Football (Soccer)

[Oriphus]

Ole Gunner Solskjaer and Wes Brown both had very good starts for United today in a reserve match against Liverpool. One mistake by Wes Brown led to him giving away a penalty in which liverpool equalised, but it was good to watch him play. Ole Gunner set up the goal after a great bit of play and had a few good shots on target. Im really looking forward to seeing him come on, maybe as a sub, this Saturday lunch time.

Anyway, im considering putting my money on a draw at Chelsea against Arsenal. Well, that or a Chelsea win would suit me fine. Then when we beat you at Highbury, we should be a point clear without any worries, since we're now going to start a "win every match" campaign. That includes the Champions League

[admin]

To be honest, I'll be happy with a draw at the bridge. It all depends on which Chelsea team turns up, and whether Henry and co can do something special.

I'm hoping Wes Brown will be your Cygan this season, as defenders that make mistakes leak goals (and gives extra incentive to the attacking opposition to have a go).

And the team most capable of dealing with injuries/suspensions will probably win the league. Arsenal do have some injury problems, but we have some quality backups this season (Clichy, Cesc, Reyes, Bentley, Edu, Aliadiere, and yes, even Cygan). Some of our best matches were played with these backups (Inter Milan comes to mind, with Cygan, Edu starting, and Aliadiere assisting with the last goal).

And of course, all the internal turmoil at United doesn't help.

[Oriphus]

Turmoil lol - what turmoil. I hope Magnier (i presume this is what u are referring to) and McManus dont mess up things at a critical time of the year for us. Roy Keane himself said that really all that United can do is wait for Arsenal to slip up and make damn sure they beat them at Highbury. If they dont beat you there, then its bye bye Champions i think. Im routing for a drwa tomorrow, or should i say today. I thin a Chelsea win would suit us best, but i hate Chelsea and wouldnt wish that upon them. Arsenal atleast are a tea i respect for what they are, great talents without the need to splash about. A great ground for buying prime and nurturing youth. Its a bit like United in that sense. people who go out and just buy a whole new squad of very expensive players arent about building a good solid team, they are about buying a good solid team.

Anyway, good luck in the match tomorrow, though not to much as i want a draw
We better bloody well beat useless Leeds by a good few goals or i will not be a happy bunny. if we loose tomorrow the premiership is over for us. FC Porto coming up soon as well. Hope Wes Brown is ready for it...

[admin]

I don't know, but I have a feeling that one side will score 3 or 4 goals and win easily, and that side may not be Arsenal

United will beat Leeds easily, scoring at least 3 in the process.

[admin]

Damn. I hate being wrong

[Oriphus]

God Damn it. How the hell did that happen??? United, at Old Trafford, only managed to score 1 goal against bottom of the table Leeds and then concede a goal from 5foot 11 inch Alan Smith when 6foot 2inch John O'Shea shouldve had it. What is this football club coming to. Everyone is taking something from United every single match. Its a disgrace. I blame Alex Ferguson. What do you do when you loose your best defender during a transfer window??? Buy another one to cover? Did we do that?? No!!!!!

[hacker_on_fire]

Oh well, looks like Man U's chances are becoming slim..i'm not complaining

[Oriphus]

I am - very disappointed. Look at the difference Roy Keane made when he came on. He shouldve been on from the start. The manager shouldnt be tinkering with a strange system. Look where Scholes and Kleberson were playing??? Also, Phil Neville and Nick Butt in the centre of mid field??? Two holding midfielders??? Whats that all about. Please Please PLEASE go back to the solid 4-4-2 that United work well. Less of this diamond effect and 4-3-1-2 crap. United play best when they're good players play. Play Roy Keane form the start of every match. Make sure to have RvN and Saha on from the start of every game. We need to win every game from now on - including beating Arsenal at Highbury and we need Arsenal to lose atleast one more and draw one.

