It's been around about an hour since the end of the game in Switzerland and there is going to be plenty of people looking through United's path in the Champions League and try to figure out where it all went wrong.
The decisions of Sir Alex Ferguson to play weakened teams in the early stages of the Group looks to have been a serious mistake in hindsight, although he can't be held accountable for the team blowing a 2-0 lead at home against Basel, nor conceding a goal 30 seconds after going 2-1 up against Benfica, results that would have seen United move through to the last 16 as Group Winners.
The failure to make a big midfield signing in the Summer remains an astonishing mistake as far as I am concerned as United look lightweight in that area, even if injuries had not be taking their toll. Michael Carrick, Anderson, Park, Ryan Giggs, and Tom Cleverley were not really going to fill the void left by Paul Scholes while Darren Fletcher was recovering from an illness that had curtailed the back end of last season for the Scot.
United didn't play badly tonight, but the defending once again let them down- it has been the defensive performances of the side that have helped them move through to 3 Finals in 4 seasons in this competition, yet now they have failed to move through to the last 16.
The injury to Nemanja Vidic looks a bad one and I can see him being ruled out for the rest of the season, while the consolation of the Europa League is no real consolation at all (entering a competition with the likes of Braga, Standard Liege, Vaslui and Birmingham City is not what United are all about).
I remember back in 2005 phoning my brother out in Benfica when we last went out of this competition at this stage and saying I wish we had at least reached the UEFA Cup, but I certainly don't feel that way now.
So what is the silver linings from this game? The first is that it may help Sir Alex create a siege mentality in the squad that could propel them to the Premier League title- United are certain to be criticised and mocked from all angles following their exit, as they were in 2005, but the team could emulate that one and go on a long run and win the title... Granted we don't have Cristiano Ronaldo anymore, and Manchester City are unlikely to collapse like Chelsea did that season, but it is a potential silver lining.
The other one is that this should hit the Glazers in the pockets after their pillaging of our wonderful club. The 3 Finals in 4 seasons IN SPITE OF their presence has sustained the club with large windfalls from the competition, windfalls that just don't exist in the Europa League and will hopefully put a little more pressure on the parasites.
I am not interested in the sums of money they have 'spent' since taking over the club- take a deeper look at the accounts and see what has been TAKEN out of the club and you will quickly figure out that they have spent nothing and it is only the magic of the manager that United have achieved so much in that time.
The exit from this competition will hopefully open up a few more eyes and have a few more questions asked as to how these people can continue to run the club in the manner they have, piling on a bunch of debt and barely keeping up on payments.
The third silver lining I find is that we will hopefully hear less and less about what a 'great' squad United have... It is paper thin and in serious need of freshening up and I would love to be proved wrong and United to go on a spending spree next Summer, but I won't hold my breath. The midfield is severely lacking the necessary quality and results like tonight, as well as Manchester City's vast improvement, is exposing the myth that United didn't need anybody and that they have '100 million' stored in a bank waiting for the right opening in the market.
The final silver lining is quite a silly one- United have never won the UEFA Cup in it's previous forms so this is the perfect chance to complete the set... By beating City in the Final in Romania in May.
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Showing posts with label 1944-2011. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1944-2011. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Tuesday, 15 November 2011
College Football Week 12 Picks and Previews
The top 2 teams in the nation continued with their surge towards a National Championship encounter in January as both the LSU Tigers and, more impressively, the Oklahoma State Cowboys remained unbeaten.
This match-up would be very intriguing as the Tigers success is based on their Defense and would be going up against the best Offense in College Football in the form of the Cowboys.
The weekend also showed up all those people who had laughed when I said the Oklahoma Sooners were not out of contention for a tilt at the big game- the Stanford and Boise State losses means the Sooners have moved up the rankings and they are sure to get a lot of votes if they knock off Oklahoma State in their game on December 3rd.
The problem for Oklahoma is trying to keep up with the Cowboys without Ryan Broyles and Dominique Whaley who are both out for the season. Another thing that doesn't sit well with many voters is how the Sooners lost to the awful Texas Tech team that were bludgeoned at home by Oklahoma State this weekend.
Alabama will also be feeling they are back in contention to play in the National Championship Game after another win at Mississippi State over the weekend, although they may be looking for Arkansas to knock of the LSU Tigers in the final game of the season before the SEC Championship Game is set.
In terms of the picks, it was one of the poorer weeks of the season as the finished 4-5... Hopefully we will have a little more luck than Week 11 as I look to bounce back.
