled machine. Surprisingly quick too. And outjumped Aguero on all possible occasions, though I guess that’s not really an achievement. It’s a giant relief to see that he’s maintained his fitness. His tenure as a reserve coach and continued full-time training after retirement has preserved him well. May he continue for as long as long as humanely possible. My dream continues.

Fucking. Scousers. Again? Why not. I hope Merseyside’s chief export to Manchester (shown below) will haunt them again.

I’ve said the following phrase multiple times this season. And every damn time people have given me these: “No chance” “There is no way” “Not for at least 5 years” “Never”. And now, I am starting look like Nostradamus and Yoda combined. Yostradamus. TM. And I say it again. Real Madrid will win La Liga this year. BOOM. While Barcelona stuttered Espanyol, (another game in which Alves, YET AGAIN, shoved his ugly mug into the ref’s personal space), Real Madrid decided to show some spirit by coming back against Malaga. And they also pounded Granada two days ago. Couple observations. Puyol was outjumped. Hm. Don’t know what to make of that. Benzema has transitioned fully from lazy talent, to hard-working talent, and works well with Higuain. Mourinho deserves full credit for changing the fundamental attitude for yet another player. True, I care for neither club. I have beef against both and I don’t approve of the credit they get from being the big dogs in La Liga, a league where all but four teams are at most, as good as Villa. But I will say this. I will take tremendous pleasure in telling all those idiots who thought I was crazy when Madrid lifts the trophy this season. I’m not even saying Real will beat Barcelona in their second league fixture. Maybe they will, maybe they won’t. But Real will beat everyone else, and by more goals. Yostradamus, bitches.

Going back to the Scousers, it was a terrible experience watching them crumble to City, in a hotel room after a long day of work. I really needed them to win after Demba Ba took a giant dump on United. Which brings me to this. I get very upset when people give Pepe Reina that credit that he gets. Some have said he is the best in the premier league, and this was back when Van Der Sar and Cech were at full force. He has ALWAYS had handling issues. If people were to watch a game for once in their damn life and not hide behind online match reports, they would know this. And yet, he’s supposedly one of the most reliable. He is a top keeper in the league, no doubt. You don’t keep the clean sheets that you do, behind Agger, Skrtel and Carragher, unless you are among the top. But the best? Absolutely no chance. He has a big flaw in his handling skills. And that very flaw lost Daglish that game. That and his continued refusal to play Craig Bellamy for some insane reason. I can only think that’s because he has to justify the big money signings of Downing and Henderson. There is nothing wrong with playing the hot hand, and I do not understand their self-imposed weak squad. Ugh. At least Steven Gerrard is back. 20 minutes every game. Its nice to have old heroes of the premier league back.

A farewell to Neil Warnock, a manager who I think is good, is genuine, and isn’t afraid to speak his mind.. Its departures of people like him and Ian Holloway that I miss from the premier league. The premier league is amazing because it has character and personality. We’ve just lost another one of those. Maybe fat Rafa will take the reins and enlighten us with some new “facts.”

Its been a fantastic day.