Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

You can't handle the truth

Mon Jan 12 08:24AM

When Rafa Benitez began his extraordinary outpouring of Fergie-bashing on Friday, he said he did not want to start any mind games, which is a bit like Hitler saying he didn't want a war as Panzers were rolling into Warsaw.

Benitez said he was interested only in facts. Sadly, even the briefest look at what he actually said reveals that he is to facts what Prince Harry is to race relations.

FICTION 1: "Two years ago we were playing a lot of early kick-offs away on Saturdays when United were playing on Sundays. And we didn't say anything."

FACT 1: Rafael Benitez, September 2007: "We will be talking to the Premier League about this because it is not fair. I don't know if it is possible to change these fixtures in the New Year, but I hope so because, in the last few years, we have played more games on a Saturday than anyone and more away games than anyone. There are too many early kick-offs and I am not pleased about the situation at all."

FICTION 2: "You can see every single week how they put (referees) under pressure, we know this. We have seen it before. We have seen players sent off at Old Trafford and we do not see our opponents sent off."

FACT 2: Opposition players sent off at Old Trafford in the league this season - none. Stoke's Andy Wilkinson is the only player to be sent off against United in the Premier League this season. Opposition players sent off against Liverpool this season - five, including Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United.

FICTION 3: "Now he is complaining about everything, that everybody is against United. But the second half of the season will see them playing at home against all the teams at the top of the table, it is a fantastic advantage."

FACT 3: Last time ED checked everyone had to play everyone else twice - surely the order in which you play your games is irrelevant. And it's not like United covered themselves in glory in their away games against the top four - one point out of nine hardly represents a fantastic advantage.

FICTION 4: "At Christmas, United played on the 29th and the rest of the teams played on the 28th. We were away against Newcastle two days after playing Bolton. They were playing about 40 hours later, they were not complaining then."

FACT 4: United played 31 hours later, but their opponents Middlesbrough also had the benefit of an extra day's rest so it wasn't much help. And Liverpool's game against Newcastle was so one-sided they would have exerted themselves more by staying in and watching Wallace and Gromit. Plus, to be really pedantic, Aston Villa - who are level on points with United - played Hull on Tuesday 30.

FICTION 5: "There are two options if we don't want more problems with fixtures. One is the same as in Spain, the draw for the first part of the league is known, everyone knows which weekend. In the second-half everyone plays the opposite, so you all know."

FACT 5: That wouldn't help at all. You all know your fixtures anyway, and a Spanish system wouldn't stop United playing all of the Big Four at home in the second half of the season.

FICTION 6: "During the Respect campaign - and this is a fact - Mr Ferguson was charged by the FA for improper conduct after comments made about Martin Atkinson and Keith Hackett. He was not punished. He is the only manager in the league that cannot be punished for these things."

FACT 6: Harry Redknapp can also get away with it, having got off scot-free for this pop at Steve Tanner: "He's a poor referee and I've seen him make a mess of so many games. I couldn't even put into words what I thought of his performance. I walked into the referee's room before the game and saw who was refereeing and I knew what was coming. I expected that sort of performance. I've had him before many times and I know what he's like. He's really not good enough."

FICTION 7: "I will be watching United's game with Chelsea. The result does not matter to us, if we win at Stoke that result does not matter."

FACT 7: Sorry, that one was a fact.

- - -

Damn those foreign footballers. Despite a recent campaign to promote reading led, inevitably, by David James, there are few British players who can honestly claim they have ever read a book from start to finish. Even the ones who have supposedly 'written' one.

Which made it all the more galling to hear Fulham's Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland saying he was going to read some Charles Dickens since he was living in London.

"Somebody said it's quite boring but I'll give it a go," said Hangeland, who also revealed he read Danish literature when he was a Copenhagen player. Sickening.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE DAY 1: Kevin Davies on Arsenal's play-acting: "A few of them let out a big scream, which is a bit embarrassing really because it is a man's game. (Kolo) Toure did one and he is a big, strong man. He was screaming 'my leg' which is a bit unnecessary."

QUOTE OF THE DAY 2: "I think he is an angry man and I think he was disturbed for some reason." - Fergie on Benitez. Mind games are always easier when you have just whomped Chelsea 3-0.

QUOTE OF THE DAY 3: "Snooker is s**t" - Ronnie O'Sullivan.

NUTMEG OF THE DAY: Wayne Rooney, who stuck his right boot between Ashley Cole's legs to score United's second.

