Tevez can’t Make a tackle and Ronaldo can’t take a tackle
There I was, sat on the couch mulling over the Chelsea/Newcastle game and thinking what to write about this week when Aston Villa v Manchester United came on the box and my prayers were answered.
Let’s talk about Manchester United’s twin threat upfront (for today at least), Tevez and Ronaldo. I would hazard to guess that when the kickaround comes at the end of the training sessions these two are always on the same side. Not to create an understanding between the two, it’s pretty obvious to anyone who’s not completely blind that one doesn’t exist. The reason is probably to keep Ronaldo safe. If Carlos Tevez attempts to tackle him he will surely take him out for good. The fact of the matter is that Tevez can’t tackle. Granted, he’s (supposedly) a striker, but good strikers can win their team the ball back in and around the penalty area. Tevez actually helps the opposing defence by bringing down the player, usually pretty crudely, and relieveing the pressure via the ensuing free kick. Maybe the wily Old Scot realised this after his umpteenth attempt at a challenge against Villa resulted in the inevitable free kick and he replaced Tevez with Nani for the final fifteen minutes or so. No chance of the same happening with Nani on the pitch! As Tevez was leaving the field he looked like the little old troll from Aesop’s Fables and he had just lost his bridge or something.
Over to Ronaldo, the self-confessed Number One player in the world, as he reminded the Villa fans on his way down the tunnel after he was also substituted in the game. I counted Ronaldo going to ground under the pressure of a challenge at least eight times, two of which I may give way to being a touch boisterous. The others must have been because of a few strong gusts of wind in his general area. The guy is 6’1” and built like the proverbial brick outhouse yet goes down quicker than a cheap hooker! Speed is obviously his forte as, no sooner does he hit the deck, than he’s back up aligning the ball for a shot at goal from the newly awarded free kick. Ronaldo may have the guile, speed and skill to be the world’s numero uno, but playing the game fairly is part of that package and he’s not there yet. Stay on your feet, Cristiano, we’ll respect you more for it!
Two images over the day’s play stuck in my mind. The first is from the Chelsea v Newcastle 0-0 draw and is of Magpies interim manager, Roy Kinnear, synchronising his watch with the fourth official with just a minute to go in added time at Stamford Bridge. The look on his face was priceless.
The other incident includes my pal, Ronaldo. As he left the field at Villa Park he did so with a heavy limp. By the time he was headed down the tunnel, presumably for treatment (otherwise he would have seen the game out on the bench), he stopped to remind the Villa faithful that he’s the best player in the world. That’s just the way he is. Embarrassed over his performance and being subbed he partakes in a little banter with the opposition fans. Thing is, this may catch on as a new medical treatment, because when he continued on down the tunnel, lo and behold, the limp was gone! Miraculous! And without a Magic Sponge in sight! Come on, dude, just play the game, will you?
At least it was only verbal banter with the Villa fans that Ronaldo served up, not the up close and personal version Eric Cantona took to the stands back in his day.
