Part I can be read here
Part II
Manchester City
The Citizens have hit the blues. Excuse the pun. But there is a strange lack of excitement at Eastlands in the aftermath of Mark Hughes's sacking.
Isn't the prospect of a coach that has won 3 Serie A titles on the trot and innumerable cups in a managerial career that has spanned all of just 10 years, including an 18 month hiatus, mouth-watering enough for an arrogant lot that is stealing players left, right and the middle of the park by offering them golden eggs?
Roberto Mancini's reputation precedes him. There is no doubting his managerial capabilities. The only question is can he manage in England? Here's an excerpt from "Can a Foreign Manager survive the BPL for dummies" guide book
a. He must know the language.
Roberto Mancini has had a stint as a Fox (a career as one in the box). He has been in England for weeks learning the language. He will get there in about a month's time.
b. Can he handle the pressure of the job? The constant scrutiny by the press? The insatiable demands of a lunatic owner?
He was in Italy, where the shelf life of a manager is shorter than tzatziki and the media are as ready to pounce on your inexcusable tactical switches as they are on your regrettable bow tie. And to cap it off, he worked for Massimo Morati who didn't like it that his team had romped to the Scudetto 3 years running. What a shame!
c. Can he handle overinflated egos in the dressing room?
He has worked with Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Nuff said.
So, if all fingers point in the right direction, why are the Citizens not fully convinced about this appointment?
For one, they are as clueless as the owners as to where City should be come the end of the season. I think if they hang on to where they are in the league (mathematically, they could be sole claimants of the 6th place) and even go out at the semi-final stage of the Carling Cup and R3 of the FA Cup, this season would be a blooming success. Hughes was getting it flaming right! Only 2 losses this year and in the hunt for all competitions still. Theoretically, they are just 9 points adrift of league leaders Chelsea. And to top that, Manchester City was providing all the entertainment on the pitch. Their matches are great to watch. Goals and drama galore.
So who is to say that Mancini won't suffer the same fate as Hughes by the end of January? City could be
- converting those draws to losses,
- out of the Carling Cup at the hands of their town rivals
- in the bottom half of the table
the possibilities are there? Suddenly, feeling the love of the oil is something that is scaring the people in the blue half of Manchester.
For the rest of the league, they couldn't be happier. Especially Tottenham and Villa. Sure Redknapp was feeling for Sparky and all, but underneath that cover he'd be rubbing his hands in glee.
People in the league do not like Manchester City's new found wealth. There is the jealousy. There are far more prestigious teams in the league that the Arabs could have bought back then (Newcastle, Liverpool, Arsenal are just some examples) but they pinned the donkey's tail on Manchester City and so the romance began. The dart could have fallen on any team any the whole league knows it.
But the jealousy did not make most of us hate City. It's the arrogance that followed their purchases. They went and unsettled players, some that were loved by their clubs fans, some that needed a brochure to be sold. And Sparky didn't do naught to douse this feeling.
He pranced around Wenger's technical area like a show horse, allowed the Sky Blues to construct a cheeky poster of Carlos Tevez, and showed Sir Alex, the man who made Sparky a legend, no respect in trying to buy Ronaldo and eventually buying Tevez.
As a Red Devil in flesh and blood, I am happy Hughes got dumped the way he did. You do not go from being an Old Trafford legend to trying to unsettle the club that made you who you are. Sir Alex has many former players and members of his backroom staff working in the premier league and outside it, managing some top clubs. And all of them show the gaffer the respect he deserves. Except Mark Hughes. Hope this teaches you a lesson in humility Sparky. United till you die.
The Sky Blue faithfuls are starting to see through the cracks that appear when a man with a hen that lays the golden 'ostrich sized' eggs by the hour, takes over the helm. And that's keeping them as disappointing and nervy as their cross town rivals are on their squad's title ambitions.
This is only going to get better for one side of Manchester come January.
Until then, bring in the beers.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Manchester: A United Tale of a divided City Part I
The feel good factor in Manchester is giving way to a dawn of gloom. The world's most popular teams (one in terms of a fan base, the other in terms of the tabloids space) are reeling from bad form and bad news. We are of course talking about Manchester United and Manchester City respectively.
Today we talk about the Red side of town.
Manchester United
The Red Devils have been poor this season. For the most part. Only Evra, Fletcher, Rooney, Giggs and Owen have been giving performances that are worthy of any mention. And these names have been listed in terms of consistency, grit and delivery on the pitch.