[admin]

I think ManU will find it very hard to win all of their remaining games, as you've got too many injuries/suspensions in your defence. Sir Alex really messed up with his team selection yesterday, I think he underestimated Leeds (which BTW are the only team to deny us a victory in our historic record breaking double in 01/02).

Arsenal probably won't go unbeaten until the end of the season, but the key is to not drop any more points than United or Chelsea.

[Oriphus]

Yes, very true, but thats over and done with. Now the key is not to get beaten by any other teams. We will beat you at Highbury, but i dont think thats enough. Our injuries/suspensions are looking up with Solskjaer being able to paly now and Saha back in the side. We actually should start to look quite strong. However, i really agree with you in the team selection for Leeds match. Big mistake....

Here, met a cracker we girl out tongiht, stayed her house. She was hot. Also, parents buying a house in gulf of florida within next few weeks. Good place to bring the ladies. By the way, im well drunk right now....

[Oriphus]

A good result for Arsenal today. Let us hope United can get an equally good one against Porto tomorrow

[admin]

Yeah, it was a good match, although we were uncharacteristically defensively suspect, and Henry's been pretty poor for the last two games as well.

Good luck with Porto tomorrow, would be great if both teams go through and get matched up together.

[Oriphus]

To be honest, neither of us would really want to be matched up together until the final. We play each other enough in the Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup, etc... and it is nice to play some quality European teams.

We have a few worries going into the game tomorrow. As you are probably aware Silvestre has picked up an injury and will be out for 3 weeks. This leaves us with quite a defensive predicament, especially for a team who has been performing poorly at the back already. Wes Brown may partnership John O'Shea in the centre of defense, but after 4 weeks of conceding goals in set peices and crosses into the box, which F.C. Porto will be well aware of, i am kind of anxious. I would nearly prefer to see Roy Keane and Gary Neville slotting into the centre of defense with John O'Shea out left and Wes Brown out right. This would give us the opportunity to bring in Kleberson and Nicky Butt in a more central role, or to play Scholes and Nicky Butt. Then i hope to see Ryan giggs out in the far left hand side and Ole Gunner Solskjaer on the wide right.

Im always very optomistic about scoring when Louis Saha and RvN play together. The team is quite good with one striker, but when there are two top quality strikers, and probably the best finisher and controller of the ball in the world (Ole Gunner Solskjaer), attacking shouldnt be the problem. It is defense that may inevitably sink us. As i always say, buying a defender should be the number one priority in the summer. Its irrelevant that we will have Rio Ferdinand and Silvestre back. I just dont feel there is enough cover.

Do you know this is the first time that United has had a good set of 4 strikers (RvN, Saha, Forlan, Solskjaer) available. Although i mentioned Solskjaer as a striker i feel his boots will be filling the void left by David Beckham more than playing up front. His best position in my honest opinion, is coming in from the right and dribbling and hitting. How many people can recieve a ball like him, turn and hit it instantly and make the keeper work for it. He is so natural at shooting its unreal. We love you Solskjaer....

[admin]

Actually, I take it back. It would be even better if Arsenal were paired with Chelsea, because that way, we can personally take them of all the major competitions

But getting Real Madrid would be great as well, since I don't think Arsenal have ever played them.

I think United will do fine. European opponents are usually more subdued than Premiership teams when it comes to all out attacking, and as long as United are not under too much pressure, I think you'll cope with the patched up defending ... for now.

[Oriphus]

Maybe maybe....I hope we do, but i cant be overly confident. Actually the league that is mroe out-and-out attacking than the premiership is La Liga i feel anyway. They love to get forward in La Liga very quickly and usually dont defend quite as well. this was eveident in the 4-3 win at Old Trafford over Real Madrid.

I would be very pleased if Arsenal managed to put out Chelsea, it would be a real blow to the Chelsea fans though lol. Actually, dont be angry, but last weekend i actually was supporting Chelsea, but you are well aware of the reasons why...