A MANCHESTER UNITED FANS VIEW: August 2008

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Manchester United 1-2 Zenit St Petersburg

I wasn't going to write anything about this game as i presumed that United wouldn't treat it too seriously. And after watching the first 70 minutes i think i was right, i know United really upped their game for thr last 20 minutes , but i thought was more due to the fact that they realised if they carried on playing as they were the scoreline could have become embarrasing. I am not taking anything away from the Russians, they were worthy winners, but United showed in the last 20 minutes that it would have been a different game altogether if United had treated it more seriously. I am not saying United would definitely have won, Zenit look a useful side, but it would have been a far different game.
The worrying points to come from the night from a red perspective was the absence again of Hargreaves, who now that Saha hopefully is finally on his way, looks set to take over his mantle as the king of the physio room. Rooney's form is a bit of a worry, completely innocuos in the first half when he stayed up front on his own. Yet in the second half when he either took it upon himself to get more involved in the game or was given more licence he was much moe like himself. He should have put us a goal up in the first half after another brilliant run from Tevez and a great cross put it on a plate for him. I know it is a bit early but i think my fears about Gary Neville being able to refind his outstanding form of the majority of his career will prove to be right. He probably needs a run of games in the first team to see if he is the same player, but i can't see how that is going to happen because Wes Brown now has to start as first choice right back and from what we have seen Da Silva is going to push Gary Neville hard to be second choice right back. His crossing in the first half was nowhere near the level we have been accustomed to, even if there was not really anybody in the box to aim at. That was another worry and presumably one of the reasons Fergie is so keen to get Berbatov. Without Ronaldo we have no one that is a threat in the air at all.
Nani was completely innoccuos in his first game of the season. I suppose we can't be too hard on him, seeing as though it was his first outing of the season, but i am not very convinced by him i have to say. Scholes sending off was not what the doctor ordered but i suppose it shows up his competitive edge that he tried it on. At least the game he will miss is at home, the Villareal tie.
I suppose if there were any plus points they were the continued magnificent form and attitude of Tevez and the reintroduction to the fold of Park who i thought helped the team regain control of the match in the last 20 minutes with his energy and movement.
At the end of the day if you had told me we would win at Pompey and get beat in Monaco i would been very happy to take that, so i have no complaints.

The guardian thinks Fergie is beginning to lose patience with Hargreaves continued injury problems.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/30/manchesterunited.zenitstpetersburg1

Darling refuses to take the blame for the economic woes, rightl so. And shows he may be a loose cannon if Brown tries to replace him as Chancellor
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/30/economy.alistairdarling

The brilliant Steve Coogan interviewed in the guardian. I can't wait to see him at the Apollo and i am looking forward to the new Craig Cash witten comedy. I thought Early doors was superb.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/aug/31/comedy.celebrity

Will Berbatov now come after we have sold Saha, fingers crossed, and Spurs have singned Pavlyuchenko we will know come midnight. And according to the torygraph i could be minutes before midnight.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/2652830/Frantic-action-as-Premier-League-transfer-deadline-looms---Football.html

The new Coen brothers film gets the thumbs up
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2008/aug/27/venicefilmfestival.coenbrothers1

I finally got round to watching the Brazillian film city of god last night and it was as excellent as the reviews at the time had said it was. The documentary on the bonus feature about the favellas of today was not bad either.

An American conservative on a conservative's chances of being elected president.
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/columnists/article4641462.ece

Andrew Sullivan's take on the last week in the presidential election in the States in the Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/andrew_sullivan/article4639741.ece

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Portsmouth 0-1 Manchester United

