Better get the dictionary out David...........

 The whole weight of the world on your shoulders David??? Unless he improves, the pressure will only increase on you

There has certainly been more than plenty to talk about in the first full weekend of the new football season, especially from my perspective with the games of both Manchester United and the mighty Woking.Firstly I'll start with United and their first league game against West Brom on Sunday.

The Hawthorns has always been a difficult ground for United to come to in recent years, you only have to look at last years 1-1 draw. And then it drew the centre of attention with regards to the back page tabloids, if not for James Morrison's stunning goal scoring volley. And again this year it would be another West Brom goal that would prove to be main talking point with this season's encounter, and it would be David De Gea, yet again already this season, that would be at the centre of attention. If his mistakes in the Community Shield wasn't bad enough, his stint between the sticks at times was as equally bad. Defence of performances is one thing, to do it time and time again can only be affective for a very short time. To put De Gea at fault for West Brom's goal is a certainty. As a United supporter, even I cant defend him for it. In short, he should of reacted a lot quicker and dived earlier than he did. End of. At least he made Shane Long's day by handing him a debut to remember, but his fumble couldn't have happened at a worse time for him. Manchester City and now calamity at the Hawthorns. No wonder every non Manchester United fan was having a field day with this.

I can only imagine how shot his confidence must be right now, and you can tell by his body language whilst on the pitch. Some may unfairly compare him to a rabbit caught in the headlights, unable to cope already the demands of the fast paced Premier League. Or it could just expectation getting the better of him. After all, just look at who he's replaced. To my horror, I already found comparison’s in the tabloids of De Gea with the dreaded Massimo Taibi. Already????? After Two Games??? Saying that though, look at how many games did Taibi play for United, only four appearances. I still think its unfair to judge him in that respect, and believe it or not I'm going to defend him again. It is a question of time and adjusting before we do get to see the real David De Gea. The biggest problem I feel is quite a simple one, his lack of English. Once he's fully grasped and learn't English, his communication with his defence will be much better. And with this, stablity and the trust seen between defence and goalkeeper will improve. With injuries to Ferdinand, Vidic and Raphael at the back, it opens the door up for Jones, Smalling and Evans to able to play together and potentially build a future partnership at the back. I'm certain that De Gea will be part of that as well, but it has to be sooner rather than later. If not, we'll be revisiting scenes and story lines that we've all seen and suffered before. And no United fans wants that to happen again.

Every keeper's nightmare.

Nevertheless, we grabbed the three points and despite everything we got off to a winning start. Rooney looked extremely sharp, as did Cleverley and Young throughout the game. I'm excited for this season that despite all the “De Gea” baiting that the media is obsessed with at the moment, I really feel we are still a force to be reckoned with this year.

As for Woking.......word's escape me!! I was (and even more so now) really excited for this season with the Cards, but nothing could prepare me for the scoreline on Saturday. Thanks to the brilliance of Twitter, I was able to head out photographing AND keep tabs of the Woking scoreline all on my HTC. Or so I thought. Shock horror when I wanted to find out at the critical time, I had NO SIGNAL.....AT ALL.....FOR THREE HOURS!!!! Just my luck. It was only on my train journey home and long after the game had finished that I was able to find what Woking's fate had been that day. And then it become clear. Woking had run out  5-0 winners against Sutton United. A 5-0 win on the opening day of the season, and also top of the league......outstanding!!! I was seriously lost for words and delighted with the result.It seemed that all the expectation and pre season performance had been justified after all.

That's the way to do it!

 It was also great to see the expectation return about Woking from our fans. We've been through a really torrid time in the past couple of years (especially with seeing Aldershot and Stevenage progress out of the Conference and into the football league, along with our relegation into Blue Square South in 2009) it's about time that fortune smiled on us for a change rather than kicking us while we're down. The biggest factor has been the management we have , and their ability to retain key members of the squad as well as bringing in decent replacements for those who have departed. This in my view, is THE key element for building success at any level. The spine of the team has been kept at Woking this season and impressively for lesser money than the previous season before. We finally have players who want to play and succeed for the club, and we have a vision of moving forward rather than staying put unlike in previous seasons. Like most things its all about a question of time and luck.

