Till few moments back I was of the opinion that formal English (which means typing sentences as they ought to be, words as they are spelled) was meant for occasions (speeches, literature writing etc etc..). But one question and the statement that followed on a recent chat changed it.
"Did you pick up your English from movies or Tv shows? I am impressed by the slang that you use..."
I was trying to clarify that I rarely watch English movies or Tv shows, hence for them to influence my lingo was feable. I gave the credit/blame to the most trustable allies in universe - 'Friends' (always to fall back on - evergreen option). Then my eyes picked up the word 'slang' on to which i hung on trying to decipher the meaning. In couple of seconds I gave it up and asked my friend what actually she meant by 'slang'. I was curios because it wasn't the first time this was happening to me. The other day one of my friends used the word 'juvenile' to describe the English that I used over the chat and today it was 'slang'. I asked my friend to throw light on what exactly she meant by 'slang' (I am used to being pulled by my friends by associating 'slang' to my accent of hind, Eng, Telugu while speaking) as this was the first time I was slanged in a chat. You start worrying, when the incident happens again and again, whether you are abnormal. My question to her had worry at the same time curiosity written all over it. She was kind enough to elaborate on 'slang'. 'Slang' - Using too many abbreviations. Too many abbreviations over a chat by me was making others to either slang/juvenile my English. Ooph now that was something new to me. Abbz in chats is prety comn 2 us (oops-Abbreviations in chats is pretty common to us). All life long in g-talk and yahoo messenger (predominately Indians) we are used to it and we find fun in innovating new abbreviations time and again (Wasn't that supposed to be smart and fun). It is good when you comment over a picture, but over usage of it is hard to follow or comprehend was the swift reply. I did a quick check on the same in fb to find that we both were right. It is jst d Indians who use it tme & again & r comfy wid al d abbz, whereas others use the literature english (read as without abbreviations). Lessons learnt and cautious not to be called Juvenile or slanged in near future I thanked her. In deed this input from my Easter friend of the day (selected by fb this morning) will prove to me useful.
PS: So folks keep abbz to Indians and when you step out leave your abbreviations/innovations on language to rest, otherwise rest of the world will find it strange and hard to comprehend. 2 months it took me to learn this and probably many more to follow in this Euro Trip of mine.
Ms Miller & Ms Danna - I have in the above article tried my level best to keep my slangged/juvenile english out of the way (the once you see are intentional). Thanking you once gain. Ciao…ciao ;)
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
Winner - Sport
Sports – I love them. Cricket, Football, Tennis and the list goes on. Reliving some of the best moments make you wonder at the way the modern sport is moving. “The Gentlemen’s Game” doesn’t hold good anymore for Cricket, It’s now more of physical than a serene game. The way tackles are flying in and the head butts happen in football, it seems to be giving rugby a run for its money. All this happens in the name of winning. Is this want winning means or does? Winning at any cost is good attitude to have keeping in mind the respect for the opposition. It seems to be contradictory doesn’t it? Surely it did to me until I switched on El Clasico of tennis Fed-x V Nadal match (Wimbledon 2008 highlights). The answer seemed to be so obvious and the statement as such was put to perspective seeing the best in the business sweat it out.
The R v R rivalry had all the answers. Every match of theirs irrespective of the surfaces they play is a treat to watch. Certainly so in clay and grass, I might have no answer to the pundits and stats that show that Fed express speeds over the Spanish warrior on faster surfaces. But then here we are not debating who the best is. For me it is more about the way they play the game. One a magnificent artist, the other street fighter, one right handed the other left handed, one possess the most beautiful shot in the game - single hand backhand the other has a deadly spinning and dipping forehand, one relaxed and carefree the other meticulous about his rituals. They for sure have contrasting styles but they have one thing in common that is to win. Win at any cost? Certainly- pundits would echo coarsely. Yes they do with great hunger. For that they don’t slap each other, neither on the name of mind games call one another “Monkey or rather Maa Ki”. Wait when I say this all you will mull over to the fact that Cricket or Football is a team game and so a contact sport. Inevitable, hence Game-set and Match. Is that what is running through your brains?
