The Most Eagerly-Awaited Derby Fixture Ever

This Sunday the theatre of dreams will stage the most eagerly awaited Manchester derby fixture the city has ever witnessed. Local bragging rights are up for grabs, and a place at the summit of English footballs premier league for that team that is victorious. 

The mind games have already started and Sir Alex Ferguson this week implied that Utd had already played the so called "top four" teams which ruled City out as a major threat, obviously a tongue in cheek comment!

I regard this as the most eagerly awaited derby fixture because this is the first time in my lifetime I have witnessed City two points clear of Utd going into a derby fixture. Labelled as "noisy neighbours" by Sir Alex, City are now living up to that tag because of the football they are playing and the position they occupy.

Both Utd & City have started the league in sincelating fashion scoring goals for fun and both teams remain unbeaten, I definitely see one teams unbeaten tag leaving them this weekend as I would bet against it being a draw with the embarrassment of world class players on show.

The teams have already played once this Year in the seasons curtain opener in the community shield, Utd two nil down at half time staged an incredible comeback to win the game 3-2 but like many Utd supporters you would have to say that you cannot read to much into that result as following that game City have hit the floor running in the premier league, but Sunday represents their first real test against the champions.

I wrote an article before the season started claiming that City would be our main threat to a 20th league title and that tree looks like it will bear fruit come the end of the season. Excitement is building in Manchester ahead of the game, let's just hope we get the game that we have all come to expect and are predicting.

A win for Utd would put them top and a point ahead of City, a win for City would put them top and five points ahead of their Mancunian rivals, it's all to play for and should be an electrifying passionate atmosphere at Old Trafford.



Form guide:                                
Man Utd: WWWDWD
Man City: WWDWWW

Opta stats: There have been five 90th minute or later goals scored in the last eight matches in all competitions between City and United, three of them to win the match for United.

Possible starting XIs
Manchester United: De Gea, Smalling, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Giggs, Fletcher, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.

Manchester City: Hart, Richards, Lescott, Kompany, Clichy, Y Toure, De Jong, Silva, Nasri, Balotelli, Aguero.

The Mancunian Bird Sit's Proudly On It's Perch

Saturday see's Liverpool take on Manchester United at Anfield in a match that has a bitter intense rivalry stretching back years, but I think that this is now a bigger game for Liverpool supporters than it is for Man Utd's followers.

As it stands the Liverpool liver bird lie's on it's back at the bottom of the bird cage amongst the paper cuttings looking enviously up towards the mancunian bird who sits proudly with it's chest stuck out after knocking it's Liverpudlian rival off it's perch.

I am basing my theory that it is a bigger game for Liverpool on the fact that like many supporters for the first time I have one eye on next weeks fixture against our Manchester rivals City. I have always considered Liverpool to be the stand out fixture due to both teams consistent domestic and European triumphs but I see the game next Sunday at Old Trafford as a bigger attraction than a trip to Anfield to play a team who will struggle to achieve a champions league place this season.

Its a clear sign that the times are changing and that Liverpool no longer offer a genuine threat to Man Utd's domestic dominance in the English league. Looking long term it will be Man City who will be the main threat, something I am sure many Liverpool fans will disagree with me on but they need to face up to the reality that they are no longer a "top four" club.

Utd will walk into Anfield tomorrow with nothing to fear knowing that they have overtaken Liverpool's eighteen titles, something Liverpool supporters find hard to accept but the kop will be in full voice reminding Utd that they have won five European cups.

The last few seasons at Anfield Utd have not turned up in this fixture. I accept that Liverpool were better, hungrier and wanted the result more, but it shows that this fixture in a sense is their cup final and means everything to them.

The hatred and bad blood between the two teams will be clearly evident in this gladiator like battle at Anfield. Utd unlike Liverpool have a bigger rival to look forward to playing next weekend, the Manchester derby can now become a proper city rivalry.

Rooney Deserved His Three Match Ban

The FA and a personal letter by Wayne Rooney have both failed to overturn his three match ban for kicking Miodrag Dzudovic during England's 2-2 draw in Podgorcia against Montenegro last Friday evening.

A three match ban will rule him out of all of England's group games in Poland and the Ukraine for next summers Euro 2012 tournament.

