Pre-Match: Manchester United Vs Tottenham Hotspur

VS

                               Old Trafford, Manchester.

The defending champions, Manchester United host Tottenham Hotspur on Monday night kick-off in a mouth-watering clash between arguably two of the most entertaining teams in the current premier league. But then, Spurs haven’t won against United at home since December 1989; when it was thanks to a solitary goal from Gary Linekar. This Spur side too would face a mammoth task, considering that United picked up 55 points from a possible 57 at home in the 2010-‘11 season. They had a two-goal lead against United at Old Trafford in ‘07-‘08 season and were cruising at half time. Eventually it was calamitous disintegration in 22 minutes which saw an irrepressible attacking force scoring five goals.

Jones’ summer recruitment will prove fruitful, having questioned by many since United already have four centre-backs in their ranks, amidst the current defensive crisis. The England defender, Rio Ferdinand was expected to be out for around six weeks, but Sir Alex has revealed he would be back to face Arsenal at the end of this month. Unfortunately though, he will not team up with his regular defensive partner Nemanja Vidic, since the skipper is likely to be out action for another month due to calf muscle injury. Rafael has had an operation (on his shoulder) this week and will be out for 10 weeks due to a freak incident in training. On the positive front, Patrice Evra is fit again, while both Chicharito and Antonio Valencia are "doing well" in training and Darren Fletcher came through his outing unscathed for the Reserves this week.

The casualties in Spurs are: Gallas (calf strain), Ledley King (knee injury), Palacios (ankle) and Pienaar (groin) and Luka Modric’s participation still remains a doubt, even if fit after injury, considering the speculation about a possible move to Chelsea. Kranjcar has stepped to occasion, administrating the midfield in the Europa league’s qualifying game against Hearts. He always had the ability; now has been given the opportunity.

Fans’ apprehensiveness coupled with media’s scrutiny of the goalkeeper for the past two games; this would be a very important night for De Gea who looked awfully nervous after conceding a speculative effort from the debutant Shane Long. Here is a more worrisome state: Tottenham scored the most number of goals from outside the box last season netting 15 of their 55 league goals. The Spanish stopper actually conceded 11 goals from outside the box in La Liga last season. (Courtesy Martin Tyler’s blog on Sky Sports). The goalkeeper looks light weight and will take at least take four-five months to develop physicality. His vocal and organisation skill will be crucial.

United’s young defensive unit could struggle against Tottenham’s forward line which consist of lethal combination of pace on both the flanks – Lennon and Bale; an intelligent floater Van Der Vaart, and the poacher Defoe who has added immense upper body strength to hold the mightiest of defenders Evra’s experience could be vital to hold off an in-form Aaron Lennon; although Smalling, not the quickest of defenders, could struggle against the pace of Bale. Fletcher should start in the midfield to provide a more defensive cover and add steel to the midfield. The game will hopefully live up to the pre-match expectations and provide goals galore! 

Probable XI:

Manchester United: (4-4-2) De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Evra, Young, Anderson, Fletcher, Nani, Rooney, Hernandez.

Tottenham Hotspur: (4-3-2-1) Gomes, Corluka, Kaboul, Dawson, Ekotto, Bale, Huddlestone, Kranjcar, Lennon,Van Der Vaat, Defoe.

Pick of the Week:

Pre-Match:

                       

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                          Emirates Stadium, London.

The Gunners will entertain Liverpool for the Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off behind two clean-sheets, although against an impotent Newcastle attack and an unprepared Udinese side with questionable match fitness. This is a fixture that may have come just a bit too early for Arsenal, given the heavy toll that injuries, suspensions and of course departures have inflicted on the side.

Kerion Gibbs will miss this match with Hamstring injury while Vermaelen has no recurrence of back-injury which kept him out for almost a year. However Arsenal’s midfield misery continues. Song was handed a three-match suspension for his stomp on Joey Barton, Wilshere’ ankle injury will keep him at bay for at least two more fixtures. Meanwhile with Rosicky’s thigh problem and Traore’s groin, they will have to pass a late fitness test. Van Persie, newly appointed club captain, will lead the attack alongside Chamakh due to an absent strike partner Gervinho. Amidst the lack of persona and flair, Wenger still wishes to install “tika-taka” philosophy but then neither have character and grit in the team to grind out a result.

