Liverpool and Manchester City did what they do on Saturday and Sunday. We now need to do what we do on a Monday.
I had both of our title rivals down for 3 points this weekend, so it was no surprise that they both won; although you would be lying if you did not think “what if” after Liverpool were 0-0 after 96 minutes and Man U took the lead.
In the end, both teams showed why they are champion-worthy. And we need to do the same tonight.
On paper, we should beat Sheffield United regardless of it being at Bramall Road. But then I was there all those years ago when Phil Jagielka played in goal and we lost 1-nil.
That was an awful day where we turned up with the wrong attitude. The likes of Julio Baptista and Jeremie Aliadiere strolled around like they were playing a charity match.
At one point, at 1-nil down with about 10-minutes to goal. The ball went out of play for a goal kick, Aliadiere was right next to it. Instead of running the ball back to the keeper to get a move on, he just jogged slowly back to the half way line. 5-minutes later Baptista did the same.
When I look at the team that played that day (it was 2006/07), it is a world away from what we have today.
I can see the likes of Declan Rice, Martin Odegaard or Bukayo Saka allowing their team mates to coast. To work hard. And football has changed since then as well.
Strikers, attacking midfielders and wingers are now expected to put a shift in defensively. To press and play at a high tempo. You no longer get to the top of you don’t want to do the work.
Marcus Rashford is the perfect example of this.
6 or 7 years ago he looked like he would become a world beater. These days he just doesn’t put in the work. He is more concerned with being the goal scoring hero, but not willing to put in a shift for the team. Those hard yards.
I imagine he sat their int he Eithad dressing room on Sunday and said “well I scored my goal, what did the rest of you do”, ignoring the fact that his goal was the only positive thing he contributed.
Tonight, we need to be professional. Sheffield United have shown on numerous occasions that even at home they will collapse when under pressure.
I do not expect another 4 or 5 goal win, but I do expect a win.
Keenos
She Wore A Yellow Ribbon 
Last game of my winter break, back to Blighty on Wednesday. Be down the pub to watch this one, got to win it. Hopefully we get an early goal and make things a bit easier for ourselves. Think it will be a lot trickier than most people think, I’d be happy with a scrappy 1 niller. Another cleansheet will do me nicely.
Up The Arse.
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