Take yesterday for instance, the whole theme of yesterdays commentary was set when Tyler deided to make-out that Everton were somehow not playing for the win, over and over again saying that the crowd were very subdued and that Everton would have to answer questions on their performance (amongst other things). What the hell was that about, bringing the integrity of a club into question even though they scored 1st and even went close to at least getting a draw.
That was Tyler, not Neville. Neville thought we handled ourselves well after the equaliser. What they were questioning was the atmosphere though which I can sort of agree with to an extent. Tyler went ahead and made a meal out of it though, but I think it is safely established at this point that he's a sycophantic moron.
Then there was the goals and how they were reported. Tyler and went absolutely skits at Barkley's goal (and rightly so) but when we scored, especially the 2nd, they couldn't even be arsed talking about it. In fact, they both sounded thoroughly disappointed, blandly talking us through it before giving a 30 second pause before mentioning Liverpool and even the Rags.
I can't say that I noticed that but I can't say that you're wrong, I don't pay attention to these types of details unless they're very obvious.
But, the biggest fuck off for me was when RatBoy said 'I'm bored watching this'. Are you fucking kidding me, a pundit reporting a game that had all the edge to it, with all the ups and downs, knowing that Blues of both teams would be watching, is fucking 'Boring'! Even if he has a bias to the Rags and the media are wanting the Dippers to take the title, you don't say that the game is 'Boring'.
Why not? That's his right though isn't it? If he only does it against us then fine, that's a problem, but I haven't combed through all his punditry to see if that's the case. I got the feeling he was quite underwhelmed by the way the fixture panned out and moreover, seemingly irritated at Tyler.
For me, RatBoy seems to have spat his dummy out. He brought his wordly wisdom to us a few weeks back when we played the Dippers, a game that he commentated on and I actually heard him *sigh* when we scored.
Interesting, I would've thought his United-tinted specs would have us as slightly less revolting winners than Liverpool.
He stated that Liverpool had all the advantage and that if the upcoming games were the other way around and we had a chance to put pressure on them, however, because that wasn't the case then he'd already written us off and Liverpool would win it. Well, it hasn't turned out as he prophicised and whether his thoughts were based on analysis, experience or favouritism he has been found to be completely wrong and we've turned what he said on it's head
Or, we confirmed what he said back in February:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2550193/GARY-NEVILLE-City-remind-Uniteds-title-winners-light-blue-shirts.htmlAt the end of last season, many people in English football were talking about the potential of Spanish and German clubs to dominate the Champions League in the future.
On the back of a poor season for English clubs in that tournament, the dominance of Bayern Munich and the impact of Borussia Dortmund, it might have seemed as though the Premier League was being left behind.
I never believed that would be the case but I was wrong in analysing which clubs would be leading the English comeback.
At the time I thought Manchester United, freshly crowned as Premier League champions and with a group of young players in their squad, would have the potential to challenge in Europe. But, of course, United have regressed since the summer.
Yet I think I was right to say that the Premier League would return. And leading the charge are the two clubs who meet Monday night and are emerging as the dominant Premier League teams — Manchester City and Chelsea.
Both have the potential to be European champions. This season may be too soon but I see signs that City and Chelsea are building teams that will win trophies not just in England but in Europe as well.
With City, that must now be obvious to anyone who sees them. The biggest compliment I could pay to them as a United fan is that watching them beat Tottenham on Wednesday night gave me a sinking feeling in my stomach. It was as though I were watching one of the title-winning United sides — only they were wearing light blue shirts.
Given that they seem to be making additions in central defence and midfield this summer — the two areas where they might need some cover — you can see them only improving. And now that Joe Hart, Vincent Kompany and Yaya Toure are back to their best, I think they are on a different level from anyone else.
The only thing that might stop them winning the title would be injuries. Missing Sergio Aguero for a month will hurt them, though they have ample reserve in Alvaro Negredo, Edin Dzeko and Stevan Jovetic. The pressure of fixtures, with the Barcelona games in the Champions League and the Capital One Cup final against Sunderland, could be a possible disruption.
Such has been their improvement this season that it would not surprise me in the slightest if they beat Barcelona. Of course, they could lose — and missing Aguero will be significant. But they are playing with such power, energy and skill that I am sure they will cause Barcelona problems, although they will have to demonstrate that they have learned from their defeat by Bayern Munich at the Etihad earlier in the season, a game in which they were made to look naive.
Even with the signing on Friday night of Kim Kallstrom, I’m not sure they will have the strength in depth to negotiate a fixture list that sees them play Liverpool twice, Bayern Munich twice, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham in the next 12 games. Nor do I think they have the power and muscularity that Manchester City have in midfield to drive them on in games when they’re not at their best.
At Chelsea, though, there are clear signs of improvement. If I were Pellegrini, I would rather have Arsenal on my shoulder than Chelsea. City’s opponents tomorrow night have a manager who knows exactly how to negotiate a title run-in and win the league, and, unlike Arsenal, they still have a core of players with that experience as well.
In November they looked like a team lacking direction, one that did not know what was expected of them. Now you can see they are beginning to be moulded into the kind of unit Jose Mourinho expects.
I know Roberto Mancini has said that Manuel Pellegrini is winning the title with his team but I’m not having that. Mancini’s team were excellent but this is a more direct, powerful unit; they hurt you more. I would say they are a lot more difficult to play against. Mancini’s team picked you apart, this team overpower you and then strangle you with pressure.
It is energetic, high-intensity football with a twist of subtlety, similar to the way Bayern and Dortmund played last season. It is said that you cannot play a 4-4-2 these days, but you can if you have Fernandinho and Yaya Toure in central midfield, players with power in their body strength and legs driving forward. It’s the job Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javier Martinez did for Bayern last season and Ilkay Gundogan and Sven Bender did at times for Dortmund.
I see Chelsea as their principal challengers. I know Arsenal are likely to go top on Sunday and I have said many times that if Manchester United don’t win the league, I would like Arsenal to do so because of the football they play and the manner in which the club are run.
Mourinho’s teams are always built on strong defence and speed in attack. But the key to the system he is playing is his wide players coming back and defending. Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery set the current standard for that last year with Bayern Munich, and I think that in the last two months there has been an enormous difference in the work I’m seeing from Eden Hazard and Willian.
They may not be at Manchester City’s level yet but with Ramires, Frank Lampard, David Luiz, John Obi Mikel and Nemanja Matic in midfield, with Gary Cahill and John Terry establishing a partnership in defence, they have a spine with the kind of strength and energy you need.
Where they still are weak is up front. While part of me can understand Mourinho’s reasoning in wanting to wait until the summer to sign a striker, I’m still surprised they didn’t try to sign one in the January window.
They haven’t got a player of the calibre of Luis Suarez, Alvaro Negredo, Sergio Aguero, Edin Dzeko, Robin van Persie or Wayne Rooney. They don’t even have a striker with the quality of Olivier Giroud. They are the weakest of the major teams up front.
