Nov 13
Some Manuel Neuer talk + Refs’ union continue to whine
The international break means there will be little club news to report. But it seems some sort of groundwork is already being set in motion, with the transfer window a month and a half away.
Here’s Schalke defender Marcelo Bordon, in an interview to German newspaper, Bild on goal keeper, Manuel Neuer:
“I know it would be terrible for the supporters of the club, but you have to keep the situation of the club in mind. Maybe therefore it would be better to let Manu leave, just because you would receive a whole lot of money for such a transfer.”
Now, I wonder why the defender of a club is any person of authority to talk about finances, and chances of a teammate leaving — but it could, at the least, point to a feeling of inevitability of this move. The question is when (considering it’s world cup year), and — more importantly — where?
Three ‘keepers — Neuer, Adler and Akinfeev — continue to be linked to us, and this soap opera, while in its infancy, is bound to gather steam as the window reopens. So watch this space…
*
Following an unprecedented touchline ban by the FA on a manager (for comments made to the media) the referees’ union are apparently not satisfied, and they reckon Fergie was let off softly. Suggestions of possibly suing Ferguson have come up. Here’s Alan Leighton, national secretary for referees’ union:
“We need to take a few steps back and see what has happened here and I would like to see more about the judgement. We never wanted to get lawyers involved in but if referees don’t feel they are being protected by the regulatory bodies and someone says something defamatory sooner or later someone is going to take action over it.”
So there you have it. There’s mountain out of a perceived molehill. And then there are lawyers who’ll make this sound even more ridiculous. Just as Ferguson criticised Wiley to divert attention from the poor performance of his own players, so are the refs’ union trying their best to deflect the focus from a series of appalling refereeing performances.
Managers deflecting attention from poor performances will help or hurt his team, based on the personnel and his reputation. Deflecting attention from the refereeing incompetence, on the other hand, hurts the entire league.
I’m quite sure which one worries me more.
Further reading: Henry Winter asks for some perspective.
Related items from Red Rants:
- The United footballers who stood up to the FA
- Ngog’s dive — aka a lesson in refereeing conspiracy theories
- On Ferguson and ref rage
- U21 European Championship: Rossi and Nani’s Goal Videos
- On Premier League’s new media rules
Tags: Daily Roundup
November 13th, 2009 at 9:46
I can just imagine ol’ fatty Wiley trying to prove his fitness in court – treadmill, jumping jacks, press ups!!
methinks the cnut leighton is concerned that his time on the airwaves is fizzling out
November 13th, 2009 at 9:51
As far as the Story regd German Gk is concern I would say that we should go for Adler first given his Man UTD love affair and his leadership quality which is very crucial in my for any GK and his imposing presence in the box. But, I think we will go for Akinfeev given the performance that he has put in against Man UTD in Cl and Gaffer’s history of buying players who impress him while playing against Man UTD. And tbh I think Akinfeev will logical and affordable option going forward for us…..
November 13th, 2009 at 9:58
As far as courts are concerned I would really like things going there. Cause as far as this sporting body is concerned they are just not fair enough. And moreover they are never going to listen to anything that Man UTD or Gaffer has to say. Everyone in private would agree that even though in disrespectfully wrong manner the points put forth by Fergie were spot on. And thats why I would like to see its going to courts where Gaffer and Man UTD if required will get an opportunity to put there points about the issue under scrutiny and overall situation of referring. And I hope the forum there will not be Biased….
In the I just have to Henry Winter has said is right:
“So who do you want influencing football? Pen-pushers or Treble-winners?”
And
“what Sir Alex Ferguson has done for English football deserves respect”…
Lets see when that happens???
November 13th, 2009 at 11:31
I think NANI news is gathering some pace in transfer rumor mill. The story that Goal.com is running….
http://www.goal.com/en/news/10/italy/2009/11/13/1622039/juventus-lay-eyes-on-manchester-united-ace-nani-report
Though, I don’t know who can vouch on Goal.com but still the rumor mill is on….
November 13th, 2009 at 11:43
If he’s an Ace. I think we should keep him.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:48
It is plain obvious the Referee’s Union wants to take advantage of SAF’s stature in the game to push forward the “respect” campaign. I wouldn’t be surprised if the FA’s “soft” punishment was just a pre-text for the Union to pursue further legal action against the manager, albeit with out much success I would guess and hope.
What matters though is that SAF has the experience and personality to overcome such timid manouvering on behalf of the FA and the Union. What is even greater in importance in my view is that the games the manager will miss are games that we should bag all six points from. Everton are having a torrid time at the moment. A shadow of their form of last season. Not to mention that we play them at home. After that it’s Pompey away. Another game where I can’t anticipate any problems for the team as a result of the second touch line ban.
But going back to the valid argument on whether SAF bought this upon himself as the result of his comments on Wiley, which is seen by many on this blog as unjustified, then maybe we just have to accept the age old idiom “you reap what you sow”, with all due respect to those that feel the managers comments were appropriate mind you.
So its not surprising that such a punishment is slapped on SAF. What worries me though is the fact that we are beginning to notice a pattern of decisions going against us in games, both in the league and Europe, that took place after those comments were said. Namely the CSKA and Chelsea games.
I would also remind you of DF’s comments to the media with regards Wenger’s accusations made against the player after our encounter with Arsenal. The latter was not pleased, to say the least, on the tame refereeing towards the fouls Darren had commited in that game. But what stikes me as intruiging is that the players are realizing this pattern of negativity from referee’s against us which is obvious when you take into consideration other similar comments made by our players. One of which was a clear indication that this issue is being discussed in training would be WR’s “12 men” rant to the TV camera after the final whistle at the Bridge.
With that said, I feel that the relevant officials at United must raise this issue with both the FA and the Union. It cannot persist or else we will continue to pose as “bait” for them to lead their various campaigns. Not to mention the threat of more correct decisions going against us as well.
November 13th, 2009 at 11:56
Off topic here. But just wanted to brainstorm.
What are the chances of CQ coming back to OT if Portugal do not advance to the WC finals?
Also, do we need him if the chance of having him back arises?
November 13th, 2009 at 12:27
@Nafooy: We have to WR’s mathematics is not that great. He should have said 14 men and not 12 men… May be he forgot about the linesman who wrongly gave him offside when he was clean through on the goal…
November 13th, 2009 at 15:27
@Nafooy: I would rather have Gus Poyet.
November 13th, 2009 at 16:06
Mike Phelan the next manager of Manchester United…
Seriously, that would be the end of the world!
November 13th, 2009 at 16:56
Yeeeeey, its snowing!
November 13th, 2009 at 18:34
@ Nafooy .- Do we need him? You bet we do. I’m sorry to say this but I’d find it very hard to watch games with Mike Phelan at the helm. I’ll follow United via news reports. It’s nothing to do with him being English(if he actually is). Though to be honest I’d be happy if we keep far from English coaches. It’s the simple and obvious fact that he knows nothing about modern football tactics and training techniques. I’ve always known this to be somewhat true of Fergie but that’s what Quieroz brought to the team. Technical expertise. That’s why they worked together so well. I don’t think we would have heard that shocking revelation about not knowing how to play Berbatov if CQ was still here. We can’t afford to have two people who are not on their game when it comes to tactics. That’s why we continue to play disjointed and ugly football. For instance, a tactician of average standards will know how futile it is for us to play with wingers primarily there to cross the ball into the box. Why? Our main striker is closer to the turf than to John Terry’s or Kolo Toure’s armpits. An average tactician in modern day football will tell you how important team chemistry is in the quest to play fluently. So they’ll not play 1369 different midfield combinations in a season. If Mike Phelan becomes the new manager I’ll stop watching football completely.
November 13th, 2009 at 18:58
I’d rather have anyone who knows just a little bit about football techniques. This team we have, has so much potential to play at the very least, the same standard of football as the brilliant 06-07 class. Fluent, near flawless football. It pains me to see teams like Liverpool play well and with fluency, even if they employ Hollywood personnel masquerading as strikers. They can actually pass the football from one teammate to another without any need to celebrate and throw a party when it’s successful. They actually make runs off the ball rather than being stationed in their posts like Kevin Costner in Dancing with Wolves. Now, a lot of people will assume that players by themselves should know about making runs off the ball and switching positions. But footballers like soldiers do as they are commanded. No two ways about it. If you instruct a soldier as their superior, to go into battle with a pen-knife, they’ll do just that. So if you instruct, Welbeck to play as a winger or Rafael to be the new Essien they’ll do exactly that. Don’t blame the soldier when you’re massacred. “Oh Welbeck is useless.” “How could Carrick and Scholes be overrun by Mascherano and Lucas”. Lay blame on the generals for their illogical and defeatist tactics arming the soldiers with pen-knives.
November 13th, 2009 at 19:25
Awhh poor Tevez is considering retiring because hes “tired of so much football, so much football” – breaks your fucking heart!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 19:48
@jpg: link, please
@Onkar: Nani will not be sold without a replacement… what that space * above
November 13th, 2009 at 19:53
@Footy4Eddy: Do you know “Norwegian youngster Sondre Tronstad” – Utd’s new Ole replacement
November 13th, 2009 at 20:04
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Guardian article.
Boo hoo hoo, Carlos.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:10
@Onkar: I agree mate. I absolutely love Manuel Neuer. I think he is beyond world class but Rene Adler is not that far behind. If I had to rate keepers out of ten I would rate Neuer 9.1/10 and Adler 9.0 while Akinfeev would drop down to 7.5 And to better understand how I rate these keepers, here is how I rate some other noteworthy keepers.
Buffon 9.0
Casillas 9.0
Firedel 8.0
Given 7.5
EVDS 8.0
Almunia 4.0
Cech 8.0 (used to be 9.0 before injury)
Reina 7.5
Howard 7.0
Julio Cesar 8.5
Sebastien Frey 8.0
Mandanda 7.0
Wiese 7.0
Weidenfeller 7.5
Steklenberg 7.0
Foster 5.0
I have rounded out these number as to not confuse you but the fact remains that the two German lads are at the top with Buffon and Casillas, but they have the age advantage. Now back to why I prefer Alder? For the reasons you gave. He is a die hard life long Man Utd fan who grew up watching Schmeichel. He speaks English which is great for helping him get acclimated to the team and the country and he will be able to better communicate to his back four during games because he speaks English. And why does he speak English when the language is still not a priority in German schools? I think it’s because he prepared himself a long time ago to live his dream and to be able to play in England, especially for Man Utd. I admire that and I especially admire the fact that he flew to Liverpool to watch us play. That told me he was a fan but it also told me he was willing to do what ever to audition for the part.