The picks will come out in staggered periods during the next couple of days and you can follow me on Twitter where I update whenever anything is posted:
Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Iowa State Cyclones Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12437-Oklahoma-State-at-Iowa-State-Cyclones.htm)
Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Arkansas Razorbacks Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12438-Mississippi-State-at-Arkansas-Razorbacks.htm)
Wisconsin Badgers @ Illinois Fighting Illini Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12439-Wisconsin-Badgers-at-Illinois-Fighting-Il.htm)
Southern Methodist Mustangs @ Houston Cougars Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12440-Southern-Methodist-at-Houston-Cougars.htm)
Kentucky Wildcats @ Georgia Bulldogs Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12446-Kentucky-Wildcats-at-Georgia-Bulldogs.htm)
Louisiana State Tigers @ Ole Mississippi Rebels Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12449-Louisiana-State-at-Ole-Mississippi.htm)
Clemson Tigers @ North Carolina State Wolfpack Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12450-Clemson-Tigers-at-North-Carolina-State.htm)
Penn State Nittany Lions @ Ohio State Buckeyes Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12452-Penn-State-at-Ohio-State.htm)
MY PICKS: Oklahoma State Cowboys - 27 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Arkansas Razorbacks - 13 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Wisconsin Badgers - 14.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Houston Cougars - 19.5 Points @ 1.92 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Georgia Bulldogs - 30.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Louisiana State Tigers - 30 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Clemson Tigers - 7.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Ohio State Buckeyes - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
WEEK 11: 4-5, - 1.21 Units
WEEK 10: 5-3, + 1.74 Units
WEEK 9: 4-2, + 1.82 Units
WEEK 8: 2-4, - 2.16 Units
WEEK 7: 5-3, + 1.8 Units
WEEK 6: 6-1, + 4.66 Units
WEEK 5: 3-3, - 0.21 Units
This match-up would be very intriguing as the Tigers success is based on their Defense and would be going up against the best Offense in College Football in the form of the Cowboys.
The weekend also showed up all those people who had laughed when I said the Oklahoma Sooners were not out of contention for a tilt at the big game- the Stanford and Boise State losses means the Sooners have moved up the rankings and they are sure to get a lot of votes if they knock off Oklahoma State in their game on December 3rd.
The problem for Oklahoma is trying to keep up with the Cowboys without Ryan Broyles and Dominique Whaley who are both out for the season. Another thing that doesn't sit well with many voters is how the Sooners lost to the awful Texas Tech team that were bludgeoned at home by Oklahoma State this weekend.
Alabama will also be feeling they are back in contention to play in the National Championship Game after another win at Mississippi State over the weekend, although they may be looking for Arkansas to knock of the LSU Tigers in the final game of the season before the SEC Championship Game is set.
In terms of the picks, it was one of the poorer weeks of the season as the finished 4-5... Hopefully we will have a little more luck than Week 11 as I look to bounce back.
The picks will come out in staggered periods during the next couple of days and you can follow me on Twitter where I update whenever anything is posted:
Oklahoma State Cowboys @ Iowa State Cyclones Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12437-Oklahoma-State-at-Iowa-State-Cyclones.htm)
Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Arkansas Razorbacks Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12438-Mississippi-State-at-Arkansas-Razorbacks.htm)
Wisconsin Badgers @ Illinois Fighting Illini Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12439-Wisconsin-Badgers-at-Illinois-Fighting-Il.htm)
Southern Methodist Mustangs @ Houston Cougars Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12440-Southern-Methodist-at-Houston-Cougars.htm)
Kentucky Wildcats @ Georgia Bulldogs Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12446-Kentucky-Wildcats-at-Georgia-Bulldogs.htm)
Louisiana State Tigers @ Ole Mississippi Rebels Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12449-Louisiana-State-at-Ole-Mississippi.htm)
Clemson Tigers @ North Carolina State Wolfpack Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12450-Clemson-Tigers-at-North-Carolina-State.htm)
Penn State Nittany Lions @ Ohio State Buckeyes Pick and Preview (http://goonersguide.com/football-pick-12452-Penn-State-at-Ohio-State.htm)
MY PICKS: Oklahoma State Cowboys - 27 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Arkansas Razorbacks - 13 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Wisconsin Badgers - 14.5 Points @ 2.00 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Houston Cougars - 19.5 Points @ 1.92 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Georgia Bulldogs - 30.5 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Louisiana State Tigers - 30 Points @ 1.92 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)
Clemson Tigers - 7.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
Ohio State Buckeyes - 6.5 Points @ 1.95 Pinnacle (1 Unit)
WEEK 11: 4-5, - 1.21 Units
WEEK 10: 5-3, + 1.74 Units
WEEK 9: 4-2, + 1.82 Units
WEEK 8: 2-4, - 2.16 Units
WEEK 7: 5-3, + 1.8 Units
WEEK 6: 6-1, + 4.66 Units
WEEK 5: 3-3, - 0.21 Units
WEEK 4: 4-2, + 1.80 Units
WEEK 3: 5-1, + 3.60 Units
WEEK 2: 3-0, + 2.82 Units
WEEK 1: 4-0, + 3.74 Units
SEASON UPDATE: 45-24, + 18.40 Units
SEASON UPDATE: 45-24, + 18.40 Units
Tuesday, 8 November 2011
RIP Joe Frazier 1944-2011
The Champ has had his final battle and, at age 67, Smokin' Joe Frazier is now no longer with us.
