Manchester Is Red

"Show Sir Alex The Exit Door Now"

2011-10-25T21:03:00.001+01:00

And before the onslaught of abuse gathers momentum and is aimed in my direction please let me explain that the headline of this article is actually a quote by a so called Manchester United supporter in response to the 6-1 defeat in the Manchester derby on Sunday at Old Trafford.

I was absolutely astonished and ashamed by people claiming to be Utd fans taking to social networking site twitter to vent their anger towards the man responsible for the majority of Utd's past and present achievements and success. Who do these people think they are? I suspect they have a limited knowledge of football and Manchester United's history because Sir Alex has earned the right to manage Utd until he decides the time is right for him to call it a day. The day will come when Sir Alex will know its time to leave and he will have the best interests of the club at heart when he does make that decision.

I wrote an article about the Manchester derby result for the united website www.weallfollowunited.com in which I tried to be as honest as I possibly could about the result being a Man Utd supporter, and to my amazement I found this response in reference to what I had said by somebody called John Tring:

"Haha, what a disgrace. As Utd fans globally we seem to feel more humiliation than those who caused this trauma. SAF seems to blame eveyone except himself. I thought the buck must stop with him. He bought players at wrong positions ( Young as a winger but we need a CM ), his tactics and selections are just crazy. And finally he seriously thinks Evans, Fletcher, Park, Carrick, Ferdinand et el are Utd-class players. These all point to one thing: the exit door at Utd. Yes, the truth sometimes will hurt but SAF's time's up. He should go. Now and Here".

I was staggered that somebody would have such a delusional knee jerk reaction to a result. Yes, it was an embarrassing and humiliating result against our Manchester rivals, but to suggest that the most successful manager in English football should "call it a day" just goes to show how fickle football fans can be. I responded to his comment on the website saying:

"Your comment does not suprise me in the slightest. It sounds to me that this message has been left by a person who has no understanding of Manchester United and what Sir Alex has done for the club.

For you to suggest that he (Sir Alex) should be shown the exit door shows your stupidly and ignorance. The team he picked against Man City was good enough to get something out of that game but the players he selected let him down by not performing.

It's "fans" like you that give Utd a bad name. I bet leading into Sunday's game you were delighted with our best start to a premier league season? Just goes to show how fickle some fans can be".

My response to the comment was backed up by Utd supporter Vincent Jones who also responded saying:

"Kev, I totally agree

John, I can't believe you actually reckon Sir Alex should go. That's the biggest load of rubbish I have heard from a fellow red in some time. Yes, we were well beaten on Sunday, but to call for SAF's head is madness. He is the greatest manager in the history of English club football. He has done so much for Manchester United. City were better on the day, but the league isn't over yet. Let's see where we are in May. Remember these words: "Keep the red flag flying high, because Man United will never die." We will bounce back."

It's these so called "fans" that sit in armchairs or their local pub watching games who seem to have the most outrageous and strongly opinionated theories on football and the team they supposedly follow, when in reality they do not have a clue. They contribute nothing to football and the teams they claim to follow, people who show ignorance and disrespect towards a legendary figure like Sir Alex Ferguson make me sick.

City's Old Trafford Masterclass Silences The Champions.

2011-10-24T20:49:00.002+01:00

Sunday the 23rd of October 2011 has secured its place in the history books as Manchester City left Old Trafford with three points after a historic 6-1 derby victory over arch rivals Manchester United which left the red half shocked and humiliated.

It's a result that has sent shock waves through world football as City sent out real statement of intent at the home of the premier league champions. This was billed as Citys first real test of the season and they passed it with flying colours.

Prior to this game Utd had gone 18 months without defeat at the theatre of dreams which just goes to show how much of a huge and impressive result this was for City. Its a result that has seen City installed as the bookies favourite to win the premier league title in May next year.

City were devastatingly ruthless in front of goal and controlled large parts of the game with clever intelligent possession. But it will be the manner of the defeat that will have upset and angered the majority of the red half of Manchester. Utd were lacklustre, sloppy in possession and outplayed in the centre of the park where Fletcher and the constant disappointment that is Anderson were played off the park and left chasing shadows at times.

Prior to kick off I was informed of the team selections and was instantly surprised to see Welbeck in ahead of Hernandez. I also then tried to compare the two midfield line up's and could identify that this was where the game was going to be won and that City looked stronger in that department. It's worrying to think how strong a squad that City have constructed because the two midfielders on City's bench, De Jong & Nasri would have walked straight into Man Utd's first team in that fixture. Utd are crying out for creativity in the centre of the field, something that City have an embarrassment of.

Utd controlled the first 20 minutes of the game without really testing Joe Hart, but like any good team City went ahead totally against the run of play through the impressive Italian Mario Balotelli. The blues went in at half time a goal to the good and had ended the half showing signs of a improved performance and tempo to their game.

It's the second half where the game was spectacularly turned on its head as Evans was shown a straight red card for pulling back Balotelli who was through on goal. Some Utd fans suggested the Italian had dived but TV replays clearly show Evans was correctly given his marching orders. This was always going to be a tough game for Utd and the fact they found themselves a goal down and a man down made it a difficult game to try and get something out of as City made the extra man advantage work to devastating effect.

With 60 minutes on the clock Balotelli made it 2-0 with a simple tap in as Utd started to lose the midfield battle and it was 9 minutes later that City found themselves 3-0 up. With 9 minutes left Fletcher claimed a consolation goal but with 90 minutes up City inflicted more pain on their rivals by scoring three goals in quick succession to claim a 6-1 victory in a game that will forever be remembered by the blue half, and will want to be forgotten quickly by the red half.

