In a way while he is technically correct about what he said with us often fading during the season, I think it's good he made them, as it will serve as a good motivation for these players who are hungry and wanting to prove themselves. I'm sure a lot of the Arsenal players will want to silence Shrek come Sunday because of these comments. But anyways, this is a massive game, but it's a strange one, because we can afford to drop points, even though you never want to drop points, but with our recent run in the league, losing away at OT is not the end of the world, especially when we gained maximum points against Liverpool, had we drawn against Pool, then another draw or a loss would've been really bad for us. So from that angle, some of the pressure is off, the players don't have this massive burden on their shoulders of "can we beat a big team" after we just beat Dortmund and Liverpool. BUT this is where Rooney's comments in, incase any of them were getting complacent, his comments should serve to greatly motivate them!
As much as I hate to agree with that bald headed aniliagniac twat, he does have a point, and at the end of the day he has done it all. Still a bald headed twat though.
Great use of the word I never thought I'd see it shoe horned into a football forum. Agree with the sentiment of this thread, Rooney's comments will only serve to motivate our players further, but I don't think the players will feel that the pressure is off at all just because we've beaten Liverpool and Dortmund. If anything they will want to use it as a platform to build on and establish a healthy lead at the top of the league. For so many years November was Novembgrr and here were are sitting pretty 5pts clear at the top
His comments were pretty level-headed IMO, the paraphrased article headlines were just "baity" (as should be expected).
second the impressive use of the a word... As a United fan i would prefer meeting Arsenal with less pressure to perform after 2 wins rather than a team with pressure to win. That win in Dortmund might benefit United too
Just reading the newspapers and Arsenal parked the bus to fantastic effect last night, "defending with four legs", according to Klopp. They will dominate more at old Trafford but that may suit roon and van rap on the break.
Just checked the odds and United are still favourites to win at 13/10. I think it will be a very tight game. We'll need to play extremely well to get anything out of it.
I loved his comments and I love the media's constant condecending remarks. By all means keep sidelining us and belittling our achievements, it takes all the pressure off. We were hot favourites against Palace and put in an insipid display. We were written off before even kicking a ball against Napoli, Liverpool and Dortmund and won them all (I know we beat Palace but we made a meal of it!). Let everyone ignore us and we can quietly go about our business and keep accumulating points! Swell-head says if United win they're only 5 points behind? I say, Arsenal win and we're 11 points ahead! How's that for a fooking incentive?! Yet again we're deemed underdogs for this game. For most, that would bring out the worst in them, for us, it seems to bring out the best!
I believe last time is happened was 2004, when we went on and won the league setting an all time points record. Omen? We can all dream!!
These players get thrust in front of the microphone and often make innocent comments that are misinterpreted, statements that are ill though out or just plain stupid, I don't hold it against them, interviews are not scripted and I doubt he'll know what questions are coming. What he said isn't miles off the truth but before a clash the media will pick up on it and use it to raise interest/anticipation. I'll ignore...
The last time we were in the thick of the title race was back in the 2010/11 season. We travelled to Old Trafford in December needing a win to go top. We lost 1-0 to a Park header and really looked quite ordinary... the difference was, back then we had players such as Chamakh, Arshavin, Squillaci, Nasri, Eboue.. etc. Showed a total lack of belief that night. If we turn up at Old Trafford with the same attitude we will lose. Until this side can prove it has the mental ability to deal with the pressure of being in the title race and continue to show the defensive resolve we have seen thus far, people will continue to question it until we prove them wrong...
You obviously don`t understand what he meant. If United win they will be gauranteed to be 5 points off top, if Arsenal win they can end up anywhere between 5 and 8 points ahead of second place dependant on other teams results.
I did understand what he said, you didn't understand what I said. I'm not ******ed, and I wasn't implying we'd go 11 points clear of second place, just United. I was saying that's a huge incentive as we're normally that many points behind them going into Christmas.
Christ, I wish I'd known this before. I'd been getting all excited at the points we've been accumulating but apparently they're not valid until Feb.
