Woking and Man Utd's High's and Low's: A Fan's View

Onwards and Upwards for Woking....

...and it's back to reality for United.

Its been a long time coming!!

Well..............it's been a while since I wrote my last blog report for here. And what can I say about both Woking and Man Utd.

First I’ll start with Woking and without any shadow of a doubt they are flying. 21 games under their belt so far this season and currently 9 points clear at the top of the Blue Square South. This alone is the testament of the hard work that Garry Hill, Steve Thompson and the players have made during this season. Its beyond any imagination of mine that we'd be doing as well as we have been and I fully believe that we have an amazing opportunity of gaining our position back in the Blue Square Premier next season. Certain players have really stood out to me this season. To name a few them being Arron Howe, Jack King, Moses Ademola and Paris Cowan Hall. However the whole team effort this season so far has been nothing short of totally understanding.

A regular sight so far this season for all Woking fans.

As a whole Woking has seemed more of a 'proper team' (as so to put it) for the first time in many years. The biggest problem with a club like Woking, likewise we aren't alone with this problem, is that its always been in many terms a “second chance” club. That might seem very harsh to say this but its sadly the truth. Woking has always provided the launching ground for players either to progress their careers or revive them. For example ex players like Shwan Jalal, Luke Oliver, Harry Arter, Marvin Morgan, Ross Worner and Justin Richards are all making their name in the Football League after spells at Kingfield in various shapes or forms. Keeping players and gelling a team together over a period of time has always been a problem, but then again you could argue its impossible to keep players hungry for success and Football League status to remain at a club plying its trade in the non league. With that in place, it makes the achievements of both Hill and Thompson even more impressive. The bulk of this year's squad are players that were in last years Woking side. This is been achieved more so on a reduced budget, something I really feared could have a dramatic effect to actions on and off the pitch. However it's been dramatic for all the right reasons.

Expectation and optimism is once again back at the club and that's fantastic to see. With gates now peaking out around the 1,200 mark (a remarkable average turnout for a Blue Square South side) it seems as the club is doing everything right to drive towards the goal of return back to the Blue Square Premier. As its disappointing not to be further involved in both the FA Cup or Trophy this season, I’d rather have a fully committed push to gaining promotion at the third time of trying rather than getting sidetracked by a 5^th round FA Trophy tie to Uxbridge away at a crucial latter point of the season.

One such player who's been in fine form has been Moses Ademola (pictured here) Will he remain with the Cards after January?

My only concern now is the January transfer window. Interested eyes have been keeping tabs on events at Kingfield and Hill's next task is keeping hold of certain players who do get offers from other clubs. With that, the next challenge is to find suitable replacements to those who do end up moving elsewhere. That will be the real difference between winning the league and missing out, or worse falling away before the season's end when form is needed the most to get promoted. We can do it. I'm just praying that we have still have a complete squad by the end of the mid season window and we continue the form of let. The loss of Mark Ricketts for a prolonged spell on sidelines after Tuesday's midweek win against Dartford is a big loss but hopefully those other players waiting in the wings can do the job just as effectively during his absence. The infamous phrase “time will tell” fits it perfectly. But it really is a case of “time will tell” with Woking. Will it be third time lucky for the mighty cards??? I really hope it is. 

Fingers crossed this is what the end of Woking's season will look like!

Moving away from Woking and talking about Man Utd......now that's a different story altogether. Last time it was the world at our feet. Not now. A 6-1 home defeat to Man City, the League Cup defeat to Crystal Palace and an early exit from the Champions League in Basel showed a serious problem which seems to always be glossed over with every bounce back that Utd seem to muster. Whats more is problematic is the losses of Hernandez, Cleverley, Vidic and Fletcher for various lengths of time out injured on the sidelines. Apart from missing those players (Vidic especially) what's the problem you might ask?? My view is plain and simple. And I’ll bullet point them.

