Transformers 4

There's a fine line between gamesmanship and provocation. It's called 'Stewards'. Or in some cases, Referees.In cases like mine, a few close friends. But apparently, there's no point of difference when it comes to being overwhelmed with emotion in a cup final and that too for two teams that I do not support, and just being blatantly stupid; as was the case with me last night when Arsenal took on Birmingham City.

Here's the setting.
The Arsenal Mumbai Supporters Club (AMSC) held a get together for Arsenal fans at a local suburban restaurant-turned "Private Screening" to showcase the Arsenal v/s Birmingham Carling Cup Final on a sunday night. Now, unlike a Manchester United Cafe, Arsenal fans do not have a commercialized home where they can enter anytime they want and enjoy a game without any major worries of where, when, how well will it be organized, entry fees, accommodation, beverage and food rations and... you get what I'm saying right? So, all this was taken care of by creating event forums on facebook among other social websites. Arsenal fans were really coming together for a cause they believed in that would yield their first trophy in over 6 years. And when I got there, I felt a sense of hope, 'togetherness' and pride. I was really happy to see a few committed supporters bring together a larger group of like minded people and help make the experience of watching a final, their very own little Emirates. Well done I say. A neutral would've enjoyed the atmosphere thoroughly and got every rupee worth of beer and tacos even if they were a wee bit flat and salsa-less. Anyway, as it turned out, there happened to be a priceless blood diamond, me; a gem of a football lover that every fan inside that room would want to get his hands on. Cue Leonardo Dicaprio.

Now, for a fierce 30-40 minute period in the game. And, the No Point of Difference.
The restaurant was packed! Over 160 fans in a sea of Red and White. In my opinion, only 4 or 5 would get that medal of extreme bravery and fighting off what would be a storm of Arsenal supporters converging to drown out a life boat in the middle of nowhere with a fog-horn of a whistle. What was the poor rafter thinking of weathering such a mighty storm, I don't know. My guess was that he wasn't thinking.
So here I was, a rose amongst thorns waiting to puncture me till I was nothing more than a plain rubber costume. Still degradable, fortunately. I was the only guy in that arena who dawned on a blueish shirt to callously support Birmingham City, a team I'm not even fond of. However, I'm quite aware I made it known to the other guys which team I was backing right from kick off. They'd go:
clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP, ARSENAL!!! ARSENAL!!!
clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP, ARSENAL!!! ARSENAL!!!
clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP, ARSENAL!!! ARSENAL!!! (city!)
clap clap CLAP CLAP CLAP, ARSENAL!!! ARSENAL!!! (city!)
- that (city!) was my shrilled shriek between every ARSENAL!!! and clap of the next line.

Next Verse :
Rooooobin Van Persie, Roooooobin Van Persie, clap clap, clap clap.
Rooooobin Van Persie, Roooooobin Van Persie, clap clap, clap clap.
Rooooobin Van Persie, Roooooobin Van Persie, clap clap, clap clap.
Rooooobin Van Persie, Roooooobin Van Persie, Fos  Ter,  Fos Ter.

So now naturally, a few eyes were staring in my direction and I couldn't care less. Mistake. I was here. Determined. Adamant is more like it and I wanted to be heard as well. Bigger mistake.
The game was end to end. City, if you watched were not sitting quiet and Foster did play well in goal making a string of early saves. So just to get under some people's skins, I'd stand up clapping and hailing Foster's heroics; my once very much hated figure between the two posts during his time at United. But i thought, what the heck as this went on for about thirty minutes and no one said anything. I think they were being more polite at letting me stay in. I don't think that for a second, neither of us would know how I'd react to a Birmingham goal. But we did find out shortly afterwards.
32' - Zigic scores. I jump up in the air! I wave my fists about like giving bad directions at a traffic signal.
32' - Come ON!!!! YEAHHHH!!!! BLODDY HELLLL YEAAAH!!!!
32' - The rest remain silent.
33' - WHOAREYA! WHOAREYA! WHOAREYA! WHOAREYA!!!
33' - Stunned arsenal faces. Disbelieving. More of what I think of whats happening in here rather than just having conceded a goal!
34' - They gather some voices of sheer frustration at me rather than wanting to drown me out. I thought it  was a poor effort,
34' - Tempers start to heat up and I get back to my seat telling the others it's just a game.
34' - Two of the main Organizers ask me to cool it and restrain myself throughout the rest of the game.
34' - There's one very noticeably drunk fan who's abusing me with every cuss word in the Prictionary.
35' - My close friend intervenes to settle down some nerves and we all return to our seats. Me, still being rightfully abused.
36' - While there's still murmuring, another friend tells me, you should leave in the 40th. I tell him, I should leave right now. Another friend I've known since I was baby, an understandably over-protective woman suggested I leave immediately after I suggested the same to her two-seconds before she brought down the gavel.
36' - I sneak out the back with my friends accompanying me to my car, now quite frankly, quivering with fear out of sheer stupidity.
37' - I get into my car after being made to wait for what was the longest 30 seconds of my life on the street where I don't live.
38' - I drive off as fast as I could riding my luck thinking of what might have been an uneventful evening for both parties had I stayed on and the problems I would've caused my arsenal friends.
39' - You've got a message! Bob: We just put one in. RVP 1-1.