It's the manner in which Utd concealed them late goals which will have annoyed and angered Utd fans and the manager. Sir Alex did not deserve for his players to let him down on such an occasion like a Manchester derby.With the result at 3-1 Utd were still trying to push forward for a goal that would have give them hope, I suppose it's the Utd way but when you are in that position a man down and the 90 minutes are up you simply have to accept that you will not get anything out of the game. The reality of it is that City had this contest won when Balotelli scored to make it 2-0, if this was a boxing fight the ref would have stopped it when Aguero made it 3-0. This fixture could have ended with City hitting double figures as they were a constant threat in the second half, Manchini's game plan worked perfectly.

A backlash against Fergie's team selection has been evident on social networking sites and on today talksport radio phone in. Who do these people think they are ringing into a talk show to vent their anger at a manager who has built and installed success for the last 25 years of his life at Old Trafford? Nobody should question Sir Alex, he choose that team and the players who played let him down.

This victory for City claimed them three points and the bragging rights of the city until the next chapter in this titanic fixture. With that in mind City I am sure will not get carried away with this result as no trophy has been won on the strength of this result and you would be mad to rule out Manchester United coming back from this stronger. This could be the wake up call the reds need, Utd will be like a wounded animal at the moment, an animal attacked in its own back yard. They need to quickly pick themselves up as they look ahead to a tricky looking fixture against Everton at Goodison park on Saturday.

For every action their is a reaction and I fully expect Utd will respond positively to this humiliating defeat. City for the time being sit at the summit of English footballs premier league division five points clear of Man Utd and currently have the momentum and confidence to achieve great things this season.

The Most Eagerly-Awaited Derby Fixture Ever

2011-10-21T21:03:00.001+01:00

This Sunday the theatre of dreams will stage the most eagerly awaited Manchester derby fixture the city has ever witnessed. Local bragging rights are up for grabs, and a place at the summit of English footballs premier league for that team that is victorious.

The mind games have already started and Sir Alex Ferguson this week implied that Utd had already played the so called "top four" teams which ruled City out as a major threat, obviously a tongue in cheek comment!

I regard this as the most eagerly awaited derby fixture because this is the first time in my lifetime I have witnessed City two points clear of Utd going into a derby fixture. Labelled as "noisy neighbours" by Sir Alex, City are now living up to that tag because of the football they are playing and the position they occupy.

Both Utd & City have started the league in sincelating fashion scoring goals for fun and both teams remain unbeaten, I definitely see one teams unbeaten tag leaving them this weekend as I would bet against it being a draw with the embarrassment of world class players on show.

The teams have already played once this Year in the seasons curtain opener in the community shield, Utd two nil down at half time staged an incredible comeback to win the game 3-2 but like many Utd supporters you would have to say that you cannot read to much into that result as following that game City have hit the floor running in the premier league, but Sunday represents their first real test against the champions.

I wrote an article before the season started claiming that City would be our main threat to a 20th league title and that tree looks like it will bear fruit come the end of the season. Excitement is building in Manchester ahead of the game, let's just hope we get the game that we have all come to expect and are predicting.

A win for Utd would put them top and a point ahead of City, a win for City would put them top and five points ahead of their Mancunian rivals, it's all to play for and should be an electrifying passionate atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Form guide:
Man Utd: WWWDWD
Man City: WWDWWW

Opta stats: There have been five 90th minute or later goals scored in the last eight matches in all competitions between City and United, three of them to win the match for United.

Possible starting XIs
Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Giggs, Fletcher, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.

Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Y Toure, De Jong, Silva, Nasri, Balotelli, Aguero.

The Mancunian Bird Sit's Proudly On It's Perch

2011-10-14T21:38:00.001+01:00

Saturday see's Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield in a match that has a bitter intense rivalry stretching back years, but I think that this is now a bigger game for Liverpool supporters than it is for Man Utd's followers.

As it stands the Liverpool liver bird lie's on it's back at the bottom of the bird cage amongst the paper cuttings looking enviously up towards the mancunian bird who sits proudly with it's chest stuck out after knocking it's Liverpudlian rival off it's perch.

I am basing my theory that it is a bigger game for Liverpool on the fact that like many supporters for the first time I have one eye on next weeks fixture against our Manchester rivals City. I have always considered Liverpool to be the stand out fixture due to both teams consistent domestic and European triumphs but I see the game next Sunday at Old Trafford as a bigger attraction than a trip to Anfield to play a team who will struggle to achieve a champions league place this season.

Its a clear sign that the times are changing and that Liverpool no longer offer a genuine threat to Man Utd's domestic dominance in the English league. Looking long term it will be Man City who will be the main threat, something I am sure many Liverpool fans will disagree with me on but they need to face up to the reality that they are no longer a "top four" club.

Utd will walk into Anfield tomorrow with nothing to fear knowing that they have overtaken Liverpool's eighteen titles, something Liverpool supporters find hard to accept but the kop will be in full voice reminding Utd that they have won five European cups.

The last few seasons at Anfield Utd have not turned up in this fixture. I accept that Liverpool were better, hungrier and wanted the result more, but it shows that this fixture in a sense is their cup final and means everything to them.

The hatred and bad blood between the two teams will be clearly evident in this gladiator like battle at Anfield. Utd unlike Liverpool have a bigger rival to look forward to playing next weekend, the Manchester derby can now become a proper city rivalry.

Rooney Deserved His Three Match Ban

2011-10-14T00:02:00.003+01:00

The FA and a personal letter by Wayne Rooney have both failed to overturn his three match ban for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic during England's 2-2 draw in Podgorcia against Montenegro last Friday evening.

A three match ban will rule him out of all of England's group games in Poland and the Ukraine for next summers Euro 2012 tournament.

I am absolutely astonished that people are aggrieved and disappointed that a three match ban has been enforced for what I seen as a lack of temperament and basically an assault on an opposition player.

UEFA have punished him for what they class as "violent conduct". I know that people will view the world "assault" as a harsh word to sum up Rooney's actions but if i was to do the same to somebody on the street or in my local pub I would have to deal with the consequences of my loss of temper.

