The Rise Of David De Gea...

 David De Gea, Like A Boss! Anfield October 15, 2011, Liverpool, England

Aren’t bittersweet moments strange? Well, you tell me! The 19^th Premier League title was won by Manchester United. In the aftermath of those joyous scenes, Edwin van der Sar and Paul Scholes decided to call it a day. Two legends in their respective positions on a football pitch. Anyone who believed that United wouldn’t miss these two legends can easily be classified as a fool. Yes, I’ll be quite blunt when I say that. Then again, with Sir Alex at the helm, it was expected that he’d know exactly who to sign as a replacement for these two greats of football.

Tom Cleverley was an expected call up, the youngster was proving himself for the past two seasons at Watford and Wigan. There was much deliberation whether or not Wesley Sneijder would join the club and this continued right till the final day of the transfer period. Instead in came teenager Phil Jones from Blackburn (who I might add has impressed me greatly) and winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa.  But this article is not about a replacement for Paul Scholes, it’s about a replacement in my own position on a football pitch – the goalkeeper. I’ve said it often and I’ll say it again, but a goalkeeper is the most underrated player in almost any football team. Critics say all he does is stands and watches while midfielder and wingers especially cover as much as eleven kilometres in a single game. True, goalkeepers barely cover five kilometres on a football pitch (most of it is walking around their own goal line to stay focussed), but underrating them isn’t exactly fair. George Graham said that  "The goalkeeper is the jewel in the crown and getting at him should be almost impossible. It's the biggest sin in football to make him do any work." And boy I will tell you that he is absolutely correct. For I’ve seen when a goal is conceded it’s the goalkeeper who gets blamed. This I can say from personal experience. But when he makes a top class save, nothing!

Moving to van der Sar’s replacement, there was much talk about Manuel Neuer and his ongoing saga with Schalke and Bayern Munich. Evidently, he was on his way to Bayern, which is what almost what every German player wants to do. Sir Alex, after having failed to lure the German to Old Trafford, turned his head to a young Spaniard - David De Gea, sparking a widespread disgust amongst many United and ‘ManU’ fans. Would he be the man to fill the Dutchman’s legendary boots? Would he be able to match Fergie’s bargain of the century Peter Schmeichel?

In his early United days, De Gea took a lot of stick. Some of you’ll reading this article will have criticized the twenty year olds performances calling him scared, calling him a waste of money. Yet Fergie was adamant that he made the right move. A superb penalty save off Robin van Persie in the Arsenal rout won some fans and after the Chelsea game many of De Gea’s critics were silenced! He put in a solid performance which handed United the match, and a very welcome three points against a title rival. Twenty year old? What twenty year old? The hypocrites were quickly singing De Gea’s praises.

Weeks passed and on came Liverpool at Anfield. United hadn’t won there in three years. Liverpool was looking to end United’s unbeaten start to the season. Up stepped Steven Gerrard and boy it was great to see him in action, even though it was for those Scousers as many a United fan would put it. Gerrard scored, Hernandez equalized, which brought on a fascinating final ten minutes. Who better to deny Liverpool a win than David De Gea? The United custodian pulled off a number of vital acrobatic saves which kept the score level and ultimately it was he who preserved United’s unbeaten status. Jordan Henderson was flabbergasted, Luis Suarez and Dirk Kuyt left stunned as they all thought that they had scored but there was De Gea flying in bring back memories of the Great Dane and the Flying Dutchman.

To quote Phil McNulty of the BBC football blog: "Ferguson was largely indebted to young keeper David De Gea, who had had his critics this season but made crucial saves to keep United in contention as they came under concerted pressure in the closing stages.......... Charlie Adam's shot deflected invitingly into the Uruguyan's (Suarez) path, but, after cleverly wrong-footing Jonny Evans, he was thwarted by De Gea's block........ De Gea was United's hero again within seconds of Hernandez's equaliser, diving to his left to claw away Dirk Kuyt's shot as he got on the end of a superb cross from Stewart Downing."

David De Gea has surely grown in stature as a United goalkeeper. One has to remember that the Premier League is a lot more physical than the La Liga which in my opinion is a sad excuse of a league that generally has two winners only. Given his age, it was expected that De Gea would take time to adapt to a new club, a club like Manchester United. And adapt he has. Move over De Gea critics, the young Spaniard is here to stay!

David De Gea

Photo Credits: http://www.zimbio.com/photos/David+de+Gea/Liverpool+v+Manchester+United+Premier+League/bbdPKMJTBts (Liverpool Save)

http://www.zimbio.com/photos/David+de+Gea/West+Bromwich+Albion+v+Manchester+United+Premier/QH1Yftv2Udr (De Gea)

Text: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/15225853.stm (BBC Sport Blog)
"Like A Boss" Caption Credit: Ruhin Chatterjee

It All Begins...