Yeah, I know, stupid but lucky. You could say, Stucky - like the guy from Pretty Woman, only without the sexual harassment.

From then on, I could only imagine that the people there were scavenging for me, waiting to tear me up into pieces and leave me to rot in the red sea.
I continued to drive. Not looking back once. Got to a friends place and watched the second half as Birmingham were gifted a trophy right at the death. I wasn't laughing. Just a smirk, but that was it.

Here's the Realization - of being a total arse, Understanding - that I was a total arse and Maturity - Never again will I want to be a total arse.
I know what it's like to be a fan. I support Manchester United. I can understand the emotions you get caught up in during a game. The excitement and the atmosphere around you get to you. You get drawn in and you become a part of it. It is an amazing feeling, one of the best! I've been there when I sided with Arsenal against Chelsea a few years ago and you want to be part of something. Now, said emotions and me tipping off Arsenal for a win is irrelevant after what happened. I just wanted to spoke someone's wheels. In my case those wheels that I irrationally tried to put a stop to belonged to a boeing 747. Or two of them one on top of each other... with one drunk pilot. What I was doing there supporting a club just out of trying to get under 160 odd home fans was stupidity. One or two are okay. 160 is pushing it a bit too much. Just to try and prove that my voice could be louder that yours attitude would've gotten my jaw facing my right shoulder. Then, you could probably say, were I to play the soprano saxophone, I'd be the Indian Kenny G.
I disrespected the occasion for all the Arsenal fans. I took away something from them and me by being an older version of me. I could've sat out the entire game and see them leave the pub with hanging heads and punched walls. We could have both enjoyed a special night although, it would've been me having the last laugh. But like I said before, just couldn't laugh. It's like the embarrassment I caused myself, did me in.
I betrayed the trust of a few friends and their privilege of ever being allowed to be part of another event in the future. I don't want to sound condescending, but I hope that the generally good natured side of any arsenal fan that I've ever seen will get the better of them. Except for that one guy who possibly created some new cusses while he gargled them in his beer and spat them out at me. That's the kind of balance you need within the fan base. Not some punk kid who thinks he's been there and seen it all to try and pull off a stunt quite mad as this one.

For now, its only the Man United Cafe for me. I'll always be a neutral and never take sides when my team aren't performing. Eph that, it's just not worth it. I'm still learning, I'm wiser now and, I know that for sure being a mouse in the lions den has changed the way I watch my surroundings and treat my meals.

Right down to the wire

I'm going to try and stray away from my unusually unbiased nature that is Pro-Manchester United as I analyze the remainder of the Premier League Season which has approximately 11-12 games left. Maybe Just about enough to turn this table back on its head or back onto its feet, whichever one you prefer. I'd like to see us win obviously ( oops here I start... ) but I know or rather hope that It will be a close finish between the top 5 clubs. I think that the League is far from winding down and there are only more hurdles left to overcome faced by the competing clubs within close proximity. Whether its Manchester United having to still face Chelsea twice, Arsenal and Liverpool away, or Arsenal having to face Stoke home and away, Bolton, and Blackpool. Don't Laugh! This year's competition has been magnificent and the teams struggling to survive the fall have played with determination, will and more importantly, without fear. So I would not rule out the odd defeat to a West Ham or my personal favourite outside the top four or five; Wigan Athletic.