Friends here there is no comparison that is being made but rather a genuine observation at how well a rivalry can be fruitful for the game. How aggression in the game and not on the personnel makes the game even more enjoyable. Tennis very true isn’t a contact sport, but neither is cricket. The rivalry between the Swiss maestro and the Spanish bull - isn’t it a treat to watch? They are so special for the reason that they are not bad losers. They make each other sweat the most to earn every single point. But then that is where their animosity ends. The respect they have for game and to opponents as such reminds you that this is still a game, where one has to loose but the sport wins, the fans win. They are the perfect brand ambassadors for this wonderful game. As I finish this one just to emphasis the point we just have to rewind to Barca v Arsenal quarter final’s match at Emirates. Wasn’t that a treat? Football played at break taking pace, end to end stuff, no swearing, no play acting and no leg breaking tackles. After all it is a game where one has to win and win at all costs. I agree. But to win you don’t have to be a bad looser, you don’t have to enact you opponents to red cards. The pain in me as a genuine sports follower is that the people have taken the wrong side of ‘Winning at any cost’. The people who matter have forgotten that it is a game that is played to bring smiles on those tired faces that walk in to stadium. Hope there are many more such rivalries that will grace the sports and refresh it for the generations to come. Hope players walk the pitch to play the game. Hope Hope and Hope !!!
The R v R rivalry had all the answers. Every match of theirs irrespective of the surfaces they play is a treat to watch. Certainly so in clay and grass, I might have no answer to the pundits and stats that show that Fed express speeds over the Spanish warrior on faster surfaces. But then here we are not debating who the best is. For me it is more about the way they play the game. One a magnificent artist, the other street fighter, one right handed the other left handed, one possess the most beautiful shot in the game - single hand backhand the other has a deadly spinning and dipping forehand, one relaxed and carefree the other meticulous about his rituals. They for sure have contrasting styles but they have one thing in common that is to win. Win at any cost? Certainly- pundits would echo coarsely. Yes they do with great hunger. For that they don’t slap each other, neither on the name of mind games call one another “Monkey or rather Maa Ki”. Wait when I say this all you will mull over to the fact that Cricket or Football is a team game and so a contact sport. Inevitable, hence Game-set and Match. Is that what is running through your brains?
Friends here there is no comparison that is being made but rather a genuine observation at how well a rivalry can be fruitful for the game. How aggression in the game and not on the personnel makes the game even more enjoyable. Tennis very true isn’t a contact sport, but neither is cricket. The rivalry between the Swiss maestro and the Spanish bull - isn’t it a treat to watch? They are so special for the reason that they are not bad losers. They make each other sweat the most to earn every single point. But then that is where their animosity ends. The respect they have for game and to opponents as such reminds you that this is still a game, where one has to loose but the sport wins, the fans win. They are the perfect brand ambassadors for this wonderful game. As I finish this one just to emphasis the point we just have to rewind to Barca v Arsenal quarter final’s match at Emirates. Wasn’t that a treat? Football played at break taking pace, end to end stuff, no swearing, no play acting and no leg breaking tackles. After all it is a game where one has to win and win at all costs. I agree. But to win you don’t have to be a bad looser, you don’t have to enact you opponents to red cards. The pain in me as a genuine sports follower is that the people have taken the wrong side of ‘Winning at any cost’. The people who matter have forgotten that it is a game that is played to bring smiles on those tired faces that walk in to stadium. Hope there are many more such rivalries that will grace the sports and refresh it for the generations to come. Hope players walk the pitch to play the game. Hope Hope and Hope !!!
Do U?
Do you have it in you?
To stand by your feelings
To stand tall among opinions
To call spade a spade
To call the shorts when required
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To make the impossible possible
To make history
To question the traditions, customs
To question the ‘wise’ men
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To find your destination
To find your dream
To walk the walk
To walk to glory
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To be self, to be you
To stand by your feelings
To stand tall among opinions
To call spade a spade
To call the shorts when required
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To make the impossible possible
To make history
To question the traditions, customs
To question the ‘wise’ men
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To find your destination
To find your dream
To walk the walk
To walk to glory
To be self, to be you
Do you have it in you?
