Wenger leaving and heading for Spain

While working today a thought struck me and I think I might be on to something. I just want to put it into print as I think I may not be too far wrong on it.
Over the weekend Arsene Wenger made claims in the press that he would personally choose the clubs new sporting director. Now when I see stories like this I usually smell a rat. A manager, employed by a board of directors, dictating to them who they will employ as their sporting director? I think not.
Wenger has claimed his loyalty to the club but when a guy comes out with a statement like he did, there are alterior motives at hand.His statement is an attempt to anger the directors in my opinion. He wants to follow Dein out but does not want to appear to be walking to the fans. He wants to appear to be a martyr, a sacrificial lamb if you like.
With one of the biggest jobs in football soon to be available, the Real Madrid position, Wenger would surely be a possible candidate for the job. Can you imagine the backhander he would get if he were to tempt Fabregas and Henry to join him.
I think Wenger has achieved all he can with Arsenal and wants a new challenge. He will continue to try to make his position untennable at the club and force the hand of the board of directors to sack him, leaving him free to join his new project. Watch this space.

Told You So

Well after the disappointment of Saturday there was an overwhelming sence of releif following Chelseas draw to Newcastle today. As the end of the season draws into sight and legs get heavier game after game there are sure to be anotherfew shocks down the line.
United seemed to be somewhat unlucky to concede a goal in added time at the end of the first half with Ferdinand crocked. We were looking comfortable in the game at the time and there is a general consensus that had Ferdinand been fit at the time, Boro would not have scored.
We then had to play the second half with a dodgey back four and were desperate not to concede. In fairness, the draw probably was not the worst result we could have got under the circumstances and we will live to fight another day.
As for Chelsea, they are not as strong as the appear to be. Terry seems to be going through a crisis of confidence,(well maybe not a crisis but he looks shaky) and Drogba has lost his form too. With Ballack and Robben injured a question mark over Carvalihos fitness they may struggle til theend of the season.
As I eluded to a number of weeks ago, I di not fancy them today and I dont fancy them against the gunners either. If we get some defenders back before we met them in the league, we could destroy them at the bridge and win the league there.
It is all still to play for and I for one am optimistic. BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF FOOTBALL. BELIEVE IN UNITED.

Newcastle to do Chelsea.

We have Midlesboro today and I am hopeful of three points. With O Shea, Ferdinand and Evra back our defence looks slightly more solid and Rooney hitting top form at a vital point of the season could be instrunental for us.
Having said that, Boro have been a bit of a bogey team for us in recent seasons. They have got some big results against us under Mclaren and any complacency on our part will be punished.
Fergie is playing a cute game with the press claiming he fears for Ronaldos safety in the game. These claims come following threats made by Boateng in the prss against him. Surely now every time Christiano is tackled, the challenge will come under the scrutiny of the ref.
As for Chelsea, I have a sneaky feeling about the Newcastle game. I stated a number of weeks ago that three games I felt they would struggle in were Watford, Newcastle and Arsenal. They just about beat Watford in injury time. They never travel well up north and the Geordies have a point to prove following a disappointing season.
A number of Newcastles first team are now playing for their lives at the club and big games will be demanded from them. If Shay Given puts in a big performance and Terry has another dodgey game, I can see Chelsea dropping points in Newcastle on Sunday.
I will keep on dreaming. By the way, Theatrical Moment runsin the last race in Ayr today and although he will be a short price, I have been assured he is a good thing and will almost certainly oblige.

Gritty is Good

Another gritty win for United last night and another three of those and we are Champions. We played an hour last night with only two natural defenders and we were comfortable at the end. We could do with gatting some defenders back though.
Yet again Carrick scored for us and put in another solid performance. He has made ahuge difference fo us this season and quickly becoming a favourite of mine. Giggs was brilliant also and he has been integral to our success this season.
At last too, Rooney has found some form and is rattling in the goals with aplomb. This is a timely boost for us and with himself and Ronaldo in full flight, the world is our oyster. We always carry a threat and can score from anywhere. All we need is to get some bodies back in defence and God knows what we will win.
On a more somber note, Scholes seems to be struggling and I dont know if its his fitness or a mental thing. Up or down, he looks a shadow of the player he was at the startof the season and I hope he finds some form soon.
I had a lesson with Gus today and I was hitting a few balls with local scratch golfer, Sarah Faller. Sarah came third in the South African Ladies Open recently and is a name to watch out for in the future. She has a huge talent and under Gus's unequalled guidance and instruction I'm sure she can go all the way. It was a pleasure watching her hit the ball.