I wasn't as confident as i usually am before this match due to the injury situation, enforced absences and the mediocre display we gave on the opening day. Added to that the fact that Fratton park has turned into a bit of a bogey ground it didn't seem to the best time for United to be going there. So both the victory and the manner of it were very welcome. It was nice to see Anderson back in the starting line up and he didn't let us down having a prettty good game playing his first game since getting back from his Olympic games. The big difference from the opening day draw against the barcodes was undoubtedly the return to the fold of Tevez. He was absolutely magnificent again last night, finding space dropping deep and almost never giving the ball away. He was the reason we were able to dominate the possession last night that we never really managed against Newcastle. Its a pity we could only get the single goal that meant the home side were always in with a chance and a shame we had to win with a scruffy goal when we had a couple of great moves that would have beautiful goals if they had been finished off.
Portsmouth did have a couple of good chances, and we almost conceded from a corner for the second game in a row as the header went just wide. Defoe had a couple of half chances but the best move of the night saw Rooney finish off a great move with a superb first touch and turn that saw him shoot inches wide. A late swerving shot from Scholes was well saved by James to ruin my £5 first goal bet as Scholes was content to sit deep and boss the centre of the park. Fletcher had made a couple of late runs into the box before finally having success when Evra's cross reached him in the box and his his effort was finally bundled over the line by Distin.
The second half saw more quality football from the reds but we just couldn't mnage to get that second goal to kill the game off. A very poor linesmans decision didn't help as he judged Rooney offside when he was clearly level. Anderson almost broke his scoring duck but Distin took the ball of his toe at the back post. Portsmouth had a couple of half chances but United seemed pretty safe on the whole with Ferdinand and Vidic in complete control at the back. It's unfortunate as our season one week late is off and running we have to miss a week for the European super cup that the last time we were in it we treated as a friendly.

Henry Winter's match report in the Telegraph
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/2621530/Darren-Fletchers-strike-is-enough-for-Manchester-United-to-quell-the-Portsmouth-threat---Football.html

Ludicrous article in the Guardian about Rooney
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/sport/2008/08/26/united_need_forward_thinking_t.html

Keano praises Cloughie
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leaguecup/2627308/Brian-Clough-was-simply-the-best---Footbal.html

Berbatov could rot in the reserves, I'll bet Ramos was thrilled to hear that.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/2621911/Spurs-could-let-Dimitar-Berbatov-rot-unless-Man-Utd-pay-30m---Football.html

And he is just what we need according to Jeremy Wilson
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2622414/Dimitar-Berbatov-is-exactly-what-Sir-Alex-Ferguson-and-Manchester-United-need---Football.html

More economic doom and gloom as we are told the economic outlook could be as bad athe seventies
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/economy-as-bad-as-the-seventies-908634.html
Larry Elliot reckons the bank is getting it all wrong
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/aug/18/interestrates.interestrates

Are things finally unravelling for Mugabe
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/26/zimbabwe.mugabe

Pre gig interview with I am Kloot
http://www.manchesterconfidential.co.uk/index.asp?sessionx=IpqiNw7pNwIoKDB6IHqjNwB6IA&realname=I_Am_Kloot_concert_the_best_things_in_life_are,_indeed,_free

Monday, August 25, 2008

Unsettled Berbatov finally on his way?

It look like we may be about to get him, and it would seem that his manager is willing it to happen as much as United are, if the remarks about Keano's statement are true.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/complaint-row-derails-united-bid-for-berbatov-907844.html

Patrick Braclay applauds the unselfish Wayne Rooney
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/international/england/2609512/Rooneys-refusal-to-be-selfish-puts-him-on-path-to-greatness---Football.html
Quite right too, would Ronaldo have scored as many without Rooney in the team. The answer is no as far as i am concerned.

Cameron is beatable according to Johan Hari
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-cameron-is-wily-but-hes-beatable-907801.html
He certainly should be, but i won't be putting any money on new labour to do it.

I went to the free spinningfields gig in town yesterday, and spent an enjoyable few hours. I missed the first two acts, but managed to see The Mekkits, The Travelling Band and the headliners who i really went to see I am Kloot. The Mekkits weren't bad, they started brightly, but faded a bit in the middle before ending strongly. I'd like to hear more of the brass in their mix of styles. The Travelling Band were pretty good, it was the first time i had heard them. Very laid back for a Manchester act, they are part of the new Manchester folk ( acoustic scene? ). Last up were I am Kloot and they didn't diasppoint. We had a great view right at the front, which was handy, as you always find out how good a group really are near the front. John Bramwell is a real frontman and as usual i can't understand how they aren't much bigger. Great tunes and a great band.
The Travelling band unofficial encore

I am Kloot

That was the first time i have been around spinningfields, the most impressive thing about is the size of the place. When you walk past it on Deansgate you have absolutely no idea just how big the place is.