As far as I am concerned there is not a great difference between him and Neuer. Both are exceptional at nearly every element of the game. The fact that Adler is just a little older and more experienced might be an advantage for us. Also, he has it in his contract that if United come knocking for him, he has an out claus in that contract that would make things run a whole lot smoother. Neuer would be very difficult to get as he will also cost more because Schalke value him above his worth because he is a hometown hero and brings in fans just because of that.
Finally, about Akinfeev. A good keeper but he is not the total package, believe me. I have watched this guy play many times and there is a little Fabian Barthez in him. Capable of the world class save with great reflexes, but his concentration suffers at times and it eludes him if he isn’t getting a lot of work. Traditionally United keepers do not get a lot of work because of our attacking dominance and strong defensive setup. He also struggles a bit with high balls into the box. Not short but neither tall like Neuer or Adler, he tends to do a Ben Foster imitation on balls crossed into the box more than I would like to see.
My concern is that the two Germans will cost more and chances are neither of their teams will sell them until the season is over. This opens the door wide open in January for Fergie to go after Akinfeev as his club is struggling and as he has made it clear he is willing and anxious to leave in January. Fergie often gets easily seduced by players who audition in front of him when they play against United. This is an antiquated old school, close minded and highly useless way to judge talent and buy players but it has served Fergie well in the past. If he follows his MO and buys players who he has managed against, Akinfeev will be our next keeper. It would be a crying shame as he isn’t even close to the class of Neuer or Adler. He’s not even as good as EVDS and that’s the point here. If you are going to find his heir, then it should be someone as good or better.
Igor is a good keeper but he is not better than Reina and he is not better than Cech. Enough said. In January he would be a cheaper purchase but like I was reading in “Soccernomics”, one of the biggest mistakes managers and teams make is that they spend too much money on a striker, thus overvaluing him, and not enough for a quality keeper. Goalkeepers in theory should cost a lot more than they do because a good one can be the backbone of your defense for over a decade. Adler and Neuer look to be the best keepers in the world and the heirs to Casillas and Buffon’s title. A club like United needs to have a tier one keeper, not a tier two. We can wait for either one until summer. EVDS is back and so we can wait. Buying Akinfeev in January is not necessary and thus I plead and beg Fergie to listen to the Grognard just once and and wait. Wait and then buy one of the two German lads and trust me, you and United will never look back.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:16
@Gubby: Originally they thought they read that he was an “ace in the hole”, when in reality what they were reading was he was an “ass hole”.
I like Nani but despite what my good buddy Craig has to say, he is far from being an ace. I will say this however. Nani is right about the fact that Fergie has misused him and I really believe that although he is far from being an ace with United, I think if he was to go to the right team, he could become one of our biggest regrets. He has the talent to be really great with the right team.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:19
@Footy4Eddy: Fortunately Fergie owns a cell phone and I think although I cannot confirm this, that Mike Phelan knows how to answer one. As long as we have cell phones, we shouldn’t miss a beat. As if Fergie gets off his ass much in games anymore to make his presence on the touchline really felt. If anything, it will help us because it will keep him away from getting in the face of the next two referees and their decisions.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:22
@Jay wire: Can’t disagree with you there mate. I’ve said all along the biggest problem with United is not their players (although some are useless), but Fergie’s negative and cowardly tactics and squad selections.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:24
@Red Ranter: After reading “Soccernomics”, I guess you and I know where both United and City failed when it comes to Carlos Tevez. They never made him feel welcome and never worked hard enough to get him acclimated to life in Northern England. 4 years in England and he still can’t speak a word of English and the stress that brings as well as the discomfort of living out one’s element I feel has contributed to this player’s poor form.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:25
@Grognard- julio cesar is now widely regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world by nearly everyone. i am a bit surprised at your 8.5 . Why do you not rate him as high as everyone else does. and what do you think his weaknesses are, because quite frankly i don’t think there is one weakness in this goalkeeper.
November 13th, 2009 at 20:42
@Grognard: I don’t think that particular aspect works here — we can’t generalize everything. Because:
First of all Tevez actually likes life in England, and his family has settled well there. He’s also happy to see his daughter grow up in England. He had a chance to go to Spain, but he wanted to remain in England. So location is never the problem.
Secondly there’s the issue of Tevez’s unwillingness to learn. Read this from his own countryman and teammate at City, Zabaleta.
And finally, the primary reason he’s cribbing is about his Argentina criticism. His form for his own country. Not especially the club. He is quite ordinary as a player, despite all the hype over him. And I think it’s more of that realization than the question of blaming clubs for relocation issues.
November 13th, 2009 at 21:10
@mike: He isnt German and plays for a team managed by Jose Mourinho.
November 13th, 2009 at 21:26
http://www.thefishy.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/Blah.pl?m-1257631840/
Single handedly, the funniest rant ive ever read.
November 13th, 2009 at 21:38
@Dan: Yeah, pretty funny. Spizzy posted it on the previous post.
November 13th, 2009 at 21:43
@Red Ranter: To be fair, it sounds a lot like one of several Grog’s open letters (magnified ten-fold) with the diff that Grimsby Town is languishing in the nether regions of the football league.
November 13th, 2009 at 21:56
@Red Ranter: We have to take into account the fact that Carlos Tevez is 50% mentally retarded, 50% wet dog.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:14
@mike: I’d like top know your sources mate because where I’m from everything I read still refers to Casillas and Buffon as co number one’s and Julio Cesar in a group of keepers like Frey, Adler, Neuer and EVDS just a bit behind. 8.5 id pretty damned impressive for a keeper mate and so the difference between him and those other keepers is not great. Why is he lower than them. He has a bit more of a problem with highballs into the box (a problem all Brazilian keepers have had since the beginning of time) and his kicking is sometimes suspect. The four keepers in front of him do not possess these weaknesses. A while back I wrote a piece on the different skill sets that a keeper has when I was busy putting down Ben Foster’s skills or lack of. Well in that case I rated Cesar very highly. So I am not in disagreement about his quality. He is however, not the best keeper in the world. He is in the top five which is still pretty damnd good. That is my opinion and most of the literature I read agrees with me. I don’t know where you are getting your facts. Must be a pro Inter Milan site. “Widely regarded”? I don’t think so mate.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:17
@Red Ranter: So basically he is just dumb as nails then.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:23
@Dan: Im rolling on the floor laughing out loud!!!
One of the best things Ive read in my life. Grognard is probably my fave writer, but that is a piece of pure brilliance!
SCANDINAVIAN PORN!!!
November 13th, 2009 at 22:27
@Red Ranter: Carlos Tevez is a stupid fuck, but thats hardly news is it?
That wanker can wank off and wank together with his City mates to the wanking tune of “You`ll never wank alone”.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:29
@Grognard: Dont offend the nails, they are actually useful!
November 13th, 2009 at 22:30
@Footy4Eddy: I love Jose Mourinho mate. The fact that those two keepers are German does not escape me but what is escaping you and so many others is the reality that over the past 40 years, Germany has been a goalkeeper factory. They have produced on a per capita basis more great world class goalkeepers than any other country by a country mile. Maier, Schumancher, Illgner, Kopke, Kahn, Lehmann were all world class keepers and so many more in just the past several seasons are right up there including Adler, Neuer, Wiese, Enke, Weidenfeller and Rost. I’d put all these keepers up against anyone in the world. Technically proficient and highly dependable. Germany has always been strong in producing two positions, goalkeepers and strikers. Although they have had many world class midfielders and defenders, they are beaten by other countries at those positions. But at keeper, no country other than perhaps Italy has even come close to them at keeper. Certainly not England, Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, Holland, Russia, France or any other nation over the past 50 years combined.
Sure I love Adler and Neuer and I have a strong preference for them , but trust me, it’s not because they are German. It’s because they are that good. If we were to sign Julio Cesar, Buffon or Casillas I would be as happy but their ages would be the only negative for me as they are all considerably older than the two German’s. Actually, probably one of the most talented keepers I have ever seen but one who is too old to go after is Roman Weidenfeller of Dortmund. This man has saving ability and reflexes like nobody I have ever seen. His biggest problem is his lack of focus and concentration at times and his kicking ability is good but not great. And finally, speaking on Russian keepers, as much as Igor Akinfeev is impressive, I have always felt that Zenit’s Malafeev was even better. Hiddink doesn’t agree with me as he always selects Igor but then again, it is a position that often causes bitter debate.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:35
@Grognard: Heh. I guess so. As much as people play up the stereotype that athletes are thick, I think Tevez might be thicker than most athletes.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:38
@Red Ranter: Now there’s a man after my own heart. He just let it all hang out and did it with rapier wit, cutting sarcasm and spoke the truth to boot. A man I’d love to share a couple pints of ale with at a pub in Grimsby.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:40
@Red Ranter: I hear he is writing his book on football and other elements of life called “Thickanomics – Perspectives From a Dog Faced Gremlin”.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:41
@Footy4Eddy: I should then apologize to nails and especially Jimmy Nail and Nine Inch Nails fans.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:45
@Grognard: Even that requires some serious data crunching — beyond him, methinks.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:47
@Grognard: Trent Reznor is one of the most savvy, and intelligent musicians on the planet; and his music is quite complex. So I demand an apology you even considered a mention of NIN in the same topic as Carlos Tevez.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:51
When the seagulls follow the trawler, its because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea.
But when the kids are running away from the traitor, its because they think being brain-dead and ugly is infectious.
November 13th, 2009 at 22:54
@Grognard: I thought you wanted to talk about Andy and Evra with me over a pint in Grimsby…
November 13th, 2009 at 23:11
@Red Ranter: and that Grognard does not make me laugh as hard…
“I look forward to you serving me at my local McDonald’s “
November 13th, 2009 at 23:12
@Red Ranter: Tevez is thicker than most doors.
November 13th, 2009 at 23:37
@[OPTI]Madschester United: Which is why I said, “magnified ten-fold”
It’s also probably because the club Grognard’s directing his ire at is United — not easy to laugh at your own club, when it’s the biggest club in England.
November 13th, 2009 at 23:48
@Red Ranter: I was apologizing to all Nine Inch Nail’s fans because I insulted all nails by saying they were as dumb as Tevez. What can I say, I feel shame.
November 13th, 2009 at 23:49
@Footy4Eddy: I would but your Andy love would eventually get me so frustrated and pissed off, I’d end up pouring that pint over your head. And that for me would be a terrible waste of a good pint of ale.
November 13th, 2009 at 23:54
@Red Ranter: Exactly. I was thinking the very same thing. I am actually well known around my parts for being quite a humorous writer but as much as United can frustrate me at times, they anger me more than they make me laugh at them. After all, they are brilliant and what is Grimsby Town anyway? Why on earth are there fans of Grimsby Town? That’s like selecting the kids playing footy in one’s back alley to be your favorite football team.
