Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United - Gerrard screws up again

BBC match report - here.

I usually like to gloat after wins against Liverpool, but strangely, last night's game didn't compel me to burst into a frenzy of messages to my Pool-supporting friends (of which I have too many).

There were so many reasons to gloat - see picture above for examples.

Liverpool's last loss in the league, 14 matches ago, was the 3-0 game at Old Trafford (which was more uncomfortable to watch than last night's), and Steven Gerrard's geriatric madness descended yet again. Also, United had more possession than Liverpool at Anfield.

But ultimately, the game never became frantic or anxious, and I never felt United were in any danger at all, and that's commendable, given our defensive frailties.

Of course, Phil Jones is still a dumb f**k at times, whilst Rooney and Di Maria were (almost) completely useless, but still, a commendable performance from van Gaal's men.

I've also noticed how Di Maria always gets an assist, or throws in a few dangerous crosses every game, even when he's playing like cr*p. Last night, he dribbled into 3 players in the 85th minute or so and lost the ball when he should have taken it into the corner flag, but he also lifted the ball perfectly to Juan Mata, who scored from a wonderful volley.

Mata is now truly showing his intelligence and his link up play with Ander Herrera and Valencia on the right was wonderful to watch.

Hopefully, the corner has been well and truly turned. Now, we only have Falcao (assuming he stays) and Di Maria left to rehabilitate.

My predictions have been turned against its head now - see here - but I'm certainly not complaining. A couple of weeks break now might actually do more harm than good, but next game against Villa at home should be a doozy. Then it's City (H) and Chelsea (A) after that.

Here's keeping those fingers crossed.

Man United v Spurs - Is this the turning point?

Guardian match report here and Michael Cox's analysis is here.

Clearly, this is what the players are capable of.

In my earlier post, I predicted a score draw, but Spurs never looked likely to claw their way back after a wonderful start from United.

Carrick released Fellaini with a first-time slide rule pass into the box, and Mop Head finished with aplomb. Then Carrick guided in a header inside the box, and after only 30 mins, United were 2-0 up.

Wayne Rooney then did something I haven't seen him do in a while, rampaging past a static defence to put United beyond reach. The rest of the game was comfortably seen out, and even Rafael and Andreas Pereira got a run out.

Spurs defenders were easily knocked over, but this game showed that United have the capacity to play on the ground to devastating effect. Crisp passing, good tempo, and clever running created (easy looking) chances that were tucked away.

Key man for me was Carrick - his guile and calmness on the ball were terribly missed, in my view. Herrera and Mata linked up well in midfield too. And this game is further proof that Rooney does not belong in midfield, and Ashley Young is a better left winger than a left wing-back.

Looking ahead, United have their tails up going into their next game, Liverpool at Anfield. Hopefully, Louis van Gaal goes into that game with the same mindset, looking to attack Liverpool's weaknesses rather than trying to stifle their attack.

MH 370 - A year on

It's been a year since MH 370 disappeared with 239 persons on board. As we approach this heart-breaking anniversary, there have been a couple of new theories that have cropped up, like here, and here.

The only thing we know for sure is that the bloody expensive search in the inhospitable seas off west Australian has been futile so far. Most of the experts assigned to the search agree that the data shows the plane went down in that area, but other theories persist.

I found out about this tragedy on the morning of my usual Saturday soccer session, when my Twitter feed exploded with the news of the disappearance of MH 370.

The news then hit home hard when a friend sat down, in the midst of our usually boisterous games, looking rather ashen. He was working his mobile phone non-stop, and he explained that his brother was a MH pilot and he was due to fly that same morning.

It wasn't until a couple of hours later that he managed to reach his family back in KL, who told him his brother was safe in Australia.

It's been emotionally difficult keeping up with news on MH 370, and I can only imagine how much harder it must be for the families of the ones who have perished or remain lost.

I can only pray that closure comes soon for everyone involved.

Man United remaining EPL fixtures - is 4th place likely?

These are Man U's last 11 games of the season.

According to Arsene Wenger, 72 points is the cut-off for the Champion's League places, so essentially we need 22 points from these 11 games. Let's see if this is possible.

Newcastle (A) - This would have been a tough proposition earlier in the season, but after Pardew left, Newcastle have been poor. I'd expect a close win, so 3 points here.

Spurs (H) - Spurs will want to bounce back after their dispiriting loss in the League Cup Final, and they are a tough match-up. I'd expect a score draw, so 1 point.

Liverpool (A) - Very tasty game. It'd be at least 2 to 3 goals separating both teams at the end, either way, but more likely in favour of Liverpool, who have an amazing 8-1-0 EPL record their last 9 games. 0 points

A Villa (H) - This should be a straightforward win. Anything less would be disappointing. Damn, I might have just jinxed this. 3 points

M City (H) - First of a run of 3 very tough games. This will be a close one, and I'd take a draw, to be fair. 1 point

Chelsea (A) - If Chelsea are > 7 points ahead by this game, they might just relax a little. But probably not. 1 point would be great.

Everton (A) - Again, a tough match up. But Martinez's teams always have a few weaknesses at the back, and MU might just sneak a win here. 3 points

WBA (H) - This needs to be a win, and nothing less. The 2-2 draw at the Hawthorns was quite unforgivable, so redemption is due. 3 points

C Palace (A) - Again, if we are to qualify, this has to be a win. 3 points

Arsenal (H) - If it all comes to pass, United would be coming off a 3 win streak heading into this (likely) decider for Champions League places, and with their tails up. Or United could be coming off a terrible loss, and needing a win (which will likely mean a loss at the end of the day). 1 point

Hull (A) - Last game of the season, and if United's players aren't putting their everything into this game for 3 points, then van Gaal might have a lot more to do during the summer. 3 points

Totalling up the above, we come to the (unsurprising) tally of .... 22 points! So, that means we are going to qualify! Yay!