I had a look at the performance charts of Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea because, lets face it, these are the three top clubs that have got what it takes to win a championship. United began very very slowly drawing many of their away games and while they've only dropped two points at home they only won one game away from home in 5 attempts; that elusive first win coming against Stoke. They've been very sturdy in defense and When Chris Smalling has been called into action, to replace an otherwise magnificent Ferdinand, he's been excellent. So if United are not killing off teams, its only because we lack creativity and penetration in midfield, and under-confident finishing in the final third. Man united have not been at their best but have used that vital experience in containing the the opposition's offense most of the time and their never say die attitude to win the game from a losing position. It's worked for us at times this season and it is experience that will win United its 19th title, if they can contain the other teams.
Inspirational : Ryan Giggs.
Top Goal Scorer by the end: Dimitar Berbatov
Stepping up to the plate : Nani
Stand out Player : Nemanja Vidic
Needs to step up : Wayne Rooney

Arsenal began well I have to say, only second best to Chelsea but inconsistent performances at home to Newcastle, neighbours Tottenham Hotspurs, and lowly West Brom, have seen them forfeit that 1st place a couple of times only after two games each. Otherwise, they've performed well on the road but if they are to win this years competition, they have to first hold on to leads especially because they have the ability to win this year more than the previous seasons might have suggested. They play outstanding football, the best I've seen this year and were they to actually win the title, I wouldn't be too disappointed. But, that inexperience in holding on for the victory and loss in concentration in defending in the final 20 minutes of games might prove costly for them especially since they're only four points behind United, who I see slipping up again. They need to combine that flair for playing the beautiful game with maturity in seeing the matches out and ' get the job done '
Inspirational: Robin van Persie
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Robin van Persie
Stepping up to the plate : Alexander Song
Stand out Player : Samir Nasri
Needs to step up : Cesc Fabregas

I think we all thought that Chelsea would be run away champions after the first 7 games. Just one loss to Manchester City among 6 wins. But the loss of their talisman Frank Lampard for a very long spell proved to be the defining period of their campaign so far where they won just 10 points out of a possible 33. A thumping defeat at home to Sunderland would not only signal a loss of form but also, a massive loss of confidence. Even with Frank Lampard back, they did manage to win 3 back to back games but they still sit 12 points behind first place, sitting pretty uncomfortably in 5th, two points behind Tottenham. Adding Torres worth 50 million pounds for me was far from a great buy because he seems to be in the same mood that the rest of the team were in after that loss to Sunderland, as he was with Liverpool and thats just a waste of money for Abramovic. He's that desperate to win the Champions League I guess. I have ruled them out of the League after drawing against Fulham last night. They've all but conceded their title to either Manchester United or Arsenal.
Inspirational : Anelka.
Top Goal Scorer by the end : Didier Drogba
Stepping up to the plate : Anelka
Stand out Player : Ramires
Needs to step up : Frank Lampard

Spurs are outside favourites and I personally believe that Man City don't have the ability to go the distance simply because they as a team are very inexperienced and do just as well as the Blackpools and Wolverhamptons against the top clubs. Its the mental strength of the clubs that will see them push forward for some glory whether its the Championship or a Champions League spot. And I would tip Tottenham Hotspurs to win this battle. Remember that Manchester City are a team of players bought to win trophies and team chemistry isn't built upon in 2 years although it certainly has made them a threat to other title contenders. Spurs on the other hand have been a work in progress and Harry Redknapp has been their best manager in the last two or three seasons to have made a difference to the North London outfit by carefully buying his players and some great business made off the sales of Berbatov, Keane ( to Liverpool for 20 million and then buying him back for 10 - what a deal ), Michael Carrick, and there be more to follow. Coming back to the title race, They look more confident than City and less pressured into winning competitions although the drive and will to succeed does come from the manager and trickles down to the players and they play some brilliant football, and even get the results many people would have predicted otherwise. So even if Harry doesn't win anything year, he'll stay. Man City, on the other hand, has a lot more pressure to deal with; not to say that they aren't equally determined to win something but there's greater expectation there, but Mancini's days will be numbered if they don't progress after every game. Taking into account what Tottenham did at Manchester City last year to grab that UCL's spot, I see Spurs led by a revelation in the form or Van der Vaart, a lot more relaxed in pushing for some medals which is why I prefer the white outfit over the blues.

For Tottenham Hotspurs,

Inspirational : Gareth Bale 

Top Goal Scorer by the end : Van der Vaart 

Stepping up to the plate : Michael Dawson 

Stand out Player : Van der Vaart

Needs to step up : Jermaine Defoe 

For Manchester City

Inspirational : Carlos Tevez  

Top Goal Scorer by the end : Carlos Tevez

Stepping up to the plate : Vincent Kompany 

Stand out Player : David Silva 

Needs to step up : Adam Johnson

There you have it. Just an analysis of the Premier League until date and who are the contenders and who look close-to-defeated. Still, there are a lot of twists and turns ahead. Twelve odd games to go. Any match can bring about an unexpected result. Its hard to say who's going to win, and who's going to get relegated. If you have any opinions of your own, feel free to comment. 