To be self, to be you
Happiness
I search for her I want her,
I wish for her presence
I crave for her, I pray for her
I dream about her hereness
She brings repose, she brings calmness
She is serene, she is priceless
She brings radiance, she brings freshness
She is simple, she is peerless
There I see her, she is suffocating
They all are fighting for her
They squeeze her, she is aching
They want her, they forget her
She escapes them, she comes to me
My wish is here, I celebrate
I want to keep her, I want to own her
I forget her, she is mine forever
I stagnate; I realize I am suffocating,
I pause, I see her struggling
She is aching, she is hurting
She wants to speak, she is whispering
I hear her, she wants freedom
She wants to move places
I ask, will you come back to my kingdom
She smiles and moves
She is enjoying, she is growing
She is Happiness, I see her living
I am happy, I see her around me
She is with me forever, forever
NIT W
Walked through the gates first time ever with pride,
Feeling satisfied and accomplished with every stride
People and culture were different and new
The things I knew were very few
Initially attending classes, meant learning
Being with seniors meant time wasting
But, space with them taught more than any school could have
As time moved on lifelong friends were made
Soon from fresher’s to seniors we made the grade
Attending classes, labs and submitting assignments were of least priority
Late night movies, booze and sreenu point became a regularity
Hanging out with friends, playing and long hours in front of PC gave us the satisfaction
Last minute studies, sharing of papers got us through examination
Fests, Festivals, Fresher’s and Farewells – 4 F’s of our college
Life was better, Life was fun : we didn't have to manage
Fours years flew by and curtains to college life neared
We were bidding adieu to place, to people whom we cared
Walking through the gates this time around, We had grown up from boys to men
NIT W, you the best !! Thanking you for all that you have given
Feeling satisfied and accomplished with every stride
People and culture were different and new
The things I knew were very few
Initially attending classes, meant learning
Being with seniors meant time wasting
But, space with them taught more than any school could have
As time moved on lifelong friends were made
Soon from fresher’s to seniors we made the grade
Attending classes, labs and submitting assignments were of least priority
Late night movies, booze and sreenu point became a regularity
Hanging out with friends, playing and long hours in front of PC gave us the satisfaction
Last minute studies, sharing of papers got us through examination
Fests, Festivals, Fresher’s and Farewells – 4 F’s of our college
Life was better, Life was fun : we didn't have to manage
Fours years flew by and curtains to college life neared
We were bidding adieu to place, to people whom we cared
Walking through the gates this time around, We had grown up from boys to men
NIT W, you the best !! Thanking you for all that you have given
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Bitter 'Rasagolla'
I couldn't believe my eyes. It is one of those 'unthinkables', may be by restricting self to 'unthinkables' i am being nice (my vocab isn't strong either). A sin, unpardonable crime has been commited. In the land of Kali her own son has be cornered. Yes, Sourav Ganguly, Bengal's greatest sporting gift to India is once again questioned, this time from within (probably first and will be the last time to happen). Avid followers of Prince (i being one of them) are shell shocked. Anti-Dada campaign in the heart of Bengal - I for one never thought that it can happen.
The poster read "Dada theke dadu bhai / tabu cricket khela chaai" -- Dada has become 'Dadu' (grand father) & still wants to play cricket. If that statement wasn't enough it had message for the IPL caretakers of KKR "Souravke tara re/Kolkata jitbe re" - Fire sourav if you want to win. In Indian cricket this is nothing new for cricketers in general, the 1.3 billions fans who follow the game are all 'Experts' (We all think we play better and understand the game superior to the 11 that go out and play the game). But the thing that doesn't sink in me is how can it happen to Dada and too in Bengal - 'Insane'. If it happened to Sachin in mumbai under the leadership of 'Marati Manoos' or to Dhoni in Jharkhand it wouldn't have come as an iota of surprise. But this getting dished out in Bengal is altogether different.
Bengal has always been known for its passion for sports. Be it be any sport (soccer, cricket) they wear heart on the sleves and admire it. And to those masses when Sourav turned out innings after innings taking Indian cricket to its Pinnacles, it was celebration time. The little boy from Kolkatta had become everything for them. He had become their 'Dada'. When the world questioned Ganguly they stood behind their Icon. Ganguly's enemies were Bengal's enemies. They took on the entire world (in any forum Tv chats, Interviews, public debates) and braved their child for more.It was a relation probably the whole world envied. It was emotional, it was PASSIONATE.
