The Special One Has Never Heard of Me

By: Daryl | March 26th, 2009

I was looking forward to a possible war of words with Jose Mourinho (still Inter boss in 2011, and surprisingly happy). But seems I’m not really on his Special radar yet, as he has “no opinion” of me.

Which actually hurts more than if he’d badmouthed me.

Maybe I’d make sure the Portugueezer remembered me after his trip to St. James’ Park…

vs Inter (home)

Champions League Matchday 1

You may recall that Camacho is injured, Veloso ineligible. And at the last minute I decided young Lars Lien wasn’t up to the task (in four apps so far he’s averaged 6.66). So 35 year old Belletti (the man directly responsible for our ticket to the big show) got the nod at DM.

We made a great start. Young Ryan Bertrand was more than a match for Alexis Sanchez, Rusol had Ibrahimovic contained, and we basically passed Inter off the park for the fist half an hour. The Pog got on the end of a Bertrand, Digeo, Lewandowski move, and beat Julio Cesar from about 15 yards out in the 26th minute. Suck it Special One.

But everything changed in the 33rd, when Andrei Ashavin got injured. Fleck was suspended and Marquinhos just back from injury. So young George Wijnaldum came on… and we never looked the same.

Basically, our game is based on width and beating players down the wings. Wijnaldum has all the potential in the world, but none of the pace. So even though he finished the game with a 6.9, that was based on a lot of sideways passes.

In first half stoppage time, Inter equalized through a Daniele Dessena (who they just signed from Sampdoria) header. And then he did it again in the 55th. With Jonas tired and Wijnaldum slow, I just didn’t have a threat to offer, especially after I used all my subs and then Diego injured his ankle.

Result: L 2-1

Only good news is that Anderlecht – my rivals for second place – drew 1-1 with AaB. So I’m bottom with zero points, but have a chance to redeem myself next matchday away to Anderlecht.

As Wayne said in the last post… “That first defeat hurts bad.” Agreed.

But at least it wasn’t in the league. And I now have a home game against WBA to get back on track.