Man Utd midfielder Fletcher: Chelsea defeats cost us title last season

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Wayne Rooney

Manchester Unitedmidfielder Darren Fletcher admits their defeats toChelsea last season went a long way to losing the title.

United go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"There were a few decisions in both games that we felt aggrieved about but it shows you the importance of these big games," Fletcher told theDaily Mail.

"Losing six points to them definitely was a massive factor.

"Chelsea are our biggest rivals again this season because of the experience of being there before. Arsenal have come on strong this year but when it comes to the main challengers, you've got to look to the champions and the fact they know how to win the Premier League.

"But I think we're fairly happy in terms of where we are in the table. You've seen the emergence of players as well. Anderson has come back from injury and been fantastic, Nani has been arguably our best player this season, Wayne Rooney is hitting form and Dimitar Berbatov has scored 11 goals.

"We haven't hit the form we know we're capable of yet but that will come."

Ferdinand: No-one at Man Utd celebrating being top of table

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand says there's no celebrating atManchester United just yet.

The England captain insists United won’t be blowing their own trumpet until their hands are on the Premier League trophy.

He says United are determined to reclaim their crown and added: “We are not singing and dancing about being top.

“We will sing and dance in May if we are still top. I would rather be there then. We just want to win that league.”

Ferdinand’s defensive partnership with Nemanja Vidic is steering United towards another title.

He said: “I don’t know if it is just down to me and him being together.

“The whole thing is not as fragmented this season.

“No matter what team you are, you are going to suffer when you don’t have centre-backs playing in that position.

“But I am comfortable with Vida. We have played together for a few years.

“We know each other’s games inside out and that feeds through to the other players.

“Us winning would be a blow to them if we got six points in front. But they were six or seven clear of us a month ago.

“It can all change so quickly if you have a bad run. It would be a good boost for us if we could win but it won’t define our season.”

Man Utd midfielder Fletcher: Chelsea not as strong this season

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Chelsea

Manchester Unitedmidfielder Darren Fletcher doesn't believe Chelsea are as strong as recent seasons.

United go to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"Their squad is obviously not as strong as it has been in previous years," Fletcher told the Daily Mail.

"We know how difficult it is to battle in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. That's why we've got a big squad here at Manchester United. Injury crises can happen and we can cope with things like that.

"It's an older Chelsea squad, I think it's fair to say that. But I don't think they're at the age where they can talk about retiring or being past it just yet.

"There have been a few things going on off the pitch but they have got enough experience to deal with that."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Ancelotti can handle Chelsea pressure

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Carlo Ancelotti, Manchester United, Frank Lampard, Sir Alex Ferguson, Chelsea

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson can't seeCarlo Ancelotti crumbling under the pressure atChelsea.

Speculation has been growing that Ancelotti may soon be the latest manager to fall foul of the owner Roman Abramovich's impatience. Ferguson, however, was quick to dismiss suggestions that Ancelotti was under pressure.

"I do not see how [Ray] Wilkins leaving can put doubt on that [Ancelotti's position]," he said. "Carlo will have his own single-minded determination to prove he is a winner. He was a great player, he won two titles and two Champions Leagues with Milan. Why won't he want to deal with the Chelsea situation as it is?

"We all have these poor runs. In Chelsea's case, if you lose your top players, it will have an impact. They were without Frank Lampard, so is it surprising they lost games? The biggest factor, though, is the toughness of the league now. We are all dropping points."

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Anderson has ability to be outstanding

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

READ MORE NEWS ON: Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson admits he's delighted Anderson has penned a new five year deal.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Porto in 2007, has made 110 appearances for the Reds despite suffering a serious knee ligament injury last season.

“We’re delighted Anderson has signed a new deal,” said the Scot.

“He’s a fantastic personality and the boy has terrific potential. He had that bad injury earlier in the year and whenever a player has a serious injury you have to give them time to get back. The player also has to work hard and he’s done that and it’s got him to the level we’re seeing now where he’s in the team and doing well.

