We may be approaching 'World Cup season' here on CollinsBeans but it's never too late to look back. Please welcome Mr. Geoff Park to the site to tell you all about how 2009/10 was for Manchester United
1. If you could sum up your clubs season in one word, what would it be?
Flattering
2. Everyone knows exams are getting easier today (that’s a fact - I read it in the Daily Mail) but how would you grade your team’s performance in 2009/10? Please show your workings out (i.e. tell us why you’ve given them that grade!)
B
The team has won one trophy (league cup), come second in the premier league and reached the Champions League quarter-finals, which based on our squad isn’t that far off what my expectations would be.
We should have gone further in the FA Cup and at least made the semi-finals of the Champions League based on the opposition we played but having lost Ronaldo and Tevez we were not the best team in England and certainly not in Europe. Therefore, decent effort but we expect more.
3. Happy with the teacher (gaffer)?
Never have any serious grievances with Sir Alex, but looking at how reliant on Rooney we were there are questions to be asked. We couldn’t turn down the money for Ronaldo and Valencia has been a decent buy, but in my opinion Tevez should have stayed. The Owen gamble didn’t pay off and Berbatov is still a long way from a £30m player. Fergie will be with us until he has a final big season (i.e. we win the Champions League again).
4. Who should go to the top of the class as your team’s star pupil(s)?
The obvious answer is Rooney and he has carried us at times this season. Other players who deserve a mention are Evra, who is arguably the best left-back playing in England (i know others would argue for Cashley). Nani has made great progress and has delivered in some big games this year, which was not expected.
5. And who should sit themselves in the corner as the school dunce(s)?
It would be harsh to put too much emphasis on the failings of Berbatov, especially when the manager has lost confidence in him and he has in himself, but must do better. Also, very disappointed with Michael Carrick, really needs to learn how to get hold of a game that is not going our way and begin to dictate the pace of our play.
6. What are the moments this season that made you want to break out in a ‘Mourinhoesque’ charge across a pitch?
The victories over Man City would certainly be the “moments” of the season. Owens’ and Scholes’ later winners were very sweet and would be a couple of the highlights of the year.
7. And what are the moments that made you want to grab a dumbbell and shout “die! die! die!”
Dunce would also have been a good way to describe Rafael’s sending-off in the Champions League semi-final. We were heading for the semi-final and two stupid bookings later we’re out – not clever. He was having a great game keeping Ribery quiet but then showed a lack of experience pulling his man to the ground 40 yards out when there was cover all round.
The whole performance against Leeds in the FA Cup was also diabolical.
8. If your club could make one acquisition this summer, who would it be?
I'd say we're looking for another striker and a creative attacking midfielder as a minimum, so let’s have Messi! Or if we are to stay in (or nearer) the realms of reality I would love to see Ribery. Not a new suggestion I know but he looked a top player when we played Bayern, though his lack of goals from midfield is a slight concern, I think he could make a huge impact and take us back towards where we want to be. Likely to be overpriced though.
9. This is not all about you! There are 91 other football league teams out there, who are the best and worst players your clubs come up against?
Best - I'd say over this season and the last one of the best players against United has been Torres, not easy saying that but he delivers whenever he plays us. For me he is arguably the best goal scorer in the PL, who, if he could stay fit and had more than three teammates that were half decent, would have been top scorer this season.
Another player who played very well against us this year was Leon Osman. At Goodison when we lost he was superb but I wouldn't suggest he was the best player at Everton, never mind in the PL.
Worst - Well I think there are many players in the Premier League who make a disgrace of the name "Premier". For me it will have to be a Portsmouth striker and as bad Aruna Dindane was against us at Fratton Park, missing three sitters, he was their top scorer and makes his team mate John Utaka look like Pele. Useless, utterly useless.
10. Finally, who were the best and worst opposition fans at your place this year?
Can't comment on this as not been to OT this season.
An odd season at Old Trafford, and one I think you've perfectly summed up with the word 'flattering'. I don't think this is a great United side by any stretch (although it's not as awful as people seemed to have been suggesting) but you did feel Rooney was papering over an awful lot of cracks.
ReplyDeleteI know he's not Ronaldo (who is? Besides Darren Ambrose of course) but Valencia impressed me a lot. Not sure if I'd have paid £25 million but he's a great old school winger, who doesn't seem to have an inflated ego and who just gets on with the job of providing great crosses for Rooney to nod in (and Berbatov/Owen/Wellbeck to miss).