Official Welcome to The Busby Babe Thread
by Andy Edwards on Feb 17, 2010 6:26 AM GMT
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PrintFirst off, let me say that having a Manchester United specific blog here on the SB Nation network might be the greatest thing to happen to me since finding the SB Nation network. It's long overdue. Manchester City got one first, for crying out loud. Anyways, for those of us that are here from the ground level - from the very beginning - I look forward to talking a lot of United football with all of you in the coming weeks, months and hopefully years.
So, I thought it'd be fun to have a running thread where people that come into the site introduce themselves, where they're from, favorite players, favorite moments, etc. Yeah, that sounds kinda dumb, but the best way to help a site become stronger and bigger is to build a solid camaraderie among the members. After all, we will be sharing this space to discuss match happenings, transfers, open game threads (hopefully), etc.
Discussion Topics
- Why you like/love/
obsess aboutUnited. - Favorite United player
- Favorite United moment
- Most hated Premier League foe
- Most hated Premier League player
- Do you play the FIFA video game?
- Predictions for World Cup 2010
This FanPost represents the view of the member who posts it and does not necessarily reflect the views of The Busby Babe or SB Nation.
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I'll start.
I love United because they were one of the teams on during the first game I ever stumbled upon on TV that got me into the sport, period. It was summer ’07, the Community Shield against Chelsea. I immediately took to United for some reason and from there it grew.
Favorite player last year was Tevez. LOVED him and the way he played/plays. The whole way that situation was handled angered me, but I guess Fergie probably knows a bit more than I. So, now I have to say it’s Mr. Rooney. I even had a friend tell me that I kinda look like him once. Best believe that made my day and that he was my profile picture on Facebook a couple weeks ago when everyone was picking their celebrity look-alike. Other than Wayne, my second favorite would be Anderson. Just wish he could find the field more often.
Two favorite moments. The Macheda winner against Villa….still get goosebumps when I watch the video and can recite the announcer call to a T. And, how can any United fan not say Terry’s missed PK in the CL final?
I hate City so bad.
I hate John Terry so bad. What a douchebag.
I play FIFA religiously, every year.
Brazil, Ghana, Spain and France in the semifinals. USA makes it out of the group, loses to Ghana in knockout round.
"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin
Nice to meet you KC
where are you from/living now?
I’m guessing theres Kansas in there somewhere haha
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Feb 17, 2010 1:17 PM GMT up reply actions
Yes, born and raised and currently residing in Kansas City, MO.
"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin
by Andy Edwards on Feb 17, 2010 7:03 PM GMT up reply actions
Small world
Also in KC, but, uh, as my name and avatar would suggest, I am not exactly a Utd fan ;). Still, nice to see some more proper football blogs on SBNation and fun to see a fellow Kansas Citian interested in the Premier League.
Although for the most part I can’t properly answer your questions, I will say that my favorite Man Utd moment was when John Terry missed his penalty kick in Moscow. Sweet stuff. Chelsea are just an odious collection of goons who deserve nothing but misery. [though, of course, my favorite missed penalty is probably Ruud’s in 2003 against Arsenal…;) ]
If you are a follower of the Wizards
and/or go to any matches, shoot me an email at KCsince88@yahoo.com I’m looking to get into following the team this upcoming season.
"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin
by Andy Edwards on Feb 22, 2010 8:43 PM GMT up reply actions
Sure thing
Also, I have 2 season tickets in the Cauldron, and I’m sure my wife wouldn’t mind an occasional “off-match.”
Also, if you want to follow the Wizards, the Down The Byline blog is a great one.
Wow, what a great blog.
Thanks a lot.
"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin
by Andy Edwards on Feb 23, 2010 1:32 AM GMT up reply actions
Brilliant idea, I'll go next
1. introduction (to united fandom)
Hey all, Jonny here, posting from Vancouver, Canada!
I grew up in Japan, so I didn’t get a whole lot of coverage of United (this was during the infancy of Internet coverage of sports) my Dad is from England originally, Brighton that is and my Mom is from Vancouver Canada, where I currently reside.
When my grandpa passed away in 2001 my dad went back to England for the funeral, and he brought me back a DVD magazine of United’s performances during November of that year as a gift.
I was hooked after that.
2. Favourite Player
I don’t really have a favourite player on the team. I particularly want Rooney, Anderson, Obertan and Hargreaves to do well, and I have a fondness for Fletcher, Giggs, Scholes, and Macheda, but no one player jumps out at me as a favourite.
3. favourite moment
Paul Schole’s goal that finally put us in front against Everton two years ago on the “day we won the title”. Seeing him juke his way past seemingly the entire Everton defense before slotting the goal past the goalie was probably one of my more euphoric moments as a fan.
