Manchester United fans have RVP to thank for sparing the club from yet another disastrous F.A Cup campaign when he popped up in the last minute of normal time to secure a REPLAY and another chance to qualify fro the 4th Round.
The red devils, fresh from adding another three points to their EPL total at the weekend v arch rivals, Liverpool, will want to take revenge on West Ham fro knocking them out of the World's Oldest Cup Competition in 2001 thanks to a Paolo Di Canio goal. Sir Alex Ferguson will have a relatively full squad to pick from for tonight's crucial encounter. Essential because its been 9 years since MUFC last won the F.A Cup and the hunger to be victorious again is the added motivation this term.
The likes of Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand who have never won the F.A CUP-(Ashley Cole of CFC has won 7) will be fired up for this particular game. The former who is coming back from a short injury layoff will see this game as a chance to get back into reckoning for future games and regain form/fitness. Sir Alex will shuffle the pack as he has one eye on the very important meeting with Spurs at WHL on Sunday.
West Ham on the other hand, will hope James Collins recovers from injury and rekindles the form that saw him power two unstoppable headers past David De Gea in the Manchester United goal. They were in fact on the verge of scoring an important rare victory over their more illustrious opponents until Giggs-RVP came to the rescue for Sir Alex's charges. Big Sam will even be more encouraged by the return of Momo Diame who has been the Hammers' best player this season. He had a fine game in the League fixture earlier this season and will carry the hopes of Est London in a few hours. The return of Joe Cole will further bolster the attacking verve of the East London outfit. His 2 assists were the reason why West Ham led until the last minute 10 days ago. Marouane Chamakh, Wellington Paulista et al will also be raring to go tonight at the Theatre. If Collins loses his fitness battle, then New Zealand's Winston Reid will play in his stead.
Manchester United will most likely be without Captain Nemanja Vidic, Ashley Young and Jonny Evans who have minor injuries and have to be monitored closely. But the return of Nani, Anderson and Wazza might prove to be an added incentive for the red army. It is the Centre of defence that might be of concern to SAF...the goal concession rate has been a source of worry and it may continue tonight as Evans and Vidic, all towering CBs are out. Smalling must play out of his mind today to ensure MUFC book a date with Fulham in the 4th Round.
Probable Starting 11
MANCHESTER UNITED: DDG, Jones, Smalling, Rio, Buttner, Anderson, Carrick, Valencia/Kagawa, Nani, Rooney, Chicharito.
WEST HAM: Jussi, Demel, Collins, Tomkins, Potts, Diame/Diarra, Noble, Collison, J.Cole, Nolan, C.Cole
Ohireime P. Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
JOSE MOURINHO:Why he's hands down the best coach in the WORLD
No other manager would have wrested the title away from the Nou Camp with such excellence. No other manager would have risen from a 5-0 defeat in the hands of your greatest adversaries to win the Copa Del Rey against the same rival team. Jose Mourinho is a man of many parts, but one that cannot be given if not earned is DISCIPLINE and an INSATIABLE HUNGER FOR UNPARALLELLED SUCCESS. The 'only one' as he is affectionately/annoyingly called now is blessed with the aforementioned.
From Portugal to England to Italy to Spain, Jose Mario has won just about everything. He accepts any challenge whatsoever and takes pleasure and pride in shattering any record that has for long seemed unattainable/unblemished. It is not as if he does it effortlessly...but he achieves honours gracefully and ruthlessly.
My assertion that he is the best coach in the Universe might be dismissed by many, but a few would agree with me nonetheless. The Portuguese tactician is no respecter of anyone no matter what status you hold or position you occupy. All he is driven by is the will and ability to succeed at all times. That makes a great manager. Who would have the temerity to push out a club's greatest ever player (possibly) and highest ever goalscorer (RAUL BLANCO) on arrival? Who would engage in a power tussle with a club legend and former manager (Jorge Valdano) and come out victorious? What manner of man would manage a club strictly on his own terms in this present day and age? The answer to all these question is the man we are currently discussing about, JOSE MOURINHO. The treble winning former Inter Milan boss embodies absolute success and willpower. His decisions are without sentiments and he bares his mind whenever he can and most times, he is on point.
