Thursday, December 31, 2009

The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs


Superb.

Note to God

New Year Cheers as United Close Gap



MU 5, Wigan 0. Rooney was inspired the team to a victory which closes the gap on Chelsea to two points.

Rooney was very good, but Valencia terrorised Wigan, the Ecuador winger feasting on feeble opposition in much the same way as Ronaldo used to do. He set up three of United’s goals before scoring the fifth from Rooney’s layoff, giving Maynor Figueroa the kind of pasting from which some players do not recover.

“It was an excellent performance,” Ferguson said. “I think the first 45 minutes were the best we have seen this season, the fluid movement and the tempo we set were terrific.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Hull 1 - 3 MU



Late goals help out Rooney after mistake costs penalty. Rooney had put United in front just before half-time, but his awful back-pass resulted in Hull winning a penalty from which Craig Fagan scored on the hour.

But the England forward made amends by setting up United’s second goal, when Andy Dawson turned in his cross in the 73rd minute, before providing the pass from which Dimitar Berbatov tapped hom

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Sunday, December 20, 2009

No Defence, No Title - Fulham 3 United 0


Manchester United was humiliated by Fulham yesterday. Seven defenders, including Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand, have been lost to the treatment room and Ferguson admitted his side will fade from contention if their injury woes fail to improve. "The way the league is at the moment I hope today is not too damaging. I hope it doesn't cost us the league,'' he told MUTV.

"We'll have to get our defenders back to give us a proper chance of going for the league, there's no question of that. But if we get them back we'll be back in it. The quicker they're back the better. They're doing their best. The medical team and physios are working overtime to get them back. There's no light at the end of the tunnel at the moment, that's for sure.''

Paul Scholes, of all people, gave away the first goal, and had a game that he wishes to forget. Owen is never going to make it to South Africa with night like that too.

Hand it over to Chelsea.


Friday, December 18, 2009

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

MU 3 Wolves 0 - Level on top!

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney scores a penalty

On the spot: Rooney dispatches the penalty

Nemanja Vidic of Manchester United scores his team's second goal

Head and shoulders above the rest: Vidic powers home the second

Manchester United's Luis Antonio Valencia scores

Icing on the cake: Valencia bags a wonderful third goal after a flowing move

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Ryan Giggs: The humble superstar who reminds us what the game has lost...

Ryan Giggs: The humble superstar who reminds us what the game has lost...

By IAN LADYMAN
Last updated at 2:47 AM on 15th December 2009


Several years ago, when some Manchester United fans were beginning to question Ryan Giggs’s worth, Britain’s most decorated footballer picked up the phone to a reporter who had written an article in his defence.

Giggs didn’t say much and the conversation didn’t amount to an interview. The criticism he had received from the Stretford End had hurt him and he just wanted to say thank you to someone who had chosen to offer common sense to counter the madness.

Ryan Giggs

Winning quietly: Ryan Giggs remains courteous, decent but above all talented

Giggs was saying thank you again on Sunday night, in Sheffield. This time to the 151,842 people who had voted him the BBC Sports Personality of the Year. In many ways, though, the two things are linked.

It is largely because of the courtesy, decency and humility that Giggs has shown over the second half of his career that the United winger won this award. In Britain, we like those who manage to win and win quietly.

As regrettable as it is, not many people in British football know how to say thank you. More often than not, the phone is only picked up when there is an argument to be had or revenge is sought. In football these days, it is always somebody else’s fault.

Giggs is a magnificent footballer, of course. Had he been English he would have won 100 caps. But that isn’t why he has managed to find - almost by accident - such a unique place in the hearts and minds of British supporters.

There are other great players in our isles, many other worthy servants of our game. There are two others at his own club, Paul Scholes and Gary Neville. But in a sport that tends to divide and split opinion almost without trying, Giggs is a rarity simply because he unites people.

Ryan Giggs

A star is born: Young Giggs in action in 1992

Perhaps that is because he reminds us of something we have lost. Having played more than 800 games for his one and only club, such loyalty and longevity may never be seen again.

When we say goodbye to him - whenever that may be - there will be a real sense of loss, a sense that a clearly defined chapter in the history of our game will be closing. How many players can we genuinely say that about?

On Sunday night, football supporters from Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea would have felt pleased for Giggs. Some may even have voted for him. Manchester City fans would not have (Giggs was about to sign for them before United stole in 22 years ago), but today they stand in the minority.

For the first half of his 19 years in the United first team, Giggs was simply a supremely talented young footballer. His manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, and one of his inspirations,
Sir Bobby Charlton, both tell wonderful tales of the first occasions they watched him play.

‘I told Sir Bobby that he had to come down and watch this young lad,’ recalls Ferguson. ‘He came down and watched him. Straight away he said that we had to sign him up.

‘I said, “Don’t worry, we already have”. We must have gone to his house countless times to make sure he came to us. Thankfully, he did.’

