How to turn a good year bad, a plan to fail at Old Trafford

J ANUARY 07, 2014

As a player, Shebby Singh won everything there was to win in Malaysia football, and represented the country on the international stage.
The biggest nonsense I heard in 2013 was the phrase "calendar year"! Absolute bull in my opinion! Who gives two hoots about calendar year in football? It is the "football season" that matters. The gongs are handed out in May. Nobody wins anything in January or December. If you play great football from January to December and yet not win anything, then it is like falling between two stools. Anyway, the new year started off where the old year left off, with Manchester United seemingly at a dead end. The FA Cup exit at home to Swansea City has certainly meant the end seems nearer than the beginning. It takes three seasons to start winning some respectability if a team is rebuilding. Will we see Sir Alex Ferguson making a comeback soon? The global damage being done to the brand might force a rethink at Old Trafford. And do not trust SAF to choose his successor! A successor should have been groomed. If Tito Vilanova had not been ill, he would most certainly have been in charge at Barcelona to continue the legacy of Pep Guardiola. However, it is Tata Martino in charge and he is doing a good job. The injury to Leo Messi came as a blessing in disguise because for now Martino has shown he can win without the Argentine maestro. The credit for keeping the squad motivated too has to go to Martino. And there was plenty of motivation and desire on display against Elche on Sunday night. The battle for starting positions in attack and Barca always play with three has begun in earnest. There is only one place left unfilled, and with Messi and Neymar certain to start once fit, the battle between Pedro and the Chilean Dart, Alexis Sanchez was the highlight of the game. It was an Alexis hattrick that caught the eye and Pedro's assist for one of the goals was unselfish. However, Pedrito, did score one himself and his industry wore down the Elche defence. Watch this space!

The biggest challenge to Barca comes from Madrid but the El Clasico this weekend will feature Atletico and not Real. The red-and-whites of Madrid believe they can win the title but certainly not on their shapeless showing against Malaga on the weekend. They looked lopsided David Villa could not be bothered while Diego Costa was a beast, as usual. But this match-up is certainly one not to be missed. Will Atletico get physical in the mould of their tough guy Argentinian manager Diego Simeone or will Martino's motivation work to separate the two at the top? Absolutely mouthwatering! Elsewhere in the Primera Liga, the playmaking skills and vision of Ivan Rakitic ensured three very comfortable points at home to Getafe. Will Manchester United look at poaching the Croatian, as he sure can and will make a difference alongside Michael Carrick in central midfield? The Theatre of Dreams would welcome the Sevilla playmaker. He is ready for a step up and most certainly his agent would be anticipating a call. Or will nepotism get in the way? Go figure. Well, happy to note that Spurs will not have the FA Cup to worry about anymore. The Gunners, meanwhile, need to win at least one pot this season and they are hanging in there for the time being. The Spurs, however, need to qualify for the Champions League and a good run in the Europa League does provide for good preparation for the Champions League proper. It is just one step at a time for Spurs. January 7, 2014. * This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.