What a disgust of a match it was! Yet again, United conceded a couple of questionable away goals and made Bolton the latest EPL side to look like world beaters. At this rate, we don't stand a chance but if this is a case of poor form, then I'm glad that we are picking up points whilst in this form.
We'd have to possess a very rewarding striking line if we are to concede as many goals as we're doing throughout the season. Fine, we've managed to get a couple plus in every game but when it comes to the Cup competitions such as the Champions League, we cannot afford to win 3-2 for instance at OT because chances are that the away leg will end 2-2 (on this form). Right now any United fan would easily take a 1-0 over a 3-2.
It remains to be discovered what Rafael has done to Sir Alex to be deemed unworthy of a place in the first team. I think he's a much better player than O'Shea on that right hand side and it's time he gets a season or two of consistency in that position.
Rio Ferdinand is fit---has been fit for a while but why the manager doesn't play him in the league is another mystery. You'd think that his game reading abilities might just save us a couple of the goals going in at the moment..
In short, I think it's a travesty that we've let in nine goals in six EPL games. It's the reason as to why we cannot take advantage of a Chelsea slip to narrow the gap at the top to just a point. Instead, Chelsea will think that they've been let off the hook---unless we can go to the City of Manchester Stadium and win!
Moving on we take on Valencia in Spain in the Champions League on Wednesday in a bid to get our first win of the Group stage. It's kind of funny that we'll be looking to win away in Europe and yet we've so far failed to win away in England.
Anyhow, we're slightly weaker in terms of squad for the game because Wayne, Rio and Giggs are, for one reason or the other, missing from the selected squad. Wayne and Giggs in particular are carrying slight injuries. Hopefully Wayne in particular will use this welcome break to get something in his head right.
Valencia are top of the league in Spain---and all those well acquainted with the La Liga will tell you that's no mean feat, even after a few games, in a league that saves that spot exclusively for Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Darren Fletcher thinks that we'll have to keep the if we are to beat Valencia so hopefully we'll see some bit of ball retention from our side. A win should be the target because with Rangers almost certain to beat Bursaspor, we could find ourselves in the 2005 position of scrapping to get out of the group.
Labels: UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
