Numquam Moribimur means We'll never die and is Manchester United's motto.
We can be sure of several things. United had an absolutely dismal loss on Sunday to bitter rivals Manchester City. Ferguson in his side must look to improve imediately if they want to see their title aspirations become a reality. We can also stand assured that this is not a shift in power. One match does not constitute a historical decline. While it was a massive loss for the Red, it is still early in the campaign. We have yet to come to those long winter months cluttered with cup, league as well as European matches. This will be Manchester City's first venture into that teritory where as United do it every season.
The Scoreline of the match on Sunday does not reflect the circumstances of the game. I am not trying find some excuse about how United could have won etc. However, it was definitely a much closer match than the score suggests. No one could argue that the first half was not dominated by Sir Alex's side. Obviously the major catylist was Johnny Evans' sending off. He is still very young and it was a mistake of inexperience. Let's just hope he learned from the mistake and will not have a repeat offense! For any team to play an entire half is a feat unto its own. The Red's continued to dominate play for another 10 minutes pushing up the field and possessing the ball around the box. Unfortunately an clear opportunity was never produced. instead of stepping up and provided pressure we gave space which gifts opporunities and well there you go.
Now I am more interested in what is next. It looks like Tom Cleverly is finally back in the line up against Aldershot. Hopefully we will have him back as regular very soon. The match against Aldershot went just as expected with a comfortable 3-0 win. It was good to see the likes of Owen, Berba and Valencia get game time. The Everton fixture at the weekend should be a good match. Hopefully United will come out firing on all cylinders. Im sure Fergie had quite the haird dryer treatment waiting for the players following the match. I have no doubt that this team has the quality to succeed in this campaign but, they have yet to stride. (even with their exciting form at the start of the season) Usually that does not happen untill December or january anyway so no worries yet.
The papers have been litered with artcicles advertising "the ten players that could help United". Im not so easily swayed from trusting in Sir Alex's side. After a loss like this, the media is of course screaming buy buy buy. Im not sure that is the answer. Although, I am not sure that Fergie wont make another purchase in January. It definitely wouldnt surprise me. However, a spending spree is unlikely and not what we need. If they were to make a purchase in January, I would look for a holding/defensive midfielder. It would give us a shield for the back four basically giving us added security. Other than that I really hope to see players like Owen and Berba given a few more opportunities. They have shown their quality and that they are ready to play. Hopefully we will see them on the pitch soon.
After a tough weekend, all the Reds can do is look to the next match and not make the same mistakes. As long as the team shows the same spirit as they did during the nightmare of a game and keep fighting, we will be fine.
Numquam Moribimur!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Braving The Weather
The last few weeks have been tough. We have not seen the exciting form United was in in the first few matches of this season. Some of this could be due largely to injuries. Then comes the ever frustrating tie with the Scousers. United have not been getting great results there lately so the draw on Saturday might be sufficient for the time being. The red's to the field with an unusual side. The commentators were saying that if United were to not perform that Fergie's choices would come into question and criticism. Well I am pretty sure SIR Alex Ferguson does not have to answer to any critic much less a commentator. If he chose a different side, he had reason to do so.
As for the match, United did not play particularly well but not particularly badly either. Liverpool showed up strong and were particularly effective defensively. Every play United made into the attacking third was met with at leas four Liverpool players already back and ready to defend. It was a pretty dificult game but United earned the point they got. The one player that shone through the grey was Patrice Evra. He is beggining to look like the player from season before last in which he was our most capped player. He definitely looks more confident on the ball as well asin making attacking runs. He also was strong in defending at the back. Overall he was definitely our best player. There was definite lack in creativity. Both Nani and Rooney's absences were glaring problems. It shows how much Nani has improved to say that his impact on the game was that sorely missed.
After such a tough match, United would have been looking for a big (and much needed) win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Unfortunately the match against the Hungarian side proved just as difficult as the one at the weekend. Once again the Reds were thrust into slow and gritty battle where few oportunities were created. With attackers Nani and Rooney back in the squad, United looked a tad bit more aggressive and creative. However the team still left much to be wanted in front of goal. The major talking point for yesterday's game is of course Vida's sending off. It looked like it should have been only a caution to me. It was a fairly aggressive and rought tackle but I dont think it warranted a red. Carrick had a decent display with one really awful miss in front of goal. For a player with such a beautiful shot it was an absolutely horrible miss. Carick did make up for this mistake somewhat as serving as one of our more competent creators as we moved up the pictchOnce again our stand out player was Patrice Evra. A solid as he was defensively on Saturday, he was just as effective attacking on Tuesday. He made several very impressive runs into the box and looked supremely confident on the ball. Its good to have the old Pat back!
Saturday we face those noisy blue neighbors. While these are usually my favorite fixtures of the campaign, I would be lying I said I wasn't just a little anxious about Sunday. I have complete faith in this team but, with the shakiness of the last few matches, I just hope this derby proves just as exciting as the las few have! I am glad that we play them at home. Hopefully the Stretford End will inspire the side to a big win! It will be an important match and a win would do a lot for us. The injuries still seem to be quite hindering and I will be happy to see the likes of Cleverly and Vidic permanently back in the squad.
PS We should hear some interesting Banter and chants about old Carlos this weekend!!!
Glory Glory Man United!
Chris
As for the match, United did not play particularly well but not particularly badly either. Liverpool showed up strong and were particularly effective defensively. Every play United made into the attacking third was met with at leas four Liverpool players already back and ready to defend. It was a pretty dificult game but United earned the point they got. The one player that shone through the grey was Patrice Evra. He is beggining to look like the player from season before last in which he was our most capped player. He definitely looks more confident on the ball as well asin making attacking runs. He also was strong in defending at the back. Overall he was definitely our best player. There was definite lack in creativity. Both Nani and Rooney's absences were glaring problems. It shows how much Nani has improved to say that his impact on the game was that sorely missed.
