Jul 20
On the Kaizer Chiefs Friendly + Rodrigo Possebon
This will be pretty brief because I couldn’t watch much of the friendly between United and the Kaizer Chiefs. It’s not that I want to be very hard on the players considering it’s pre-season but, from what I saw of the match, I thought the display was disjointed.
Wayne Rooney huffed and puffed, and was very angry for some reason; seeing a yellow for his efforts. [Was he miffed to see himself in South Africa when he could have continued to have an extended honeymoon with Colleen? One can't say for sure.]
Tevez was alright, but most of the kids were, for lack of a better word, pants. Fraizer showed some occasional good touches, but I was none too impressed. Which leads me onto a few questions:
1. Why didn’t Ben Foster get minutes on the pitch? Kuszczak got 90 minutes on the pitch. With this being pre-season I thought Fergie might have wanted both his understudy ‘keepers to see equal time to see how they fare. Oh well, I hope he gives 90 minutes to Foster against Orlando Pirates. [Pardon my ignorance if his absence was due to any niggle.]
2. Why couldn’t Fergie include Rodrigo Possebon in the squad to South Africa? I will get to him in more detail in the second segment of this post.
3. You will find the full match report in the official site, but how could they find the game to be entertaining? I found it boring, because I remember how interested I was while watching the pre-season last year round. Perhaps, the off season gloom this summer has put me off a bit? Or was it because there weren’t any new signings that I’d be excited about. (I am excited about Fraizer Campbell, but I’d be infinitely more interested in Rodrigo Possebon — again, I don’t know why.)
Plenty of questions, and conflicts in emotions. I suppose watching Dark Knight the night before did it for me.
* * *
What has remained under the radar, really, has been Ole’s Reserves thumping another side (this time, Altrincham) 3-0. A brace from Macheda and another goal from Possebon sealed the win. According to reports, this was not a very convincing performance, but it certainly showed Possebon in fine nick. I personally think, from what I’ve seen in videos (limited, though, they may be) that Possebon fits more in the pre-season squad than in the reserves. I think he’s better than some of the lads included in our pre-season squad. But then, I guess the people at the club management would know better.
His performances for the reserves is something a lot of us should pay closer attention to, this season.
That is all for the day. Till tomorrow.
Related items from Red Rants:- Tevez for £32m? Tevez Quotes Denied + Kaizer Chiefs Friendly
- What Will Sir Alex Do With Rodrigo Possebon?
- Benitez Smokescreen Over Duo | United’s Champions’ League Squad Announced
- Brazilian’s United Debut and Other Stories
- Future Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand named England skipper
Tags: Daily Roundup · Match Reports
July 20th, 2008 at 13:18
Well foster didn’t get to play because he had a slight injury as mentioned when he and michael carrick were carrying out the trophies. I agree with possebon, I would liked to have seen him come on tour with the team.
July 20th, 2008 at 13:34
possebon is 1 of our 3 (possibly 4) most promising attacking talents, which would be campbell, welbeck, him and hewson also looks a talent, Campbell will be getting at least 15 games this season, welbeck might be loaned and i think possebon, will take over from andersons current role, anderson will take over scholes role next season, so possebon could possibly be getting at least 5-10 games next season, discluding carling cup.
July 20th, 2008 at 14:22
I read that rooney had gotten into a huff due to an unnecesserily aggressive or rather just too competative a game from the chiefs, at least for a pre season friendly that is. His temper continues to be a problem tho, i cant see why he cant just let things go sometimes, (considering the majority of proffessionals arnt out there to cripple him) and its a definite worry, being as i personally think that he plays a vital role in holding the team together with his (positive) aggression and undeniable technique which will doubtless only continue to improve this coming season. Heres hoping the refs are all as lenient as the chap who officiated yesterday on this tour, from what i hear Rooney was lucky to stay on the pitch and we dont need him getting sent off in consecutive pre seasons now do we, especially considering CR7s injury
July 20th, 2008 at 14:32
@ Dan(u-ol) I want to see another generation of superstars coming up from the academy just as much as any other united fan, but the idea that fergie will choose possebon over his 16 odd million pound men in nani and anderson, or scholesey, fletch, hargo, o shea etc and other more mature players is a little far fetched. Id love to see him play regardless and i hope the carling cup youngsters can get us past the first round this year, possebon included, i just feel that fergie knows hes still a youngster and not quite ready to step up for at least another year, as for fraizer campbell its a bit of a mini make or break year for him, if he excels hell make the first team a lot more come 09/10, but if he disapoints im pretty certain he’ll be shipped off to a championship side with the likes of many of our previous proteges
as for foster, hes possibly the most overlooked talent in the land, GET HIM IN THE 1ST TEAM FERGIE!