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Rooney still an enigma

According to this article from David Hytner.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/21/englandfootballteam.manchesterunited
I didn't watch it so i don't know, but having seen him on Sunday i know he isn nowhere near fit yet, so it's a bit early in the season for this kind of article.

Silvestre does indeed move to Arsenal, he will probably get more games there so i can understand why he moved. I don't think he was ever interested in the testimonial that some are suggesting he could have held on for. That is a British thing, i don't think most foreign players would think twice about that.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/silvestre-heads-for-arsenal-in-search-of-new-challenge-904211.html
Fergie sya thanks
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1063554_fergies_thanks_to_silvestre
I wonder who Fergie regards as the second choice left full back now O'Shea or one of the Brazilian twins.

Adrian Hamilton in the indie thinks economics are the way to deal with Russia not NATO and missile treaties.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/adrian-hamilton/adrian-hamilton-its-economics-not-politics-that-will-influence-russia-904004.html
Mary Dejevsky puts forward the case from a Russian viewpoint.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/mary-dejevsky/mary-dejevsky-russia-the-bad-guys-who-are-the-west-trying-to-kid-897498.html
I don't really agree with much of that, but the suicidal attack by the Georgians gave them the excuse to do what they have done i am afraid.

Al-Qa'ida is still strong in the Islamic world argues Robert Fisk
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/world-focus-alqaida-keeps-its-promise-to-be-bone-in-crusaders-throats-904129.html

This sounds potentially classic
http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/aug/21/television.television1

A cure for back pain?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/aug/21/healthandwellbeing

Music

Black Kids - Partie traumatic: Pretty good catchy indie pop from the American outfit. I read one reviewer remark on the 80's influences and i can see that, even i though i wouldn't say it's particularly the 80's music i was keen on. But they are catchy tunes. As soon as i statred to listen to it, i started to hear them wherever i went, so it looks like they could be big.
Dirty pretty things - Romance at short notice: Above average indie form the ex Libertine with a couple of tracks considerably more than that. Neither Barat or Doherty have made anything apart from each other as good they did together. It's still better than a lot of the dross that passes for UK indie at the moment.
Lee Scratch Perry & the upsetters - Roast fish collie weed & corn bread: Another classic from the master of dub, i don't know which is better this or super ape. I can see why he is such an influence on other musicians.
John Martyn - The road to ruin: I am trying to listen to as much of him as i can because i am going to see him at the Lowry in a couple of months. This is one of his earlier albums with his then wife Beverly. This has a very jazzy folk feel at times and that will do for me, a good combination, when done right of course.
John & Beverly Martyn - Sormbringer: The precursor to Road to ruin this once again packed with good tunes but this time without as much of the Jazz influence. Good but i would have to prefer The road to ruin.
Lyyke Li - Youth novel: More eclectic Scandanavian music from this young Swede. A real grower, it's hard to categorise but great to listen to. She has a distinctive voice, that is the glue that holds the disparate tracks together.

