After watching Liverpool's draw with Stoke today, I couldn't help but
think, 'Is Benitez the next victim of Fergie's mind games?'.
Who doesn't remember about Keegan's 'Iove
it' rant on television, that he'd love it if Newcastle beat Manchester
United. He lost his calm and his team's form went downhill and piped by
United to the title.
Watch the youtube video of Keegan rant below.
It was on friday, January 9, 2009, Benitez held a press conference
with a script attacking Ferguson. Basically saying that Fergie doesn't
respect referees, that Chelsea should beware of United's man-marking
referees at Old Trafford tunnel and Fergie's complaints about fixtures.
Watch the rant in full below:
After that rant, journalists thought about the Keegan moment immediately,
is Benitez losing his cool and pulling a Keegan?
or this is another mind game from a genius tactician?
But looking at how Liverpool played against Stoke, I think the Liverpool
players were having the effect of Fergie's 'nervous' mind game.
Fergie's previous mind games that took
effect on his rivals:
April 2003 Ferguson scoffed at Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger’s talk of
his side going unbeaten through the season, saying: ‘It might come back to
haunt them.’ It did. Arsenal’s challenge collapsed and United won the
title. The next season, though, Wenger’s Gunners fulfilled his prediction
May 1996 Ferguson made a
series of jibes intended to ensure other teams would be ‘up’
for matches against title rivals Newcastle. He hit the jackpot
when Kevin Keegan, the Newcastle manager, delivered his
infamous ‘I’d love it’ rant live on television. Their
challenge faded and United won the league
So, what do you think? do you agree that
Benitez is falling to Ferguson's bait? or he is smarter than that?
Apakah Benitez Korban Fergie Berikutnya?
Setelah
menyaksikan pertandingan Liverpool melawan Stoke, gue gak bisa
berhenti berpikir kalau Benitez sudah menjadi korban perang
urat saraf Fergie.
masih ingat tentang celotehan Keegan 'bakal
suka banget' di televisi? tentang dia bakal suka banget kalau Newcastle
bisa mengalahkan MU. Keegan udah kehilangan kesabaran dan menjadi
emosional sehingga permainan timnya jadi kacau dan akhirnya disalip MU
yang menjadi juara.
Celotehan Keegan waktu itu bisa ditonton dibawah ini:
Hari jumat kemaren, Rafa mengadakan jumpa pers dengan kertas yang
berisikan komplain tentang Ferguson tidak menghormati wasit, bahwa Chelsea
harus berhati-hati dan menjaga wasit supaya tidak didatangi staf MU di Old
Trafford dan komplain Fergie tentang jadwal.
Konferesi Pers Rafa bisa ditonton di bawah ini.
Setelah konferensi pers tersebut, para jurnalis teringat momen Keegan,
apakah Rafa mulai emosi juga dan menjadi Keegan berikutnya? atau ini salah
satu taktik perang urat saraf dari seorang perancang taktik ulung?
Namun menilik dari permainan Liverpool saat
melawan Stoke, gue berpendapat bahwa para pemain Liverpool mulai mengalami
efek 'gugup' dari perang urat saraf Fergie.
Perang urat saraf Fergie yang berhasil di
masa lampau:
April 2003 Fergie menertawakan pernyataan Arsene Wenger tentang
timnya tak akan terkalahkan selama semusim, dan mengatakan 'Hal itu akan
kembali dan menghantui mereka'. Dan itu terjadi, Arsenal kolaps dan MU
jadi juara.
May 1996 Fergie
melakukan serangkaian perang urat saraf dengan tujuan semua
tim akan bangkit saat melawan saingan juara Newcastle. Dia
berhasil saat Keegan melancarkan celotehan 'gue bakal suka
sekali' di televisi. Mereka kolaps dan MU jadi juara.
Jadi gimana menurutmu? apakah
Benitez korban selanjutnya? atau dia lebih cerdas dari itu?
Setelah
menyaksikan pertandingan Liverpool melawan Stoke, gue gak bisa
berhenti berpikir kalau Benitez sudah menjadi korban perang
urat saraf Fergie.