November 13th, 2009 at 23:58
@Grognard: what is Grimsby Town anyway? Why on earth are there fans of Grimsby Town?
I hope that’s rhetorical
November 14th, 2009 at 1:15
Tosic needs to get in on the action
November 14th, 2009 at 1:40
@Ober-fan: Haha… random comment that one, but yeah, Tosic does need some action. His ball control and dribbling are quite okay, plus his positional play and finishing are superb (this is all from observing him play for the reserves btw). Although, it will probably only be in the cup games..
November 14th, 2009 at 1:47
btw, anyone read about England threatening to pull out of the Brazil friendly because they were not allowed to land on a special terminal reserved for mega rich oil barons?! Maybe it’s because most of the first team are out injured and Capello is afraid of a samba beat down ! lol
November 14th, 2009 at 5:11
@Gabriel: Who gives a shit about the game anyway. Cancel the game, let ‘em lie on the beach and rest. It’d do all the power of good!!
November 14th, 2009 at 5:14
@Red Ranter: We have to all remember that you are a latent GT supporter, and the only reason you go for United is the very high profile it gives your blog!
Just kidding!
November 14th, 2009 at 5:57
Lights just went out in the MLS semifinal between Galaxy and the Dynamo.
Beckham’s hairstyle pushes the realms of the bizarre. Looks like a furry animal — like a squirrel — nested itself on his head.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:13
@Red Ranter: I think he is marketing soccer to hil-billies and trailer-trash.
I hate commercials during a soccer game
The best part was that while the lights were out, commentators had nothing to talk about and they went straight to commercials.
November 14th, 2009 at 6:33
Well the refs are “hinting at further action” against SAF and seem totally empowered by his touchline ban and hefty fine.
The boss opened his gob, called a fat-man a fat-man, deferred interest from a failing team to himself, made the issue everlasting, and for his troubles the ruling from the KGB of British sports is to instigate a Manchester United witch hunt.
I was appalled at the way they prefaced this whole kangaroo court, with their public condemnations and foolish solidarity to the affected party (he, Mr Wiley, was called unfit and perhaps fat, gee whiz!!). Did it sway public opinion in their favor – you bet it did, was the powers that be influenced by all this – no, fucking question!!
SAF was not tried for his indiscretions, he was crucified!! It was premeditated and was the hammer blow that the FA has wished for for some time now.
I’d like to know how you’d all feel if you got clobberd this way for getting in the face of an incompetent you work with?
If justice was served, the best treatment of these ponces would be to scream in their faces, repeatedly, “You need to earn your respect, not demand it” – and continue ’till they hear the respect part from another point of view.
I have long past realized that true “justice” in Football is a pipe dream, but we all stand up against what is so obviously wrong. The refs do wrong on the pitch on the time, we bite our lip, we get mad, we express our frustrations and sooner or later we say “no more!”
The degree to how wrong they’ve become, is now measured by the lingering stink that is wafting from this issue. The reek of further and future retribution against our club!!
November 14th, 2009 at 6:35
@Red Ranter: Good thought, but the squirrel surely couldn’t afford the rent, mate!!
November 14th, 2009 at 7:06
@Redrich: Maybe that’s why he killed it, and stuck it on his scalp.
Meanwhile, there’s another blackout. I’m getting increasingly suspicious of this. My theory is America have decided “accidental blackouts” is a good way of having commercial breaks during matches.
Or, maybe — just maybe — the recession has finally struck, and the US is a crumbling empire.
November 14th, 2009 at 10:02
Trust me it’s the commercials. Americans can’t live without commercials. I’m sure pretty soon these things will be happening in cinemas. Right in the middle of “Avatar” they’ll throw in a Pepsi commercial. But the link with the recession is not too far fetched on the other hand.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:36
So we are apparently going to buy Carlton Cole. CARLTON BLOODY COLE.
Fergie out.
November 14th, 2009 at 11:42
AC Milan and Juventus both interested in paying £15mil for Nani. Bite their hands off!
November 14th, 2009 at 12:00
Traverse, Id take that money! Nani needs a fresh start and if he gets that I still think he could turn into a top player. But he is not developing here and we need the money to strengthen other areas of our team.
If we buy Carlton Cole Im going to be pissed. He is a poor man’s Louis Saha. Just as injury prone but nowhere near as good.
Re the goalkeeper debate we shouldn’t skimp. There are very few good outfield players you can get for £20 million. Hell we paid almost that much for Nani and Anderson. If £20 million is what it takes to buy Neuer then that is money well spent because a good goalkeeper can be a matchwinner and lets face it we’ve turned into a defensive team averaging only a goal a game, so it is essential we concede as few goals as possible.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:09
these are stats about our midfielders this season, see those stats here nani has been poor at chances created and crosses
November 14th, 2009 at 13:15
For all of you who are slagging off Nani… Mark my words, you’ll miss him when he’s gone and you’ll say “why couldn’t he perform like that for us” and the answer to that is fergie.
November 14th, 2009 at 13:46
@Johnsom33: I’d agree. I can see him having the same kind of success Forlan did.
Still if Fergie is not prepared to give him proper playing time AND properly advise him on how to be most effective (he thinks he should score more, when really he should be assisting more) I’d welcome the 15million quid in a heartbeat. Would be more than enough to get Krasic.
November 14th, 2009 at 13:56
Mourinho finally getting to start proning youth development?
MAybe he is just pimping himslef silly to get in the good books of the United faithful!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 13:58
Who the fucking hell is Sondre Thorstad?
EDDY!!!
And why would they llok for a 14 yr old liverpool supporting Noggie when our very own Eddy is dying to play for united?!
November 14th, 2009 at 14:05
Marouane Chamakh?
By god this is Tevez mkII, minus the stupidity of course. Good talent,
great energy, but cannot hit the proverbial cow’s arse with a banjo.
Benoit Cheyrou, well I don’t know much about him. I heard he’s a bit like a Carrick, but currently playing very very well. Don’t know what to make of it really. But he’s the younger brother of dippers flop Bruno Cheyrou.
November 14th, 2009 at 14:07
@Traverse: 20 feckin million!!!
Beggars belief!
November 14th, 2009 at 14:11
@Johnsom33: I agree. Personally I think Nani has bags of skill and unfortunately it all will not come out until he is at another club. Although Nani himself has to be to blame for not performing well all of the time, it is true that Fergie has to be to blame some what. Nani needs to play regularly. However, I feel some of Nani’s teammates have let him down as well. Everytime Nani plays in a game and he does something wrong, makes a bad decision, creates a chance and flops on the final ball many of Nani’s teammates pout or shout. Get behind the lad I say…
November 14th, 2009 at 14:14
@Jay wire: Not all Americans mate. Why do you think Tivo is so successful? Most of us hate commercials…
November 14th, 2009 at 15:38
@RichmondRed: Well hes never gonna get regular playing time because Fergie loves his Rafa Rotation and no one in midfield is exempt. Personally I dont think player and club are suited for each other.
November 14th, 2009 at 15:41
@NicoQB: I’ve no doubt Liverpool will snap him up. He’d be perfect for them fuckers cos he’d probably get them “their” trophy at long last.
November 14th, 2009 at 16:33
@Johnsom33: How much more chances does the useless feck need? Hes hardly set old trafford alight this season.
November 14th, 2009 at 17:20
Seen the England team against Brazil? We’re going to get walloped!
November 14th, 2009 at 17:28
@Redrich: YEA KILL THE REFS:x… oh shit… wait… i just…sorry for yelling i just got caught up in it.
November 14th, 2009 at 17:29
@Johnsom33: rossi, forlan, tevez… just kidding abt teves hahahaha
November 14th, 2009 at 17:31
Guys im giddy my 7yro niece has a championship soccer(im in the US) game in 30 min and i am so excited. She is on an all girl team that has gone unbeaten in an coed league. Im off to see her dominate.
November 14th, 2009 at 17:33
Ive been training her to be a crushing CM with shooting ability. The female Hargo with better knees touch wood. Or the female Eddy
November 14th, 2009 at 17:35
@Jay wire: Product placement mate no need for a commercial when it is fit seamlessly(most of the time) into the drama.
November 14th, 2009 at 17:47
@gator: Thats a good thing to aim for, its a great position!
Going into hard tackles is what I love, scoring scorchers are the only thing thats better! 
November 14th, 2009 at 17:48
@NicoQB: Never heard of him, not surprised to be honest. He is two years younger than me, so he has to come from my area if Im supposed to know about him…
November 14th, 2009 at 17:49
@NicoQB: Id love Chamack, I think he is a good player. Cheryrou on the other hand, can piss off as he is a poor mans Lucas(yeah!)
November 14th, 2009 at 17:52
@Traverse: I would love Cole at United, I think he is a great stiker. If he can stay fit, he would be a vital asset to this club. Big, strong and a good finisher, I certanly wouldnt say no.
But £20 million?!
Jeez…
November 14th, 2009 at 17:54
Sorry lads, aint gonna be able to make the Ronaldo free-kick video this week.
Its been snowing in Norway, and the whole pitch is covered in snow… Just my luck, eh? 
Oh well, gonna work on it as soon as I can. Trust me, you will be the first to know when its done.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:12
@Dan – I’m usually with you when it comes to giving players good opportunity and reasonable chances. Especially young players. Now I don’t get it when you act as if Nani has been given enough chances and a fair shot at the position. I think a lot of people are being misled that he has been at United for a very long time. Yes he has been at United for a while but being there doesn’t automatically result in improvement. You actually need to play consistently. He started out quite promising in his debut season and many thought he was the real deal. Key injuries to Park and Giggs early on forced the manager’s hand and it wasn’t long before goals and assists followed. Same situation with Anderson with Paul Scholes out injured before year end. A run of games followed. He impressed many. Then Giggs returned and he was immediately dropped. Then Park returned and he fell further behind in the pecking order. Then Rooney was transformed into a winger. On the left. He was then limited to a few appearances here and there. Few and far between. And virtually not more than 70 min at a time. This was his first season. One in which he had started out quite brightly only to find himself inexplicably in the gutters. If he thought that was bad, then he surely wasn’t prepared for last season’s nightmare. I can’t even remember a game throughout the whole of last season in which Nani played. Given my sharp memory that has got to be bad. He might as well have gone on holiday on the island of Malta. Now last season was a nightmare and this season it’s a more horrific sequel. With both Tevez and Ronaldo gone, the least he could expect was a fair fight with Giggs on the left and a few chances on the right. We reverted back to four four two and that should have meant more chances. Yeah right. He should have consultated Forlan last season since he was quite idle. He would have told him to foster a move out. I mean Juventus have always shown an interest. There is no question about it in my mind, Nani has been at the very least, grossly mistreated. But I’ve gotten used to it. 99% of United fans will never lay any blame on Ferguson like he is some superhuman with zero flaws. “Fergie knows best”. I don’t think so. I’ll always point out where the manager should receive blame and this like with Forlan, Veron, Smith, Berba, Rooney, Tevez etc is an example of Ferguson’s inadequacies and inconsistency. He’s human after all, but let’s not go about laying blame on blameless people for his errors
November 14th, 2009 at 18:15
@Redrich: So this makes you a Hell of lot smarter than Fergie himself. Knowing all these truths about the FA and their kangaroo justice should have told Fergie to not bother with his tirade against Wiley. Instead he should have sent in a formal complaint to the head of officials or the FA and indicated his concerns and displeasure. Instead he chose to go to the media and humiliate the man and that unfortunately for Fergie was the wrong thing to do.