4. Most hated team
I strongly dislike Liverpool, and I am enjoying the miserable season they are having (although it pisses me off that they’re still in contention for a Champions league spot, even with their horrible play)
5. Most Hated Player
don’t think I really hate any one player, although I’ve had a good laugh at John Terry’s expense many a time.
6. Regarding Fifa
As Far as Fifa goes, growing up in Japan, I’m a bit of a Pro Evolution homer, but i sadly haven’t played either version of the game for 5-6 years now.
interestingly though, another link to United in my youth comes from playing the demo for Fifa 2001. In the game, you got to play 45 minutes of football as either United or Juventus: I picked the team with more English sounding names hah.
Even in that brief 45 minutes of gaming though, I learned that Barthez was useless.
7. World Cup predictions
I really don’t care. I’d like England to win it all and Japan to make the quarter-finals at least, but, like Scott at ROM, I’m a club over country man
8. Other sports
let’s just get this one out of the way eh.
NBA – Lakers
MLB – Mariners
NHL – Canucks
MLS – Sounders (found this blog because I suscribed to Sounder at Heart)
NFL- the Superbowl game/ads haha
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Feb 17, 2010 1:17 PM GMT reply actions
seems to have been a faulty memory error there
instead of Paul Schole’s goal being against Everton it was against the Blackburn Rovers March 31st 2007
from ESPN
A moment of genius from Paul Scholes sparked a magnificent second-half revival from Manchester United which allowed them to move another mighty stride closer to completing their Premiership title dream with a 4-1 home win over Blackburn.
Delivered possession just after the hour mark by Christopher Samba’s attempt to rob Wayne Rooney, Scholes could have just taken aim and fired.
Instead, he skipped sideways, beating Ryan Nelsen, then Stephen Warnock suddenly to find himself clean through. […] Scholes left no room for doubt, drilling an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner that brought United back on level terms and eventually three more precious points.
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Feb 17, 2010 2:21 PM GMT up reply actions
Apart from United tell me something about Japan
I’m a huge fan over Japanese culture, songs and language to name a few.
Love to hear some of your experience during your stay there =D.
Anyway aint Japanese supposed to be crazy football fans as well? Or just to their own league?
I’m an NBA follower of the Dallas Mavericks as well. Welcome any discussion on the NBA as well.
I'll have a go
First off, thanks to KC for the question, as well as alerting me to the existence of this SB Nation site.
1. I’ve been a United fan since I saw this. I remember the ‘99 Treble, especially the Champions League final miracle against Bayern Munich. It’s been United since then, I suppose.
2. Favorite player? It’s Giggs. Always has been. Probably always will be.
3. Favorite moment? Probably the ’99 Champions League Final. Tough to beat that.
4. Probably Chelsea, just because they try to do what Man Utd. does, but they do it worse.
5. No player in particular. Terry seems a trendy pick right now. I guess I could pile on and say Terry.
6. I don’t play any video games, I’m afraid. Not enough time, sadly.
7. U.S. makes it out of group, stuns somebody in the round of 16 and gets through to the semis on PKs, where they run into a buzz-saw and lose, but redeem themselves in the 3rd place match. Brazil wins, since the Cup is not in Europe this year.
Operation 39-1 is a go. Proceed to target.
i was
only 8 when we won the treble, but i remeber it lyk it was yesterday, what a year,
and that goal by Giggs is the best FA cup goal ever and my favroute moment, ur just not meant to breeze past players like that
by Sweet science on Feb 26, 2010 2:59 PM GMT up reply actions
Giggs
I was a Beckham fan at a young age before I knew about United so when I read a magazine that wrote of Giggs ,whom I probably only heard a few times, was the best midfielder in United, I doubted it, Becks should be the best or something close to that.
It’s funny that now I realised how clueless I was back then. A true legend. However, I still am unable to like him the way I like the I liked Beck, RVN and now Carrick. Don’t ask me why =D
Here ya go:
Why you like/love/obsess about United.
I have an interesting story. I was in the US Marines and took the boat to Iraq in 2003. We stopped in Singapore for 4 days and I was walking through a mall and came across a GIANT Manchester United Superstore. I couldn’t have cared less, for I was neither a football fan, nor a Manchester United fan.
As the deployment wore on, my buddy had a GameCube with FIFA 03. I ended up playing that with him, because there wasn’t anything else to do. I always took Manchester United and he always took Borrusia Dortmond. When we got back to the States, I got Fox Sports World and started watching the EPL on Saturdays. My fandom took off from there….I rarely miss a game nowadays…if I can’t find it on TV, I’ll find a stream online…and I don’t care what time of day it is…even a 3am game in the Club World Cup won’t keep me from watching United.
Favorite United player
Ryan Giggs. I think in 20 or 30 years when we can sit back and look at his career as a whole, we’ll still be amazed that he was able to play at a top level for 20 years. He’s also my pick to replace Sir Alex when he retires.
