SD on 29/5/2009 at 10:01
United are shit and the only reason they won the league this season is because they are flat-track bullies who are able to pummel lesser opponents into oblivion, because they struggle against the good sides. We battered them 4-1 at Old Trafford after giving them a goal headstart and that scoreline didn't flatter us.
Vidic is lauded as the best defender in England this season, however he turns like an articulated lorry and is extremely vulnerable to balls played behind the defence. If you have players with pace, you can murder United's back four (FWIW: Vidic was sent off in both league matches against Liverpool this season).
Similarly United's midfield, though full of quality players, suffers when you press them hard and don't give them time to play those killer balls. Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta dismantled United's attacking game as ruthlessly in the Stadio Olimpico as Gerrard, Mascherano and Lucas (!) did in Manchester.
Shame that we managed to get ourselves knocked out thanks to Chelsea's solitary great performance of the season because we actually would have given Barca a game. Still, there's always next year!
D'Juhn Keep on 29/5/2009 at 12:37
Quote Posted by SD
Still, there's always next year!
It's deja vu all over again, Clive
SD on 29/5/2009 at 13:40
There's nothing wrong with being eternally optimistic, and at least these days it's justifiable optimism.
thefonz on 29/5/2009 at 19:45
Watch for Ronaldo to move to Real Madrid now...because he's only in it for the football and not the money.
He should move to Barca - they'd be unstoppable then.
D'Juhn Keep on 29/5/2009 at 19:56
You can really see him fitting into their passing and moving style? I don't really see it.
nickie on 29/5/2009 at 20:00
Anything that results in us not having to see that big girl's blouse next season is fine by me.
Shug on 30/5/2009 at 02:42
United are shit? Seriously, Stronts? Liverpool had a great chance at the title this season and blew it and have nobody but themselves to blame.
United clean the lower ranked teams constantly in the EPL and that's what it takes to win the whole shebang; something that Liverpool could certainly do if Rafa used his money a little more wisely to give Gerrard a little more support in attack, maybe then you wouldn't need to keep scoring goals in the last 2 minutes of games to get somewhere
SD on 31/5/2009 at 13:06
Clearly they're not shit, but as a football fan I reserve the right to hyperbolise.
You make the same point I do about United winning the league because they are flat-track bullies. They picked up 74 of 78 available points against the bottom 13 teams (all the teams who didn't qualify for Europe next season) which says it all. Obviously this is something Liverpool need to emulate.
Not sure how Rafa could use his money more wisely though? We don't have anywhere near as much of it as United or Chelsea. Our transfer/wage budget is 4th highest in the league and Rafa took the team to 2nd, taking 14 out of 18 points against the three richer sides in the process; that's over-achievement in anyone's book.
SubJeff on 31/5/2009 at 13:11
Wait so beating teams you are better than makes you a bully?
SD on 31/5/2009 at 13:55
Flat-track bully is a sporting term that originated in horse racing. It's a competitor or team (originally horse) that excels against weaker opposition or in ideal conditions, but struggles against better opponents or in tough conditions.
Think Tim Henman at Wimbledon or Matthew Hayden in cricket ;)
