Written by MickyDidIt89

Here’s an idea. Lets not bother with the Champions League, and concentrate on the League and other domestic trophies. One problem. That idea was not mine. Another problem is that I want the Champions League more than anything. I am getting older and I am a chronic hypochondriac. Anything could happen to me. It almost certainly will, and without doubt  it will be very serious indeed. So, I for one, am right up for this. To make matters worse, the most miserable night of my life was on a wet night in Paris. So its  also very personal.

I cannot tell you anything of any value about Partizan, other than they are not very good at football. They are from Belgrade, which is over there somewhere. They have noisy and excitable fans, and the country is usually very cold. Or hot.

I do realize that we have the little matter of Utd away on Monday, so if this lot from Belgrade are as bad as I think they are, we can field our strongest line up and then get the chance to ease off in the second half by bringing on one or two from the comfy chairs.

It may appear suicidal to start with RvP, but he needs to sharpen up before Monday. As I have said before, I think a large part of the success of this season rests on his fitness. He must tone up tonight, then wrap up warm and avoid any unduly large cracks in the pavement and other insurmountable obstacles between now and Monday.

I believe Arsène will start with Song and Denilson at Old Trafford, but for tonight I think one will do the job along with Jack, and for me Denilson needs the full ninety.  Although Samir left the field hobbling on Saturday, there’s been no injury news on him and we need his creativity so no rest for him.

Here are my thoughts on the front three. The obvious choice would be to go with either Nic or MC, but I think the latter could do with a rest, while I don’t think the former is very good at football. Vela impressed me enormously with his positioning the other day, his movement off the ball and his potential understanding with Robin. From my point of view, this is a serious about turn as I had him inked in for the exit door. I have umm’ed and aah’ed over Rosicky. Well the reason I am not playing Mozart, is that I like the idea of keeping the same shape that we will employ at Old Trafford, albeit totally different kind of games. So we have:

…….Fab

Sag   Kos  Squil   Gibbs

…..Den   JW

………Nasri

Vela   RvP   AA

Old Big Ears, as the trophy is affectionately  known, is the largest of the cups in every sense. The Daddy. Look at what is  left in it. Harry, Maureen, Seralex, Chelsea and Barca. It is simply irresistible  to not want to knock them out. Think also for a moment about of  our away fans. This competition is pay back time. Year upon year of cold, wet mid week away days. Here it is Spain, Italy and Greece. Consider also the Foodies amongst us, and the pre match snack. Merguez Sausages topped with a searing chilli sauce wrapped up in all those weirdly  sophisticated continental breads.

This Trophy is about Heritage, Pedigree  and Elitism. Think Ajax, Barcelona, Real, Inter, Milan. Now consider Chelsea, Tottenham, Huddersfield and Torquay. One lot has. The other has not. I  know where we belong.

So I say to all of you, like myself, who have been left mentally scarred by the events in Paris: “No more to the medication”, and in the immortal words of Dr Frasier Crane: “Let’s Get Better”.