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Silvestre on move

Monday, August 18, 2008

Manchester United 1-1 Newcastle United

Not the best of starts to the season as we only manage to get a draw against Keegan's men. I have been a bit apprehensive about the start of the season as injuries, suspensions and a lack of punch up front in the pre season friendlies suggested to me we may see a similar start to the campaign as we saw last season. Against that it was Newcastle at home and our record against them over the decade is such that you just expect us to turn up and collect the usual three points. But to be fair to them they put up more of show than they have done recently, and with United not really in the groove yet the longer the game went on the more the draw seemed the most likely result. In fact when they took the lead i had the dreaded feeling that it might be one of those days. I am glad we went straight up the other end and equalised because when Giggs and Carrick went off we didn't look much like scoring.
Hearing there was no Tevez in the staring line up was an unexpected blow, and a big disappointment as he has been the only stand out player during the pre season matches. With no Ronaldo, Rooney not getting the pre season he would have liked and the inevitable absence of Saha it left us looking a bit lightweight up front. With Campbell coming in for his first full start at Old trafford it put a lot of responsibility on Rooney's shoulders and although he did ok in the first half he never truly looked like he was 100% fit to me. United could have had a penalty when a Giggs free kick was handled by Milner but i didn't really have a good view of it so i couldn't say whether it should have been given. Next up Frazier Campbell saw his bullet like diving header somehow kept out by a great reaction save by Given. Who also managed to keep out a shot from first Rooney and then the rebound from Scholes.
Then after about 20 minutes Martins rose unmarked in the area to head home a corner. I don't know who was supposed to be marking him but it was poor defending. Fortunately their lead lasted just 2 minutes as a Giggs cross saw Fletcher steal in at the near post to bundle it home.
It was a big blow to lose Carrick especially when we saw Fergie bring on O'shea on for him. All of a sudden we seem to be struggling for fit midfielders as well as fit forwards. When Giggs had to be taken off in the second half it showed how we are really struggling with injuries as Fergie moved Evra to left midfield, O'shea to left full back and brought on the young Brazilian Possebon. Possebon has looked a nice footballer when i have seen him play for the reserves but whether he will be good enough i don't know. With all our injuries it looks like he may get a few games so maybe we will have more of an idea. Campbell struggled to get involved outside the penalty area but he looks like he is one of those players who comes alive around the box as he forced Given into another excellent save with one of the few real chances that we managed to create in the second half. A vidic header that hit the cross bar was the only other time we really threatened the Geordie goal. With 10 minutes to go the hobbling Campbell was taken off and another young Brazilian Da Silva came on, he has had some rave reviews, and this was the first time i have seen him in the flesh. He looks useful and almost won us a penalty in the last minute as a brilliant piece of skill saw a geordie defender desperately bring him down just outside the area that unfortunately Rooney completely wasted.
So we start the season with a home draw, exactly the same as we did last season. We could do with getting Berbatov and getting some of our injured men back for the Portsmouth game. I know they were dire against the rent boys yesterday, but you would expect them to be a different proposition on their own patch.

The match report from the Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/18/premierleague.manchesterunited1

Tottenham remain reluctant to sell Berbatov according to the Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/tottenham-keen-to-keep-berbatov-901159.html

Berbatov wants his dream move according to the guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/18/premierleague.middlesbrough

I went to Dulcimers in Chorlton on friday night and had a good night, it was a pity you couldn't hear the music downstairs as well as you could upstairs, that aside though i will definitely be going again.
http://www.manchesterbars.com/dulcimer.htm

Jason Burke on the resignation of Musharraf
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/18/pakistan1

Charlie Brooker on the Olympic opening ceremony
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/18/china.olympics2008
And brain surgery
http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2008/aug/16/television.charliebrooker

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Berbatov transfer close

According to almost all todays papers, better late than never. I know i wasn't that mad on this deal, but the more i have thought about it the more i have warmed to it. The biggest reason being i get the feeling that we will see a bit more of an old fashioned 4-4-2 at times this season, with 2 wide men and either Rooney or Tevez behind Berbatov. As superb as we were last season there were times when it just didn't happen ( Bolton away stands out ) and with Saha permanently injured we had nobody to change things around. So i'm hoping the reports are true. I just hope that his ego can deal with not being guarenteed a staring place every game.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/berbatov-deal-imminent-893908.html

I really hope this story is true, reports say Fergie told Ronaldo he could go to any club he wanted bar Real Madrid, outside of this country one presumes.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2545156/Cristiano-Ronaldo-told-by-Man-Utd-Anyone-but-Real-Madrid.html

Martin Samuel has an interesting article on the the rash of new owners of Premier league football clubs and their ongoing problems.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/columnists/martin_samuel/article4518058.ece

English comedy club numero uno, Manchester City.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2548558/Thaksin-Shinawatras-crisis-ends-Manchester-Citys-European-dream---Football.html
Even if it wasn't City there can be no sympathy, welcoming corrupt ( murderously corrupt even ) moneybags owners stunk. At least we protested about the dodgy slimeballs that now own us and as much as i detest them they are not in the same league as this guy or Abramovitch.