I am absolutely astonished that people are aggrieved and disappointed that a three match ban has been enforced for what I seen as a lack of temperament and basically an assault on an opposition player.

UEFA have punished him for what they class as "violent conduct". I know that people will  view the world "assault" as a harsh word to sum up Rooney's actions but if i was to do the same to somebody on the street or in my local pub I would have to deal with the consequences of my loss of temper.

Let's face it, Rooney has previous when it comes to a sudden loss of temper, but I would also agree that it is a while since I have seen the devil on his shoulder over power the angel on his other and convince him to perform an act of stupidity. Rooney has not been sent off for England in any European competition for six years previous to Friday evenings buckaroo kick.

Rooney has rightly been given the correct punishment for his actions and I am saying this as a Man Utd supporter before the anti Rooney slurs commence.

I have tried to listen to the people defending him but I have no sympathy for him. The fact the FA stood by him tickles me! Their defence for Rooney included a piece that he left the field of play and showed no dissent towards the referee or officials and left the field of play without any argument. Do me a favour !!

Rooney walked off the pitch offering no argument because he knew deep down he had nothing to argue about. The time he had to himself as he did the walk of shame would have given him time to sum up in his head his regrets over a moment of madness and he obviously knew he was going to miss the group stages of Euro 2012, that's the real reason he left the field of play offering no argument or outburst.

I tweeted ex footballer Jan Aage Fjortoft on Twitter saying:

"Rooney deserves his ban for a moment of madness",

To which he replied:

" Ban he deserves"

This is the opinion of an ex footballer now turned pundit.

Opinions are split on UEFA's decision to ban Rooney for three games, but I think the people that are arguing the Rooney corner were making a desperate plea to try and reduce the ban so that England's star player was available to give this nation it's best chance of winning a major tournament. The fact the FA fought Rooney's defence says it all, the same association that banned the same player last season for swearing which earned him a two game ban.

When you sum it up Rooney was given a two game ban by the FA for swearing on live TV (something that he apologised for immediately after the game), the same player was then given a three match ban for a straight red card for assaulting an opposition player (something he has not publically apologised for or offered an explanation for) and was backed and defended by the FA for his stupidity.

Rooney has got off lightly in my opinion. He will still be on the plane to the Euro 2012 championships regardless of his actions.

FA Defending Rooney Is Comical !

I was not the slightest bit surprised to hear that the FA will be appealing the three match ban that Wayne Rooney quite rightly deserved for his red card last Friday evening playing for England.

Rooney is by far the most important player that England and the FA have, England pin their hopes on him in all qualifying and tournament games, the FA need him because he is the most famous English man in the squad and commercially is worth a fortune through sponsorship to them.

After his straight red card on Friday for kicking an opposition player in sheer frustration the FA have decided to stand by Rooney and try to get his suspension overturned to a one match ban so he is available for all England's Euro 2012 games. This is the same FA that last season handed the same player (Rooney) a two match ban for swearing when celebrating a goal?

It is a total embarrassment by the FA and shows just how desperate they are for Rooney to represent them. If Rooney knew exactly how important and in high esteem he is held at the FA he probably could have had his two game ban for swearing overturned if he had stood up to the FA and told them he would never play again for England if they banned him, why not? Alan Shearer is reported to have done this when he was an England player after elbowing a player when playing for Newcastle.

I have recently heard stories about the FA and you take some comments with a pinch of salt but today's statement and decision to stand by a player that was rightly given a red card for a reckless lack of temperament challenge shows to me just how much of a joke the FA really are, it's almost cringe worthy to an extent because they know the value of Rooney's image rights to sponsors in a big tournament.

One person who will certainly will have not been the slightest bit surprised about the jesters at the FA standing by and defending Rooney will be Sir Alex Ferguson, a man that has had constant battles with an association who are only bothered about themselves and not the English domestic league. The same association that the late Sir Matt Busby had problems with.

It will be of real interest being a Man Utd supporter myself to see how the FA deal with any future incident's involving Rooney. If he scores the winner at the kop end of Anfield against Liverpool in injury time next Saturday and Swear's as he celebrates in pure ecstasy and delight, will the FA give him another two game ban?