A couple of weeks ago, Mourinho sprang an early Christmas surprise by starting Real Madrid's NO 2 Goalkeeper, Antonio Adan in place of SPAIN AND REAL MADRID CAPTAIN, NUMBER ONE GOALIE and Legend, Iker Casillas in the match against Malaga at the Rosaleda which the 'whites' lost. It sparked a furore all over the World as it was the first time in well over 10 years that Iker the SAINT had failed to be in the Blancos starting line-up. Jose was unfazed by the high level of criticism(s) levelled at him. He had made his decision and whatever the public felt meant absolutely nothing to him. After all, they weren't in the know concerning events at the Valdebebas (Madrid's training facility). What happened after that was expected as former players, pundits, teammates of Iker, etc aired their views regarding the situation. The general consensus was that there was a great deal of friction between Mourinho and his players, especially Iker and Sergio Ramos who he had earlier benched this season in a crucial CL tie v Manchester City (Raphael Varane took his place in the starting 11). Some were also of the opinion that Jose was infuriated by Iker's constant backing of fellow Spaniards (Barcelona players) instead of the Merengues for whom he owes his exceptional career to date. In that light, Iker feels as skipper of the National Team, his duty is to promote unity and togetherness and I agree with him. But the decision to start Adan rather than THE GREAT Iker had very little to do with the animosity that exists between Coach and Captain. It is Casillass' form that has dwindled in recent weeks and the Portuguese manager felt he needed a break, No one is a believer of that school of thought.
Only a handful of managers would have had the boldness to take such an important step and Mourinho is the esteemed Leader of the lot. Not afraid to strike when it matters, the tactically astute managerial genius has proved countless number of times why he remains one of the greatest managers to grace the World of football with his spot-on decisions and marvellous decisiveness. He may be a massive 18 points behind Barcelona, but his impact at the Bernabeu is something that might never be replicated. That discipline and exemplary show of mental strength he consistently shows is a unique attribute of GREAT MANAGERs and his greatness is assured.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
From Portugal to England to Italy to Spain, Jose Mario has won just about everything. He accepts any challenge whatsoever and takes pleasure and pride in shattering any record that has for long seemed unattainable/unblemished. It is not as if he does it effortlessly...but he achieves honours gracefully and ruthlessly.
My assertion that he is the best coach in the Universe might be dismissed by many, but a few would agree with me nonetheless. The Portuguese tactician is no respecter of anyone no matter what status you hold or position you occupy. All he is driven by is the will and ability to succeed at all times. That makes a great manager. Who would have the temerity to push out a club's greatest ever player (possibly) and highest ever goalscorer (RAUL BLANCO) on arrival? Who would engage in a power tussle with a club legend and former manager (Jorge Valdano) and come out victorious? What manner of man would manage a club strictly on his own terms in this present day and age? The answer to all these question is the man we are currently discussing about, JOSE MOURINHO. The treble winning former Inter Milan boss embodies absolute success and willpower. His decisions are without sentiments and he bares his mind whenever he can and most times, he is on point.
A couple of weeks ago, Mourinho sprang an early Christmas surprise by starting Real Madrid's NO 2 Goalkeeper, Antonio Adan in place of SPAIN AND REAL MADRID CAPTAIN, NUMBER ONE GOALIE and Legend, Iker Casillas in the match against Malaga at the Rosaleda which the 'whites' lost. It sparked a furore all over the World as it was the first time in well over 10 years that Iker the SAINT had failed to be in the Blancos starting line-up. Jose was unfazed by the high level of criticism(s) levelled at him. He had made his decision and whatever the public felt meant absolutely nothing to him. After all, they weren't in the know concerning events at the Valdebebas (Madrid's training facility). What happened after that was expected as former players, pundits, teammates of Iker, etc aired their views regarding the situation. The general consensus was that there was a great deal of friction between Mourinho and his players, especially Iker and Sergio Ramos who he had earlier benched this season in a crucial CL tie v Manchester City (Raphael Varane took his place in the starting 11). Some were also of the opinion that Jose was infuriated by Iker's constant backing of fellow Spaniards (Barcelona players) instead of the Merengues for whom he owes his exceptional career to date. In that light, Iker feels as skipper of the National Team, his duty is to promote unity and togetherness and I agree with him. But the decision to start Adan rather than THE GREAT Iker had very little to do with the animosity that exists between Coach and Captain. It is Casillass' form that has dwindled in recent weeks and the Portuguese manager felt he needed a break, No one is a believer of that school of thought.
Only a handful of managers would have had the boldness to take such an important step and Mourinho is the esteemed Leader of the lot. Not afraid to strike when it matters, the tactically astute managerial genius has proved countless number of times why he remains one of the greatest managers to grace the World of football with his spot-on decisions and marvellous decisiveness. He may be a massive 18 points behind Barcelona, but his impact at the Bernabeu is something that might never be replicated. That discipline and exemplary show of mental strength he consistently shows is a unique attribute of GREAT MANAGERs and his greatness is assured.
Ohireime P Eboreime
ff me on Twitter @ohiskaka1990
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