 Lets hope to see more of the same like this down at Kingfield this year!!

On evidence from Tuesday night's performance against Hampton & Richmond, sign's of the previous Woking of old were admittedly still evident for all to see. However, the positives certainly outweighed the negative. In particular a number of players, Elvis Hammond, Moses Adelmola,Jack King and Dale Binns all looked superb, especially Hammond and King who looked a different class compared to the other's around them. The atmosphere for a weekday game was brilliant, 1,467 in comparison to previous years is an outstanding turnout by a fan base richly invigorated by the prospect of success and decently played football week in, week out. And their was most importantly the result. It ended in a 2-1 win for the Cards, although it wasn't without some questionable moments at times. However the character and resilience of this rejuvenated Woking side showed that even under pressure, they are able to grind out a result and grab the points needed to push for promotion. It looked as if Woking had goals in them throughout the game. Despite chances not being taken, and even at 1-1, I firmly believed that Woking would be able to grab a second goal and win the game. That is most certainly something I haven't felt watching Woking play for many years. Now that feeling has returned, and long may it stay! 2nd place in the league so far is something I'm really happy with, especially with some of the competition that we will be up against this year, and goes to show why people are labeling Woking as one of the favorites to go up this season. Agreed  there is a long way to go still with this season, and more than likely some difficult days to come, but nothing is going to stop me being as excited as I am for Woking this season and for the all the weekends and weekday matches to come. C'MON YOU CARDS!!!

James Cummins

Doing the business for the Cards: Jack King's scores the winning penalty for Woking against Hampton & Richmond.

Reasons To Be Cheerful...Many Reasons!!!

Football, that most wonderful but sometimes heartbreaking and frustrating of past times and sports, is back. And about time too. And being a Manchester Utd and mighty Woking FC supporter, i’m excited at both ends of the football spectrum. Honestly cannot wait to start my season long discussions, rants and moans with both Man Utd and Woking. Anyhow, 

welcome one and welcome all. Please, take a pew :)

Hopes for the season: Manchester United and Woking FC, my two footballing loves

This summer has already seen a colourful mix of movements and players heading in all different directions, none more so than the new faces arriving at Old Trafford. The need to jump into the transfer market was required by Ferguson. That’s a given. The retirements of Scholes and Van Der Sar were key areas that needed attention and I’m pleased with the signing’s we’ve made so far. It’s given us a chance to freshen up a squad that needed just a few more pieces to complete the jigsaw puzzle. And for a refreshing change, two have been home grown players we’ve managed to acquire. For David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, this year will certainly be tough and the fast pace and driven mentality that is all too apparent with the Premiership will demand instant success...or deal with failure. In the face of failure, you just need to look at Manucho, Bebe (god forgiven) and Gabriel Obertan as three present examples of failing to make the grade. You could argue that Obertan’s position has been one of unluckiness. Timing and a host of injuries (albeit one serious regarding his back) has hampered his chances to break through into being a first team regular. Fingers crossed his move to Newcastle works out for him and he can finally show the potential that persuaded Sir Alex in bringing him to Old Trafford from Bordeaux.  Manchester Utd has had its fair share of players that haven’t/didn’t quite make the cut over the years, including players like:

Kieran Richardson

Phil Bardsley

Danny Simpson

Ricardo

Kleberson

Bojan Djordic

Massimo Taibi (Still haven’t forgiven him for his crimes)

Roy Carroll

Dong Fangzuho

Eric Djemba Djemba

Juan Sebastian Veron

David Bellion

Jordi Cruyff

Lee Martin

Frazier Campbell

Alex Notman

Erik Nevland

 Massimo Taibi: Best left forgotten

Only a small handful, and a couple you might think to yourself “hang on a minute, they weren’t THAT bad “ or “they did alright.....honestly they did” In fairness, some players on that list you can forgive, for other’s there is no excuse. And it’s this potential outcome that could face any one of Utd’s summer signings of 2011. The worry of being hyped so much by fans, the media  and the club itself and then failing to deliver when it truly matters.

