BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)

Subject: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 04:19 AM

Did I just dream this?
I don't expect this to be a popular thread, but any comments anyone?

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: GUEST,Bluesman
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 04:30 AM

I am a Chelsea supporter, so not a great weekend for us. Well done city. This result will send Fergie back on the drink, that whiskey nose of his will be bright red by Wednesday.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: scouse
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 05:07 AM

Well, It's pure magic to my eyes!!
As Aye,

Phil.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 06:36 AM

Knowing Fergie, there will be a backlash. The next team to play United will really have to watch out! I thought Chelsea were just coming back into form, but I guess an all London match counts as a derby too - and anything can happen in one of those. It is a bit early to go over the top. City still have to visit Chelsea, Arsenal Everton and Liverpool - all grounds where they are usually convincingly beaten. There is a very long season ahead, and City were flattered by the scoreline yesterday and they have not yet had to cope with any major injuries. Until they have to cope without Silva, De Jong and Kompany for a few games, we will not really know if they are up to it. I enjoyed the game yesterday though!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 06:43 AM

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone
Until we scored six goals...

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 10:25 AM

hi

I KNOW I didn't dream it.....I was there !!!!

I know the media and probably 90% of the footballing public are having a chuckle at United's expense but It's just one game ( I hope).

For the first 20 minutes United were all over City and looked to be coasting - then came the goal - completely out of the blue and against the run of play. After the confidence that this gave City they played United off the park.

It was one of those days when everything went right for City and wrong for United. It happens to the best - it did!!!!!!!

The whole City team played well - the were organised and each player knew his role. For me Silva was the best player on the field with Richards a close second.

Well done City. No excuses from me. They deserve to be at the top. But can they stay there??

I have watched United in every game this year and I knew that something like this would happen. The defence has been all over the place. They haven't played well after the first two games and Chelsea, Norwich and Basle all should have beaten United. Last week Liverpool too should have won.

United are in a situation where the team is changing and they are not at there best yet. Injuries have played a part and the loos of key players doesn't help.

Fergie is building a new side and I am confident that he will find the players that will blend with his young team in the near future.

So congratulations to City ......but we will be after you in the next Derby game.

Cheers

MikeL2

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 10:32 AM

Just been down to Tesco in Dorchester -lots of people talking about this match. We are a nation of football fanatics.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: BTNG
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 10:36 AM

I think it's time United got down off it's high horse....oh wait....City just knocked'em of it

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: GUEST,Raggytash
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 02:09 PM

Missed the match...........driving to Manchester to pick up Mum, I have noticed however that Sky have not shown any footage of the game in any of their news coverage, do MU have a clause in their agreement with Sky that prevents this? This is not a dig, if I look at any results it's MU or Preston. Football does not really interest me, as a child I thought Sheffield Wednesday was a Bank Holiday!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 02:25 PM

hi raggy

I don't watch Sky News I usually watch BBC though I do have Sky for sport.

So I don't know if they played any footage of the United V City game, but certainly BBC did !! And tonight's Look Northwest featured the game too much for this Man U supporter to have to watch !!!

This morning we were having some carpets fitted. When I answered the door, I asked them if they were City fans ( I was dreading that they would be !!) they said " No we are Liverpool fans. I said that's worse !!

Friendly rivalry that's what I like.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 24 Oct 11 - 04:11 PM

A gracious response as ever Mike. I saw the first twenty minutes as you did, but I had the impression that United actually dominated possession for most of the game. The difference was in what the two sides did with the ball. Four of City's goals were breakaways. Only Balotelli's opener and Dzeko's first were the result of any sustained pressure on the United defence. Having said that, the speed and skill with which City knocked the ball around was astonishing at times. Silva stood out, but there were moments of breathtaking skill from several players.
United's goal was brilliant, but I think that the red card had already sealed their fate. City have posted their credentials now, but I would not make any assumptions about the return match three games before the season closes. It is quite possible that by then United will be several points clear at the top of the table and then they will hand us rumpling! Plenty of time to see how it all shapes up. I did enjoy yesterday though!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: autolycus
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 03:58 AM

As a Spurs supporter, I hope I hope we, and a lot of other clubs, actually learn from the game.

