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| Inside the Mind of Correspondent Ed |
...from inside the mind of Correspondent Ed:
Much has been written on this site about the Manchester United versus Spurs game this weekend, but a few points are beingmissed. First, in light of how many goals have been given up by United this year, it is possible to say -- as someone did -- that United without RVP might very well be a mid-table team? They simply are not very good in the back as Vidic is not near his form (and seems to have lost a few steps), Evra seems pretty mediocre against tough competition, and Ferdinand also appears a bit long in the tooth. Only one of the most annoying players in football -- Rafael -- is having a good season.
FOF is half right regarding David De Gea. Half because he is correct that he was in a tough position for that first punch. Incorrect because those first two saves were largely good fortune. The first being a ricochet that was going to hit him in the feet regardless of what he did; the second, a shot by Dempsey, was poor and pretty much right where he was standing before he jumped the wrong way.
Most telling about United was their setup: triple up on Bale, cede possession, and hope for a counter. This against a team that United shouldn't consider at their level -- this is not Real Madrid or Bayern Munich. The fact that it almost worked for United was largely the result of good fortune, as United could've and probably should've been down big in this one considering the enormous advantages in possession (60%) and shots on goal (15 to 4). In particular, the midfield of Moussa Dembele and Scott Parker simply outclassed their opponents. Strange days at United and not, as Sir Alex has said, one of his best teams. I suspect if things don't change the table will, and soon.
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Well, everyone loves an underdog, and it was exciting to see League Two's Bradford City get past Aston Villa (after getting past Arsenal) to get to the Capital One Cup Final. They didn't look that good at times, but it does prove that the levels down to the fourth division are not always that different, and that in a one or two game series virtually everyone has a chance to win. Hope BC come to play in the finals….
