Fanzine Fanzone - Times Online - WBLG

Manchester United: Fergie should sign world class Fernando Torres

 

Fernando Torres made Liverpool history this week when he reached the milestone of scoring 50 league goals faster than any other poor bugger who has been unfortunate enough to wear the dirty Red shirt. To be fair, it is remarkable what Torres achieved this week. For the Spanish Princess to be able to play two games in a week was surely beyond any Liverpool fans wildest dream. In fact, this season could perhaps even be considered a success for the mere fact that their star man will make it to the New Year without requiring at least 2 months to recover from the Christmas schedule.

For me, although 50 goals in 72 games is admirable, it confirmed what many United fans already knew; Fernando Torres is nothing more than a poor mans Andy Cole.

Man United: In praise of German police

Oli Winton 

I have just returned from Wolfsburg and, yet again, Germany has shown exactly how English fans should e treated abroad.

German policing is quite similar to England's. They have a starting point of seeing visiting fans as human beings and do not assume that 2,500 people are coming over for no reason other than to cause chaos and fight. So, despite strict ticketing and search points, we were allowed in to the ground without any aggravation, were not penned in behind barbed wire and glass sheeting, and the segregation between the two sets of supporters was extremely minimal. Riot police were at the back of the stands but made no efforts to come near us or wind us up, yet if there had been trouble they were on standby to handle it. And how does that work out - just great - no trouble whatsoever and I'd be amazed if there were any arrests at all.

Manchester United: Michael Owen, your country needs you

 

If there are four better strikers than Michael Owen vying for a place behind Wayne Rooney in Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad then Steven Gerrard isn’t a diving b*****d. It’s funny how nobody seemed to make much of that this weekend, wasn’t it? I wonder what the press might have made of Didier Drogba doing an impression of Tom Daly instead of the nation’s sweetheart jumping face first in to the Ewood Park turf?

Anyway, back to Owen. After leading the line in a makeshift Manchester United team in a next-to-nothing game and bagging himself a hat-trick away in Europe, surely he’ll be going to South Africa, won’t he?

Man United: Sticking up for the old school

 

Fratton Park gets a lot of stick, most of it deserved. The facilities are disgusting, the crumbling concrete surely needs a lot more money spent on it, the new roof over the away fans is not without cumbersome pillars and the stand is so shallow that even in the back row you are barely above pitch level.

However, standing in the away end yesterday there was also something so refreshing. Fans that genuinely care, no sign of boxes and hospitality across the middle of the true fans, fairly reasonable ticket prices and not the generic soul-less new build stadia replicating Southampton, Boro, Derby, Leciester, Reading etc etc.

Manchester United: Benitez exit would be music to our ears

 

Rafa’s got to go, but its not what you think….

Sssshhhh….Quieten down folks, we need a bit of silence to find what we are looking for here. If you listen very carefully you might just hear the deafening silence emanating from the Kop. I haven’t even picked up my November pay yet and already Liverpool are out of the title race and out of Europe (Please, don’t anyone try and tell me the Europa League is Europe – it’d be a bit like celebrating a Carling Cup victory that wouldn’t it). It’s all gone very flat at Anfield, great isn’t it!

Manchester United: An apology to Darren Fletcher...our next captain

I am not too ashamed to admit that in the not too distant past, I winced every time Darren Fletcher’s name found its way in to the United squad, let alone team. I treated him with the contempt many United fans support Ji- Sung Park, Nani and now Berbatov with. Now though, on behalf of far too many United fans, I offer an apology to Darren Fletcher.

That’s right, the Darren Fletcher who was roundly criticised for being a weak, over-rated, crap passer who got picked because he was Scottish. The Darren Fletcher who, after an almost miraculous improvement, would be a fair shout for next United captain.

Manchester United: hoping to rub salt into Liverpool's wounds

It is more than likely that the fully deserved 4-1 victory Liverpool enjoyed at Old Trafford last year was the highlight of a dismal season which had been preceded by 19 years of panic, disappointment and title starved seasons. Much like City, Liverpool have suffered in United's shadow for more than either set of fans care to remember and, without a Premier League title to speak of, beating United is precious.

This weekend we will go to Anfield sat on top of the league facing a team who have lost their best player from last year and are without a single point from their past four games. If that ticks over to five defeats on the spin, would it be too early to write of Liverpool's title hopes?

Manchester United: Well done Sunderland

 

Oli Winton

I have to admit to being extremely confident before kick off yesterday. But at half time Sunderland more than deserved their lead and after ninety minutes (plus the well debated stoppage time) it was a point gained for us rather than two dropped.

Manchester United: stoppage time drivel

It has now been eight days since United beat City 4-3, handing them two goals on a plate and seeing them create very little else. City's best player was their keeper, a brilliantly inspired Shay Given, whilst Foster had very little to do other than picking the ball out the net (and handing a goal to the opposition). However, eight days on and still the dull, bitter blue ramblings over stoppage time continue. I want to get this off my chest so we can all move on. 

Manchester United: fantastic derby, same old City

The ‘big games’ don’t always live up to the pre-match hype do they? Teams often cancel one another out by either parking the bus or packing the midfield. Other times, both teams are far too happy to settle for a point and keep their pride intact. Yesterday’s derby was a classic though and, for once, the build up didn’t do the game justice.

For United fans, the result was three league points gained and, just as importantly, one massive point made.