English comedy club numero duo, Newcastle United.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/13/newcastleunited.premierleague
They regard themselves as northern to the core and then welcome with open arms a barcode wearing cockney with a dodgy business reputation and little known previous interest in anything geordie whose first decision is to bring crybaby Keegan back. Priceless.

So much for Putin stepping down, he's still the daddy.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russian-leadership-putin-in-his-element-as-successor-is-left-in-back-seat-891498.html
So much for Russian democracy's apologists, what few of them there are that is. Unfortunately i would imagine that this will make him even more popular with most Russians. Leaving what few Russians who care about democracy and human rights as unpopular as ever. The neo cons building up of Georgia and Saakashvili has been an absolute disaster. How can you back somebody with such appaling judgement ( we will leave aside the questionable democratic credentials ) he has gifted the hardliners in the Kremiln a stunning victory and propoganda victory in Russia. It's even worse news for Energy dependent Europe.
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/anne-penketh-moscow-flexed-military-muscle-and-left-west-humiliated-892857.html

Mikhail Gorbachev points out US foreign policy failiures
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/13/russia.georgia1

Inflation worsens the economic outlook, and probably the political prospects of Gordon Brown. Unemployment has inevitably gone up as well
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/12/inflation.bankofenglandgovernor
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/jobless-total-jumps-by-60000-893210.html

Who's hardest sharks or polar bears?
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/clash-of-the-fiercest-predators-as-shark-eats-polar-bear-891512.html

I have just finished watching the first series of Secret war, the seventies series that the awful allo allo took the piss out of. I suppose to some it would be dated but i thought it was excellent, bringing all the dilemnas of an occupied country out. Bernard Hepton was in some excellent series in the seventies and this was excellent. I can't imagine why i never watched it as a kid, even then it would have been right up my street. It was only a couple of years afterwards that i saw the excellent documentary the sorrow and the pity about Vichy France. And now for something completely different, next up the fourth series of six feet under, totally different but riveting TV.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Ferdinand best centre back in the world

according to Ferguson after another outstanding display in the charity shield yesterday. Crouch and Defoe will be glad they don't have to play against him every week. Mind you United's midfield were so on top yesterday it wasn't really a day to be judging Rio.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2538722/Manchester-Uniteds-Rio-Ferdinand-is-the-worlds-best-says-Sir-Alex-Ferguson---Football.html

I thought United played some nice football yesterday, we really should have won it in the 90 minutes. The only worry as the new season commences for us on Sunday was the lack of firepower up front, that reminded me of our start to last season.

Gary Neville knows he faces a challenge to force his way back into the team this season.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/11/manchesterunited.englandfootballteam

Ben Collet awarded £4 million damages for tackle that destroyed his career, i am not saying the award was wrong, but i saw him play and i don't think he would have got any where near the first team i am afraid.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/injured-united-player-awarded-pound45m-890681.html

Henry Winter on United and english youth football
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2525781/Manchester-United-claim-youth-system-in-English-football-must-change-to-better-the-next-generation---Football.html

Thaksin finally does a bunk, from Thailand that is, Surely, selling City will come next, he has got to live on something.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/thailand

The Georgian president has gambled and got it wildly wrong. I can't understand how he thought the Russians would just stand aside and let them do it. This was the perfect opportunity for Putin and his ilk in the Kremlin to try to show the world the Russian bear is back, and they have grabbed it gleefully with both hands. A few different takes on the events in the Caucases. It's another big setback for Neo Con foreign policy of course.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/aug/11/georgia.russia4
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/11/russia.georgia
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/georgia-bows-to-might-of-russia-890283.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/south-ossettia-leader-says-1400-killed-in-conflict-888487.html

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Ronaldo to stay, for another season

Well i suppose at least he was honest
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7546390.stm
He can't help himself though can he, he still has to keep in Real's good books.