It took a certain innings of 88 runs the following day from the 'Lord of Offside' to answer the tweets of the selfcentered 'Bollywood Shame' (Sharukh Khan, I hate Hema Malini for giving this dual faced hypocrate a break and Yash Raj for giving him all those wonderful roles) rather than a reminder of his aura to the Kolkatta or his fans. 2007 of Indian Cricket (The Rising of the Pheonix) is still fresh in the minds of the people from the land of Hoogly and the rest of India too. He forever had to live with critics and enviers for the mere reason that he was Unique & Succesful (he installed belief into us, he captained us for victories-India & Abroad, he stood by his players against world and will remain the Icon who changed the way we played the game). He had the land of 15 million people behind him no matter what. Their 18 years of love story would become an Oscar winning movie by itself. But if every movie needs a villian and to spice it up even more if it is a 'Vibhishana' (the cult fig in Indian history who leaked his family secrets) then on March 30th we got The New Alipore Cricket lovers' Association (NACLA), under whose banner the poster appeared, even painted Sourav's picture with his hairs white and a walking stick on Sourav's left hand, the hand that holds the bat. They committed Sin. They will never be pardoned by the macher jhol, rasagolla and Dada loving people. I only could see the families of NACLA culprits abandoning them for the love of 'Son of Kali- Saurav'. Their love story continues; within 48 hours the posters were stripped away from the streets and support to Saurav was capturing the headlines once again (status co).
The poster read "Dada theke dadu bhai / tabu cricket khela chaai" -- Dada has become 'Dadu' (grand father) & still wants to play cricket. If that statement wasn't enough it had message for the IPL caretakers of KKR "Souravke tara re/Kolkata jitbe re" - Fire sourav if you want to win. In Indian cricket this is nothing new for cricketers in general, the 1.3 billions fans who follow the game are all 'Experts' (We all think we play better and understand the game superior to the 11 that go out and play the game). But the thing that doesn't sink in me is how can it happen to Dada and too in Bengal - 'Insane'. If it happened to Sachin in mumbai under the leadership of 'Marati Manoos' or to Dhoni in Jharkhand it wouldn't have come as an iota of surprise. But this getting dished out in Bengal is altogether different.
Bengal has always been known for its passion for sports. Be it be any sport (soccer, cricket) they wear heart on the sleves and admire it. And to those masses when Sourav turned out innings after innings taking Indian cricket to its Pinnacles, it was celebration time. The little boy from Kolkatta had become everything for them. He had become their 'Dada'. When the world questioned Ganguly they stood behind their Icon. Ganguly's enemies were Bengal's enemies. They took on the entire world (in any forum Tv chats, Interviews, public debates) and braved their child for more.It was a relation probably the whole world envied. It was emotional, it was PASSIONATE.
It took a certain innings of 88 runs the following day from the 'Lord of Offside' to answer the tweets of the selfcentered 'Bollywood Shame' (Sharukh Khan, I hate Hema Malini for giving this dual faced hypocrate a break and Yash Raj for giving him all those wonderful roles) rather than a reminder of his aura to the Kolkatta or his fans. 2007 of Indian Cricket (The Rising of the Pheonix) is still fresh in the minds of the people from the land of Hoogly and the rest of India too. He forever had to live with critics and enviers for the mere reason that he was Unique & Succesful (he installed belief into us, he captained us for victories-India & Abroad, he stood by his players against world and will remain the Icon who changed the way we played the game). He had the land of 15 million people behind him no matter what. Their 18 years of love story would become an Oscar winning movie by itself. But if every movie needs a villian and to spice it up even more if it is a 'Vibhishana' (the cult fig in Indian history who leaked his family secrets) then on March 30th we got The New Alipore Cricket lovers' Association (NACLA), under whose banner the poster appeared, even painted Sourav's picture with his hairs white and a walking stick on Sourav's left hand, the hand that holds the bat. They committed Sin. They will never be pardoned by the macher jhol, rasagolla and Dada loving people. I only could see the families of NACLA culprits abandoning them for the love of 'Son of Kali- Saurav'. Their love story continues; within 48 hours the posters were stripped away from the streets and support to Saurav was capturing the headlines once again (status co).