The defense is MIA, there is no sense off a midfield four and it's not like the goals have dried up. The last 10 games have seen United lose to Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Fulham with victories over Bolton, Blackburn, Everton, Portsmouth, West Ham and Wolves. In the defeats - all to teams from the top half - United have not scored. And the victories(all against bottom half opposition) have seen United score 18 goals and concede only 2. Spread that over 10 games, it still is slightly impressive. But sadly, the GA column over the last 10 games is 9. All teams that hadn't won against United in years have broken that record. Only Tottenham remain with an unflattering run against United.
United is turning into a Spurs this season. You just don't know which team is going to turn up on the day. Minus the game against Chelsea, where United were unlucky not to come away with anything having
a. been the better team and
b. conceded a dubious goal, United have been miserable in defeat.
The team has not been able to string any meaningful pass together, and whatever plays they have made have not resulted in a finishing touch in the final third. United got Owen in to finish their moves. But even a Micheal Owen in his prime wouldn't have been able to do naught with the kind of service that was provided at Craven Cottage.
Sir Alex's pre-season belief that his current squad is good enough to win him the title will be definitely be tested in January and there seems to be little doubt that he is going to the transfer market looking for an impact player. But what he really needs is his defense to be up and running asap. Last season's championship was all about United's miserly defense and those people saying United are missing their former talismanic winger can see the proof in the pudding. The last time United had the same back four in consecutive games was against Blackburn and Chelsea. Since then they have won 6 and lost 3 in all competitions conceding 7 goals in the process.
Going into each game this season, United haven't given their supporters the belief that they are dominating proceedings and haven't been able to produce the kind of magical football fans witnessed in their rampant 2007-2008 season when they won the Champions League. Many key members of that squad from the final are missing. Ronaldo and Tevez have gone their different ways, while Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown and Hargreaves are still with the squad, but in the treatment room. Of course Ronaldo was mesmeric that season, But Sir Alex had put together a team that produced football from the heavens.
This year there have been just glimpses of such form. Gabriel Obertan's shimmy before setting up Owen in Germany, Berbagod's sublime overhead kick to set up Valencia and another overhead strike against Blackburn. It's tough to remember many more. And it is disheartening for a fan. United need a breath of fresh air. It might be the return of Owen Hargreaves, it might be a new player in the new year.
One thing is for sure, come May, this team won't be worthy champions on current form. If the title is won on the show of football on the field, this year the Premier League should belong United's title rivals Arsenal. Or even Manchester City who have provided immense entertainment, even off the field. But that shall be discussed in Part II.
Until then, bring in the beers.
Today we talk about the Red side of town.
Manchester United
The Red Devils have been poor this season. For the most part. Only Evra, Fletcher, Rooney, Giggs and Owen have been giving performances that are worthy of any mention. And these names have been listed in terms of consistency, grit and delivery on the pitch.
The defense is MIA, there is no sense off a midfield four and it's not like the goals have dried up. The last 10 games have seen United lose to Liverpool, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Fulham with victories over Bolton, Blackburn, Everton, Portsmouth, West Ham and Wolves. In the defeats - all to teams from the top half - United have not scored. And the victories(all against bottom half opposition) have seen United score 18 goals and concede only 2. Spread that over 10 games, it still is slightly impressive. But sadly, the GA column over the last 10 games is 9. All teams that hadn't won against United in years have broken that record. Only Tottenham remain with an unflattering run against United.
United is turning into a Spurs this season. You just don't know which team is going to turn up on the day. Minus the game against Chelsea, where United were unlucky not to come away with anything having
a. been the better team and
b. conceded a dubious goal, United have been miserable in defeat.
The team has not been able to string any meaningful pass together, and whatever plays they have made have not resulted in a finishing touch in the final third. United got Owen in to finish their moves. But even a Micheal Owen in his prime wouldn't have been able to do naught with the kind of service that was provided at Craven Cottage.
Sir Alex's pre-season belief that his current squad is good enough to win him the title will be definitely be tested in January and there seems to be little doubt that he is going to the transfer market looking for an impact player. But what he really needs is his defense to be up and running asap. Last season's championship was all about United's miserly defense and those people saying United are missing their former talismanic winger can see the proof in the pudding. The last time United had the same back four in consecutive games was against Blackburn and Chelsea. Since then they have won 6 and lost 3 in all competitions conceding 7 goals in the process.
