Happy Birthday Dad, And Trip To Old Trafford Brings Back Memories
Apr 28th, 2009 by 'holic
My first visit to Old Trafford could have been my last for a couple of reasons. It was in 1974, and Britain was in the grip of the three day week brought in to conserve electricity supplies during a miners strike. Astonishingly United were about to lose their first division status. On the final day of that season Denis Law, an idol of the Stretford End, scored for Manchester City at Old Trafford to send his former club down. It was just six years after they became the first English club to win the European Cup.
It was an intimidating place to visit in those days, particularly when there was only one coachload of us! Older readers may recall the Jasper Carrott sketch about a Birmingham match at the same venue at that time. Funny as it was it was a pretty accurate reflection. The coach crash in the early hours of the following morning could have been far more serious if the occupants were not suitably ‘relaxed’ after a night in the Oldham Athletic Supporters Club.
Thankfully United, and I, bounced back from the bruises of that season. There were more enjoyable visits to the famous old ground, and I am really excited about going back there for a Champions League semi-final. We have won the Premiership title, and a couple of FA Cup semi-finals there. Few visiting clubs have such good recollections of the place.
I don’t really need to preview the game, do I. We all know that there is no tougher opponent than the reigning champions. We all know this tie could hinge on one moment of genius, and both clubs are capable of that. As we discovered last season the outcome could be determined by the interpretation of key incidents by the referee.
United may possibly be coming in to the game with a more settled squad, but Arsenal arrive having built a head of steam, and with a belief that perhaps belies the tender years of some of the combatants. It really is a mouthwatering clash and is balanced on a knife edge.
You can make convincing arguments for both sides, but just as meaningful, and just as likely to be proved right, will be ‘gut-feel’. I phoned ‘holicdad today to wish him a happy eighty-seventh birthday. The senior gooner has that ‘feeling that this could be our year to do something, boy’. I know what he means. I think most of us are feeling that, aren’t we?
The ‘holic pound is following a hope that this could be the season that Samir Nasri proves to be a considerable thorn in United’s side. Back in November he scored both goals as the Gunners toppled United at the Grove. At Old Trafford he is available at 13/2 to score at anytime. I like those odds.
A final word must include huge thanks to the top man who is providing the ticket tomorrow. A lot of people owe a great deal to his generosity. I’ll be setting off early doors to meet up with my lift in Birmingham. Hopefully this won’t be my last trip to Old Trafford. I’m sure it won’t. It may however end up being one of the happiest. We won’t reach Rome on Wednesday night, but we could take a mighty big step towards that end.
Have a great night, ‘holics.
23 Responses to “Happy Birthday Dad, And Trip To Old Trafford Brings Back Memories”
1st drink? Stella for me please
Great stuff ‘holic. Have a brilliant time tomorrow geezer.
Every Blue in the City of Manchester is hoping you wallop them, Good Luck !
Cheers Goat,
Every Blue in the City of Manchester That’s most of Manchester then. The M6 will be busy tomorrow as both sets of fans clog it up from the south!
Enjoy yourself tomorrow ‘holic – please wear the ‘other’ lucky shirt, and I for one will keep the faith with the ‘holicdad. Oh, and very large Vodka. Ta.
An away goal will settle the nerves. Be intersesting to see who is fit and if Eduardo features at any stage. Just hope we play as we have been. I like your Nasri shout. If he can get another brace then the ale will be flowing.
Keep the faith.
Happy B’day to the old man Holic!! I really, REALLY hope our beloved team can give him the ultimate gift….
Its times like these that make me want to migrate north! i would probably give an arm and a leg to be with you tomorrow eve, but BA unfortunately does not accept human appendages in exchange for airline tickets!!!
My gut feel says we gona sneak it. probably 2-1.
Ill have a jack on ice and lets drink to my gut feeling!!!
Many happy returns to ‘holic senior
We’ve waited a long time to be at this stage again. Last time I could not eat nor sleep but curiously this time I’m pretty relaxed about it, I feel we have what it takes to win it. Last time all our hopes were on Henry having another wonder game, this time we have many game turners in the team.
‘Holic, you dad’s B’day gift is on its way 😉
All the best wishes to ‘holic senior.
I’m holding on to ANY good feelings or premonitions by any gooner i can find in these days of over-scrutiny and over-the-top critique. (some of which i’m guilty of as well)
Sadly, the local Arse pub is not staying open at 0230 hrs for the die-hard gooners who want to gather round for the semi. Apparently we were too loud just a few years back in the Final. (the pub is in a hotel lounge, said hotel is also surrounded by uppity condominiums and other hotels…so…)
I’m gonna have me a pint of Cider right here then, ‘olic.
COME ON YOU YELLOWS
Walcott, Nasri and Cesc to play the game of their lives tonight. Also Adebayor to be completely on top of his game with Toure controlling things in the back line. Man United are clearly no mugs but we all know fear Arsenal more than any other team, because of our capability to pull a result out of the hat when needed.
Believe my fellow Gunners!!!!!!