Favorite United moment
Beating Chelsea in Moscow in 2008. You could see how much lifting the trophy meant to the squad.
A year ago, I would have said Liverpool or Chelsea. Now that City is somewhat relevant, I’ll add them into the mix.
Most hated Premier League player
Joey Barton. Michael Owen until this past summer. Drogba acts like a 3 year old on the pitch sometimes, I can’t stand him.
Do you play the FIFA video game?
Not as much as I used to, but I do play FIFA Manager on my computer
Predictions for World Cup 2010
Spain. Or Argentina. Maybe England. One of those three.
Oh, other sports...
I grew up in a college town, so college sports is what I follow about as close as the EPL. I’m a huge fan of the Missouri Tigers and I occasionally contribute to SBN’s Mizzou blog: Rock M Nation. I’m also a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers and St. Louis Blues. Carl Edwards is my man in NASCAR, if you ever get a chance to meet him, you’ll be really impressed…used to sell car parts to his daddy back in Missouri.
Giggsy to replace SAF
That would be awesome.
Also, I have a feeling we will have some very awesome, high comment OGT’s here.
"Not to be cliché or anything, but I’m Jayhawk born and Jayhawk bred and when I die I’ll be Jayhawk dead." - Ovechwin
by Andy Edwards on Feb 17, 2010 7:02 PM GMT up reply actions
A Utd SBN blog?! Finally!
I don’t know who is behind this, but I’m glad it’s happened. I’ve been hoping SBN would get around to bringing around a Utd site here, since well, Utd is the greatest football club there is.
Anyway, to go with the theme:
1. Why I love United:
Growing up, I was always playing as a midfield wing. Watching Giggs in his prime made me become a major United supporter. The more I followed Giggs (trying to mimic his moves, game, etc.), the more I became a United fan. There’s just a certain quality about the club and I appreciate that some of United’s greatest players are home-grown talent, not mercenaries (like those a**holes at Stamford Bridge).
2. Favorite United player:
That’s easy. The ol’ hand. # 11. The Welsh Wizard (although Rooney, Rio, King Eric, Keano, and Scholes are all up there).
3. Favorite United moment:
There’s two: “and Solskjaer has won it!” The second? Giggs’ goal against Arsenal in the 1999 FA Cup semi-final. Simply masterful.
4. Most hated Premier League foe:
Tough choice. It’s typically the Scousers, but they suck right now. Chelsea will go back to being a mid-table team once Roman is tired and finds a new toy. Same with City, but right now, their arrogance (without having won anything), coupled with that prick Tevez makes them the team to hate right now.
5. Most hated Premier League player:
Tevez. I wouldn’t have cared if he went to City, but the way he has done it, the way he’s said things about United, about SAF, the fans. F**k that guy.
6. Do you play the FIFA video game?
Yes, and I keep trying to find ways to bring Ronaldo back. Or Villa and Silva from Valencia.
7. Predictions for World Cup 2010:
Either England (winners of Group C) or the Netherlands (winners of Group E) beats Spain (winners of Group H) in the final. One of the Atlantic seafaring nations finally gets it done, I just don’t know which one. It really comes down to who is better when they meet in the quarter-finals.
8. Other sports?
UCLA (duh)
Oakland A’s
San Francisco 49ers
Tevez
Hmm, I don’t really hate Tevez, but I don’t really like him either.. Neither did I really like him during his loan spell.. He was good to watch but at times not really. Cant seem to score easy goal(not sure if he was in such a position in the first place) but usually put in the hard work running and chasing the ball.
Personally all along I thought he was dispensable especially when he would have cost United 25mil. I liked his time here since we won major trophies, enjoy him playing for United, thank him gratefully for it. That Rooney-Tevez goal against Middlesbrough will stay long in my mind.
But his post-move comments and gesture are hell of irritating. Especially in contrast to what C.Ronaldo said after his move to Real. My respect for him dropped significantly after each comments to the press.
Since I’m on it as well, got to rant on Tevez’s rebute to Neville saying that Neville is a boot-licker was hell of disrespect to Neville when he didnt even say he wasn’t worth 25mil, the headlines made it so.
I'll go
1. Why I love United: I have to admit I’m a convert. Way back when I was in high school and I’d get to watch one edited down game a week from the English First or Second Division, I actually adopted LIverpool as my team (This was back in the Kevin Keegan/Kenny Dalglish days and I liked the Beatles). I also root for West Brom, since that was the one top level team I got to play against back in the day, but I’m nearly always rooting for them to either avoid the drop or make it back into the top flight. But then for years I never got to see enough games to be able to follow the league. About 5 or 6 years ago we got Fox Soccer Channel and my sister gave me a Man U jersey for Christmas. My initial reaction was “right sport, wrong team”. Then in the last World Cup my wife developed a major crush on Wayne Rooney. It was easy to get her to watch games when United was playing so we ended up seeing more and more MUFC games compared to the other teams. And over a couple of years I was won over. I still like to see Liverpool do well (unlike Arsenal and Chelsea) but I"m definitely a United fan these days.