Thanks for reading up. Enjoy the rest of the season :)

The fat lady has started to sing...

I've been on this self imposed sabbatical, largely because I'm very lazy. So now, I think its best that I write something that I've been dwelling on for the last few weeks in relation to Cristiano Roanldo, Gary Neville, Edwin Van Der Sar and Wayne Rooney. Ryan Giggs and Scholes are still giving it all they've got... and then some! What's the common thread between these arguably few of the greatest talents to have played at United while some still strut their stuff? Easy, Their all bloody brilliant at what they did and still do, mind you.

This might take a while, so grab yourself a coffee and read on...

With regard to a certain Wayne Rooney, I don't know whether to be bashful and give the lad an earful or just sit during a game and keep telling myself... don't worry, he'll get back there to his best form yet. I can be quite naive at times but as this season has progressed, we've seen some bizarre deals being done by top clubs. Torres to Chelsea, for instance. Great striker. Unfortunately, poorly out of form, and to make matters worse, a real sulker. 50 million quid. And thats just his buy-out clause. Apparently, he could have been sold for over 70 plus last year.
Thing is, as a fan, as any fan, really, you would never want to see one of your best team players leave. Yes, we feel there needs to be the kind of loyalty shown by a player just as a fan shows his undying support for his club; even if that club hasn't won any silverware in the last 6 year; that's you Arsenal. But then again, that's why you have contracts. Doesn't say anything about loyalty even in in fine print below the dotted line imposing that you pledge your loyalty to your club. Maybe the term we should be looking at here is Honour. Honour your Contract. It's a grey area. I don't know what to make of it myself if you ask me.
Even when Rooney handed in a transfer request,  sure I was shocked as hell! But honestly, I knew he wouldn't leave. I knew he'd stay. And when he did indeed pledged to honour his new contract, I said: Excellent! I didn't even think for a second that Manchester United would sell him in the future after most people would rightfully think that his stock had increased massively. Instead, I'm thinking, 'Just get your form back, start scoring and don''t make any nakra's [ tantrums ] now that you're getting a great pay package, not that you don't deserve it but you're obviously going to have not only win back united supporters but justify your weekly earnings by playing out of your skin,' which he does anyway. So I have no grudges against him. He works hard for the team got around ten assists to his name against 3 last season when he scored 35! So in my opinion, Kick on Wayne Rooney, Maybe You'll wise up one day and fire that agent of yours who made you the villain you are to some fans even today.
Wayne Rooney is a Footballer. A true footballer. Gives Heart, has the physical attributes to sustain himself on the pitch even for two games straight at times I feel, but the poor guy has less of mind unfortunately. He can be told what to do and all he needs is some convincing and you got yourself a guinea pig. I mean, we did persuade him to stay, right? Why I might sound a bit harsh although I still love the guy is because he simply stated a few months earlier that he wanted to be red devil for life. Wow. You don't turn around suddenly and demand for new signings and say or else I'm out! Anyway, he's apologized for that and I respect that. Time to move on and look forward.
By the way, who ARE we signing this summer???

Edwin VDS. A great shot stopper and that penalty save in the UEFA Champions League Final of 2008 will be the image that sticks forever in my mind. It isn't easy to replace a goal keeper especially since we've had a great keeper in Edwin. Initially only signing something like a 2 or 3 year contract, he's ended up playing 3 more than anyone really imagined! He's been great these last few years for us. It's a shame we didn't find him earlier and had to deal with clowns like Barthez and Carrol, but at least those two gave us a few good laughs. Ed, did his job like a thorough professional, was quiet off the pitch, rarely yelled at his defense, not that his defense ever needed it, produced and continues to produce great displays in goal. We could start by buying a keeper although I would tip new signing Ander's Lindegaard to stake a claim at the number one jersey come end May. As for Tomasz, I feel bad for him. Edwin has been in great form for years now and the opportunities for the current number 29 have been limited and he hasn't been able to really impress the gaffer to a great extent. But I guess, we could look forward to that later. Lets make the next 3 months count for now. The season's along way from done and we need all the clean sheets we can manage to stay on top! Come on VDS!

