SAF Sounds Words of Caution | Safety Arrangements for Roma

Just the two issues worth talking about today, at least at the time of writing.

Sir Alex has made his disappointment about his strikers’ profligacy in front of goal quite clear. We saw that Liverpool-esque composure in front of goal, costing us a place in the FA Cup semi final and we so nearly drew with Derby County but for Ronaldo’s late goal.

Fergie’s words couldn’t have come in at a more crucial time. We seem set to take an outright lead at the summit of the league table, in midweek against Bolton, while the relegation threatened Trotters will look to have a good go at us, taking heart from Derby’s performance on Saturday. Bolton did beat us earlier this season, and they will look to play their usual dangerous tough tackling game, something that will most certainly rile Sir Alex. Anyway, the point is we cannot afford to be wasteful in front of goal and SAF had this to say:

We’ve got big games, Bolton at home and then Liverpool on Sunday and we want to start taking chances. We’re making them, and I suppose that’s the biggest bonus of all. If we keep making them, you know at some point someone’s going to suffer. We just have to keep going with that. We made it hard for ourselves against Derby because we missed so many chances. We were really charitable. Maybe it’s a little sticky spell, but we want to get over that.

And one would find that hard to disagree, especially if one remembers the smash and grab win United fashioned at Anfield. At this point, as legs tire, we can’t expect to pulverize opposition every other day. But taking the few chances that come ones’ way would be the key to the title.

The other news of significance doing the rounds is about concerns for United fans’ safety when they travel to Roma for the Champions’ League quarterfinal fixture. According to reports:

A delegation led by Ken Ramsden, United’s club secretary, will meet Roma’s officials to discuss ways of ensuring the safety of the travelling supporters when the clubs meet in the quarter-finals. […] United will also ask for permission to take their own stewards and there will be a major presence of officers from Greater Manchester police. Special arrangements will be made to take English supporters to the stadium in a convoy of buses, and United are appealing for their fans to take extreme care.

It’s good that the club is taking the utmost care to prevent a recurrence of incidents from last time. Let’s hope our travelling support make it back safe and sound.

Back to the league, United take on Bolton tomorrow, so join us then as we will look to preview the game.