THE DILEMMA OF THE ‘YOUTH’ POLICY

Evans passes to Anderson, who jinks past his man passes it to Welbeck, Welbeck to Anderson who plays a lovely ball to Macheda and its in!!! 1-0 Manchester United.

Well, this is a fantasy for some United fans like me. Watching a player progress through the ranks is different feeling, a different connection. You start learning about a prospect when he is in the U-18’s and as he progresses so do you! As Sir Alex says, “The crowd take to the younger lads more than a player ‘bought’.” But, at a club like Manchester United the pressure to win is so high, that you expect big player signings and one feels without them the club isn’t moving forward. Last season was one such season where after we sold a key player everyone expected some big money signings. But, who did we get a winger from Wigan who can’t play on the left, a crocked player from France who wasn’t fit to play in the first two months and a 29 year old PAST-HIS-PRIME Michael Owen. It raised doubts through the media and most United fans.

While our signings turned out to be more than decent, the younger ones too stepped up to make a mark. Ok, it was only Johnny Evans and Nani who made a mark, but that’s two young players getting through into the squad. Anderson showed flashes of brilliance here and there, but hasn’t delivered yet in a big game. But, he was injured in the latter part and really with Carrick out of form the chance was ideal for him to perform. I think (or rather hope) next season will be the breakthrough season for Ando, just as this was for both Evans and Nani. Rafael can show he can do the job but he’s immature (advantage taken by Ribery), hope he learns from that. Fabio is out only because Evra had an immaculate season with over 50 starts. Gibson has a shot on him, but can he really keep the ball and pass well? that’s left to be seen.

We have been blessed to have younger talented understudies in most of our first team positions. Probably that’s how we’ve differed from other teams like say Arsenal, who are supposed to be the promoters of the ‘Go Young’ policy. But, then again they haven’t been able to hold on to their good players like Flamini, Hleb, which meant young players are immediately thrust into the spotlight. Not every young player makes it right away on the big stage, mental strength plays a big part there. For us, Ronaldo has been one of the few established stars who have left the club in their prime, last being David Beckham of course. Thankfully, with the squad that we have it meant youngsters could be blooded in gradually. Youngsters need to be treated with care and also need to be educated to keep a level head. Who better than Giggsy, Scholesy, Neville or even Rooney then to set look upto? Also, before the Carling Cup semis we saw youngsters given more chances they showed their worth totally.

Of course, at a certain point age youngsters demand more playing time, I’m sure people remember Guiseppe Rossi. But, the case was different then, Rossi had just returned from loan and we got Carlos Tevez. Sir Alex knew better than to let Rossi rot in the reserves and we lost on a bundle of talent who I believe will become a great player for Italy if given the chance. Hopefully, next season with just one world class creative midfielder signing we will the same young players getting more chances.

Some of the youngsters have done well on loan. Tom Cleverly was Watford’s player of the year and he could actually replace Gibson in the squad. Craig Cathcart and Fabian Brandy did well too. Our Reserves won the league title and we also clinched the U-18 North title for the first time. So, it was a good domestic season for the youngsters. At the international level, the U-17 European Championships have 4 of our young players doing really well. Paul Pogba has been man of the tournament for France and the U-18’s, while the English team which reached the final has 3 United representatives. So, definitely there is hope.

But, patience is going to be the key if we are to see a new generation of United superstars coming through the ranks. Even out of a group of 20 if we see 5, 4 or even 1 make it really big the satisfaction will always be there that he was always ‘OUR’ player, just like Giggs, Scholes and the others. Well, I’ll leave you here, it seems Macheda just scored after a neat moving involving Welbeck and Anderson in Football Manager 2010 that is.

