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or should I say, CSKA London,
:P
Ahead of United's November 26th meeting with the evil that is Chel$ki, RANT infiltrated Roman Abramovich's plaything to bring you a tale of dull football, corporate fans and a jobby in the corporate hospitality suite. OK well maybe not the last bit - what do you think we are, Scousers?
Never one to turn down a free lunch RANT accepted a benefactor's offer of a gratis ticket and 'hospitality' at CSKA London's Carling Cup match with Aston O'Villa at Stamford Bridge. First dining on over-cooked beef and Morrison's own-brand gravy, washed down with ****-week Carlsberg, our mission was to leave a 'gift' in the director's box. Erm, we mean scout the Old Trafford's next opposition.
The game itself was as expected, pretty dull. There was no surprise in finding Chelsea playing some of the most uninspiring, functional football this side of George Graham's Arsenal. Despite the 4-0 scoreline there was little creativity on show and even less entertainment. The Londoners were up to their usual tricks; Drogba rolled around on the grass all night, Lampard played square balls while still pretending that he's not just a poor man's Darren Fletcher and the referee gave his favourite side all the decisions. Amazing how brown envelopes concentrate the mind.
To think we complained about Ferguson's 4-5-1. Saffy you are forgiven!
During the match Chel$ki 'fans' occasionally burst into chants of Blue Day or One Man Went To Mow. Original it was not. RANT has learnt a painful lesson and never again should complain about the atmosphere at Old Trafford after witnessing these Eurovision song-contest nil-pointers masquerade as football supporters.
Yet for all the home fans' faults and the dull football on offer, the South London club will make formidable opponents in two weeks time. Their tactical plan of keeping it very tight at the back and then hitting long balls to Drogba, works. While there is no width or flair to the Chelsea game there is a powerful midfield engine room that could take control at Old Trafford should the Gaffer cave into to his inner demons and field Fletcher and/or O'Shea. United's midfield shouldn't attempt to outfight Chel$ki but outpass them as surely Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo and Giggs can.
And for once the nation will be with United when Abramovich's meat wagon rolls into town. Universal hatred of the Rent Boys appears to have descended like a tsunami onto Stamford Bridge. From the manager's laughable complaining and the vulgar amounts of money spent on players, to their underhand transfer tactics and pitch-doctoring, everybody has a reason to treat this small club near Fulham with the contempt they deserve.
The Barcelona affair, for example, was dirty, disrespectful and childish. Ferguson v Wenger never sank to the depths that Mourinho is prepared lower himself to. It is to Frank Rijkaard's eternal credit that he remained dignified throughout. The latest Chelsea episode came at the weekend, with the almost constant barracking of the officials by Terry & Co. This culminated in Mourinho's captain refusing to head to the dressing rooms after a humiliating Red card. A lengthy ban must surely follow, for both the dismissal and the subsequent (in)action. Has the arrogance of money and success led Chelsea's players, management and board to believe that they are above the law?
'Hypocrisy' I hear the plastics cry. Well no, because after the vein pumping chasing of referee Andy D'Urso in the 2001 Middlesbrough v United match at Old Trafford, Ferguson laid down the law. Never again were United players guilty of hounding referees and even Rooney now realises that there's a minimum level of respect he must adhere to.
Chelsea, on the other hand, believe that they are eternally right or, worse, that it doesn't matter if they are wrong. After all what's the FA going to do about it? Fines for the club or players are meaningless. The authorities can't even ban players because Chelsea has the depth to cope with 11 internationals being
:P Ahead of United's November 26th meeting with the evil that is Chel$ki, RANT infiltrated Roman Abramovich's plaything to bring you a tale of dull football, corporate fans and a jobby in the corporate hospitality suite. OK well maybe not the last bit - what do you think we are, Scousers?
Never one to turn down a free lunch RANT accepted a benefactor's offer of a gratis ticket and 'hospitality' at CSKA London's Carling Cup match with Aston O'Villa at Stamford Bridge. First dining on over-cooked beef and Morrison's own-brand gravy, washed down with ****-week Carlsberg, our mission was to leave a 'gift' in the director's box. Erm, we mean scout the Old Trafford's next opposition.
The game itself was as expected, pretty dull. There was no surprise in finding Chelsea playing some of the most uninspiring, functional football this side of George Graham's Arsenal. Despite the 4-0 scoreline there was little creativity on show and even less entertainment. The Londoners were up to their usual tricks; Drogba rolled around on the grass all night, Lampard played square balls while still pretending that he's not just a poor man's Darren Fletcher and the referee gave his favourite side all the decisions. Amazing how brown envelopes concentrate the mind.
To think we complained about Ferguson's 4-5-1. Saffy you are forgiven!
During the match Chel$ki 'fans' occasionally burst into chants of Blue Day or One Man Went To Mow. Original it was not. RANT has learnt a painful lesson and never again should complain about the atmosphere at Old Trafford after witnessing these Eurovision song-contest nil-pointers masquerade as football supporters.
Yet for all the home fans' faults and the dull football on offer, the South London club will make formidable opponents in two weeks time. Their tactical plan of keeping it very tight at the back and then hitting long balls to Drogba, works. While there is no width or flair to the Chelsea game there is a powerful midfield engine room that could take control at Old Trafford should the Gaffer cave into to his inner demons and field Fletcher and/or O'Shea. United's midfield shouldn't attempt to outfight Chel$ki but outpass them as surely Scholes, Carrick, Ronaldo and Giggs can.
And for once the nation will be with United when Abramovich's meat wagon rolls into town. Universal hatred of the Rent Boys appears to have descended like a tsunami onto Stamford Bridge. From the manager's laughable complaining and the vulgar amounts of money spent on players, to their underhand transfer tactics and pitch-doctoring, everybody has a reason to treat this small club near Fulham with the contempt they deserve.
The Barcelona affair, for example, was dirty, disrespectful and childish. Ferguson v Wenger never sank to the depths that Mourinho is prepared lower himself to. It is to Frank Rijkaard's eternal credit that he remained dignified throughout. The latest Chelsea episode came at the weekend, with the almost constant barracking of the officials by Terry & Co. This culminated in Mourinho's captain refusing to head to the dressing rooms after a humiliating Red card. A lengthy ban must surely follow, for both the dismissal and the subsequent (in)action. Has the arrogance of money and success led Chelsea's players, management and board to believe that they are above the law?
'Hypocrisy' I hear the plastics cry. Well no, because after the vein pumping chasing of referee Andy D'Urso in the 2001 Middlesbrough v United match at Old Trafford, Ferguson laid down the law. Never again were United players guilty of hounding referees and even Rooney now realises that there's a minimum level of respect he must adhere to.
Chelsea, on the other hand, believe that they are eternally right or, worse, that it doesn't matter if they are wrong. After all what's the FA going to do about it? Fines for the club or players are meaningless. The authorities can't even ban players because Chelsea has the depth to cope with 11 internationals being
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