It’s not about Fergie being right about Wiley and the FA being a circus full of clown shoes who can’t take a proper step without falling over themselves. It’s about decorum and it’s about following a the proper procedures in filing a complaint. Sure it never hits the media and the effect is not the same but at least those in power hear it without Fergie getting his ass singed in the subsequent brush fire response that the FA gave him. What he did was understandable but it was wrong. Taking justice into our own hands is just wrong. To me it was a desperate act from a desperate manager. He gained nothing from this premeditated act. It did nothing for his team (then again I honestly cannot see why it should?) in terms of their future performances nor did it force the FA to clean up it’s act with officials and possibly fire Wiley. All it accomplished was getting the Boss banned for two games and put him on probation until his next outburst. It has forced the FA to make Fergie useless to his team on game day. Although I have suspected that he has been useless on game day for quite a while now, at least now, we can consider it confirmed. Instead of sitting on his hands and doing nothing down on pitch level, he gets to sit on his hands and do nothing several rows up. WOW! What a punishment. That’s no punishment at all and that is why Fergie does the things he does. Because on game day all he does is sit and watch the game and any managerial duties he has to carry out he can easily do with the use of a cell phone or hand signals.
It has come to this stupidity. The FA slaps a manager on the wrist for being way out of order and then they completely ignore the reasons he made the comments in the first place. As wrong as Fergie was to humiliate an official in public, the FA is just as wrong by invoking a farcical and trivial punishment which harms nobody. Above all, not once have they sat down and questioned the competency and fitness of one Alan Wiley. The FA are band of bozo’s operating as the supreme authority on all matters pertaining to English football. I am amazed that the rich and powerful clubs in England tolerate them and even acknowledge or respect their authority. More of this nonsense and eventually the big powerful teams will say enough is enough and they will secede from the Premier League and control of the FA. Nobody acknowledges a paper governing body that rules unfairly and unjustly and that hasn’t got the bottle to do the right thing and reform itself.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:19
@colver: Well put about Neuer. Goalkeepers are the most vital members of a team. They should be paid more and they should cost more because most of them are long term investments who if they are great, can man a team’s goal for over ten years. I’d pay 30 million for Neuer because his return will be a lot greater than that of Berbatov who still cost more.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:23
Talking about goalkeepers, watching England v Brazil and Foster’s clearances are really appalling. In the modern game you need keepers comfortable with the ball at their feet, who are able to clear under pressure.
Also I really like Nilmar as a player. We’ve been missing a pacey striker ever since Saha left us.
Wes Brown is also showing his class. I hope to God he stays fit for us this season.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:25
@vanderberg: How on earth do you judge the quality of a cross? Seriously, unless it reaches a player and that player scores, how in God’s name can they differentiate between what is a quality cross and what isn’t? As far as I can see, he is just as good or superior to everyone else in almost everything except dribbling. When dribbling he always gives the ball away and he does it at half speed. As far as shooting and and actually getting crosses away, he is one of the better ones. Still, Nani has made himself his own worst enemy by getting upset with Fergie and by forcing his hand. He will be gone in January or he will be languishing with the reserves. He is a very talented player but a player who just did not fit our system or style of play. I’m sure he will do better elsewhere. I’ll bet you he either scores or sets up a goal for Portugal today too.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:29
@Johnsom33: Totally agree with you mate. We might not miss him as such because frankly, he hasn’t offered much to the team, but we will be upset over the fact he is such a star for his next team. We will constantly ask the question why he couldn’t do that for us? And rather than put the blame on Nani, I prefer to put it on Fergie for the way he manages some players, his squad selections and his negative Euro/UK hybrid tactics that confuse everyone.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:31
@NicoQB: As much as I love Nani (sometimes I ask myself why?), Krasic is ten times the player the little man is. Krasic is more dynamic, plays at full speed and is bolder and smarter.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:38
@NicoQB: That’s exactly what he is doing. He is pimping himself and putting himself up for sale to United and Liverpool because he hates it in Italy. He hates the unfair expectations and pressure that he gets there even though he is 5 points in front. It’s like all the media in Italy are Grognards.
The horror…..the horrror
And I think he may be at United sooner than we think. I have a gut feeling that the way the season is turning out and with all this crap with the FA and officials that this may be the last season for Fergie. This has got be stressing him out and tiring him out in a manner where he is wondering whether it’s all worth it or whether he wants to continue if the FA is going to tie one arm behind his back and the Glazer’s the other. Truthfully, I would consider quitting and I am no quitter either. Right now he has got to be feeling really fed up with the whole circus. The man deserves better than he has gotten and he should quit to spite them all for their show of disrespect. The man’s accomplishments and tenure alone should have gotten him more respect and consideration in the Wiley affair.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:40
@NicoQB: He is frakken useless, I agree. So help me if they sign him, I will write the rant from Hell.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:42
@jpg: Fergie rotates only because he has to. If you have noticed he never rotated his stars like Ronaldo, or Rooney or Vidic or Rio for that matter. He rotates the positions where the players show less stamina but above all, age or less consistency. I think you can categorize the Nani rotation as less consistency.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:43
I want to buy the Russian Home kit… Hope it’ll be available here though… Beautiful Kit…
And Seriously not buying Arshavin was a Big mistake!
November 14th, 2009 at 18:45
@Footy4Eddy: Cole is crap. If I had to have an attainable striker playing in England right now it would be Kenwyn Jones. His physical presence and ability to fight for balls in the air is something we do not have.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:47
@colver: Did Saha ever really play for us or was he entrenched permanently in the infirmary?
November 14th, 2009 at 18:49
@Darth Red Diablo: And who said buy Arshavin here first a good six months before he signed for Arsenal? Me of course. If Fergie would only listen to the Grognard United would be 10 points ahead of the pack right now and still looking for their first loss.
November 14th, 2009 at 18:53
@Grognard: Did you just see Akinfeev’s save against Slovenia?
November 14th, 2009 at 19:05
@Grognard: I’m pretty sure I was raving about him too
It’s irritating to be proven right about a player who signs for your rivals….. How much better would we be going forward with Arshavin instead of Nani on the left? Irritatingly large amounts better. For £12million.
November 14th, 2009 at 19:27
@Darth Red Diablo: No. I’m sure it was sweet. Akinfeev is excellent at saves and has strong reflexes. But put a high ball into his box and he becomes Foster and if you give him little work in a game, he tends to fall asleep and loose his focus. I’d say look at the two clunkers he gave up against Ruben Kazan last week in the Russian League. He’s good but prone to real mind numbing gaffs.
November 14th, 2009 at 19:28
Typical England vs Brazil. Being outclassed completely.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:02
Hulk is another player I like. He and Rooney would batter any defence to death.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:03
@Grognard: England have been outclassed but its not exactly a first choice eleven is it?
November 14th, 2009 at 20:04
@Jay wire: I was being tongue in cheek on both my theories.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:04
I would have sex with Dan if we were given Arshavin for free
November 14th, 2009 at 20:13
I still don’t get it with people. Nani is a gold mine that we’re sitting on. A bigger prospect than Ronaldo was in my opinion. Probably more effective than Ronaldo was in his 1st three years at the club. In fact I won’t say probably. He has been more effective and useful than Ronaldo in his 1st 3 seasons. People keep talking about how useless he is. I can vividly remember worse being said of Ronaldo. Do we ever learn? Do we actually know what we are talking about or we just rant aimlessly? I’m not saying Nani is a better player than Ronaldo, but who is to say given equal opportunity, he could not have been better? I somehow feel the same. He has actually been better or at par with Ronaldo in his 1st 3. Even with such criminally unjust appearances. How many can be so narrow minded is beyond me? “He has been performed inconsistently.”. That’s because he has been inconsistently played. It’s as simple as that. Now some say well, since Ferguson doesn’t believe in him, why not cash in and get someone else. Well who? What if they suffer the same treatment from Fergie? What does that help? Quite frankly, we have some of the best scouts in world football. Probably the best. They keep spotting HUGE talents for us, only for their hard work to be destroyed. In recent years, they’ve brought some real gems to United. Pique, Rossi, Evans, Da Silva Lining,Macheda,Petrucci, Anderson and Nani. It’s only at United where we don’t realise what great talents they are. Well at least most fans. At least five in that line up have represented their world class countries at some point and four are currently still first eleven material. I’m not surprised that Nani is one of them. This is going to be an even greater regret than that of Forlan.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:26
@Duffstuff: Always with the excuses. England and England supporters have ten times more excuses in them then they have goals. If only games were won with excuses, they would have won ten World Cups by now.
If they weren’t going all out to win the game, then why play it in the first place?
November 14th, 2009 at 20:29
@Footy4Eddy: I’d rather the other way round. Chamakh in my book is incerdibly overrated and relies on the genius of Gourcuff to make him look good.
Only Wenger with his wizardry can turn an underwhelming player like him into a great player (just like adebayor)
Youtube him! His videos are a highlight reel of infuriating misses.
Cheyrou on the other hand is a CM and as you may know I’ve never hidden my opinion that CM is our weakest department. Sorry Mr Anderson.
Still think Gibson and the others should be given a fair run in the side. Wonder what happened to Possebon…
November 14th, 2009 at 20:30
@Jay wire: I for one do not regret losing Forlan one bit. Why? Because he was not suited to the English game and he has come out and said so. He also has turned down many lucrative offers to return to England because he wants nothing to do with the football being played here. As for Nani, good player but not the cats meow that you and Craig make him out to be. I like the player a lot but one would have to be brain dead to not notice that his style does not mesh well with the team or with English football. The man is perfectly suited for Italy where I am sure he would be a star. Should we regret letting him go and be a star somewhere else? No way. It’s what he does here that counts and that was clearly sweet fuck all..
