EPL - Manchester United v Middlesbro - Dec 29
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well, we hear nothing from FA then just move on lor.
with the way, Pool is blazing, it is good to keep up and win the games in hand to put more pressure.
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Originally posted by zocoss:
We are going to have a very busy Jan... With replacement match and cup matches coming thick and fast... Every 3 to 4 days play one game...
January
4 Southampton v Man United (A) - (FA Cup)
7 Derby v Man United (A) - (Carling Cup 1st leg)
11 Man United v Chelsea (H)
14 Man United v Wigan (H) - (Replacement for Postponed match)
17 Bolton v Man United (A)
20 Man United v Derby (H) - (Carling Cup 2nd leg)
27 West Brom v Man United (A)
31 Man United v Everton (H) (match moved to 2 Feb)
Requesting for morning shift for 4th and 7th... I really wana watch the matches!! ARGH!
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Into the lions den: 'Robber' ref Atkinson to face Fergie once more
Referee Martin Atkinson will find himself under intense scrutiny at Old Trafford tonight after being handed a Manchester United game for the first time since being described as a 'robber' by the Barclays Premier League champions more than nine months ago.
Sir Alex Ferguson's United side face Middlesbrough in the League tonight desperate for three points to keep in touch with leaders Liverpool, who won 5-1 at Newcastle United yesterday.
The appointment of Atkinson will certainly bring an extra edge to the game in the wake of events at Old Trafford following United's 1-0 FA Cup quarter-final defeat by Portsmouth last March.
After seeing his team crash out of the Cup at home, United's then assistant manager Carlos Queiroz described the official as 'a robber' while Ferguson himself suggested 'that performance should not be accepted'.
Ferguson also suggested that Atkinson was one of referee chief Keith Hackett's preferred officials, saying: 'His favourites always get games.'
The joint outburst was perhaps the most memorable refereeing rant from last season and although both men were subsequently found not guilty of improper conduct by the FA, it has been noted within refereeing circles that Atkinson has not been given a United match since, either home or away.
Tonight's game should be feisty enough as it is, given the bad blood that has existed between these two clubs for some time.
It will also be their first meeting since September's red-card tackle by Emanuel Pogatetz on Rodrigo Possebon, which saw the teenager needing oxygen as he left the field on a stretcher while both benches were squaring up during United's 3-1 Carling Cup win.
It is also another crucial test for Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate, whose task will be eased by chairman Steve Gibson's decision to fend off a £15 million offer from Tottenham for Stewart Downing.
Southgate has also never forgotten that United objected to his promotion to manager three years ago because of his lack of qualifications.
As he goes to Old Trafford aiming to end a dreadful seven-game winless run, the Riverside boss has defended his record since taking over from Steve McClaren. He still believes nothing on the UEFA courses could gear any manager up for the realities of the job.
Southgate, who will complete his pro-licence in the summer, said: 'I found the latest course last summer excellent, but I do think the on-the-job experience is second to none. The theory is very different to reality.
'Managing in this League has problems like you would get in the lower divisions, but they're amplified to the nth degree. In terms of learning the role, being thrown straight into it has been as good as anything.
'I said at the time that, ideally, you would have wanted to go down the route of getting qualified first but in hindsight the first year would still have been madness.'
Southgate may have a strong relationship with Gibson and, like Bryan Robson and McClaren before him, will find that support stronger than ever in adversity. But the former Boro skipper has rubbished suggestions he is safe.
'The chairman will not be afraid to change things if he is unhappy and I know that,' added Southgate.
As his side struggle to stay out of the bottom three, Southgate can put the club's troubles into greater perspective but he is still having sleepless nights, as he has from day one.
He said: 'I still find myself watching a video of the game at 4am on a Sunday because I can't sleep.
'But I was able to take my daughter horse riding last Sunday and actually watch her and take that in. In the past, I wouldn't have been able to switch off like that so I'd be watching her and thinking of the match. I can switch off for a few hours a bit better now.
'Everybody wakes up and thinks: "There's got to be an easier way to make a living". But we all do what we do because, deep down, we enjoy it and we want to achieve in it.'
PROBABLE LINE-UP:
MANCHESTER UNITED: (4-4-2): Van der Sar; R Da Silva, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes, Park; Rooney, Berbatov.
MIDDLESBROUGH: (4-4-2): Turnbull; Wheater, Riggott, Huth, Pogatetz; Johnson, Arca, O'Neil, Downing; Aliadiere, Tuncay.
Referee: Martin Atkinson.
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Originally posted by sand king:
Requesting for morning shift for 4th and 7th... I really wana watch the matches!! ARGH!
Aiya these matches cannot get to watch nvm lor... Just remember the one against Chelsea on the Jan 11 can liao... Sunday, 12mn kick-off. (Mon morning) -
1-0 win?
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As long as its a win, its good enough for me... Boro are a tough nut whenever they come up against United...
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Originally posted by zocoss:
As long as its a win, its good enough for me... Boro are a tough nut whenever they come up against United...
but boro, to me, dont look quite consistent
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Boro always concede late goals. and we've been scoring late recently.
should be fun.
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giggs for left back woo
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who's staying up?
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i will be up. until i concuss, fking tired today.
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Originally posted by omgukilledkenny:
who's staying up?
I won't, but will wake up at 4am to catch it... lolGet 4 hrs sleep first.
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if i sleep all i will do is wake up and watch the first 5 mins then sleep again.
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waking up at 4am if i manage to wake up..start school sibei sian liao
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I shall tahan!
Gonna be the first middle-of-the-night-during-weekdays match i'm watching this season.
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4 more hours only. just watch 2 movies online. settle.
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Bangkok Dangerous currently at 89%.
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ok, tell me nice or not, i shall watch if its nice
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Originally posted by Pitot:
ok, tell me nice or not, i shall watch if its nice
nicolas cage movies should be good la. i especially like the national treasure series.
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i fell asleep during the last national treasure.
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the dl is stuck..gg...
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man u ftw!
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50mins!
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i've drank my 3rd cup of coffee rofl.
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bump for 3rd page