Manchester United vs Manchester City 
The big news last weekend wasn't about the end of our unbeaten streak. Let's face it, we didn't play too well this season as we struggled with the away-game jinx. We are top of the table by sheer luck at the expense of our rivals who played even worse.
So the lost to Wolves wasn't all that surprising as any true blue ManUtd fans would know that the streak would come to an end eventually, even if it were at the hands (or rather feet) of relegation-struggling Wolves.
Frankly, I am glad we finally got this over and done with and what better team than Wolves at the opposite end of the table. Sure we drop 3 points here but think about it. Had it be against a title-challenging rival, the game would have cost us 6 points instead.
The big news instead was the spectacular Arsenal melt-down squandering 2 points after leading 4-0 in the first half. This is something that you don't expect a team who is a challenger to the title. Not at this level but Arsenal is rather infamous for their inability to handle pressure. Sure the refereeing was sub-standard but to lose a 4-0 lead?
Allow me to bring everybody back to 2005 when Arsenal hosted ManUtd and the bust-up drama in the tunnel even before the kick-off whistle was blown. Arsenal led 1-0 and again 2-1 only to lose against a 10-men ManUtd 2-4. Arsenal is a very talented team but as long as they lack the mental toughness that is required of a champion team, they will never amount to any greatness. So close yet so far, it's a shame really as Arsenal is regarded as the only worthy and respected rival left, now that Liverpool is down in the abyss of mid-table.
Coming back to the game ahead....
"...Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini believes that the only difference between his team and Manchester United is a stronger winning mentality." - Goal.com (11 Feb 2011)
"...Vieira fears Manchester United backlash." - ESPN UK (10 Feb 2011)
... it is a very big hint of the game's outcome when your opponent are showing signs of mental defeat. When you raise doubts about yourself before the kick-off whistle, I can assure you that the game is over right there-and-then.
I've never thought much of Roberto Mancini as a football manager. I think he is better off as a model for GQ or something.
If big-cash-splashing ManCity's ambition is to chase the EPL title, then I am sorry to say that Mancini is certainly the wrong person for it. He has only 3 Serie A titles (one of which was a hand-me-down from Juventus after the corruption scandal) and a bunch of domestic cup trophies. Certainly not, in my humble opinion, EPL title calibre.
ManCity should shop for another manager if they want to get anywhere near the EPL trophy.
Squad news. I don't get the big hoohah about Smalling making the Starting XI today. Big deal. The young lad will survive today without much incident when he has Vidic, Rafael and Evra to cover him nicely.
Instead I should be keeping an eye on Tevez whom I am speculating may get onto the score sheet again.
"...Patrick Vieira: There's No Point Trying To Defend Against Manchester United." - Goal.com (10 Feb 2011)
I don't see either side able to keep a clean sheet today but I don't think we will see many goals today either. 3 perhaps? The only way to win this game is to score more goals than the other side. Period.
Fergie will be fielding his best XI today as we don't have a midweek fixture hereafter that we need to save some legs for. Expect ManUtd to go all out to eliminate yet another title challenger.
Bookies are making ManUtd give a 3/4-ball handicap and a decimal odds of 2.075 to beat it. Frankly, I think 3/4-ball is not a good handicap for the punter. That is reflected by the punters' response of only 63% taking up the wager on ManUtd.
I'd probably shop around for bookies offering 1/2-ball instead even if it means a lower payout of 1.85.
JayWalk's 2010/2011 Track Record to-date (12 Feb 2011) : P93-W50-L43
- Voxeros
No comments:
Post a Comment