November 14th, 2009 at 20:32
I was just about to go on another long rant enquiring why in the world Carlton Cole’s name is being mentioned. Then I just remembered that our tactics being illogical with wingers playing high cross after high cross to the midget Rooney and clueless in the air Berba he might turn out to be useful. But then again, since we always do the illogical, tactics may be altered again to play in low crosses once he arrives. Since this type of reasoning makes “sense” to our coaching staff.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:32
@NicoQB: Gourcuff and Laurent Blanc are the true geniuses and talents over at Bordeaux. It’s those two United should be looking to get. One as manager and the other as our attacking midfielder.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:35
@Grognard: Blanc as manager? Really? I think as brilliant as he might be, he would need to be an apprentice at OT first before becoming manager.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:43
Apparently Foster and the defence managed to keep the england defeat somewhat respectable? Didnt watch it…
November 14th, 2009 at 20:47
Some interesting insight in Enke personal problems.. He really had serious issues other than that of his daughter’s death.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:54
@NicoQB: Foster made some really good saves, and had a defence of Upson and Lescott doing nothing in front of him.. and Jenas in front of them.
With the first team, England would have won the match… and I’m glad we didn’t have the full team.. cause our press would have gone off the boil about it. As long as we don’t have 10 injuries going into the World Cup I think we’ll do alright.
November 14th, 2009 at 20:58
@Grognard: Not you too with the Laurent Blanc wankfest?
@Red Ranter: @Grognard:
I think the man is a really, really good manager who prones a defensive and set-piece based approach to winning games.
People have warmed to Bordeaux because they finally broke Lyon’s boring hold on the Ligue 1, but in truth Lyon plays much better attacking football. Even Geret’s Marseille were more pleasing to the eye.
If I was really cynical, the one manager who’s most similar to Blanc in the EPL is none other than Fat Sam Allardyce.
Just look and Blanc’s refusal to play a great natural winger like Obertan on the wing and instead relying on albeit talented grafters like Wendel et al.
And yes, Gourcuff is all that is said he is, though I’ve yet to see him this season reach last season’s dizzy heights.
@Red Ranter: I’d much rather Mourinho (there I said it!) or Ole take over.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:01
@Traverse: Oh ok then. How was Brown?
November 14th, 2009 at 21:05
@NicoQB: Glen johnson would have been better. Says it all.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:08
@Dan: Ouch!!!
Disappointing from him then.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:08
@Footy4Eddy:
November 14th, 2009 at 21:13
@Dan: Also Foster was shit.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:15
@Red Ranter: Isnt he always
November 14th, 2009 at 21:33
@Dan: Was expecting more of a “Come here baby
” 
November 14th, 2009 at 21:35
@NicoQB: I know, just read it. He had difficulties not only about his daughter, his depressions already began in 2002 when he signed for Barca. He had too much ambition and was caught in it, so much that he eventually was afraid of playing bad. If he didnt do well, he would sink into depression. Fear of not performing, more than anything caused Enke`s suicide.
Its really sad to be honest…
November 14th, 2009 at 21:37
@Red Ranter: His kicking was rubbish, but as usual good shot stopping.
One thing I noticed is that Kaka has spent 3 months in the same team as Ronaldo, and he’s diving all over the bloody place. Any touch. Insane.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:43
@ Grognard – I’ll have to disagree with you on most things here. Firstly, towards the end of Forlan’s 1st season in Spain, he had an interview with FourFourTwo magazine. They asked him how he could be top scorer in Spain after failing to make an impact in England. So he argued his case. How can you make an impact if you’re played as a sub for the last ten minutes in most games? When you actually start and go on a run scoring goals then you’re suddenly dropped during that vein. You keep accumulating appearances but no way can you have an impact. Then he mentioned how the purchases of Smith and Saha convinced him that his time was up. Common sense. Consistent play, consistent performance(bad or good). It had nothing to do with England or English game as far as that interview went. The similarities with Nani’s case are actually startling and that’s why I used him as an example. And while I’m at it, let’s de-mystify this “not suited to Premiership” stuff. All this talk is only proven at United. Everyone thought Robinho was going to find it extremely difficult in England. How overrated the physical nature of the Premiership is. If Fabregas had come to United that myth would have been proven fact, I’ve no doubt of it. Thank goodness Berba chose Spurs ahead of us back in 06, otherwise he would have been a flop and sold to a salivating Spanish or Italian team. Veron was played incorrectly and he was also a flop. How David Silva would be better suited to English football as compared to Nani is beyond me. The game is just marginally faster in England and less organised and frantic. Yes it’s more physical but Nani in my opinion has dealt well with that aspect of the game. Even better than his friend Ronaldo. He falls much less under tackles, tracks back and gets stuck in often. So I feel he is even more suited than Ronaldo to the physicality of the league. He has evidently been a more effective player than his Portuguese counterpart at Real, in his 1st seasons and has improved in every season since his debut, even under such adverse conditions. So how is it that he is not supposed to make it here? Ronaldo played under Utopian conditions in his first seasons but still was less effective when compared to Nani. You’re right when you say he won’t be missed. But not completely. His fans, me included, will definitely miss him. Those who are open minded will definitely regret his sale when Juventus pounce on him because he’ll turn out to be a big star. I’m a Juve supporter so I won’t be too mad about it because Juve is a club that knows how to play their players. And he deserves better.
November 14th, 2009 at 21:57
@ Nico – I was an agreement with you on most things today but then you had to mention Mourinho. I’d honestly prefer Tim Mowbry of Celtic if every other coach in world football had declined except for him and Mourinho. No thanks. Seriously why would we want him at United? I watch football to be entertained first. Not just for trophies. We can get both from so many coaches out there and even within. And let no man think I’m talking about Mike Phelan.
November 14th, 2009 at 22:01
@ Nico – To be fair to you, mate, you got it absolutely, 150% SPOT ON about Ole.
November 14th, 2009 at 22:09
What is it about friendlies? We already have to players limping off the field tonight. Fantastic. Both Jonathan Evans and Michael Carrick have been injured but the extent of their injuries are unknown, though for the latter it’s a confirmed ankle injury.
November 14th, 2009 at 22:25
Nico I also heard he was worried if his depression became public knowledge they would consider him an unsuitable father and take away his adopted daughter. That is what his wife was saying in the interview. Really it is a tragic case and I think as fans we forget how much pressure there is in the modern game and with goalkeepers mistakes are magnified. Enke was a good player but he was short of world class and it seems he was painfully aware of the fact. But a game like football rewards perfectionists while at the same time sowing the seeds for their destruction.
November 14th, 2009 at 22:35
@ Eddy – I remember speaking at length(as I always do) about this issue of depression and confidence with players. A lot of people have thick skins but not all. I mentioned how we should mind our behaviour as fans in getting behind the players. Players are human at the end of the day and we should always be wary of how we treat them. Not stepping on egg shells, but not trashing them with malicious intent eg jeering. Journalists should also get such things right with their often misguided and sensationalist analyses and opinions on players. If we keep bashing players and not encouraging them when they do well, it does nothing to boost their confidence.
November 14th, 2009 at 23:14
@Jay wire: My point is that Mourinho’s reputation for producing boring football is grossly exagerrated. In any case, a Mourinho led team would be more entertaining to watch than a Blanc-led team, at least that’s how I see it now.
And anyways, if push comes to shove and Maureen does end up at OT and produces lacklustre but effective performances, at least we’er sure to be entertained by the man himself!
November 14th, 2009 at 23:25
Tried to watch the Ireland – France but slept through mostof it!
Tired.
Just my two cents about Lloris – the man is a very, very good keeper. BUT – he’s not one to motivate and organise his defence a la Schmeichel or VDS…
I saw on some french tv footy analysis programme that he’s very humble, maybe too much of a shy character, as opposed to Grognard’s ideal image of a barking leader at the back.
November 14th, 2009 at 23:33
@ Nico – I’m just one of those people that is simply put off by Mourinho. I agree his brand of football has been badly tainted especially by the sensationalist English media but it’s still crap. I can’t stand work man like tactics. It’s all about grafting with him. I love attacking football and can’t settle for anything less. I don’t care for managers charisma, I just want beautiful football on the pitch. It’s ironic if you really think of it, that Mourinho learnt his game at Barca. But since United are now the most defensive side of the 20 clubs in Europe, maybe he wouldn’t be so bad. Can’t be as bad as Don Capello
November 14th, 2009 at 23:34
Who else got a boner playing Modern Warfare 2?!?!
That game is IMMENSE!!!
November 14th, 2009 at 23:40
@Footy4Eddy: I think it’s not MW2 that gave you the boner. I think you’ve had a permanent boner ever since you turned 16.
November 14th, 2009 at 23:47
@Red Ranter: I cant do anything about it…
With all the girls, the games, the grinding and of course, the brilliant play of Manchester United lately. How can that not give you a boner? 
But seriously, MW2 is an immense game! Have you tried it? I just finished the story mode on Hardened, going over to play some Live in the future. The game is very improved, and everything is exciting. The shooting has improved, better weapons, better story(if you think of the connections between characters and places) and of course the whole gameplay is miles ahead of the other war-games.
November 15th, 2009 at 1:28
Nani for Portugal was the same our Nani today. Alves has scored from his cross but except this he was useless. He was substitued later in the game and the new player was more dangerous. Portugal dominated during first half but Nani was invisible. He has no awareness for his teammates and that is his main problem, he cant use other people in the same shirt on the pitch.He tries himself, all. Bad for a collective game. When i have watched other wingers today like Arshavin or Zhirkov it was ill-feeling that we have this player. Its beyond me why he cant improve his game?? And a story about not playing enough games its bollocks. He played a lot at the beginning of season and it was the same. He isnt striker, he dont have to score goals like Forlan. Striker need time on the pitch to score goal, to take chances. If you are on the pitch last 10 minutes you can get one or two chances if you are lucky, but if you dont – no goals. Back to Nani, his job is create opportunities for our strikers and create game. What he is doing = misplaced high crosses – we dont have air threat, his speciality is looooosing ball between two defenders and he gets in these positions himself. Sometimes i think he is married with corner flag. He dont run without ball, look at this in next game. How many times we could see him with short passes with Rooney or Evra and runs into free spaces….? No onetouch passing, only crosses , crosses and crosses. After that i dont wonder why we are all excited about Obertan, becouse he provide this. In tigh defenses you have no chance to get past defenders becouse behind first wait another. His tricks are well known in EPL, in his first season he was unknown a he capitalize on this. He has talent, ability – his acceleration in first steps is unbelievable, his shooting is very good too, but struggling in almost every match, why? He have to be dumb, isnt able utilize his talent on the pitch. In this manager doesnt help, provides advice, motivation, tactical awareness, positioning in training but in competitive game is player alone. Almost every game this year i was frustrated by him, and so our strikers. I was striker too in crap team and was frustrated by teammates like this. I made runs, offers for passing and have finished halftime with 2 or 3 touches. Its really frustrating when you want to play football a dont have ball and one look at Rooney or Berba after Nani´s lost ball its the same. He has a lot opportunities to show what he can do but he failed. When you think he hasnt enough games look at Fletcher and his improvement. He has more competition in his position and developed into one of most important players. Look at last 3 years and compare. The next one of most talented players in Europe, the next ronaldo, wonderkid Nani and on the other side ,poor Fletcher. Look now.
