As United gets ready to paint Manchester Red, Micah Richards takes a backhanded slap at his own team, while praising United's "togetherness".

"United have got togetherness," the Express quotes Richards as saying. "Look at someone like Ji-Sung Park. When he doesn't play, he doesn't moan, does he? Then Sir Alex Ferguson brings him in for a lot of the big games.

It's true, Park has the talent to start on many Premiere League teams, yet, you never hear him complain when guys in front of him get starts, despite dips in form. Yet, even when City players play, they whine and moan when they have to come out, isn't that right Carlos Tevez?

"What has been hard at City is that we have 20 to 25 internationals. We all want to play and when you don't, you get upset. Sometimes that's hard to deal with. That has been the hardest thing. You don't see players at United complaining to their manager when they are taken off.

This is also because Sir Alex makes sure everyone knows that playing at Manchester United is a PRIVLAGE, not a right. Manchini isn't exactly Mr. Disipline either. He caved into Tevez's pressure, when City took a nosedive in form. Sir Alex would have told Carlos to stay home.

One of the other quotes, not in the story, that stuck out at me was this, on United's heart.

Any other season we would have enough points to win the league,” said Richards. “But they always find a way. When you play United you always know it’s drilled into them: ‘We have to win.’ Even when I was playing against them in the under-14s they would always go right to the last minute. They just never wanted to lose. Just look at their game at Chelsea when they went 3-0 down. I was watching that and, seriously, if we go down 3-0 down, we’re not coming back. I think only Man United could have done that. It shows what they’re about. Once we get a little bit of that…”

Richards may have summed it up best, with this quote...

"They have been doing this for years and it's Sir Alex's way or no way. If you don't like it, they'll get someone else. It's different here. It's all new to us. If we are going to be a strong team, we're all going to have to accept we can't play every week."

Manchini will never have this respect, because the players have no respect for themselves.

Former Toon, now Fox Soccer contributor Warren Barton had some scathing words for Rafael DaSilva after United's 4-4 draw:

Wilting under pressure is unusual for United, and while David Moyes has done a great job with Everton, United threw their lead away. The defensive problems, which were identified earlier in the season, came back to haunt United. If you want to point a finger at someone, it has to be Rafael. He was at fault for three of the four goals, and he has to take a hard, long look at himself. He is very aggressive going forward, but he doesn’t see the dirty work of defending as part of his job. The Brazilian defender was caught ball-watching, and failed to go with the runners. Sir Alex will have to address this before next week’s big match.

I have to agree 100% with Barton. Rafa has outstanding speed, he can keep up with the best strikers in the league, but he just doesn't do the small things that could take him from being a good defender to a great one. He needs to become more physical, if he wants to be an United-level defender in this league. I know he is still learning the English game, but if he wants to take over for Evra or Rio, when it's time, he's got to get better, and get better fast.

Interesting story on DDG. Not only was it the save that could win United the PL this year, but may have begun the stuff of legends.

The Spaniard said of his stop of a Juan Mata free-kick: "When you look back over a season there are lots of defining moments and key goals. But, I suppose, from a team point of view, and particularly from a personal point of view, the fact the save was right in the last minute was decisive. Possibly it gave me a huge confidence boost as well. From a personal perspective that was important."

I noticed that he was heading down the track of Tim Howard, so scared to screw up, he would make mental errors. After the Chelsea game, I noticed he's calmer.

"Football-wise there are not too many differences. The style is not too dissimilar although it is maybe slightly more aggressive in this country," he said. "People are aware I have been trying to gain a little bit of weight in terms of muscle, maybe an odd kilo to bulk up a little bit. But the concentration levels are the same. You can't let your concentration levels drop for a second. So football-wise it is not so different."

I have changed my tune on David De Gea. This guy is the future of United.

Apparently, Art thinks that Zetterberg is being picked on, and the rough treatment is not what America wants.

The highest comedy...this little line...

Hockey will never have an impact in the United States until it cleans up its perceived image of being a brutal sport.

Hey, Art...heard of the NFL? Oh wait, the Lions have sucked that much, I know you idiots in the moron...errrr motor city may have thought the league folded.

The next, more harsh assault came when Nashville captain Shea Weber smashed the head of the Wings' Henrik Zetterberg into the glass at the end of the game. The act was vicious, ugly and just plain cheap.

Hey, Art, isn't there a guy named Todd Bertuzzi on your team? Hi pot, this is kettle.

In typical NHL fashion, we’re getting administrators and pundits talking out of both sides of their mouths. They’re feigning a bit of outrage, but for the most part they’ve given Weber a free pass.

Like they did Bertuzzi, WHEN THEY LET HIM BACK IN THE LEAGUE.

If it had been Jack Hillen, Nashville’s sixth defenseman, and not a superstar like Weber who had crushed Zetterberg’s head into the glass, he likely would have been suspended.

Wow, sound like a 5 year old much?

What else should we expect from someone who covers the Red Wings. They aren't dominating the league anymore, getting beaten by a better team. The excuses are flowing. From this Avalanche fan...GO PREDS!

Apparently, Micha Richards just couldn't take it that Manchester United beat QPR to go up eight points on City.

"Football is full of emotions. You get angry and happy but I have never wanted to cry before. This time I did as that is how much it means. I have been grafting so hard this season, we have played unbelievable football and to see United come like this is horrendous. It kills me. I care so much about how I play and how we do in games. If things go badly in a game, I just can't sleep."

It's time to play GM. I found a list of potential free agents for the upcoming off-season. Here's a list of guys Colorado should probably look to sign. Factors included need, signablity and cost.

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In searching through some articles today, I stumbled across something very interesting. 

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Is this some kind of a joke? I was looking at TSN's 3/4 awards, and noticed something...odd.

 

HART TROPHY
Winner: Alexander Ovechkin, LW, Washington
Runners-Up: Sidney Crosby, C, Pittsburgh; Henrik Sedin, C, Vancouver

NORRIS TROPHY
Winner: Mike Green, Washington
Runners-Up: Duncan Keith, Chicago; Chris Pronger, D, Philadelphia

VEZINA TROPHY
Winner: Ryan Miller, Buffalo
Runners-Up: Ilya Bryzgalov, Phoenix; Evgeni Nabokov, San Jose

CALDER TROPHY
Winner: Jimmy Howard, G, Detroit
Runners-Up: Matt Duchene, C, Colorado; Tyler Myers, D, Buffalo

SELKE TROPHY
Winner: Jonathan Toews, C, Chicago
Runners-Up: Wayne Simmonds, RW, Los Angeles; Ryan Kesler, C, Vancouver

JACK ADAMS AWARD
Winner: Dave Tippett, Phoenix
Runners-Up: Joe Sacco, Colorado; Cory Clouston, Ottawa

Really TSN? Howard over Duchene? 

http://blogs.denverpost.com/avs/2010/01/06/staal-to-miss-game-with-avs/

This is not how you want to miss a game, but according to AD, Eric Staal will miss Friday's game due to the death of his sister in law. When I read the press release from the Canes (on their site)...she died at 26. I know she had cancer, but if that really doesn't make you stop in your tracks and think...nothing will. 

My condolences to his family for such a horrible loss at such a young age. 

This is a repost from my blog.

Former Flame, Av, Ranger and Blackhawk Theo Fleury has told the Calgary Herald he is “looking into” pressing charges against former juniors coach and total monster Graham James.

James, as you remember, has already served prison time for molesting former NHL’er Sheldon Kennedy. The story of this abuse does not need to be retold, because if you have heard the story, it’s burned into your mind forever.

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