One thing at least is that Manu aren't invincible, tho' the Match of the Day account was too brief to show even how dominant Manu apparently were early on.

Another possible lesson is about attitude of mind. You're half-lost before you start if you assume, as players, in advance, that you're going to lose/not win.

At least Spurs seem to be learning the lesson from Manu that if you harry the opposition and don't let them breathe, your chance of winning rises tremendously.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Acorn4
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:35 AM

The whole of Surrey will be in mourning!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:39 AM

hi Alan

You are right about the way in which city moved the ball from defence to attack. Silva was involved in almost most of this, but the whole team played as one which is something that City have not done very often.

I also agree that United had more possession throughout the game but other than their goal they failed to unlock City's sound defence,

There was something almost kamikasi about United in the second half. They continued to attack and with only 10 men left huge holes which City were more than capable of exploiting.

The media have the title already won !!! Too soon for anything yet. It is only one game and United are always more deadly when they are hurt.

Could be a very interesting league this year.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 04:51 AM

Happens to every team once in a while - they're pros, they understand that and they get over it.
A bloody good beating now and again does you good, you can bet that St. Alex will be breathing fire into his lads right now!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 05:00 AM

Did you hear that there has been a help line set up in Manchester for suicidal United fans?

0161 61616161

:D tG

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MGM·Lion
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 05:05 AM

Yay ~~Arsenal got an even worse one not long since; & from u-buggaz to boot. But they are on the way back: don't even think of writing them off.

~Michael~

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: GUEST, Sminky
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 09:07 AM

It's a very good time to be a City fan right now.

I've waited 40 years for this and, boy, I'm going to dip my bread.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 11:23 AM

hi Michael

Yes I watched that match. And my thoughts were with Arsenal. But like you I know that they are to good a club to cave in as was being suggested then.

They are now starting to recover and I feel that with a couple more players they will be back battling out in the top four.

Arsenal were one of the few top teams to beat Man U last year. Always a hard game for us until this year's game.

Regards

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: GUEST,MikeL2
Date: 25 Oct 11 - 11:25 AM

hi Dave

Another one doing the rounds....what's the difference between a black cab and man United ???

A black cab only lets five in.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 06:19 AM

hi

I see Fergie's response was to play a completely different 11 last night at Aldershot.

I saw it on Sky and they were always going to be the better team. But this competition always throws up some surprises ( as United know only too well) so they did well to dominate the whole game with fast flowing football. Their final ball was often astray but Berbatov showed levels of industry he does not always produce. His skill and control as usual were sublime and his goal was a fine one.

A little family competition here my wife although a United fan was born in Aldershot and felt that she should support her birth home side.

Nasty hurdle over......phew

Now for Everton.....never easy.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 08:46 AM

Everton beat us home and away last season and Wolves, whom we play in the League Cup tonight, beat us 2-1 at Molineaux last season. Like United, I expect City will put out a reserve side too. All the same, there is always the prospect of an embarrassing upset. It's the nature of the game! I would say there are nineteen teams in the Premier League who could beat us on a good day - and another seventy-two in the other leagues. It was good to see Mancini not get too carried away after the match. Arsenal, Chelsea, Everton, Spurs and Liverpool are all rebuilding, but they all look a handful on their day. The current Newcastle side is also unbeaten. There are no easy games. Gary Neville pointed out that it was the ability to win even when they are playing badly which makes the great teams stand out. We know City are a handful when playing well, but there are still questions waiting for an answer. It should be an interesting season! Well done United yesterday. Those games are always potential banana skins.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 01:48 PM

The only happy thing for me is that the Villa only lost 4 - 1 to man City on their ground. :-)

Man City have come of age, and throughly deserved their win against Man U.