“Cruciates can vary but nowadays you can get players back within six months. That’s a fair recovery time. He’s showing the benefit of really working hard to get to this position. Hopefully it’s all systems go for the boy now.”

Anderson's ability to drive forward in support of the strikers has made a real difference to United's play in recent weeks and Sir Alex believes he has the potential to go on and establish himself as an outstanding midfielder in the years to come.

“He could be a top, top player. He’s different from the other midfielders we’ve got and it’s good to have a different type of player,” he told manutd.com.

“It’s good to have a certain type of balance from midfielders who can offer you different things. He’s strong, he can beat a man. He has great acceleration from a standing position. He’s electric in that sense.

“The area he has to improve is goalscoring," added the boss. "He recognises that. That’s his weakness, he doesn’t score enough goals. He’s still only 22 – he’s an emerging player and hopefully in three or four years time we’ll be looking back and saying he’s given us goals because he has the ability to do that.”

Man Utd striker Rooney happy to see back of 2010

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney admits he'll be happy to see the back of 2010.

2010 has seen Rooney lose the league title, flop at the World Cupand Manchester United's fans turn on him after he said he wanted to quit the club.

Add to that the injury problems that kept him out of key games at the end of last season - and a good portion of this - and he understandably can't wait until the New Year.

But before that he aims to put Chelsea to the sword at Stamford Bridge tomorrow to make sure United are riding high as they welcome in 2011.

Rooney told The Sun: "The Carling Cup was it for us in terms of trophies this year and, in terms of trophies, a club like ours should be winning more.

"We have worked hard to put that right for next year.

"When you have not won them you get that hunger and desire to win them."

Man Utd ace Rooney says US trip worked wonders

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney says his trip to the US worked wonders.

Sir Alex Ferguson parcelled him off to Nike's headquarters in the States for a week to get himself back up to full fitness - something Rooney believes worked a treat.

He told The Sun: "The aim was for me to come back and not need four or five games to get my fitness up.

"I was training from 9am and getting back at 7pm. The facilities there were brilliant."

While Rooney has still not scored from open play since March, his performances since returning from injury suggest the big man is back.

Performances that have helped to heal a rift with the fans hurt over his bid to quit United before finally signing a new five-year deal.

He said: "It has been a hard few months for me and the United fans. But they have been brilliant since I signed the new deal. They can see the desire I have got to play and win. They have been fantastic for me and I thank them for that."

Chelsea boss Ancelotti happy Lampard back for Man Utd

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelottiis upbeat going into Sunday's clash withManchester United.

The return of Frank Lampard, who starts for the first time since August 28, makes him even more confident that Chelsea can end United's unbeaten league run.

Ancelotti said: "This is big news for us, we have missed him badly.

"He has experience, character, dynamism and is one of the very few players in the world who can guarantee you 20 goals a season from midfield.

"In fact, I would say he is the best midfield scorer there is.

"He looks to me like a player with a strong desire to come back and show he is the same Frank Lampard."

Man Utd link had Bruce wary of Leeds move

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Leeds United defender Alex Bruce admits his Dad'sManchester Unitedbackground did make him think twice about moving to Elland Road.

Bruce, 26, was understandably uncertain of his reception at Leeds upon given his dad's connections with that other United across the Pennines.

But he said: "I considered whether my name would be a bit of a hindrance, whether it would take a while to win over the supporters but I have to say everyone here has been bang on with me.

"And people might find it quite bizarre that even though he played forManchester United, my dad was as delighted as anybody when Leeds came knocking.

"I was having talks with Sheffield United when I got the call telling me Leeds were going to put a bid in.

"So when I spoke to him for advice he was very much pushing me towards Leeds, he realised what a fantastic chance it was and told me there was only one club to sign for."

Man Utd striker Rooney confident keeping spotkick duties despite Arsenal shocker

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

ManUtd Wayne Rooney's Photo

Manchester United strikerWayne Rooney expects to keep his spotkick duties on Sunday at Chelsea, despite his dismal miss against Arsenal.