July 20th, 2008 at 14:52
Finally topics of some interest. PLEASE no more CR talk until something is 100% “money in da bank.”
A good youth set-up is so exciting and creates interesting scenarios. I love the idea of farming the lads to clubs where they get great experience and hopefully help a team make it to the top flight for the first time.
I’ve decided that I really want to see Campbell at Hull. If I remember correctly, Tim Howard wasn’t allowed to play against us when he was loaned to Everton. I like that stipulation. He needs more that 15 appearances in a starting lineup, and is beyond the reserves at his point.
I must say though that Campbell’s situation hinges on us buying a new striker. If not, he might need to stick around. I’ll never blame him for his injury problems, but it is foolish to expect Saha to be a steady contributor. In any case, I think he is on his way out, just a matter of trying to re-coup some value. A third issue is Manucho still not having a work permit and I’ve yet to hear confirmation that he’ll be ready to go at the start of the season. With all that said, I think Manucho will be ready and able to play, and any the unlikely scenario we don’t get Berbatov we will definitely have at least one new forward.
On Possebon, I really wouldn’t expect to see him in the starting line-up, besides the Carling and maybe a few FA Cup games. Our centre-midfield would have to go through an injury bubonic plague to require him. Also, the twins will benefit from his translation abilities in the Reserves. I think he could go a long way in helping them adapt. It seems to be a rather universal opinion that he is the pick of the litter coming out of the reserves. From what I’ve seen he has a nice touch, haven’t seen this latest wonder strike.
July 20th, 2008 at 14:57
http://www.oleole.com/blogs/harryhotspur/posts/the-case-against-ferguson-a-fascinating-exclusive
think you guys might find this interesting, levy is way smarter than you think
July 20th, 2008 at 15:31
its not far fetched at all, for a player of his age and quality to come of the bench at least 5 times in 1 season, and fergie proved this last season in the defence, both pique and simpson got a fair amount of games under their belt despite players higher up in the pecking order, did they not? to see possebon come of the bench for the last 15-20 minutes of a match isnt as mad as you think.
July 20th, 2008 at 15:35
@ Red Ranter
I agree about that Possebon should’ve been part of the pre season. That said, what’s the story with the David Petrucci kid? In what niche of the Man Utd habitat is he “hibernating”? That just points me back to your previous post about our youth system’s redundancy and its position as a means for the club to raise transfer funds. Sad thing is, and its just a gut feeling, the likes of Fraizer Campbell, Chris Eagles et al, and subsequently the Petruccis and the Possebons will be shipped off.
From what I’ve heard and read on the blog, I hope Gary Neville finally pulls the plug on his entire comeback mission. This is to enable the most underrated member of our current squad claim his rightful position as the first choice right back and not some ad hoc replacement. Wes Brown has shown in the last two seasons, his dedication towards every game, his desire to improve in a role not natural to him, and his fearless tackling and grit. I dare say that, He played a major role in our winning the double. He deserves more props really.
@ NorwegianDevil
I wasn’t available to make comments yesterday, so I just quickly perused the thread. I don’t usually make a lot of comments anyway, just when I’m opportune to. That said, your comment yesterday about Ronaldo staying and we the fans not booing him etc, totally sums up EXACTLY how I feel about the saga, that it’s almost completely unnecessary for me to add anything. That’s a man’s view of the situation I guess. Manchester united does not close shop after this season, we had to make a very STRONG stand concerning the matter and thank God we did. Imagine the wreck it would summarily have on the club if we were bullied into selling Ronaldo? Imagine that scenario, and think of when Fergie finally leaves. I’m pretty certain even Chelsea would pull that sort of stunt on say Anderson in the future. It would have reduced our class and given more balls to all and sundry. Now the Septic Bladder and Platini and the rest of their whoredom can understand and REMEMBER, we are the MOST popular club in the world and shouldn’t be fucked with. Now Calderon would need to see a specialist because he fucked with the wrong man and now is BLEEDIN RED in his groins.
Now that the best yet most ungrateful player on the planet remain with us, let’s hope the striker deal is settled real soon. I for one am relishing the idea of Berbatov teaming up with the rest of our killer unit. I’ve been fumbling with a potential starting line up with Berbatov of course!
Van der Saar
Wes Rio Vidic Evra
Nani Carrick Scholes RONALDO
Rooney
Berbatov
Subs: Anderson, Tevez, Hargreaves, Oshea, Kushak, Welbeck, Giggs
That team would surely crush anybody as long as its our day. Our strongest point I’ll have to reiterate is the Back Four( plus VDS!). Viva United.
