They're giving City the title again. Some guy on ESPNFC writes that the next three matches will determine if the rest of the season has meaning. Well okay that would put us at 18 out of 38 matches. City lead United by eight points and ten goals going into Sunday's match at Buccaneer Stadium, the fifteenth of the season. I would say if City beat the "Bucs" Sunday that is it. Eleven points up on number two, albeit with 32 to play, that is too much. If United win however, that puts them five out with 32 to play. That ain't nuttin. A draw, eight back with 32 to play, that's doable for United. Why did that guy include the following two matches? We play Swansea, frigging dead. last., in Whales and then are home to Hottsie Tottsie, a disappointing sixth, and eighteen points behind us. The guy could just as compellingly have written, hey, City's next ten matches are really crucial. The key to the season is Sunday.
They're also saying City is going to go unbeaten in the league this year. Have been saying that. I just don't see it. In their last four matches, three in the league and one in the UCL, City have not been "a tremendous machine." 2-1, 2-1, 2-1, against two bottom feeders and mid-table Southie and 1-2 in Ukraine. Two come-from-behinds. I followed those four matches and there are some themes. All four opponents wanted it more, their intensity was greater, Huddersfield were particularly physical, Southampton played particularly good defense, the Hammerheads 'keeper. "Adrian" (sub for former Angel Joe Hart) played out of his mind, we get easily frustrated against physical good defenses, we continue to be bothered tremendously by set pieces, by speed, and we are subject to panic on defense, never our strong side.
So what is United? Mourinho "parks the bus," they are big and strong (although without Pogba not as big or as strong), David De Gea had jaws dropping against Arsenal, they have an excellent manager and their record so far is 11-2-2. That's a good team who have strengths in our weak areas. Finally, there is this:
I think all three major college tackle football teams who were looking for a head coach found one this week. The #LolVols got Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, Arkansas got SMU head coach Chad Morris and the University of Nike promoted from within today, naming Mario Cristobal their next coach. I especially like the Cristobal choice.
Mario Cristobal was head coach of Florida International in Miami for six years. He was only the second coach in school history. Came from the University of Miami. Born and raised in Miami. I have never seen a man so giddy at a job opportunity as he was when he was named head at FIU. I still remember the press conference. Cristobal's six year record at FIU was 27-47 but man, he was only their second coach ever, give the guy a break. He recruited well and was 7-6 and 8-5 in years four and five and took the "Golden Panthers" to bowls both years. He cratered in year six. Maybe because his early recruiting success had run its course?! FIU's athletic director, Asshole Pete Garcia, his Christian name, fired Cristobal after that 3-9 sixth season. It was a mistake. Garcia was roundly and severely criticized and Mario Cristobal was absolutely crushed. Poor guy. He went right back to school, though. Spent the next four years at Alabama as an assistant coach, was their top recruiter, and spent the last year at Oregon. I'm very happy for Mario Cristobal and I think Oregon has gotten a good coach.
They're also saying City is going to go unbeaten in the league this year. Have been saying that. I just don't see it. In their last four matches, three in the league and one in the UCL, City have not been "a tremendous machine." 2-1, 2-1, 2-1, against two bottom feeders and mid-table Southie and 1-2 in Ukraine. Two come-from-behinds. I followed those four matches and there are some themes. All four opponents wanted it more, their intensity was greater, Huddersfield were particularly physical, Southampton played particularly good defense, the Hammerheads 'keeper. "Adrian" (sub for former Angel Joe Hart) played out of his mind, we get easily frustrated against physical good defenses, we continue to be bothered tremendously by set pieces, by speed, and we are subject to panic on defense, never our strong side.
So what is United? Mourinho "parks the bus," they are big and strong (although without Pogba not as big or as strong), David De Gea had jaws dropping against Arsenal, they have an excellent manager and their record so far is 11-2-2. That's a good team who have strengths in our weak areas. Finally, there is this:
Heavy snow
Six to eight inches by game time Sunday. No, United are not going to have to selectively use a snow plow but the pitch is going to be slick at a minimum. Who would a slick surface more likely affect, the pass-happy, tiki-taki'ing, speedy little guys or the big physical brutes? Next question.
I think all three major college tackle football teams who were looking for a head coach found one this week. The #LolVols got Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, Arkansas got SMU head coach Chad Morris and the University of Nike promoted from within today, naming Mario Cristobal their next coach. I especially like the Cristobal choice.
Mario Cristobal was head coach of Florida International in Miami for six years. He was only the second coach in school history. Came from the University of Miami. Born and raised in Miami. I have never seen a man so giddy at a job opportunity as he was when he was named head at FIU. I still remember the press conference. Cristobal's six year record at FIU was 27-47 but man, he was only their second coach ever, give the guy a break. He recruited well and was 7-6 and 8-5 in years four and five and took the "Golden Panthers" to bowls both years. He cratered in year six. Maybe because his early recruiting success had run its course?! FIU's athletic director, Asshole Pete Garcia, his Christian name, fired Cristobal after that 3-9 sixth season. It was a mistake. Garcia was roundly and severely criticized and Mario Cristobal was absolutely crushed. Poor guy. He went right back to school, though. Spent the next four years at Alabama as an assistant coach, was their top recruiter, and spent the last year at Oregon. I'm very happy for Mario Cristobal and I think Oregon has gotten a good coach.
