We'll Keep the Red Flag Flyin High, Coz Man United will Never Die

Finally. A performance to be proud of. Vintage United was, at least in the first half against Liverpool. Pool were totally outclassed and outfought. Outfought was the main word. Epitomised by Keane and Heinze who fought for every ball there was to be won, United won all the little individual battles all over the pitch. And that set the platform for Giggs and Ronaldo to send in the crosses which time and time again troubled Liverpool. Ronaldo's skills proved particularly frustrating for Liverpool. Fast forward to the second half, and some of the failings of the second half of last season and this season came back. Sloppiness in passing and lack of concentration had cost Untied dearly and on this occasion threatened to do so again. Sloppy passing meant that freekick was conceded, and poor defending meant Carragher got a free header. Against the run of play, Liverpool had equalised. That same familiar fucked up feeling came back again. Luckily enough United scored again and looked more comfortable for the rest of the match. Finally another victory in the league, which honestly I didnt know when it would come. And the performance was pretty good too....just hoping for Rooney, Gary Neville to be fit and Scholes to be back in form and everything looks promising again.

For some reason I had surprisingly been one of the most optimistic fan among those around me. Almost all expressed concern and disappointment at the current form and the future of United. Granted I was no doubt disappointed at the results, but I saw enough in the current team to be optimistic about the present and future. In Howard, O Shea, Spector, Brown, Ferdinand, Miller, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Rooney, Smith, the future is secured. And we still have Silvestre, Keane, Scholes, GIggs, Saha and van Nistelrooy. Man for man, I would say we have as good a squad as Arsenal and Chelsea. It seems to be a bit daft to put United at third favourites for the league title. Joint second at worst I would say. Really tempted to put money on United winning the league, but afraid that I will jinx them as I NEVER win in gambling. But that's how optimistic I am. Transition period? Probably. End of an era? Fucking bollocks. Only time will tell.

But in the afternoon before the match, I received devastating news.

Dear Mr Shihua Toh,
MANCHESTER UNITED V Arsenal
OLD TRAFFORD, 24/10/2004
KICK OFF 16:05
Further to your application in respect of the above game, we have to advise
that, because we were oversubscribed, a ballot was held and unfortunately you
were unsuccessful on this occasion.
Please accept our apologies for the disappointment our response will inevitably
cause but trust you understand the difficulties we are faced with when demand
far exceeds supply.
If you would like further information, please contact the Ticket and Match
Information line on +44 (0) 870 757 1968. If you would like to apply for
tickets for another match simply visit the website at: http://www.manutd.com
Thank you for your continued support which is very much appreciated.
Yours faithfully
Mr A Chubb
Ticket Office and Turnstile Operations Manager

OH how I hate Mr Chubb...fuck him!!! screwing up my last chance of watching Arsenal live!!! AArghhh.......another season of applying tickets, waiting for tickets, and hopefully going to matches is about to commence. Hopefully my luck this season is the same as the last! No second season blues for me like John O Shea....stay tuned!