July 20th, 2008 at 15:47
Van der Saar
Wes Rio Vidic Evra
Nani Carrick Scholes RONALDO
Rooney
Berbatov
Subs: Anderson, Tevez, Hargreaves, Oshea, Kushak, Welbeck, Giggs
July 20th, 2008 at 15:57
I dunno why the talented skillful players in our team dont chances yet the completely shit ones like cambell,eagles and martin play…welbeck,possebon,macheda are left…well never get any of these shit english talents to the united level
July 20th, 2008 at 16:10
@Peterson: you sir, have never, NEVER ever seen campbell play, HE is our brightest talent in our youth, you should try to look for some of his matches because clearly, you know nothing about him, and if it wasnt for the rules, i would slate you right now.
July 20th, 2008 at 16:13
@Peterson:
you mention Welbeck and then say that we’ll never get any English talents to the United level. By the way right now Campbell is better than the 3 players that you mentioned
July 20th, 2008 at 16:17
@Liam: i dont think this guy has a clue about what hes saying. He embodies the negative of some united fans, the plastics i believe our rivals call them.
July 20th, 2008 at 16:52
@Peterson - Not to confound the point being made against you but just look at the great english players who were spawned out of our youth system; giggs, scholes, becks etc. sure weve had one or two misfires in that area in recent times but what you call the ‘united level’ is a farcical idea, every team has great individuals, but none are bigger than the team itself, and the all important notion of team ethic. Would you consider such title winning talents as Nicky Butt, one such youth player, or Darren Fletcher, Ji Sung Park & O Shea upto ‘united’s standard’? If we measure everyone against Cronaldo, rooney and rio’s level then youd have a hard time finding any other players in the world to make up that same standard across an entire 11, let alone an entire squad. Players like Campbell, assuming he plays well enough to get included in the 1st team could end up becoming as vital to united as giggs, scholes et all. Sure weve gotta have standards, but we also have a proud history of recognizing great english talent, as well as more the more eye catching and flairy latino lads.
July 20th, 2008 at 17:15
@dan(u-ol): Campbell is not United material, simple as that. He’d never be better than 4th choice, because leading the line (or even being 3rd choice) takes a hell lot of talent. And even though Campbell is quick, he lacks many other things. My money is on Welbeck, if I was to choose someone from the ranks.
About Possebon - might there be a reason, why he’s not on the tour? We won’t see him in the first team this season.
Anyway. I think, SAF uses this trip to SA to get some of the younger possible talents a runout and an evaluation. Eagles and Campbell surely fit into this category. I think, there’s a good chance, Campbell will be sold this summer, once SAF has Berbatov secured. Hopefully this mini-tour will raise his value a bit.
Eagles’ value surely has risen now with the goal… could be going as well.
July 20th, 2008 at 17:17
Lads dont get excited because you saw cambell do 1 nutmeg against piss poor opposition!!!what because he scored a few reserve goals…not to mention goals in the mighty championship division!!!his touch is so dam poor and all he has is pace…our youth team has been producing just shit for the past decade and beyond…ok fletch and oshea are good backup players but is that what our youth set up should strive to produce…average players???
July 20th, 2008 at 17:22
and dan honestly do you think I give a rats ass whether you slate me over the internet???
July 20th, 2008 at 17:30
One thing I have learned from over 40 years of watching professional sports in North America is to not take to much from pre season exhibition games. These games don’t even come close at indicating the finished product. Players are still lacking total focus, conditioning and and above all timing and cohesive team play. This takes time and patience. Honestly, I hate the fact that these games are played in front of the public and people are forced to pay to watch such rubbish. At least world football has a unique manner of making it more worthwhile and meaningful by making most games foreign tours to promote the teams. Unlike the United States and Canada where teams play the very same opponents in long pre season leagues and charge fans incredible amounts of money to watch them get in to shape and play like tossers. It’s criminal and it’s exploitation of one’s fan base. Pre season games shouldn’t even cost money because they are meaningless other than they are intended to help a team and players get into physical conditioning and shape. So forgive me if I declare that one of my pet peeves is when we all sit down to discuss a completely meaningless and pointless game for fans. I suppose the scouting of prospect players is worthwhile but in the case of Man Utd, I think it’s forlorn hope as most if not all of them will never be regular first team players for our club. Still, it’s not worth a second of my time and I care not for it’s lasting value. For those of you who enjoy it, all the power to you mates. Forgive me if I don’t get it. Perhaps I am really tainted by the greed and total money grab involved in North American pre season games. I’d rather go through a root canal than endure a meaningless game designed to get players in shape and help players form a cohesive team play. Sheer agony to watch and endure. YUK!
