Sheva’s yellow card made Blues see red
The newspapers no doubt had eyes glued on “headline-waiting-to-happen Hilario”. Sorry to disappoint.
Were we given any credit for the win? Of course not — we didn’t win the game — Barca lost it according to all and sundry. It had nothing to do with displays from Boulaharouz, Terry, Essien and Drogba.
All week we have had to endure listening to and reading about what a hard week it’s been for poor little Reading — how awful it’s been for them to have their “good name” dragged through the mud. Give me a break! I am more concerned as to whether Petr Cech will ever play again rather than whose ickle-wickle feelings we have hurt down at Reading.
Cue another inbox full of e-mails — they’re a sensitive bunch these Berkshire types, as I found out last week. But special mention to the young Reading supporter who held up a “get well soon Petr” message last Sunday during their game with Arsenal — pity some of his fellow supporters couldn’t show such class.
Is it any wonder that my paranoia grows weekly when we are subjected to the kind of refereeing that we had to suffer last Saturday? Take a bow Mark Clattenburg. Andriy Shevchenko scores his first goal at Stamford Bridge and goes to celebrate with his own fans. He doesn’t take his shirt off, he doesn’t go and taunt the away fans — but he still gets a yellow card from the charmless Clattenburg. But rules are rules right? Wrong! Rules are rules only when being applied to us. When Van Persie scored his “wonder goal” a couple of weeks ago, he hurdled the hoardings and then threw himself into the crowd; did he get booked? No — and I don’t think you are going to need more than one guess to figure out who was referee that day.
I’ll be clocking up the miles this week with a trek to Blackburn tonight (couldn’t we have a regional draw for the early stages?) and then a trip up to Sheffield to face the Blades at the weekend. I imagine both will be physical games, but I do hope we see some of our very talented youngsters play tonight. I am really keen to see Scott Sinclair, Ben Sahar and Michael Woods take the step up — they have been outstanding playing in the reserves and gave the Arsenal reserves a torrid time in their 2-1 win. I expect they are still trying to untwist Senderos’ blood as we speak.
I quite like Neil Warnock (even though he turned down the option to manage us years ago); he’s a cantankerous old bugger and says what he likes, and faces the consequences later — remind you of anyone? It’s about time Sheffield were represented at the highest level again. It’s a city with a big football tradition and I’m glad they’re back. Whether they’ll last is another matter however. They are struggling and despite their plethora of strikers are finding it difficult to score goals. The quality just doesn’t seem to be there and they look like a first division side (“the Championship” is still Division 1 to me OK). Having said all that, I hope we’re not embarrassed! It’s all getting a bit exciting now isn’t it? United seem to be on song at the moment, effortlessly holding on to top spot, albeit by goal difference. We are breathing down their necks, and now that Sheva has found the net again, it may open the floodgates.
Then you have Arsenal beginning to purr and joining the party at the top of the table — looks like we may have a title race on our hands, and so early in the season too! United especially look particularly ominous and the games between them and us could have a big input into deciding where that Premiership trophy will be residing next season. Liverpool, however, have succumbed to the pundits’ curse and find themselves a couple of losses away from the relegation zone, without a win away from home yet this season.
Chances don’t give you anything Rafa — points win prizes. They need to rediscover a bit of that old Istanbul spirit that they constantly sing about.
Not much talk of that on their frankly hysterical websites though following their loss to United. It’s a funny old game isn’t it?