Liverpool’s romantic opener against Sunderland was thwarted by Larsson‘s marvellous volley which was game of two-halves; Liverpool never turned up in the second, resonating how dearly they miss their talisman, Steven Gerrard.  With his recovery termed as “brilliant”, Daglish’s only causality is Glenn Johnson. He would definitely expect Carroll to stamp his authority on Arsenal’s defence, having tormented them at Emirates with Newcastle. They would still need a fix for the right flank position; clearly Henderson’s more preferred role is centre midfield. Downing and Adams, very fluidic in the first half of the opening game should offer more throughout this time. They are also yet gel as defensive unit.   

"Football is difficult enough if you are united. If you are not united, you have no chance." – Arsene Wenger. Although being “united” may not be the only thing he needs; fan’s positive voice would help.   

Probable XI:

Arsenal: (4-4-2) Schezny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Jenkinson, Walcott, Ramsey, Rosicky, Arshavin, Chamakh, Van Perise

Liverpool: (4-4-2) Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Agger, Enrique, Kuyt, Adams, Lucas, Downing, Carroll, Suarez.

Post Match Review: Newcastle Vs Arsenal

St James Park, Newcastle

0 - 0

 Arsenal’s last defeat in an away game on the opening day fixture of the season was at the North-West in Sunderland 11 years ago. The club, celebrating 125 years of existence, embossed a new crest on their t-shirts – a blend of old and new.

The gunners were fluidic in the opening minutes of the game, with their newly signed Gervinho showcasing his liveliness. It was his fine work down the right hand side flank, which provided Van Persie with the first opportunity of the match, after the cross fortuitously found the striker, only for his effort to be blocked for the corner. The Gunners enjoyed a superior share in possession during the opening 20 minutes, although they failed to crave any decent chance. The Magpies, playing very narrow in the middle of the pitch with their wingers converging, weren’t providing enough width to penetrate Arsenal’s defense. Consequently, it was a drab first half with both teams failing to produce any clear-cut opportunity and the goalkeepers had hardly any exercise.

The game needed some serious injection of pace. With Pardew’s introduction of Gabriel Obertan at half time at the expense of Demba Ba, it shifted Barton to a more central role and gave Cabaye the license to push further up the pitch, made Magpies even with Arsenal’s midfield, at the same provided them with more width. The Arsenal manager was already exasperated with the proceedings and sulked into his chair in the early second half.

If match was deprived of quality, it made up for physicality and controversy. Ten minutes into the second half, notorious Barton was again involved in an incident which could have led to the Arsenal player, Song’s send off. But his stomp on Barton’s calf went unnoticed by the officials. The infuriated Barton desperately pointed this out to the fourth official. The only real threat from either side came at 60^th minute of the game. The two Frenchmen, Obertan and Cabaye combined when Obertan, with his backside to the goal, flicked into ball into his path. The end effort was really tame.

Arsenal’s only sole effort in the second half:  Walcott managed to scoop the ball to find Gibbs on the far post. But the lay-off header couldn’t find the unmarked Van Persie and fell straight into the hands of the goalkeeper, Krul. The confrontation between Gervinho and Barton is what captured the headlines of the morning newspaper. The theatrical dive of Gervinho inside the box in an untouched Tiote’s challenge enraged Barton although the efforts to claim a penalty was waved out by the referee, Peter Walton. The roguish and unprofessional behavior of Barton got him into a brawl with Gervinho, grabbing hold of his t-shirt enticing him for uncalled slap on the face. Therefore, Gervinho was given the marching orders while Barton escaped with a yellow card. The incident echoed the sentiment of England’s manager who described him as irresponsible and dangerous. The honors were shared at the tyneside in what was really a dull game of football. The fans as well as manager looked clueless; the Gunners will need a miracle to survive the opening bombardment of fixtures.

 Pick of the Week

 Vs 

St. James Park, Newcastle

Arsenal’s trip to St. James Park, Newcastle plagued by injuries, the transfer saga of two of their most inspiring players, and of course the nightmare of last season fixture when they miraculously forfeited a four goal lead! The transfer is most likely to conclude by this weekend with Fabregas heading to Barcelona and Nasri moving to Manchester City.

Wenger’s transfer activities seem far from satisfactory, with the addition of Gervinho and young Chamberlain, the professor is yet to rectify the problem that saw him out of contention for the title race by mid-February. Their bid for defensive recruitment has already been hampered by Everton’s rejection of Jageilka’s bid; consequently they are now targeting Scott Dann. Further, with Clichy’s move to Manchester City, Kieran Gibbs's thigh injury leaves Arsenal vulnerable at left-back.