Going into each game this season, United haven't given their supporters the belief that they are dominating proceedings and haven't been able to produce the kind of magical football fans witnessed in their rampant 2007-2008 season when they won the Champions League. Many key members of that squad from the final are missing. Ronaldo and Tevez have gone their different ways, while Vidic, Ferdinand, Brown and Hargreaves are still with the squad, but in the treatment room. Of course Ronaldo was mesmeric that season, But Sir Alex had put together a team that produced football from the heavens.
This year there have been just glimpses of such form. Gabriel Obertan's shimmy before setting up Owen in Germany, Berbagod's sublime overhead kick to set up Valencia and another overhead strike against Blackburn. It's tough to remember many more. And it is disheartening for a fan. United need a breath of fresh air. It might be the return of Owen Hargreaves, it might be a new player in the new year.
One thing is for sure, come May, this team won't be worthy champions on current form. If the title is won on the show of football on the field, this year the Premier League should belong United's title rivals Arsenal. Or even Manchester City who have provided immense entertainment, even off the field. But that shall be discussed in Part II.
Until then, bring in the beers.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The poor sister of the FA Cup
The Carling Cup quarter finals came to an end this week in what was an all Premier League affair and a forgetful outing for London based Clubs.
Matchday 1 saw a very professional performance from United's youngsters against a Tottenham side comprising mostly of first-teamers. United won the game 2 - Zilch a week after the very same team was bashed for not fitting the grade required to be considered among the elite, after their 0 - 1 loss at home to Besiktas. More on this later.
Aston Villa and Pompey both made a few changes to their squads from their weekend PL clashes and Villa deservedly won the tie 2 - 4 at Fratton Park. Avram Grant made it clear that survival was top priority while Martin O'Neil thought this was a good opportunity for new boy Stewart Downing to be given his first outing as a villain. He duly obliged with a goal that sent Villa on their way to the semi-final.
Matchday 2 saw the "Blue Thunder" lose in penalties to Rovers who will hope this win galvanises the unit and helps them elevate themselves above the relegation zone. The win was made largely possible because Chelsea were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half as striker Salomon Kalou limped off after all their substitutes had been used. Blackburn made the numerical advantage show with 2 goals, the first an equaliser within the allotted 90 minutes, the second to take the lead in extra time. However Chelsea's resilience showed when they scored with the last kick off the game only to lose on penalties and set up a Rovers vs Villains Semi-final date.
The Sky "Blues" were in action as well against Arsene Wenger's squad who again fielded a fledgling XI while City played most of their superstars, including former gunners Kolo Toure and the much hated, scratch that, overrated Emmanuel Adebayor. To further this argument, he missed 2 sitters AGAIN last night, against a very, very youthful Arsenal side. The average age of an Arsenal side in any case is in it's early 20s mostly and this squad was made up off largely the reserves. However, Carlitos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss compounded on Arsenal's misery from last week as they lost to the same scoreline as they did to Chelsea to ensure the cup will remain somewhere in the Midlands or Lancashire.
This sets up a very intriguing two legged battle in Manchester in January. But first.
Manchester United's production line has given the world the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. All still playing. All still massively important for their respective clubs. At the given time, when Alan Hansen led Liverpool, he made, what is now a legendary comment on United's crop. "You cannot win the title with kids" predicted Hansen. Fergie won the double that year ('twas 1996).
Once again, a reporter raised a finger at his youth team, he reacted with anger, going on to say that the very same players will be sought after by the paparazzi not too long into the future. And with players like the Da Silva twins, Darren Gibson, Kiko Macheda and Danny Welbeck giving performances like they did in midweek, it's hard not to see why Fergie chose to defend them so vehemently. While not all of the players above have been raised since they were kids by the United trainers, the way they arrived at the club, love it or hate it, is probably the future trend.
Arsenal's young sides have been lauded with praise for many years because of the style of football they play. It is a far cry from Wenger's 1-0 army that he built in his early years as gaffer, now, Wenger's footballing philosophy is echoed in the way his team plays. But, if you want to be a superstar, attain glory, then do it the United way. Most of the youngster's Sir Alex has guided have won titles at a world stage. Maybe Wenger getting all the plaudits is slightly harsh on Ferguson as the world seemed to forget the Sir Alex introduced his reserves to the deep end because these very same youngsters were already household names in the Far East even in the 1990s when the Premier League had just begun it's global branding program.
Today with billions watching football competitions from England all over the world, here is an argument FOR the United way. How many people outside of the Arsenal faithful have heard off Craig Eastmond I do not know, but the whole world has seen Frederico Macheda's winner against Aston Villa last year and now Gibson's thunderbolts against Spurs.