Am I the only one that thinks Man City will win the league this year?

Man U's defence is weak.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: BTNG
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 02:00 PM

Arthur you are not alone ;-)

Manchester City 25 points

Manchester United 20 points

the numbers say it all, for now...

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 02:14 PM

hi

Hey come on you guys !! It's only October. Many games to play yet.

All this speculation may well be entertaining but please remember that Man U have a track record bar none in the Premiere League. They are famous for being able to stay the course until the very end. They have pulled back many leads of more than 5 points before. They even did 12 against Newcastle and that was in March !!! Kevin Keegan has still not lived that down.

Yes City are a very good team this year and they will be there at the end but so will others including United.

Alan best of luck tonight. There is a little pointer here. The team that won the Carling Cup last year were from the Midlands and were deep in relegation problems !!!

But McCarthy has a record for playing weak teams if his team is in trouble so you won't have much to beat.

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: BTNG
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 02:16 PM

Might be early in the season, Man U. definitely need to work on their defence

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 06:08 PM

I remember when Man u used to be at the top and then lose it all in the second half of the season Mike.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 26 Oct 11 - 07:36 PM

5 for City away from home again. amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 05:23 AM

Hi Arthur

How;s things??

<" I remember when Man u used to be at the top and then lose it all in the second half of the season Mike. ">

Yes I can just about remember those days. Not only did they throw way the lead but they did it against the lowest teams in the league. But it was a good while ago and to my knowledge not since the formation of the Premiere League.

BTNG - You are right United's defence has been rocky all season. It's a worry of course, but Fergie has it in hand ( I hope !!). However I don't think that all the problems lie with the rear defence. It is the mid-field and their non-ability to give defensive cover when needed that is the root of the problem IMHO.

I can remember seasons when we had similar problems but Fergie always said that he had the firepower to score more goals than the opposition -and that's what counts.

United never make it easy on their fans....white knuckle rides are the norm around here....lol

Cheers

Mike
There have been other seasons when they were not strong in defence but

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 05:48 AM

I think you are right Mike and this was probably the main reason United got into so much trouble on Sunday. They had more possession, but they were in real danger every time they lost it. It has taken Man City a couple of seasons to learn it - with some embarrassing upsets on the way - but the players always stay behind the ball. It makes for some tedious periods of build up play, but it makes it far more difficult for opponents to penetrate. Silva, Milner and even Ballotelli do a lot of dour, thankless work closing down angles and covering defenders. They also very rarely get caught offside these days when they have the ball.
No doubt Ferguson will get his side to respond, but he is currently rebuilding and working with younger players. United fans may well have to be patient for a year or two. I see our reserves did the business at Molineux last night and a couple of our youngsters impressed. Maybe we shall have some interesting young talent of our own in a couple of years time!

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: MikeL2
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 06:37 AM

hi alan

Yes City did the job last night. I only saw the highlights as we had visitors who do like football !!??

Wouldn't it be interesting if City draw United on Saturday ??

I agree the Mancini has built from the back and it is now paying dividends. He has almost two Internationals for each position in team.
Every player appears to know his place in the plan an they play accordingly. Silva must be the best buy of the Season - what a great passer and worker on and off the ball. Any chance you sending him across town??? Well we sent you Tevez....nuff said !!

Cheers

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Manchester Derby (UK football)
From: alanabit
Date: 27 Oct 11 - 08:26 AM

I can't see even Fergie pulling that one off Mike! I just hope that Real Madrid and Barcelona do not come calling. Still, with the notable exception of Senor Tevez, our Hispanic contingent seems pretty happy at the moment. The great thing about Aguero and Silva, is that they both seem to regard the Etihad as a step up in their careers. They sure are making the best of it too. These are good days for the Blues and in the long run, it must be good for Manchester too.
Cheers!

Alan.