Schmeichel not Petering out

SCHMEICHEL NOT PETERING OUT

Firstly, there was the emotional stuff. The guy seemed to ooze Man United. His unflinching will to win at all costs and his ability to chastise whoever was nearest for his own errors, made him an absolute natural for Old Trafford. Imagining him in a City shirt was like trying to picture Roy Keane helping an old lady across the road.

City have also come unstuck by going down the "ageing legend" road before. With memories of George Weah fresh in the mind, the fact that arguably the greatest goalkeeper of all time had been released by Villa and was looking for one final contract, filled me with a certain dread.

I could picture the comments from our friends across town. True enough, a school of thought emerged from Trafford (not to mention the Home Counties) that Schmeichel, supposedly having agreed to become United's goalkeeping coach next season, saw this as an ideal move where he could get his home organised and his kids in school, ready for his return to Old Trafford. They hailed this a victory for United, that their former keeper, so blatantly over the hill, could play such an active part in City's demise.

I had horrible visions of an early clanger from the Great Dane bringing instant damnation from the Kippax. His pre-season injury did nothing to lift my confidence.

And then the season started.

To be fair, Schmikes has had one or two minor slip-ups so far - the odd spilled shot or an awkward tip onto the bar for example. It may transpire that one or two of these slip-ups, which will no doubt bring instant conclusions from the media that Schmeichel is way past his best, may cost us the odd point as the season progresses. But the fact is there is absolutely no substitute for class. His performances so far have been above and beyond what could reasonably have been expected.

At the start of the season I would have been happy for us to try our luck with Nash and Weaver (whose time may well come again). But I can't help but conclude that without the Big Man, the victories against Newcastle and Everton - albeit well-deserved - would have been frustrating draws or defeats.

His shot-stopping looks as good as ever, his kicking as strong as ever, and I've yet to see him miss a cross (sorry, shouldn't tempt fate).

And then the masterstroke. When City pulled off the signing of Kasper Schmeichel that left me in no doubt as to Peter's commitment to the Blues. I have no idea whether or not United would have liked to sign him, or on what terms he left Old Trafford but Peter's decision to bring his son to Maine Road seems to be a strong indication that life on the Blue Side is very much to his liking.

I'm not deluding myself that Schmeichel has a genuine passion for the club. I strongly suspect that he is no more or less passionate about pulling on the City shirt than he was about pulling on that of United, Sporting Lisbon, or Villa. He strikes me as a consummate professional who gives his all wherever he goes. And that'll do for Me.

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