Let's just wait and see, it will not be too long before Man Utd and the FA go head to head on a collision course again, what will be interesting will be how the FA decide to punish the incident especially if it involves a certain Mr Rooney.

Let's Scrap International Footbore !

I was interested to hear a lot of negative comments people have made about international football recently and it got me thinking, should we scrap it all together for the good of the domestic game?

Now I know that there would be some FA executive spitting out the froth of his cappuccino if he was to read that statement, but like many people I have been totally disillusioned with international tournaments and friendlies for the last ten years or so. World cups and European championships just do not live up to the hype and even the so called world class players constantly fail to perform at what is regarded as the highest level of football.

I supported England from being a child and enjoyed tournaments like Euro 96 and France 98, but at the start of the year 2000 I totally lost interest mainly because of the fickle fans that follow them. David Beckham was made the scapegoat for England's failed world cup campaign in 98 and was playing for Manchester United at the time, the team that I support. I was shocked and appalled at the abuse that was aimed at him, and just after that fans at England matches at the old Wembley started to jeer and sing degrading and disrespectful chants towards the England players who played club football for Manchester United, and that is when I called it a day supporting England. I would choose club over country every time I was asked the question.

I think the England team is supported by people who support championship teams or to be polite, the teams in the premier league who make up the numbers but will never achieve silverware. Watching England gives a chance for fans of unsuccessful and small clubs the chance to support and cheer players like Rooney and Gerrard. The majority of people I have spoken to support their club team and that's it, so is this just a problem in England or does it happen in every country? I suspect it is only England that has this problem, we are so obsessed with our club teams that we find it hard to support rival team players. Being a Man Utd supported I found it hard to try and get excited about a Steven Gerrard goal but that could just be me being stubborn and ignorant. My passion for club football and Man Utd has meant that I no longer care about my international team, some people will obviously not agree with the choice that I made.

The "club vs country" row is something that also proves how devalued international football has become. I suspect that the majority of clubs quite rightly would prefer for their players to rest for a weekend rather than play an international game and risk injury,these clubs pay the players wages. International footballers are now also paid to play when representing their country, when I was growing up playing for your country was considered the ultimate accolade but I wonder how many players now are 100% patriotic and honoured to pull on their countries colours ?

I personally think international football disrupts our domestic season, am I being selfish saying that? Or am I saying what the majority of people have been thinking for a while now? Let's face it, the last two world cups have been abysmal. Players playing on the world stage too frightened to perform because the fear of failure and the nations hopes and dreams on your shoulders, either way the media will be gathering like vulchers ready to crucify you as we love to have a scapegoat when it comes to making up excuses for England's failures.

Recent autobiography's by ex England internationals Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have slammed the England set up and have even claimed that a divide between players is clearly evident. Claims have also been made that players are put under so much pressure that the fear of failure affects the way they usually play for England compared to club level. Give me champions league football any day of the week, it's a better standard of football and the world class players all perform in it. Scholes quit the international scene to concentrate on club football and I can see this trend continuing in the future in the England squad because players seem more committed to the club side they play for.

Internationals are an old tradition and I don't think for one minute that it would ever be considered to scrap it altogether, obviously FIFA and the FA would not want it to happen. Let's face it, the FA have Wembley to pay for and will attempt to fill that ground at any given chance to pay back the money they owe on it.

I definitely get the strong impression that the majority of Man Utd fans will agree with everything I have said regarding England, we even sing about the fact we have won a world title once more than them to get under the skin of opposing teams supporters! Like many Utd fans I actually get nervous when our players go away on international duty in fear that they will return with an injury that will affect the team I watch every weekend and support financially.

It's an interesting debate and the club vs country row will continue to make headlines as long as international football is around and our domestic and champions league competitions get better and more competitive, it does make me wonder if anybody would be bothered if International football was axed? I suspect opinions will be divided on this.

@kevinashford7

Vile Football Chants Must Stop

One thing has sprung to my mind recently that has to be eradicated from our football terraces, it's the abysmal and sickening chants that people use against race, religion, and the deceased.