Fanshawe College Logo

CFRL Radio Logo

It was always going to be a nervous day. Strangely though, I felt sleepy all morning. It was quite unnatural I felt, ten hours of sleep seemed less. I guess it was nervousness talking loud. The minutes ticked on slowly. Time almost froze. Outside the weather was lousy and wet. Oh, what I’d do to get a nice bright sunny day. The clouds outside echoed my nervousness as I lay in bed trying to focus on something.

Time ticked on; yes she did not wait for anyone. Second after second, minute after minute, hour after hour. And then it was time. It was time for a newscast: my first ever. A live newscast, this is what I signed on for. Yet, there were butterflies in my stomach and they wouldn’t go away! However much I tried, the butterflies would just not go away! Flabbergasted, I gave up and headed to Fanshawe College.

I tried to be my cool, calm self. That sure helped a lot.  It always does, and there was no bigger proof that this feeling that ran through me, an unexplainable feeling. I felt joy, nervousness, anxiety and impatience all at once. And yes, my legs were soft like jelly. The newscast was prepared slowly and surely. It had to be good. Thousands of people would be listening to it in the halls of the college and online. Oh, those majestic hallways where I’ve walked everyday for the last two months. I could mess up, I’d be embarrassed.

And then the assurance arrived. Nervousness was common I was told. I won’t mention the saviour here, he knows who he is and if he’s reading this he’ll have a smile on his face for sure. “Even we make mistakes, even we stumble on air. It’s natural. Don’t let it bother you.” And with these words, the butterflies vanished, the nervousness and anxiety took off and a smile was restored to my erstwhile fallen face.

Five minutes to four, it was almost time to go on. I wondered how many of my friends would be listening to me. Not many, I secretly hoped. A chuckle sprung on my face as I entered the news booth. Coolly and calmly up went the thumbs up to the radio announcer.  Ten seconds said he. And as he counted me down, I cleared my throat and turned on the microphone.  “CFRL News........”

Photo Credits: http://www.seeklogo.com/images/F/Fanshawe_College-logo-C41B52273B-seeklogo.com.gif (Fanshawe Logo)
https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/631355537/CFRL.JPG(CFRL Logo)

London Through The Eyes Of An Outsider

Downtown London

Whenever I mentioned to my friends that I was going to Canada for college there were mixed emotions that came through: some happy, some sad, some couldn’t care less. When I replied “London” when asked which part of Canada, 99% were stumped. “London? In Canada? You’re joking right?” was the usual monotonous reply. Things said and done, it’s almost a month since I left home. It’s almost a month that I have been living on my own, independent. And I must say it’s been one heck of an experience.

                London, Ontario is unlike London, England. Why you ask? It’s a simple answer but one that needs to be experienced properly. London, Ontario is a small little city with a population of a little under half a million, situated midway between Detroit (in the American state of Michigan) and the city of Toronto. Yet, this city is home to two major educational institutions in Ontario: Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario. Now, as I’ve already mentioned, I’ve been here just about a month and yet I’ve already set foot on places like Covent Garden, Highbury and Oxford Avenue, Trafalgar Street and so on. The early settlers here sure did love their old dainty city of London. Interestingly enough, I read somewhere that it was intended that London, Ontario be made the capital of Canada but the Queen thought otherwise. Probably it was a wise decision, for if it were the capital, it’d be a lot noisier.

                It’s been homely, to say the least. The place I’m staying, the college and the new people I’m meeting on a regular basis. They all make the extra effort that the only International student in the Broadcast Journalism program feels at home. It’s quite flattering I tell you. (If you’re one of these people reading this, it’s the only reason why I haven’t mentioned the possibility of me taking advantage of it someday!) Interestingly enough, this small city plays gracious host to some of the biggest events in Canada – a WWE show (which interests me not), a TIESTO concert, a Kings of Leon concert, Avril Lavigne, Colbie Calliat and more hockey than I ever could have imagined. I can see some of you preparing to wring my neck and that is the risk I am willing to take. It’s a beautiful place, London, and it’s where I am for at least the next two years.

Photo Credits: http://beloveserve.com/?category_name=uncategorized&paged=2

From The Heart Of A United Fan...

