Second acts are always tough. For every great sequel -- think 'The Empire Strikes Back' -- there are countless second offerings that, although okay, pale in comparison to the originals -- 'Die Hard 2', 'Predator 2', 'Wayne's World 2' etc.
I have no idea what Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite movie is. I'd guess it's a close tie between 'The Fast and the Furious' or 'Finding Nemo'. (Sorry, adult titles excluded.) Either way, the tricksy Portuguese winger (or should it just be attacker) is going to be clearly in the spotlight this season as Manchester United tries to three-peat the Premier League spoils and double up in the Champions League.
Through about a month in the season -- without the presumed 2008 Player of the Year -- United hasn't exactly looked like world beaters. On paper, especially with the addition of Born Again Berbatov and maybe a little less with Gary Neville, the Red Devils look even stronger than last year's roll squad. Given time to gel, you'd have to assume an attack featuring Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Nani, Giggs, etc. will produce goals.
Okay, it might only be three games, but the top scored so far for United is Darren Fletcher with two. It seems clearer that a free-roaming Rooney might produce a nice workrate, but not a ton of goals.
That's where Ronaldo comes in. Opposing defenses have to know where the No. 7 shirt is on the field at all times. Not only does this get the lesser defenders thinking twice, it should open up a ton of space for the rest of the attack. Of course, we don't exactly know where Sir Alex Ferguson will plant Ronaldo in the starting XI, since he can play almost any attacking position.
The question still remains is if Ronaldo can somehow match last season's incredible goal haul, where he netted 31 times in 34 league matches. That is frankly astounding and with the new attackers, it's nearly impossible to think he'll do it again.
The other question to ask is hunger. Will Ronaldo and United be as hungry (or as lucky some would say) the second and third time around?
Ronaldo shrunk on the big stage of Euro 2008 with Portugal. He can erase that and make a statement that 2008-09 is going to be more of the same with a great display Sunday against Chelsea at fortress Stamford Bridge.
And if he cuts John Terry hand off with a light saber at in the 90th minute? More power to him.
Saturday
* Sunderland v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta 7 a.m.) This is a listed as a rivalry match, but not exactly one where the entire riot division police are called out. Tuncay is out a couple weeks for Middlesbrough, which is too bad since he's a fun guy to watch play. At least Mido seems to have been reborn, for better or worse. Sunderland seems to be a work in proccess. ... Sunderland 1, Middlesbrough 1
* Blackburn Rovers v. Fulham -- (Delayed, Setanta 12:15 p.m) Are Rovers horrible? Is Fulham actually good? These questions and more ... or not, will be answered Saturday at Ewood Park. ... Blackburn 1, Fulham 0
* Liverpool v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) For once, Liverpool can put the pressure on Cheslea by putting three points and enjoy first place by itself for 20 hours. Steven Gerrard looks fit, we'll see about Fro Torres. Either way, should be a long day for Stoke, which is feisty but could get blitzed at Anfield, which doesn't have any protests scheduled, I think. ... Liverpool 3, Stoke City 0
* West Ham United v. Newcastle United -- (Live, FSC 10 a.m.) Welcome to my nightmare. ... West Ham 2, Newcastle 1
* Bolton v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I made the mistake of doubting Arsenal on the road last week at Blackburn, not again, though the Trotters might put up more of a fight. ... Bolton 1, Arsenal 2
Sunday
* West Bromich Albion v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta 7 a.m.) Now, friends, this is a true English derby match. Though it's not as heated as West Brom/Wolves or Villa/Birmingham City, it's definitely a match the fans will be up for on both sides. Each team is one of the "orginal football league" teams, which means something to history buffs, I guess. West Brom might have found its scoring touch last week against West Ham and Villa might be the toughest matchup for any team due to its speed. That, coupled with the atmosphere, should lead to some goals. ... West Brom 2, Aston Villa 2
* Chelsea v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC 9 a.m.) The big game. Chelsea can go nine points clear of United with a win, and it might be early but that's a lot of ground to catch up against Chelsea, which won't drop points very often. With Vidic out for United, Wes Brown might get shifted inside, which isn't good for anybody. Chelsea should do what they always do at home -- win. ... Chelsea 1, Manchester United 0
* Manchester City v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) Call it the Benjani Bowl. ... City 1, Portsmouth 2
* Hull City v. Everton -- Who do you like more in this one? A well-rested, confident Hull City at home? Or a fatigued UEFA Cupped, Everton away? If Hull City can get something here, we have to take them seriously. ... Hull 1, Everton 1
* Tottenham v. Wigan -- Monday I ripped into Gomes and Spurs in generally. Tottenham should be better as time goes by, though I question where the leadership and grit will be provided from. Wigan, on the other hand, is about as grimy as it gets, which isn't a bad thing. Switching gears, imagine if Spurs had the foresight to see that Berbatov was as good as gone in the summer and spent some of that money or tried to work out a loan for Wigan's Amr Zaky? Good bet they wouldn't be in last place after four matches. ... Spurs 2, Wigan 1
Last week: 2-8 (boo, hiss, rotten fruit thrown at me!)
Season: 17-22
I have no idea what Cristiano Ronaldo's favorite movie is. I'd guess it's a close tie between 'The Fast and the Furious' or 'Finding Nemo'. (Sorry, adult titles excluded.) Either way, the tricksy Portuguese winger (or should it just be attacker) is going to be clearly in the spotlight this season as Manchester United tries to three-peat the Premier League spoils and double up in the Champions League.