United star Rooney blasted over in Monday's home win against the Gunners but says no one will take the ball from him if there is a penalty at Stamford Bridge.

He insisted: "Of course I have no problems with that. I know players miss penalties. I'm just hoping the next one I score."

United go into the game top of the Premier League.

England hitman Roo said: "We have drawn too many games but over the last few weeks we have been more consistent.

"We are in a good position and we have to take advantage of that."

Rooney surprised Man Utd leading table

18.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Wayne Rooney admits he's surprised Manchester Unitedare leading the table.

Rooney cannot quite believe the position United are in right now in relation to Chelsea given their respective starts to the season.

He told The Sun: "Chelsea started really strongly so it was important not to get too far behind because they are a hard team to catch up.

"So we stayed in behind and then four weeks ago we said that if we could be just three points behind going into this game we would be happy. Now we are three points ahead of them with a game in hand. We are in a great position. But the way the tables have turned in the last month we know how quickly things can happen so we don't want to be complacent.

"We have to keep going and getting those results."

Rooney is even more determined to do so having missed out on key games at the end of last season with his ankle injury.

He added: "When you are injured or suspended it is the worst time, especially coming to the end of a season.

"You have worked hard from the beginning of the season and you want to play in the later games to help the team be successful. I just picked up an injury at the wrong time."

Man Utd boss satisfied with Marseille as CL opposition

Sir Alex Ferguson was pleased to see hisManchester United side be drawn against Marseille in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

The French champions qualified through their group in second place despite a slow start to their campaign, but now face a difficult task against the Red Devils.

The last time the two sides met in the same competition was in the 1999/00 season, Ferguson's team won and lost one, something the Scot was wary of.

"I remember the games well. We won 2-1 at Old Trafford, but lost 1-0 over there," he told MUTV.

"Everyone thought we might get one of the Milan sides because we've faced them quite a few times in the last few years, but we got Marseille in the draw rehearsal and it proved right.

"Marseille are a handful at their own ground, their fantastic atmosphere and incredible support guarantees that. They've had a good change in fortunes in the last two or three years, after a dry spell, and think it'll be a difficult tie."

"(Former Chelsea midfielder) Didier Deschamps is the coach there, and they've got one of our old players in Gabriel Heinze so it'll be nice to see him."

Wayne Rooney's Kick-Out At Marouane Chamakh (Manchester United - Arsenal)

Wayne Rooney appears to have got away with a cheeky kick during Man United's win over Arsenal.

Plenty was spoken about after Manchester United beat Arsenal 1-0 on Monday night in the Premier League.

Arsenal's inability to beat their top four rivals was again highlighted. Park Ji-Sung's endeavour was lauded. Anderson was picked out for a solid game in the middle of the park for United. While Wayne Rooney's missed penalty was thumbed over too.

Yet one incident that was missed by all came in the final seconds of the match.

Unprovoked, off-the-ball and completely unnecessary, Wayne Rooney kicked out at Arsenal forward Marouane Chamakh as the final seconds of injury time ran down as the Gunners looked to launch a last-gasp counter-attack. It was petulance personified as Rooney, suffering a bad run of form, eyed up the Moroccan forward before knocking the striker's trailing leg and forcing the Gunners' number 29 to eat grass.

Rooney was a lucky boy that no one, particularly ref Howard Webb, seemed to notice his infringement.

Manchester United Dealt A Blow As Paul Scholes Is Ruled Out Until The New Year

Midfielder struggling to shake off groin injury

By Ian Murphy

Dec 17, 2010 10:21:00 AM

Manchester United have been dealt a blow after it was confirmed on the club's official website that Paul Scholes will remain out of action until the New Year.

The midfielder had hoped to make his comeback in Sunday's Premier League clash with Chelsea, but is struggling to shake off the niggling groin injury that has sidelined him for the past three weeks.

Red Devils' boss Sir Alex Ferguson will have to make do without the midfield maestro for the busy festive period, but the Scot will take his side to Stamford Bridge in confident mood.

United have been in good form despite Scholes' absence and sit on top of the Premier League, three points above Carlo Ancelotti's men with a game in hand.

