I can’t sleep. Good ol’ PMS.
I did the run around the block with my daily rotation and found a couple interesting couples. Inevitably, some self-serving articles, but some interesting ones too.
Gary Nev, much like Sir Alex, has written a piece about how today can be the most important day in the title race. it’s hard for me to see past the City game in having that importance, considering that that particular match is basically six pointer in either side’s favor, if there is to be a clear winner. But I see their point. I’m copying the following picture from the Daily Mail website, from Gary’s exact article posted on their online newspaper:
The above chart clearly shows that our fixtures after Tottenham are easier than that of City. I don’t know if the reds and ambers indicated on City’s side are entirely accurate, considering how well City is playing, but it is true that they play more top six sides. Us on the other hand, Tottenham and City are the only top six. What Sir Alex and Gary are indicating is that if we beat Tottenham tomorrow, we will have a pivotal boost in confidence. They will get a buzz, an excitement knowing that the finish line is much closer after a team like Tottenham is done and over with. In that sense, I also do sense the urgency and significance in tomorrow’s game.
This season has been one of uncertainty for Man United. Unconvincing, mediocre performances. Countless injuries. Complacency. Goalkeeper mistakes. Lack of creativity. What started as a promising season turned into a devastation of the back four, calamity between the sticks, and boring midfield play. Yet, we stand second, and only two points down. Even last weekend against Norwich, we were a terrible team. At this point, many can argue that judging by the level of performances, it would be just for City to win the title. I sympathize to a certain extent, but I’d argue that our ability to have stayed this close to City’s coat tails with all our problems deserves some credit as well.
So, considering our numerous issues, some our fault, some not, tomorrow very well may be the last chance to turn things around, and for the team to get that crucial gut feeling of “you know, we may actually be able to win this thing.” We always get that feeling between March and May, which fans will know as Sir Alex’s infamous “squeaky bum time.” It is the name of this part of the season where United hear the alarm clock, pick up all the points, and overtake whoever were the leaders.
Players like Rooney, Evra, Giggs, Park, Scholes and Ferdinand, already believe that United will win the title again. Those players have been saying we will win the title for the past couple months, much to the laughter of many non-United fans. And that’s why they share more than 30 EPL medals between them. On the other hand, inexperienced first-teamers like Young, Jones, Welbeck, Evans, Rafa, Fabio, and De Gea don’t yet believe in this same, blind belief that United are going to be Champions. The club, and its supporters, have this blind belief that we are meant to be, should be, and must be Champions. Many call it the arrogance of Man United, we call it the United mentality. And that’s precisely the feeling they can get tomorrow if they beat the last standing big six team in the league before City.
I am so relieved that Scott Parker will not play. The man is a monster against people like Carrick, and we don’t need a rabid dog on Carrick’s back tomorrow. He’s the type to drive his team on in the face of adversity, and I certainly don’t need that against my team tomorrow. Sir Alex’s sneaky plan has allowed Rooney to be fresh for tomorrow, so that will be a boost for us. All in all, if we can get our act together, the odds are in our favor. Tottenham’s home advantage is largely nullified due to our positive record at the Lane, while their drive to bounce back against that defeat against Arsenal might hurt us. I just pray to the heavens that Nani eats his cheerios tomorrow.
The second article I was appreciative of one that contained soundbites from Mr. Jermain Defoe. I always like it when players tell stories about happenings in the locker room or player commons, because that’s the crucial side of football reality that we don’t get to see or hear. Yes, this is self-serving, but humor me. According to this goal.com article (http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/03/04/2944919/defoe-believes-being-crazy-is-important-for-manchester), he stated: “I remember when I first got into the England squad, just being around the Man United boys was unbelievable. Even if they lost games in training they were still talking about it in the evening at dinner. They’ve just got that winning mentality.” That quote from an opposition player shows what the United mentality is about. Attack, Attack, Attack. Be relentless, never die. Down a man? Attack some more. Last year, this unyielding mentality lead us to being destroyed against City. Against Chelsea, it turned 0 in to 1, and at Norwich, it turned 1 point into 3. I was just got that warm, fuzzy feeling to hear that opposition players recognize this quality in simple conversations. It made me proud. Thanks Ger-Ma-Yin. Oo-Rah United.
On a non-United note, the EPL again continued its trend of great entertainment this morning. With his last-minute, though somewhat offside, one-touch, brilliant volley against Liverpool, Van Persie is now running away with the scoring charts. It used to be close with Rooney, but now 7 goals stand between them. It is a genuine concern about whether Van Persie will stay or not for Arsenal, because it is crystal clear that he remains the last source of attraction for world-class footballers to join the club. Once he goes, how eager will Eden Hazard and Lukas Podolski be to join the Gunners? It’s a valid question. I have never criticized Wenger’s fiscal policy. I agree with the underlying principle, as an accountant witnessing the current economic climate in the United States. However, there are times where while the financial risk of a player is very large, the payoff can be proportionately rewarding. For instance, Wenger passed on Cristiano because we offered 200K more than Arsenal did. Vintage Wenger – it was too much money for an unproven 18 year old at the time. During his stay, Ronaldo won us 3 titles, a European Cup, an FA cup, 2 league cups, and club world cup. And in his departure, we made 80 million euro. Wenger might need to think – who came out the more financially profitable there? Sometimes, I think Wenger is too short-term minded with his purse. And that is why I suggest that giving Van Persie a gold-studded contract may be one occasion where the loosening of purse strings is warranted. It’s understandable not to pay a 40 million premium for a 20 million player. Fair enough. But given Van Persie’s importance to the club, from football, reputation, and marketing standpoints, a blank check pay raise might be worth the short-term cash commitment.
Liverpool football club is worse at closing games than I am at closing women. For all his brilliance today, Luis Suarez could only find the post, and for all of Kuyt’s pedigree and experience, he couldn’t finish a penalty, both on the attempt and on the rebound. On the defensive end of things, it looks like Jamie Carragher’s illustrious career in Liverpool’s back line may be reaching a twilight. He epitomized the uncompromising english defender, but it seems that the tactical nous and heightened anticipation that is typically gained by aging defenders is not something that has been passed unto him. Perhaps its time that Kenny Dalglish take a more adventurous approach with new singing Coates standing in for the likes of Agger. I also think its time that given Liverpool’s evident scoring impotence, it might be a refreshing change to try the likes of Suso and Amoo, who were impressive in the reserves league, and in the youth cup last year. I’ve wanted to see how they would do in Liverpool’s first team, and at the very least, it is certain that they would add a sense of flair. Sir Alex has a three-prong purpose for his penchant to try academy players. a) it gives us new possibilities, and new energy b) it gives the seniors a kick up the bum. they get back on their toes, looking at the young bucks. c) like all new and unknown quantities, it gives the team a different dimension, and affects the team’s game play in a way that the opposition has not scouted or planned for. It works for us year after year, but it is also true that not all clubs can or even should take the same risks that we do. It has generally worked for us for 25 years, but this year, it lost us 2 domestic cups and the champions league. All it is, is something to think about.
I started this post on the age of EPL times three years from now. It’s hard to finish because while I know the general age of players of all the top six squads, for the sake of accuracy, I have to check their individual bios. It will come sooner or later.
The Beautiful Game 