It’s the beginning of February, a word my female work colleagues seem to struggle pronouncing, and we find ourselves 2 points adrift of the current champions, who have themselves a game in hand as well. The mood amongst fans is good, mainly because we beat Chelsea Sunday, thanks to our kid Fernando, after a controlled performance. No doubt the mood would be different if we were in the exact same scenario we are in now, but had just dropped 2 points against Middlesbrough or somebody. That’s how fickle and tender our emotions have been this season.
This is all of course for good reason. We are so desperate for the title that we are hurting ourselves, and it’s the same throughout the club, from the stands to the boardrooms. I’m not even old enough to remember when we last won the title in 1990, I was barely a year old. Those of you who are of an age to appreciate that feeling you had in 1990, are probably just as desperate for it back as I am to taste it for the first time. I’m sure some of you are of a similar age to Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard, starry eyed young bucks, who must relate to the two captains of our club every single time they step on Anfield turf.
There is of course Rafa, who has gone from “losing it” to “genius” in the space of 90 minutes, and is of course gambling with the sale of Robbie Keane. I’ve seen Robbie and Rafa’s names in the same articles during the past 6 months to suggest it hasn’t been 6 months, but 7 or 8 seasons they have both been at the club. Rafa has a point to prove, well a few actually. In short, Rafa wants to say “I’m not losing it, I am good enough, my methods do work, I am the man for this club, and fuck the Americans, fuck the media, and fuck Mr Ferguson”. Not that I condone Rafas language.
The “facht” United are one league title away from us, is enough ammunition for anybody to really, really want to win the league this year.
As we know, this has caused severe tension on all parts. Rafa suddenly starts playing mind games, although fair play to him I suppose. Fans booing players and performances, tensions running through players that can’t break down that parked bus. The frustration and pressure is affecting the whole club, and we need to do something about it before it costs us number 19.
Take a step back, and you will notice that we are probably in the best position we’ve been in all season. Being top, somehow didn’t suit us. Expectations got to the players, and as fans you’re constantly looking down at who is creeping up on you. Although many said “it’s a great view down, from up here”, really, we look our best when we have something to chase, when we’re underdogs. We are the predators, United are the prey, and by fuck we are gunna’ have to chase hard to get our rewards, but we can do it, if we all keep calm, keep our bottle, and work together.
The last thing we can afford to do is bottle it; we’ve dragged ourselves back into the title hunt, and possibly pushed Chelsea aside of it. It looks as though it’s us and them.
Here’s a little thought that might add to our determination, that’s determination, not desperation, to win the title. If Mr Ferguson equals our tally, he will stay at least one more season to try and beat us, take United one title ahead of Liverpool, and call it a day. If he doesn’t win it this season, we are two clear again, which might be to much for Mr Ferguson to claw back, and he might just call it a day there, leaving United needing a manager, players possibly wanting out, and whole lot of rebuilding to do. That would leave the door wide open for Rafa to build Liverpool FC onto greatness again, rebuild that lead.
What we need to do to make sure this occurs, is fight. Fight to the death, just like Istanbul. Your 3.00 kick offs against Fulham and such likes needs to be like a European tie verses, well Real Madrid. Every game we need to throw everything we have at our team - every last breath! Every time one of our players picks up the ball, no matter who it is, the volume needs to rise, the expectation needs to lift, make that player feel as though he is the best in the world, and that he can do anything. Make the blood rush through his veins, make him invincible. Every time we concede, the noise level rises seconds later as we urge our side on to come back. By fuck we can beat AC Milan from 3-0 down, I’m sure we can crack open relegation sides at Anfield if we get behind our team.
It’s about taking responsibility. Rafa is doing it, the players are doing it in the main, but we fans are severely lacking at times. To quick are we to get frustrated and get the arse. Understandable, but not what we need, and if the players performed the way we have at times, we wouldn’t even be in this title race. Things need to change. We need to keep our heads and keep our bottle, and support our team unconditionally. I’m afraid praying will do nothing for us (apologies to those who have faith), we need fucking want it and not assume it’s ours by right. Every thing we do effects the players on the pitch and a huge dose of positivism is hugely required.
We won’t go the rest of the season without dropping points, but nor will United. We have one major advantage that our players didn’t travel to the other side of the world in December, and hopefully that will come back to haunt United.
Ever time we go forward, the crowd needs to raise it, every time we concede, the crowd needs to raise it. When it looks like we just can’t break somebody down, the crowd needs to raise it, even if it merely hinders the defending sides communication. Every time, raise the roof, louder and fucking louder. This title is in our hands as much as it is the players, and we need to do our bit. If we haven’t won the title in May, it’s not just the players that have lost it, it’s us. We should want to win this thing more than practically anybody else at the club, and it’s time to fucking show the world we mean business! Keep our fucking bottle!