Over the years, Giggs’s talents have endured. Though in our mind’s eye we will always see him as a winger, his sense of timing, his intelligence and indeed his robustness have allowed him to play across the midfield positions.

Yoga, tennis and fatherhood have certainly contributed to his mental and physical resilience. His tennis is still in the ‘development’ stages but Giggs was one of the first at Old Trafford to try yoga and he attributes his twice-weekly sessions to keeping at bay the hamstring problems that bothered him regularly up until three or four years ago.

‘I have hardly missed a training session for some two years now,’ he said.

In recent years, though, Giggs has emerged as something more than simply a superb footballer. He has grown into his role as one of our senior statesmen with remarkable
ease.

Giggs was never a saint. Could a player blessed with such extravagant and flamboyant gifts really be expected to be an introvert away from the field?

Ryan Giggs

Key influence: The guidance and protection of Sir Alex Ferguson was a huge factor in Giggs's early development at Old Trafford

He ran with the pack as a younger man and even got into a fight at the party that followed United’s 1999 Champions League success.

But the truth is that he has long since made the transition. He has long since understood the responsibility that comes with the passing of time. He doesn’t dye the flecks of silver in his hair. He hasn’t tried to hold time back.

While players such as his clubmate Neville seem to be heading towards retirement consumed by rage that soon it will all be over, Giggs has carried the look of a man who seems intent on enjoying it while he can.

An ambassador for the charity UNICEF, he has been able to place football in its proper context, although, when your honours include 11 Premier League titles, two European Cups, the Super Cup, three League Cups and four FA Cups, perhaps that is easier
to do.

Ryan Giggs

Crowning glory: Ryan Giggs with the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award on Sunday

In recent years there have been challenges to his place in Ferguson’s thinking. Cristiano Ronaldo stole the limelight for a while, of course, while left-sided players such as the Korean, Ji-sung Park, and the Portugal winger Nani have also arrived as United’s manager has been forced to confront a future without his favourite Welshman.

Nani has already gone on record to thank Giggs for his help and advice, though, and he is not the only one to benefit from the elder statesman’s selflessness.

Ferguson said: ‘He’s part of the second unofficial tier of my staff, if you like. I do confide in him and I do take his advice.

‘He understands this club better than anybody.’

Giggs is already part-way to earning his coaching badges, but that is for the future. For now, at least, his remarkable playing career moves inexorably forwards.

Some may resent him winning Sunday’s award, but they will be few. His acceptance speech mirrored his goal celebrations. Understated. No badge-kissing.

In winning, he managed something remarkable. Giggs is not English and he plays for a club disliked by millions. Both should have been natural obstacles.

But - just he has on the football field for 20 years - Giggs managed to make the winning look easy.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1235876/Ryan-Giggs-The-humble-superstar-reminds-game-lost-.html#ixzz0ZjOZVkJ9

Fast charging i-Miev for the UK



As Mitsubishi's iMiev electric cars become available to the public next year, the UK will be the first to benefit from technology that will see the Lithium-ion batteries recharged to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes. Mitsubishi UK will be the first company in Europe to showcase the city car's fast charging capabilities.

Even though the average daily commute in the UK is thought to be no more than 48km (30 miles), which is well within the 130 - 160km (81 - 100 miles) travel capabilities of the iMiev, a criticism often leveled at electric vehicles is limited range. The 200 x 100 x 80cm (79 x 39 x 32in) fast charger (supplied by Tokyo Electric Power Company) is claimed to replenish the batteries to 80 percent capacity in just 30 minutes so strategically placing a few at motorway service areas or car parks in retail zones should extend the car's range and convenience by more than enough to silence most detractors.

Mitsubishi UK is gearing up to be the first company in Europe to showcase fast charging technology for the iMiev. Lance Bradley of Mitsubishi UK said: "the fast charge function will revolutionize the way people think about the practicalities of Electric Vehicles. This is particularly significant with the launch of the Plugged in Places initiative by the Department for Transport, which is seeking to accelerate the implementation of the UK's charging infrastructure".

UK actor turned broadcaster Robert Llewellyn (of Red Dwarf and Scrapheap Challenge fame) will be using an iMiev next year for a brand new video podcast focused on electric vehicles, where no doubt such things as performance and range will be eagerly discussed. His internet TV portal Llewtube will have more information shortly.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Villa Old Trafford Shocker

On an Old Trafford evening of seething frustration, Manchester United squandered their chance to stand alongside Chelsea at the peak of the Premier League. One fine goal was all it took to send Aston Villa home in triumph to the West Midlands, leaving United to curse their fate and their failings.


Sir Alex Ferguson accepted defeat with decent grace. He has never been one of the game’s worst losers, and while he made an attempt to criticise the referee for a lack of added time, it was a token effort, nothing serious. He knew that the fault lay with his own players, that anything else was mere distraction.



