Slow starts...or early warning signs?

After a good start beating Chelsea in the Community Shield and easily taking all 3 points from Newcastle at home we headed to London in highs spirits. It's no secret that Craven Cottage has not been a happy hunting ground for us these past few seasons but surely that would not continue, with a managerial change and the lose of their number one, or could it? United came out of the box guns blazing, depite Rooney's absense due to stomach flu, Berba and Chicharito were up front and looked good early on. And although we had lots of possession, and took the game to Fulham, we didn't really threaten their goal in the way we should have given our domination. Even at 1-0 through a great strike from Scholes, we never looked certain or assured. Now I had seen this in United last season, when Rooney was not on the field at times we lookes...at a loss for real direction. Berbatov played fairly well and looke confident on the ball while Chicharito ( who some supporters, I believe, expect too much of too soon ) was a none factor, but he is still finding his feet and I am sure will come good. After Fulham tied the game again we took hold and pressured, forcing an own goal, but almost immediately gave up the lead with poor marking in the box leaving us with one point on the day.

So is this just another case of a slow start, or early warning signs that our squad is not strong enough, or is it simply that the Premier League is becoming a more competitive league and no game is easy? Whatever it is we need get to forget this result and move on, with Chelsea off of to the start they've had we can't afford to have a slow start.

Cheers

Do we have room in the cabinet for this.....

The curtain raiser for the 10/11 seasons was a match that indicated what United supporters everywhere hope is a sign of things to come.

The first half was more of less a midfield battle, until Rooney's run followed by his cutback for Valencia put United up by one. Chelsea came out much stronger in the second half, but still went 2 behind when Chicharito finished ( and technically assisted by kicking the ball into his own face to score ). Chelsea managed to pull one back when Kalou pounced on a rebound in the area, but United were too much on the day and rounded off a strong performance with a brilliant chip from Berbatov ( who was played in neatly by Nani ).

Some may say this game is not important, or that it has no barring on the season, but do they truly believe that? Chelsea came into this match having lost their last 3 preseason matches, and really seemed to take a long time to really get going in the match. Drogba came on but to be honest I never even noticed him, and barely heard his name mentioned by the commentators. Granted Chelsea had more shots and slightly more possession but they did nothing with it. United made chances count, cut them open at times and played cool and patient when we did not have the ball. This game has solidified my faith in the squad, and my belief that this season we will challenge on all fronts. I look forward to next weeks match against Newcastle to get out season underway, and march towards our 19th league title. On a side not the pic of all those Chelsea fans booing Rooney in the first half does make me smile....hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Cheers

Pre-season is over...now it all begins!

With the last 2 preseason matches out of the way ( 3-2 loss to Chiva's and a 7-1 mauling of Airtricity League Select XI with some fantastic finishes ) United will start their march towards their 19th league title. First up is the Community Shield match this coming Sunday against Chelsea, which should provide a better test than the majority of the preseason matches. The league officially kicks off for United Monday, Aug. 16 against Newcastle at Old Trafford, a match which should see us secure 3 points. The squad looks good, I like the mix of youth and experience and really believe ( that barring too many injuries ) we have the squad to challenge on all fronts. My excitement for the coming season is reaching its fever pitch and surely this Sundays clash with Chelsea will push it over the edge. So for my fellow reds in the GTA come down to Main Event, for pints ( Guinness for myself ), sing song, and a great afternoon! For everyone else...Keep the Red Flag flying high......CAUSE MAN UNITED NEVER DIE!!!!!!