tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766329932594759389.post3587303841995402087..comments2023-10-12T06:27:20.799-04:00Comments on farlieonfootie: "Still Life in Red": Eight Things We Learned From Manchester United's Draw With Liverpoolfarlieonfootiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12346900092212686055noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2766329932594759389.post-56223616862891123942011-10-17T12:36:27.687-04:002011-10-17T12:36:27.687-04:00A few points about this game, and I'm sure Cor...A few points about this game, and I'm sure Correspondent Scott will clean up the rest.<br /><br />First, from the "Ferdinand still has it" category, if you actually watched the Adam dive, the strange part about it was that Adam DECIDED to dive because, as rightfully pointed out by the commentators, he had just beaten Ferdinand and would have had a great scoring opportunity if he didn't drop. That said, his calculus turned out to be right due to Giggs' unwillingness to take one in the family jewels.<br /><br />Second, it is clear that despite his repeated statements about the importance of the game, this game for Fergy was, well, unimportant. He was all about the Champions League game this week, and thus the junior varsity lineup on Saturday. It also showed a generous lack of respect for the Reds, something the Reds may have earned from their battle with Tottenham earlier in the year, but something that almost came back to bite the old man.<br /><br />Third, in the same way the repetition of the importance of the game was basically a political statement and not a truthful one, FOF seems to be missing the reality that the constant plugging of De Gea by Fergy is also intended to give the guy some confidence and is not actually commentary on how good he is. Fergy would switch back to Van der Sar in an instant if the Dutchman were still around. De Gea had, basically, one good save in this game (the Henderson volley -- the rest were shots that happen to be driven right at him), but he still finds himself in bad places on crosses, and his lack of leadership and ability to organize the defense is simply frightening for a top level club. Perhaps it's his inability to speak English that's the problem. Right now De Gea is similar to Spurs' Gomez -- good stuff alongside screw ups. De Gea is a work in progress, not the bees knees. Which again is why we have to talk about how great he is every time he doesn't blow it.<br /><br />Fourth, despite constant maligning from persons who work at this site, the Liverpool player who had the most impact on the match was not Stevie G but was our old friend Charlie Adam. Liverpool controlled the center of the pitch, and both the goal and the blown shot by Suarez in the first half were both the result of decisive runs by the midfielder. Reminded me how he dominated the midfield against United for Blackpool last year. Guess he isn't all that bad.<br /><br />Fifth, United was LUCKY to get out of this one with a draw. Their B-team was outplayed, and Liverpool blew several good opportunities. Even when forced to put the A-team back in, Liverpool put constant pressure on United. Fergy is likely very happy about this draw, but then again, to him the EPL is not the prize, the Champions League is.<br /><br />Sixth, after this game it turns out United IS the second best team in Manchester. Wow, that must hurt. This week's a big week for the Red Devils. <br /><br />Seventh and finally, back off Macca. He's one of the few commentators that doesn't have a chip on his shoulder and actually adds some insights to the game that he's watching. Plus he's a fun and happy guy. Just because he may be about 20% as biased as FOF shouldn't get him thrown out of ESPN.<br /><br />Sincerly,<br /><br />Carlos T. (Fortunately for you FOF, you ugly American (please forgive the contextual ambiguity -- I don't mean America is ugly, just that you're an American AND are ugly), due to some generous vacation time I've been given by my employer, I've had a few days to brush up on my language skills and to enjoy a few games.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com