One name springs to mind recently who has felt the cruel harsh wrath of the terraces and that is Tottenham's on loan striker Emmanuel Adebayor. Now I am not Adebayor's biggest fan, but it's hard not to feel sorry for him when you hear the supporters that once sang his name singing that they wished he had died, in reference to when the Togo national team's bus came under a gunfire attack on the way to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations in Angola.

In my opinion wishing somebody dead is wildly overstepping the mark massively. It also seems that from a supporters point of view it's perfectly fine to abuse a footballer for 90 minutes but when it comes to that same player giving a bit back, it's not acceptable and that player is guilty of inciting the crowd or even a riot.

In 2009 when playing for Manchester City against his old club Arsenal for the first time, Adebayor came in for 90 minutes of dogs abuse from his old supporters. They chanted songs about his family and booed his every touch, however he had the last laugh scoring a goal and then galloping the length of the pitch before falling to his knees to celebrate in front of the travelling fans who had sang the vile chants about him and his family. Adebayor was booked for his "over the top" celebration but I remember thinking "fair play to him", he answered them back by letting his football do the talking even if the celebration was a bit extravagant to say the least !

Being a Manchester United supporter I have grown up with the sickening slang terminology of being labelled a "Munich" by many Manchester City fans I know and communicate with through social network sites. The term "Munich" being a reference to the Munich air disaster in 1958 in which 23 lives were cruelly taken away. But this does not stop Man City fans using the term "Munich" flippantly when referring to Man Utd fans. In fact I would go as far as to say that you will hear these chants at the majority of City's games. It's a total lack of respect chanting about the deceased and shows a certain small club mentality. Apart from the FA cup final win last season this is the only thing City fans have had to sing about over the last thirty plus years, they sing it because they  know it will spark a reaction from the opposition supporters.

My examples of vulgar chants have come in the form of racial and singing about the deceased, but another form is sectarian. This is big in Glasgow between the big two clubs Celtic and Rangers. This actually covers religion, something that has nothing to do with football. Celtic fans wave Republic of Ireland flags and sing songs that agree with the actions of the IRA (Irish republican army) who have killed many innocent people. Rangers fans wave union jack flags and sing songs that show their support for unionist groups that have also killed innocent people, all of which has absolutely nothing to do with football in anyway at all.

It's up to the clubs to make a firm stand over these chants that are plaguing our terraces, the same terraces that have children who are the next generation of football supporters that will represent our club in the future both home and away. We have CCTV so let's use it and punish the culprits, in most cases I understand it is a small minority of people. The FA and FIFA also need to step up efforts to abolish these chants.

I am not naive enough to think these chants will just suddenly come to an end, but it is a football clubs duty to try and do everything they can to prevent or even reduce this behaviour for the good of football. Chants can be hilarious when used in the correct manner, but can also be so shocking and disrespectful that you would have to clean your eras out to make sure you are actually hearing what you know is being said.

At the end of the day these chants are nothing to do with football, they are simply aimed at the players and opposition supporters to get under their skin and provoke an angry retaliation. I am sure I speak for most people when I say that we do not want these chants in our family orientated stadiums.


@kevinashford7

Is It Time For Video Replay's In Football?

In the light of this weekends controversial sending off in the Merseyside derby I am wondering is it now finally time we looked at bringing in video replays to make sure we get the big decisions correct in football once and for all ?

This is a debate that has gripped the football nation for many years with opinions split as to how we could introduce a system that would not slow the game down but would improve the game overall.

I can totally understand both sides of the argument but surly to introduce a system that will guarantee that the big decisions get a second look if necessary now needs serious consideration to eradicate referees spoiling games by making rash on the spot decision's. 

How could we do this without appealing every single incident and slowing down the flow to our game? One idea that I propose is that before each game, teams have three chances in the game to call for a video replay and the chance for the referee to get a second look at an incident that the team dispute. 

By limiting teams to three chances to challenge a decision each game,  should not affect the game but would give the team who disputes the decision a chance for the referee to have a look at a pitch side video replay which would take roughly thirty seconds for him to either stick to his original decision or change his mind and overrule his first opinion on the incident. This is roughly the same amount of time players spend arguing with officials when a big decission goes against them if not longer.