Let's face it, Rooney has previous when it comes to a sudden loss of temper, but I would also agree that it is a while since I have seen the devil on his shoulder over power the angel on his other and convince him to perform an act of stupidity. Rooney has not been sent off for England in any European competition for six years previous to Friday evenings buckaroo kick.

Rooney has rightly been given the correct punishment for his actions and I am saying this as a Man Utd supporter before the anti Rooney slurs commence.

I have tried to listen to the people defending him but I have no sympathy for him. The fact the FA stood by him tickles me! Their defence for Rooney included a piece that he left the field of play and showed no dissent towards the referee or officials and left the field of play without any argument. Do me a favour !!

Rooney walked off the pitch offering no argument because he knew deep down he had nothing to argue about. The time he had to himself as he did the walk of shame would have given him time to sum up in his head his regrets over a moment of madness and he obviously knew he was going to miss the group stages of Euro 2012, that's the real reason he left the field of play offering no argument or outburst.

I tweeted ex footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft on Twitter saying:

"Rooney deserves his ban for a moment of madness",

To which he replied:

" Ban he deserves"

This is the opinion of an ex footballer now turned pundit.

Opinions are split on UEFA's decision to ban Rooney for three games, but I think the people that are arguing the Rooney corner were making a desperate plea to try and reduce the ban so that England's star player was available to give this nation it's best chance of winning a major tournament. The fact the FA fought Rooney's defence says it all, the same association that banned the same player last season for swearing which earned him a two game ban.

When you sum it up Rooney was given a two game ban by the FA for swearing on live TV (something that he apologised for immediately after the game), the same player was then given a three match ban for a straight red card for assaulting an opposition player (something he has not publically apologised for or offered an explanation for) and was backed and defended by the FA for his stupidity.

Rooney has got off lightly in my opinion. He will still be on the plane to the Euro 2012 championships regardless of his actions.

FA Defending Rooney Is Comical !

2011-10-11T20:45:00.003+01:00

I was not the slightest bit surprised to hear that the FA will be appealing the three match ban that Wayne Rooney quite rightly deserved for his red card last Friday evening playing for England.

Rooney is by far the most important player that England and the FA have, England pin their hopes on him in all qualifying and tournament games, the FA need him because he is the most famous English man in the squad and commercially is worth a fortune through sponsorship to them.

After his straight red card on Friday for kicking an opposition player in sheer frustration the FA have decided to stand by Rooney and try to get his suspension overturned to a one match ban so he is available for all England's Euro 2012 games. This is the same FA that last season handed the same player (Rooney) a two match ban for swearing when celebrating a goal?

It is a total embarrassment by the FA and shows just how desperate they are for Rooney to represent them. If Rooney knew exactly how important and in high esteem he is held at the FA he probably could have had his two game ban for swearing overturned if he had stood up to the FA and told them he would never play again for England if they banned him, why not? Alan Shearer is reported to have done this when he was an England player after elbowing a player when playing for Newcastle.

I have recently heard stories about the FA and you take some comments with a pinch of salt but today's statement and decision to stand by a player that was rightly given a red card for a reckless lack of temperament challenge shows to me just how much of a joke the FA really are, it's almost cringe worthy to an extent because they know the value of Rooney's image rights to sponsors in a big tournament.

One person who will certainly will have not been the slightest bit surprised about the jesters at the FA standing by and defending Rooney will be Sir Alex Ferguson, a man that has had constant battles with an association who are only bothered about themselves and not the English domestic league. The same association that the late Sir Matt Busby had problems with.

It will be of real interest being a Man Utd supporter myself to see how the FA deal with any future incident's involving Rooney. If he scores the winner at the kop end of Anfield against Liverpool in injury time next Saturday and Swear's as he celebrates in pure ecstasy and delight, will the FA give him another two game ban?

Let's just wait and see, it will not be too long before Man Utd and the FA go head to head on a collision course again, what will be interesting will be how the FA decide to punish the incident especially if it involves a certain Mr Rooney.

Let's Scrap International Footbore !

2011-10-09T17:36:00.000+01:00

I was interested to hear a lot of negative comments people have made about international football recently and it got me thinking, should we scrap it all together for the good of the domestic game?

Now I know that there would be some FA executive spitting out the froth of his cappuccino if he was to read that statement, but like many people I have been totally disillusioned with international tournaments and friendlies for the last ten years or so. World cups and European championships just do not live up to the hype and even the so called world class players constantly fail to perform at what is regarded as the highest level of football.

I supported England from being a child and enjoyed tournaments like Euro 96 and France 98, but at the start of the year 2000 I totally lost interest mainly because of the fickle fans that follow them. David Beckham was made the scapegoat for England's failed world cup campaign in 98 and was playing for Manchester United at the time, the team that I support. I was shocked and appalled at the abuse that was aimed at him, and just after that fans at England matches at the old Wembley started to jeer and sing degrading and disrespectful chants towards the England players who played club football for Manchester United, and that is when I called it a day supporting England. I would choose club over country every time I was asked the question.

I think the England team is supported by people who support championship teams or to be polite, the teams in the premier league who make up the numbers but will never achieve silverware. Watching England gives a chance for fans of unsuccessful and small clubs the chance to support and cheer players like Rooney and Gerrard. The majority of people I have spoken to support their club team and that's it, so is this just a problem in England or does it happen in every country? I suspect it is only England that has this problem, we are so obsessed with our club teams that we find it hard to support rival team players. Being a Man Utd supported I found it hard to try and get excited about a Steven Gerrard goal but that could just be me being stubborn and ignorant. My passion for club football and Man Utd has meant that I no longer care about my international team, some people will obviously not agree with the choice that I made.

