Time to stick my head above the parapet again | OneFootball

When one of the world’s worst punters went public seven days ago with his prediction of six points from United’s matches against Aston Villa and the Salfords, he should not have been surprised by some of the caustic comments posted on The Mag.

“Why would anyone write this, man? Pride comes before a fall.”

“Kiss of death or what.”

And my favourite reprimand:

“We beat Leicester and Ipswich so it automatically follows we beat Aston Villa and Manchester United? is Football really that simple?”

No, it isn’t, though Simple Simon does have a certain ring to it.

As well as being a less-than-terrific tipster, I’m also a half-glass-empty kind of guy, so why did I stick my head above the parapet when we had brushed aside “only” the Foxes and the Tractor Boys?

Perhaps my enthusiasm got the better of me.

Perhaps the pending festivities and the prospect of seasonal alcohol (though not mulled wine) played a part. Or perhaps I could see United had turned a metaphorical corner and were back on the right track, baby.

The two points we dropped at Selhurst Park in a tame performance and the three we threw away at the Gtech (two outcomes decided by a handful of defensive lapses) were poor results but not shocking displays by the Mags. Palace were finding their feet, having switched to three centre-backs this season, while Brentford had the best home record in the Premier League.

In my book, the home defeat by West Ham was the most disappointing game of the season so far. Even that could have turned out nice again (credit George Formby) if Alexander Isak had stayed onside in the opening minutes. Small margins are so often the difference between joy and despair.

There were plenty of reasons to be cheerful, even in the middle of a four-match winless run.

We were making chances (except against Palace) and Sandro Tonali was growing into his role as a supreme black-and-white midfielder.

Anthony Gordon was rediscovering the stellar form of last season. Flash loves to cut inside from the left flank, as he did to great effect for the first goal against Villa. He is also prepared to beat the full-back on the outside and send over dangerous crosses with his left foot.

Our two young full-backs were fulfilling their promise. Jacob Murphy was repaying the faith shown in him by Eddie Howe. If all else failed, Isak could be relied on to remain ice-cool at finishing school.

We seemed more willing to shoot from distance, too. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy a ticket. The metaphorical corner had been turned. The physical corner was also proving a source of inspiration, with some smart routines bamboozling opponents. The own goal Palace conceded was unfortunate for Mark Guehi and hilarious for supporters of the team he might have joined in the summer. What shouldn’t be overlooked was the slick pass-and-move play that culminated in Gordon firing a dangerous low cross into the Palace goalmouth.

Pass-and-move is a style of play I admire. Quick minds and quicker feet are the essential ingredients, with a willingness to make umpteen forward bursts. The second goal on Thusday was a great example, involving six players and more than 10 passes. Isak could barely miss but what at first glance seemed a tap-in was created by supreme movement and precise passing.

It’s not to be confused with the soporific stuff served up by Man City, often at walking pace, whose main purpose is to wait until rivals doze off while the ball goes sideways and backwards for minutes on end.

This season, thank goodness, other Premier League clubs have woken up and realised attack is the best form of defence against Pep Guardiola’s multiple champions. The air of invincibility has vanished as quickly as the sycophantic claptrap spouted by media minions.

Football is cyclical, of course, a truism often overlooked. All good things come to an end, as do bad things.

At the risk of further ridicule, I will again tip us to win against Manchester United on Monday. The absence of Bruno F, a vastly inferior version of Bruno G, as well as the underwhelming Manuel Ugarte, will force the Salfords’ latest manager into another shuffle of the deckchairs on the Titanic.

Will there be a recall for the lesser-spotted Marcus Rashford? Football being football, he and Ugarte’s possible replacement, Casemiro, will live up to their hype for once and rain on our parade.

If you do believe the Mags’ dire league record in Manchester will be extended, you can back the sinking ship at 9/5 to win. Those of a black-and-white persuasion are offered a miserly 6/4. I wonder when we last visited that dump of a stadium and started as favourites against the lower mid-table scufflers?