14 years and counting :D
A causal chat with Abhishek Verma (who was supposed to spend his night shift working for IBM rather than chatting with me over Man u - Chelsea game) threw up this amazing number in front of me. 14 years man 14 years (i still can't take it) i have been following BPL or rather i should say Man U. It all started in knowing that the defending champions (red devils) were playing and when you see your first goal of a football match being the 52m stunner by David Bechkam you just turn out to be. A David bechkam and Man U fan for life. That season i didn't have many chance to see the matches live on TV (as BPL fever hadn't caught up that much in India and i was in Kerala (Pilicode, by nov moved to Tcr) and computer and internet were not even in my vocabulary) but do remember that Man U drew stick from all quarters after the loss to New castle (infact they were thumped by New castle). Come may even w/o kicking the ball Man U were crowed champions. It was then a big shock when the famous Eric called quits, to be frank i only knew few names in the team DB, Ole (as he was the leading scorer) and coach Alex. So Eric quitting and its consequences didn't matter to me. I, 11 year old kid was celebrating that my team had won the championship (if fact retained).
The importance of Eric resignation hit me when in 1997-98 season we ended trophy less. All pundits attributed it to the absence of the charismatic Eric and shrewdness of Arsene Wegner at Arsenal. I can still remember that Roy Keane (new club captain) was adamant that United will win the championship some where in March (my final year exams were on) and i was trying to get as much information as possible on PL (premier league) with the access to DD and The Hindu. As a budding footballer fan it was probably the point when Man U became close to my heart. When your team gets beaten and your friends go gaga on it, the anger in you makes you closer to your team even challenging them that they trophy will be back with me (read as Man U; emotional).
And back it was in 1998-99 season. There was no stopping us. We won the treble. Bring them on no matter which club what competition we went on decimating the opposition by keeping them guessing till the last seconds. It was a year of last minute victories. It was the year when we become come back kings. It was the year when we crowned our selves as Champion of Champions at Nou Camp in the final 3 minutes. That season will remain as the season to beat for times to comes. We played the final without out charsmatic captain (keane) and fox (scholes). I can still remember the pleasure of winning it catching the highlights of the match at cousins place (guntur). To get those glimpses i had to resort to emotional blackmails to my dad to get the train tickets dates moved from the final's day (we were supposed to return from tenali, my home town to trichur).In this season the golden generation (The beck's, scholsy, giggsy, keane, nevviles, ole all from the OT school) of the 1990's peaked.
We lost the best Goal Keepers of that decade Peter Schmeichel in the same season. He was one of the most imposing GK's you will find in football. Brought to Theatre of Dreams in 1991 he played for us for 8 years. The deal of 1991 was later acknowledged by the manager himself as the 'bargain of the century'. Since then we had many a GK's but PS is the special one to have played the game. 1999-00 season was more or less taking care of threatening Leeds united. But i will remember it as a season where we made the biggest mistake even though we won the league we didn't play the FA cup. My footballing knowledge was improving and not seeing Man U play in FA instead play the world club competition in Brazil. In India the coverage to PL was improving day by day and by accessibility was getting better to the live matches. 2000-01 season was a comfortable season where we retained the league easily and probably the season where in i realized the pace and strength of what Arsenal was building. Even though my heart will always say united, that Arsenal team was playing some great football. I liked them and in Arsene Wenger there was a manager who was silently plotting the downfall of Sir Alex and Man U.
Come 2001-02 and Arsenal's young brigade walked the PL. They scored in all the matches, went through the season w/o loosing a single match at home. The nail in the coffin was when Arsenal won 1-0 at Theatre of Dreams (wiltord scored the goal, I will never forgive him for that sin of his). It was probably the season where we could have done better but as every good thing has to come to an end out hatrick of league titles had to come to an end. But on reflecting i think loosing to that Arsenal side with pires, dennis, henry, sol, Inspirational and calm Tony, flying freddie it wasn't a disgrace. But the biggest flaw that season was Liverlpool (team of fools) leapfrogged us to finish second.
Probably that was the kick we needed. Roy Keane and his men bruised and hurt from previous season went to the battle field and reclaimed their right - Right to be Champions of BPL (PL was renamed to BPL that year).2002-03 we won it our right at the top step of podium and giving arsenal the taste of 1997-98 season (where they amassed and amazing run in april and may to steal our cup), who went on to nick the FA cup from us. We had Nistel roy finally living up to his potential. A potent poacher he was. The best by far compare to Coles and Yorkes we had in late 90’s. The boot kick incident can’t go w/o a mention. My link to BPL, Man U was gone. Beck’s was sold to Real Madrid. Goals of Becks in champion league quarter final at OT against real as a substitute couldn’t convince Alex to retain him. Deal was done, Beck’s had to leave.