The "club vs country" row is something that also proves how devalued international football has become. I suspect that the majority of clubs quite rightly would prefer for their players to rest for a weekend rather than play an international game and risk injury,these clubs pay the players wages. International footballers are now also paid to play when representing their country, when I was growing up playing for your country was considered the ultimate accolade but I wonder how many players now are 100% patriotic and honoured to pull on their countries colours ?

I personally think international football disrupts our domestic season, am I being selfish saying that? Or am I saying what the majority of people have been thinking for a while now? Let's face it, the last two world cups have been abysmal. Players playing on the world stage too frightened to perform because the fear of failure and the nations hopes and dreams on your shoulders, either way the media will be gathering like vulchers ready to crucify you as we love to have a scapegoat when it comes to making up excuses for England's failures.

Recent autobiography's by ex England internationals Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have slammed the England set up and have even claimed that a divide between players is clearly evident. Claims have also been made that players are put under so much pressure that the fear of failure affects the way they usually play for England compared to club level. Give me champions league football any day of the week, it's a better standard of football and the world class players all perform in it. Scholes quit the international scene to concentrate on club football and I can see this trend continuing in the future in the England squad because players seem more committed to the club side they play for.

Internationals are an old tradition and I don't think for one minute that it would ever be considered to scrap it altogether, obviously FIFA and the FA would not want it to happen. Let's face it, the FA have Wembley to pay for and will attempt to fill that ground at any given chance to pay back the money they owe on it.

I definitely get the strong impression that the majority of Man Utd fans will agree with everything I have said regarding England, we even sing about the fact we have won a world title once more than them to get under the skin of opposing teams supporters! Like many Utd fans I actually get nervous when our players go away on international duty in fear that they will return with an injury that will affect the team I watch every weekend and support financially.

It's an interesting debate and the club vs country row will continue to make headlines as long as international football is around and our domestic and champions league competitions get better and more competitive, it does make me wonder if anybody would be bothered if International football was axed? I suspect opinions will be divided on this.

@kevinashford7

Vile football chants must stop

2011-10-06T20:34:00.000+01:00

One thing has sprung to my mind recently that has to be eradicated from our football terraces, it's the abysmal and sickening chants that people use against race, religion, and the deceased.

One name springs to mind recently who has felt the cruel harsh wrath of the terraces and that is Tottenham's on loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Now I am not Adebayor's biggest fan, but it's hard not to feel sorry for him when you hear the supporters that once sang his name singing that they wished he had died, in reference to when the Togo national team's bus came under a gunfire attack on the way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

In my opinion wishing somebody dead is wildly overstepping the mark massively. It also seems that from a supporters point of view it's perfectly fine to abuse a footballer for 90 minutes but when it comes to that same player giving a bit back, it's not acceptable and that player is guilty of inciting the crowd or even a riot.

In 2009 when playing for Manchester City against his old club Arsenal for the first time, Adebayor came in for 90 minutes of dogs abuse from his old supporters. They chanted songs about his family and booed his every touch, however he had the last laugh scoring a goal and then galloping the length of the pitch before falling to his knees to celebrate in front of the travelling fans who had sang the vile chants about him and his family. Adebayor was booked for his "over the top" celebration but I remember thinking "fair play to him", he answered them back by letting his football do the talking even if the celebration was a bit extravagant to say the least !

Being a Manchester United supporter I have grown up with the sickening slang terminology of being labelled a "Munich" by many Manchester City fans I know and communicate with through social network sites. The term "Munich" being a reference to the Munich air disaster in 1958 in which 23 lives were cruelly taken away. But this does not stop Man City fans using the term "Munich" flippantly when referring to Man Utd fans. In fact I would go as far as to say that you will hear these chants at the majority of City's games. It's a total lack of respect chanting about the deceased and shows a certain small club mentality. Apart from the FA cup final win last season this is the only thing City fans have had to sing about over the last thirty plus years, they sing it because they know it will spark a reaction from the opposition supporters.

My examples of vulgar chants have come in the form of racial and singing about the deceased, but another form is sectarian. This is big in Glasgow between the big two clubs Celtic and Rangers. This actually covers religion, something that has nothing to do with football. Celtic fans wave Republic of Ireland flags and sing songs that agree with the actions of the IRA (Irish republican army) who have killed many innocent people. Rangers fans wave union jack flags and sing songs that show their support for unionist groups that have also killed innocent people, all of which has absolutely nothing to do with football in anyway at all.

It's up to the clubs to make a firm stand over these chants that are plaguing our terraces, the same terraces that have children who are the next generation of football supporters that will represent our club in the future both home and away. We have CCTV so let's use it and punish the culprits, in most cases I understand it is a small minority of people. The FA and FIFA also need to step up efforts to abolish these chants.

I am not naive enough to think these chants will just suddenly come to an end, but it is a football clubs duty to try and do everything they can to prevent or even reduce this behaviour for the good of football. Chants can be hilarious when used in the correct manner, but can also be so shocking and disrespectful that you would have to clean your eras out to make sure you are actually hearing what you know is being said.

At the end of the day these chants are nothing to do with football, they are simply aimed at the players and opposition supporters to get under their skin and provoke an angry retaliation. I am sure I speak for most people when I say that we do not want these chants in our family orientated stadiums.

@kevinashford7

Time for video replay's in football?

2011-10-02T21:21:00.000+01:00

In the light of this weekends controversial sending off in the Merseyside derby I am wondering is it now finally time we looked at bringing in video replays to make sure we get the big decisions correct in football once and for all ?

This is a debate that has gripped the football nation for many years with opinions split as to how we could introduce a system that would not slow the game down but would improve the game overall.

I can totally understand both sides of the argument but surly to introduce a system that will guarantee that the big decisions get a second look if necessary now needs serious consideration to eradicate referees spoiling games by making rash on the spot decision's.

How could we do this without appealing every single incident and slowing down the flow to our game? One idea that I propose is that before each game, teams have three chances in the game to call for a video replay and the chance for the referee to get a second look at an incident that the team dispute.