2. Favorite Player: Probably Rio, as a defender I appreciate how solid he’s been for so long. (I couldn’t say Giggs because everybody else already has). We also have an orange cat named Scholes.
3. Favorite Moment: Michael Owen’s goal against City was fantastic, though John Terry’s slip is not far behind.
4. Most Hated Foe: For me it is Arsenal edging out Chelski.
5. Most Hated Player. Is Joey Barton out of jail at the moment?
6. FIFA Video Game?: Yes, but I’m still playing 07.
7. World Cup Prediction: I’d love to see England over Spain in the final. Hopefully the USA can win a knockout stage game.
8. Other Sports: NCAA Football: USC. (Los Angeles is like Manchester, there is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn’t).
MLS: LA Galaxy
NFL: Screw them, it they wanted me as a fan they’d have put a team back in LA by now.
oc phil
+15
(Los Angeles is like Manchester, there is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn’t).
Even down here in San Diego you have to pick sides. Though, I have to admit, I’m no fan of Lane Kiffin….
F*** the Dodgers and f*** City. That is all.
Wayne Rooney, 1/27/09: Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Man
by Useful_Idiot on Feb 22, 2010 1:51 AM GMT up reply actions
That's funny
Los Angeles is like Manchester, there is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn’t).
I don’t think that “red team” will be competing for a whole lot of championships. Let’s see, you hired a coach who has never posted a winning record, never won anything, and is facing NCAA sanctions. Your basketball team has how many titles? Oh yeah: zero.
Count the NCAA championships bud. The Bruins are top in the country. The chumps from across town are in a distant third . . behind Stanford. Pretty weak.
I can’t wait until Lame completely kills your program. He’s your Karl Dorrell. Enjoy!
Sorry, I don't care about basketball or women's tennis...
…and I don’t care about the record of Manchester City’s reserves or women’s team (If they have one).
The red/blue comparison was about football (NCAA & FIFA). USC is one of the elite teams in the NCAA just as United is in world football. UCLA and City think they are somehow entitled to the same status because they are neighbors/rivals, but it just does not work like that.
Ballerophon, I didn’t realize you were one of the “managers” over at Bruins Nation. I love that site because it has some of the highest concentrations of freak-show psychotic comedy on the internet. I’m perfectly willing to be civil to you here, but don’t think that the opinions you guys lob at each other in that closed environment (where anybody who deviates from the party line is banned immediately) have anything at all to do with reality.
oc phil
Ahh
You only care about the one sport without an actual NCAA championship. Very amusing. There’s no sense of entitlement for football. Basketball, yes, but football, not so much. We’re just very amused that U$C thinks it will continue to be “elite” with your current HC. Hey, it’s not often you can find a guy who loses to a Bruins squad with less talent in one of the most friendly home venues in college football, but I’m cool with that.
United, unlike U$C, has actually won on a consistent basis. United is elite. United has (since the 1999-2000 season) won the EPL six times, the FA Cup once, the League Cup once, the European Cup once, and the Club World Cup once. All-in-all, ten major trophies. U$C has one. Just one. And saying UCLA is like City? That’s just cheap. City is built on mercenaries and money. Last time I checked, UCLA wasn’t the school being dragged in front of the NCAA for players getting money. Just saying.
It’s funny how much you guys hate BN. You can have your opinions. That’s all well-and-good. You can call it a “closed environment” but you should realize it’s a “closed environment” with one of the largest number of readers on SBN. U$C’s “blog”? Not so much.
At least you were smart enough to support a quality football team. You do need to work on it though: no real United fan would ever call the club “Man U” or admit to being a fan of the f**king Scousers. Lame dude.
Glory! Glory! Man United!
Elite programs
Elite programs are ones that have success over a long period of time. USC football has won national titles in 1928, 1939, 1962, 1969, 1972, 1974, 1978, 2003 and 2004. USC has won or shared 7 out of the last 8 league titles (that’s better than United have done over the sane span of time) and has plenty of silverware (Rose Bowls, Orange Bowls, and 2 National Championships) over the time span you indicated. Your position that USC is not one of the elite programs in NCAA football is proof of your delusions.
The Reggie Bush allegations involve an agent paying the player (actually his step-father) to leave USC early and go to the NFL. That situation is more analogous to Tevez and his rule-breaking dealings with his representation that ended up with him leaving West Ham and coming to United. It is nothing at all like the situation during UCLA’s basketball glory days when booster Sam Gilbert was paying players to go to UCLA. Neither situation really compares with City though who are not breaking the rules, just throwing money around stupidly.
Congratulations on BN getting lots of viewers. I don’t hate it at all, as I said, I enjoy the freak show. Lots of people watch “Jersey Shore” on TV and eat at McDonalds. That does not make them good though.