However looking at them, I honestly couldn’t be more confident about De Gea, Young and Jones. My feeling is that Ferguson, despite the money spent on bringing these players, has been shrewd but superb in his choices. Starting off at the back and De Gea’s capture has been a superb piece of transfer dealing. However already the knifes are out for him after his display against Man City in the Community Shield, and personally I think that’s harsh. How can you honestly become a keeper of Van Der Sar’s quality overnight?  Any player need’s time to adapt to different environments. I hardly think that one game should dictate any level of criticism in regards of whether a player is good enough or not, even underlying worry and mumblings at least about how he will cope against opposition when in the Premiership season gets underway. Memories of previous Utd goalkeeping failures still haunt many a fan. As stated previously, Taibi’s reign in particular. Is this more likely the reason why people are so quick to question Utd’s new acquisition in only a handful of pre season games and one Community Shield?? Its possibly closest to this, However , considering De Gea is only 20 years of age and for him to have already established himself against fellow keepers like Gregory Coupet at Atletico Madrid, been linked with both the likes of Barcelona and Real, shows the kind of player Manchester Utd have brought. And how much talent we have yet to see from will in my view becoming more apparent in the season, and years to come.

Utd's new No.1. Got a big void to fill at Old Trafford

Same can be said for Phil Jones. Young in age but already, and alarmingly, settled and solid as a defender against some of the best players of the highest premiership calibre. He’s already been established as one of Britain’s foremost talents in the game, and rightly so. Like De Gea, the price tag was considerably high for both. Signed for around 17-18 million. However taking into effect the meteoric rise of Jones within the setup at Blackburn Rovers (under the watchful eye of Steven Kean), his displays, along with his partnership with Chris Samba become one of the great success stories of the 2010/11 season. His confidence and current ability at the back is similar to that seen of a player almost 10 years ahead of him, yet he still manages to go from strength to strength. His performances in the Under 21’s European Championship again further argued his case of one of England’s brightest stars. I’ll stick my neck out and suggest that what we see in Jones and his rapid development could very easily become the next John Terry or even Tony Adams style defender, for both club and country. Along with Chris Smalling, it will be exciting to see how the partnership works out and develops as time goes on. If was Ferdinand and either Vidic, I’d be a little worried about the progression of those two. These two really can’t displace these two at the centre of defence now......can they? Don’t write that off just yet.

The Future backline for Utd??

And last but no means least, what about Ashley Young? Is he really the right kind of player for United? Pre season has shown that overwhelming in favour for the ex Aston Villa and Watford winger. Young’s arrival adds a breath of fresh to a United midfield that is in need of some new blood. Being one of England’s more promising performers of late, a good spell as a cemented first team regular would not only be positive to United in the league, but also England in the long run. With the emergence of Nani in the last couple of seasons, the non stop Park Ji Sung, coupled with the upcoming talent of Tom Cleverley AND if all goes to plan.....the arrival of a certain Dutchman from Italy, the midfield is complete and looking as strong as ever. Question is, who to play and who leave on the bench, or even loan out!!

Shrewd investment? Time will tell but if his previous spells at Watford and Villa have anything to go by, its money well spent

It’s funny what three players can do to a team. All the doom and gloom over player retirements, the dark side of Manchester appearing to be never ending in how much money its churning out, as well as further issues with the Glazers, a great pre season in the USA plus victory over Man City has brought confidence and expectation to the level that every Manchester United fan knows and loves. That’s why their is many reasons to be cheerful if your a red, along with Michael Owen’s staggering goal scoring habit in America....but that in itself, is for another day!

James Cummins

Gunning For Trouble

Exactly a year ago Arsene Wenger had reiterated time and again that his club was comprised of some of the best players in the world, and that they would not only challenge for the premiership title, but also the title of champions of Europe, a crown which has so far proved elusive for both club and manager. Arsenal did challenge, and competed for silverware on four separate fronts, however as the 2010 / 2011 campaign drew to a close, the problems which had been building at the club for the last half decade were made brutally clear; They had come close, even making a cup final, but as in previous years nothing had come of it.

