Glory glory Man United!
Red Devils up 1-0 @ the Etihad, City's captain was just substituted out (V.Kompany)
...talks about how UConn hasn't been in contact and how they're out. (HT: UMHoops)
OT: Manchester Derby (EPL Soccer)
December 9th, 2012 at 9:58 AM
#1
OT: Manchester Derby (EPL Soccer)
December 9th, 2012 at 10:02 AM | 
2-0 United!Rooney with a
2-0 United!Rooney with a
December 9th, 2012 at 10:21 AM |
Rooney
Rooney
with an epic miskick on the first goal.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:27 AM |
It was a bit embarassing on
It was a bit embarassing on
It was a bit embarassing on both ends; Rooney had nothing on that ball, and Hart looked like his feet were in concrete.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:21 AM |
Interesting choice by city to start Balo
Interesting choice by city to start Balo
In my opinion, Tevez pairs better with Aguero. This definitely has the look of a snapped home win streak unless we something special in the second half.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:22 AM |
Man U as UM, Man City as MSU
Man U as UM, Man City as MSU
Manchester United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester City are like a "little brother" who will never take their "big brother's" place.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:33 AM |
No changes out of the locker
No changes out of the locker
No changes out of the locker for City.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:39 AM |
Tevez off the bench, probably
Tevez off the bench, probably
Tevez off the bench, probably for Balotelli.
Smalling subbed in for Evans prior to that for United.
Lol Balotelli went right into the tunnel....dude is such a head case.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:45 AM |
Ballotelli is an ass-hat
Ballotelli is an ass-hat
Why he still plays for City is shocking. He is the Titus Young of the Premiership. I'm a Hammer fan, so if there is anyway both teams could lose, I'm in. Cheers boys.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:45 AM |
I mean, you can't blame the
I mean, you can't blame the
I mean, you can't blame the guy for being disappointed with getting subbed out of a game in the 50th minute.
December 9th, 2012 at 10:47 AM |
Wow, RVP has a right foot
Wow, RVP has a right foot
Wow, RVP has a right foot too?!
December 9th, 2012 at 10:49 AM |
sigh
RvP hits the post, Young
sigh
RvP hits the post, Young
sigh
RvP hits the post, Young offsides for the put-back.
Of course, City march down the field and Toure puts it into the corner after two great saves by De Gea.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:17 AM |
Dzeko off the bench for
Dzeko off the bench for
Dzeko off the bench for another stab at last second heroics.
Toure off for city.
Valencia off for United, Jones in as a defensive midfielder.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:18 AM |
sh*t City equalize off the
sh*t City equalize off the
sh*t City equalize off the corner
December 9th, 2012 at 11:21 AM |
RvP on a free
RvP on a free
RvP on a free kick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eat it, CIty!!!!!!!!!
December 9th, 2012 at 11:23 AM |
Classy, City. Ferdinand
Classy, City. Ferdinand
Classy, City. Ferdinand bleeding after being hit above the eye from something thrown from the stands.
FA better fine your Dubai-prince wallets.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:48 AM |
Buckeyes of England
Buckeyes of England
Coin to the face. Only a City fan or a Buckeye could come up with a response like that. No wonder Morrisey wrote so many depressing songs, look at the material he had to work with. If he lived in Columbus, Morrissey would have been Beethoven.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:28 AM |
Dramatic
Dramatic
RVP wins it on a free kick in stoppage time after City had tied it with 5 minutes to go, wow.
December 9th, 2012 at 11:28 AM |
how was that comment trolling?
how was that comment trolling?
apologies ... simply thought it was amusing to see similar use of metaphor
December 9th, 2012 at 12:19 PM |
City wall
City wall
Nasri with a spectualar effort in the wall to stop the FK.
December 9th, 2012 at 12:26 PM |
City's equalizer was coming.
City's equalizer was coming.
City's equalizer was coming. They had so many gilt-edge chances before.
RVP's goal was deflected by Nasri and guided by Apollo into the net. No other explanation for that.
December 9th, 2012 at 12:31 PM |
Screw United
Screw United
...New York Yankees of UEFA.
December 9th, 2012 at 12:40 PM |
Eh, ManU, City, and Chelsea
Eh, ManU, City, and Chelsea
Eh, ManU, City, and Chelsea are all like the Yankees.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
December 9th, 2012 at 1:36 PM |
Its ironic he calls ManU the
Its ironic he calls ManU the
Its ironic he calls ManU the Yankees of soccer after a match against City, to say nothing of the LaLiga, and Seria A spending giants, or PSG.
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
December 9th, 2012 at 1:46 PM |
How is ManU like the yankees?
How is ManU like the yankees?
How is ManU like the yankees? They are still swimming in debt from the Glazier's takeover. They couldn't afford to keep Tavez, and got outbidded by City for Nasri, and outbidded by Chelsea for Eden Hazard.