By limiting teams to three chances to challenge a decision each game, should not affect the game but would give the team who disputes the decision a chance for the referee to have a look at a pitch side video replay which would take roughly thirty seconds for him to either stick to his original decision or change his mind and overrule his first opinion on the incident. This is roughly the same amount of time players spend arguing with officials when a big decission goes against them if not longer.

Limiting teams to be able to challenge three referee decisions a game would also mean that the teams would have to use the chances to appeal very wisely as once the three calls have been made you are not entitled to dispute anymore in the match.

These disputed calls could be for any incidents like penalties or sending offs, generally decisions that referees can hastily make but get horribly wrong, as proved over the weekend when Jack Rodwell was sent off for Everton against Liverpool incorrectly with the score level at 0-0, a game that Everton went on to lose by two goals to nil in the end. If Everton had the chance to dispute that sending off and the referee had a second chance to look at the incident again then I am sure Rodwell would have stayed on the pitch and who knows what the outcome of the game would have been eleven men against eleven?

This system would also apply to something that I am sure will be in football within the next few years, goal line technology. Our game has been crying out for this for years with so many "goals that should have been" missed by officials that have seen teams lose out on silverware.

Most recently on the big stage Frank Lampard scored for England against Germany in the world cup finals, but the officials failed to see the ball had crossed the line in the biggest tournament in world football and the goal that should have been was never credited to England. As with the Rodwell incident, if England boss Fabio Capello could have used an opportunity to challenge the referee in that game to take a second look at a monitor I am 100% sure the goal would have been given, everybody watching could see it was a goal !

A similar decision could have been overturned when Thiery Henry used his hand to keep a ball in that resulted in a goal that ended the Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching the world cup finals in 2010.

This is a debate that will surly rumble on with so many people for and against it. Some people even claim that human error is good because it gives us all something to discuss and debate, but I know that I would prefer the correct decision to be given over debating a goal that should have been, or a sending off that should not have been.

FIFA seem scared stiff by the thought of introducing goal line technology, it's time they realised that the correct outcome to an incident can be made in a matter of seconds and I am sure referees would warm to the idea as it gives them a second chance to see what they see in the blink of an eye and are expected to act upon.

@kevinashford7

Tevez shames the beautiful game

2011-09-29T12:39:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday evening Manchester City's Carlos Tevez showed an unbelievable arrogance and disrespect to his team mates, manager,supporters and football in general by refusing to make a substitute appearance for his club. Not since Pier Van Hooijdonk refusing to play for Nottingham Forrest in 1998 to push through a transfer have I ever witnessed something so shameful and disappointing from a so called professional footballer.

By refusing to make his substitute appearance Tevez has quite literally bitten the hand that feeds him, in fact I would go as far as to say he has gone even further and actually bitten off the the hand that feeds him because there can be no way back for him now at City after his spectacular tantrum.

It's been the main talking point since Tuesday evening and it has made all the headlines totally over shadowing City's first away game in the Champions League. This is typical of Tevez as controversy has followed him throughout his career wherever he has played his football.

One thing Tevez has always tried to do from what I have seen from his time in England at West Ham, Manchester United & Manchester City is try to get the supporters on his side. His "I love the supporters and always give 110%" comment is starting to grate on the fans who have idolised him, paid money to watch him play, paid to have his name and number printed on the back of their shirts, and chanted his name passionately.

Sky Sports pundit and ex footballer Graeme Souness held no punches when he was asked about the Tevez saga straight after the match, he said "The owner or whoever is running Manchester City now has to help the manager and get him [Tevez] as far away as possible from the club. It's not about money with Man City, but he is one bad apple". He added "Tevez epitomises what the man in the street thinks is wrong with modern football players."

Souness's scathing attack was absolutely spot on and everybody I have spoken to has agreed 100% with the comments he made, Souness was clearly angered by what Tevez had done and this showed in his passionate angry outburst on the situation threatening to infect City like a virus would once it has infected your computer. Like any virus you have to get rid of it immediately before it does more harm.

This is a man who truly does not know what he has. The sound of His reported £200,000 per week salary and numerous millions earned through signing on fee's is enough to make the average man in the street squint with envy. The fact Tevez is so well paid intensifies the anger against him for what he did from his suppoters and people in world of football.

Tevez's job as an employee at City is to play football, something that all people who love the game would give their right arm for. The chance to earn a fortune in a short career and have your name sung from the terraces is a scenario that most people have, and can only dream about.

I was listening to talksport yesterday and a man called in to say that his 5 year old son asked him why did Tevez not want to play football? Try explaining the players motives to a 5 year old kid who loves football and cannot understand how a footballer could refuse to play the beautiful game.

I read Gary Nevilles autobiography recently and his book has a small piece on Tevez, Neville said "I think he's the type of person who will keep moving on. I suspect he won't stay anywhere for longer than two or three years", he added "I was surprised to hear him say he couldn't stand Manchester, he became world famous here, Manchester was the making of him". Neville's comment about Tevez being a player who will always look to move on definitely bears fruit and makes total sense.

This is a player who clearly does not care about anybody apart from himself, earning as much money as he can through transferring clubs every couple of years is his motivation. I am sure Tevez himself would disagree and say that his family are his main priority but he has already used them as an excuse to try and push through a transfer in the past.

So now the world waits to see the outcome of this disgraceful situation that he has instigated. City are in the unique position of not having to sell Tevez as it would not affect them financially. I hope City have the balls to make a real stance against a bad apple, hang him out to dry, let him rot in the reserves. Releasing Tevez from his contract would simply give him what he wants, He would walk away from the Ethidad stadium with a smile as long as the digits in his bank account. It would give him the chance again to negotiate another big contract and signing on fee with another club, but it does make me wonder .......... Who would actually want a player that has shamed the beautiful game?

We wait in anticipation to see if City will stand up to Tevez and punish him like any normal person would be if they refused to do their job.