Limiting teams to be able to challenge three referee decisions a game would also mean that the teams would have to use the chances to appeal very wisely as once the three calls have been made you are not entitled to dispute anymore in the match.

These disputed calls could be for any incidents like penalties or sending offs, generally decisions that referees can hastily make but get horribly wrong, as proved over the weekend when Jack Rodwell was sent off for Everton against Liverpool incorrectly with the score level at 0-0, a game that Everton went on to lose by two goals to nil in the end. If Everton had the chance to dispute that sending off and the referee had a second chance to look at the incident again then I am sure Rodwell would have stayed on the pitch and who knows what the outcome of the game would have been eleven men against eleven?

This system would also apply to something that I am sure will be in football within the next few years, goal line technology. Our game has been crying out for this for years with so many "goals that should have been" missed by officials that have seen teams lose out on silverware. 

Most recently on the big stage Frank Lampard scored for England against Germany in the world cup finals, but the officials failed to see the ball had crossed the line in the biggest tournament in world football and the goal that should have been was never credited to England. As with the Rodwell incident, if England boss Fabio Capello could have used an opportunity to challenge the referee in that game to take a second look at a monitor I am 100% sure the goal would have been given, everybody watching could see it was a goal !

A similar decision could have been overturned when Thiery Henry used his hand to keep a ball in that resulted in a goal that ended the Republic of Ireland's hopes of reaching the world cup finals in 2010. 

This is a debate that will surly rumble on with so many people for and against it. Some people even claim that human error is good because it gives us all something to discuss and debate, but I know that I would prefer the correct decision to be given over debating a goal that should have been, or a sending off that should not have been.

FIFA seem scared stiff by the thought of introducing goal line technology, it's time they realised that the correct outcome to an incident can be made in a matter of seconds and I am sure referees would warm to the idea as it gives them a second chance to see what they see in the blink of an eye and are expected to act upon.


@kevinashford7

Tevez Shames The Beautiful Game

On Tuesday evening Manchester City's Carlos Tevez showed an unbelievable arrogance and disrespect to his team mates, manager,supporters and football in general by refusing to make a substitute appearance for his club. Not since Pier Van Hooijdonk refusing to play for Nottingham Forrest in 1998 to push through a transfer have I ever witnessed something so shameful and disappointing from a so called professional footballer.

By refusing to make his substitute appearance Tevez has quite literally bitten the hand that feeds him, in fact I would go as far as to say he has gone even further and actually bitten off the the hand that feeds him because there can be no way back for him now at City after his spectacular tantrum. 

It's been the main talking point since Tuesday evening and it has made all the headlines totally over shadowing City's first away game in the Champions League. This is typical of Tevez as controversy has followed him throughout his career wherever he has played his football.

One thing Tevez has always tried to do from what I have seen from his time in England at West Ham, Manchester United & Manchester City is try to get the supporters on his side. His "I love the supporters and always give 110%" comment is starting to grate on the fans who have idolised him, paid money to watch him play, paid to have his name and number printed on the back of their shirts, and chanted his name passionately.

Sky Sports pundit and ex footballer Graeme Souness held no punches when he was asked about the Tevez saga straight after the match, he said "The owner or whoever is running Manchester City now has to help the manager and get him [Tevez] as far away as possible from the club. It's not about money with Man City, but he is one bad apple". He added "Tevez epitomises what the man in the street thinks is wrong with modern football players." 

Souness's scathing attack was absolutely spot on and everybody I have spoken to has agreed 100% with the comments he made, Souness was clearly angered by what Tevez had done and this showed in his passionate angry outburst on the situation threatening to infect City like a virus would once it has infected your computer. Like any virus you have to get rid of it immediately before it does more harm.

This is a man who truly does not know what he has. The sound of His reported £200,000 per week salary and numerous millions earned through signing on fee's  is enough to make the average man in the street squint with envy. The fact Tevez is so well paid intensifies the anger against him for what he did from his suppoters and people in  world of football. 

Tevez's  job as an employee at City is to play football, something that all people who love the game would give their right arm for. The chance to earn a fortune in a short career and have your name sung from the terraces is a scenario that most people have, and can only dream about. 