• United need a DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER
• United need a PROVEN GOALSCORER
• United need to have a team of first team players, not squad players to make up the numbers
• Revision of youth team players at the club at present
  
  

  

  After the embarresments of both the Palace and Basel games, what now for United's "Next Generation"

  Now you might be thinking reading this “hang on.......what are talking about it??” I'll go through them for you. Hopefully then you can see the method way from the madness. With the need for a defensive midfielder, its been something we've been lacking for years. Ever since this Roy Keane left the club, Utd have never really had a worthy replacement. As for a creative midfielder I think we've got Cleverley and Young to deal with that. Its the defensive element that needs to be sorted. Perhaps Phil Jones could come into his own and resolve this issue. Both Ferguson and Capello have given him the freedom to play a role in midfield rather than in the centre of defence during his time at Blackburn and at the start of the season with Utd. So far it's been pretty successful (including his career goal at Aston Villa). It could be a solution to the problem. A player who isn't afraid to spread the play across the park and who isn't afraid to stick his body on the line and win the ball in dangerous situations. If not, maybe look out at trying to get Gago, De Rossi or Khederia for that Mr Ferguson??

Is De Rossi the answer for our lack of depth in midfield? I think it would be.

As for the issue of a proven goalscorer you might think I’ve gone well and truly nuts. You'll be shouting at me saying “Hernandez......he's the answer. Or Welbeck....simple” In time that's completely true. Right now, no. Like the issue with a defensive midfielder, we haven't had a proven out and out goalscorer since a certain Ruud Van Nistelrooy was scoring for fun between 2001 and 2006. Its a miracle that Cristiano Ronaldo was in such incredible form for two to three seasons afterwards. This has be more than slightly glossed over the real need for a proven out and out striker that only now is starting to reappear, and THAT NIGHT in Basel highlighted just that. It was clinical finishing in the six yard box and in front of goal that was badly needed, and we paid for it. Hernandez and Welbeck may will be the answer for the future regarding this issue but the need for an immediate investment for an established striker can't be ignored any longer. United have been linked with the likes of Sporting Lisbon's Ricky Van Wolfswinkel or Schalke's Klaus Jan Huntelaar, either would be ideal choices. Both players worth a enquiry in January....surely?????

Either both Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (above) or Klaus Jan Huntelaar (Below) would be a welcome addition to United and add some attacking power upfront.

This then leads us onto the last twopoints, the need for first team players and the revision of current squad and youth team players. In short its time to really evaluate who should stay and who should go. The League Cup disaster to Crystal Palace was in every essence a 'disaster' for United's youngsters and 2^nd string players. On paper, the side that faced the Championship side should have beaten them without any problem. How wrong that was. Dougie Freedman's side really showed themselves brilliantly in that game and deserved their place in the semi finals of the competition. The likes of Zaha, Murray, Price, Clyne and Ambrose (especially with his incredible opening goal) deserved the praise compared to the likes of Berbatov, Macheda, Gibson, Evans and Diouf. At times it seemed like they didn't have the commitment or drive to get back in the game, this seemed more so after Palace regained the lead after Macheda's instant response from the spot. Its annoying from a fan's point of view that these younger players are meant to represent the future of the club. If that's the case I’m already extremely concerned. The games against Palace and Basel were in previous seasons easily win-able games but both games have shown the only too evident flaws and missing quality that we have in the team at the moment in time. It needs to be addressed, and the quicker the better. However its not all doom and gloom, i'm excited about the prospects of Ravel Morrison, Paul Pogba, Ezekiel Fryers, Ryan Turnicliffe and Ben Amos. They seem to be progressing really well at the moment and give me some hope in waiting for the next Van Der Sar or Paul Scholes to turn out to the Stretford faithful. We can all dream can't we!

Three faces to look out for (Top to Bottom) Ravel Morrison, Ben Amos and Paul Pogba. Watch this space.

As for the squad players, Ferguson needs to think long and hard about which players still have a future at Old Trafford. Whether Utd do spend in the January transfer window will remain to be seen. If I had my way and had control on who would stay, go or bring in, my choices would be fairly easy. Something which my friends know all too much about already!! Nevertheless its a worrying period regardless for any current United player. Unless your name is Mr Rooney, Young or Hernandez for example, i'd be wondering if I’ll be playing my football at Old Trafford and deserve to remain playing under Ferguson or end playing somewhere else by this time next year. It really is a case for many United players of present to stand up and be counted, or simply pale into the abyss. Its all still left to play for. 

Back to winning ways: A Nani masterclass put United back on track after the disappointment of exiting the Champions League with a 4-1 home against Wolves.

JC

End Of An Era? Or The Dawn Of Something Special?

Do I think Arsene Wenger was forced into panic-buying players after being thrashed 8 - 2 by Manchester United? - To some extent.

Have Arsenal, as some people have suggested; entered a period of decline that will see them struggle to compete with other top teams? No I don't think they have.

Do I think Arsenal will finish in the top four this season? - Yes I do.