July 20th, 2008 at 18:42
I really want to see Foster get some good minutes this year just because I’m terrified that he will get frustrated with a lack of opportunities and will then wish to leave. I dont want us to miss out on having the future england number 1 in our ranks which if there was someway to place a bet on that happening, I would be willing to throw down a large amount of cash. I hope he is first choice to spell VDS instead of Kuz, just because, while being a good shot instinctive shot stopper, he just doesnt inspire confidence. Foster on the other hand, with saves like his two against Derby, is a brick wall, he reminds me of Cassilas!!
And I have a question for the lads that might be a bit off topic….But, what do we all think about possible transfers of English/British talent?? Just hypothetically, if we had to sign an englishman this summer, who would you want and why?
Me, I would possibly go for the two Villa lads Young and Agbonolahor or however the F its spelled. Young could be useful on the wings as he has pace to burn, can get past defenders and occasionally delivers a good cross. Gabby has the same greased lightening pace and is actually a quite useful target man as he has a good spring in him and challeneges centerbacks well for punts up field.
OR, and i am prepared to get slaughtered for this, but hows about a different spurs striker…thats right, mr Darren Bent. He has all of the physical attributes to play as a target man, he is young and i think he is a player that thrives on confidence. And what better to hype him up than to have him finishing off chances created by the rest of our brilliant squad. Yes, he sometimes has the first touch of a rapist, but surely he can work on that and improve. And, he wouldnt cost an arm and a leg. Just throwing it out there….
July 20th, 2008 at 19:49
@ Drew Darren Bent, give me break, no disrespect to you he is absolute shite!!
July 20th, 2008 at 19:54
@Tomas: you dont think he’s united material, WHY?
@Peterson: you dont think he’s united material, WHY? for god sake you know nothing about him, not even his bloody name! FACT, camPbell, where ever he’s been, has always demonstrated that he is a goalscoring striker, something that united lack right now, you, like pretty much every united fan has seen welbeck ONCE against a no name iraqi team, i have seen campbell play at least 10 times and i know he’s got what it takes. you call the cheifs piss poor, well they where good enough to get a draw out of the united first team. Believe me when i say, i am not the guy you want to argue with when comes to breeding talent from the youth, i KNOW what IM talking about DO YOU.
July 20th, 2008 at 20:13
I’ve seen Campbell play, and to be honest, he really isn’t up to playing for United. I can see him as a 4th striker, but he just doesn’t have the total package to make it for a team like ours.
July 20th, 2008 at 21:25
Wait what??campbell?wtf?hes a goalscoring striker? where??reserves??in belgium 2nd division or the championship??like who kuyt?kezman or alves??there also were goalscorers werent there…iv seen his touch is poor..he doesnt have much of a strikers instinct either and his technique sucks as well..but I will say I hope he provesw me wrong but I doubt it
July 20th, 2008 at 21:30
@ all:
Campbell may have bags of pace but so did Luke Chadwick!
Pace is an important attribute but should never be considered as the most important skill of players. Why?
Because sooner or later, young players will bulk up and lose some of their pace. Some will keep it, but at the end of the day its the technique and football skills that one should judge young players upon.. (Andrew Cole had great positioning for instance, Ole superb finishing, Yorke superior technique, Teddy- a brain, and Ruud and Mr glass a combination of all)
Now I don’t know much about Campbell really. If he does have other attributes then good, perhaps he deserves a chance. If its only pace then sorry sir..
So, Campbell fans, what are his skills apart from pace… Also could you give us a roundup pf Welbeck.. We know he’s not pacy but it seems to me he’s got more natural talent…
July 20th, 2008 at 22:02
@Drew Vader: Darren Bent, God help me mate, he reminds me of a sci-fi character known as the Invisible Man. He is total complete and utter shite. And honestly, the only English talent I would even look at would be Michael Richards and Theo Walcott (who of course is not available). Possibly Ashley Young. Sorry, but it’s a barren wasteland out there. There are many third world nations out there with way more talent available. Hell there are nations with 1/50th the population (an exaggeration for effect) with more talent. England’s problem is not in the talent but in the coaching. Old school, antiquated ways of doing things and incapable of really promoting player’s individual skills and a more dynamic continental approach to tactics and training. A new wave revolution is needed. Germany had it with Juergen Klinsmann. His approach for the National team has spread in to the lower ranks and in to the development of players and coaches. Even stubborn Bayern see that his approach to coaching, training and managing the day to day routine and environment for players is universally unique and different. Modern day players need to be coached in moder day techniques and methodologies. England has to get with the times and stop playing long ball and cross if they ever want to develop players beyond the David Bentley and Darren Bent class. Occasionally a gem like an Owen or Rooney will show up but one player does not make a team.
