Happy November everyone. I have to admit, I didn’t see much after Arsenal/Spurs yesterday, but apparently it was Red Card Day up and down the country.
Some reactions from Arsenal/Spurs. I’m sick to death of hearing the term “Big Four”. Literally sick to death. For the life of me, I don’t care who breaks it up, but I want someone, anyone to finish in the top four this year that is not named United, Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal. It’s really annoying to hear it every thirty seconds during a broadcast. I used to really enjoy the work of Robbie Earle but I found him annoying and cliche yesterday.
In terms of the match, I thought Arsenal got very lucky on their first goal, but Spurs decidedly were in a fragile state and by no means should have allowed the run by Fabregas that produced the second. I thought Tom Huddlestone was particularly poor yesterday, and I thought Spurs as a whole showed a real lack of belief and urgency to try to get anything done. One of the stories that never gets mentioned is how often Peter Crouch gets fouled on set pieces, with a lot of the issue seemingly being his height differential against most defenders. Robbie Keane truly looks a shell of what he once was, only capable of producing big efforts occasionally. Arsenal flattered to deceive once again with a scoreline not reflective of their true play, which in my opinion, was around a B- effort. I thought they were too easily frustrated in midfield in the early going and even once they managed the first goal, still did not show anything resembling a killer instinct. I question their ability to win in major contests as despite their beautiful football at times, they have players who are too easily led astray by trying to make the brilliant pass instead of the safe one. Again, they are missing several reliable midfielders, but Wenger tries to portray his squad as interchangeable when it clearly is not so.
There are a couple of MLS playoff games on tap today, after Real Salt Lake pulled a 1-0 shocker over Columbus yesterday. Barcelona was held while Real Madrid won. Birmingham hosts City this morning in a big match for the light blue side from Manchester. Serie A has 8 matches on tap today, while the Bundesliga has 2. Have a lovely Sunday and Happy November.
TV for Sunday courtesy of Jamie Trecker’s blog. All times EST.
Ajax v Feyenoord 0600 ESPN360
Spartak v Rostov 0700 Setanta
Dundee United v Rangers 0745 stream
Sampdoria v Bari 0900 RAI
Roma v Bologna 0900 ESPN360
Livorno v Inter Milan 0900 FSC/FSE/360
U17WC: Malawi v Spain 0948 ESPN360
U17WC: USA v UAE 0948 ESPNU/360
Almeria v Zaragoza 1055 ESPN360
Birmingham v Man City 1100 FSE/FSC
U17WC: Korea v Algeria 1248 ESPN360
U17WC: Italy v Uruguay 1248 ESPN360
Palmeiras v Corinthians 1300 GolTV
Morelia v Chivas 1300 Azteca
Toluca v Queretaro 1300 Telemundo
Fire v Revs 1400 FSC
Coruna v Gijon 1500 GolTV
Palermo v Genoa 1545 FSC
America v Jaguares 1700 Univision
LAG v Chivas 1700 ESPN2
Santos v Pumas 2100 Telefutura
[...] from: "There’s still 45 minutes to go – for both sides, I would guess." – Bria… Posted in Manchester United News | Tags: big-match, iverpool-or-arsenal, light-blue, morning, [...]
How’s your dad today? Or is it not yet okay to call?
Thanks for asking. Yesterday was sort of a horrendous day all around, but I talked to him today and he’s okay. We didn’t talk much about the match other than to both agree that neither one of us was thrilled with the outcome. Odd to think but true.
[...] rest is here: "There’s still 45 minutes… Filed under Rangers Tags: ability, beautiful, contests-as-despite, easily-led, [...]
I also hate the term ‘big four’ and its creation has coincided with my lessening of interest in the Premiership.
I agree with your sentiments on the Big Four. When they don’t play United, I always cheer for Villa, Everton, and Spurs. Somebody, anybody needs to bust up the old boys club*.
*Except City.
Why not Fulham?
Other than the fact that they’re quite small for a Premiership side and they’ll never be able to assemble the capital base needed to compete for the top four year in and year out, of course.
If Fulham starts knocking on the door, I’ll be cheering for them too. But they’ve been a little further down the table. If they want to take points away from Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal I have no problem with that. Like, you know, a 3-1 win over 9-man Liverpool. Excellent work there.
I hope this is an open thread, because I have to say, SHALRIE JOSEPH!!!!!
Ahem, New England wins 2-1.