Wenger, meanwhile, hopes that Robin van Persie and Thomas Vermaelen, who suffered ankle and back injuries respectively in the 2-1 friendly defeat to Benfica on Saturday, will be fit for the season opener at Newcastle United on Saturday. Jack Wilshere, who has an ankle injury, will not play for England and consequently, neither for Newcastle, with Wenger having said last Friday that it was "difficult to set a concrete deadline on his comeback". Walcott is expected to be available for the trip to St James' Park after ankle trouble,

His counterpart, Alan Pardew will definitely miss the finesse and aggressiveness of Nolan, and the aerial threat of Carol that had traumatised Arsenal’s defence. No wonder he wants to stick to Barton giving him an additional chance at club following his Twitter outbursts. Their recent acquisition, Gabriel Obertan becomes  the fifth French-born player to arrive at St James' Park this summer, following Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid. With Ryan Taylor and James Perch injured now, and Enrique’s transfer to Liverpool, Newcastle has its own defensive frailties.

Alan Pardew must set foot with a winning spirit since this could be the weakest Arsenal side he could ever face.

Injury list:

Newcastle United: Ryan Taylor, Ben Arfa, J. Perch, S.Harper, T kadar

Arsenal:  K. Gibbs, Van Perise, Walcott, Wilshere, Vermalen, Diaby, Eastmond.

Probable XI:

Newcastle United: (4-4-2) Krul, Williamson, Coloccini, S.taylor, Simpson, Barton, TIote, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Ameobi, Demba Ba.

Arsenal: (4-3-2-1) Schzeny, Sagna, Koscienly, Vermalen, Traore, Walcott, Ramsey, Song, Wilshere, Arshavin, Van Persie.

“Paul Lake's autobiography, I'm Not Really Here, comes out today and tells the story of one match in 1989 when City could have guaranteed promotion by beating Bournemouth at Maine Road. They were 3-0 up at half-time – party time! – and the manager, Mel Machin, told the players he was bringing in a special friend for the team talk. In came the comedian Eddie Large – shiny silver suit, sleeves rolled up – to dole out individual advice to the players … each time using a different celebrity impersonation. "Deputy Dawg ordered me to keep tight in defence," Lake recalls. "Cliff Richard advised Trevor Morley to shoot on sight, Harold Wilson told Bob Brightwell to keep it simple and Benny from Crossroads told Andy Dibble to stay awake." The game finished 3-3. Typical City, as they used to say. But no more. “ – excerpt from guardian.

I wonder what happened during the halftime team talk in the last year’s fixture...:D. 

Post Match Review: Manchester City Vs Manchester United

F.A. Community Shield 2011-‘12

                                          

        3 -2

  

Well, Manchester derbies can never be categorized as a friendly match even if it is played on school pitch or at the Wembley for a charity purpose. Assuredly though, it was an energetic and aggressive affair with tackles flying from the very first minute as United pressed City very high up the pitch. The game was quite open from the initial moments contrary to the past few derbies and community shield games. City’s players’ touches were hardly promising on the ball, at times giving it away way too cheaply. Ever industrious Welbeck paid first-class compliment to Rooney in the striker’s department. Anderson, for whom Old Trafford is an important season (he has no option but to perform!), was full of energy and used the ball wisely.

The first yellow card was handed to Dzeko and Anderson, after Dzeko failed to control a high and Anderson nicked it off his feet with Dzeko retaliating with a wild lunge. He was not particularly pleased with the Bosnian, and both of them were booked for throwing arms at each other. City were half a yard off the pace, and it was evident from a mistimed violent studs-up tackle from Richards on Young just outside the box. The spot was perfect for a right footer to bend it over the right top hand corner. Rooney, with Beckham like run-up almost parallel to the ball, just couldn’t get enough dip on the ball, and the free kick ended three inches above the upright. 20 minutes gone and United were well settled into their passing rhythm. A neat one-touch was exchanged between Welbeck and Anderson outside the box, but the resulting attempt was blocked off by Kompany for a corner.

 United were in complete control of game and dominating. Their forwards’ movements were too swift for City to handle, Rooney drew Kompany all the way to the half way line to expose the space behind and Young exploited it perfectly only to be let down by a poor over-hit pass from Evra. City weren’t slick in open play and wasted a handful of corners, before finally converting the opportunity in set-play. 37 minutes into the game, Evra was guilty of a cynical challenge which gave Silva being quiet the whole game, a chance to the ball into the box. United’s defence held a pretty high line for the free kick consequently Lescott’s perfectly timed  beat the offside trap, got in front of Ferdinand and buried the header, leaving De Gea with no chance. Clearly dazed by this goal, United lost their way for the last 7 minutes of the first half. Another lapse in concentration by Vidic, who failed to close down Dzeko, allowed a free shot on goal. Although De Gea could see the ball all the way, he failed to react quick enough with his feet firmly rooted on the ground, had to pick up the ball from inside the net to what seemed a pretty ordinary effort from Dzeko. United, now, desperately seeking the half-time whistle and another “hair-dryer “treatment from Sir Alex.