2003-04 was a year of prolific Chelsea acquisitions, with the new signings legacy of Chelsea was getting created. But the title went into the hands of Arsenal led by Henry. Arsenal bet there own previous record and went unbeaten in the whole campaign. Take a bow Wenger and his men!!! Man U with no becks had to settle for the FA cup. It was the year where we were seeing the diving Ronaldo (carrying the Eric and Becks legacy on his back) come of age. He was breathtaking to watch and the restricting was taking place at theatre of dreams. Gold gen was aging. Roy Keane departed the in a dramatic of fashions.
In the following season big spending Chelsea landed the ‘Special One’ to BPL and he in his first season capped them with league title and the carling cup. I admire him man, I love him and still think that he will take over the reigns at OT once Sir Alex calls it a day. Man U ended trophy less, loosing to arsenal in penalties in FA cup final. Champion’s league was a disappointment yet again (as a man u fan I was confined to thought that CL is not our cup of tea). But if the previous campaigns positive was Ronaldo, this year we had Wayne stolen from Everton. 2005-06 wasn’t much different. Rebuilding was happening at theatre. Nistelroy left us for Real, which turned out to be the blessing in disguise. After two trophies less years and young squad under disposal we stopped Chelsea. Since then we have won BPL three times, reached CL’s finals twice is successive years (no other team has done that, may be Barca might do it this time) winning once and loosing to Barca. 2007-08 we won everything 4 trophies in one year. With Rooney-Ronaldo partnership ending (thanks to the big spending Madrid), 2009-10 season we are being tested. New signings have come and gone, but as Neville said in Fergie we ‘Trust’. We need a big lift from him to see us through this hectic finish (finish with none of the R’s). As I write we are on top of BPL edging Chelsea by a point, still in CL with a return fixture against Bayern Munich (who has taken the revenge for last minute final loss in 1999 with their own spl last minuter in the first leg).
It hard too believe 14 yrs have flown by and still some of the Golden genx are weaving their magic (giggs, g neville & scholsy). One final push guys trust me i won't ask again. This year we need Premier League (to show the fools we have 19 and all recent one's not barking on history as they like them) & CL (to show Barca that they were lucky the other night). Holding of Mourinhio less Blues should be easier and seeing of Bayern & then frenchies a must. At Madrid on 22nd May we have an appointment with Barca.
The importance of Eric resignation hit me when in 1997-98 season we ended trophy less. All pundits attributed it to the absence of the charismatic Eric and shrewdness of Arsene Wegner at Arsenal. I can still remember that Roy Keane (new club captain) was adamant that United will win the championship some where in March (my final year exams were on) and i was trying to get as much information as possible on PL (premier league) with the access to DD and The Hindu. As a budding footballer fan it was probably the point when Man U became close to my heart. When your team gets beaten and your friends go gaga on it, the anger in you makes you closer to your team even challenging them that they trophy will be back with me (read as Man U; emotional).
And back it was in 1998-99 season. There was no stopping us. We won the treble. Bring them on no matter which club what competition we went on decimating the opposition by keeping them guessing till the last seconds. It was a year of last minute victories. It was the year when we become come back kings. It was the year when we crowned our selves as Champion of Champions at Nou Camp in the final 3 minutes. That season will remain as the season to beat for times to comes. We played the final without out charsmatic captain (keane) and fox (scholes). I can still remember the pleasure of winning it catching the highlights of the match at cousins place (guntur). To get those glimpses i had to resort to emotional blackmails to my dad to get the train tickets dates moved from the final's day (we were supposed to return from tenali, my home town to trichur).In this season the golden generation (The beck's, scholsy, giggsy, keane, nevviles, ole all from the OT school) of the 1990's peaked.