During that cup final a ridiculous defensive mix-up had handed Birmingham City the trophy, and whether they deserved to win or not aside, it was undoubtedly the schoolboy error that cost the Gunners the silverware. Long periods of possession, exquisite ball control and elaborate passing are all fine, and make the game enjoyable to watch, in fact these are key traits of Arsenal, it’s how week like to play, however these things it seems are not enough to win competitions. 

                                                      Painful to watch.

In many ways that cup final summed up the entire season for Arsenal. They had progressed well, come up against opposition which they should have been able to beat, and yet threw it away under the most avoidable of circumstances. One couldn’t help but ask the question “How would the other top English clubs have fared under similar circumstances?” the answer to which is; - probably a great deal better.

The disappointing season it seems is not something that can be blamed on a single player, or even on one area of the team. Instead it was a result in a culmination of problems rooted throughout the entire squad. Arsenal’s reluctance to shoot in front of goal was something I found particularly frustrating, and several players who in the past have been inspirational and hard working seemed often absent minded and even lazy, Arshavin and Fabregas being two prime examples. Arsenal were indeed in trouble, more trouble than Wenger and the board would let on, but the players and fans called for a remedy; big summer spending was to be the answer, and Wenger bending under pressure lamented that the quality players that Arsenal needed, especially at the back, would come.

Yet as I write this, it is Sunday 7^th of August; and Arsene Wenger has so far failed to deliver. Whereas Manchester United have splashed out 16 million for Phil Jones and Liverpool 20 million for Jordan Henderson respectively, Arsenal in comparison, have strengthened their squad with 1 million pound signing Carl Jenkinson, a 19 year old with 8 appearances for Charlton Athletic under his belt. 

                                                        Million Dollar Man........

As a fan, the lack of quality signings makes me incredibly uneasy in relation to the forthcoming season, especially so close to the first game, and with apparently no progress made on the grounds of acquiring any of the impressive players that the club has been linked with in the papers. Christopher Samba, Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka are three players who's names have cropped up several times over the summer, all of whom would be excellent editions to the team. Two of these players maintain that they have had no contact from Arsenal whatsoever, and the bid that Arsenal put in for Jagielka was so far below his real value I'm certain it probably offended David Moyes.

The departure of Cesc Fabregas seems imminent, and with one year left on Samir Nasri’s contract you can’t help but think an offer in the region of 25 million from Manchester City would be enough to send him packing. Thus midfield is another area Wenger needs to invest in new players. Valencia's Juan Mata seemed the likely replacement for Fabregas but recently this move seems to have broken down. Scott Parker's name has been mentioned a few times, and his strength, intelligent passing and leadership would definitely make him a more than welcome addition to the team, and the same in regards to Joey Barton who has also been tied to the Gunners, however with him I'm perhaps a little apprehensive......

Up front is the only place where Arsene has made any real investment, and that comes in the form of 10.5 million pound Gervinho, signed from Lille on July 12th. Gervinho is a promising player, scoring 28 goals in his 2 seasons at Lille, and playing well in last year's world cup. At the recent Emirates Cup he looked sharp, and his movement both on and off the ball was a worry for the opposition. He even managed his first assist for the club during the tournament, slotting a well timed pass straight in to the feet of Van Persie who did not hesitate to fire home.

                                                        A Promising Partnership?

At any rate the inescapable truth is that Arsene Wenger is running out of time. The disappointment of last season required immediate resolution, yet very little has changed. As a result Arsenal have just finished a run of pre-season games in which they performed very poorly, the loss on Saturday to Benfica once again highlighted key defensive errors and lack of discipline in front of goal. Of the 6 teams that the Gunners faced in the summer, they only won twice, and those victories came against the very poor Malaysia  All Stars XI, and a less than impressive Cologne, a very worrying statistic indeed.

With no hint of any important signings coming within the next 5 days, Arsenal are heading toward a difficult away fixture at Newcastle. A fixture which last season saw the Magpies set a premier league record by coming back from 4 - 0 down to snatch a draw. With and injury roster that includes: Fabregas, Nasri, Walcott, Gibbs, Vermaelen,Wilshere and Van Persie I can't say that I'm at all confident to a successful start to the new season.

Ooooo to be a Gooner indeed.

- Mark Butterworth