Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Red beginnings

I thought about doing a season preview...and put it off.

Then I thought I'd review our first 3 games (yes, back in August)...and I put it off.

I'm fresh off my procrastinating days in college, so give me a break!

And in true college spirit, it's 4am...time to get writing I think! So here's a random collection of thoughts on United's season up to now.

Beating Chelsea...
Starting with the curtain raiser for the season, the Community Shield. A 3-1 victory against Chelsea is always good, regardless of the fixture, and aside from Hilario in goal it was a full strength starting XI from the Blues. United performed really well, and I for one was thrilled to see Hernandez score, albeit in the hilarious fashion he managed it. Berbatov's goal as I remember it was at the other end of the spectrum, a fine finish, and one that foreshadows his play for the season to date.

Low-light(s) of the season...
Lack of diligence with the defense. It all began with Fulham, where we dropped two points that should have been wrapped up with Nani's penalty. Following that Fulham won a corner, and it was one of those moments where you knew what was just about to transpire. Late goal, play the 90 minutes!
If it was bad against Fulham, it was abysmal against Everton. Never should a team allow two injury time goals...ok I take that back, I'm thrilled that Bayern Munich did it in 1999. Still United fans were rightly dismayed at the discipline, or lack thereof, of the United back four. We almost managed it a third time against the red half of Mersey, giving away a two goal lead, only to have Berbatov rescue us.

The Berba-wagon...
Which brings me to the next topic. What redemption for Dimi Berbatov so far this season. He's scored six goals in the league, three of which came in that big game against Liverpool.
I will put my hand up and say I have been a critic of Berbatov, BUT only because I feel that he has underperformed for the kind of money we paid him. Boy is he living up to his price tag so far this year.
His value hasn't always been in the goals he's scored, but rather in his link up play. People rant about his technical ability, and with good reason. He pulls off inch-perfect flicks, back heels and lay offs to tee up his team mates, certainly one for racking up the assists. He's been doing this for his whole spell at United. The difference this season of course is the goals he's scoring in addition to his usual team play. I love it, and so do the rest of United's fans. Everyone on the Berba-wagon, full steam ahead!

Worst signing...
Now if Berba was one criticised for his price tag (or the value we're getting for it), then Bebe is Berba two point oh! 7 million we paid for a player who we hadn't seen, and he might have been Sir Alex's worst signing in that regard. I really do feel for the guy, he's under immense pressure and scrutiny, but he has no place at United as far as I'm concerned. I would love for him to prove me wrong.

Highlight of the season...
Any competition for this one? I think not! A 3-2 win against Liverpool, and the first hat trick for a Red Devil against Liverpool in 64 years! Not only that, it featured two very good headers, and a beautiful bicycle kick. Unlike basketball, where "nothing but net" looks good, I think there's nothing better in football than a shot ringing off the bar and then bouncing across the line.

Now I understand Liverpool is far from the team they used to be, but even in the coming years while they rebuild, this will always be a big rivalry and a tough game for us. Still, 80 minutes of domination were undone by three moments of idiocy...

1) Evans tackle. I like Johnny Evans, but he has a ways to go before we can feel confident with him in our back line. Any striker with Torres speed, let alone his ability, will cause a young'un like Evans huge problem. His tackle was a stone cold penalty.

2) O'Shea's foul on Torres. Just plain lazy, lucky to not get a red. Which of course led to...

3) You know what a bad wall is? one with a hole in it. Well Darren Fletcher did his best imitation of a bad wall, by moving out of the way and allowing Gerrard to net the second of the easiest brace he's likely to get.
This criticism comes with one caveat. Raul Meireles made what I think, was a very clever move, and if it was intentional, I fully condone more teams trying it. The beauty was in the subtlety. As Gerrard was running up, Meireles, who was on the end of the wall, leaned into Fletcher, and then bolted away from him. Fletcher's flinch wasn't to get out of the way of the ball, but he was pulled out of position momentarily, probably thinking that the free kick was being layed off to Meireles. Don't believe me? Look at the replay (about 40 seconds in) and tell me what you think!

Anywho that's it for now. Here's to hoping that the next time I'm writing this, United have rattled off four straight wins against Bolton, Sunderland, West Brom...and the big one, Valencia!