Another comparison is form for national team for Nani and Tosic. A lot of people look at Nani for Portugal, ooo god how great he is, but look at Tosic. I have watched Serbia vs. RSA, vs. NI and he was theirs star man. I would take him instead of Nani.
Today, i was watching Portugal vs. Bosnia becouse of Dzeko. Bosnia isnt great team, so i want to see how good he would be against much better team without support from midfield. Wolfsburg is great attacking side and is easy to look good, but today he was also great. He has great ball control, good in the air (but agains portugal who isnt!!! – but he proved this in other games), decent speed and is able to bring !!neatly!! other players into play. He has everything what our side is lacking at the moment. Bring him at Old Trafford in the Summer.
November 15th, 2009 at 2:08
@Traverse: It appears that he still doesn’t have his pilots license!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:12
@NicoQB: I saw it from a feed and although we created virtually nothing in attack, our defense was mostly good considering!!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:19
@Jay wire: I think you’re right on this one.
For a team that is pushing the 4-4-2 to the max, it’s weird that we don’t have any aerial targets.
A big leading forward coupled with either Rooney or Berbatov would make a difference.
2 second strikers = 0 goals!!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:27
@Traverse: OK, I’m now throwing up in disgust!!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:36
@Grognard: Yep, SAF doesn’t have the luxury to rotate. His team selections are clearly based on need and expediency of lesser competitions.
This is why I put little belief in the idea that additional players at any given position will create a problem with playing time and hence, ego issues.
What it does is create healthy competition for the players and depth for the team. It really is a win-win situation and if you have the finances to support this, it is the only way to go!!
November 15th, 2009 at 2:55
@Grognard: It was right to diffuse the performance of his team. He clearly laid a smoke screen for the media, protecting the interests of his players and creating a bond that could serve the team well in the end.
The fucking, refs are an easy target and one that he gets his jollies off attacking. He could give a rats arse about the ban and fine, and with any luck he’ll turn the tide of opinion against them.
Having come from the victims of disrespect, their new found authority has just swung the pendulum completeyt to the other side. They are now autocratic and demanding, lacking in perspective and still the same band of incompetents that we always knew!!
They represent a side of authority that I hate. In an exhibition that should be designed for our enjoyment, they really have no clue of their role, do they???
November 15th, 2009 at 4:54
@Footy4Eddy: Yeah modern warfare is an incredible game. More gane developers need to be like infinity and really push the boundaries for games. I just finished the mission where your going undercover as a Russian terrorist… Wow. Prolly the most disturbing scene I’ve ever seen in a videogame, but at the same time a fascinating part of the game. I applaud them for sticking to their guns and leaving that scene in the game
November 15th, 2009 at 5:10
@Grognard: ok he setup a goal aganist portugal by a cross, but hasn’t played that effective in the match as he had very less confidence due to not getting regular apperarences in this season. nani thought this was his time to excel in this season, but not giving him regular chances for united has made a dent in his confidence. He is a regular starter for portugal but his performances have been effected due to less gameplay at united.
There is no comparison between FIFA game and real life but i want to say a point that in FIFA if a player is not played regularly then his growth curve declines or stays there but doesn’t increase. So not playing nani regularly is severely effecting him and i have to say that i do not like the buying of valencia at all(he is very mediocre). I like nani that said, his performances have been poor this season given the chance and I only have SAF to blame.
In previous month we seen what happened with anderson and his poor form and his reported bustup with SAF & thought that he is going to be transferred in jan but, what happened, due to really bad performances by scholes and carrick, he is again recalled in starting team after good performance in reserves games and now he is being consistently playing ok. This is what i suggest play nani consistently and you will see him increase in confidence & may be more goals & goal chances created. But we still need to buy “The One” player who is prolific from midfield,has height & is creative too.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:19
@Red Ranter: Apprentice my ass. After what you and I have read about managers and considering how old school the English environment is when it comes to managers a modern thinker and innovator is just what we need. As great as Fergie has been, the secret to being great is vision and implementation of that vision. United need a clean fresh approach that takes the modern game and the world game into account. United and England are too rooted to the old way of thinking and a man Laurent Blanc has a new fresh approach to managing that I think would be successful if he gets the support from upstairs. A big if by the way. This apprentice crap does not work for me. The man has managed Bordeaux from nothing but a tasty cherry wine into a great French club in a very short time. Take him and the Lyon owner and system for running things and you would have sheer perfection when it comes to a football team.
I want the next man who manages United to be a free thinker and an innovator. I want a Blanc or a Mourinho, somebody with that special something. The last thing I want is the slew of former UK born United players who will be knocking on the door. “Soccernomics” has poisoned me on the British game, their players and especially their owners and managers for life.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:24
@NicoQB: I prefer Mourinho too but I also like Blanc and I think he chooses the style of play according to the talent he has available to him. Give him more talent, and he’ll open his game up. I think he is a bright new light in the game so I think I will join the wankfest and wank away thanks.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:25
@Red Ranter: A revelation
November 15th, 2009 at 5:29
@Footy4Eddy: His depression was nothing different to the depression I had or that of millions suffer from. The difference is he never had the strength to fight through it and recover by himself, or to ask for the appropriate help in getting this taken care of. No meds, no institutionalization, nothing. Had he cared about his life and his health more than his career, he’s be with us today. Basic problem is what you said mate, greed and selfishness based on his stupid bloody ambitions. He needed to have everything perfect or he couldn’t cope. It’s very sad.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:36
@Jay wire: My comments about Forlan were not putting him down. They were stating the obvious. He failed in England and for United. His style of play never was conducive with the British game and more importantly, not his team or Fergie’s philosophy. Secondly, I never said it was necessarily his fault. I think Forlan is a fine player but like Berbatov was a square peg trying to fit into a round round hole. Many great players would fail here because their game does not suit the style of play in both club or country. I used to think that Riquelme as great as he is, would have been a massive failure playing for United just based on his playing style. I now think he would succeed because we play at a snails pace these days and he always played better in a slow technical game. So disagree with me all you like mate. It doesn’t take away from the fact that what I said was true and right. You just chose to interpret my comments to suit your argument which was that I blamed Forlan for it all and that I thought he wasn’t good enough. Not true, but the fact remains that despite the reasons and all blame aside, he was a failure in England and he knows it too.
No guarantees about David Silva except that he is more talented all round than Nani and has more skills in passing and even in scoring. He has proven it at the highest level for both club and country. Nani has yet to do so.
November 15th, 2009 at 5:46
@Jay wire: There is a myth going around that Mourinho plays boring football. Do any of you watch Inter Milan play. They are far from boring. And even during his days with Chelsea, those wankers never had a hard time finding the back of the net. They also played with a great desire and purpose which is similar to the way we looked against Chelsea last Sunday but were unlucky to lose. The bottom line is that not only is a guaranteed certified winner, he brings out the best in his players and his players will go to war for him. He is controversial and highly competitive and if anything he guarantees that the United brand carries on well after Fergie has left because frankly Mourinho is more popular around the world than Fergie. He is a cult figure because fans love his personality. Hell even fans of enemy clubs loved this guy. I loved this guy and the puppet show is proof positive of how popular he was and is.
He is great with the media and he knows how to get inside the head of his opponent managers and players. Finally, his style of play is far more attractive than the garbage that our beloved Fergie has dished out to us now for two seasons. A mud pond drying on a hot day is more exciting than the drudgery we have been served over this past couple of seasons. Mourinho would breath fresh new air and optimism into this team. But still, I would fear the cheapness and thrifty assed behavior of our owners as they would derail the Special One’s plans like they have derailed Fergie’s
November 15th, 2009 at 6:02
@colver: Football is not to blame for his suicide whasoever. If he was a salesman or a an accountant or Chippendale’s dancer with a small dick, the fact remains is he was sick in the head. He was manically depressed and anyone who suffers from that makes the environment around him Hell. The game treats millions around the world the same, how many kill themselves over it? The answer is very very few. Women leave men all the time and vice versa. It happens every day around the world by the millions. How many take their lives because of it? Very few. For every thousand people who suffer a terrible indignity or failure, one of them will react to the extreme and possibly attempt suicide. Does one start analyzing the game and start figuring out how to change it to prevent one more loose wagon from finding a cliff? Enke death is tragic but we all must prevent ourselves from having a knee jerk reaction towards the game and start playing the competitiveness of the sport for his death. He had deeply unsettling issues and problems and yes, being dropped as first team goalkeeper for Germany probably hurt him deeply, but lets face it, under no circumstances is that any reason to end your life.
