Hello my football people… what a weekend that was!
I think we all agree that the last two years can be discounted (yeah yeah yeah, City and Liverpool), but you all know what I mean. Stadiums were empty, teams constantly thwarted by Covid cases.
The football was just different, but this season its back full-throttle and while any team can win on the day, league positioning at this stage seems a very fair reflection of who’s who in the zoo. There’s no doubt Liverpool, Chelsea and City are the three contenders, in no particular order, a step (or two) ahead of your Tottenhams, Leicesters, West Hams, Arsenals, Uniteds and Evertons. That viewpoint was crystalised on Saturday as Chelsea, for the first time in weeks, looked magnificent at the King Power.
Could have been five or six nil had it not been for the busy linesmen writing off three offside goals. That was followed by the absolute dismantling of Arsenal at Anfield.
The Gunners had been on a decent run… Mikel Arteta’s ‘process’ finally showing some fruition. But against the real-deal, they were pathetic. I know the pundits in-studio were praising Arsenal’s first-half resilience, but they were k@k. Totally outplayed, out-possessed and showed zilch up front. That’s criminal when you think of the ding-dong battles these two clubs have had over the last few decades.
It was a proper case of boys against men. A youngster I really like ‘Emile Smith Rowe’ hardly got a touch of the ball in 90 minutes? Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s game contribution was running back and kicking opponents. As for that set of defenders attempting to ‘play out from the back’ jeeez, it was schoolboy stuff. I guess Aaron Ramsdale (keeper) has to get a shout for some terrific work, keeping the score semi-reasonable.
But yeah, pre-match the gaffer was saying he thinks his team can beat Liverpool. Naaah mate, there’s a long way to go before that bunch of kids are able to compete at the top TOP level. As you’ve probably noticed, I’m blabbering on about stuff and trying not to mention Man Utd…
Oh my god, WTF? Losing to City and Liverpool in the way they did had been traumatising enough, but what happened on Saturday had to be the end. Every journalist, analyst, you, me, fans across the globe (including United), cats, dogs, Alistair Izobell, postman pat and that lump of molding cheese in the fridge were all wondering why they stuck with him? Poor fella, at the final whistle he walked over to the away section and waved. It was the equivalent of a Mafia kiss. And so it happened, officially out the door on Sunday afternoon. Of course the huge question is who is next?
Michael Carrick will take temporary charge, but who’s actually available to take the (permanent) position? Zinedine Zidane remains odds on favourite, Michael Carrick at 3/1 (huh?) with Brendan Rogers and Erik ten Hag behind him… Cristiano Ronaldo is also on the betting board at 25/1!
It’s unlikely ‘Potch’ will consider leaving PSG, he recently signed an extension, and they missed out on Antonio Conte because he was “too strong willed”.
But much can happen between now and the end of the season. Personally, I don’t feel Zidane is the answer. He commands great respect as he should being one of the world’s all-time best, but he’s no tactical genius nor a man-management specialist. That kind of leaves Ten Hag. Obviously he’s a bit of a wildcard but did lead Ajax to a Champions League semi which he came incredibly close to winning and produced great looking football.
He’s also obsessed with tactics much like Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp. Something United have looked devoid of in recent months! Saying all that, it’s likely Ed Woodward, with the backing of the Glazer’s will opt for ZZ, given his name!
We’ll just have to wait and see. In the meantime, United travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, but the red card Harry Maguire picked up at Watford rules him out… Chelsea are appealing the decision. Wink-wink.
Champions League kicks off again tonight (and tomorrow) with some crunch ties!
United will need to bounce back away to Villareal tonight, Chelsea will be hoping to lead the group with a win over Juventus. Tomorrow, City play PSG for top spot and can ‘Sherriff’ create another upset as they host Real Madrid! Do the right thing people, get vaxxed, stay safe… byeee.