MI v RCB ..... FROM THE STANDS

I always wondered what's so special about watching a game from the stands. I mean television gives you everything stats, replays, commentary etc... What more could any cricket lover ask for? Everything is at your fingertips.
Now, after going for a game I realize all these things don't matter at all. The noise you make, the shots you see first hand, the effort you put in trying to pick up the ball when Dale Steyn bowls it .... and of course the cheer leaders if they are right in front of your stand. As a biased MI supporter Brabourne was the place to be last night, unbelievable atmosphere. From the time you watched JP Duminy, Ryan Mclaren, Fernando practising .... to the time when the crowd roared when the MASTER came in .... and all this before the first ball was even bowled.
I was lucky to witness Sachin and Kallis batting, both are truly great players. While other players HIT the ball, these guys were CARESSING it. As if to say 'Cricket! simple game, ain't it?'
Now I know why crowds all over the world is disappointed to see Sachin out. Every ball he struck was magic. You just wished for more and more. If he hit the ball for four then a player was moved to that spot. Next ball, same shot .... but the ball has gone to the fielder's original spot, Amazing!!!
I didn't witness Sachin's straight drive, but then I saw Kallis. The speed at which the ball leaves the bat is unbelievable. People beside were saying 'I can't spot the ball'. While I'm saying follow the ball from the bat else you've missed the magic.
We got to see some other magical things too like Uthappa's six out of the ground, Tare's square cut was a rocket to the boundary, Sachin's 3 flicks of his hip ... but these are not the things that stick in my mind. Things which I still vividly recollect are:
1. Dale Steyn is fast .... As much as I tried I could track the path of the ball when it left his hand. (And I was having a side view) I could track Malinga, Zaheer, Kallis but not Steyn. That was a sight which you don't get on the TV
2. Dravid's one hand stunner .... I was lucky that both the great catches (Dravid's and Malinga's) were at my end. When the ball left Sathish's bat we all thought ok, one run. But Dravid is scrambling ... surely this 30+ oldie won't make it .. Morgan will back it up ... He's streching but naah .... Oh my God! What a stunner!!!! I can't explain this fully to be honest.
3. Waiting for the 3rd umpire's decision is an experience for the crowd ... You don't have the replay, you only wait ... and wait ... and wait ... And when the opposition player is out the stadium erupts!! And what a throw!!
4. The dives they put at backward point are not easy .... The ball is actually too fast, you have a split second to make that dive. That's why Jonty was special. I wonder how it would be to watch him from the stands.
Finally, I have to mention the cheer leaders. They were stunning to say the least. After the fall of every MI wicket, we would put our heads down. But, these were RCB cheerleaders they would come on .... and well life would be beautiful again. But honestly, Sachin's wicket was the most depressing moment. Even when Pollard hit a six later, you just said, 'Hmm good ... But nah! Sachin for a second time please!!!'
Last night's excitement is wearing off slowly, but I'll never forget it. Surely this won't be the last time I go to watch a match, another T20 maybe 50 over would be too exhausting. But, I pray to go to Old Trafford now :) Well one can't stop dreaming about it now, can they? Especially if there's a will to chase it ;)

NOT MEANT TO BE

Entering the room seemed such an idle thought,
It was the last thing to do and I wanted out

But, there you stood attentive and calm,
My eyes would have popped out, if not for my palm,

If I was Da Vinci with a blindfold,
Yours would be the picture to unfold

We met, we spoke only for a while,
I can't recollect anything, but your cute smile

Your innocence so bliss, and thoughts so clear,
You were just perfect and at the thought I feared

I wouldn't want to stain you or bring you sadness,
which is why i must walk away and not subject to madness

We couldn't be more different, the world wouldn't want us to be,
So, I try and capture all the memories of you and me

I ain't worthy of someone so pure,
You'll be infected by my touch for sure

So, I'll just watch out for you and cherish the time you were here,
'Cos the world wouldn't want us to be together my dear,
Yes, the world wouldn't want us to be together my dear

A DREAMER

I dream every night like no one other,
Some give me smile few give me bother.

In my dream world I am fairly content,
Here people have palaces built inside a tent.

I would work anytime and sleep just about anytime ,
I would earn just enough to keep my dears happy all the time.

I would walk up to girl I like the most,
And ask her out without being told to be lost.

My friends would be around playing their parts,
In singing the song with all their hearts.

I dream not to be famous or a celebrity,
But the small things which make me happy.

Yet there is one thing I wish for the most,
That one day my reality would become a dream of course.

The light which was blown

A light has gone from my life I don't know why,
The tears fill my eyes but I cannot cry

The trees, the fields, all seemed so beautiful,
Why do they look at me with eyes so pitiful?

The road on which I walk seems lonely now,
The hand which held me has disappeared donno how?

My god has torn my heart,
And now there remains an empty space which is difficult to part

Why did it have to happen now?
Couldn't this test be delayed somehow?

All things have to be as you wish,
but God give me the strength to take in a loss as big as this

Cos a light has gone from my life I don't know why,
The tears fill my eyes but I cannot cry

The end of the tunnel

An abyss has been created in my heart tonight,
The light at the end of the tunnel seems just a spot of white.

The walk towards it seems ever so long,
My lonely mind calms itself by singing a song.

For a while I felt another shadow was keeping me company,
It turns out it was a mirage in the dark, what an irony

I don't know whether I should follow,
Cos I fear I'll get blinded by the darkness so hollow

I wish things were ever so clear and not so cloudy,
That life would for once would take pity on my heart so empty

I try to walk away from every voice of reason,
I'm scared that it would contain an act of treason

So, here I am waiting for the inevitable,
Hoping that I stumble across something incredible

My chance will come, the sands in my hourglass are emptying fast
To see the light at the end of the tunnel, I hope I last!

THE OLD LADY

The gate opened with the same old creak,
The air is filled with the voices of walls that speak

The room is arranged and the way it always was,
Nice, quiet and cozy, her scent fills the empty space

I take my seat where I always did, watching over the bed,
I'm trying to recollect the jokes that made her laugh from toe to head

The innocent look, the fresh old smile,
Her soda glasses and that simple hairstyle

Watching all these I fall off to sleep,
Her lap is comforting as always as I wander in my dreams

The cold air of change wakes me up and I'm back to reality,
I find myself alone in the room, now dark and empty

She has gone away to a place far, far away,
But, here in my heart she always stays

I'm sure she's fighting with the Almighty for a similar place,
Where she'll wait for me with her lap ready to comfort my face

P.S.: Dedicated to Grandma, May her soul rest in peace