The English Football Thread

[Trollheart]

Without actually knowing what Ferguson said, which you haven't quoted but I assume will, there's no way to relate the two incidents. Mancini's remark was more a joke, from what I read, and would be unlikely to be taken as an insult. If Ferguson said something more serious then perhaps it niggled the guy. Was it the ref himself who brought the complaint, or the FA? Or the Refs Union?

Many managers make comments about refs, although they are being more careful these days, I'm thinking Mick McCarthy when he was in charge of Wolves here. But most can make a comment and not get into trouble over it, so whatever SIr Alex said must have been pretty tough for the ref to take offence, or whoever did.

As I said, I haven't got the facts and don't really have the time to go researching, but I have seen that when United win the game in, say, the 96th or 97th minute, Fergie has no problem with extra added time --- even though it's often hard to justify where so much has come from --- but if it happens and goes against him he's asking where did all that extra time come from? It's swings and roundabouts, and evens itself out over the course of a season, more or less. To quote yourself, he can't have it both ways. Extra time happens, and if it doesn't benefit Man U then that's just tough. I do wonder though how many last-minute/second winning goals Man U have scored over the last few seasons? And could that extra time be accounted for? What is the rule: a minute for each substitution and then whatever for injuries leading to delays? Never quite sure of that.

Anyway, I'm just bitter cos I support a **** side who are heading towards the 11:50 slot on BBC next season!
And I'm old and crotchety...

[Unknown Soldier]

I think a lot of people perceive that Man.Utd get more injury time than other teams but that's all it is really. No team to my mind, has made better use of the old Brian Clough adage "Than it takes just a second to score a goal" than Man.Utd have. Teams know that when they play Man.Utd it really is to the final whistle and teams know that Man.Utd will go into overdrive until the last kick of the game. You often see teams getting to about the 80th minute with a lead against them and know that they'll not going to hold on against them, so until they can overcome this fear then things will continue like so. whatever Fergie's trick is, I guess other managers would love to have some of it.

As for the Mancini comment, I saw that as just a joke as well, I mean the man was pissed off, as he knows City have a large hurdle to overcome if they want to catch Utd.

[right-track]

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Anyway, I'm just bitter cos I support a **** side who are heading towards the 11:50 slot on BBC next season!
And I'm old and crotchety...

At least you're honest and it saves me making my final point about ABU's.

I'm old enough to remember well the day Fergie took over at United. And over the years have realised not to complain about his judgement. Team selections etc.
Not only that, but also to never to believe a word he says.
There's method in his madness. Like playing both Scholes and Giggs in the same team V. Newcastle. Just about every United fan I know shook their head in disbelief.
There's a reason United win so many games in the late minutes. It's the belief and trust he has in all his players.
I don't even believe Rooney has an injury which puts him out for 3 weeks. I think he's being rested and the injury story is to avoid any rumour of a bust up with the manager that happened this time last year over his transfer request.
United don't have the strength in depth that teams like City and Chelsea have. City being United's closest rivals to the title as I type and with United playing on two fronts. The Premier and Champions League, he has to rotate with what he has.
Fergie takes calculated gambles with his selections and I believe this is what makes him better than all the rest. Let City and Chelsea play their strongest team week in, week out. We'll see who's still running strong by the end of the season.
Doesn't always work out, but more often than not, it does.
Don't believe me...look at Wenger with Arsenal and tell me they don't collapse every season around about March. On all fronts too.

Oh and no charges are to be brought against Ferguson. Referee Dean says he wasn't abusive. Didn't even make the match report.
Guilty of being a passionate manager, unless you believe the papers and the legions of green eyed ABU's.

Edit: I failed at not having to make my point :/