Through about a month in the season -- without the presumed 2008 Player of the Year -- United hasn't exactly looked like world beaters. On paper, especially with the addition of Born Again Berbatov and maybe a little less with Gary Neville, the Red Devils look even stronger than last year's roll squad. Given time to gel, you'd have to assume an attack featuring Ronaldo, Berbatov, Rooney, Tevez, Nani, Giggs, etc. will produce goals.
Okay, it might only be three games, but the top scored so far for United is Darren Fletcher with two. It seems clearer that a free-roaming Rooney might produce a nice workrate, but not a ton of goals.
That's where Ronaldo comes in. Opposing defenses have to know where the No. 7 shirt is on the field at all times. Not only does this get the lesser defenders thinking twice, it should open up a ton of space for the rest of the attack. Of course, we don't exactly know where Sir Alex Ferguson will plant Ronaldo in the starting XI, since he can play almost any attacking position.
The question still remains is if Ronaldo can somehow match last season's incredible goal haul, where he netted 31 times in 34 league matches. That is frankly astounding and with the new attackers, it's nearly impossible to think he'll do it again.
The other question to ask is hunger. Will Ronaldo and United be as hungry (or as lucky some would say) the second and third time around?
Ronaldo shrunk on the big stage of Euro 2008 with Portugal. He can erase that and make a statement that 2008-09 is going to be more of the same with a great display Sunday against Chelsea at fortress Stamford Bridge.
And if he cuts John Terry hand off with a light saber at in the 90th minute? More power to him.
Saturday
* Sunderland v. Middlesbrough -- (Live, Setanta 7 a.m.) This is a listed as a rivalry match, but not exactly one where the entire riot division police are called out. Tuncay is out a couple weeks for Middlesbrough, which is too bad since he's a fun guy to watch play. At least Mido seems to have been reborn, for better or worse. Sunderland seems to be a work in proccess. ... Sunderland 1, Middlesbrough 1
* Blackburn Rovers v. Fulham -- (Delayed, Setanta 12:15 p.m) Are Rovers horrible? Is Fulham actually good? These questions and more ... or not, will be answered Saturday at Ewood Park. ... Blackburn 1, Fulham 0
* Liverpool v. Stoke City -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) For once, Liverpool can put the pressure on Cheslea by putting three points and enjoy first place by itself for 20 hours. Steven Gerrard looks fit, we'll see about Fro Torres. Either way, should be a long day for Stoke, which is feisty but could get blitzed at Anfield, which doesn't have any protests scheduled, I think. ... Liverpool 3, Stoke City 0
* West Ham United v. Newcastle United -- (Live, FSC 10 a.m.) Welcome to my nightmare. ... West Ham 2, Newcastle 1
* Bolton v. Arsenal -- (Live, FSC, 12:30 p.m.) I made the mistake of doubting Arsenal on the road last week at Blackburn, not again, though the Trotters might put up more of a fight. ... Bolton 1, Arsenal 2
Sunday
* West Bromich Albion v. Aston Villa -- (Live, Setanta 7 a.m.) Now, friends, this is a true English derby match. Though it's not as heated as West Brom/Wolves or Villa/Birmingham City, it's definitely a match the fans will be up for on both sides. Each team is one of the "orginal football league" teams, which means something to history buffs, I guess. West Brom might have found its scoring touch last week against West Ham and Villa might be the toughest matchup for any team due to its speed. That, coupled with the atmosphere, should lead to some goals. ... West Brom 2, Aston Villa 2
* Chelsea v. Manchester United -- (Live, FSC 9 a.m.) The big game. Chelsea can go nine points clear of United with a win, and it might be early but that's a lot of ground to catch up against Chelsea, which won't drop points very often. With Vidic out for United, Wes Brown might get shifted inside, which isn't good for anybody. Chelsea should do what they always do at home -- win. ... Chelsea 1, Manchester United 0
* Manchester City v. Portsmouth -- (Live, Setanta 10 a.m.) Call it the Benjani Bowl. ... City 1, Portsmouth 2
* Hull City v. Everton -- Who do you like more in this one? A well-rested, confident Hull City at home? Or a fatigued UEFA Cupped, Everton away? If Hull City can get something here, we have to take them seriously. ... Hull 1, Everton 1
* Tottenham v. Wigan -- Monday I ripped into Gomes and Spurs in generally. Tottenham should be better as time goes by, though I question where the leadership and grit will be provided from. Wigan, on the other hand, is about as grimy as it gets, which isn't a bad thing. Switching gears, imagine if Spurs had the foresight to see that Berbatov was as good as gone in the summer and spent some of that money or tried to work out a loan for Wigan's Amr Zaky? Good bet they wouldn't be in last place after four matches. ... Spurs 2, Wigan 1
Last week: 2-8 (boo, hiss, rotten fruit thrown at me!)
Season: 17-22
Labels: cristiano ronaldo, Prem League, Premier League, Soccer
And if he cuts John Terry hand off with a light saber at in the 90th minute? More power to him.
Brialliant!
Actually, if that would happen, all we would have to hear about is how "courageous" Terry is. Blech.