Ferguson confirms Scholes injury blow

December 17, 2010
Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will be out for the rest of the year as he battles a groin injury.

Scholes will join John O'Shea on the sidelines for Sunday's trip to Chelsea andSir Alex Ferguson has said he will be out for at least a fortnight.

"Paul is out on Sunday," he told Key 103. "We are working towards getting him fit for the New Year matches."

Ferguson has stressed the importance of securing a good result against the defending champions but recognises that United have not fared well at Stamford Bridge in recent times.

"It's a big one for us," he said. "Our record down there has been poor over the last eight years. We've managed a few draws, but we've lost a few, too.

"Our record up until then was fantastic - Stamford Bridge was the place we probably had our best record.

"They're a tough team to beat on their own ground - their home record tells you that - but I'm going into the game with a strong, confident squad. You want to go there in good form and we are in good form."

Meanwhile, Ferguson said he wanted to see Anderson improve in front of goal.

Anderson was handed a new four-and-a-half-year contract this week after a recent spell of good form. However, his goal against Valencia in the Champions League this month was only his second for the club since joining from Porto in 2007, and Ferguson wants more from the £17 million signing.

"Anderson could be a top player," he told the club's official website. "He is strong, he can beat a man and has great acceleration from a standing position. He is electric in that sense.

"The area he has to improve is goalscoring. He recognises that and all the players tell him.

"That is his weakness - he doesn't score enough goals - but he is still only 22. He is an emerging player and hopefully in three or four years' time we will be looking back and saying he has given us goals because he has the ability to do it."

Ferguson hails Busby efforts December 17, 2010

Sir Alex Ferguson will pass Sir Matt Busby's record as longest-serving Manchester United manager on Sunday but says he feels his fellow Scot should retain the accolade.

When Ferguson sends his team into battle against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, it will be 8,811 days since he succeeded Ron Atkinson, one more than Busby managed during his two stints in charge.

Yet it appears to Ferguson that Busby had been around for far longer, mainly due to the rebuilding work that had to be done, both immediately after World War II and the Munich tragedy.

"It has been frozen into the memory bank," Ferguson told Key 103. "I think of Sir Matt Busby as being here forever. He started at the end of the war and went right through to winning the European Cup in 1968. The timespan seems to be much longer than mine.

"Of course, there are emotional issues. He had to rebuild the team after Munich. There was so much emotion. I did not have that. That is the reason he seemed to have been here forever."

However, Ferguson found his predecessor an invaluable source of advice, the basis of which he has tried to keep going.

"The most important piece of advice he gave me was not to read the press," he said. "It was great advice and I have not read it since.

"The issue of ex-players at the club was something I have been addressing for quite a long time. I wanted to keep all our great players around the club in some capacity.

"I had Sir Bobby Charlton on the board and Sir Matt was here as well. People like that are able to understand the dimensions of Manchester United. That is necessary to understand the role of manager. It was very helpful to me."

Charlton, meanwhile, said Busby helped ensure Ferguson never came under serious threat of the sack as United boss.

"Sometimes you would have a little chat about things but Matt was in no doubt either," Charlton said. "He didn't have a worry at all. He knew we had the right man."

Man Utd reserves send off Solskjaer in best possible fashion

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United reserves sent off Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the best possible way with a 5-1 victory overNewcastle United.

The match marked Solskjaer's final game in charge before leaving for his new job as manager of Molde.

Newcastle, the league leaders, were roundly thrashed as Ravel Morrison and Will Keane hit a pair apiece and Ryan Tunnicliffe also tucked away a neat finish, while scores of other opportunities went begging.

Morrison opened the scoring and Keane doubled the Reds' lead just before the interval. The striker then missed a penalty early in the second period, shortly before Michael Richardson pulled a goal back for the Magpies.

United continued to create the greater openings, however, and Morrison powered in his second before Tunnicliffe slotted home a finish and Keane headed home from close range in injury-time.

Warren Joyce takes over from Solskjaer as United reserves boss.