I’m not all anal about abbreviations and contractions. I don’t care if people call USC So Cal or whatever. Are you from Frisco or something? I also don’t define my support of a program by my hatred of others. I understand that being in the shadow of a better program across town has made you bitter (just like City). Lots of UCLA folks deal with that with more class than those at Bruins Nation do though.
oc phil
I'm not saying...
…that U$C isn’t an elite program historically, because it is. I’m saying that it isn’t an elite program this decade. A good program, sure, but elite? I’d reserve that label for LSU and Florida. I think to claim I’m delusional while misconstruing what I’m saying is pretty cheap. Moreover, my position isn’t that U$C isn’t “elite” but that it wasn’t elite this decade (I’m sorry but it’s not like the Pac-10 was a power conference during U$C’s run: Oregon was down, UCLA was being run by Karl, who was well, Karl, Washington had cratered, etc.). And I don’t think Kiffin is the way to get to being elite. Had you guys made the smart play and brought in a Del Rio, I think you’d be able to sustain the success and perhaps get another NC. With Kiffin? I expect a return to the 1990s for you guys. You can’t call someone delusional if you’re going to twist what they say.
Also, I’m not defining my support of a program (UCLA or United) by hating others. I don’t know where you get that from. I’m not bitter about U$C being “better” than us. Insulting U$C is part of the rivalry (and don’t act like you guys don’t do it: I can’t begin to count how many “fucla” shirts I see in L.A.). And a lot of the people who are bitter about U$C is because the perception that U$C plays by different rules than everyone else (Bush, Jarrett’s free rent, McKnight’s Baby Mama’s SUV, etc.). That bitterness is not limited to UCLA, BTW.
Anyway, UCLA-U$C is something you and I will never see eye-to-eye on. But the abbreviation thing is something you should understand. “Man U” is more than an abbreviation or contraction. It’s a major insult to United and its history.
Why?
I’ll let David Arreola at Bleacher Report explain:
I understand that 90% of living people do not know that “Man U” is one of the most offensive and disrespectful nicknames ever given to a club.
Let me tell you why.
The origin of the term “Man U” is a song to insult the deceased Duncan Edwards. The Leeds fans (not to knock on any Leeds fans out there, but this is fact) created their own version of the song to insult all the men that died in the Munich air disaster of 1958.
Rival supporters have since adopted this term for the same use: To insult the men who died in Munich.
The song went something like this:
“Man U, Man U, went on a plane! Man U, Man U, never came back again!”
“Man U, never intended in coming home!”
If that doesn’t get your blood boiling, nothing on this earth will.
I am not angry at anyone who has used this term, as it is not common knowledge.
Just know that it is used to offend not only Manchester United, but the memory of the Munich air disaster.
I hope that makes it a bit clearer that saying “Man U” is a mortal insult, particularly to the older supporters.
Appropriate names are as follows: Manchester United, Man United, United, Red Devils.
That is why we chant, “There’s only one United!”
If you take one thing from this article, it is that you will never use the term “Man U” again. Also, if you see that term flying around, you correct the uninformed user.</blockquote
Another solid explanation:
ManU is not a term United fans refer to themselves as. The term is only used by other supporters as a complete and utter insult to our club. The “u” is meant to be “you” by the rival fans.
An early example of its usage is this chant by West Brom fans: “Duncan Edwards is manure, rotting in his grave, man you are manure- rotting in your grave”. The origin of “ManU” is a song to insult the dead Duncan Edwards.
Liverpool and Leeds fans copied this with their own man you /u versions to insult all of the lads who died at munich.
“ManU ManU went on a plane ManU ManU never came back again”
and..
“ManU Never Intended Coming Home” (if you combine the first letter of each word you get the word “munich”).
I hope this makes it clearer that saying manU is an insult, particularly to the older supporters and to see United fans using it now is shameful. I hope a few might read this, understand and spread the word.
So… Please REFRAIN from using this term ever again!I’m glad that although you root for the wrong college, you pull for the right football club. But to do it, you should understand United’s history and why the things you say are insulting to the cub and its legacy. Obviously, you weren’t aware of this, but now you know and now you should understand.
…that U$C isn’t an elite program historically, because it is. I’m saying that it isn’t an elite program this decade. A good program, sure, but elite? I’d reserve that label for LSU and Florida. I think to claim I’m delusional while misconstruing what I’m saying is pretty cheap. Moreover, my position isn’t that U$C isn’t "elite" but that it wasn’t elite this decade
Well when impartial observers call USC “the team of the decade” then your position there looks still looks delusional to me. Trying to craft a definition of “elite” so that only two teams qualify is a bit of conceptual gymnastics. And USC was in close contention for national championships in addition to the two they won during the decade (more so than LSU and Florida). I’m fine with someone concluding that a team other than USC was the most successful team of the decade, but to deny that USC is part of that conversation is to deny the facts.