We lost the best Goal Keepers of that decade Peter Schmeichel in the same season. He was one of the most imposing GK's you will find in football. Brought to Theatre of Dreams in 1991 he played for us for 8 years. The deal of 1991 was later acknowledged by the manager himself as the 'bargain of the century'. Since then we had many a GK's but PS is the special one to have played the game. 1999-00 season was more or less taking care of threatening Leeds united. But i will remember it as a season where we made the biggest mistake even though we won the league we didn't play the FA cup. My footballing knowledge was improving and not seeing Man U play in FA instead play the world club competition in Brazil. In India the coverage to PL was improving day by day and by accessibility was getting better to the live matches. 2000-01 season was a comfortable season where we retained the league easily and probably the season where in i realized the pace and strength of what Arsenal was building. Even though my heart will always say united, that Arsenal team was playing some great football. I liked them and in Arsene Wenger there was a manager who was silently plotting the downfall of Sir Alex and Man U.
Come 2001-02 and Arsenal's young brigade walked the PL. They scored in all the matches, went through the season w/o loosing a single match at home. The nail in the coffin was when Arsenal won 1-0 at Theatre of Dreams (wiltord scored the goal, I will never forgive him for that sin of his). It was probably the season where we could have done better but as every good thing has to come to an end out hatrick of league titles had to come to an end. But on reflecting i think loosing to that Arsenal side with pires, dennis, henry, sol, Inspirational and calm Tony, flying freddie it wasn't a disgrace. But the biggest flaw that season was Liverlpool (team of fools) leapfrogged us to finish second.
Probably that was the kick we needed. Roy Keane and his men bruised and hurt from previous season went to the battle field and reclaimed their right - Right to be Champions of BPL (PL was renamed to BPL that year).2002-03 we won it our right at the top step of podium and giving arsenal the taste of 1997-98 season (where they amassed and amazing run in april and may to steal our cup), who went on to nick the FA cup from us. We had Nistel roy finally living up to his potential. A potent poacher he was. The best by far compare to Coles and Yorkes we had in late 90’s. The boot kick incident can’t go w/o a mention. My link to BPL, Man U was gone. Beck’s was sold to Real Madrid. Goals of Becks in champion league quarter final at OT against real as a substitute couldn’t convince Alex to retain him. Deal was done, Beck’s had to leave.
2003-04 was a year of prolific Chelsea acquisitions, with the new signings legacy of Chelsea was getting created. But the title went into the hands of Arsenal led by Henry. Arsenal bet there own previous record and went unbeaten in the whole campaign. Take a bow Wenger and his men!!! Man U with no becks had to settle for the FA cup. It was the year where we were seeing the diving Ronaldo (carrying the Eric and Becks legacy on his back) come of age. He was breathtaking to watch and the restricting was taking place at theatre of dreams. Gold gen was aging. Roy Keane departed the in a dramatic of fashions.
In the following season big spending Chelsea landed the ‘Special One’ to BPL and he in his first season capped them with league title and the carling cup. I admire him man, I love him and still think that he will take over the reigns at OT once Sir Alex calls it a day. Man U ended trophy less, loosing to arsenal in penalties in FA cup final. Champion’s league was a disappointment yet again (as a man u fan I was confined to thought that CL is not our cup of tea). But if the previous campaigns positive was Ronaldo, this year we had Wayne stolen from Everton. 2005-06 wasn’t much different. Rebuilding was happening at theatre. Nistelroy left us for Real, which turned out to be the blessing in disguise. After two trophies less years and young squad under disposal we stopped Chelsea. Since then we have won BPL three times, reached CL’s finals twice is successive years (no other team has done that, may be Barca might do it this time) winning once and loosing to Barca. 2007-08 we won everything 4 trophies in one year. With Rooney-Ronaldo partnership ending (thanks to the big spending Madrid), 2009-10 season we are being tested. New signings have come and gone, but as Neville said in Fergie we ‘Trust’. We need a big lift from him to see us through this hectic finish (finish with none of the R’s). As I write we are on top of BPL edging Chelsea by a point, still in CL with a return fixture against Bayern Munich (who has taken the revenge for last minute final loss in 1999 with their own spl last minuter in the first leg).
It hard too believe 14 yrs have flown by and still some of the Golden genx are weaving their magic (giggs, g neville & scholsy). One final push guys trust me i won't ask again. This year we need Premier League (to show the fools we have 19 and all recent one's not barking on history as they like them) & CL (to show Barca that they were lucky the other night). Holding of Mourinhio less Blues should be easier and seeing of Bayern & then frenchies a must. At Madrid on 22nd May we have an appointment with Barca.
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