Keep the ice cool San Miguel flowing ‘holic and my very best regards to the old fella…..I’ve got exactly the same feeling as he 🙂
liking the 13/2 on nasri ‘holic. might take a bit of that myself
come on the boys
Why is no one giving Sagna at LB and Eboue at RB a thought? Gibbs is a wonderful talent but all it takes is one little error and his confidence will be at its lowest and it really makes me shiver when I think about Silvestre going against Ronaldo!
We could employ a Midfield of Song/Denilson – Walcott/Fabregas/Nasri with Ade as the front man.
Looking at how well Bosingwa played for Chelsea yesterday I’d fancy Sagna doing the same.
Just a thought though…
“I think most of us are feeling that, aren’t we?” — Uh, no actually, sorry to be negative, I just want it all over. I’m a nervous wreck. And the thought of Silvestre trying to control Cronaldo is just too horrible to think about. If Silvestre starts, I can’t watch the game.
goodplaya has a fantastic, rousing piece for today’s game: http://www.goodplaya.com/new/?p=178
I can’t wait for this game to start. Argghh…
isn’t gibbs injured anyway?
The team….
Almunia
Sagna-Toure-Silvestre-Gibbs
Walcott-Song-Cesc-Diaby-Nasri
Ade
I guess Arsene was afraid of Gibbs and Djourou together on the left. It makes sense, except the only problem is that Silvestre is the other option.
Oh well, on the strength of the first 25 minutes (or rather on our obvious weaknesses) we take a 1-0 deficit back to the Grove, which is not too bad all things considered. I can’t help but think that the team was collectively holding back, almost rabbit in headlight scared, and the amount of space we gifted them was criminal. It’s a good job Manure were not on song either.
Anyway, it ain’t over yet… So here’s to the gooners!
Cheers.
We can be very happy not to have lost 2 or 3 – 0, our attacking line had absolutely nothing going on today. The one player who seemed to offer any danger, Walcott, was then taken off in the first substitution.
Does anyone understand why Diaby wasn´t subbed? He manages to lose the ball or slow the tempo of play down almost every time he gets the ball. Appalling performance from him. Not much to say about Adebayor except that he was alone against the best pair of centre-backs in the premiership. But to see his runs on the counterattack is just funny.. he is absolutely useless on the break. I even at one point wondered if Bendter wouldn´t be better in that position..
Hope we play 4 – 4 – 2 in the second leg..
we missed Denilson’s passing fluidity and tenacious tackling in the mid-field. Not a bad result overall. We’re still in it and I fancy a home win next week. An away goal would have been nice but it never looked very likely.
Holic had said a couple of weeks ago that we were 270 minutes away from winning the competition..now it looks more like we’re 90 min away from exit.
But a word of praise to the young Kieran, wasn’t he massive today? We’ve got a special boy coming through the ranks. And as for Adebayor, Wenger needs to make some phonecalls to Milan. He has become too big to play for the Arsenal.
Kieran was exposed time and time again—I counted 5 telling crosses from the edge of your box that was a result of Gibbs being dragged inside by Ronaldo allowing O’Shea and Tevez to assume the space left behind.
Two of which really should have resulted in goals if it where not for great goal keeping.
Fresh legs in the middle of the park for United means more of the same in game two.
Match up
Defense—in vidic and rio we have the best pairing in all of football.
O’Shea had his way in game 1 and scored a goal–evra always a little suspect against speedy wingers will once again have the cover from Anderson and Rooney–Walcott to be substituted again.
Arsenal ‘s defense–Toure and Silvestre wher carved apart with such ease it has to be worrying for Wenger.
Sagna looked stage fright
Gibbs-see above
Gibbs and Sagna didn’t make one run into the last third of the field out of pure concern for Ronaldo and Rooney.
No overlapping down the flanks means everything has to be funneled down the middle–right into the strongest part of the united defense(vidic and Rio).
Middle of the Park
Carrick threads a ball as accurately as Fabby but will also defend and make a tackle, something that Fabby does little of.
Fletcher and Anderson are just to strong-fit-tough for the rest of the Arsenal mid field(watch the tapes-don’t believe me). They also maintain possession well-pass well and in Anderson joins the attack like the Brazilian International that he is!!!
And unless Van Persie and Adebayor show up fit and hungry, they have little hope of getting behind the united defense.
And then there’s Ronaldo–be afraid, be very, very afraid ’cause’ he score them with the head and he is deadly within 35 yards(again don’t take my word for it, watch the tapes.
Rooney-well need I say more,Can score, can create, and can defend!!
Tevez–can score, can create and will chase your central defenders into hurried and bad passes.
Berbatov- Can score, can create and can play up front by himself and maintain possession,allowing united to vary their play from slick passing to bypassing the mid-field, going over the top to Berbatov with Berbatov bringing the mid field into play.
Bench:
Rafael
Giggs
Scholes
Park
and pick your choice
Experience with Giggs and Scholes, youth with skill and energy in Rafael and a hard working mid field player in Park.
advantage united