Ryan Giggs named Sports Personality of the Year 2009



A televisual event which confounds expectations more times than not last night honoured Ryan Giggs as a surprise BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The Manchester United winger earned the viewers’ accolade for his durability, honesty and loyalty, beating Formula One world champion Jenson Button into second place by 55,000 votes.

Clearly surprised by the award, the 36-year-old Giggs said: ‘That is a big shock, as you can tell by the speech I’ve prepared. As if I wasn’t nervous enough, my heroes Seb Coe and Michael Johnson are sitting right here in front of me.

Winner of Sports Personality of the Year 2009, Ryan Giggs

Wing wizard: Giggs is the most decorated player in English football history

‘Liberty and Zach, my kids, you can go to bed now. You’ve got school in the morning.

‘I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot playing for the greatest manager who ever lived and the greatest team, but this is up there with all of that. I grew up watching this show.

‘It’s more special because I’m in my thirties. You don’t expect to win things at this age. You expect to win them when you’re younger and supposedly in your prime.

‘I might have to put the award on the table when I go in and speak to the club about a new contract.’

The best footballer I have ever seen.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Wolfsburg crash out as Owen fires




Michael Owen scored a famous hat-trick as Manchester United made light of their injury woes to record a memorable win over German champions Wolfsburg.

The former Liverpool frontman has not made quite the impression many people expected when he arrived from Newcastle in the summer. But the 29-year-old has now taken his tally to seven and Ferguson said: "It was a fantastic performance. Michael's finishing and positional play were superb.


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Popeye's creator gets a Google logo



Elzie Crisler Segar might not be a household name, but the Popeye creator has become the latest person to be honoured with his ownGoogle Doodle.

The internet search giant has depicted the rambunctious cartoon seaman in typically feisty pose on what would have been Segar's 115th birthday.





Monday, December 7, 2009

West Ham 0 MU 4 - a Day when MU lost all defenders

Darren Fletcher started at right back, with Gary Neville and Wes Brown lining central defence. Darron Gibson would pull the strings in midfield, with Paul Scholes, the ageing warrior, playing the holding role. Wayne Rooney was down to scavenge alone up front, with Michael Owen and Dimitar Berbatov, his possible partners, sitting on the bench.

Goodness knows what the Old Trafford sage made of it at the end, with United reduced to ten men by injuries to Neville and Brown and the complement of substitutes having been used. Michael Carrick filled in at centre back, with Patrice Evra alongside, Ryan Giggs retreated to left back and Owen and Berbatov came on to forage in attack. Crazy, mixed-up formations, from start to finish. Square pegs in round holes, a mish-mash of needs-must choices from Ferguson, forced by his lack of fit defenders. Yet did anyone notice? United toyed with West Ham, edged ahead on the stroke of half-time and then pulverised them into submission.

Ferguson does not panic when Plan A disintegrates. Even when Plans B and C have been ripped to shreds, too, the trust in his squad — especially the fringe members, the frustrated B-listers — is absolute. What was he effin’ doing? Taking them out of their comfort zones, asking them to perform alien tasks, demanding versatility in potential adversity. Yet safe in the knowledge that they would not let him down. And they did not.


Scholes, the master, fired United in front with a bullet of a shot; Gibson, the willing apprentice, thundered in another, his third goal of the week. Antonio Valencia and Rooney completed the demolition.

Friday, December 4, 2009

No More Prostars/Corinthians...


In a statement released on the website of Prostars, they are stopping production of Prostars. I have been a collector for some years, I guess this is the end of it.

STATEMENT REGARDING THE FUTURE OF PROSTARS

We are aware that there have been recent discussions on the Collectors Forum regarding the future of ProStars, so in order to clarify the current situation we are making the following announcement.

We can confirm that after much deliberation there will NOT be any further releases of ProStars figures for the foreseeable future although we will continue to produce MicroStars. Please be assured that this decision has not been taken lightly, and has been triggered by market conditions, increased manufacturing costs, license negotiations and the fees required to secure these high profile licenses.

Collectors should be aware that we continue to hold licenses to produce ProStars figures of Manchester United and Arsenal. However, we have decided to let the Serie A, Barcelona, Celtic, Rangers and Chelsea licenses lapse, and the Liverpool license expires in the middle of August.

Please note that we will explore the feasibility of producing Team Packs should Manchester United or Arsenal, win a major competition. We therefore will continue to watch league tables and tournament progress with interest!

Finally, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all our Trade customers and collectors, who have loyally supported the brand since its inception in 1995, and we look forward to keeping in touch with you all.

The ProStars Team

Giggs hits 100th mark as Rooney got his hat-trick!

Ryan Giggs stole many of the headlines again at the weekend when he scored his 100th Premier League goal during Manchester United's win at Portsmouth.

And after a year in which Giggs won an amazing 11th league title with United, the Welshman has been included in the shortlist of 10 leading sports stars for this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards.