You write them off at your peril, once again, Manchester United were crowned Premier League Champions. United fan Geoff Park gives us his views on a vintage season from a little less than vintage team. A quick warning though, if you’re a big Bebe fan then you might want to look away now...
1. If your clubs season could be summed up perfectly by likening it to a celebrity who would that be?That’s a tough starter.
I’d say Prince William. Not the best looking but still got the prize and at heart has real pedigree.
2. Like everyone who’s anyone (and Darron Gibson) Collins Beans is on Twitter. Give an appraisal of your season in 140 characters or less
Reached the top of the perch with no.19 and that was deserved. Given a hiding by Barca but who isn’t? Will need to improve to repeat next year but very happy this season.
3. How’s your [delete as appropriate]; Manager/Head Coach/Caretaker/Director of Football/Sporting Director/Head of Player Recruitment/Technical Adviser/Strategic Soccer Coaching Co-ordinator/Executive Director (Football) performed this season? Happy for them to continue?
Even by Sir Alex’s standards this season has been a good one. Of the three signings made last year, two look to be decent buys (Chicharito and Smalling)...the less said about Bebe the better!
It has been well documented that this is not the best Man Utd team and some of that criticism is fair but the results came. That is in no small part due to the spirit and character built into the team by Fergie and that showed in the big games against Chelsea in the CL and league when it really mattered.
Also, Fergie showed his ability to make the tough decisions. Many managers would not have dropped Berbatov when he was the leagues’ top scorer but it became clear that the partnership of Rooney and Hernandez added more to the team, so the change was made.
In summary I think very few managers would have won the league and made it to the CL final with this team but Fergie did it.
4. Who are your teams star men this time out?
Lets go with the runners-up first. Edwin van der Sar – very solid and pulled off big saves when it mattered. Nani – in the first half of the season he scored and created a lot, and though he faded late on he was a big contributor. Henandez – a real star in the making and has shown the natural instinct for goal that makes me think many more will come.
But, I think the real star has been Vidic. A defender who gives everything and leads by example in attitude and quality. In a season when Rio has been in and out through injury Vidic has been a consistent rock and has been a great partner to blood Smalling. Though he may cut it fine with some of his tackling every fan wants a defender that never gives in.
5. And who would you pay to have an all expenses one way loan trip to MK Dons?
If you’d have asked me about two months ago I would have said Carrick but somehow he found a couple of good games from somewhere, though I doubt they’ll continue!
We have already referenced him earlier but Bebe makes Klerbeson look world class. Where did we find him? A Portuguese second division club and there he should have stayed. I could find you many “strong, athletic” people like him and most would be cyclists, rowers, etc. If only Bebe could be introduced to a bike and sent into the distance on it.
6. Indulging in some Fantasy Football, who are the name(s) that would take your team to that magical ‘next level’ next season?
This is the hot topic of the moment. Simply we need a world class attacking centre midfielder. Those being touted include Modric, Sneijder and Young. Of those only Modric or Sneijder would add the required level of guile and skill to our rather drab centre midfield contingent. Though neither is likely to be a 15 goal a season player I’d be delighted with either.
Other names who’d add some real quality are Eden Hazard, Daniele de Rossi and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
7. Which opposition players caught your eye when you played them this season...and who had a bit of an Ali Dia?
Well, ignoring the whole Barcelona team if we may, I’d painfully have to say Luis Suarez looks like a top buy for Liverpool. When we got stuffed at Anfield he was looking a little porky but still showed real quality. A fairly obvious name is Charlie Adam but he was superb in the first half at Bloomfied Road. Others would include Roger Johnson of Birmingham and Charles N’zogbia.
At the other end of my opinions would be Michel Salgado who managed to survive at Real Madrid by the fact they could score more goals than most teams but at Blackburn he is horribly exposed and needs to retire soon.
8. Finally, in 12 months time your club will be......
better but not necessarily as successful. Chelsea and Man City will be stronger next year but so I hope will we. I would hope for at least one major trophy but the league will be very tough and the Champions League even tougher so long as Barcelona remain at their current level. But if we buy the right player(s) this summer there is no reason why we can’t retain the league and have another crack at Barca.
You have to hand it to SAF, getting the title out of that group of players was a bit of an effort. I know the season ended in disappointment at Wembley but in the long run I think it may end up being a blessing as you get rid of some of the deadwood like Brown and O'Shea that have stagnated around the place for a few years now. What with the additions of Jones and Young and prob more to come you could be looking at a pretty tidy little sqaud next year. One thing though, surely it's time for Owen to go...
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