Rooney and Ronaldo to miss the start of the season as Rooney succumbs to virus picked up in Nigeria whilst Ronaldo is still hobbling away.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/05/manchesterunited.rooneyill
Meanwhile Fergie declares the Ronaldo summer saga over
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7543747.stm

The reality of Dr Death's financial health finally comes out, and i can't see it get any better
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1041973/Sold-City-Shinawatra-ready-sell-leave-new-boss-Hughes-limbo.html
And the obligatory denial, almost a carbon copy of Ashley at the Toon
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/2510989/Thaksin-Shinawatra-insists-he-is-not-selling-Manchester-City.html

Vince Cable argues against bailing the banks out as more details emerge over the northern rock affair.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/05/vincentcable.northernrock

Jeremy Warner arues we must go through the pain without government bailouts also
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/jeremy-warner/jeremy-warners-outlook-the-bank-that-took-the-first-hit-says-the-credit-crunch-is-far-from-finished-885300.html

11 charged in identity theft case in the States, worrying
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/aug/06/news.ukcrime

Music
Shack - On the corner of Miles and Gil: I have been managing to listen to this for ages and now have finally got round to listening to it. I can see why Noel Gallagher likes them, i love the way they bring the brass into their 60's influenced sound. Yet another good scouse band.
The Rapture - Pieces of the people we love: The second album by the New York oufit, not quite as good as their debut. But if you that liked funk dance indie crossover you will like this.
The Sea and the cake - One bedroom: I read John Harris raving about these in a guardian article a good while ago now, and i can see why he loved them. There are some cracking tunes on this album. I don't know what you would class it as, indie pop. I am not generally a big fan of cover versions but they do a great job on Bowie's sound and vision.
Tom Waits - Heartattack and vine: The man with the voice you either love or hate, i am in the former obviously. The blusier the songs get the more i like it, but Ruby's arms is a song i have to be in the mood for, good, but not my favourite Tom Waits album.
The Cinematic Orchestra - Everyday: As good as their debut effort Motion which was a real favourite of mine. The mix of dance, jazz, soundtrack music and everything else thrown into the mix works a treat. Proper chill out music.
Peaches - Fatherfucker: I liked her debut, but i am not overstruck by the follow up. Everything seems a bit forced, The lyrics especially, shocking for shockings sake. Musically it apes the first but not very successfully. There some good tunes on it, but it's hard to listen all the way through without thinking you have heard it all before and heard it better.

And i finally got round to watching Control, and as usual with anything to do with Joy Division, New Order, factory it was excellent. The actor who played him, Sam Riley was excellent, and filming in black and white worked for me too.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Simpson to Blackburn

Farewell to Ole

It looks like we may see a bit of a cull amongst our youngsters as first Eagles, now Simpson on a years loan with a view to a pemanent move if he impresses, i would have thought, and also talk of Lee Martin looking to move away from Old Trafford. I know i like to see our youngsters given a chance, but the first two have been given enough of go for me. Eagles just couldn't hack it physically and whilst Simpson looks good going forward, his defending was suspect at times. As for Lee Martin, he has had injuries at bad times and hasn't made the impression hoped for on loan. It's brutal, but a fact that when our youngsters go on loan they have to make a big impression to suggest they are going to have a chance at Old Trafford. At least Campbell and Johnny Evans have given themselves a chance with their successful loan periods over the last couple of seasons. I hope Brandy and Cathcart ( Fergie has said he needs to go out on loan) are watching and learning, because they are going to have to do the business this season, fitness permitting.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/blackburn-sign-manchester-united-fullback-884989.html

A poor game and a poor atmosphere but i am glad i went to say goodbye to 20legend Ole,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/03/manchesterunited.espanyol
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1060950_united_1_espanyol_0
Once again Tevez was the best player on show, although the only moment of magic in the game was Giggs run and through ball for Campbell's winning goal. Campbell looked lively when he came on and his pace is a useful addition to the forward line, whether he will be good enough ultimately, i don't know. At least it looks like he is going to be given some kind of chance. Wasn't it great and annoying to see how Ole could still come alive in the penalty box for those last twenty minutes that he was on the pitch. He and we have been cruelly robbed over the last few seasons.