Jack Del Rio (or Jeff Fisher) would have been solid coaches for USC had things worked out for them to take the job, but I feel that the way things ended up (KIffin-KIffin-Orgeron) gives USC the best staff available and puts the team in a good position to continue to be in contention for national championships. Only time will tell.
Of course every team has bitter nut-job fans (including USC). I think Bruins Nation is what it is because it caters to the bitter ones and moderates and Bruin fans with differing opinions get quickly run off. Notre Dame is just as fierce of a rival as UCLA is to USC, but take a look at the big ND blogs like “Blue Gray Sky” the difference is remarkable. And it isn’t because Notre Dame fans are that much smarter or more classy than UCLA fans.
If I were to continue the NCAA/EPL analogy then Notre Dame would have to be Liverpool. The rival who was the one time king of the hill who has faded badly and is struggling to remain relevant these days.
And regarding the abbreviation. You quoted a 19 year old kid explaining that we shouldn’t use the abbreviation because some fans from a league one team made up some chants about a disaster that happened over 50 years ago. Since the team was around way before that, the abbreviation was as well. In fact there wouldn’t be much point to the chants if the abbreviation wasn’t there first. So to my way of thinking changing what you say because some other yobos made up a nasty chant is the wrong thing to do.
This concern with “insider words”, slang and knowledge is very teenaged thinking, so I’m not surprised that it was a teenager you quoted there. I’m perfectly fine with people avoiding that or any term if they don’t like it or don’t want to use it. But I don’t think people should get their panties in a bunch when people do use it. And as the sources you quoted pointed out, it is used commonly. Letting the “secret” meaning to the insult die out is the best way of dealing with the insult in my opinion.
oc phil
Conceptual gymnastics?
I think “team of the decade” is a poor label. When I think of “teams of the decade” I think of teams that won multiple titles in the decade (think: Packers in the 1960s, Steelers in the 1970s, 49ers in the 1980s, Cowboys in the 1990s, etc.). USC has won one title. Just one.
If you’re going to call someone delusional, you can’t be making up stuff too. It’s the pot calling the kettle black:
And USC was in close contention for national championships in addition to the two they won during the decade (more so than LSU and Florida).
Two? Since 2000, only two teams have won two BCS championships: LSU (2003, 2007) and Florida (2006, 2008). USC only has one (2004). I know you want to claim the AP title you got in 2003, but if we’re going to count other polls and what they award, then doesn’t that diminish the legitimacy of the BCS championship you did win? Can’t I say, well Poll X, Poll Y, and Poll Z said Team A was the national champ in 2004, so USC split that title too? I could see you guys having a legit claim to an AP title if you were in a non-BCS conference. I feel for the teams that go undefeated but get shut out (which is why we should have a playoff, but that’s a whole other topic). But since USC is in a BCS conference, you’re part of the system that supports the BCS title, so it seems two-faced to turn around and claim a non-BCS title and claim to split the title with the BCS winner that year. That’s all.
USC is a good football program: I’m not denying that. But in my mind, they’re not the elite programs of the decade. That’s LSU and Florida. I think USC (along with Texas, Oklahoma, and Ohio State) fall just below those two programs. If I had to set aside my bias and go by wins/losses alone (and ignore any allegations of cheating, scandals, etc. for all the programs), USC would be in the top 10 programs of the decade. They’re just not # 1. Or even # 2. I think two titles puts Florida and LSU in a cut above from the rest. Moreover, I think LSU and Florida did in a tougher conference. Yeah, I know they had a lot of cupcakes in there too, but I don’t think the Pac-10 was exactly a tough conference to dominate this decade, especially with Washington and Oregon irrelevant for large parts of the decade. This last season saw a far more balanced Pac-10 and USC still did well, but didn’t dominate.
On a side note, I think Sark would have been a better hire than Kiffin. I really think you guys will regret bringing him in and I think he’ll last maybe 3 seasons at most before you show him the door. That’s just my prediction.
by Bellerophon on Feb 21, 2010 11:18 PM GMT up reply actions
Anybody who follows NCAA football (and isn’t a crazed USC hater) realizes how absurd your claim that USC hasn’t been one of the elite teams in college football the last decade is. And anybody who does not follow college football won’t care. So there isn’t much point in continuing.
I’m biased towards Sark, because I’ve worked with him and was very impressed. I’d have taken him and Holt back before I’d have hired Kiffin myself, but the two are as close to each other as they could be in my mind. As a UCLA fan, I’m hardly surprised that you would rather see Sark out of Washington. He’s going to make it that much harder for your team to make it out of the bottom half of the league.
Los Angeles is like Manchester. There is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn't.