Three questions that have been thrown around a lot in recent weeks, both by journalists of the tabloid and the armchair variety alike. But although Arsenal's torrid win against Swansea on Saturday was both gritty and untidy, it remains an important 3 points from which this new-look side can gather some confidence and move forward.

The game was ultimately decided by a goal keeping error of the most ludicrous variety, however nothing should be taken away from the Gunners, who kept their heads during what was perhaps the most turbulent time in the club's recent history. This was for Arsene Wenger a must win game, and all eyes where on recent signings Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker.

Arteta, as so many have reminded me in recent weeks is "no Cesc Fabragas" nobody can argue against that, Fabregas is one of the best players in the world and his presence will be sorely missed. But Arteta was not brought into the club because of the things he isn't, it's what he can do on the pitch that makes him a special player and a valuable asset to the team. I thought he played particularly well on his début, making neat runs, playing some very good looking balls, and leading the team from the centre in a way which has been lacking at the Emirates for some time. It is clear that he will become the main man in Arsenal's set pieces this season, replacing Robin Van Persie, which is good, as I've never understood why Wenger wanted his top goal scorer taking corners as opposed to darting around in the box making things difficult for the opposition, his presence alone in those areas being enough to unsettle even the most internationally experienced of defenders. Furthermore, Arteta's drive to want the ball, and desire to win was something that Arsenal have sorely lacked in recent games, and his attitude in general was a real inspiration, especially to some of the younger players. For me I think that Arteta will be a key player for us over the next few years, and providing he stays fit, as injury has plagued him in the past, he will be a major contributor as to whether or not Arsenal are able to achieve any success this season.

                                                    A Solid Addition.

Per Mertesacker critics are quick to comment on his pace, or lack of..... and this was evident a few times during Saturday's game, in particular when a burst of speed from Swansea's Danny Graham left him in the dark, and Szczesny (who in my opinion is showing signs of becoming a world class keeper) was forced to make a  save. However his lack of pace aside, this is a man who is 6'6, has been capped 76 times for Germany and managed to keep a clean sheet on his début. Clearly he is an experienced defender of the highest (excuse the pun) order, and the real test for him will come when Thomas Vermaelen returns from injury to play by his side, a defensive partnership which has all the solid makings of Adams and Keown. On top of this Mertesacker's hight and physical presence is sure to add an attacking quality to set pieces, and increased the overall aerial threat of the team.

                                Men that would terrify even the most burly attackers

I don't think that either of these two players were Wenger panic buys. I believe that he had been looking at the both of them for some time, as well as South Korean striker Park Chu-Young, and that he had planned to purchase at least two of them before deadline day anyway...... Andre Santos and Yossi Benayoun however are examples of and 8 - 2 scoreline forcing a manager's hand. Santos seems to have come about from doubts that Kieran Gibbs lacks the experience to take over from Gael Clichy at left back, however whether Santos is the solution to this problem or not is yet to be seen. At least from what I can gather from what I've read, Gibbs is the better of the two anyway, so this is an area which definitely requires further strengthening. If I were the Arsenal manager, I'd go all out for Leighton Baines as soon as the January transfer window opens as Everton seem to be struggling and the lure of champions league football to such a talented player  might help to force a move..... but that's unlikely to happen. As for Benayoun, I don't see really how he fits in at all, but his late introduction as a substitute on Saturday helped to see out the game and perhaps his experience will mean that he plays out the rest of the season in that capacity, time will tell.

                          An example of the quality signing Arsenal must continue to make

This is an interesting period for Arsenal, as for the first time in many years Arsene Wenger has opted for bringing experienced players to strengthen the team instead of relying on building up a team from a young age..... that was Wenger's great experiment, to see if after the departure of the remnants of his world class sides of the late 1990's and early 2000's could be replaced by a new team, crafted entirely by him with the goal of playing some of the most attractive football in the world, which they did, and although Arsenal has remained a side to be reckoned with, ultimately Wenger's experiment failed, culminating in the 8 -2 defeat at Old Trafford.

That game for me, marks the end of an era at Arsenal, an era in which the team came close, but never quite made it. So now with an attractive blend of experience over youth Arsenal move into a new era in which they have everything to play for, this team still needs a lot of work and a few strong additions before it can really say it's one of the best teams on earth however...... This is a top football club with top players, and it seems very silly to me for those who try to write them off as major contenders just 4 games into the season.

- Mark Butterworth