Van Nistelroy doubts Ronaldo will be at the Bernabau next season, and states no one is bigger than the club. Quite right too, he should know.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2494684/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-expects-Cristiano-Ronaldo-to-stay-at-Manchester-United---football.html
Though i admit he didn't half look useful for Holland in the summer, in fact i watched one of the end of season DVD's after that and you have to say his last two years at the club tend to make you forget just what a superb player Ruud was for us when he was in his pomp.

One of the two great soviet dissidents of the 20th century dies, an obituary of Alexander Solzhenitsyn,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/04/nobelprize.russia2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/solzhenitsyn.russia
As somebody who is fascinated by Russian history i am embarrassed to say i haven't read any of his books. The book i have always meant to read is the Gulag Archipelago. I guess though Sakharov was the more admirable human being and certainly had the liberal democratic values we in the west share, which it looks more and more likely russians just don't, history will probably remember Solzzhenitsyn for longer.

Economist Stephen King is worried about the Future for the US, and so i would guess for us, as it all probably applies to the UK too.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/stephen-king/stephen-king-a-miserable-time-looms-for-america-as-the-boomers-become-pensioners-884334.html

Max Hastings on the diplomatic and hopefully not military manoueverings towards Iran.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/iran.usa
One thing is for sure, for all the bellyaching about the price of oil over the last year, if the Yanks or Israelis sanctioned, by the yanks do attack, we aint seen nothing yet.

Illegal downloading here to stay says report by music rights holders
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/aug/04/illegal.downloading.is.here.to.stay

Wii Hutton on last weeks gas price increases and the energy market
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/03/energy.gas
Another not in favour of a cheap political fix

Saturday, August 2, 2008

You are my Solskjaer, my Ole Solskjaer

you make me happy when skies are grey ( and they are today as usual )
oh Alan Shearer was fuckin dearer
please don't take my Solskjaer away

Well unfortunately injuries have took him away from the playing side, ironically as he was entering the best form of his career. Playing so well that he persuaded Fergie he could do without the ego and celebrity trappings of the Beckhams. But today we have one last chance to see him in a red shirt in the stadium where he is so adored. You have to be honest he wasn't a great player but he became a very good one, who could play anywhere up front and on the right hand side where in his last full season he dislodged Beckham from the side on merit, not because Ferguson had already decided to get rid of him. When you look back at the clips of him he is probably the second best finisher i have seen at the club after Ruud. He scored some absolute screamers as well as the obvious ones we all remember. But it was his commitment to the cause that really won our hearts. The type of commitment that saw him become the last defender chasing the ball back into his own half and give a penalty away after making sure Robert Lee didn't score and get a standing ovation from the crowd as he got the inevitable red card against Newcastle as United's title hopes went up in smoke in 1998. My favourite two Ole moments are the obvious one at the nou camp, but the other, from the same season is right up there alongside for me, as he scored that last minute winner to put us 2-1 up against the bindippers after we had trailed 1-0 uutil the last minute in the 3rd round of the FA cup. Oh the ecstasy of that moment, beautiful, and yet incredibly he would go one better on 26.5.99 and send United into the promised land with a second of 2 last minute goals again. That Liverpool game in any other season would have been THE highlight of the year.

I am in that motley crew to the left behind the goal somewhere, already on cloud 9 from the Sheringham goal a minute before, but now about to really go nuts.

Henry Winter gives us his appreciation
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2486627/All-football-will-miss-the-Baby-Faced-Assassin----football.html

Gary Neville has another niggling injury just as things seemed to be going so well.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/nevilles-new-calf-injury-raises-old-fears-for-united-883348.html
But he remains positive
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/manchester_united/article4446585.ece

James Lawton fears Rooney is letting his off the field activities get in the way of his on the field activities.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-when-all-the-camera-bulbs-stop-flashing-will-rooney-be-left-looking-back-in-anger-883338.html

Sevilla have a go at Tottenham hypocrisy, it seems they are still angry over the tapping up of Ramos. Nice to see somebody else bringing that plonker Levy to boot.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/02/tottenhamhotspur.premierleague

A MANCHESTER UNITED FANS VIEW