July 20th, 2008 at 22:07
haha i was just throwing it out there…..And yeah i forgot about Micah Richards, thats a good one and one that could improve our squad.
July 21st, 2008 at 2:35
Now that McGeady at least knows how to talk to and respect the fans…
Wouldn’t mind him replacing Ronaldo…
July 21st, 2008 at 2:48
whie we’re on Rodrigo.. This has a small interview of him speaking about football and life in england… His english is rather good for such a new recruit
July 21st, 2008 at 9:06
I fear this Berbatov/Levy fiasco is just getting started. I also doubt any of us know the true story, but if I had to put my money on either our beloved 68 year old stormy Scotsman or the rather successful, well educated city-boy Levy making a mistake legally, I really wouldn’t put much on us. I don’t think he’d be where he is by being stupid. The worst thing is that it’ll probably mean they won’t sell him to us, just out of spite.
I know we’re told to trust Gill and Fergie, but with the Ronnie thing, Ramsey and now this I do wonder if they’ve let last year’s success chill them out a bit too much. Happy to be proved wrong!
Like RR, I cannot understand how Ben Foster isn’t our number 2 yet. We’ve never been overly sentimental, and while I’m sure Kusczak is a really nice guy, Ben needs a run out. He was immense at Watford, looked fine for us against Derby and needs games badly. I heard he might have a niggling injury, so I’ll let that be reason, but hope to see him tomorrow night.
@ Grognard - You’re so right about pre-season games, though that last one against hte Chiefs was more than a little feisty, and like SAF said, a good run out. We did, obviously, suffer from a lack of cohesion at having a very limited understanding between teammates though.
Re: Campbell, surely the answer is to send him on loan til January at Hull city? If he can do decently with a crap club, in the prem, than he deserves his shot. He is still VERY young, and while some people belittle it, his scoring record in the championship indicates great potential. I’d hate to let him go then have to buy him back at 3x the price in 4 years!
July 21st, 2008 at 9:14
@ Beachryan, Campbell is not that young mate, he is 20 and in September he is 21! Messi is 21.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:25
rooney and fletch were total rubbish.and if fletch doesnt play in the middle,bench him.he is no winger.but now that CQ is gone,he might get more playing time on the wing.
rooney for me is more worrying.he seems to lack ideas in the final third.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:34
@DONIBRASCO: The season hasn’t begun yet, pre-season doesn’t really count. So you can only judge players when the prem gets started, and to say that rooney lacks ideas in the final third after just two games in pre-season isn’t reasonable.
July 21st, 2008 at 9:57
Pre season tours are just a money making exercise to be honest and you can’t gage much from it.
We should have taken Possebon,Petrucci and the twins to Africa in my view to give them a chance to blend in with the first team.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:55
@ Stephen - Mate when did 20 become past it?! While there are exceptions to the rule (Messi, Ronaldo to a degree, Fabregas) footballers take well into their mid 20’s to reach their peak. Maybe not physically, but knowledge of the game, movement, vision, formations - that takes time and training. Hence why young strikers tend to be at their best in their late 20’s.
July 21st, 2008 at 11:23
watched the entire match got to say that tevez looked really up for it the other lads were dissapointing,lack of any co-ordination.movement at times was great but the final ball woeful.they need to be up for it tomorrow,i think alot of them thot it was going to be a walk in the park.
July 21st, 2008 at 18:08
@Beachryan: I beg to disgress, Beachryan….
Recently over the last 5-7 yrs we’ve seen more and more strikers reaching their peak at a younger and younger age…
Thierry Henry at 30 is nowhere near being as good as Thierry Henry at 25. Same for Owen, Raul, RVN, and basically most good strikers. Sure there’s the odd exception but think about it closely. 25-26 for me is the real peak age for strikers nowadays. Which is a far cry from defenders who start to become really good at that age..
So if early on strikers don’t show much promise then I can’t really see them developing to reach the level that is espected for the United 1st team. Though of course I’d love each of our promising strikers to be given the odd 15 - 20 min once in a while with a strong line up to allow them to prove themselves…
July 25th, 2008 at 18:03
looks like we get our wishes http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA%2D9A47%2D47BC%2DB069%2D3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=6614553