Still Following the Trawler

5 things to take away from the Wigan victory... 1. Nani shits all over Bale and Nasri. Fact. 23 games, 9 goals and 14 assists, compared to 'undisputed players of the season' Nasri and Bale, with 21 games, 9 goals, 1 assist and 23 games, 7 goals and 1 assist respectively. Why is Nani still so unrated by many? And compared to the two darling's of North London barely even being mentioned as one of the top performers of the season? Absolutely ridiculous. 2. Rooney should be banned for life. Well that's what the Mail on Sunday would have you believe. A stupid elbow that probably did warrant a sending off, but is Rooney a sick disgusting villain who has gotten away with something that has NEVER happened to any other player before in the past? Hmm. Remember Michael Ball's stamp on Ronaldo's chest in 2007 that was pathetically applauded by many? Leg breaking tackles from Gerrard; dirty elbows from Masherano ...and Gerrard again! Even f**king Paul Merson boasts about ...

Good. Best. Weekend. Ever! (part II).  I exclaimed rather excitedly, after the first week of November served up a juicy dose of awesomeness , that it was in footballing terms the best ever (Chelsea lost, Arsenal lost and we won thanks to Park's injury time winner, in case you've forgotten). But clearly, thanks to the falling standards of football that our once ultra competitive League is producing (harsh, but what else can explain it?) perhaps a weekend where our rivals drop points shouldn't be deemed so unrealistic. For Chelsea to lose two on the trot - or win 3 points from a possible 12...whatever gives you a bigger hard-on! - was once a thing of wonderment and impossibility. But now, maybe it's really not as big a surprise as we think. Maybe we just think 'shock' results are shocking because we accept them as such, based on expectations, and the quality levels of the past. ...But either way, WE'RE JOINT TOP!!! Rooney's return. I debated whether to pu...

The best thing about being pessimistic in football, or realistic as I would obviously call it, is that if you’re right, then you’re right; but if you’re wrong, then, well, you’re right! Last night United casually saw off Wigan in a brilliantly convincing manner, knocking 3 past Kirkland in the first-half and 2 past Pollitt in the second, as we performed with the nostalgic excellence of old. From the start, the passing, movement, ambition and finishing was superb; a rare and dangerously fading sight from the majority of United’s performances this season.  I have previously lambasted nearly every United display - regardless of whether we leave the match with 3 points or not, as was the case with the last match against Hull - as sloppy and generally, for the overall talent and potential still well and truly inert in our team, well below par...so when we DO play with a modicum of perfection, I am all open to 'I told you so'-style criticism, as above all, I f**king love my tea...

Now the instant over-excitement created by a 5-0 win has composed itself back to reality, we should take our first truly positive result of the season and build on the positives while understanding and not undermining the ease at which it was achieved. Birmingham, Burnley (although Manchester United didn’t actually turn up to that one) and Wigan are all ridiculously average, bottom-half sides who we, being the Champions, should comfortably see off rather than achieve 1 good result out of the 3. Of course the overly confident folk will still point out the success that emerges from a slow starting United season, but I fear now the dynamics of the team has regressed (in terms of attacking prowess and flair) due to our Summer loss, we may see some similar patterns to what we are finding now, and that this ‘start’ could in fact drag till May. 5 goals is good any way you look at it, but Wigan – representing the minority of shit teams in our League – were, well, shit. In 5 days time we play ...

GOOD : Berbatov - Rooney. More specifically, the link up play, with Scholes as well, for Berba's goal which was utter ly special and very promising. Berba, starting the move off with the pass to Rooney, finds space behind the defenders, thus allowing Rooney and Scholes to display a 1-2 passing masterclass. Rooney, showing instinctive vision, knocks it into Scholes's path, who can still pass the ball like Mr.Christ himself, to find Berbatov. Berbatov in generally actually was awesome, tearing up the defence with his typically effortless, deft touch on a few occasions. Lets hope the 2 strikers can mature and develop - individually as well as in terms of a partnership - now that are more central to the teams dynamics. Owen off the mark. Beautiful finish, with the minature Scouser admitting himself that this was definitely the hardest opportunity he's had so far yet was able to put away in brilliant fashion. Well played. The game turned into a tasty little scrap, which was surp...