First things first... Chelsea managed to restore their five point lead over us in the league by beating Arsenal. Many are now happy to declare them Champions but I really doubt that we shall relinquish our trophy that easy. We only have to keep doing our job--picking up maximum points!
Now on to tomorrow's game--Sir Alex has blasted the English media for their criticism towards our young players that featured in the defeat to Besktas. The official webs site will give you the mouthful that the fiery Scott gave them.
To be fair, I thought that the 'kids' did well and the experience will help them. I don't know how man sides in Europe can put out a team of under 22 that can challenge European opposition. It's a tribute to the guys who work with the young lads in the academy.
Thankfully for them, our second string side gets its chance to correct the wrongs of last week with a home tie against Tottenham in the Carling Cup quarterfinal. Spurs will obviously prove much tougher opposition for them than Besiktas but we have home advantage and so I really hope that the players can use that to their advantage.
It will be interesting to see who starts in goal because everyone thought that Tomas K did enough to earn a spot in tomorrow's game. He is for me, a better choice than Ben Foster--at least until the latter can regain his confidence.
Otherwise it will be pretty much the same team that lost to Besiktas last week. I only hope that Fergie can give Berba some game time to restore him back to match fitness. Park and Owen might also get a look in...and thence I ask the question--What happened to a certain United player called Nani? Does anybody know? Injured? Holiday? Sick...?
The other point of discussion today is the right back slot. O'Shea seems to have made that position his for now but he is hardly the best we can hope for in that area. I thought that Rafael would step up but he seems to play football as though he is starring in an Indianan Jones movie--that explains all the flying and lunges, and adventurous forays that have become a part of him---I'm not sure that's the best we can get either. Neville is way off the pace but he does know a thing or two about crossing that ball and he has the experience. I think that if or when Rio gets fit, Brown should resume his right back duties that served us so well in the season we won the biggest double in club football.
For the lads tomorrow, I think they can only do themselves a favour by striving to stay in the competition as I think it;s the only channel through which most of them will get an opportunity to impress. I mean only a few get to look in the first team so this is their Cup final. The FA Cup third round against Leeds or Kettering will be their next match if they blow this chance!
Labels: THE LEAGUE CUP