@kevinashford7

Rio past his best ?

2011-09-03T21:44:00.000+01:00

Rio Ferdinand has had a successful illustrious career with Manchester United, but following the summer signing of Phil Jones, the brilliant consistency of Chris Smalling, and the return to form of Johnny Evans, Ferdinand now faces the prospect of having to try and win his place back in the first team.

Ferdinand has gone through his career at old Trafford virtually guaranteed a first team start when fit, but a recent injury has in my opinion put his United future in serious doubt. Sir Alex has successfully moved players on in the past at the right time, and I fear that the curtain could soon come down on Ferdinand's career due to his age, injury problems, and the strong youthful competition for the centre back spot.

Sir Alex has always tried to protect his young player's and ease them into his first team, but Ferdinand's injury allowed Phil Jones to unexpectedly get his chance to stake a claim for the centre back position and has done himself no harm with his early season performances earning positive praise.

Rio's best days are now behind him, his experience could be the key to him returning to the side when back to full fitness as he is a big game player, but I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him remain on the bench or even for Sir Alex to consider selling him when the time is right to cash in on him and allow the youngsters to flourish.

Rio must know deep down that there is now a major threat to his position for the first time in his time with the red's. If Ferdinand did leave we would have Vidic, Smalling, Jones & Evans all battling for the centre back position's so we would have strong healthy competition for places.

No late Sneijder move for Man Utd

2011-09-01T00:02:00.000+01:00

So finally after a summer of much annoying transfer speculation the window has finally slammed shut. And after doing his business early Sir Alex has decided not to venture into the market and purchase the attacking midfielder that many Utd fans were hoping for.

The name on the majority of Utd fans lips was Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan, who without any doubt would have brought a different dimension to our midfield and offer us something that we do not currently have in our talented squad. Sneijder would have given Utd a major lift psychologically and it would have sent out a statement of intent to title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.

I think a Sneijder type player was required at Old Trafford this summer if we were to launch a serious champions league challenge and try to match the mighty majestic Barcelona. Domestically in the premier league I am confident that the squad of players we now boast will be the team that will set the pace and if we lift title number twenty I will be absolutely delighted as the League title is your bread and butter and always your main priority.

Our squad has changed so much from last season with Sir Alex bringing in some brilliant young talented players who will make a big impact, but are we now in a better position than last season to win the champions league? I realise that Barcelona are in a cycle at the moment and they are playing the kind of football that I have never witnessed before in my life time, but would you be confident of facing them again to challenge for Europeans top prize?

Only time will tell if I am proved wrong on the fact that I thought we needed that extra bit of flair and creativity in the middle of the park for our European campaign, but at the end of the day who am I to question Sir Alex on his transfer activity?

Kevin Ashford
@kevinashford7

Hargreaves' two finger salute to Man Utd

2011-08-30T21:27:00.000+01:00

So it is increasingly looking like Manchester City will take Owen Hargreaves on a free transfer before the transfer deadline approaches tomorrow evening, and i cant help thinking that on Hargreaves behalf his statement by joining our City rivals is a two finger salute to everybody at Manchester United and its supporters.

Hargreaves joined United in 2007 in a 17million pound transfer and in his first season at the club won the premier league and champions league trophies to cap an impressive first season. His second season never really got started as a patellar tendinitis problem on both his knees restricted his appearances, and it is at this point that United stood by Hargreaves and along with paying his weekly wage paid for his rehabilitation in America to try and rectify his injury problems.

After making only 27 appearances for United in May this year Hargreaves was told that he could leave the club and that he would not be offered a new contract due to the club not receiving any guarantees about his future fitness from the specialists that worked with him on his rehabilitation.

Hargreaves come out fighting after his release from United and even filmed a video of himself training in a gym that he posted on youtube in hope of earning a contract at another club. And it did not take long before it was reported that certain premier league teams had shown an interest in him and were willing to take a chance on him.
Today's developments that Manchester City have approached him and want to add him to their ranks has angered me and i am trying to understand why he would join the blue half after United and the supporters stood by him through his injury plagued career? I am sure their are other teams interested who could offer him first team football? Or is his motivated by the financial aspect of a move to the Ethidad stadium, because he would struggle to get into a team that already has a strong midfield department.

If Hargreaves does sign for City then his four seasons at United will mean nothing to the supporters, this is surly a parting shot at the club for realising him and not offering him a new contract, and he will be viewed the same as Carlos Tevez by the United faithful.

One thing that he obviously did not learn in his four years at Old Trafford is that their are two teams in Manchester, and an intense bitter rivalry between the two, and making the switch from one of them teams to the other is unforgivable by the supporters and club who stood by you.

I have also listened to a lot of supporters today wishing him well, wishing him well as he moves to Man City?

Like i said earlier, Hargreaves mite as well stick two fingers up to all the United supporters if as reported he signs on the dotted line for City.

Ryan Giggs tearing teams apart since 1990 !

2011-08-30T00:15:00.001+01:00

In my opinion the word “Legend” is used far to often these days to describe certain average footballers, but one name that deserves to be mentioned in the same sentence as the word is Ryan Giggs. Giggs holds the all time appearance record for Manchester United and is the most decorated player in English football history. He has won 12 Premier League winner's medals, four F.A Cup winner's medals, three League Cup winner's medals and two Champions League winner's medals. He has a medal collection that any footballer would be envious of.

Giggs made his debut in the 1990-91 season and has been in the first team ever since giving Utd twenty years of memories and service, something I believe no other player will ever achieve again when you take in to account the way football is these days and how often players move clubs.

There are two goals that spring to mind when I think of Giggs. The first was early in his career as a raw and unpredictable eighteen year old against Spurs at White hart lane. At lightening speed Giggs put the ball around Dean Austin, then nutmeged Jason Cundy, rounder goalkeeper Ian Walker and placed the ball into the net. Comparrisons with the late George Best were quick to follow in the tabloids and it was clear to see why.