Man Utd legend Keane slams Arsenal clash: Where was the passion, intensity?!!

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Ipswich boss Roy Keane has slated Manchester United's victory on Monday againstArsenal.

The United legend slammed the intensity of the encounter.

Keane said: "I saw it on television and I don’t think I’ve ever been so annoyed watching a game.

"There was no intensity, players weren’t getting stuck in and everyone seemed to be pals with each other.

"I thought it was rubbish for a game between two top teams, although to be fair to United they showed a great will to win."

Keane believes English football is on the decline and added: "It is changing and not for the good. Far from it – if you ask me it is going downhill.

"It’s not the game we knew 15 or 20 years ago, the one I first got involved in. I don’t think we love it the way we did years ago because of what we see every day of the week.

"If I lost my job there would be nobody complaining too much but top managers getting good results are being sacked.

"Owners are coming in from other countries and I don’t know if they understand the game of football.

"It’s an ego thing, like a toy they can play with. They buy clubs, sack managers – it’s crazy.

"We see players wanting to leave a club after only being there two minutes because they are not happy with what’s going on."

Keane was asked if he was referring to the shock dismissal of Sam Allardyce atBlackburn Rovers and Carlos Tevez’s equally unexpected transfer request atManchester City.

"You work it out," he smiled. "We have praised a lot of foreigners for what they have done over the years.

"But a lot of them have to look at what they have done in recent months and weeks, whether it be players or owners."

Man Utd can win the lot, insists Berbatov

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov knows victory at Chelsea would go a long way to winning the title this season.

Victory at Stamford Bridge would move them six points clear of champions Chelsea with a game in hand, and would only strengthen the belief that the Treble could be on again.

Berbatov said: “Our priority is to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup. Our priority is to win everything and we have the chance to do it.

“We have the players to do it. It is too early to say, but I hope we will be on top at the end of the season.”

Man Utd striker Berbatov rates Liverpool bigger threat than Tottenham

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United ace Dimitar Berbatov believesLiverpool are still in the title race - though failed to mention former club Tottenham.

Victory for United on Sunday would be their first at Chelsea since 2002 and leave Carlo Ancelotti with a mountain to climb to claw back the difference in the New Year.

But Berbatov refuses to count them out of the title race.

“The football we play today, everybody can beat anybody,” said the Bulgarian.

“Even the last team can easily beat the big four and this is going to keep happening in the future.

“That is why it’s so interesting. You never know who will be top the next week.

“Our main rivals are the same every year – Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – even if they are little bit behind. But everybody can be involved.

“Let’s just hope at the end of the season we can be at the top of the table.”

Man Utd veteran Scholes out of Chelsea trip

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester Unitedmidfielder Paul Scholes is out of Sunday's trip to Chelsea.

Scholes has been struggling with a groin problem that has kept him out of action since the Champions League trip to Rangers three weeks ago and manager Sir Alex Ferguson is dubious about the veteran midfielder being available for the first part of United's festive programme.

"Paul is out of Sunday," the United boss told Key 103. "We are working towards getting him fit for the new year matches."

Ferguson expressed optimism that John O'Shea should be available for this weekend despite a minor calf problem.

Solskjaer hands 16yo Tyler Blackett Manchester United reserves debut

17.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

One of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last acts asManchester United reserves coach was to hand a debut to Tyler Blackett.

Blackett, just 16, is an England youth international fullback and was handed a start in last night's 5-1 victory over Newcastle United - Solskjaer's final game in charge before taking the job with Molde.

Blackett has been with United since he was eight, progressing right through the ranks at the club.

His height and powerful physique mean he naturally suited to playing at centre-back, but he can also play as a full-back if required.

Man Utd boss Ferguson: Chelsea transfer policy has BACKFIRED

16.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson has criticised Chelsea's transfer policy going into this weekend's big game.

Unbeaten Manchester United travel to Stamford Bridge fresh from a 1-0 home win over Arsenal that sent them two points clear at the top of the table.