FASHION ACCESSORY OF THE DAY: Why was Jose Mourinho wearing what looked like a giant dog collar around his neck at Old Trafford? Had he come straight from Max Mosley's house?

FOREIGN VIEW: Atletico Madrid's Liga match at home to Athletic Bilbao had to be halted for a minute due to a continual barrage of snowballs being thrown towards the visitors' goal.

"Before the start of the game and when we were on the pitch home fans behind the goal defended by Bilbao threw numerous snowballs towards the goal, some of them hitting the goalkeeper," referee Cesar Muniz Fernandez said in his match report.

The game started after a message had been put out over the stadium PA system asking fans to desist.

"In the fifth minute, I was forced to stop the game for a minute because of the continuous throwing of snowballs and had to ask officials to take the necessary measures." The game restarted and Bilbao went on to win 3-2.

COMING UP: There are two games from League One this evening - follow them with our live scoring service. In the meantime, there is plenty to be going on with, including Team of the Week, Winners and Losers, and the story of how Diego Maradona helped Manchester United to victory yesterday.

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early doors writers - defintely man-ure fans.
From rich_will57 on Mon Jan 12 08:47AM
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Rafa is full of himself and should have the good grace to wind that neck of his in. Fact remains, that no matter when, at which time and on which day the fixtures are, each team faces eachother twice, so what is his problem. If he does not like the British system, maybe he should practice his trade elsewhere. Manchester United for the title, get over yourself Rafa.
From yozsef1966 on Mon Jan 12 08:52AM
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Unfortunately he has made himself look a little bit ridiculous even more to the fact that he had thought through what he was going to say after reading from his notes... and then the fact that LFC only played with one striker (who has actually been playing as a winger for the majority of the season) rather than playing fit again Torres or Keane (who had actually found his shooting boots again in recent weeks) against a team who we had already drawn against earlier in the season. In saying all this though, I still feel we have the advantage ever so slightly as we have the points in the bag. As per usual though, you can say that there will be many twists and turns yet as the season unfolds just how we football fans like it. So I say bring on the mind games, bring on the competition and lets just hope LFC are in there with a shout come into the last game of the season to give it a great climax to what has already been a pulsating season. Come on Rafa and come on you reds!
From neil_evvo on Mon Jan 12 08:54AM
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O ED! why did you switch Mr. Benitez's paper during the press conference? Now he's got his FACTS all wrong...
From jacksonwafor on Mon Jan 12 08:57AM
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Rafa Benitez should styop bleating and let his team do the talking on the pitch!
The more he rises to the bait; the more he looses touch with the reality and becomes like Kevin Keegan who lost it completely and lost the opportunity to win the premiership!
From jonathangrosskopf on Mon Jan 12 09:01AM
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It does appear that way, rich_will57. To be fair, The way they get a semi whenever Fergie's name is mentioned in their articles doesn't necessarily mean they're ManU - it could be a measure of respect for his undeniably legendary trophy haul (ratio-wise, still nowhere near either Paisley or Dalglish).
However, the fact that they always give Liverpool the s****y end of the stick gives them right away. Just let them get on with it.
From tex.walker on Mon Jan 12 09:01AM
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2nd
From paulrobins83 on Mon Jan 12 09:02AM
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why is he a man u fan coz he says the facts get a life rich_will57. and before you open your trap no im not a man u fan
From richardmccall24 on Mon Jan 12 09:02AM
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well done ED! been waiting for someone to do it as i couldn't be bothered
From krystianbosak on Mon Jan 12 09:03AM
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Hi Johnny,
Still think a tudor cap would go better with your avatar than a wig.
As for Benitez, the guys lost it due to the enormous expectation of Liverpool fans to win the premiership.
If they don't beat Everton, he can kiss goodbye to the premiership as they won win at Old Trafford!
From jonathangrosskopf on Mon Jan 12 09:04AM
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Read your opening statement and went no further. Why would i read your Man united propoganda? Any one who has a problem with what Benitez said must be a Man united fan.
From kramrobinson on Mon Jan 12 09:06AM
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johnneyevz82 - definitely wrong. Gooner actually. Just cant stand to see more Man U biased reporting. As if we dont get enough already with Andy Gray leading the feckin pack.
Fact.
From rich_will57 on Mon Jan 12 09:06AM
