Aug 01
Ten Indicators For United’s 08/09 Season
Apologies for the extended period of quiet from my side (note, please, that I am not RR, who has done an admirable job of keeping the site going and everyone interested during what has the most boring, repetitive, inconclusive and tedious close season in living memory). When I say that the cricket has been far more interesting than anything to do with football recently, I think I have said all.
In the continuing absence of any concrete developments from the summer, I want to look back on our staggeringly successful last season and draw out some of the reasons why we were so damn good. These apply both to why we’ve gone from being written off in the summer of ’06 to the best team in Europe, and also what we did even better in 07/08 to achieve such heights. Then I’m going to darken the tone slightly by picking up three things which could scupper our chances.
THE POSITIVES
1. Squad depth
Last season, with the exception of centre forward, we had high class cover right across the board. Not only high class cover, in fact, but a lot more than 11 players who deserved and were fighting for a first team spot. This allowed us to cope with all the injuries thrown our way; but more importantly, to have genuine flexibility to mix and match our team to suit the exact circumstances.
2. Weakness of our rivals
Arsenal had a great first XI, but as soon as form, fitness and fatigue scratched that surface they were gone. So, this summer they have sold two first team regulars…as much as we now (patronisingly) applaud Wenger, he really is a masochist.
Liverpool had two great players (Torres and Gerrard), one fouling centre back who the press often call great (Carragher), an amusingly foul-mouthed midfielder (Mascherano – thanks again for that red card), a few has-beens (Finnan, Hyppia, Riise), a few might-yet-bes (Babel, that kid they play at right back), and some journeymen / donkeys (Crouch, Kuyt, Pennant, Kewell)….sorry, did I get carried away there? What I meant was that they were entirely reliant (as opposed to over-reliant) on two players.
Chelski were unlucky with injuries, but that said the African Nations was a fairly predictable drain on their resources and Mourinho bought badly last summer (Malouda, Alex, Ben Haim & Pizarro, none of whom were good enough for their first team). And the upheaval of Mourinho’s departure was entirely caused by their owner.
The good thing is that what little activity there has been so far this summer has made Arsenal’s plight worse, kept Liverpool broadly the same (although Keane could be a good signing) and left Chelsea up in the air (what if Drogba and Lampard leave next week, just before the season starts?)
3. The fear factor’s back
In the depths of our three-year slump, the most damaging development was that we had lost the fear factor. Teams used to turn up not shaking in fear and hoping to keep it down to 2-0, but genuinely thinking they could win. So they had a go, and against our weakened team came away with points far too often. Last season they were 1-0 down in the coach on the way to the game again, and it showed.
4. Everyone taking responsibility
In previous times, when we have had to bring in John O’Shea, Darren Fletcher, Ji-Sung Park and co they have played like second stringers. Like good, old-fashioned triers, but ones who know they’re not quite cut out to be in the exalted company they are in. But last season, they were. Anderson and Nani played like present day stars, not ones for the future. Wes Brown was an integral part of our stingiest ever defence, including a quite sensational performance in the second leg against Barcelona. Hargreaves rose above his disappointments to be our most consistent player in the last month of the season. Park, too, played like a man possessed for that month. Even Silvestre came back into the first team against Chelski and gave a good impression of a regular left back.
Not only did we have squad depth, but the quality, maturity and attitude was spot on right through the squad.
5. Confidence in the tough games
Often the difference between a good season and a great season is performance in the so-called “six-pointers”. But since that doesn’t extend to the Champions League, let’s just use the less snappy phrase “games against other elite clubs”. Whereas in some previous seasons this has been our weakness, this time round we were superb, with only the last minute penalty against Chelski blotting our copybook (even that in a game where we played a below-par team):
Chelski: W 2, L 1
Arsenal: W 1, D 1
Liverpool: W 2
Barca: W 1, D 1
Roma: W 3, D 1
Overall: P 13, W 9, D 3, L 1.
