Uniteds on Fire!

Another Premier League season has begun and the more things change the more they stay the same. Manchester United are dominating all comers. The acquisition of Young and Jones, along with the return of Cleverly and Welbeck, has injected a youthful enthusiasm in United's side not seen since the arrival of Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, and the Nevelles! Ferguson truly is a master craftsmen - there is no manager his equal. While this is likely his last great team, his legend will influence this team for years to come.

The business side of the English Premier league is on! United looks to be in position to win their historic 19th title. No team has ever won 19 titles! They are currently tied with Liverpool at 18.

What's impressive is how they're doing it. No one would suggest this is the most talented side United has produced under the reign of Sir Alex Ferguson. They are doing it with work ethic and mental strength. This is all on the manager. Ferguson doesn't allow his team to believe they can lose. It's something intangible, and it's contagious. United was 2-0 down to West Ham at the half yesterday, but they refused to accept defeat. In the end they won 4-2.

Ferguson has instilled a winning mentality at United which is unequaled anywhere in the world. United players are team players. They believe in the club. Sure there are strong personalities just like any other sports franchise, but no one is bigger than the club. When they start to think they are they soon find their way to the exit. It is this culture which will win United it's 19th title and it's place in history.

United's Struggles

United seem to be missing that spark this year. This has been the hallmark of Ferguson's tenure with United. They always have that little something extra - what I call that spark. Granted they have injuries right now to some key personnel, but in the past there bench has always risen to the occasion. Not this time. At least not yet.

Don't get me wrong, being undefeated since April is impressive by any ones standards. This hasn't translated into wins. If the team was to go a whole year without a loss, but tied every game they would achieve nothing. United has a lot of ties this season - not good enough. While Rooney's recent actions leading up to his new contract were inexcusable - he was right. They haven't kept up with the moves of their opponents.

United needs an injection of new talent. Hernandez has certainly been a breath of fresh air. His pace and nose for the net will take him far, but they need help in the middle of the park. Scholes has been a great General over the years for United, but he's coming to the end of his reign.

Without Scholes in the middle of the park spreading the ball around United looked lost today against Villa. The only thing that saved them was the injection of Obertan and Macheda. They were chasing shadows for most of the game. This has been the case far too often this year with United. Opponents don't fear them like they used to. If a suitable replacement for Scholes isn't found United's days of dominance may come to an end.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
	Between the crosses, row on row,
	That mark our place; and in the sky
	The larks, still bravely singing, fly
	Scarce heard amid the guns below.
	We are the Dead. Short days ago
	We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
	Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
	In Flanders Fields.
	Take up our quarrel with the foe:
	To you from failing hands we throw
	The torch; be yours to hold it high.
	If ye break faith with us who die
	We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
	In Flanders Fields.
	- John McCrae

Beer and Sports!

What a fine combination. Beer and sports. Every man's favorite beverage and past time. Think about it. What's the first thing you do when you walk in the stadium of your favorite team? You look for the beer counter. Right? It's useless to deny it. We are all creatures of habit. It's just that men are more predictable. Give us beer and sports and we're happy!

Oh, there are differences, don't get me wrong. Some of us like ale and some us like lager, some of us insist on using a glass while others like it right out of the bottle (although most stadiums won't let you indulge in this option!). But we all need our beer before we find our seat.

Men around the world drink beer at sporting events! From Japan to the U.K. In Yankee stadium and Estadio Do Marcana in Brazil - beer is everywhere! What is it that's so alluring about beer? Is it the tiny bubbles that work the way slowly up your cup? Or is it the smooth icy taste as that golden nectar slides down your throat? Perhaps it's that fuzzy feeling in your brain that takes over after about the third or fourth beverage. You know that fuzzy feeling that tells you your superman and that it's a good idea to talk at the top of your lungs. It isn't any one of these things, it's all of these things. This is what makes it the beverage that men drink at sporting events from Texas to Madrid.

Wow Wolves! Really? United almost blew it - again! They`re still not playing like the dominant force they`ve been for many years, but they are starting to win again - which should be an ominous sign for those writing them off.

So Owen Hargreaves is finally back !!!! Oh, wait a minute . . . . . .he`s off after five or six minutes! Granted it appears to be a hamstring injury this time, but this guy just has no luck at all. It`s too bad I think he could really be a difference maker for United if he ever gets healthy!

Now what about this Bebe. I'm not sure what to make of him. He's strong on the ball and he clearly plays with passion, but his crosses really need some work! I mean, how often does a sub get substituted! Ah well, I guess the verdict is still out.

Finally, let's take a moment to look at Park. This guy gives it his all every game. He's not the most talented, but his work rate is phenomenal! From one end of the pitch to the other you can find Park contributing. Today he got the winning goal he deserved. See ya next time!

We all have our obsessions in life. One of mine is sports. Not uncommon I know, but I am one of the true fanatics. I never miss a Toronto Maple Leafs game and I never miss a Manchester United game. Thank god for the invention of PVR's! I rarely miss a Toronto F.C game and I try not to miss the Washington Redskins. These are the teams at the center of my passion. The true fanatics like me will either passionately follow my teams as well or will passionately disagree with me. But the one thing we have in common is passion!

This new blog venture of mine will focus on this passion. It's something I know I share with millions around the world! Sports is at the center of so many lives. From the Olympics to the F.I.F.A World Cup - the passion lives in all of us. So if you share my passion feel free to comment. You may not agree with me - in fact I hope you won't as long as you say it with passion.

How passionate am I? I've seen the Toronto Maple Leafs play live in Toronto, Buffalo, Montreal and Ottawa. I've travelled to Chicago to see England play the U.S.A in football (or soccer if you prefer). In Toronto I saw Manchester United put on a clinic against Glasgow Celtic. I went to Columbus to see Toronto F.C play the Columbus Crew and I've watched T.F.C several times live in Toronto. I saw the U.S.A play Uruguay in the under 20 World Cup (again soccer) in Toronto and I've been to see the Bills in Buffalo on more than one occasion. I once travelled to Pittsburgh to watch the Braves play the Pirates - although baseball's not really my sport. I've also occasioned the minor league venues from time to time such as the baby Leafs in St. John's Newfoundland, the Niagara Falls Thunder, the Niagara Ice Dogs and the Blue Jay's farm team in St. Catharines many years ago.

The point is I've enjoyed many different sports in may different venues. That is what being passionate about sport is all about. You can't just be the sports couch potato! You have to get out there and enjoy the atmosphere of your obsession. If your like me - I look forward to your comments!