The Football Thread

[victor meldrew]

Originally Posted by Roger Allott

Does anyone else feel that Britain has turned itself into that classic Monty Python sketch from The Life Of Brian, except instead of 'Jehovah' being the forbidden word it's now 'black' or 'Muslim'?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYkbqzWVHZI

It used to be if you dished it out, you should expect to get it back, however in these day of political correctness, that is no longer acceptable.

[footstep]

Some news of my club RClens: change coach Monday after the 0 4 at home against Monaco, and the first game with new coach Sikora, legendary club player (25 years of loyalty) 44 years old . Away today (Nantes) and same punishment 4 0.A share it I have a good family Saturday.

[victor meldrew]

With 35 minutes left, is this the end of an era for Man Utd?

Norwich are carp and nothing has changed at the Emirates.

United 2 Spurs 3

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

With 35 minutes left, is this the end of an era for Man Utd?
.

After the shambolic first half i'd say yes

A midfield consisting of Nani, Carrick, Scholes and Giggs would hardly strike terror to the likes of Wigan never mind a team of Tottenham's class. Battered and embarassed would be a compliment to us (Spurs were brilliant), they had pace everywhere we had none.

Originally Posted by victor meldrew

With 35 minutes left, is this the end of an era for Man Utd?
.

After a second half of near total dominance, i'd say definitely not Giggs taken off (surely the end is nigh for him now), Rooney came on to play up front with RVP, Kagawa moving out wide. Hit the wood woodwork twice but Spurs held on well.

@ Roger Allot and Mitchspur, I really dont rate your manager, but you have the makings of a very good team, just hope he doesnt ruin them.

[mitchspur]

My last victory I saw at Old Trafford (gave up going the year before Mendes 'goal') was 1976-77. The year we went DOWN!!!! 0-2 down 3-2 up, Pratt scored from a corner. But all I want to say is, I now owe AVB a BIG apology!! We've gone from the worst half of football (last week's 1st half against QPR) To these heights.

PS
Been blown out by Thomas Cook travel 'cos we ain't got enough applicants for Maribor away. Got 2 tickets for Panathinaikos Thursday but not goin cos the club only told us last wednesday I'd been allocated a ticket. It's a f*****g shambles at our ticket office. The Champions League season was Security gone mad when you travelled. Europa League they don't give a f**k what your travel arrangements are
Next away day will be St Mary's, a ground where we've NEVER scored!! In 4 or 5 visits!

[Roger Allott]

Originally Posted by Inglorious

@ Roger Allot and Mitchspur, I really dont rate your manager, but you have the makings of a very good team, just hope he doesnt ruin them.

Unlike Mitchspur, I'm still not a fan of AVB. I thought it was a gamble appointment when it was announced.

My opinion of him went down when, after having presided over two very lacklustre performances leaving us with just 1 point from 2 games, he excused himself on the grounds that that was 1 point more than the team got in the first 2 games of the previous season. But the previous season had been against Man U & Man C, whereas this season was Newcastle & West Brom.

From what I've seen, I consider him to be insecure and defensive - always eager to find an excuse for poor performance that passes the blame onto some other mug.

On the tactical side, I think he's got a few things wrong. When we're a goal up with 10 minutes to play, his reaction is to take off strikers and defend deep in numbers. It's a panic play and we were undone by it in all of the first 3 games of the season and very nearly also yesterday at OT. It's a defensive strategy that is not only counter to the Spurs traditional approach, but also to the natural instincts and talents of our midfielders.

However, he must be given at least a full season before making any judgement about his suitability, so I earnestly wish that my current scepticism about his abilities prove to be unfounded.

[victor meldrew]

Arsene Wenger's comment on cheap Chelsea Goals, was that tongue in cheek, as the two goals conceeded cost 74 million, where as Arsenal's cost 11 million?

[Markus R]

Originally Posted by Roger Allott

From what I've seen, I consider him to be insecure and defensive - When we're a goal up with 10 minutes to play, his reaction is to take off strikers and defend deep in numbers. It's a panic play and we were undone by it in all of the first 3 games of the season and very nearly also yesterday at OT. It's a defensive strategy that is not only counter to the Spurs traditional approach, but also to the natural instincts and talents of our midfielders.

Those final minutes must have been horrendous for Spurs fans. They took the game to Utd in the first half. You can never rule Utd out, especially at OT and I was waiting for the text to show a late late equaliser (and even a winner ). I'm sure AVB would have been dragged over the coals for reverting to shutting up shop if Spurs would have drawn or worse, lost. I'm always of the mentality that you should attack, especially if a team are attacking you. That way you can hit them on the counter attack as they leave gaps at the back. Luckily for AVB Spurs managed to hold on in the end.

[gaeldom]

Well, at least my lot managed to salvage a draw today. Villa 1-1 WBA. I wasn't looking forward to facing all the Albion supporters at work, tomorrow, if we'd lost.

[mitchspur]

I'm almost feeling guilty now for saying I was now going to get behind the manager!!
But you won't believe some of the wallies at the ground last week!!!
They were saying that we played better football against Lazio than ANYTHING 'Arry had produced????
I was getting stick for saying the manager was a twit! Now most of you are making me feel I was right to slag him off
Anyway Chelski march on, and Manx Shitty are now getting it together!
The 2 teams I'm most 'jealous' of!! I really think nobody can look further than them for the title. With the money they've both spent on wages and transfer fees means we should ALL give up??