The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion
The Malaysian Insider :: Opinion |
| Posted: 02 Jan 2012 04:01 PM PST JAN 3 — Well, that was a strange turn of events. Manchester United losing at home to Blackburn — who had started the day rock bottom of the table — and Chelsea losing at home against Aston Villa — who had started the day with just one victory in their seven previous fixtures — was not the way we expected 2011 to end. And neither was a defeat for Premier League top dogs Manchester City at lowly Sunderland the first result we were anticipating in 2012. Something in the air, or just a random set of coincidences? I'd plump for the latter and assert that there was no particular reason for three shocks at the same time — they just happened to happen. (I know a lot of you will be shouting "Fix!" in the conviction that the whole thing was orchestrated by a bunch of dodgy bookmakers, but I believe there's too much money in the Premier League for match-fixing to be prevalent. But let's not get into all that now...) Of the three results, United's capitulation to Blackburn was the most shocking. Results like the defeat suffered by Chelsea against Villa are inevitable during the transitional phase the Blues are currently going through. Consistency will be difficult to achieve as Andre Villas Boas continues to mould a new team and a new style of play, and we can expect the Londoners to lose a few more games against lowly-placed opposition in the next few months. And City's loss came against a Sunderland team that has clearly been re-energised by the arrival of Martin O'Neill a month ago; they are playing with a renewed sense of conviction and purpose, and have won three of the five games since their new manager's arrival. So although City were wasteful in front of goal and will point to the fact that Ji Dong Won's goal should have been ruled out for offside, you could say that they were simply playing the wrong team at the wrong time. United's Old Trafford defeat against Blackburn, however, was truly unexpected, and leaves young Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea in a very precarious position. Having surrendered a two-goal advantage, United fought back to 2-2 thanks to another pair of goals from in-form Dimitar Berbatov and looked certain to claim at least one point. But then De Gea flapped dreadfully at a corner to allow Grant Hanley to nod home the winner for Rovers, handing Sir Alex Ferguson an unwanted birthday present. Ferguson now has to decide whether to stick with De Gea, who has never looked fully comfortable since his summer arrival from Atletico Madrid. The best goalkeepers aren't the ones who make the most spectacular saves; they are the ones who make the fewest mistakes, and De Gea is highly questionable in that regard. It might be time to give Anders Lindegaard an extended run in the team. Chelsea have already bounced back from their loss thanks to a late winner from the irrepressible Frank Lampard at Wolves, and it will be interesting to see whether City and United can make an equally quick recovery in their challenging fixtures in the next couple of days. First up, City host Liverpool tonight and it could be a cracker. Similar to Chelsea, the rebuilding process currently under way at Liverpool has led to an inevitable inconsistency, but Kenny Dalglish's side are certainly showing plenty of potential and have been considerably strengthened by Steven Gerrard's return from injury. One player in particular will be delighted to see Gerrard back in action: striker Andy Carroll was on the receiving end of a series of magnificent crosses from Gerrard in the latter stages of the Reds' 3-1 victory over Newcastle last week, and will surely believe that his luck in front of goal is due to change if Gerrard can continue to provide such sumptuous service. There's no certainty that Carroll will start at the Etihad Stadium because Luis Suarez is available after a one-match ban, and it will be fascinating to see which team Dalglish picks. Gerrard to start? Carroll and Suarez together in attack or just one of them? Craig Bellamy to play against his former club and the manager who discarded him? This game has a number of fascinating sub-plots and I don't think it will be easy for City. Then, tomorrow night's meeting between Newcastle and Manchester United is another enticing fixture. United will be fired by memories of the point that Newcastle unjustly claimed at Old Trafford six weeks ago, when a shocking penalty decision against Rio Ferdinand gave Alan Pardew's side a share of the spoils. Newcastle will be firing on all cylinders and a red-hot atmosphere at St James' Park is guaranteed, but I feel the combination of United's sense of injustice from their previous meeting and the rollicking they'll have received from Ferguson after the loss against Blackburn will propel them into pulling out a dogged away win. So long as De Gea doesn't drop another clanger. * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Posted: 02 Jan 2012 03:48 PM PST JAN 3 — Dare we Malaysians dream that in 2012: • Bersih 2.0's eight demands will be implemented before Parliament is dissolved. • the run-up to the elections will bring out the best in everyone and not the worst. • we have free and fair elections run by an Election Commission which is empowered, independent and brooks no cheating. • the selling of our country to foreigners for votes (as is widely believed to be happening) will be halted and punished as the highest treason. • every single registered voter votes in the 13th general election. • justice will be done in Sodomy II. • our Christian friends (who are a minority in this country) will not continue to be the target of baseless attacks and humiliation by a few. • the government will show some guts and leadership in dealing with those who spew racism and religious hatred (this is unlikely). • some of our leaders will get treatment for schizophrenia and compulsive lying. • many of our leaders will educate themselves to understand the following concepts: a. conflict of interest. b. human rights. c. democracy. d. good governance. e. telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. f. that it is wrong to rob from the rakyat. g. that there is no such thing as "the government's money" — it belongs to the rakyat. • preserving our environment will take priority over making money (note Lynas). • justice will be done for those who have lost their lives at the hands of the authorities and those incarcerated without trial. • the government apologises to the EO6 and compensates them for wrongfully and baselessly detaining them for 30 days. • the government dumps the Peaceful Assembly Bill. • Amanah comes to life and does more than give nice speeches. • we will finally see the peaceful and just society we all crave. Rakyat — over to you to add to the list. For me Dare I dream that in 2012, Sivarasa, Haris, Chin Huat and I will be able to attend the Sarawak Rainforest Music Festival? Happy New Year to all! * The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist. Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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