A weakness in spirit and faith and weakness in mind and discipline led to his demise. And for that, the game cannot be blamed. Depression can affect the successful as well as the unsuccessful as it does not discriminate. It’s a cruel disease like Aids, like cancer like diabetes. Like all those diseases, sometimes it can be controlled and quite often it kills. Medical science has not yet figured out how to best deal with this killer. But lets stop blaming our environment for the reason we all suffer from all these diseases. Instead, lets just be more responsive and aware of people with depression and try to be of help if someone around exhibits the symptoms. I am doing that as we speak with a cousin of mine and I’ll be damned if I let that illness destroy him. I never let it get me and I’ll not let it get him. I don’t blame the game of football for Robert Enke’s demise. No, I blame all those around him who knew just what he was suffering from and how bad it was that never insisted that he get serious help and be institutionalized. Instead they kept his secret to facilitate his career. Madness. Naive stupidity. No career is worth a man’s life. I hope his friends, family and associates all look at themselves in the mirror and ask if they did all they could. A terrible waste that has angered me more than saddened me because of people’s genuine ignorance to the obvious symptoms and what they can lead to.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:09
@Jay wire: Again an overreaction. Thousands of players get booed and heckled, criticized and have things said about them. Yet very few decide to throw themselves in front of a train. Why? Because most of us are strong enough and not only can handle the abuse but are trained and taught how to ignore it. Most teams tell players to avoid reading the news or the Internet when it pertains to the game but yet many continue to break that rule and allow hurt into their lives. But still, very few do damage to themselves because of this. Overreacting to this because of the game and how it voices it’s anger and abuse to wards poor play make light of the thousands if not millions of other occupations that also cause people depression and where disapproval or condemnation is part of their daily routine. You do not attack the occupations and go all PC on them. No, you attack the depression itself and figure out better ways to recognize it and then treat it. That is the solution. Leave the game and the fans alone. Perhaps one fan ranting negative abuse at players is the way he copes with his own depression or self worthlessness. Have you ever thought of that? Perhaps Grognard needs to be all negative towards Ben Foster and United or he will hang himself due to his on personal disappointments? Don’t be so quick to go all PC on fans and the way they choose to participate in this game. It’s all part of the game.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:09
@NicoQB: Well said.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:12
@NicoQB: If I was to go for a French keeper, it would be Frey or Mandanda. Much better Lloris.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:18
@Footy4Eddy: I’m sure it is but I am pissed off that the single player game is so short, so I have delayed buying it. Besides, I am immersed in a great game that will take a good long time to finish. I’m basically busy saving the world in Dragon Age OrIgins. Not as great visually but great story telling and world building and a fantastic RPG. Thank God it came along when it did since I have stopped playing FIFA altogether because of all the bus that make the game unplayable. My new Football Manager 10 should be here any day now. When it arrives, my new age revolution at United will begin. I will gut the team of all it’s old players, get rid of many stars and buy 20 to 22 year old players and insert them into the game. I also will stick to English speaking players and foreign payers from just one country. Lyon uses the same strategy and have chosen Brazil. I will go with my beloved Germany. So Marin, Neuer, Kroos, Ozil and some others will soon be United players.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:19
@Red Ranter: Christ that’s impressive. I need Viagra to get that for an hour.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:23
@ Grognard – Trust me I’m not just trying to argue here. I didn’t imply that you say it was Forlan’s fault. I just mentioned that when asked why he failed in England, he gave the reason of consistently playing, not English league. I just don’t agree with this whole not suited to English game stuff. Not suited to our “style”, maybe. But then again what “style”. We just play random football these days, so I don’t know who can be suited anyway. I’ve compared Nani with Ronaldo, and the former was far more frustrating, looked even less suited to the league but ended up as a World Player of the Year. He had it even better than Nani, but Nani has been more effective. That alone should tell us something. I just don’t know why people would discount such a stark reality and still conclude that he isn’t suited. I’m 100% certain that had Ronaldo been subjected to the same conditions, he would’ve been sold before Carrick arrived. His would have been a more disastrous affair. Everyone would be saying “how many more chances does he need”, “he isn’t suited to the league, why not break the bank and get Ronaldinho”. United fans have always made excuses for Ferguson, that’s why we have had so many “flops” with the sole reason of suitability being given. Look at other teams, it only happens at United. When a player is not performing well my first check is the manager, not the player. With most, not necessarily you, it’s the player and I see no logic in that.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:27
@Redrich: Think back 20 years mate. You had the starting eleven and two men on the bench. Players never needed competition to play hard back then. If the only thing that keeps you sharp and ready to play is looking over your shoulder at competition, we are in a world of hurt. Ther eis nothing healthy about it. Players should be focused on winning games and defeating opponents, not their own teammates. Also, players can only find consistency and form if they are played regularly. I am for a deep team but I would use Carling Cup and the FA Cup to guarantee the others games. I want my starting eleven to be available for 51 games. 38 in the prem and a maximum of 13 in the CL. No they won’t play all of those games but I want them all to play the vast majority of them. That’s the way it used to be and nobody keeled over and died. Managers in football are becoming like managers in baseball when it comes to managing pitchers. Real pussies. Treat them like men and not delicate flowers, demand more from them and demand that they learn to play with a little pain and discomfort. Do it the Sir Matt Busby way. Old time football. YEAH!
November 15th, 2009 at 6:36
@Redrich: I’d like to agree with you but I think he’s climbing a mighty steep mountain. The refs are incompetent muppets but there are many of them and they are a union. They basically can hold the football league hostage if they want to by refusing to work. I also fail to really understand how going off on a ref diffuses anything when it comes to his players. Did it stop me or others like me from laying blame at the feet of players who were not performing. Fergie must think that everyone in the media are complete idiots who suffer from ADD and who get excited when bright and shiny objects are flashed in front of them. It’s nonsense. People are not that gullible or stupid. And nobody is going to forget how badly the team sucked just because Fergie has a pathetic go at Alan Wiley.
Fergie is not bigger than the game and he got just what he deserved. Even if he was right in his feelings about Wiley, he was wrong reacting like that and embarrassing a fellow professional like that in the media. It was callous, insensitive and just wrong. He should have made a formal complaint through the proper channels. The fact is he doesn’t have the universal support that you think he does because nobody stood up to battle the refs beside him. Everybody shut their trap for fear they to would get a ban. So for me it was a stupid and highly emotional moment of melodrama by Fergie and there is nothing genius or calculated about it. He just went a bridge too far and eventually was thrown off the bridge into the mud.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:37
@Johnsom33: Yes but until their are interactive gratuitous sex scenes in gaming, they aren’t going as far as I’d like.
And if you want games that are truly ground breaking and innovative and not just thumb bashers for knuckle draggers everywhere, may I suggest Assassin’s Creed 1 and 2 as well as Mass Effect 1 and 2 is coming shortly.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:42
@vanderberg: Now how would CraigMC defend him in this situation? He would tell you that Portugal won by 1-0 and the single solitary goal they scored was set up by none other than Nani. Therefore his value is defined in the game. For all the others who had nothing to do with the goal, that doesn’t matter, what matters is that Nani for 5 seconds out of 90 minutes provided the telling ball that won the game.
I saw the game and yes he sucked. He is an enigma to be sure.
November 15th, 2009 at 6:45
@Jay wire: Forlan came out around six months ago in an interview and basically said what i have just said. Yes he felt that Fergie never gave him enough playing time to get conditioned and acclimated to the English game but that also, he did not enjoy the English style of play and that he had a hard time keeping up with the pace which made him uncomfortable. Spanish or Italian football is perfect for him. English football is not. It’s that simple.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:12
@Grognard: Tell me what it was he was trying to do other than divert the extremely poor performances of his starting team!!
Calling that fucker fat was not that controversial in my opinion, although you and the English press feel differently.
The man was making a valid point, taking the heat, and not letting the so called stars get pounded by the Daily’s.
When I think of SAF and what he’s done for us, and then, on the other hand, think of the “refucks”, I just can’t think of why it’s so hard to ally your support!
Your personnel opinion of SAF has been clear to see, but his motivation on this issue is obvious, and your innuendo’s that he may be senile or past his best are very premature and inaccurate.
November 15th, 2009 at 8:25
@Grognard: Yes that’s true, but Fergie actually did succeed to deflect attention form his team. What could have been a mass media declaration that United are shit has only been murmurs so far. Also, following the Chelsea performance, we still have sympathy. Whereas, Rafa who seems to have no control over his side nor the media, Liverpool has been hounded and caricatured like no other team.
Of course, Fergie’s attention deflection won’t mean for much if the side continue to produce mediocrity every week, but if they do turn it around then his ploy would have worked.
The attack as such was uncalled for, but I’m pretty sure he had his reasons. And so far it has worked to an extent. Question is, will the side be able to make this count.
November 15th, 2009 at 9:51
@Grognard: He’s been rotating since the second game of the season. Theres absolutely no need for it. I completely understand the need for rotation because of the amount of games we play but from day one he has never kept the same team. I think the team would have benefitted from more consistency.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:26
@Grognard: Lloris is hands down the best french goalie out there. I was just pointing out a little known weakness in his game. And even that can be worked on.
Mandada is probably even more agile than Lloris (as if that was possible) but has got weaker fundamentals by all accounts.
Frey is just a dick.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:45
Maybe we can now fathom John Terry.
Or not…
November 15th, 2009 at 13:44
@ Jpg – Thank you for seeing things clearly. I can’t believe I’m thanking someone for taking a bird’s eye view. I guess it’s has become that rare. Nowadays the order is to just bash players and call them all sorts of names. I say it almost everyday. This is not rotation at all. One thing I know is don’t meddle with central positions. All of them. Don’t mess with centre backs. Don’t mess with centre forwards. And most definitely don’t lay hands on central midfielders unless absolutely necessary. They work on the basis of chemistry, telepathy, security and trust. They need time to build all these things together. Now I’m sure up to now there has never been one midfield combination played more than once. That’s not rotation. It’s lunacy. And people will blame the players when we play like a bunch of amateurs hurriedly put together and only informed at half time that they are playing a game called football. Of all the top clubs in Europe only two teams do this kind of thing. One is so unlucky even balls score against them. The other plays the ugliest football of the top 20 clubs in Europe. Both are waiting for title number 19. Unbelievable.
November 15th, 2009 at 14:33
@NicoQB: I can fathom him. He’s a cunt, from a family of cunts. The cunt.
November 15th, 2009 at 15:35
Sorry if I bring up already said stuff, but I can’t be bothered to read through 170-odd comments… sorry
Anyway, just wanted to bring up the rumours that we are involved in today:
Laurent Blanc to succeed SAF – YES YES YES YES YES YES!!! The guy is frankly a genius; whether he has what it takes to manage Ronaldo-esque egoes remains to be seen, but as a tactician he is quality.
Jose Mourinho to succeed SAF – “YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!” x 100
Edin Dzeko – “YES YES YES YES YES YES!!!” x 5 The guy is brilliant and we need to buy him now rather than have Chelsea or Arse and Liverpool take him on or to pay twice as much in 2011.
Jack Rodwell – this guy will be the best midfielder in the world at some point in the next ten years. Imagine him and Pjianic together… well youporn will just go bust that day.
November 15th, 2009 at 15:51
Todays transfer rumours.
Phillip Lahm – £15mil
Recently had a go at Bayern’s manager, was fined and now wants out. Neville to go at end of season, oshea not good enough, Rafael not there yet. I think this would be a smart buy for this money on a 25 year old from whom Rafael could learn a lot.
Jack Rodwell – £20mil
Fifa are damn sure to bring in new rules about homegrown players. Rodwell is the best young English midfielder in the country. Chelsea are also interested, but his idol is Rio, he’s mates with Rooney, and he wouldn’t need to move house. Is it £5mil to much? Probably… but I reckon it’ll be well worth it in the long run.
The other talk is that Blanc is the frontrunner to take over from Fergie in 2 years (cause he’s gonna go when he’s 70). I’m going early and calling Blanc/Solskjaer the dream ticket.
