In today’s Monday Maulings we take a look at how Alex Ferguson got it wrong in the biggest Manchester Derby in decades, Also how Wolves fans were wrong to criticise Mick McCarthy’s substitutions, the reason why Chelsea’s ill discipline could cost them a shot at the title, why Phil Dowd was wrong to red card Villa’s Chris Herd and bewilderingly how Stuart Pearce managed to land himself the GB Olympic job given his terrible managerial track record,
Alex Ferguson and Manchester United
Sir Alex got it all wrong today when he selected Jonny Evans and Rio Ferdinand to combat the frightening pace of Sergio Aguero and Mario Balotelli and I do not need to tell you that they made him pay.
Evans was caught out countless times before he was put out of his misery straight after half time after yet again being out of position before inexplicably dragging down the mercurial striker Balotelli. Thered card was a straightforward decision for ref Mark Clattenberg and boy did United suffer for the defender’s inadequacies. City simply outclassed them, breaking at will and the scoreline could have been much worse had Edin Dzeko converted when one on one with De Gea.
It is very rare Fergie gets it wrong but today he did and that’s the reason his side suffered their heaviest home defeat since 1955 and also the reason United’s ‘noisy neighbours’ sit five points clear at the top of the table.
Phil Dowd
Aston Villa were cruising to what looked like a routine home win
against Midlands rivals West Brom until ref Phil Dowd bizarrely sent
off full back Chris Herd. Herd and West Brom’s Jonas Ollson got involved with each other off the ball whilst a free-kick was waiting to be taken before Olsson fell over. Assistant referee Darren Cann signalled for a penalty and Dowd consequently sent Herd off to the bemusement of everybody in the stadium. You can usually gauge how bad an offence was by the opposing player’s reaction and in this case there was none from Ollson making the decision even more bizarre.
Not that West Brom cared as they escaped Villa Park with all three points to which they owe much credit to referee Dowd who endured a very bad day at the office.
It does not help their cause when clueless fans continually and needlessly criticise him.
Wolves Fans
When Matt Jarvis was hauled off for a below par performance whilst Wolves were 2-0 down against newly promoted Swansea, manager Mick McCarthy was roundly booed by the home faithful, some deluded fools were calling for his head whereas others gave a loud rendition of ‘you don’t know what your doing’. Well I bet they feel foolish now after McCarthy’s substitutions inspired Wolves to an unlikely late comeback against the impressive Swans. I accept results have not been brilliant in the Black Country of late for the home side, but they have a manager that has against all odds secured the club’s premier league status consistently and has made astute purchases during the summer such as, Roger Johnson and Jamie O’Hara. They may face a battle this season and they will find it tough at time but I am certain Mick is the right man for the job and he will keep them in the Premier League. However, it does not help their cause when clueless fans continually and needlessly criticise him. The performances have been there and he will get it right. I only hope the board do not bow to fan pressure and make the wrong decision.
Chelsea
Despite the penalty awarded to QPR that secured them victory being harsh Chelsea more than deserved the beating they received due to their own lack of discipline. Firstly Jose Bosingwa was shown red when he unnecessarily brought down Shaun Wirght-Phillips. As if that was not bad enough for AVB’s men, they suffered further misery when Didier Drogba was also sent off for an inexcusable two footed lunge on
Adel Taarabt. Currently sitting 6 points behind the leaders Manchester City and carrying a far inferior goal difference The Blues really need to up their game and keep their cool if they are to fulfil Roman Ambromovic’s ambitions and deliver the title in the season that is unfolding.
Stuart Pearce
Stuart Pearce was a typical heart on sleeve player that the English public could relate to. Originally he was an electrician which endeared him to thousands of adoring fans, as he knew what it was like to put in a hard days graft. This graft extended onto the playing field as he won the hearts of the nation with his no nonsense displays
at left back during various semi-successful tournaments for the national team. With such a pedigree it comes across Pearce would make a great manager and would be completely the correct man to lead the Great British football team into the Olympics in 2012. Wrong.
As far as I’m concerned Pearce is a bad choice. He showed in his time at Manchester City, where incidentally he had a win percentage of a mere 35%, that he is tactically naive.
Average English players such as Newcastle’s Steven Taylor have lent support to Pearce, even describing him as an inspiration, but do not be fooled, they are merely begging for a prestigious call up in a polite fashion.
Not only is Pearce inept and unqualified for the job, he will also have his hand tied as high profile managers such as Sir Alex Ferguson have stated their cases for why his players participation in the tournament, just weeks after the 2012 European Championship, and a short time before the start of the 2012-13 is a very bad idea.
Taking a beanie bear onto the sideline for good luck, not scoring a home goal from January the 1st to the end of the season and his inability to take a very promising England under 21’s side past the group stages in a major tournament is not good enough to lead a nation, never mind potentially four into the football Olympics and
that is why Stuart Pearce is the wrong, albeit obvious, man for the job.
A final note of disgust from possibly the most miserable man alive is the absolute outrage of token Manchester United ‘fans’ sporting half and half scarves. Yes that is correct half Manchester United and half Manchester City. Who in their right mind would purchase a scarf that half supports your bitterest rivals? The mind boggles.