BN
Also, I don’t know why you continue to harp about BN. I made the USC jibe at you as a Bruin, not as a BN moderator. You brought up the fact I was connected to BN and proceeded to discuss why it’s full of folks you find less than desirable.
I don’t know how any of it is relevant or why it was/is necessary to continue to discuss/insult BN. You have your opinion about it, that’s fine, but I fail to see why you brought it up in the first place. It’s not the USC-BN rivalry, it’s UCLA-USC.
by Bellerophon on Feb 21, 2010 11:20 PM GMT up reply actions
The "Man U" thing
In my opinion (and again you can take it however you want) is that “Man U” is insulting. It’d be, IMHO, no different if you referred to USC as U$C. I don’t think it’s teenaged thinking, but rather, I think Man Utd supporters who are in the know, who know the club’s legacy and history, and are proper supporters refrain from using terms that a**holes from City and Liverpool use to insult the club (also, when Leeds came up with it, they were in the top flight with United).
Yes, I linked to the explanation from a 19-year old blogger. Because it was the first link that came up. But it’s not like he’s the only one telling folks about it:
David Hammons explains at One United USA.
There’s another write-up from a moderator at Man United Supporters Trust, explaining it. MUST actually means something. It’s the official supporters’ trust for United and has 50,000 members. 50,000 real United fans who contribute their money to make United better (or make United better in their view, depending on where you stand).
Another explanation here.
The moderator at ManUtdPeople.com explained why it was insulting.
A few guys at United Lounge put up a post explaining why the term sucks.
Heck, you can even find some petition a guy put online to protest it. Sure, it’s only 109 signatures, but that’s 109 more people who get it why it’s insulting.
You can ignore the “secret meaning” but Scousers, City a**holes, and dicks from Leeds continue to use it. It’s one of their popular little songs when United is playing their clubs, so if you want to bury your head in the sand, that’s fine, but folks will continue to use it to insult United. It’s not just going to go away if you ignore it.
If you want to use, that’s fine. By all means, go ahead. I won’t get my panties in a bunch if you want to use the term, but if you want to look like the typical bandwagon American fan who has no clue, that’s your call. It makes you look uninformed and excuse me for imparting a bit of knowledge. Do what you feel dude.
by Bellerophon on Feb 21, 2010 11:46 PM GMT up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting home many of those seem to be quotes of the same unknown source: “If that doesn’t make your blood boil” being an easy marker there.
I’d always thought the issue was more about the “there is only one United” angle. Sort of like people in Frisco talking about “The City”. I’ll play along but it’s not a big deal. I’m not a big enough wimp to give a damn about opposing fan chants. If you let them get under your skin, you are letting them win.
When the abbreviation is used as much as it is on FSC, ESPN, SI.com, etc, I just can’t see being a douchebag towards anybody who does use the term.
Los Angeles is like Manchester. There is a red team that wins championships and a blue team that doesn't.
Nice idea
1. Why you like/love/obsess about United.
You know, I’m not really sure. I wasn’t a huge EPL fan until I spent a year abroad in college in 03-04, when Arsenal had their unbeaten season. I usually have a strong gut dislike towards rich teams that “buy” championships but Arsenal didn’t seem to quite fit the mold. Their play was so fun to watch and I became a huge Henry fan. But being at uni I got the full spectrum of teams to support from my hall mates (esp. Spurs, Rovers, and Liverpool). I ended up picking Bolton to support just because nobody liked them. But Bolton were hideous to watch, so I started watching Man U because no one seemed to support them particularly and they were sort of the best of the underdog title challengers. Then they got Rooney & C. Ronaldo started coming on and I delved more into United’s history, and I ended up just liking them. I still wouldn’t say I love the team but they’re usually my favorite to watch.
2. Favorite United player
Well, averaging over my ~6 years of fandom, I would say Scholes. He has always been interesting, whether it’s pinpoint passes or amazing volleys or atrocious tackles. I like Giggs and (strangely) Park and Rooney too. I also loved Van Nistelrooy and was sad to see him go.
3. Favorite United moment
See, this is why people would say I’m not a massive fan, I don’t really have one. I unfortunately didn’t get to see the CL win over Chelsea, so I’d have to go with the enjoyable demolition of Roma in Manchester the year before.
4. Most hated Premier League foe
I have to go with Chelsea. Not having been a fan for too long, the Man City rivalry has only recently been interesting to me, so I’ll say the Blues.
5. Most hated Premier League player
It would have been Drogba but (like C. Ron) when he’s at his peak he’s absolutely unstoppable and even (gasp!) enjoyable to watch. Probably Anelka, but don’t much care for Terry or Lampard either.
6. Do you play the FIFA video game?
Absolutely. Played ‘05 all the time until it became unchallenging, now finally bought a “new” one (’08) and am enjoying it so far.
7. Predictions for World Cup 2010
Err… Brazil? I like Côte d’Ivoire, Spain, England, and Netherlands to make some noise though.