6. Suitability for Europe
Our squad and style of play is now much more suited to success in Europe. With the very honourable exception of 1999, it doesn’t often wash in Europe to have a flimsy defence and rely on scoring heavily. Most of the top sides, particularly in Italy, are too good to be overwhelmed defensively, so keeping clean sheets is much more important. Equally, we had the players to make the 4-3-2-1 system work properly against better teams, with plenty of players all over the pitch who could provide solid defence and then switch effortlessly into fluent attack (Evra, Carrick, Rooney and Tevez to name but four).
7. Prospects for the future
Well, with the exception of Ronaldo, this squad has the potential to grow together for the next five or so years. In fact, last year’s squad had a somewhat raw feel to it in midfield and attack at times. Tevez took a while to settle in, Anderson stepped up magnificently but failed to score a single goal, Nani’s decision-making looks like Ronaldo’s did four years ago and Hargreaves was out of sorts until April. We can expect a lot more from these players and others this coming season.
THE NEGATIVES
1. No standout assistant manager
It’s no great secret that we’ve always struggled when Fergie hasn’t had a first class coach working with him. Brian Kidd, Steve McClaren and Carlos Queiroz have all been integral parts of our best sides; their ability to devise cutting-edge training routines and support the squad in a complementary was to Fergie were essential. It doesn’t look like we’re going to start the season with a “specialist” assistant, with various of Fergie’s underlings helping out. That makes me nervous.
2. Reduced return from Ronaldo
No secrets here. With Ronaldo out for the start of the season, and questionably motivated thereafter, we need others to stand up and be counted. Big season for Wayne Rooney, and whichever striker we buy (I’m still confident of Berbatov) needs to hit the ground running. We can’t afford another start like last season.
3. We were lucky with injuries last time round
I mean, I know Vidic was injured for most of the last two months, Scholes missed a lot of games before Christmas and Gary Neville didn’t play at all. But we had most of our key players fit most of the time, and we can’t rely on that again. If Rooney missed injures himself on the first day again, for example, we could be in serious trouble by the time he and Ronaldo return. Equally, our defence wasn’t quite the same without Rio and Vidic at its heart. We have a great squad, but injuries could still screw us.
That’s my lot. Any themes you would draw attention to?
Related items from Red Rants:
- ‘Ten pence short’ – Wallpaper
- United’s debt situation explained
- Fast and hard, fast and hard.
- United’s £100k+ Christmas party, useless Shorey, Arsenal will stumble and of course, Rooney is better than Kaka
- Manchester United’s Munich tribute on 6 Feb 2008
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Red Diablo: We will not get Benzema, I think he is good, it depends on Spurs with regards to Berbatov. We are having a Mexican stand off @ the moment, Huntelaar would be great for us, no doubt.
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@Stephen: You kidding? Huntelaar will slow us down! Like RVN! Berbatov is a MUST!
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@Red Diablo: Er RVN did do quite well for us!
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@Stephen: Yeah? And where was the free flowing football when RVN was here? Face it ! Huntelaar would slow our attacks down!
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@IBleedRed: Nice! Hmm! But guys lets think of Ribery and Ashley Cole AFTER slave boy has left! Right now we need A GOD DAMN STRIKER! And Fergie is doing NO good to do such a thing! Guys i HATE to say this! But I think that Rooney will have to sacrifice himself AGAIN! How can Fergie even do such a thing? I mean if I were Fergie i would seriously sign a NO.9 Striker the First Day! Only for the sake of Rooney that is! I mean he keeps on making a sacrifice? That is plain wrong! Unless Fergie signs a striker!(I don’t know when! I have been waiting for a month for something like this!) I would not be so certain of our attack power!
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@Red Diablo: That was because we didn’t have pacy wingers… We had David Beckham. But look how RVN plays for Holland.He plays up front on his own and does not stay in the box for crosses to whipped to him. I believe that is a myth. He does hold up the ball well and is a neat finisher. Last season when some of the chances were begged to be put away, Tevez and Rooney fluffed them. RVN would have finished them easily and he would’ve helped us immensely against teams like Blackburn, Middlesbrough etc., where there are many bodies at the back. Berbatov is also slow when you compare our striking trinity, but he’s got the ability to hold up the ball, draw defenders and create spaces and chances for others. His first touch is also great.
