Still doesn't feel like Saints play in the same league as United, even though we gave them tougher games than many clubs this season who rolled over far too easily. My enduring memory of tonight, wasn't Van Persie's 2nd goal, it was the look of almost boredom on the faces of many Man Utd whoppers at Old Trafford at winning another title.
For me Van Persie is still player of the year. May have had a distinct lull and at their highs I think Suarez and Bale are both more 'unplayable' than him, but for me Van Persie has been the deciding factor in deciding where the league would end up. Easy to forget with United claiming the title with such dominance that they were thoroughly sub-par before January and it was really Van Persie and a bit of luck that was the difference between where they ended up and being 6/7 points short of City going into the New Year, which could have seen things ending up very differently.
Wonder if ManU winning the title will have an effect on their remaining games. I know some fans favour us playing fringe players when we are safe (not me!)...how much more must Fergie be tempted to give players games (especially if otherwise they wouldn't qualify for a medal).
Fergie wants to get the record points total (96) by winning all the remaining 4 games. He won't be easing up anytime soon.
They can say this all they like, the fact is they will have a drop in motivation. I bet they don't get more than 90.
The Championship is still amazing me. Last evening, Blackburn beat Millwall with a late Away penalty, courtesy of Jordan Rhodes, taking them from 20th to 15th place, and apparent safety. If Millwall had won they would have gone from 18th to 12th or 13th, depending on how many they scored clear. Instead, they drop to 19th and are in the mix in needing to avoid relegation. In fact, Ipswich in 14th spot are not out of the woods yet, though incredibly, Wolves look as though they may fall to being relegated twice in two seasons. Who'd be a Wolves fan, at the moment..? Their form is so up and down they are almost totally unpredictable.
Take out the top two and City at the botom and I don't think it'sever been so tight. Charlton were n the bottom 5 a few games ago and now they could make the play offs!
I know, Lamb. You'd think this was the first month of the season, the way a team can win one or two matches and leap up the table. It can't be denied that the Championship is super-competitive. League One & Two are only slightly less so.
Suarez gets a TEN MATCH ban. Seems a tad harsh to me! The FA are so wildly inconsistent. Some things don't punished at all and then this. I think he will have a good case to appeal that frankly.
Not harsh at all. Deserves it. He got a 7 match ban for biting before so it's only right the ban is increased.
The teams... DORTMUND: Weidenfeller; Piszczek, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer; Gündogan, Bender; Blaszczykowski, Götze, Reus; Lewandowski. MADRID: Diego Lopez; Ramos, Varane, Pepe, Coentrao; Khedira, Alonso; Ozil, Modric, Ronaldo; Higuain.
People have been talking recently about should players be two footed and shoot with either foot. Whilst an obvious advantage, I noticed that the player who scored all 4 goals for Dortmund yesterday was very right footed and adjusted the ball with his left rather than shoot with it. I guess if you're excellent with one foot, it's better than being okay with both.
Indeed, one of my favourite players, Alain Traore of Lorient and Burkina Faso, had a trial with United at 17 in which he was very nervous because he is heavily left-footed, he tried to show off his right foot but Ferguson told him it was "better to be have one great foot than two average feet; just look at Ryan Giggs". I think if you have the necessary technique you can always get away with it, like Giggs' dribbling ability, Lewandowski's touch for his third to roll the ball silkily onto his right, and Bale's outside of the foot cross against City. The problem you get is when you have uncertainty and you end up fluffing your lines.