The future looks bright

Well I was wrong and boy am I happy. The game against Roma was he best performance I have ever seen from any team ever. When you take into consideration the context of the game and it makes the victory all the more sweeter. Awesome.
Our approach and attitude were brilliant and every player on the pitch for us was immense. We were breathtaking and Roma didnt know what hit them. I must give special credit to Darren Fletcher. I have ben hugely critical of him in the past but h was simply magnificent an I dont think I ever saw a player work so hard, even when we were winning 7-1. Carrick also was sublime and I hope people will start appreciate what he gives the team.
Just an observation but Scholes absence didnt affect us and we seemed to play with more pace without him. I hope we can play like this for the rest of the season and win some silverware.
There was further great news for us with Ronaldo signing a new contract until 2012. He has been a revelation this season and I am looking forward to seeing him develop over the next few years. This news should give the tam a huge boost too.
The Grand Hational is tomorrow and with the ground drying my money will be on Hedgehunter. I think he is the best horse in the race and it will take more then the weight to stop him. Point Barrow will be placed I am sure but there is only one winner for me now. Also I have ben told that Theatrical Moment is a sure thing in the last at Aintree. He is a shortish price but supposed to be a daed cert.

The Straw That Broke Romans Back

I have a funny feeling United will loose one nil tonight. I dint think it will be a catastrophe however as it will be a loss that will spur us on to greater things in Europe in the future.
I also believe we will win the league. Chelsea will drop points soon enough and that will drive us on.
I think Chelsea will be held to a scoreless draw and will also get knocked out tonight, knelling the end of Mourinhos reign as coach.
Thats it really. Depending on how we approach the game tonight, I could be wrong but I can see disappointment written all over it Im afraid.

Squeeky Bums, Benchwarmers And A National Good Thing

As Sir Alex said, its squeeky bum time and the presure is starting to mount for United. Following a depressing defeat against Portsmouth, who were subsequently beaten by rock bottom Watford, it looks as though the wheels are falling off.
Contrary to what Mourinho would have us believe, United have been hit by more then their fair share of injuries this season. Things have reached epedimic proportions over the past few weeks however, and the deficencies of the threadbare squad that many had critcised pre season are beginning to take effect.
Players like Keiron Richardson and Darren Fletcher are simply not good enough to be called United players and if we have to rely on them to get us through to the end of the season then I'm afraid we will be disappointed. These are so called fringe players who should be pushing for first team places. They seem however, to be happy warming the bench and show a reluctance to step up to the plate and stake a claim for the first team. It is their poor attitude and lack of conviction that infuriates me and I hope their days at Old Trafford are numbered.
Having got all that off my chest it is time for a reality check. If you offered me our league position and to be three points clear at this stage in August I would have snapped your hand off. With the return of Evra on Tuesday hopefully, Heinze can move into the centre and Brown can move to right back. This should bring some much needed stability to the back four and give us a solid platform to build from. I also think that our young Chineese striker Dong should be given his chance as I have a funny feeling he could be a big player for us in years to come. Atleast we do have options.
On a different note I fancy Hedghunter for the National. Having won the race two years ago off top weight, and coming a gallant second after a great performance in the Gold Cup last year he is a horse for the course.
I also read an article recently where his trainerWillie Mullins implied he would have won it last year had it not been for his run in Cheltenham. With the stable in top form, the horse proven over course and distance and the sublime Ruby Walsh in the saddle, I think the horse represents excellent each way value at 16/1.
The golf is getting better with every round and I had 39 points in Glasson on Saturday. If I could play consistently for 18 holes and stay out of trouble I know I could put an impressive score together. It will come soon enough.
Thanks to Garrett for being my one and only reader too, its nice to know someone reads an odd time.

When Pundits Have To Admit They Are Wrong

Following Manchester Uniteds emphatic win over Blackburn on Saturday the post match analysis left me confused. I wondered if John Giles and Trevor ? had been watching the same game as me.
After the game Ronaldo and Carrick came in for specific criticism from the two pundits and in my opinion, this was totally unjustified. Carrick was accused of playing in the shadow of Paul Scholes and Ronaldo was described as being infuriating. You what?
Michael Carricks performance yesterday and all season have been superb. Against Blackburn he sat in front of the back four and was always there to break down any potential attack they might create. On numerous occasions he turned defence into attack with his sublime vision and his exquisite range of passing. He was at the centre of everything good we did yesterday, he gives our team great balance, he goes about his job quietly but effectively and has ben integral in our ressurection this season. If you watch United as often as I have done over he past number of seasons you would have to appreciate what he gives to us. I find it annoying that he doesnt get the credit he deserves from so called experts.
Now I have been highly critical of Ronaldo in the past but you absolutely can not argue with his form this season. He is without doubt the best player in the premiership right now and is a joy to watch. His tricks and stepovers may infuriate the likes of Giles and Dunphy but without him this season there is now way we would be top of the table. There have been games where he has single handedly carried us to victory and his running with the ball makes the game a far more enjoyable spectacle. Any fool would have to admit that he has been brilliant this season and deserves to be rewarded for his thrilling performances.
There comes a point when a person should admit when they are wrong. When the truth is staring you in the face and you have no other option but to hold your hands up. All I am asking for is credit to be given where it is due. I think that the wise men of Giles, Dunphy and Brady are loosing credability with their refusal to acknowledge the performances of players whom they may not like, but have to appreciate for the joy they bring us arm chair pundits.