After such a tough match, United would have been looking for a big (and much needed) win in the Champions League on Tuesday. Unfortunately the match against the Hungarian side proved just as difficult as the one at the weekend. Once again the Reds were thrust into slow and gritty battle where few oportunities were created. With attackers Nani and Rooney back in the squad, United looked a tad bit more aggressive and creative. However the team still left much to be wanted in front of goal. The major talking point for yesterday's game is of course Vida's sending off. It looked like it should have been only a caution to me. It was a fairly aggressive and rought tackle but I dont think it warranted a red. Carrick had a decent display with one really awful miss in front of goal. For a player with such a beautiful shot it was an absolutely horrible miss. Carick did make up for this mistake somewhat as serving as one of our more competent creators as we moved up the pictchOnce again our stand out player was Patrice Evra. A solid as he was defensively on Saturday, he was just as effective attacking on Tuesday. He made several very impressive runs into the box and looked supremely confident on the ball. Its good to have the old Pat back!
Saturday we face those noisy blue neighbors. While these are usually my favorite fixtures of the campaign, I would be lying I said I wasn't just a little anxious about Sunday. I have complete faith in this team but, with the shakiness of the last few matches, I just hope this derby proves just as exciting as the las few have! I am glad that we play them at home. Hopefully the Stretford End will inspire the side to a big win! It will be an important match and a win would do a lot for us. The injuries still seem to be quite hindering and I will be happy to see the likes of Cleverly and Vidic permanently back in the squad.
PS We should hear some interesting Banter and chants about old Carlos this weekend!!!
Glory Glory Man United!
Chris
Thursday, October 13, 2011
What the future holds
I usually write about Manchester United, but I want to mention something else that is important to me. I am from the United States, so the state of the sport here is something I am always concerned about. Big things are happening for the US men's team as well as soccer in general in this country. Klinsmen has been appointed the team's manager and of course has big plans for US soccer. Klinsmens appointment could and should mean big things for the US. We can all still see the effects of his leadership with the German national team. The Germans played some of the best soccer in the world cup in 2010. So its very exciting to think about the changes that could be made here. Some changes can already be seen in the few games the US have played since his appointment. We have always relied on counter attacks and short spurts of possesion for our goal scoring opportunities. Now we look to be holding possession for longer periods of time as well as moving the ball around better. I for one like the look of it.
I am hearing a lot of grumbling about how we are not winning games and scoring goals. To be honest, I think Klinsmen is looking at the bigger picture. He is not planning for the next match or the one after that. He is preparing this to be serious competitors for the next world cup. That is no easy task. Many things need to change in the world of US Soccer. Everything from youth development to the strategy the national team. This is something that will not happen over night. However, the fact that the team's style of play has changed this noticeably is miraculous. There are of course positional problems that must be faced. The most glaring problem being the fact that the team does not posses a world class forward. Some people may think the world of Jozy Altidore, but I for one am exhausted of his belief that that he is as good as Messi or Ronaldo and his endless attempts to play that way. I don't mean to take any credit away from Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey. They are great players. They are midfielders though and it is unfair to place the responsibility of scoring every goal on them. The emergence of of Brek Shea (maybe a little early to tell) could bring more goals as well as talent to this team. He looks great out wide and unlike many American players doesn't have that vexing need to run the ball up the field himself. He is strong, fast and and a decent passer of the ball. Hopefully we will see big things from him in the future.
So to those of you complaining about not enough goals and a loss to Ecuador, I say try to look at the big picture. Try to imagine what can happen if this development is successful and we see a team emerge that is world class. If Klinsmen does succeed, we could see the US become a major threat at every world cup. It all depends on the kind of support the German manager receives. So far so good!
Lets hope United come out on top against Liverpool on Saturday.
We all love United!
Chris Sandbach
I am hearing a lot of grumbling about how we are not winning games and scoring goals. To be honest, I think Klinsmen is looking at the bigger picture. He is not planning for the next match or the one after that. He is preparing this to be serious competitors for the next world cup. That is no easy task. Many things need to change in the world of US Soccer. Everything from youth development to the strategy the national team. This is something that will not happen over night. However, the fact that the team's style of play has changed this noticeably is miraculous. There are of course positional problems that must be faced. The most glaring problem being the fact that the team does not posses a world class forward. Some people may think the world of Jozy Altidore, but I for one am exhausted of his belief that that he is as good as Messi or Ronaldo and his endless attempts to play that way. I don't mean to take any credit away from Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey. They are great players. They are midfielders though and it is unfair to place the responsibility of scoring every goal on them. The emergence of of Brek Shea (maybe a little early to tell) could bring more goals as well as talent to this team. He looks great out wide and unlike many American players doesn't have that vexing need to run the ball up the field himself. He is strong, fast and and a decent passer of the ball. Hopefully we will see big things from him in the future.
So to those of you complaining about not enough goals and a loss to Ecuador, I say try to look at the big picture. Try to imagine what can happen if this development is successful and we see a team emerge that is world class. If Klinsmen does succeed, we could see the US become a major threat at every world cup. It all depends on the kind of support the German manager receives. So far so good!
Lets hope United come out on top against Liverpool on Saturday.
We all love United!
Chris Sandbach
Monday, October 10, 2011
Red Commentary
Is anyone else stoked that Gary Neville is commentating. I am! Not only because he is a a former United player but because he is such a hard ass and has no problem telling it how it is. He was all over some of United's players in the match against FC Basel. He also provides some really interesting insight into the Reds' dressing room and Sir Alex's methods of management. Hopefully we will hear him on a lot of United matches!
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