8. Other sports
I’m a pretty big fan of NCAA basketball and football. I enjoy watching the Mariners in MLB and the Seahawks in NFL, and don’t really have favorite teams in any other sports I can think of.
I'm from Richland WA
I went to WSU, and you’re welcome for Jerome Harrison. Took you guys long enough to start using him!
by johnnycougar on Feb 23, 2010 11:16 PM GMT up reply actions
1. Why you like/love/obsess about United.
Growing up there was little to no coverage of football. But there was FIFA though. I liked all the good teams but I remember I started going for United because they were the best team in the game. Yea yeah, lowly band-wagonner glory hunter I know. But I was a kid, cut me some slack! Anyway, I happen to support the Cleveland Browns so it’s kinda like karma.
2. Favorite United player
Without a doubt Paul Scholes. Flawless apart from tackling. When he retires my second favourite would be Gibson.
3. Favorite United moment
Didn’t watch ‘99 so it would be the win 08’ CL final.
4. Most hated Premier League foe
Liverpool, but in recent times Manchester City.
5. Most hated Premier League player
Steven Gerrard. Nuff said?
6. Do you play the FIFA video game?
Religiously
7. Predictions for World Cup 2010
Australia!!!!!!
8. Other sports
Go for both Cleveland’s NFL and NBA team. Watch rugby league as well. That’s about it though
Probably the only Cleveland Browns fan in all of Sydney, NSW.
1. I love the classy way Sir Alex runs the team, the history, and the excitement that almost every Man United game carries.
2. I’m gonna say Rooney is my favorite player, though Scholesy comes in at a close second
3. There are waaaay too many favorite moments, but the most recent would have to be Rooney’s 92nd minute goal against City in the CC semifinal at Old Trafford. Magic.
4. Chelsea. I just despise Chelsea, largely due to…
5. John Terry. Scumbag of a man
6. I’ve played hours of Fifa than likely every other video game combined
7. England
8. Huge San Francisco Giants and 49ers fan.
Wayne Rooney, 1/27/09: Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Man
here goes
1. Supported them ever since iv grown up, my 1st game that i can remember as a kid was against Porto, i think we won 4 – 0 with Cantona scoring 2 (I believe). My parents then brought me a full united kit comp-le with socks and shorts with Cantona 7 on the back.
2. Fletcher probably. I love the way how everybody wrote him off when he 1st hit the 1st team, saying he will never make it, and now he is turning in world class perfomances. Also have to love Giggs n Scholes, legends of the club, impeccable behaviour, who every up and coming footballer should try and emulate. Also, Rooney (no explanation needed)
3. wow, United 4 city 3, both champions league triumphs, some one said the Macheda goal against Villa earlier, i read that and i can just remember me going silly with joy (i’d have to say that was the most imprtant goal of last season, it gave us a massive lift and the 3 points) Also Giggs’s goal in the FA cup semi final against Arsenal. Breathtaking that goal was
4. Liverpool, can’t stand them sayin their gna win the league every year (loving the fact their shit this season) honerable mentions to chelski and city
5. Ashley Cole, wta wanker, who could cheat on his missus, she’s a stunner (ex missus she’s just divorced him)
6. Lots of Fifa 10, but only if im round my m8’s house, i dnt have a xbox or PS3 myself
7. Spain are looking good, can never bet against Brazil, but England to get to at least the Semi’s after hammering the USA in the group stages :)
A fan from Singapore
Firstly, I came from http://www.thestretfordend.net/ which I frequented for a while before it moved here..
1) Why you like/love/obsess about United.
Call it fate or whatever. I was a young kid when a big sister of one of my neighbour was a Beckham fan. I started to pay attention United, more to Beckham though. Eventually when I grew up, I started following United on the papers since I couldnt watch live football. I really liked Beckham back then, probably more than United itself and thus was really disappointed with Becks’s departure. However, deep down, I probably liked United more and eventually found a player to replace Becks, RVN, before he is once again replaced sadly. Before I know, I was a vivid United fan. =D
2) Favorite United player
Michael Carrick. Love his style. Probably a low percentage of the user here though but 3 titles and rolling. Need I say more?
3) Favorite United moment
07/08 Champions League Final. I remember jumping up repeatedly after Terry missed the penalty. I pitied him but not like I cared. =D
4) Most hated Premier League foe
Got to be Liverpool.
5) Most hated Premier League player
Steven Gerrard, as much as I respect his skills, I hate him =D
Same goes for the Fabregas, Torres, Lampard etc.
6) Do you play the FIFA video game?
Yes but rarely completes a season. 10 games at max and it’s off to the next
7) Predictions for World Cup 2010
I’ll bank on Spain or Brazil at the moment. England seems to be overhyping at the moment.
They can win the WC but if Rio goes back to his old form, Rooney’s partner is found and the midfield is sorted out.
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