Sir Alex Ferguson with the great Sir Matt Busby

I've been a Manchester United fan all my life and believe me when I say it; no feeling comes close to matching the United way of life. A club seen by rival fans (and even some so-called 'fans') as a bully, I've seen more fake United fans, who support the club only because they're successful, than true ones. Jealously, that's all I can say. Manchester United are a club with as humble a background as any (not one with dogs biting people in a pub). In the early and middle 19th century, North Road in Manchester was off everybody's compasses, but in 1878 it was at the very epicenter of change. A mere thirty years previously this part of Manchester was nothing but open heathlands stretching to the Pennines. It was in these grim surroundings that Newton Heath LYR FC (renamed Manchester United in 1902) was born - The club of Taylor, Edwards and Colman, of Best, Law and Charlton, of Cantona, Beckham and Giggs. Newton Heath initially comprised of railway men from all over Britain and was soon Manchester's most successful club. All ties with the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway officials, who refused to fund the clubs developmental projects, were soon severed. What's more when the Football League decided to split into two divisions, Newton Heath were placed in the first division with Ardwick Association FC (later renamed Manchester City, who last won a trophy in 1976) placed in Division Two. Today even though North Road in Manchester is a bustling district, there is not a sign anywhere which indicates that the world's greatest sporting franchise had its roots there.

From the humble beginnings in 1878 to the Munich Air Disaster in 1958, From financial trouble in the early 1900's to European Glory in 1968. From relegation to Division Two in 1974, to becoming World Champions in 2008, we've witnessed both sweet and bittersweet memories. We've seen both glory and relegation albeit the former was more abundant.

The story of Manchester United is largely the story of three men and their title winning teams - the late Ernest Magnall, the late, great Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, United manager since November 1986. These three men led United to their Eighteen (now Nineteen) League Titles and eight of their eleven FA Cups. (Both of which are records; United used to share the League record with Liverpool, but have now surpassed them)

Manchester United was right up there with the best in the world the most famous team being the title winning side of 1955/56 and 1956/57. The Busby Babes as they were called were like the Arsenal of today only much better. Fortune seemed to favour the youthful side until that ill-fated day, the 6th of February 1958, when eight players were killed after the team aeroplane failed to take off and crashed at Munich Airport. "Manchester United had become more than just a football team." so said the Manchester News Chronicle. For the players who died, their reputation was forever secured. They died young and carefree, about to conquer the world. The tragedy at Munich was the reason why several people began to follow the club out of sympathy. What added to the poignancy of the loss was the comeback. Manchester United didn't die in the slush of Munich. They were resurrected like a phoenix. With upper lips stiffened, chins raised and backs braced they rebuilt and recovered. Manchester United did not concede defeat. A heavily patched up team made it to the FA Cup final that year only to lose to a Nat Lofthouse inspired Bolton.

A decade after Munich, having reassembled the team, Sir Matt Busby won the Holy Grail - the European Cup. Sir Matt, together with Munich survivors Bill Foulkes and one (Sir) Bobby Charlton, united in bittersweet triumph in memory of fallen friends and colleagues. United were kings of Europe at last, the first team from England and the second from Britain. It was during this renaissance that the world was introduced to the King Of Old Trafford, Denis Law who racked up 237 goals in 404 games. Charlton, Law and Belfast boy wonder, George Best formed the famous United Trinity that entertained fans for years.

Manchester United are the Premier League era's most successful team and are amongst the seven teams that have never been relegated during the same period. Twelve Premier Leagues, Four FA Cups, Three League Cups, Two European Cups, A Club World Cup, An Intercontinental Cup and Eight Community Shields all made their way to Old Trafford during this short time.

The dawn of the Premier League saw the arrival of Eric Cantona for a princely sum of £1.2million. The second King of the Old Trafford led his army of youngsters amongst them David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, the 'Ginger Prince' Paul Scholes and brothers Gary and Phil Neville. Quoth Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, "You'll never win anything with kids." I bet he  eats his own words year after year.

Nothing can or will ever come close to 1998/99 season, the treble year. United were champions of England and Europe as well as winners of the FA Cup and no one will ever win the European Cup in such dramatic fashion again! United had ended the millennium as World Champions after lifting the Intercontinental Cup, truly those were happy times.

The last couple of years have been fabulous. From recapturing the Premier League in 2006/07 after three years of near misses to John Terry's famous slip in Moscow in 2008 which handed us our third European Cup, from the departure of Ronaldo to the arrival of Chicharito, who at the time of writing had scored sixteen in his debut season.

There is a buzz in the hearts of United fans like me. The feeling that something big is on the cards, something quite similar to 1998/99. Needless to say the Glazers must go and take all their debts with them. There is no room in United's heritage for people like them. Instead of helping the club, the Glazer family is slowly ruining the club, propelling us to a debt close to £1billion; something that has to be done away with. Change is required; it's high time we fans protest. With a talented crop of youngsters coming through the ranks along with the charisma and presence of players: Rooney, Nani, Valencia, Vidic to name a few, the future of the club looks bright as ever. It's an exciting time to be a United Fan and I for one can't wait to see what the future has in store.

