Today see’s United and Chelsea in what has to be the biggest clash of the season, ahead of the battle on the pitch though, TheChelseaBlog has had its usual head-to-head with Scott the Red from TheRepublikof Mancunia.
Yesterday it was Scott posing the questions but today, it’s payback:
TCB: You had it easy against us in the Champions League, why do you think that was?
STR: It took him long enough but Fergie has this European business nailed on now. Last year we were set for the semis until young Rafael got himself sent off at the start of the second half. Chelsea seemed to have this “revenge” element to their pre-match talk too and I don’t think their emotion helped. John Terry got the piss ripped out of him over both legs and the players seemed to lose their fight.
TCB: Do you think this game is different then?
STR: Yes, definitely. For the Champions League, both sides knew there was the 2nd leg to try and make amends for whatever happened in the first game. Sunday’s game is make or break though and the pressure is on.
TCB: So given the importance of the game, you must be over the moon having Webb back in the side again?
STR: You read too many crappy papers I’m afraid. Take a look at the facts, not the hysteria, then get back to me. But if he lets us have a goal for the ball not crossing the line, I won’t complain.
TCB: Talking of goals, Rooney seems to have got his act together again, you must be very proud of him eh?
STR: I’m over the moon he’s playing well again. When you’re held to ransom by a player to pay them top dollar, then they don’t perform, it’s embarrassing and frustrating. He’ll never be the same player to me after how he behaved but I’ll cheer as loudly for goals scored by him as those scored by any other United player. Chelsea have plenty of odious characters who’ve forced the club in to big contracts, some of them even get called a “legend” and get a banner put up in the ground in recognition, but what matters to most football fans is how they perform on the pitch.
TCB: Well, like you’ve said it doesn’t seem to matter what goes on off the pitch, and I guess our supporters see Terry as the most vital player in the side. Do you see Rooney as your best player?
STR: Yes. We have lots of important players but Rooney is the best. Ancelotti said he would rather him than Messi at Chelsea. That isn’t because Rooney is more talented than Messi but our striker has qualities every fan wishes their players had. Aside from being incredibly able, he works his bollocks off, never gives in and can change a game with his work ethic and ability.
TCB: Didn’t you use to add ‘loyal’ to his list of attributes once? Anyway, Rooney aside, who should we watch out for tomorrow?
STR: Antonio Valencia has been playing well, so it will be interesting to see how often Ashley Cole bounces off him when trying to make a challenge. Giggs has been great and was pivotal in both our victories over Chelsea in the Champions League. Chicharito has a habit of being in the right place at the right time too.
TCB: What about Chelsea, are there any of our players you’d still be cautious about?
STR: Torres is due a goal and a couple of years ago used to do well against United. Drogba is playing well and I was very relieved to see him missing chunks of the Champions League games. Luiz is a very good defender but I’d like to see all his yellow card challenges properly punished this time round.
TCB: Ha ha.
How do you think Torres will do for Chelsea going forward?
STR: Who knows? He was poor for a long time with Liverpool and even with the best midfield in the world supporting him in South Africa, he was dogshit. In his favour, he has been playing in this league for years, so it’s not like the Shevchenko disaster. There’s every possibility of him finding the form he showed for the majority of his Liverpool career. Will he? If he doesn’t, at £50m, he will go down as unquestionably the biggest flop of all time.
TCB: Yeh you’re right, kind of like having Berbatov sat on the bench for you. What do you make of Fergie’s relationship with him? Do you think he’ll stay?
STR: I don’t think there’s issues with the relationship. From the very beginning, Ferguson has made it clear he doesn’t rate Berba for the big games. It’s no surprise he looks like a rabbit caught between the headlights when Fergie is forced to play him, after Rooney injuries/suspensions, after being told for years he isn’t up to it. Whether Berba stays or not will depend on whether he’s happy enough to spend time on the bench. He’s the top scorer in the league so would be fully entitled to be unhappy about that. I can’t imagine United would want to sell him because it would mean replacing him, something our cash-strapped club wouldn’t be inclined to do.
TCB: Dig duly noted. How about a straightforward prediction?
STR: 2-1 United.
Cheers Scott, won’t wish you luck but maybe ‘break a leg’ is a better sentiment anyway 🙂
Blue is the colour
