united

[Stevie H]

is this season going to be the same again? disjointed performances, poor initial tactical set-up from the manager. couple of decisions go their way and they win another game that they really didn't deserve to. can't believe arsenal didn't get anything out of that match.

[Zoob]

is this season going to be the same again? disjointed performances, poor initial tactical set-up from the manager. couple of decisions go their way and they win another game that they really didn't deserve to. can't believe arsenal didn't get anything out of that match.

 

Don't want to tempt fate, but although I think they will continue to get dodgy decisions galore (and lots of luck - own goals, deflections, opposition hitting woodwork instead of scoring...), they'll miss Ronaldo scoring a goal out of nothing in those occasional games where they don't get the decisions / luck going their way.

 

If Referees compensate for Ronaldo's absence by gifting them even more games, I might just quit watching football all together.

[Andy @ Allerton]

This 'luck' they get will continue at least until Ferguson leaves the game.

 

Sadly it's corrupt at the moment, I'd challenge anyone to argue against that when you take a second look at that Arsenal non-penalty. Almost certainly should have been a red card as well.

 

But the corruption comes from the media sources refusing to comment on it in a meaningful way. Another example is the Eduardo thing and the uproar- when no such similar uproar occurred with Ronaldo.

 

And as some of us (Correctly - though not hard, really) predicted - the whole uproar was designed to deny Arsenal a penalty decision at Old Trafford.

 

And surprise, surprise - that's exactly what happened.

 

Nowdays you can actually make it up. I'd say there have been times I didn't like the Mancs - and obviously am biased against them - however, I can think of no team since I've been watching football that so undeniably did not deserve to win a league than last season. The decisions around that time whenever they struggled (Leading to an easily documentable 26 points) were incredible. But as has been said - the most astonishing thing is that given the sheer amount of media out there - none of the creditable sites reported any of it to any great degree.

 

Not sure if the corruption will continue once Ferguson leaves - it'll either continue because "They are Manchester United" or it'll end up in a huge backlash against them as people aren't scared of Manchester United, but Ferguson - and suddenly they aren't bothered about giving decisions against them.

 

Of course, this isn't just an English problem - there has been corruption across most European leagues - not sure why ours (Which has turned into a parody) is immune to investigation.

[dorgie]

Thought this thread was going to be about Leeds (I'm very surprised at Andy for letting the thread title go without comment ;-) )

Edited August 31, 2009 by dorgie

[Barnesy_10]

anyone see the match ratings in the Mirror for the match?

 

Apparently Ferguson was the better manager. Fletcher was man of the match and the Mancs deserved to win...

 

I am sure most journalists just see a result and pick random names out of a hat for the Man of the Match awards...

 

The Mancs are there for the taking if teams go at them.... but unfortunately far too frequently its out of the opposing teams hands what the final result will be most of the time... due to s*** decision making by the ref.

[surf]

Thought this thread was going to be about Leeds (I'm very surprised at Andy for letting the thread title go without comment ;-) )

 

me too!

[Knox_Harrington]

anyone see the match ratings in the Mirror for the match?

 

Apparently Ferguson was the better manager. Fletcher was man of the match and the Mancs deserved to win...

Fletcher was great. Dragging their midfield by their bootlaces again.

[fyds]

This 'luck' they get will continue at least until Ferguson leaves the game.

 

Sadly it's corrupt at the moment, I'd challenge anyone to argue against that when you take a second look at that Arsenal non-penalty. Almost certainly should have been a red card as well.

 

But the corruption comes from the media sources refusing to comment on it in a meaningful way. Another example is the Eduardo thing and the uproar- when no such similar uproar occurred with Ronaldo.

 

And as some of us (Correctly - though not hard, really) predicted - the whole uproar was designed to deny Arsenal a penalty decision at Old Trafford.

 

And surprise, surprise - that's exactly what happened.

 

Nowdays you can actually make it up. I'd say there have been times I didn't like the Mancs - and obviously am biased against them - however, I can think of no team since I've been watching football that so undeniably did not deserve to win a league than last season. The decisions around that time whenever they struggled (Leading to an easily documentable 26 points) were incredible. But as has been said - the most astonishing thing is that given the sheer amount of media out there - none of the creditable sites reported any of it to any great degree.

 

Not sure if the corruption will continue once Ferguson leaves - it'll either continue because "They are Manchester United" or it'll end up in a huge backlash against them as people aren't scared of Manchester United, but Ferguson - and suddenly they aren't bothered about giving decisions against them.

 

Of course, this isn't just an English problem - there has been corruption across most European leagues - not sure why ours (Which has turned into a parody) is immune to investigation.

Although you can go off into realms of paranoia at times me old mate, you're spot on with that - as more than one ex-ref has made clear.

[Stevie H]

Fletcher was great. Dragging their midfield by their bootlaces again.

he did. he bossed that game in ways that vieira and keane used to get nominations for. massively underrated player.

[Swipe]

Fletcher is a fine player and the fact that he can have such a good game but not get many points for me as he didnt score or get an assist, shows just how flawed Fantasy Football is..

[Bailo]

Fletcher is a fine player and the fact that he can have such a good game but not get many points for me as he didnt score or get an assist, shows just how flawed Fantasy Football is..

You should play the Times Play The Game version, best version around with a draft system for players.

[Rich Gobey]

Fletcher is a fine player alright, but he didn't 'boss' the midfield in that match.

 

Arsenal with Diaby and Denilson we're able to stroll through it for the most part, helped by having a better outlet in Arshavin and quicker fullback support.

[Chili Palmer]

he did. he bossed that game in ways that vieira and keane used to get nominations for. massively underrated player.

 

never bossed that game Stevie. I don't think he's underrated at all. If anything, overrated. (obviously not by Wenger)

[Sir Tokyo Sexwale]

how the b******s was it not a penno though when he went through a*** Shaving?

[drdooom]

Wenger isn't a Fletcher fan.

 

"I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls," he said. "For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.

 

"The players who are never punished, who get out of the game without a yellow card. I think it is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did.

 

"Look at how many deliberate fouls some players get away with. That's a bigger problem because it cuts the flow of the game. And people pay to see football, not free-kicks."

[Swipe]

how the b******s was it not a penno though when he went through a*** Shaving?

 

Could have been a red too.

[ManxRed]

Wenger isn't a Fletcher fan.

 

"I have seen a player who plays on the pitch only to make fouls," he said. "For me, this is a point that is more urgent than diving.

 

"The players who are never punished, who get out of the game without a yellow card. I think it is more anti-football than a player who did what Eduardo did.

 

"Look at how many deliberate fouls some players get away with. That's a bigger problem because it cuts the flow of the game. And people pay to see football, not free-kicks."

 

Cue an Arsenal player doing two deliberate fouls in their next match and getting two yellows and off, and Wenger being up in arms about it...

[Benzo-13]

While Fletcher is the Mancs best midfielder he did deserve more than zero booking on Saturday.

Can't believe he stayed on. Felt like he made a 100 fouls when watching it.

[CarraLegend]

he did. he bossed that game in ways that vieira and keane used to get nominations for. massively underrated player.

 

He's becoming overrated if anything now. He's a good player, decent on the ball, can get forward ok and never gives opponents any peace but he's not a game dominator and never will be.

 

I'm also a bit confused with you starting this thread about Utd's disjointed performances, didnt deserve to win etc then a few posts later saying Fletcher bossed the game!