All together now: "Glory Glory Man United

                                  And the Reds go marching on and on....."

Photo Credits: http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_sow_experts__10/ept_sports_sow_experts-847369891-1279229903.jpg?ymPPRdDDj4l_PeSQ

Anthem For The Soldiers

Why should we men fight in battle?

When we have our own daughters and sons.

Without our families and their everlasting cackle,

At our last good meal before we run.

No fun and games, no cowries or bells,

No women to hold, No wedding choir

Only guns and armour, knives and shells

No call from mother from gay Shropshire.

Upon taking a bullet we tend to fall,

Not with loved ones but all alone.

Left alone to rot down to the bone

O, If only we hadn’t answered the call.

Why O Why did we choose to fight?

When we knew we wouldn’t see dawn’s new light!

Remembering every man, woman and child who laid down his/her life for his country. 

Photo Credit: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDRoH7d21Ec/TePLymzRM7I/AAAAAAAAEQU/zfqbEjGZ1eQ/s1600/soldiers_funeral_rumb_2.jpg

The Death Of Arsenal?

Arsene Wenger reacts after watching his side self destruct against Manchester United at Old Trafford, August 28th 2011

It came as a massive shock to me the day I read the way Arsenal were demolished at Old Trafford by a young and rather fresh Manchester United side. There was no contest in the game, or so I felt after watching the repeat telecast online. Manchester United were ruthless in almost every sphere of that particular encounter, and all Arsene Wenger could do was sit and stare at the score board wondering what might have been!

True you will accuse me of praising Manchester United a lot, but that is what the outcome was. Wenger was sorry, Arsenal refunded the fans that came all the way to watch the demolition unfold and Sir Alex was in no mood to celebrate: showing his respect for Arsene Wenger and all that he has achieved with Arsenal Football Club. The aftermath was simple or so one thought. The backline for the Gunners simply collapsed. You might argue that Arsenal were short on players and I totally accept that fact but you cannot forget that Manchester United had key players missing too - Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, Darren Fletcher and Michael Carrick were all missing.

Anyway, the whole point of writing this piece was not to gloat or point fingers at Arsenal. I write this because I feel that Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy has been influenced by want not be desire. He isn’t signing someone like Per Mertesacker or Mikel Arteta because he eyed them for ages, he is doing so to try and save his face. That, ladies and gentlemen is not the Arsenal FC that I grew up to respect. That is not the Arsenal was of doing things. Believe it or not, I had tremendous respect for Arsenal legends like Tony Adams, Freddie Ljungberg, Dennis Bergkamp (who to this day remains my favourite Arsenal player of all time). I recall reading British football history and the way one late Herbert Chapman reinvigorated Arsenal into one of the early top teams in the country. That is the Arsenal I grew up to respect! I may not be a diehard Gunner but that’s just the way I see things. You may find fault with me or find some minute reason or point that I make to debate on, but that is the way football is.

I could hope Arsene Wenger had some way of reading this particular paragraph. I write this article very close from Highbury street in North London, Ontario, Canada and every time is see the street signs I am reminded of the great Arsenal side of 2003-04, the team that everyone feared and the team I had the utmost respect for. Every time I hear about some trauma at Arsenal it does pain me and a lot of football fans for Arsenal is a team that belongs at the top, competing with the other teams that stake their claim there. Don’t be like City, they just buy their success.

I end, as a diehard United fan, I say it out loud in unison with Arsenal fans:

        “In Arsene We Trust”

Photo Credit: http://www.whoateallthepies.tv/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/PA-11477626.jpg

'Arson'al

Arsenal Arsenal the team is so gay,
Do I have anything more to say?
Run by a manager with the same name,

Who just loves to play the blame game.

‘Arson’ Wenger is the man with the fire;

He leaves his team in a punctured tyre.

Loves to buy all players French,

And then he goes and lives in a trench.

Captained by a young Spanish – Fabregas

His name sounds cheap, its ‘Fabrics-ass’.

Swerve to the left and cross to the right,

The young guns are not very bright.

The Gunners, The Gunners, The Gunners are gunning,

Lets play ball and leave them running.

Last won a trophy in twenty-o-five;

Their title hopes have been cut with a knife.

The team was lethal at Highbury,

The Gunners have lost all their glory.

Arsenal Arsenal the team is so gay,

Do I have anything more to say?

Photo Credit:

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERgN71Biv3e2Wg_5dqQDcknAW5mTPrzMyjGckki_m7fal3IiPEYP1_ViUkXDOyt_5BiX19sCCcSgZqyFO7EiQlqhKVHL1dG6lZePX-V8cynz74f32l77o09MvTOJ8YDSpLjh_GCnSAhU/s1600/aken217l.jpg