United were robbed by an incompetent linesman and a spineless referee last time they played Newcastle United in late November. Howard Webb tonight made mistakes which should stop any mard arsed Newcastle players or fans posting any pictures of him in a superimposed United kit on twitter (ala Ryan Babble, another proud and dignified moment in Liverpool’s recent history) but that aside, United tonight were appalling and the mistakes the referee made tonight were only marginal to the impact of the game. Tonight was so bad as I’m not as much angry about it, but depressed. United started well with plenty of possesion, but never looked dangerous. Demba Ba hooked Newcastle into the lead, against the run of play, just after half an hour. I couldn’t see United scoring despite having the majority of possesion, such was the lack of potency from Berbatov and Rooney. When Yohan Cabaye scored with a heavily win assisted free kick, which Lindergaard got his fingertips too, it was obvious that barring another fabled comeback from the reds, United were going to lose to a clearly hyped up Newcastle side for the first time since September 2001.
Trying to be positive, I didn’t think Lindergaard did much wrong although I’m surprised he didn’t put a shout out to Phil Jones to leave the ball, which lead to Newcastle’s third goal. United fans were in great voice throughout the first half, high up in the stands at St James Park, giving great encouragement to the team. They naturally never got any credit off the SKY sports commentators, but this supposedly legendary toon army atmosphere, peddled by lazy journalist’s and commentator’s was almost none existant, I know from past experience that the geordies don’t wake up ’til they score, then the noise is pretty impressive, I can also say the noise when virtually every other team score is impressive. Other thing is that despite the fact that United have been stop start all season, we’re still, somehow, only three points behind a City team that has, barring the odd slip up, been destroying all comers. There’s still time and oportunity to rescue this season if Fergie is prepared to take a plunge into the transfer market. It’s all well and good people saying that new players shouldn’t be signed just for the sake of it, on a kneejerk etc. United desperately need some fresh impetus and if Sir Alex Ferguson’s prepared to gamble £7 million of the clubs money on a player that he’d never even personally seen (Bebe, summer 2010), then I can’t believe that he’s not aware of a player circulating in Europe who could give United’s midfield a serious boost. The harsh truth is that this United squad are not going to win the title with City looking increasingly strong, there’s got to be an addition. This Sunday’s FA Cup match at the yet to be sold out Beswick gasworks stadium, is gonna be interesting
Can’t help you on the “stay positive” front as I think finally the lack of investment has come home to roost and even Fergie’s powers of man management aren’t going to save us this year, but I can point out it was Bradford gasworks not Beswick
I can’t disagree with you on the first thing you say and as for the second thing about Beswick/Bradford, having just checked, you’re right about that too. This also proves anybody wrong who thinks I’m argumentative. HUMBUG.
Murph, Ive known you for years, you are argumentative
No I’m not
Geographically speaking, Beswick was the site of the slag tip. quite suitable methinks. On the subject of local and national traditions i hope dogleash doesnt sign any players from west africa or there abouts during the African nations. Why? They used to practice cannibalism there. I’m sure our mickey mouse cousins would embrace that harmless passtime too.