Most of their recent transfers were funded by selling Ronaldo to Real Madrid, and the vast majority of them (RvP excluded) were on the cheap (Chicarito, Jones, Smalling).
City, Chelsea have been buying left and right with Dubai/Russian backers
December 9th, 2012 at 2:15 PM |
But compared to 99% of clubs
But compared to 99% of clubs
But compared to 99% of clubs in the European food chain, they are a predator. There happen to be a couple of apex predators (Chelsea, City, Barça, Real) above them at the moment, but the vast majority of clubs can't compete financially with them. They may not be the Yankees, but they're like the Red Sox.
I follow a couple of clubs in France, and they (other than PSG and possibly Monaco in the future) are mere tuna to the sharks that operate in England and Spain. That may start to change as clubs like Lille, Marseille and Lyon build new stadiums, but I'm not sure. French authorities are considerably less tolerant of endebted clubs than their neighbors.
(BTW, not to be that guy, but it's "outbid" not "outbidded".)
December 9th, 2012 at 2:15 PM |
Yes, but 99% of clubs buy
Yes, but 99% of clubs buy
Yes, but 99% of clubs buy their players from smaller clubs. Every league in every country, there isn't so much a foodchain as there is a pipeline. Even at the youth ranks. Players often go through 2 or 3 or more teams as a youth prospect in every league. Man U is actually one of the better ones at spotting talent early and coaching them up before they're superstars. The clubs they buy players from bought those players from even smaller clubs, and so on. If you want to cheer for a team that doesn't tap up smaller clubs talent you likely won't be watching soccer, because they don't exist.
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
December 9th, 2012 at 2:34 PM |
I
I
I know. I referred to them as "tuna" for that reason - the tuna itself is a predator, though not an apex one. A common career path is like this:
Little French and/or Belgian club --> Ligue 2 or small-market Ligue 1 (Lorient, Reims, etc.) --> larger Ligue 1 (Marseille, Lille, Lyon) --> England
It is what it is. I just find it a little silly to deny that Man U isn't benefitting from having a gigantic budget. Its budget may be marginally smaller than that of a couple other EPL competitors (and the Spanish big two), but still vastly larger than even most of the clubs it faces in the Champions' League.
December 9th, 2012 at 3:23 PM |
The "Flamebait" and
The "Flamebait" and
The "Flamebait" and "Offtopic" labels are dished out way too often around here. I see them applied to both of snarling wolverine's posts here, and neither makes any sense. The negative votes and hiding of posts should be reserved for genuinely offensive/trolling posts, not just ones people happen to disagree with. Posters' obsession with downvoting everyone they disagree with just discourages free discussion.
Regarding the topic of this thread, why is it problematic for fans of big-market pro teams to acknowledge that they have more money than most of their competitors? As long as it's permitted by the rules, it's nothing to apologize about. No one seems to have a problem with the fact that Michigan football has more money to spend than most other football programs (which probably helps us land recruits).
December 9th, 2012 at 2:38 PM |
Real an apex predator?
Real an apex predator?
Real LLLLY ? You might want to check your detective work there...
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
December 9th, 2012 at 2:44 PM |
What else would you consider
What else would you consider
What else would you consider them? This is the club where C. Ronaldo, Ozil, Benzema and Higuain play side-by-side, where Zidane finished his career, where Beckham was lured during his prime...
I'm not saying that they are doing anything unethically by calling them an apex predator. They simply are stronger than virtually anyone else they butt heads against in the transfer market.
December 9th, 2012 at 6:06 PM |
my bad...
my bad...
I misread your post to mean that Real Madrid were Yankee like lately. As you probably know they have been the Yankees, with small lapses, since Puskas and DiStefano in the 50's. Arsenal and Liverpool have been more Yankee like through the years too, more than Chelsea. I also was scratching my head about the comment about PSG, speaking of buying teams. Anyway, yes they are "apex predators" and I love to watch ALL these teams play.
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
December 9th, 2012 at 7:49 PM |
Perhaps their recent spending
Perhaps their recent spending
Perhaps their recent spending spree on Ibra, Thiago Silva, Levezzi, Pastore, and Kevin Gameiro
Tenim un nom el sap tothom. Barca, Barca, BAAARCA!
December 9th, 2012 at 3:04 PM |
On the cheap?
On the cheap?
Phil Jones - £15m on a player with little top flight experience
Chris Smalling - £8m
RVP - £24m
De Gea -£17m
The debt on the club from the Glazers has played a role but United isn't broke. City and Chelsea can basically spend whatever they want but United have still had huge bids for the likes of Hazard, Benzema, and Nasri.