*Disclaimer - all the above are just guesses, hor. And Arsenal finished 4th last year with 79 points. So please don't bet on any of the above outcomes. I'm not responsible for any monetary loss you might incur. So there.

Man U fans need to stop pining for Alex Ferguson

Manchester United fans must stop pining for Sir Alex Ferguson's champagne football - that era is over - from Gary Neville.

Read this earlier, but forgot to post this. Neville is a very intelligent football guy - always worth a read or listen.

I like this paragraph in particular -

"This idea that United are lucky is wrong. Luck expires in an unbeaten run after three or four games. One defeat in 19 is not luck. Then again some of the big signings of the last 18 months are still well below their peak. They are not performing anywhere near full tilt. That’s a concern. In the next two or three months those star names have to perform or will find themselves under pressure."

Just your regular Monday afternoon bitching session ...

Here's the thing.

I'm having breakfast at Yakun @ Parkway Parade with my younger girl. We managed to get a booth seat, but after about 15 minutes or so, the place filled up quickly (Parkway regulars will know this).

I was having a conversation with the daughter when this Chinese lady about 60 to 65 years old, suddenly came right up to my face and asked if we were going to be done soon. Really, right up in my face. And loudly too. Startled the cr*p out of me.

Neh-mine.

Told her with a smile that, no, we're not going to be done any time soon.

She then disappeared with her husband and after a few more minutes, she plonked herself down on a spare stool at someone else's table.

And started staring at me (or my general direction - I could be exaggerating). 

Literally, it was like this -

Ok, to be fair, she didn't look like this guy here (who's auditioning for a talent show, but I digress).

But still, that's how it felt. Every time I look up at my daughter I can see this crazy old lady staring at me. WTF.

So I try this tactic (which usually works). I stared right back at her.

Except, her super powers were far greater than mine. She didn't even blink! NB. Fail.

Her husband then found another table elsewhere, cos I can hear (and see) her telling her husband, "No! I'm not sitting there cos it's too hot there and I want to wait here." Then she resumes her unflinching stare.

In face of such power, I gave up. I finished up my kopi peng and got ready to go. 

Before I could even get out of my seat, and before daughter had even stood up, she was already beside my table and beckoning her husband over.

Now, this is what got me thinking.

Should I have done what every bloody person seems to be doing nowadays, ie SHAME her, STOMP her, etc? (For the non-locals, this means taking a photo of her fugly mug, and sticking it on Facebook).

Or am I being too "ngiao" about this?

The Great SIM Card Heist

The Great SIM Heist - from The Intercept

I've had this saved on my Pocket reading list for a while, and just got round to it.

This couple of paragraphs say it all -

"With these stolen encryption keys, intelligence agencies can monitor mobile communications without seeking or receiving approval from telecom companies and foreign governments. Possessing the keys also sidesteps the need to get a warrant or a wiretap, while leaving no trace on the wireless provider’s network that the communications were intercepted. Bulk key theft additionally enables the intelligence agencies to unlock any previously encrypted communications they had already intercepted, but did not yet have the ability to decrypt."

And,

"Leading privacy advocates and security experts say that the theft of encryption keys from major wireless network providers is tantamount to a thief obtaining the master ring of a building superintendent who holds the keys to every apartment. “Once you have the keys, decrypting traffic is trivial,” says Christopher Soghoian, the principal technologist for the American Civil Liberties Union. “The news of this key theft will send a shock wave through the security community."

This basically means US and UK spies can (and probably have) gone through everything you do on your smartphone. But only if you're an interesting person lah. Like DSAI.

One more thought - the spies also probably have all the iCloud-hacked nude celebrity pictures already.

Manchester United 2-0 Sunderland

BBC Sport report here.

It was a terribly nervous start, with both Smalling and Evans, even Rojo giving the ball away. After 20-25 mins, they settled down, and basically camped in Sunderland's half until the break.

Despite this, we only got the breakthrough from a penalty, and only closed out the game after good work from Januzaj down the right.

This game illustrates why Herrera and Blind should start for United every game, if they are fit. In fact, once Carrick is fit, I'd slot him in the centre of defence with Rojo (who is really not great, but the best of our current CBs), and leave Blind as DM.

Rooney should be starting up top as well every game. He's currently the sharpest of our forwards (not saying much), and his brace show he's the better option to Falcao. It's a pity Wilson didn't get a chance, but on current form, Rooney has to start as striker.

Di Maria is clearly struggling but his struggles do not hide the fact that he's our best creative outlet at present. He delivered dangerous crosses, and his dribbling got us free kicks in good areas. Yes, he's being bundled over too easily, and he's losing possession too much, but he needs games, and Mata isn't clearly a better option right now. Chopping and changing isn't going to improve fluidity and understanding amongst our forwards.

Falcao is another matter, though. He is clearly not the player he was, but it's not clear why this is so. It simply can't be his previous knee injury, so it's more likely his confidence that's shot, and him being dropped to the bench every other game surely doesn't help this. His runs area also being mis-timed; there was a great run and cross from Ashley Young (who did a good job last night) into the six yard box that had Falcao's name all over it, but he was at the top of the penalty box instead.

His quality isn't in question - it was a brilliant touch and turn before O'Shea pulled him back, and if not for that foul, he'd have scored a great goal.

van Gaal is right to say Di Maria just needs time to settle, but I'm not too sure about Falcao now. Just a couple of weeks ago, I believed that Falcao at $43m pounds would still be a better buy than anyone else out there, but if Woodward can find another top striker for around $30-35m in the summer, it might represent better value than Falcao at the moment.