Hands up all those who expected this at the end of Saturday’s game against Middlesbrough? Still three points clear at the top of the league with one fewer week to play. In the great scheme of things that is like Christmas considering how I felt at full time at Old Trafford. I know it’s terrible to admit it and I should have had faith but for the first time since Christmas when we first went six points clear, I had real doubts about our chances of staying in front and winning this league. I could see nothing but a Chelsea victory, Chelsea team celebrations and an arrogant post match interview with Jose. In the event only one of those things happened, Chelsea looked like a team dented as they left the St James’ pitch and it is all a case of as you were in the league. It would have been lovely to take three points from Boro and get the Newcastle result the same but life doesn’t happen like that. We should thank whoever you like that we were not made to pay for our stumble.
Category: Premier League
There and Then, Be Here Now
This has been the most exciting season I can remember, and it’s a great time to be a Manchester United fan. This is the most important part of the season, not because the games are more frequent (they are), not because the points matter more (they do) but because it’s ‘that’ time when all the season’s work kicks into gear and threatens to actually drive you to your destination. Of course, the car that is the football season could also splutter to a halt and die on the motorway. Success often promises the full distance but conks out just before the giant anchor building around the corner from the Theatre of Dreams.
Kop That
An open letter to the red scousers of Merseyside:
I have been in this fair city for six of earth’s years and much of my time has been full of fun and laughter for all. I have, however, on occasion been forced to sit in many of the city’s bars and pubs whilst your football team defeated mine. I saw the t-shirts hurriedly printed proclaiming Michael Owen ‘a weapon of manc destruction’. I did see the man fromUruguaymake the scousers cry and I do remember Wayne Rooney scoring and celebrating infront of you. For all those years of defeats at Anfield, Riise rockets, Steven Gerrard’s whiney face whenever United do anything against either him orLiverpool, and Robbie Fowler, just for being Robbie Fowler, I sat through it all and watched as everyone let me have it when Monday came and I was back in the classroom or work. That is the main reason I make no apology for pointing out a few things today and offering my apologies to the red scousers of Liverpool.
I am sorry that for large parts of the game we were very lucky to hang on when you should have taken the chances.
Given to Score 