Having said that, Sir Alex's true test will come in January, when his squad takes on the riches of City over 2 legs. What if United are hammered in the City of Manchester Stadium in the first leg, will SAF say "It's a learning experience for a youthful squad" and play the same team at Old Trafford, or will he try and put Sparky's XI in their place and field a strong United squad made up off a few of his reserves. Let's just hope come February, the Cup is retained in Manchester. Coloured Red.
Until then, Bring in the Beers.
Matchday 1 saw a very professional performance from United's youngsters against a Tottenham side comprising mostly of first-teamers. United won the game 2 - Zilch a week after the very same team was bashed for not fitting the grade required to be considered among the elite, after their 0 - 1 loss at home to Besiktas. More on this later.
Aston Villa and Pompey both made a few changes to their squads from their weekend PL clashes and Villa deservedly won the tie 2 - 4 at Fratton Park. Avram Grant made it clear that survival was top priority while Martin O'Neil thought this was a good opportunity for new boy Stewart Downing to be given his first outing as a villain. He duly obliged with a goal that sent Villa on their way to the semi-final.
Matchday 2 saw the "Blue Thunder" lose in penalties to Rovers who will hope this win galvanises the unit and helps them elevate themselves above the relegation zone. The win was made largely possible because Chelsea were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half as striker Salomon Kalou limped off after all their substitutes had been used. Blackburn made the numerical advantage show with 2 goals, the first an equaliser within the allotted 90 minutes, the second to take the lead in extra time. However Chelsea's resilience showed when they scored with the last kick off the game only to lose on penalties and set up a Rovers vs Villains Semi-final date.
The Sky "Blues" were in action as well against Arsene Wenger's squad who again fielded a fledgling XI while City played most of their superstars, including former gunners Kolo Toure and the much hated, scratch that, overrated Emmanuel Adebayor. To further this argument, he missed 2 sitters AGAIN last night, against a very, very youthful Arsenal side. The average age of an Arsenal side in any case is in it's early 20s mostly and this squad was made up off largely the reserves. However, Carlitos Tevez, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Vladimir Weiss compounded on Arsenal's misery from last week as they lost to the same scoreline as they did to Chelsea to ensure the cup will remain somewhere in the Midlands or Lancashire.
This sets up a very intriguing two legged battle in Manchester in January. But first.
Manchester United's production line has given the world the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes, David Beckham and Ryan Giggs. All still playing. All still massively important for their respective clubs. At the given time, when Alan Hansen led Liverpool, he made, what is now a legendary comment on United's crop. "You cannot win the title with kids" predicted Hansen. Fergie won the double that year ('twas 1996).
Once again, a reporter raised a finger at his youth team, he reacted with anger, going on to say that the very same players will be sought after by the paparazzi not too long into the future. And with players like the Da Silva twins, Darren Gibson, Kiko Macheda and Danny Welbeck giving performances like they did in midweek, it's hard not to see why Fergie chose to defend them so vehemently. While not all of the players above have been raised since they were kids by the United trainers, the way they arrived at the club, love it or hate it, is probably the future trend.
Arsenal's young sides have been lauded with praise for many years because of the style of football they play. It is a far cry from Wenger's 1-0 army that he built in his early years as gaffer, now, Wenger's footballing philosophy is echoed in the way his team plays. But, if you want to be a superstar, attain glory, then do it the United way. Most of the youngster's Sir Alex has guided have won titles at a world stage. Maybe Wenger getting all the plaudits is slightly harsh on Ferguson as the world seemed to forget the Sir Alex introduced his reserves to the deep end because these very same youngsters were already household names in the Far East even in the 1990s when the Premier League had just begun it's global branding program.
Today with billions watching football competitions from England all over the world, here is an argument FOR the United way. How many people outside of the Arsenal faithful have heard off Craig Eastmond I do not know, but the whole world has seen Frederico Macheda's winner against Aston Villa last year and now Gibson's thunderbolts against Spurs.
Having said that, Sir Alex's true test will come in January, when his squad takes on the riches of City over 2 legs. What if United are hammered in the City of Manchester Stadium in the first leg, will SAF say "It's a learning experience for a youthful squad" and play the same team at Old Trafford, or will he try and put Sparky's XI in their place and field a strong United squad made up off a few of his reserves. Let's just hope come February, the Cup is retained in Manchester. Coloured Red.
Until then, Bring in the Beers.
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