I was listening to talksport yesterday and a man called in to say that his 5 year old son asked him why did Tevez not want to play football? Try explaining the players motives to a 5 year old kid who loves football and cannot understand how a footballer could refuse to play the beautiful game.

I read Gary Nevilles autobiography recently and his book has a small piece on Tevez, Neville said "I think he's the type of person who will keep moving on. I suspect he won't stay anywhere for longer than two or three years", he added "I was surprised to hear him say he couldn't stand Manchester, he became world famous here, Manchester was the making of him". Neville's comment about Tevez being a player who will always look to move on definitely bears fruit and makes total sense.

This is a player who clearly does not care about anybody apart from himself, earning as much money as he can through transferring clubs every couple of years is his motivation. I am sure Tevez himself would disagree and say that his family are his main priority but he has already used them as an excuse to try and push through a transfer in the past.

So now the world waits to see the outcome of this disgraceful situation that he has instigated. City are in the unique position of not having to sell Tevez as it would not affect them financially. I hope City have the balls to make a real stance against a bad apple, hang him out to dry, let him rot in the reserves. Releasing Tevez from his contract would simply give him what he wants, He would walk away from the Ethidad stadium with a smile as long as the digits in his bank account. It would give him the chance again to negotiate another big contract and signing on fee with another club, but it does make me wonder .......... Who would actually want a player that has shamed the beautiful game?

We wait in anticipation to see if City will stand up to Tevez and punish him like any normal person would be if they refused to do their job.


@kevinashford7

Rio Past His Best ?

Rio Ferdinand has had a successful illustrious career with Manchester United, but following the summer signing of Phil Jones, the brilliant consistency of Chris Smalling, and the return to form of Johnny Evans, Ferdinand now faces the prospect of having to try and win his place back in the first team.

Ferdinand has gone through his career at old Trafford virtually guaranteed a first team start when fit, but a recent injury has in my opinion put his United future in serious doubt. Sir Alex has successfully moved players on in the past at the right time, and I fear that the curtain could soon come down on Ferdinand's career due to his age, injury problems, and the strong youthful competition for the centre back spot.

Sir Alex has always tried to protect his young player's and ease them into his first team, but Ferdinand's injury allowed Phil Jones to unexpectedly get his chance to stake a claim for the centre back position and has done himself no harm with his early season performances earning positive praise.

Rio's best days are now behind him, his experience could be the key to him returning to the side when back to full fitness as he is a big game player, but I would not be the slightest bit surprised to see him remain on the bench or even for Sir Alex to consider selling him when the time is right to cash in on him and allow the youngsters to flourish.

Rio must know deep down that there is now a major threat to his position for the first time in his time with the red's. If Ferdinand did leave we would have Vidic, Smalling, Jones & Evans all battling for the centre back position's so we would have strong healthy competition for places.

No Late Sneijder Move For Man Utd

So finally after a summer of much annoying transfer speculation the window has finally slammed shut. And after doing his business early Sir Alex has decided not to venture into the market and purchase the attacking midfielder that many Utd fans were hoping for.

The name on the majority of Utd fans lips was Wesley Sneijder of Inter Milan, who without any doubt would have brought a different dimension to our midfield and offer us something that we do not currently have in our talented squad. Sneijder would have given Utd a major lift psychologically and it would have sent out a statement of intent to title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.

I think a Sneijder type player was required at Old Trafford this summer if we were to launch a serious champions league challenge and try to match the mighty majestic Barcelona. Domestically in the premier league I am confident that the squad of players we now boast will be the team that will set the pace and if we lift title number twenty I will be absolutely delighted as the League title is your bread and butter and always your main priority.

Our squad has changed so much from last season with Sir Alex bringing in some brilliant young talented players who will make a big impact, but are we now in a better position than last season to win the champions league? I realise that Barcelona are in a cycle at the moment and they are playing the kind of football that I have never witnessed before in my life time, but would you be confident of facing them again to challenge for Europeans top prize?

Only time will tell if I am proved wrong on the fact that I thought we needed that extra bit of flair and creativity in the middle of the park for our European campaign, but at the end of the day who am I to question Sir Alex on his transfer activity?


Kevin Ashford
@kevinashford7