Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/275833
23 Sport maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2014 Answers to the MaltaToday crossword will be published next Wednesday WEATHER: Partly to rather cloudy with the possibility of some isolated showers, becoming partly cloudy at times. VISIBILITY: Generally good. WIND: Variable force 2 to 3 veering East to Northeast force 3 to 4 locally force 4 to 5 and later on becoming Easterly. SEA: Slight becoming slight to moderate locally moderate overnight. Sea Temp: 15 °C A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play and mate in four moves A B C D E F G H 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Last week's solution Sudoku rules are extremely easy: Fill all empty squares so that the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 9x9 box. PARTLY CLOUDY 16 º C / 9 º C UV INDEX: 4 Today's Weather Chess Sudoku Pursuits Ne6+ Nf6 Rxf6+ exf6 Qxf6+ Kg8 Qg7# NOW that took guts. David Moyes wrote an open letter to all Manches- ter United fans apologizing for their terrible form, whilst also thanking the fans for their fantastic support. To say his Manchester United squad's form has been terrible would be putting it mildly. United have un- derperformed in all departments and their chances of qualifying for Europe next season are getting slimmer by the week. Criticised for being a negative man- ager, Moyes' letter might have had good intentions but I can't help feel it is a desperate attempt to beg for time. His language during press confer- ences this season has not exactly been a breath of fresh air for United fans, and truth be told the language in this letter does not fare any better. Using terms like "desperate" and "undera- chieved" only spreads the contagious negativity that seems to surround him like an old odor. He promised to deliver "something to shout about" however fans who have supported the 20 time league winners are probably beyond looking for "something to shout about". Noisy neighbors Manchester City are doing most of the shouting these days as they bagged the League Cup two weeks ago and look to top the league with three games in hand over leaders Chelsea. I believe that David Moyes needs to stop using words like "try" and "if" in his conferences and start applying some pressure on his underperform- ing rear guard by setting challenges and perhaps chewing off the odd play- er in order to exhort a reaction from them. He claims to be "desperate" to succeed at United however I strongly feel that the word desperate should have been replaced by the term "deter- mined". That word I feel shows more action while desperate seems a nega- tive kind of word that reminds people of bad times. Determination however comes across as brave and hungry to succeed, rather than desperate. I for one would not want my manag- er to seem desperate and would much prefer if he was a determined person. Scrutinizing his letter further, Moyes also went on to praise the fans for their fantastic support and while it is a good idea to pay the traveling fans lip service, I saw no mention of the underperforming players in the squad. Protecting your stars might suit some teams but I believe Fergu- son managed to squeeze life out of players that would have never made into any top Premier League side on paper. The likes of Tom Cleverley and Fellaini have struggled in the mid- field this season and I do think a bit of tough love will do them good, al- though of course the right balance is the key. While the letter seems to have had some kind of influence on the pitch as United registered clean sheet and a vi- tal three points against West Brom we do have to remember that any team in the top half should achieve that result over a poor West Brom, whose man- ager is yet to record his first win in the Premier League. The big game for the fans is coming up, the all-important home tie against Liverpool this weekend. Moyes needs no introduction to the Reds due to his past life at Everton however with Liverpool really chomping on the bit this season it is a very tough one to call. Determination will see the bet- ter team in this Sunday and a result for United would serve as the ideal platform for success. Success may not come in the form of any trophy this season, however for both sides bag- ging that all important fourth spot is crucial, with United looking to miss out on a Champions League position for the first time in 19 years. For Brendan Rodgers a win on Sun- day would show that Sir Alex's reign is well and truly over. Liverpool have been able to climb up the ladder this season without necessarily bursting the bank over the transfer window. Liverpudlians are literally pinching themselves this season and cannot believe that only four points separate them from the top. The importance of Sunday's game can not be under- estimated, as even though a win for United would only narrow the gap to eight points the momentum they can build can be significant. Taking the wind out of Liverpool's sales at this time of the season can prove vital, so David Moyes has his work cut out. As for the letter however I am not sure it will be enough to sooth the pain for all fans of Manchester United this season, nice try though David. OPINION Mark Strijbosch Dear fans, I'm sorry, x David David Moyes Across 3. Statue support (8) 9. Snake (5) 10. Even (poet.) (3) 11. Admiration (3) 12. Republic in central Europe (11) 14. Coyly (5) 16. Drill a hole (4) 17. Flat paving stones (5) 19. Halogen element (6) 20. Total (3) 22. Thing that attracts (6) 23. Misplaces (5) 25. Small children (4) 26. Suit (5) 28. Large self-service retail store (11) 30. Powdery residue (3) 31. Colourful form of the common carp (3) 32. Covered with scales (5) 33. Made known (8) Down 1. Cushions (4) 2. Necking (7) 4. Immense (8) 5. Breathe out (6) 6. Poisonous mushroom (9) 7. Wary (5) 8. Unite (5) 13. Skilfully built (4-4) 15. Underwear (8) 18. Sweetmeat store (5,4) 21. Furnish with a motor (8) 24. Flightless bird (7) 25. Top hat (6) 26. Penniless (5) 27. Natural talent (5) 29. Playthings (4)