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Fergie Has Pulled A Blinder
So it was a pretty quiet transfer window but having a look at yesterday's result and the Old Scottish Dog's cheeky suggestion Darren Gibson's goal was all part of his plan, I began thinking that Sir maybe did some of the best transfer window business and has made us all eat our own hats...
He has signed Scholes for a free and although I was a massive sceptic of the transfer thinking he would be too slow he has really impressed, like a little teenage midfield maestro. Add that to Pogba coming on for United, the return of Anderson and Cleverley soon and Fergie has basically signed four midfield players...
I hate to say it but the more I think about it the more I just have to laugh at myself and everyone else who has critiscised Fergie for not buying midfielders and strengthening the 'weakest' part of his team. The comments on this website about how well they have done to be only three points behind were further exemplified last night and I think it is time for everyone in the footballing world to take a vow of silence in criticising Fergie. It seems that he is always right and always will be, no wonder he doesn't speak to the press he disagrees with, because they are wrong!!
Tom, Tractor Boy in Switzerland (Loving last night's result but missing Portman Road)
What About The Kids?
Whilst watching the Man Utd game last night I started to wonder what's going on with the youth set-up at United at the moment. Ferguson has gone on record to say that he has been wary of bringing in new faces in case it is to the detriment of the youngsters coming through. Well he's just sold one of them (someone whom some people were describing as the best talent to come through in years) to West Ham. I know Ravel Morrison appears to be something of a sh**wit but, Ferguson's handled the likes of him before hasn't he?
The other thing that struck me during the game was when Pogba came on; he showed more in 15 minutes than Giggs has all season and Scholes certainly has during this little sojourn of his. No wonder the boy is moaning about lack of chances - he obviously has talent in abundance and, when you sit on the bench and see a midfield pairing of Park and Rafael (as was seen against Blackburn) being played ahead of you, you must be close to slapping in a transfer request.
Someone recently wrote in (apologies, I can't remember who you are) asking the pertinent question as to whether Sir Alex has finally become too out of touch with the newest generation. Maybe he has? Or maybe there are other factors behind closed doors as to why Morrison and Pogba have not been given a chance. The season is at a critical point right now; bafflingly, we are level on goal difference at the top despite some very turgid displays in many games. With Cleverley coming back, he and Pogba could be the impetus that takes us ahead of City.
Gavin Kirrage (Fergie also needs to decide if it's Lindegaard or De Gea for the rest of the season)
Sign Him Up, Fergie
It was with great delight that I saw the tall, coltish figure of Paul Pogba take up a place in United's midfield in the second half of the game against Stoke. Suddenly there was a player who made himself available for passes, made runs forward, made passes forward, and tackled back. I know this was 20 minutes on a cold night against Stoke, but it feels like the first time there was a big, strong midfielder in there since Ronny Johnsen in the 1999 Champions League final. Okay, so there has been Phil Jones once or twice, but I'm hoping Fergie decides centre-half is his best position instead of turning him into the new John O'Shea. I also know that Johnsen was a centre-half too, which renders that point moot, but I'm a bit excited so lay off. There have been reports on this esteemed website about Newcastle nipping in to sign him, and it does make sense - he's young, cheap and French, which fits in nicely with their transfer approach this season - but Pogs has won my heart after doing his best Cristiano Ronaldo impression and popping up on the right of midfield to deliver crosses of which Valencia would be proud.
Hari Raj, MUFC, Melbourne (found a new favourite player)
...United played really well tonight. I have criticised Valencia in the past for only having one piece of skill that he does every time, and though it's still true, f**k me he's been great lately...and tonight he was even more brilliant.
After the last few instalments of Madrid/Barca I've really noticed similarities between Carrick and Busquets. Tonight when Pogba came on I thought Carrick/Scholes/Pogba were very similar to Busquets/Xavi/Fabregas, particularly with Carrick being the man sat furthest back. I think Fergie should play those three more often, especially as the three-man midfield helps Scholes' old legs with running - leaving him to dictate the game with his amazing passing, movement and vision. Pogba looked good too, so giving him game time alongside Scholes and the much improved Carrick will be great for him.
Bit of a no-show from Berba and Hernandez despite their excellent penalties though.
Silvio (At last, United fans cheering for Gibson! Well done my son) Dante
It's Great When You're United
Level on points and still with all these injuries. Oooooooo. City's full first team may well be the dogs danglers when on song and Spurs' full first team are a pleasure to watch, but there can surely be no more doubt that the depth of United's squad is excellent. A host of players can come into the team and we still perform at a very good standard.
City must be thinking 'how can they be level on points with that injury list?????'
Tim (squeaky bum time fast approaching) Collins
Absolutely
I'm pretty sure that in his three appearances for Everton Darron Gibson has made a larger contribution to a Man Utd title challenge than he did in his seven years at Old Trafford.
Gregor Meehan, MUFC
Moyes For United
If Moyes can make a success out of even the most clumsy and backwards Manchester United reject, surely that's the most compelling case for his eventual - and seemingly inevitable - installation as United manager?
Nick Glover, Scouser in Brum
Dare Everton Be Optimistic?
