I Know What You're Thinking (about United, Spurs and Liverpool)

Ed weighs in on some football and a fantasy trip to the Hawaiian Islands:


I've decided to take a brief time out from my recent Magnum PI immersion and give you, my many fans, a few tired thoughts from the weekend's action.

 

First, United under Van Gaal is starting to look more like United did under Alex Ferguson -- more the red ferrari than the blue Vauxhall wagon of Moyes's tenure.  They're winning when they really shouldn't be, and scoring when the other team seems to have more chances.  Part of that always seemed to be luck when Ferguson did it, but interestingly it looks the same for Van Gaal.  In addition, Van Gaal seems hell bent to prove that you can be totally weird and yet still beloved by fans and players alike so long as you are winning.  As I write this, I remain unclear as to why he likes to do his homework during games, and why sometimes it appears that he needs to be nudged and awoken to the fact that his team has just scored.  His post game interviews?  Not really English.  Kind of.  Maybe a little.  But not really.  And finally, the flat face, the kooky hair style -- really?  

 

Second, Spurs fans love affair with Harry Kane is getting as strong as Higgy-baby's love affair with the Lads.  Alongside a forgettable Roberto Soldado, Kane scored yet again and did a terrific job as target man as well.  As for another Spurs' Academy product, Ryan Mason, I'm still unclear why he's starting.  He's certainly feisty and decent with the ball, but Dembele showed he is dramatically better both offensively and defensively.  I suspect Moussa will be included in the starting lineup more frequently in the weeks to come.  

 

Third, the heat on Brendan Rogers is rising faster than TC on a mission in his Island Hopper chopper.  I find it hard to say whether Rogers is really that bad a manager.  Clearly his players aren't that good.  Clearly he also changes tactics with astounding frequency.  But they almost won it a year ago, and they're top Striker is a guy that didn't start on his mid-table team last year (see again, You're Only as Good as Your Front Two).  Plus, the formation he put on the field did account for a large number of chances many of which should have been goals.  Defensively it was all about player mistakes.  Does it surprise anyone that Coutinho isn't good at getting back to play defense?  I don't know.  Right now I blame him somewhat for some of the players he's brought in, but I'm not sure I can say anything else until I see them play with Sturridge back.  By the way, is that every happening?

 

Well, enough soccer talk.  A little voice inside me is telling me it's time to get back to the couch and finish off my trip to Hawaii . . . .


This is farlieonfootie for December 18.