Archive for Aynit’s Opinion
True Reasons to be Hopeful – YNWA
 | By aynit Shah · Comments |
Here we go – new season about to start, can we do it – or will our hopes be dashed yet again? Am talking about the elusive 19th – just in case!
Well, we’ll have a better idea by xmas, and we’ll know by May 2010. But are you hopeful, I mean really hopeful – or is it just a misguided dream?
Well, guess the next number – 52, 57, 57, 67, 77, ?.
And what about this – 11, 32, 30, 39, 50, ?.
Any idea what those sequences are?
The 1st one is the Goals Scored each season under Rafa – starting season 04/05. Can you see the trend? Improvement – definitely – FACT!
The 2nd sequence is the Goal Difference – again under Rafa, starting 04/05. Improvement – FACT!
Okay – looks good and positive – and bearing in mind that last season was the most successful in Premier League – we’re heading in the right direction. And remember that Torres and Gerrard only played 17 PL games together! If we get 30 this season….could be explosive!
Okay, another question whats the average age compared to Chelsea and Man Utd. Well ours (for 1st 20 at least) is 25.5. Man Utd and Chelsea – are both over 28. The average age for PL champions in the last 10 years is 26. Looks good?
Our oldest player is Carragher – 31. Voronin only just turned 30. Hyppia has gone. We’re a young team.
What are Man Utd without Ronaldo – well time will tell – but I cant see any creativity – if you watch the match at anfield – Ronaldo didn’t play – they were completely ordinary. And what about Chelsea – well new manager – so will need time – but again have they got stronger from last year – not really!
We have lost Alonso and Arbeloa. Arbeloa has been replaced by a better player in Johnson – he looked good on Saturday! With Alonso going – our midfield may improve. Perhaps the 22 yr old Lucas will follow thru his fine pre-season form. Aquilani will add something, and maybe Plessis may show something. Then there’s a couple of players called Mascherano and Gerrard!
The bottom line – we are closer than we have ever been under Rafa. The squad is peaking at the right time – the last season would have been tremendous experience. And we have improved, whilst others have weakened.
This season, I hope – as fans – we unite even more and become the true 12th man! I have hope in my heart, but for the first time in a long time – I have hope in my head!
Do you?
YNWA
I like Alonso. He had a fantastic season. He has scored some crucial goals in his 5 years – ie Champions League final. I’d even say that he was mistreated end of last season with the Barry saga. But exactly what does he do?
You see the modern day midfielder is either an attacking minded midfielder (eg Lampard, Gerrard) , or more of a defensive holding one (eg Mascherano, Makelele). So where does Alonso fit. Well he’s definitely not in the Gerrard, Lampard, Scholes category. But then if you compare his stats to say Mascherano, Alonso made fewer tackles, covered less area, made less interceptions, and has much less pace. He did however make more passes, but his assists and goals was nothing to shout about!
So, what does Alonso actually do. Yes he sets play up, keeps ball and can “see the game” – but Gerrard can do all this and more, and Mascherano will make more tackles, run more and help set up play too. So perhaps, with Alonso going – the midfield may become more effective.
Also, if you look at Rafa’s record in midfield – its pretty good. He has definitely improved Gerrard (Ok he may have a different role playing behind Torres, but he’s still a midfielder), he obviously signed Alonso (for 10.5m), and sold him for significantly more. Did well with Sissoko too - would have liked to have kept him. Saw the quality of Mascherano – was not getting a game with West Ham, is now captain of Argentina! Then there’s the likes of Plessis – lots of potential.
So my point is that with Alonso going, our midfiled may actually be more effective – and Rafa’s record in midfield is probably his strength. Gives me reason to be optimistic about Aquilani.
Time will tell, but I feel very confident!
Theatre Of Dreams – what a pile of xxxx
| By aynit Shah · Comments |
Football is Football. Politics, Race, Religion, Sex, Social Standing aside, Football is Football.
But then we add our beliefs, opinions and viewpoints – and with passion. And the marketing machines develop “brands” and their values, and exploit that passion, belonging and following. Football is Football.
YNWA – I have the tattoo. “This Is Anfield” – I’ve touched it too. The Shankly Gates, Hillsborough memorial…….it’s not just Football, its more than that, much more than that.
So, hello to you, and thanks for reading my 1st piece. And to my point:
Old Trafford, magnificent stadium, also known as the “Theatre of Dreams” – apologies but what a load of rubbish? You see I get the Theatre – people on stage, acting, dressed up – making a big song and dance about something so simple. I mean it could all be done inside 5 minutes – probably a handful of texts – but its stretched out, its dressed up, and yes there is a market for it. But as Football is Football, Theatre is Theatre. What exactly are they trying to romanticise with Old Trafford?
Maybe that its taken their current Manager an eternity to win 2 Champions League Medals – 23 years I think. Rafa did it in his 1st! They had to make a big song and dance about it. As the elite achieving English team of the last 20 years (scary – I know) – they have seriously under performed in the ultimate test that is Europe. Suppose, like the Theatre – it takes them a long time. They have dived, implored referees and pushed rules to the limit – and I suppose its just one big disappointing theatrical?
Theatre of Dreams – perhaps appropriate? Be careful with how you brand the club – and by comparing it to the theatre – they have also performed like that. Disappointing. The curtains come down, and let’s look back – for a club with the financial prowess, attendance and global brand value – they have under achieved. They have exploited the wishy washy dreams of their millions of fans, led them to believe that they have done really well – but not really – its just been a long journey, the curtains came down once again, and in truth what do you have to show for it. Theatre of Dreams.
And compare that to the Kop singing YNWA – do you see my point?
YNWA