The second goal that springs to mind was scored in what I consider to be the greatest game of football I have ever seen, purely for the sheer drama and incidents involved, it was the 1999 F.A Cup semi final against Arsenal at Villa Park. In a game that was poised evenly at 1-1, a disallowed Anelka goal, a Roy Keane sending off, and a last minute penalty save by Peter Schmichael from a Dennis Bergkamp spot kick, Giggs received a misplaced pass from Patrick Vieria on the half way line in extra time. The majority of players at that stage of a gladiator like battle would have been happy to keep possession and play for the lottery that is a penalty shoot out …… not Giggs!

His natural instinct was to run at pace directly at the Arsenal defence causing panic amongst there players, after weaving left and right Giggs managed to progress in to the penalty area with still a lot of work to do, his finish was as good as you will ever see and the only place he could have but the ball, high into the roof of the net. As the Arsenal player fell to there knees in disbelief Giggs was clearly felling the same as he ran bear chested along the touch line with his shirt swinging around his head ………. The rest is history.

Its amazing to think that back in 2003 certain sections of the Old Trafford crowd booed and jeered Giggs when he went through a dip in form, some supporters are very fickle. It obviously played on his mind at the time, because this was the same season that we played Arsenal at home in a F.A Cup match. Giggs was played through by David Beckham who took the ball around Lehmann and with a empty goal in front of him and the Utd fans already celebrating and anticipating what should have been a routine finish, somehow managed to blaze the ball into the Stretford end to the amazement and disbelief of the Old Trafford faithful. Some Utd fans even suggested we should have cashed in on him that year with rumours of interest from Italian side Juventus.

The one thing that I have always admired and amazed me about Giggs is his ability to reinvent his style of play each season. Over the last couple of seasons Sir Alex has realised that Giggs has lost a yard or two of pace, but for what he has lost in pace, he has made up for in his head. Giggs knows this himself but has been in the game long enough to know that an experienced football brain and a good level of fitness can win you games, this is something that Teddy Sheringham also had.

Giggs said in a interview a while back that players these days have raw talent coached out of them when coming through the ranks at football clubs because coaches and managers want you to play a certain style of team play. This comment makes sense to me and got me thinking, you could not imagine Giggs attempting to score a goal like he did at White Hart Lane in 1990 could you? Or Michael Owen running at a defence and scoring an incredible solo effort like he did against Argentina in France 98 could you? Players are now coached to retain possession so I can see why a player that could jeopardise loosing possession could be frowned upon.

His best games last season came when he played in a central role in midfield in the champions league home and away games against Chelsea, and in the same fixture’s in the premier league. He has also played the same position to good effect against other big premier league teams. This shows how his game has changed, Sir Alex knows that Giggs can have a “Scholes” effect on certain games as we seen so many times last season dictating the pace of games, spraying passes, assisting and scoring goals. His ability to also track back and defend is also key to his important role in the team.
Recent tabloid stories have damaged his image, but I like many will only judge the man on what he has done for us on the pitch.

When will he retire? I believe that the curtain will come down on the illustrious career of Ryan Giggs at the end of May 2012 when this coming season is due to end. Whenever he does decide to make that decision a true legend of the game will finally hang up his boots and will forever be part of the history of Manchester United.

How will we honour and remember legacy?I have spoken with many Utd fans about this when travelling to away games and proposed that we retire the number eleven shirt in his honour. Many reds are quick to respond negatively to this idea and say that if we did this with all the legends we have had at Old Trafford we would have no shirt numbers left ! But my response to the negativity is that Giggs is a unique exception. He has played for twenty years in Utd’s first team playing at the highest level, has become our all time leading appearances and most decorated player in English football. I just cant see any other player achieving or playing for the same club for twenty plus years ever again.

Kevin Ashford
@kevinashford7

The sad tale of the fading stadium atmosphere

2011-08-29T17:51:00.000+01:00

If there is one old tradition in the English game of football that seems to be disappearing at an alarming rate, it has to be the stadiums match day atmosphere in my opinion. I have been a regular spectator at Old Trafford over the last twenty plus years, and have recently been trying to get to the bottom of why the atmosphere in the English stadiums has changed so much as to my early experiences when I was a young child standing in the Stretford end with my father.

The first main contributing factor to the change in the English stadium atmosphere has to be that we now have all seater stadiums throughout the top tier of the English football. I remember my experiences as a youngster with my dad in the Stretford end very fondly, and remember that the atmosphere was always electric, it was like being in the standing section of a concert. You would not want to be in the seating section of a rock and roll gig would you? Standing instantly creates its own atmosphere.

So I started to ask people the question, do you think that we should look at bringing back standing sections at English football games, and at least give the supporters the option to stand? And it got a mixed response. The majority were in favour of it and agreed with me, but I also had people who were very sceptical of it, mainly explaining that their reason for disagreeing with me was the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, which resulted in the death of ninety six people, and seven hundred and sixty six injuries.

My argument was that surly we could look at bringing back “safe” standing areas in the lower tiers behind the goals? Many Man Utd away trips that I have been on result in me paying for a seat that I never use? We all stand for ninety minutes without any trouble or security issues so why could it not work? If you had a designated standing area, and purchase a ticket that corresponds with a row and a number to stand at, with a safety bar running along each row, what problems could arise?

I am also not that naive to think that this will ever be introduced back into our stadiums. It is something that would cost the clubs financially to do, and they will bring up the safety aspect of it but it has worked successfully in the German Bundesliga so why not at least consider it and get the supporters thoughts on it?
The second contributing factor to the change in the English stadium atmosphere has to be the cooperate side to our football stadiums. Corporate bigwigs use our stadiums to wine and dine clients at football fixtures. I would say the majority of these fat cats are more concerned with sealing business deals and what cheese and wine will be on the half time menu than the outcome of the teams result. This is something that worries me because our stadiums are now changing to accommodate these business men.

