"Alan Pardew has come out and criticised me," said Ferguson. "He is the worst for haranging referees. His whole staff, every game. He was at it the whole game on Wednesday.
"He shoves a referee then makes a joke of it and he's got the cheek to criticise me. It's unbelievable and he forgets the help I've given him by the way.
"The Press have addressed every possible avenue over this. The only one they've left out is Barack Obama! He's too busy.
"That's unfortunate but I'm the manager of the most famous club in the world. I'm not at Newcastle, a wee club in the north-east. But that's a fact of life.
"I was demonstrative, but I was not out of order. But that's the way I am. I'm an emotional guy.
"Some managers [Pardew] shove linesmen on the pitch and make a joke of it. I'm not making a joke of it. It was a serious decision and I think the goal should have been disallowed.
"The problem for me and Manchester United is that the profile of the club is huge."
__________________ "I think the eye test is still good, but analytics can sure give you confirmation: what you see...is that what you really believe?" Scotty Bowman, 0 NHL games played
Though day for West Ham. Statistically their best game possession and passing wise, just no luck putting the ball in the net. I get the feeling they are going to actively be pursing some players in January (interesting stuff about Diame and Carroll out) and no real clear targets coming in (chamakh)? Good to see Vaz Te and Colllison back in the starting lineup.
Edit: hurts to lose noble and Nolan next match.
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'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'
It seemed like the dream move for Luka Modric and Alex Song when they swapped their trophyless misery in North London for the silver-lined world of La Liga’s top two clubs.
As their transfers from Tottenham and Arsenal went through last summer, they could have been forgiven for fantasising about becoming the darlings of the Bernabeu and the Nou Camp, of rivalling Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi for the fans’ affections.
The reality, however, turned out to be rather different. Far from being taken to the bosom of, respectively, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Modric and Song have been voted the worst two signings of 2012. Four months after arriving, it doesn’t suggest they’ve made a great first impression.
Luke Modric is a top-end talent and dare I say, world class player. I am surprised he isn't playing very much or having any success (thus far). As a gooner I was glad to see him transferred, although I fear/feared they might reinvest the money well and pass us.
Whereas Alex Song is a serviceable player, he is very average. The fee made it a no-brainer for Arsenal. I am not sure why Barcelona thought he would make them better, or at least fit into their team (presumably the point of making a transfer). Perhaps he still proves me wrong, but Song's play and inability to establish himself at Barcelona were both very predictable. Maybe he is Cesc's buddy and he is there to help him settle home. Although if that were the case they could have signed Senderos for a lot cheaper (he still plays occasionally for Fulham in case anyone was wondering).
Some terrible calls today against Norwich and of course Arsenal given more points from the refs with the awful non-call on the Southampton goal.
I'm glad it wasn't just me (and my canary-tinted glasses) thinking that. It was pretty disappointing for Clattenburg to set the tone like that. Yes, there was grabbing by both guys, and a little more by the Norwich player. But if you are going to set that sort of standard with a penalty within two minutes, you can't let the same stuff slide for the rest of the match.
That being said, officiating aside, Norwich never looked like they were going to get any points yesterday. They're missing Grant Holt in a big way.
Sturridge is official. It will be nice to have more then one senior striker available. Borini should be back in the next week or two as well.
I like Ba quite a bit, but it is a bit worrisome to have a guy whose knee is a ticking time bomb. I could see him doing well at Chelsea though if he can stay healthy. He seems a very effective player.
“Such suburban models are being rationalized as ‘what people want,’ when in fact they are simply what is most expedient to produce. The truth is that what people want is a decent place to live, not just a suburban version of a decent place to live.”