Weekend Outlook (04 Nov 2006)

Manchester United vs Portsmouth

"... He (Tony Adams) will make a great manager under the tutelage of Redknapp. ..."

- JayWalk, 04 Nov 2006

Is it me or do we have a very short termed memory. Right now everybody is harping about the accidental lost to FC Copenhagen in mid-week that nobody remembers the 4-0 thumping we gave to Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

It was domination right from the start as we were camping in Bolton's 1/3 for the first 20 minutes. It was a satisfying performance not in terms of score, but in terms of 10 shots-on-goal versus a mere 3.

Anyway, a warm welcome back to Sheena to the blog as I was dying under the load of maintaining my own blog and this one while etching a living from my day job. Too bad, Sheena's prediction got off to a bad start as I was predicting ManUtd to lose the handicap but stealing a draw from the game. Alas we lost eventhough the handicap outcome was the same.

Come to think of it, it didn't come as too big a shock for me as it was gamble to rest key players ahead of the Pompey game.

The consolation was that it was a lost that we could afford, although a win would have made our lives much easier in weeks to come. Looks like we need to bring out our A-Game when we travel to Celtic and then host Benfica back home. A win from either one of the game will see us through as group winners. Given, that we squandered the Copenhagen game, we no longer able to risk another draw. Let's bring in the 3 points first before easing the pedal.

Portsmouth may not hold any big names but certainly they are hitting the headlines recently for all the right reasons. Portsmouth's success can only be attributed to the genius of Harry Redknapp, working miracles on a shoe string budget. Granted that Tony Adams has contributed much to an improved Pompey defence, it must be noted that Adams actually benefited much more from this than he has contributed. Tony Adams must thank his lucky stars for the opportunity to have such a great mentor while he serves his apprenticeship.

Watch out for Tony Adams in 10 years' time. He will make a great manager under the tutelage of Redknapp.

JayWalk The Talk: To put things nicely, Fergie was resting key players and rotating the squad. The ugly reality actually was that the injuries are starting to pile up again. Park is still nursing and now we have Neville, Giggs and Solksjaer heading back to the sickbay. Saha who was cautiously omitted during midweek is 50-50 coming into today. Perhaps we would have a halfway substitution to bring in Smith in place of the French striker. If we are to do well today, we will be looking to Rooney and Ronaldo for inspiration while the newly formed engine room of Carrick-Scholes providing the ammunition.

Perhaps a Ronaldo goal today? I think he is due a goal anytime now.

Portsmouth aren't doing very well as far as health is concerned either. Defenders Johnson and Primus are out while midfielder O'Neil is doubtful. That leaves David "Calamity" James pretty vulnerable at the back.

However, keep a lookout for Kanu for the Nigerian striker is scoring goals for fun of late.

JayWalk The Walk: ManUtd are set to give up a 1.5-ball handicap but an alarming decimal odds of 2.1 to beat it. People are saying that Redknapp hates to be the team to play ManUtd today as the Red Devils are supposedly set on venting their frustration on the next team after the Danish Stumble.

In addition, history points towards a jinx that David James has whenever he encounters ManUtd, be it Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham or Portsmouth. Expect ManUtd to exploit the keeper's weakness in the air when it come to crosses. I wouldn't be surprised to see James' leaking goals from headers. Perhaps Ferdinand to get on the scoresheet as well?

As far as verdict is concerned, I think ManUtd should win the game but not the handicap.

Disclaimer: The above views are purely my own two-cents' worth. In other words, I cannot and will not guarantee that my predictions are accurate. If you want to bet on the game, do so at your own risk. Also, please bet responsibly and within your means regardless of how "sure thing" that game may appear to be. As the old saying goes, "The Ball Is Round". Good luck.