Ferguson told Sirius XM: "I thinkChelsea have been gradually introducing one or two younger players into their squad, so maybe that's why (results have been erratic).

"Michael Ballack's contract came to the end. (Juliano) Belletti's contract came to an end. They have been replacing these players with younger ones such as (Daniel) Sturridge and the young boy (Josh) McEachran.

"Their plan was always to start introducing younger players and I think that's a good thing but it can backfire if you get injuries.

"You need big squads these days because the number of matches and the intensity of them does produce injuries. There's no question that having a big squad helps."

Man Utd skipper Vidic proud of rock solid Ferdinand partnership

16.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United captainNemanja Vidic admits he's delighted over his rock solid partnership withRio Ferdinand.

Vidic has a special affinity with his central defensive partner Ferdinand.

He said: "Rio and I have a great understanding on the pitch. I also have to say Mladen Krstajic and I had a great relationship for the Serbian national team.

"I am not being disrespectful to the other players I’ve played with, but the results I’ve achieved with those two players shows what a good understanding we have. They have both helped me improve as a player."

Man Utd legend Giggs will resist Wales comeback plea

16.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Manchester United legendRyan Giggs is unlikely to end his international retirement.

The Guardian says Gary Speed's hopes of persuading Giggs to come out of international retirement and pull on a Wales shirt again appear to be fading because of the midfielder's desire to remain fully committed to playing for Manchester United.

A source close to Giggs said it was highly unlikely the 37-year-old would choose to add to his 64 caps because the player has "a one-track mind" and would be reluctant to focus his attention on anything other than playing for United at this late stage of his career.

New Man Utd deal for Anderson worth £70,000-a-week

16.12.10 | tribalfootball.com

Anderson has enjoyed a bumper pay-rise atManchester United.

The Daily Star says the Brazilian midfielder had repeatedly been linked with the Old Trafford exit after becoming unhappy at his limited first-team role.

But Anderson has now signed a new four-and-a-half- year deal worth around £70,000 a week and claims he wouldn’t swap United for anyone else.

AC Milan and Lazio were both hoping to take advantage of Anderson’s frustration with his lack of playing time at United.

But Anderson scored in their recent Champions League draw with Valencia and then started the win against Arsenal which sent United top of the league.

Chelsea to welcome back Lampard for Man Utd clash

16.12.10 | Ian Ferris

Frank Lampard looks set to start Chelsea's crunch Barclays Premier League game againstManchester United after coming through a practice match unscathed.

England midfielder Lampard completed what was a 60-minute game at the club's Cobham training ground on Thursday, which involved players from the reserve and youth teams, reports Sporting Life.

The 32-year-old made a surprise comeback after three-and-a-half months on the sidelines in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Tottenham, playing the final 12 minutes at White Hart Lane.

Boss Carlo Ancelotti revealed after the game that Lampard would start against league leaders United this weekend providing he suffered no reaction in Thursday's training match.

Man Utd’s Ferguson targeting first win at Chelsea in eight years

16.12.10 | Andrew Slevison

Manchester United bossSir Alex Ferguson is hoping his side can put an eight-year winless streak at Stamford Bridge behind them this weekend.

League leaders United take onChelsea at the London stadium where they have not saluted in the league since their 3-0 win in April 2002 and Ferguson is eyeing a change of fortunes for his undefeated Red Devils this time around.

“This is a massive game now. We used to have a terrific record at Chelseabut we haven't won there for eight years.

“But we'll be ready for it. We couldn't get there sooner,” he said.

Man Utd’s Vidic: We don’t need to worry about other teams

Manchester United don’t have to worry about rival teams according to captainNemanja Vidic.

The 29-year old centre-half is of firm belief that United need only to worry about the job they are doing to maintain their run of 16 games unbeaten and should not look into the form of teams vying with them for the title.

“Personally I’m not a player who spends a lot of time watching other teams. I prefer to look at what we’re doing,” he said.

“We know that we’re in a good position and everything is in our hands, and if we produce the kind of performances we know we can, we shouldn’t have to worry about any of the other teams.”