As you've probably heard by now, Gary Neville has retired from football with immediate effect. I couldn't be prouder of the man. I just saw his interview and he knew he had it coming. Thankfully, it was he who made the decision himself and now he's gone away gracefully with the respect of his peers, the manager and the fans rather than wilt away embarrassingly in the shadows of young Rafael, who has been magnificent ever since he played his first game in 2009.
Neville, was on the decline ever since he sustained an ankle injury against Bolton Wanderers some 3 years ago. So every time he started a game, I would never abuse him; just Alex Ferguson. Why! I would think WHY!!! But in a way, I'm happy that Fergi left that decision up to Neville. That showed respect on Sir Alex's part to a faithful professional, a footballer with a heart as firm as stone that will always read United Forever. We will miss players like him. Players from previous generations The kind of Loyalty that came about out of respect and love for a club that we are very unlikely to ever find again in the present, or the future and a man like Neville, is irreplaceable. He wore his heart on his sleeve so to speak.
Massive respect Gary. United Forever.

Ryan Giggs has without doubt been United's star player this season even more so than the last few years. He is an attacking threat and is always around to make sure that the defense isn't easily exposed. His form this season has been remarkable and an inspiration to those around him in the dressing room. His desire undiminished, his commitment unquestionable and his playmaking, unmatchable. He has even more tenacity in him than before... and he had a lot before! He's nearing 38 and is about to sign on for another year. That, by no means is an easy feat for players today competing at such a top level where the game has never been so demanding and to keep going like this, is no easy feat, but he makes it so seem so effortless. He has been Manchester United's most elegant player since the early 90's in my opinion. There's little surprise now as to why he was my hero when I was growing up, playing a full back for my school. A sweet left foot he has and still leaves the opposition licking their wounds the minute hE picks out a through ball or a gentle flick or the infamous — very easily anticipated yet unplayable step-overs on the left flank followed by a nutmeg as he cuts across in-field into the penalty box before he either passes it or has a go himself.
He is a Legend. There's no point in trying to pick out a 'successor' for this man. The name may be different atop that number 11 on the back of his jersey, but no matter how hard you try, whether you're in the stadium watching a game or sitting on the floor in your temporarily United adorned Living room with scarves and posters and jerseys and mugs and deodorants and club-crested mints, you will always see a faint "GIGGS" over the eventual unknown new number eleven.
Dirty Dancer, Giggs.

The Good, The Bad and the Quiet. Two words. Paul Scholes. Perhaps the only other player worth mentioning in the same breath along with Ryan Giggs' name. Again, irreplaceable. You always feel a sense of security when you've got Paul Scholes in your squad. There's always going to be a goal in the game when he's involved because he's at the heart of United's play when they go forward and track back. So he isn't the best tackler, but at least he's never seriously hurt any other player. He'll pick you out a 100 yards away and drop the ball right at your feet; even if you're making a run for an intended pass. 9.5/10, assuming your ball control is next to awesome, you wont be disappointed. Unfortunately, I get the feeling that his time might come to an end a wee bit earlier than Ryan Giggs' but looking at the larger picture, he's put in some 36 years of his life right at the top of the football pyramid and has never left anyone wanting more but rather, stuffed! Im actually pleasantly surprised that he's still going on and on. I say this because he's been through a few injuries which have kept him for playing good periods of regular football but he has shown tremendous resilience and determination to keep coming back and by still maintaining that hunger and owning that class in midfield where, he still is the driving force in United's engine room.

Cristiano Ronaldo. Genius. Sulker. Legend. He's only 26 now for God's sake and has already established himself as a legend amongst the greats like Best and Law at Old Trafford. I like most fans had a love-hate, more hate, relationship with him. Brilliance is an understatement. Thats why we love him. Sulked. Thats when we'd say pick your arse up and help out your defense m@$&#(#(#)0d. I'd only ever abuse people I thought or rather think that are too brilliant and yes although I'd abuse Ronaldo even now, his petulance and tantrums warrant some light abuse every now and then. But it isn't a perfect world and I wouldn't have him behave any other way. He's a special talent and I know that one day, he will return to Manchester United.
The impact he had on the opposition was unbelievable. They wouldn't know how to contain him, let alone man mark him. His skills were a joy to watch and his finishing was lethal. Always. He is a match-winner and genius can strike at any moment. Ferguson did really well to keep him another year, which also proved to be a title winning season. He did give himself to the game when he played. There was more than a touch but rather a punch of arrogance about him which lifted up the place but that's a genuine trait in the man.
If you watch any of United's games this season, its ridiculous in a great sort of way to hear the fans still singing the VIVA RONALDO song! Sometimes, for ten minutes straight as the game nears its end! Who has had a largest impact amongst the United supporters yet, is now a given. Always remembered and I feel its moments like these that will bring the United legend back home one day.
I must say that even after all the annoyance he might have caused us, and his cautious flirtings with the press when it had to do with the transfer period ( real Madrid, the joker ), he did respect the club, gave it his all, sulked like a baby and scored like a champion.
Viva Ronaldo!