Weekend Outlook (09 Dec 2006)

Manchester United vs Manchester City

"...Rooney has faded back in to oblivion of late?..."

- JayWalk, 09 Dec 2006

The game against Middlesbrough was terrible. It was a classic example of how psychology can affect an entire team. The distraction from the subsequent do-or-die match against Benfica took its toll on the team and we ended up playing like a mid-table team.

I am not going to defend C.Ronaldo just because he dons the ManUtd shirt. I say he cheated when he went down in the penalty box. No second thoughts about that. This is not the way to win games.

Saha is also another worrying factory. As he was lining up the spot kick, we all guessed that he was going for the bottom left corner. The sad thing was that we were right, even though we were fortunate enough to get a goal out of it. Do we not have a better penalty taker?

Next, we look at the stats. For the first time in a long while, we were out-paced in the Shot-On-Goal numbers. Mind you, this is Middlesbrough we are talking about and not one of the top teams like Chelsea or Arsenal. Heck, even Arsenal these days are no match of us anymore.

It's a real pity that players as talented as C.Ronaldo has no integrity. Kinda reminds me of Rivaldo during the 2002 World Cup against Turkey in the first round. These are players that are exciting to watch but they will never earn a special place in my heart.

Talking about special place in the heart. There is Paolo Di Canio. Granted that I am not a West Ham fan but his big hearted fairness display during the game against Everton in December 2000 won me over.

Click Here to watch the video clip of the incident. Now this is what I call a top class player.

Next, we turn our attention to midweek's game against Benfica. We mauled them. Shot numbers were 21 (8 on-goal) against 7 (2 on-goal).

They didn't stand a chance.

Problem is that we had to leak a goal first before everyone woke up their bloody ideas and turned on the turbo. It is most worrying that we often shoot ourselves in the foot only to have to struggle to redeem ourselves. Most times fortunately we do, but why the heart attack?

Here's the consolation, if you can even call it that: Weren't we in the same situation when we won the treble in 1999? Remember the semi final ECL game against Juventus where we were down 0-2 as early as the 11th minute, only to comeback 3-2 winners?

JayWalk The Talk: It's the Manchester derby this weekend and regardless of how far apart in the league table both teams are, the outcome is more often than not, difficult to grasp. Let me draw up the archives to illustrate this. ManUtd has not won ManCity at Old Trafford for the past 2 seasons. Both games ended with a draw and thus causing ManUtd to drop 2 points each. On paper, it seemed like 3-points were already in the bag as soon as the team sheets were released. Yet the unthinkable draw happened. Twice! (Actually, it was 3 draws in the last 4 seasons).

Solksjaer is still out but Park managed to complete the first 45 minutes of the reserves game, which coincidentally was also a United-City derby. Smith is also making great progress by scoring a goal, marking his first ever since his horrific injury. Looks like we'll be seeing them back in contention for first time selection very soon.

On the blue side, Matthew Mills and Sun are both out due to injury but I doubt if that is going to be a headache for Pearce.

In the same weekend, we have psychology at play here where Chelsea will be hosting Arsenal in the other derby of the week. The London derby should prove to be a cracker on any given day. However, I doubt if the Gunners would offer any resistance given the Henry is out injured. Still, like I said, there is something magical about derbies and perhaps this would be the opportunity for ManUtd to pull further away from Chelsea? We can only hope the Wenger do us the favour.

JayWalk The Walk: Bookies are set to make ManUtd give a 1.5 ball handicap and a unfavourable decimal odds of 2.10 to beat it. Without a doubt, ManUtd should win this and collect the 3 points but past records has shown the ManUtd has failed the overcome the handicap in 3 of the last 4 Manchester Derbies. As such, my guess is that it should have been a 2-0 stroll for us but as usual, we would probably paint ourselves into a corner (again!) by leaking a goal first, before huffing and puffing from behind to take the game at 2-1.

As a parting point to ponder, anyone noticed how Rooney has faded back in to oblivion of late? Not a good sign at all.

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.