A Tinted View? Perhaps.

So, where to start? the score line? No, the poor ref? No, how about the fact that even after watching my beloved team lose 1-4 I still enjoyed the match, still had a smile on the long drive back home to N Wales, No, (obviously just a nutter).

The fact is the atmosphere inside our grand old stadium was electric with expectation, It's beginning to feel like the fortress it once was, there is a belief about the place, a belief carried by the fans, but more importantly by the players themselves.

We took the game to United, and Gabby (from a beautiful cross supplied by Ashley) was the first player to breach their defence and score against them in how many hours? I believe it was about ten, and I am sure the statos amongst you will correct that, and if only Luke had managed to get a touch it would have been 2-0 and a whole different game would have unfolded, but it was not to be, and ifs don't count.

What we did get was wave after wave of an attacking United side that were obviously fearful of the hairdryer treatment they were going to receive at half time, and Saturdays villain amongst Villans Zat Knight, drop in concentration, inexperience, call it what you will, that ball should never have been allowed to travel through for the first tap in, and Rooney is not the sort of player you can give an inch, never mind a mile, which is close to the space he was allowed to create for himself for gift number two. Gardner, unlucky lad, any other day that would have been struck sweetly and vanished up the pitch, but one of those days was unfolding and it sliced up inside the bar and in the net.

Aggression is a very useful tool when it is controlled, unfortunately Coker seems to let his get the better of him at times, still think the refs decision was a bit on the harsh side with the fouls more down to bad timing then evil intent, and down to ten men, a bit of silliness by Carson and down to nine.

So bring on the inevitable dropped heads, Villa rolling over again, but wait, what’s this, down to nine men and still going for it, Gabby and Young still causing them problems, Maloney and Osbourne coming on and the team going for it, even though it was out of reach, that’s more like it, that’s what I expect week in week out.

It has been stated elsewhere that there is no man of the match due to such a beating, I beg to differ, Gabby was outstanding and worked his socks off, a never say die attitude, an attitude that I can see spreading around the team, yes we lost, we lost due to a couple of silly mistakes against one of the best teams in the world, a team that Sir Alex stated were playing at the top of their form at the moment, so yes we lost, but did the team please me, damn right they did, I have been waiting to see that attitude come back for a long time and its getting there.

There are many who are slating MON, and the fact is, he has given them good reason, the transfer window was a nightmare, some of his purchases questionable to say the least, some of his decisions and tactics????? where do you start? but one thing that is apparent, the players respect him, they want to play for him, and many have stated how he is improving their game, I know it's just my opinion, but I believe he is good for the team and I still believe he is the man for the job and will take us forward.

So there you have it, a claret and blue tinted opinion of Saturday, obviously please feel free to shoot me down in a torrent of vitriol, I am used to it, and I expect it, but I for one felt proud of the boys as I stood, cheered and clapped the last player off that pitch. UTV

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