Everton - a fine, traditional club (all very good). However, they seem to be the most inspiration-sapping team to have the misfortune of supporting through a transfer window (usually). Not this time though. They've spent little more than they recovered (as they must), but they seem to have acquired a bunch of players who (a) have a vague idea where the back of the net is, and (b) a historic inclination of kicking the ball in said direction.
Yeah they've lost an instinctive sick-note and an almost as expensive and even worse Andrei Arshavin who were each also supposed to bring a spark to the team, but in truth they seem to have lost little and gained quite a lot (particularly whilst Landycakes hangs around).
Plus they beat City last night - Is this the most exciting morning Everton fans have had for a while? We don't usually hear from the dour miserable bunch in the mailbox, but surely some joy is going to spill over (as it were) and into the mailbox? Dare they be optimistic?...
Ollie
No Yaya, No Title For City
If you had to do a list of players that clubs are missing the most in January I think there'd be a clear winner - Yaya Toure. Last night City proved that without that man mountain they are quite vulnerable to being beaten or held for a point at least. For all of the little Spaniard's magic box of tricks and even with an attack of Dzeko, Kun and Super Mario, they have failed to unlock ordinary defences. And suprisingly this is where they're missing the drive and sheer power of Toure. Silva looks lost when paired with Milner and Barry. Nasri is slowly coming into form but is playing only because Toure is absent.
When Yaya plays, Silva seems to have more freedom to roam over the pitch and is more lethal. Without him, the City midfield look bereft of ideas.
It was quite ironic to hear Old Trafford resound with 'there's only one Darren Gibson'. Who knows perhaps other ex-United players still might decide where the title goes as season proceeds.
Budhaditya
P.S. Pogba's cameo reminded me of a certain CR7's debut against Bolton ages ago. I'm just glad SAF is playing him.
Annoyed Of Arsenal (Ish)...
Can I be the first Arsenal fan to bemoan that we didn't buy (insert big name player here) and that Wenger should go because he didn't sign (journeyman Premier league player who moved for £3-5m) because he is better than (Squillaci/Chamakh/Fabianski/A N Other squad player).
I KNOW (because TalkSport/The Sun/bloke down the pub told me) that we have £(large amount of cash) sitting idly by unused and, therefore, the (manager/board/club) are a disgrace and should (resign/be sacked/be shot at dawn).
I am apoplectic because our only signing is a talented 19-year-old. I mean, I've only just got over booing Wenger for substituting an 18-year-old that I didn't want us to sign in the first place.
I think that covers it.
Cheers.
Tom (It was a bit dull really wasn't it?) Cheshire Gooner
Annoyed Of Chelsea
Wow! That's the only thing I can say.
Swansea demolished us in the first half and we escaped with murder! They hogged possession and ran us ragged.
I have no idea how we got a draw. But thank you god!
Moving on to more pressing concerns...What is happening to my team??
Torres, wants to be anywhere else but in the penalty box, when a cross comes in. I am also concerned with Bosingwa and David Luiz. They are better going forward than defending. They lack intelligence especially in terms of positional play. These two players have hurt us and caused us to drop points in several games now.
I just hope that AVB gets rid of Bosingwa in the summer and overhauls the squad. However, going forward I see Luiz and Torres to be used as impact players. Luiz can maybe even become a competent full-back. Also a change in formation to 4-2-3-1 with Mata in the hole and Essien and Ramires cleaning up things in the middle.
In short, I'm bitterly disappointed with the way we are playing. And well done to Swansea. Hard luck!
Ashraf Kadwa (hates it that Ramires is injured)
The Thrill Of Djibril
Have you ever loved a player for no reason at all? I have and still do.
That man is Djibril Cissé. Why do I love him so much? Maybe it's because he has crazy hair? Maybe because he has tattoos? Maybe because he's a just a good footballer, I don't know. All I know is I loved him every since his Liverpool days, was gutted when he went to Marseille and then very happy to see him at Sunderland, then again gutted he left for Panathinaikos. Now as you may have guess by now, I'm so glad he's back in the Premier League! I never really cared for QPR, but now that Cisse is there, I hope they stay up!
John AFC (We better bloody beat Bolton!) North London
Bemoaning Thorn Time
I know that the good folk at your esteemed establishment have the ear of the great and the good of football so feel sure you will be able to answer the burning question that arose from last night's fixtures (or more accurately, arose at around 9.54pm).
Have the football authorities from FIFA downwards finally decided, in secret, to get together and redress the occasionally-expressed notion that their organisations unconsciously favour some clubs?
As a result, have the English authorities - particularly the Football League - reluctantly taken direct, if arbitrary action and introduced 'Thorn Time' as a direct counter to Fergie Time?
In short, have Championship referees up and down the land been ordered this season, upon pain of death, to keep playing until Coventry lose?
Yours, broken-hearted again...
Richard Jefferies, CCFC
Tis True
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if Sunderland collect three home points tonight (and it's far from given seeing as the The Canaries are as hard to beat away as they are at home) they go top of the form table for the last eight games? (A table supplied by f365 I might add).
I have to say Mr O'Neill deserves a slap on the back from somewhere right?
JT> Wallingford
