As Utd and Real don't play in the same leagues and haven't played each other for years, how can anyone be so bold as predict how they will fare? If you want to point to anything other than your own personal assessment of individual players, then it should be Utd's superior record in the competition over the past 5 years. This Utd team has vast experience of finals and semi-finals in the CL. On the other hand, Real haven't made a splash in Europe for a long time- and that includes this team, who have been together for a while. The reference to domestic form is baffling too. The PL has greater strength in depth than La Liga, no question. Most of their teams are cannon fodder for the top teams, whereas any team in the PL can give the best a game- and usually do. Yet Utd have the exceptional record, not Real. 46 points from 23 games doesn't compare to 65 from 26. Utd are on course for 95 points. Not bad for a crap team who get outplayed by teams who won't reach 65 points 'til May, is it?
In the past Madrid have made fools of Utd in their games, even when they had Keane, it was embarrassing to watch our best team get outplayed and out passed with sheer ease, so I get why many fans are thinking Madrid will walk this. However I'm not so sure this year, as while Utds central midfield leaves a lot to be desired in terms of quality, If RVP & Rooney are on form and Utd play direct attacking football then they can get at Madrid, as Madrid are out of sorts. The main issue for Utd, is that Madrid have world class attackers, and there is a chance they will tear Utds defence apart and if De Gea has a mare, its possible it could result in a thumping over one of the legs. BUT, again, I personally think its going to be an exciting, very tight game and hope Utd win.
If you have 10 minutes to spare, there is a great interview with Fergie here http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21401369 Regardless of what you think about the man, you can't help but be impressed, and when he's asked a question near the end "would you be under pressure to go if you went five years without a trophy" his answer "it wouldn't happen, no chance" (was wenger watching ha) Also one interesting point, was he spoke about some of his staff being there for 20 years, and there is little change to create a loyalty within the club, definitely a rare breed and when Utd lose him, it wouldn't surprise me if they went the way of Liverpool after all their success in the 80's.
Given a platform and time to prepare to say all the right things, doesn't make up for the constant acerbic (and outrageous) condemnation of officialdom. He was fortunate that United stuck with him originally - was it 3 or 4 years - before winning anything. That the club still appear to follow that loyalty path is to their credit - and I wouldn't mind betting that succession planning is well in place for when the Bacon-faced assassin finally moves upstairs. Whoever takes over will have a hard act to follow, but there won't be any rushed appointments.
There are two sides to the guy, one which inspires winners and a great team spirit, the other..... well, a side we witness in his many rants.
How has Fergie been so successful?By buying all the best goalscorers and recruiting the best choppers behind them........and it's worked. But it's amazing that all the time United have played in the European and Champions League,their successful ratio is pretty poor in trophy winning in those competitions. I do remember their first European Cup win and that was played "at home" at Wembley while Spurs beat Atletico Madrid "away" to become the first British European trophy winners....and 5-1 at that! However,that system has worked at home for United even when they are playing badly,so , bacon sandwiches all round as a salute to Fergie!!!!!
West Brom take the lead at Anfield with 10 minutes left and minutes after Foster saves a penalty. It would be a mugging if it stays like this, Liverpool have been all over them.
Liverpool should finished off the game in the first half. So many wasted chances. West Brom deserve the win just because Liverpool (Suarez) hasn't got the mettle. 0-2 Game over.
I liked the part at the end of the match where the table was shown and the commentator said something about Liverpool being 12 points behind Tottenham.
I thought before the match that as Albion thrashed Liverpool at The Hawthorns that they might get something tonight but I didn't expect a 0-2. That's changed my mind about Liverpool,if Albion can win there then so can we.
Rodgers' fault for talking up their chances for getting 4th. I know he was probably trying to get the fans optimistic and show he wasn't admitting defeat early but I'm a firm believer in talking on the pitch first. Had they gone on a winning run of 4/5 games then they could start talking about competing for 4th.
He is a fraud. People talk about Daglish and some of his **** buys, but he spent £11 Mil on Borini and £15 Mil on Joe Allen.
Also, they have yet to beat a team from the top ten this season. Plus, at least Daglish did well in the two domestic cup competitions.