So how can you expect to create an atmosphere from the corporate sections of our stadiums? Simple answer, you cannot. Because these are the people who tell others to sit down when they stand up in front of them from the comfort of their heated padded seats.

Roy Keane knocked the nail on the head when he addressed the problem back in 2000. Keane was quoted as saying “Away from home our fans are fantastic, I'd call them the hardcore fans. But at home they have a few drinks and probably the prawn sandwiches, and they don't realise what's going on out on the pitch"

I always thought it was ironic that Old Trafford was given the name “The Theatre of Dreams” as most of the people in the cooperate section would probably be better suited to going to the theatre!

It is not just Old Trafford that suffers this problem, Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all spring to mind.

Our football clubs are well aware that these are the people who they make the most revenue off each season, so looking at it money is another big factor on how our stadium atmosphere has changed. Many dedicated fans are being put off by rising ticket prices that will continue to rise with the rise in players wages.

Unfortunately this is the way that the English game has turned out to be, it’s a rich mans playground, and billionaire owners are buying clubs as play things. But as the price of season tickets increases every season, the demand to watch football is still strong and attendances are not affected. It is just the clientele that is attending the games that has changed, and that has had a massive decline in our stadium atmosphere.

So to sum this up, your average working class person is now being priced out of going to watch the team that they are so passionate about, by corporate bigwigs who sit on padded seats, eat prawn sandwiches, and could not care less if the team win, lose or draw. All that matters to them is that their business meeting, at our football stadium is successful and that the wine and cheese board was up to their usual high sophisticated standards.

Kevin Ashford
@kevinashford7

Noisy neighbours will be MASSIVE title threat.

2011-08-29T16:43:00.000+01:00

It is a question that many pundits and all Man Utd supporters will have debated this summer, who will be our main threat to us achieving a record breaking twentieth English league title crown?
In my opinion you do not have to look to far for the team I predict to be making the strongest most serious legitimate challenge this season, they are our “noisy neighbours” from the blue side of Manchester!
The media have been quick to talk up City’s title challenge following three successive premier league victories, including an impressive win away at Tottenham. It seems that City have now got the correct balance in their squad and their style of play has improved from their negative approach to certain premier league fixtures last season.

Like many Man Utd supporters I was talking down City’s chances of success this season after the Carlos Tevez transfer request threatened to hinder any realistic chances of success. Like the majority of City supporters I realised just how much of an impact this would have on their team, Tevez was the catalyst for them last season, he was the chief and the players around him were his Indians. He single-handedly won City games last season with his all action displays and his 110% commitment.

Citys strongest department now must be their forward line that boasts Aguero, Dzeko, Tevez and the temperamental Balotelli. Tevez is now not guaranteed first team football at the Ethidad stadium which just goes to show the strength and depth in the striking department, something that could have a big say in where the premier league trophy will end up in May next year.

I feel that City are the only real threat to Utd lifting league title number twenty this season, something that I know many reds will disagree with me on. I understand that Chelsea are still a force, but City’s squad is now far more younger, talented and superior when compared to the ageing stars at Stamford Bridge. I don’t see Liverpool providing any threat to us or Tottenham and Arsenal who seem to be going through a rough patch on and off the field at the moment following their humiliating 8-2 defeat at the theatre of dreams.

A sign of the times changing?Man City have always classed the derby fixture with Man Utd as their big game of the season, they live for derby day. The majority of United supporters on the other hand would state that the game they look for when the fixtures come out at the start of each season would be Liverpool home and away. This is where I see things changing in the not so distance future.

We as supporters base the fact we do not consider the Manchester derby fixtures top of our agenda because for years City have never been of any threat to us. If somebody had of told me ten years ago that City in ten years time would finish third in the premier league, qualify for the Champions league for the first time in their history, and win the F.A Cup, I would have called for the men in white coats to take them away !
But I predict that it is only a matter of seasons away before we start to look for the Man City fixture before the Liverpool one as they are making progress and in the process are ready to leapfrog them as our main rivals. City are now able to attract any player in the world as long as the player is willing to move.

I think City coming back from the basement of English football and now backed by the billion pound fortune of Sheikh Mansour, has reignited the hostile competitive rivalry between the two sides. Would you not agree that it has added more importance to the fixture? I think its great that we have two teams from Manchester who will be competing between each other for silverware, Manchester is buzzing with anticipation. City are now starting to believe in themselves that they are not that far away from matching Utd on the field play. And they should be confident, City have spent nearly five hundred million pounds on transfers since the Abu Dhabi takeover of the club in 2008.

On a positive note I am confident that Nemanja Vidic will lift the premier league title in May next year, but City will not be far behind them. One thing that could go against them is the fact they will be playing Champions League football for the first time, in the middle of a gruelling premier league calendar. Tottenham had a fantastic Champions league campaign last season but then fell short in qualifying for this years tournament because of it. Who’s to know how City will cope with the demand of playing both Premier and champions league football or what a footballing lesson at the Camp Nou , San Siro or the Santiago Bernabeu could do to City and their confidence? We will just have to wait in anticipation and see how they respond to the challenge.

I also think that Manchini will be City’s downfall this season. On three occasions last year he settled for a draw in a game before the players had even come out onto the pitch, his negative tactics will be a problem. And trying to manage the pampered, overpaid millionaires in that outspoken City dressing room will mean that Manchini will have his work cut out this season!

One thing is for sure, any Utd fan that tries telling me that City are not serious contenders for this years premier league crown, please take off your rose tinted glasses because the threat from the blue half of Manchester is there for all to see. It is Sir Alex Ferguson’s job to make sure that we keep them quiet.
So Prepare yourself for what I believe will be one of the closest and most entertaining premier league seasons to date.

Kevin Ashford
@kevinashford7