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Thank God you mentioned Harry's rant about Steve Tanner. Also like I said prior to last weekend's matches and immediately after Mr Benitez's outburst, ManUTD had received more cards, yellow and red, than any of the top four so I wonder how we appear to be highly favoured than any other team. An example is the cancellation of a highly innovative goal from yesterdays cornerkick. If Manutd was 'above the law' then, the ref and his assistant proved otherwise and were not afraid to rule out a legitmate goal because Rooney didn't tell them he had taken the kick. And to think we always put referees under pressure every week...
From jacksonwafor on Mon Jan 12 09:07AM
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Rich - Will 57,
Your envy and jeleousy is showing thru. If Liverpool win the premiership - great!
But if their own manager cannot handle the presssure, then how can his team - because they played very poorly at Stoke, a team possibly going for the bog drop to the Championship!
From jonathangrosskopf on Mon Jan 12 09:08AM
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Ferguson is probably on the board for early doors too, bet infact it is Slur Alex Drunkenbum that writes the articles.C.ock
From donrockh8 on Mon Jan 12 09:09AM
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Benitez is a scum! he said the man utd- chelsea match would be a draw. "it's very clear". but he is a fool by doubting the ability of World champions.
From wasolad01 on Mon Jan 12 09:09AM
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first
From sk88erboi on Mon Jan 12 09:10AM
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ED~ glad you are listing the facts out for all the liverpool fans to see~ justice done~
From vitorlam on Mon Jan 12 09:10AM
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Oh and Richard Mcall - you sound like a right @#$%.
From rich_will57 on Mon Jan 12 09:11AM
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chelsea were @#$% yesterday... as in... bull @#$%
From omobobo on Mon Jan 12 09:12AM
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so tipical of you press tossers,your so far up man u @#$% its far fetched.Hes got you lot under his spell aswell as reffrees and the FA. Its all a bit boreing now. Surely some other manager out their needs there @#$%en,i think his is clean enough. james.
From protecplastics on Mon Jan 12 09:16AM
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Benitez's quotes are hilarious... non-stop shop
From omobobo on Mon Jan 12 09:17AM
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i hear Benitez got more kidney stones after the Man Utd romp over Chelsea and he has to undergo another operation. Thanks for the FICTION &FACTS. Benitez is another Newcastle Kevin Keegan in the making.
From kaggwa2000 on Mon Jan 12 09:18AM
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Another Man united vs Liverpool thread. There's a surprise then!! Not funny and actually quite boring. Lets discuss something of value, like how the illegally owned Tevez has helped United to two titles and a champs league. OH SORRY, THAT WOULD MEAN HAVING AN INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION.
From kramrobinson on Mon Jan 12 09:18AM
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FICTION 7: The result doesn't matter if Liverpool win at Stoke?! hahaha, it matters now! Benitez needs to shut up and let his team do the talking, he should never rise to anything Fergie says, surely he should know that. He obv didnt wanna do a Keegan but its backfired.
Mind you, the more Beni gets frustrated, the happier i'll be! Stina - Man U fan
From c.akinwande on Mon Jan 12 09:20AM
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after getting to fact 2 i stopped reading. 5 players got sent off deservedly. so you slack benitez whos going on facts when you cannot even support your own 'theories'.
and can you stick to a more regular posting times? 8:24?! when were you this early. am guessing they were too pissed at rafa that they spent all wkend coming up with this @#$% and could not wait any longer to post it.
From moody_tariq on Mon Jan 12 09:20AM
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The furry faced 1 is not on this planet, decisions go the way of the scum every week!!!! Karate kid kuyt against the blues last year? hibbo's ridiculous sending off to name but 2 i could go on for years! Gerrard and carragher badgering refs constantly!!! However i dont want rafa to leave because while he's incharge his naff tactics poor selections lack of composure and shoddy treatment of class players will keep liverpool from winning diddly in the premier league.
From matt_n_vicky on Mon Jan 12 09:21AM
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FAO all Liverpool fans,
If you had bothered to read ED over the past few months you'd have seen him have a go against Rooney, Teves, Ronaldo and Alex Ferguson.
It's great that you are passionate Liverpool supporters but do you HAVE to be so blinkered.
Benitez is under heavy pressure with the management and fans' expectations - sadly it looks like he is "starting to crack under that pressure".
From jonathangrosskopf on Mon Jan 12 09:21AM
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kramrobinson, are u also disturbed like Benitez? GLORY GLORY UNITED
From kaggwa2000 on Mon Jan 12 09:22AM
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Cool guy,does he still hook up with those ta ll beauties on the ta ll da ting site ___T allMingle Co m___ ???The last time I saw his profile is last Monday, hope he does not leave.
From talllove61 on Mon Jan 12 09:26AM
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