The news on Saturday about his illness had prepared me for what was going to happen, but I was still shocked when I heard the news.
These great Heavyweight Champions of the past are like gods to me, far better than us mere mortals and true heroes, which makes it all the harder to accept Frazier is gone.
His era in the ring had already passed on by the time I entered this World, but my love for boxing came from watching tapes of the classic fights between himself and George Foreman and Muhammed Ali, and hearing the stories my old man told me about these great fighters of yesteryear.
There has already been a lot of talk about the fights Frazier and Ali had, particularly the brutal 'Thrilla in Manila' that effectively finished both of their careers as neither was ever the same fighter again.
Joe Frazier may have gone 1-4 in his fights against the other two great fighters of his time, but the trilogy with Ali shows why he is considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and he extracted every bit of talent from his 5 foot 9, 205 pound frame.
I always had Frazier in my personal list of top 10 heavyweights of all time, but I wish he had received more recognition while he was still with us. There are calls for a statue to be erected in Philadelphia, especially as the city honoured a fictional boxer in 'Rocky Balboa' in that way already, it is just a shame Smokin' Joe will not be able to see it himself.
His strength of character, his heart and desire and belief to be the best will always be remembered, and you only hear pleasant things from those who were fortunate to spend any time in his company.
A man who showed compassion when providing Ali with financial support during his years of exile from the ring, a man who then commissioned the President Richard Nixon to overturn the ban on Ali.
He was also a man who was punished in the ring by George Foreman, but kept getting up despite taking some of the biggest shots he could- that fight showed the heart and courage Frazier had.
And then we get to the Thrilla in Manila where Frazier could barely see by the end of the 14 Rounds, but still pushed himself against his greatest rival and still wanted more.
Ali remarked in that fight that 'they said you (Frazier) were through', only to be given a quick reply from Joe exclaiming 'they lied'. Anyone who hasn't watched that fight must see it as both took each other to the limit, both being hurt at points in the fight, yet showing the desire to do anything to win.
These are the memories of Joe Frazier that will cement his place in all boxing fans eyes for years to come as stories of this great era of heavyweight boxing is passed down the generations.
Eddie Hutch, Frazier's legendary trainer, pulled his fighter out between the 14th and 15th Round of the fight in Manila, to save Frazier from more punishment.
Hutch told Joe 'no one will forget what you did here today'... I will take those comments further and say no one will forget you Joe Frazier.
RIP, 1944-2011
The news on Saturday about his illness had prepared me for what was going to happen, but I was still shocked when I heard the news.
These great Heavyweight Champions of the past are like gods to me, far better than us mere mortals and true heroes, which makes it all the harder to accept Frazier is gone.
His era in the ring had already passed on by the time I entered this World, but my love for boxing came from watching tapes of the classic fights between himself and George Foreman and Muhammed Ali, and hearing the stories my old man told me about these great fighters of yesteryear.
There has already been a lot of talk about the fights Frazier and Ali had, particularly the brutal 'Thrilla in Manila' that effectively finished both of their careers as neither was ever the same fighter again.
Joe Frazier may have gone 1-4 in his fights against the other two great fighters of his time, but the trilogy with Ali shows why he is considered one of the greatest heavyweights of all time and he extracted every bit of talent from his 5 foot 9, 205 pound frame.
I always had Frazier in my personal list of top 10 heavyweights of all time, but I wish he had received more recognition while he was still with us. There are calls for a statue to be erected in Philadelphia, especially as the city honoured a fictional boxer in 'Rocky Balboa' in that way already, it is just a shame Smokin' Joe will not be able to see it himself.
His strength of character, his heart and desire and belief to be the best will always be remembered, and you only hear pleasant things from those who were fortunate to spend any time in his company.
A man who showed compassion when providing Ali with financial support during his years of exile from the ring, a man who then commissioned the President Richard Nixon to overturn the ban on Ali.
He was also a man who was punished in the ring by George Foreman, but kept getting up despite taking some of the biggest shots he could- that fight showed the heart and courage Frazier had.
And then we get to the Thrilla in Manila where Frazier could barely see by the end of the 14 Rounds, but still pushed himself against his greatest rival and still wanted more.
Ali remarked in that fight that 'they said you (Frazier) were through', only to be given a quick reply from Joe exclaiming 'they lied'. Anyone who hasn't watched that fight must see it as both took each other to the limit, both being hurt at points in the fight, yet showing the desire to do anything to win.
These are the memories of Joe Frazier that will cement his place in all boxing fans eyes for years to come as stories of this great era of heavyweight boxing is passed down the generations.
Eddie Hutch, Frazier's legendary trainer, pulled his fighter out between the 14th and 15th Round of the fight in Manila, to save Frazier from more punishment.
Hutch told Joe 'no one will forget what you did here today'... I will take those comments further and say no one will forget you Joe Frazier.
RIP, 1944-2011
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