Wholesale changes were made during the half-time. Carrick, Ferdinand and Vidic were replaced by Cleverly, Evans and Jones. United were again quicker off the blocks never allowing the opponents any time on the ball. Their work ethic finally paid off within six minutes into the second half. An Ashley young free kick, this time, did the damage. Smalling, after losing his marker Dzeko, side footed the ball home. United, now upbeat, bounced right back into the game. Cleverly did what was originally expected of Carrick: link-up play with the forwards and control the game. He brought the required urgency to United’s game. After some commendable work, Cleverly found Nani in space. In a superb one-touch exchange between Nani - Rooney – Cleverly - Nani outside the box, Nani was clear on goal, finishing it past the approaching goalkeeper, Hart.

City sole effort in the second half wasn’t until the 76^th min. But this time De gea was up to the task, nicely parrying away a powerful swirling shot from Adam Johnson. Before we entered “Fergie time”, there was great run from Smalling down the right hand channel, adroitly passing Clichy, before squaring it to Nani. Nani’s shot was blocked off, after a little shimmy, and it fell to Cleverly who scuffed his half volley over the top of the post. Just when we approached the end of game which was destined for a penalty shootout, a defensive mix-up between Kompany and Clichy on the half-way line, allowed Nani clear on goal. Indecisiveness on Rooney’s clearance, with both of them backing of the ball, let Nani take possession. He squared Joe Hart, to coolly seal the game.

In spite of the score line (3-2) Sir Alex Ferguson would have been pleased with the game as United played at high intensity, high energy and completely dominated City for most part of the game. His young guns responded magnificently in adversity and comeback seemed inevitable. Two-man United midfield outplayed the three of City. For City they have to find the right formula, and in addition hope that their moody players will turn up for the game, the given day.

Man of Match:  Tom Cleverly. He played very cleverly indeed.

Pre Match: Manchester City Vs Manchester United

Pre Match:  Manchester City Vs Manchester United

F.A. Community Shield 2011-12

The Wembley, London, England

The eminent Wembley stadium will once more, be painted Red and Blue within a span of two games. The semi-finalist will now meet for the curtain raiser of the start of another dramatic premier league season.  It has been nearly fifty five years since these two sides played against each other for the Community Shield - United edged out City in that one (1-0). Post F.A cup victory, United can no longer be complacent, as City is looking “to knock them of their perch”. There will not be any radical change in the table, but as Sir Alex Ferguson said, it will merely indicate the preparation of the both the teams venturing into the first game of the season.

However, it does emphasize that power in Premier League may have shifted to Manchester. United may not have the aura of invincibility, yet, the Defending Champions remain the team to defeat. With City’s another shopping spree in summer they are fast catching up on other contenders and perhaps, may have surpassed a few of them with the depth of their squad. They should definitely start building a trophy room not only because their supporters believe they can challenge the title, but in Mancini they have Manager who has won trophies before. Whether they last entire season will be seen.  Manchester United, after Ronaldo’s departure, would have a classic 4-4-2 formation and maybe recreate a squad equivalent to the ’92 –‘93 season.

Further, fans and pundits still argue that they lack a genuine creative midfielder.  The close of the summer transfer window would decide the relevance of this argument. With the entry of Young in the team, they have a back-up for Nani and an improved set-piece taker. Jones will strengthen the defence.  Both teams set off into the game with very fine conclusion to pre-season friendly with city being more noisy and dramatic of the two from Manchester.

I must admit: I couldn’t think of any other apposite game than a Manchester derby for the commencement of another epic season.

Let the play begin.

Medical Room:

Manchester United:  J.Hernandez  (Concussion ), Rafael ( knock) , Carrick ( Achilles )

Manchester City:  J.Boateng (Knee ) Toure and Richards maybe doubtful to start.

Probable XI:

Manchester City:  (4-3-2-1)  Hart,Richards, Kompany, Lescott ,kolorov ,Toure , Dejong,Barry,Silva,Dzeko, Balotelli

Manchester United: (4-4-2) De Gea,Fabio,Ferdinand ,Vidic, Evra,Valencia,Fletcher,Cleverly,Young , Berbatov, Rooney