December 9th, 2012 at 6:46 PM |
I acknowledged that RvP was a
I acknowledged that RvP was a
I acknowledged that RvP was a pricey transfer; but the overall amount United has spent pales into comparison...
Chelsea:
2012: Eden Hazard £35m
2012: Oscar £18m
2011: Fernando Torres £50m
2011: Juan Mata £24m
2011: David Luiz £21m
ManCity:
2011: Aguero £35m
2011: Dzeko £27m
2011: Nasri £25m
2010: Balotelli £24m
2010: Silva £24m
2010: Tourre £24m
United spend on transfers, make no mistake; but the've been handily outspent by Chelski and City over the last few years.
December 9th, 2012 at 8:30 PM |
How much they spend on
How much they spend on
How much they spend on transfers is irrelevant if they already had a huge payroll and didn't need to make as many roster changes. They're still one of the top 8 in the world in terms of average salary for players in soccer. So yeah, it's less than City and Chelsea...but far from tiddlywinks or enough that they can't compete with those other clubs.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
December 9th, 2012 at 3:24 PM |
Ok. Would saying they're the
Ok. Would saying they're the
Ok. Would saying they're the Phillies, Red Sox or now Dodgers make you feel any better?
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
December 9th, 2012 at 6:50 PM |
Question?
Question?
Are you calling them the Yankees because of the amount of titles they have won? Or because you think they outspend everyone? If it's about the titles what fan wouldn't want the team they follow to be great? Doesn't the fact that Michigan is the winningest program in NCAA history provide a point of pride for our fan base?
If you are talking about out spending teams, if you called them the Detroit Tigers (who are top 5 in spending much like United) would you have the negative connotations you tried to imply?
December 9th, 2012 at 8:24 PM |
I left the Tigers out because
I left the Tigers out because
I left the Tigers out because there are many Tigers fans on the board (myself included) and didn't want to get them bitching too. I'm not talking about success, just finances. Thought it was stupid to call out one team for being like the Yankees when there are several other teams similar to them in terms of payroll, just like there are teams that spend much more than the average team in baseball.
I don't know why you would think I'm talking about success b/c it's pretty obvious the conversation was trending toward finances.
For a' that, an' a' that,
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
Our toils obscure an' a' that,
The rank is but the guinea's stamp,
The man's the gowd for a' that.
December 9th, 2012 at 1:55 PM |
Mancini
Mancini
Really wondered why he started Mario B. over Tevez. Then super Mario acted like a baby went he was substituted for. Sir Alex proves again he is the best coach. It is no accident Man Utd just keeps winning even without Vidic.
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
December 9th, 2012 at 2:06 PM |
Or over Dzeko. Either player
Or over Dzeko. Either player
Or over Dzeko. Either player is well outperforming Balotelli. In 6 starts and 6 appearances subbed in Bali's taken 32 shots, and only 5 of them were on target. He's scored one goal. Dzeko has played out of position as a Winger at times with 5 starts and 7 sub appearances and in 28 shots he has put 13 on target and has 6 goals and 1 assist. Dzeko's showed better character and commitment to the team in how he's handled being forced on the bench after picking City over other big clubs that would gladly be starting him right now.
"that's why you don't go to Ohio State, Lawrence"
December 9th, 2012 at 2:35 PM |
Dzeko will be gone
Dzeko will be gone
unfair or not. Aguero plays better with Tevez. Edin Dzeko will likely be sacrificed if Mancini is to bring in the goalscorer he wants, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The owners have already told Mancini he has to cut payroll before adding another striker. Today's loss was as big as it gets and spring cleaning is definitely coming. btw Balotelli was already POed because his girlfriend gave birth and he couldn't go visit her due to the derby. He is gone too, imo.
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
December 9th, 2012 at 2:07 PM |
Am disappointed.
Am disappointed.
I was rooting for the meteor.
December 9th, 2012 at 6:23 PM |
Q: What is Two and a Half Men?
Q: What is Two and a Half Men?
It is a three man wall with Nasri in it.
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
December 9th, 2012 at 7:00 PM |
So this Messi kid could turn
So this Messi kid could turn
So this Messi kid could turn out to be a fairly servicable striker someday...
"The straightest line from A to B is straight: From A to B"
"When you have Denard Robinson, you can have everything"
~George Walden
December 11th, 2012 at 1:26 PM |
Who spends money wisely in EPL?
Who spends money wisely in EPL?
I hope you enjoy this Mgoblog-like analysis on dollars spent in the EPL. The whole money grab associated with the Champions League or threat of demotion make spending even more important than in than our "socialist" college and pro sports.
Maybe not everyone likes soccer, but we all like cool graphs : ) Thoughts?
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
2-0 United!
Rooney with a brace, Rafael with a nice cross.
Still early, but City's 2 year unbeaten streak at home is in serious trouble.