November 15th, 2009 at 15:56
Also, just found this quality quote from Paul Ince about Nani….
“Somebody might want to whisper the words ‘Jaap’ and ‘Stam’ to Nani just to remind him what a world of pain he might have unleashed when he gets back to Manchester.”
November 15th, 2009 at 17:12
@Traverse: Lahm?
Grognard will be having an instant erection the moment he hears of this.
But I would’nt say no either.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:18
@Andrei: Read my one comment about Blanc.
Here:
@NicoQB:
Yes, Blanc is a terrific manager, but would you fancy a manager hell-bent on winning game through set pieces?
Here’s the Bordeaux game plan:
Get in the opposition half.
Get a set piece.
Score.
Defend the one goal advantage.
I really want to be proven wrong about Blanc, but I’m yet to be convinced he can produce offensive vintage United – style attacking football.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:21
@Redrich: First off Red, you grossly over exaggerate my feelings about Fergie to the negative. In reality I truly love the man. But as much as I loved my father, he often annoyed me and I would have massive arguments with him. I disagree with quite a few things the Boss does these days but that doesn’t take away from my love and respect that I have for the man nor does it take away from the gratitude I have for what he has given all of us through Man Utd. I suppose the gratitude part is the tough part because when somebody feeds you candy every day you become used to it and then when he all of a sudden stops giving out candy and instead he offers lumps of coal, well one starts to take notice unless there are some out there, who are lovers of coal.
Now having mad my peace about how I feel about Fergie, that does not exclude him from Grognard’s weekly wrath sessions if he has earned the ticket to be on my list. I said earlier that shockingly enough, I disagreed with you over this aspect of him speaking badly of Wiley to the media because I for one could not see how this deflected away from the team’s performance. My feeling was that it did the opposite. For me it just added to the upset. The team sucked on the field and i am upset about this and now Fergie opens his mouth and adds to our woes by certainly giving the FA ammunition to ban him. I also made it clear that I agreed with everything he said about Wiley and everything he has ever said about any referees in the game because frankly, they are all muppets and clown shoes. That however, does not mean that what he did was right.
Fergie openly insulted and embarrassed a paid official of the game. Whether he deserved or not is not the point mate, it’s the fact that he should not have done for numerous reasons. He thinks he may have helped his club but all he has done was bring abuse and grief upon it for God knows how long to come. Every referee in the land has banned together and are on a mission to screw over the club any chance they get as a sign of solidarity against this one man who challenges their iron rule and control of the game as well as their welfare. By challenging Wiley’s physical condition, he was in a sense demanding the man’s job be terminated. Any way you cut that mate, it’s wrong. I have battled weight issues all my life and certainly remember getting abuse for it when I was really young and it doesn’t feel good in the least. But besides hurt feelings, it is crossing the line when you challenge a man’s livelihood. Wiley has a family to feed and his chosen profession is that of a referee. Now he may not be a good one but openly criticizing him and humiliating him is not the way grown men should deal with situations of incompetence. I have mentioned earlier what should have been done and how Fergie should have proceeded so I won’t repeat myself. Anyway, Fergie erred in thinking this was going to end up as an isolated issue because I knew all officials would take what happen as a threat to the whole lot of them. Ad to that the old farters association known as the FA and one does not have to a brain surgeon to know that what Fergie was hoping to accomplish was a better seat with a better few for a few games a little bit higher up.
So Red please tell me how one man hopes to bring down the referees union when nobody else banded with him or supported him? Tell me how this helped the club when all games will be skewed 70/30 against us in the minds of referees and how this is supposed to deflect criticism from the team when they still received plenty of it from the media and from the blogs? I think his plan if it was one, failed miserably. I think it’s more accurate to say that his was nothing more than a hair trigger post game reaction that ended up getting him banned for two games and forced him to have apologize to Wiley and eat humble pie. Like I said earlier, as great as Fergie is, he is not greater than the game, and even though the game has issues and is far from perfect, it is not his duty to insult it or embarrass it in any way. I love the man but I cannot agree or condone his actions because they were wrong and misguided. Sorry if we disagree on this matter.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:25
@Red Ranter: I disagree. The media has already been pretty hard on United and the fact they haven’t come out to say that they are total shit is because they really aren’t. They work and fight hard but are missing a few key elements. And as long as there is a January transfer window still over the horizon, many expect United to solve it’s problems then. I don’t but that is for another time. One would have to be a totally ADD case or a ninny to allow what he did to deflect from the fact United played poorly on the day he insulted Wiley. I think that’s just an easy excuse and too many give the man far too much credit for many of his actions as i think it was nothing more than a hair trigger reaction made in rage.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:27
@jpg: In the modern day it seems that many manager do see a reason for it. If everyone else rotates and has fresh troops for the numerous amount of games, he would be foolish it seems to tire out his starting eleven by not rotating. Look at O’Neill at Villa. He had no depth last season and so by the last third of the season the team totally collapsed and fell out of the top four because the starters were all dead from fatigue. I don’t like rotation but in a game where you play well over 60 games a season, it is a necessary evil.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:29
@NicoQB: Frey maybe a dick but he is by far their best keeper. The fact that he is a dick is what keeps him off the French team. Don’t let your personal feelings about Frey blind you from his ability. He is a top 7 or 8 keeper in the world.
November 15th, 2009 at 17:32
@NicoQB: Again you judge him based on what he is forced to do with the team he presently has. You design your game plan based on your talent. Give him Man Utd and I think you would see a different style of play than that of Bordeaux.
November 15th, 2009 at 19:06
@Grognard: I will stand corrected if one day he manages any successful team practising pleasant, offensive football. Until then…
(I do not hate Blanc, I greatly respect his achievements and he’s a top guy, a lovely man just like Zola is) but I think I can say that I’ve seen more of Bordaeux than many here. And I do get the impression sometimes that many are just sheepishly following some opinion that Blanc would be great for us, without knowing much about the Girondins’ game.)
Oh and Bordeaux’s left back, Tremoulinas is one to watch: good defence, good pace, and superb crosser of the ball.
November 15th, 2009 at 19:25
@Jay wire: You are the truth.Nowadays i dont post after reading your stuff because you say everything i want to say. only better.
November 15th, 2009 at 21:25
International break suuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuucks!!!
I hate these weekends, makes it no better when the best friend of the girl you like acts like a bitch to you. Remember her? Well, dont wanna bother you with it again. Just one thing, what the fuck is she doing asking me about my previous relationships? 
Id break that fat, annoying, motherfucking whore`s neck right off if it wasnt illegal. More annoying people dont exist, I tell ya…
COME BACK PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL, I MISS YOU!!!
November 15th, 2009 at 21:31
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/15112009/58/premier-league-foster-unhappy-united.html Yes leave please so fergie can sign akinfeev, neuer adler or anyone else!!!
November 15th, 2009 at 21:31
When a girl with no personal life tells me that I`m boring, then you start to wonder whether she is a closet Liverpool fan…
Disillusionied fat tramp.
November 15th, 2009 at 23:50
Foster is a Lehmann, good keeper but makes a lot of errors.
Kuszczack is a Almunia, purely just a bad keeper.
And still Kuzzy is second choice? Deary me…
November 15th, 2009 at 23:52
I know its internationl break, but come on people, give this site some life!
November 16th, 2009 at 5:02
@Taehr: He’s unhappy with United? That’s rich. More like we are unhappy with him at United. All I have to say to Ben is be gone useless one, but don’t kill yourself over it. Truth is, if Ben Foster stepped in front of a train, the train would get by him and then he’s still want to blame his back four. I know, bad joke. Sorry Gentle Ben.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:04
@Footy4Eddy: Lehmann did make his share of mental errors but technically, he was an outstanding goalkeeper. Watch the 2005 FA Cup final again to see just how great he was.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:09
Man I am gone for 12 hours and I come back and there aren’t even 10 posts. Fuck I hate international breaks. Footy fans put their collective heads in the sand. And really, does anybody give a damn about international football anymore? Nobody seems interested in games or wants to talk about it. So why do they have so much of it? Fact is, club football has taken over as the number one choice of fans world wide. TV cable packages, the internet and licensing has made the big clubs of Europe the must see tv that surpasses international boredom weeks. Nobody appreciates their season being delayed because of all this crap. I know I don’t.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:47
@Grognard: I think the friendlies have been meaningless today for most part today (where there any important ones today?).
There were a lot of internationals worth talking about yesterday — and hence we did have fair few comments yesterday. Most people aren’t invested in some of the countries that played today. Can’t blame the people for that to be honest.
That, and maybe it’s good people did other stuff on a Sunday than debate on the internet for a change.
November 16th, 2009 at 7:16
Van Perise out for 3 months because of an injury he recieved on International duty.
These friedlies may actually be good for something! Now just bring back our boys healthy and ready to fire on the fronts! 
November 16th, 2009 at 7:22
@Footy4Eddy: Evans is also injured(?).
November 16th, 2009 at 7:27
@Footy4Eddy: And Arsenal have enough quality to replace Van Persie (Eduardo, Vela)… and that new boy Marida(?) is also good I heard…
November 16th, 2009 at 7:37
@Red Ranter: I’m talking about the whole international break mate, not today. And when I refer to “today”, I mean the international environment as it is these days. For me it does not offer the allure it once did. I think club football is much more enjoyable and intense.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:33
@Grognard: That’s true. It has lost its allure to me a long time ago. I get excited for the Euros and the World Cups, but not as much as I used to. Arsene Wenger and Mourinho have, in the past said that the real football is played in the club level. The only allure the international game holds is that money is not the primary motivation for the players and it is a sense of national pride in major tournaments. I think if there’s any thread the international game can hold onto, that’s the only thing I can really think of.
It’s sad, but that’s how it’s turned out.
November 16th, 2009 at 8:34
New post up.
November 16th, 2009 at 19:47
@Red Ranter: It really comes down to the lack of goals being scored in these international tournaments. Every four years the total gets lower and lower. Teams defend more for their survival and are more concerned with not losing than they are with winning. For me the glory days of the tournament were in the 70’s when you had plenty of goals but also some fine defense. Brazil showing their class in 1970 and both offensive juggernauts West Germany and Holland making the final in 1974. The best way I can describe how bad it has gotten is that in 1970 Gerd Muller scored 10 goals in 6 games that he played. Today the winning team or a most of the teams that even make it to the final four struggle to score ten goals as a team in 6 games. Caution is the name of the game and it has shown in many finals. 1990, 1994 were disgraceful finals at a time when the game had a chance to really sell itself. In fact, the only real good final since 1974 in my opinion was 1986. All the others pale in comparison and are usually not only anticlimactic, but an accurate end product to the whole tournament in general.