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@Grognard: You take of buying Sanchez? I’m not sure if we are even going to get Berbatov!
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@Krishnan: Berbatov is in the mould of Cantona! And i dont think that that type of player woul do any harm to our FLUID attacks!
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@Red Diablo: I agree with the Berbatov part. But I’m questioning your perception of RVN’s game.
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@Krishnan: Berbatov is not slow. I don’t know where everyone gets this from?!
Watch this from 3mins onward, his second fav goal (couldn’t find a better version) class AND speed. I really hope we sign him. Doesn’t look like he’d slow us down one jot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fWIErqmz6Bk
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@Red Diablo: that is a Milan team with Pato and Ronaldinho at the Olympics. I didnt see the game though…did Kaka play?
I think a possible solution is a 4-3-3 with Rooney, Tevez and a new striker up front with Anderson playing LCM , Hargo at RCM and Scholes/Carrick in the CM. This would allow Rooney and Tevez to drop back and play their game with Andy and Hargo providing the width. I think that Andy could be good cover at LM when there is no place for him in the center.
Do suspensions carry over from one season to another? I ask this because Ronaldo was on a suspension after the Milan semi-final and he played in our first group game last season
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@Traverse: Mate read my comment properly. I never said Berbatov is slow. I said that he is slow when compared to our holy trinity (Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo(i don’t think he’s holy anymore))… I love his style and I have seen his sudden outbursts of speed also.
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@Liam: 4-3-3? You’re having a laugh! Can we SIGN A STRIKER FIRST? please!
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@Liam: Suspensions carry in the Premier League, but not in the Champions League. Nani will be banned for the first two games of the season, but everybody will be eligible for the Champions League opener (not sure about Drogba, though – red card, not an accumulation of yellows)
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@Red Diablo: I don’t know what else the Lyon Chief can say to make it anymore blatantly obvious that he’s not parting with Benzema and if his hands are forced, for not anything less than £50m. I remember him saying £50m would only get Benzema’s ear(or something along those lines). The player doesn’t want England, he wants Spain and the club is not selling, so Benzema is out and we United fans should stop dreaming about him…
Its becoming obvious that Fergie never had a plan B and i don’t think we’re signing anyone which is a little disappointing since Fergie himself was the one talking about not getting complacent. We NEED a striker and non- experienced players like Campbell and Manucho won’t cut it for us. I really hope Fergie does something and fast…
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I keep running across articles linking Simmo with a season-long loan move to Blackburn. What does everyone think? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe his main competition is Ooijer. I do remember Emerton playing there a few times last season, but with Bentley’s departure I would expect him to be needed more freguently as a midfielder. Ooijer is no spring chicken, and Blackburn have one of if not the smallest squads, so I think Danny will get plenty of 1st team opportunities. Anything less than 20 starts is unacceptable. Simmo has been one of the top performers this pre-season and I hope we see continued growth at Blackburn.
Anyone know how the rules work in regards to a loan player making appearances against his own team. I remember there being some controversy a few years back when Howard was on loan but didn’t start against us. I would assume it is up to the club who has loaned out the player, but not sure.
THE REDS GO MARCHING ON
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Chelsea- “Milan”: 5-0
AC Milan’s line-up:
Kalac at goal
Bonera, Maldini, Simic, and Favalli
Zambrotta, Gattuso, Flamini, and Jankulovski
Pirlo
Ambrosini
Chelsea’s Line up:
Cech
Ivanovic, Alex, Terry, A. Cole
Ballack, Mikel, Lampard
Wright-Philips, Anelka, Malouda.
No wonder… ambrosini up front?
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Berba is in the post, he just got a bit lost in the sorting room…. i hope.
oh and that Spurs Chairman is a grade A TWAT. all that bullshit about reporting clubs for tapping up, we didn’t say shit, liverpool blabbed, and they get their man? wtf? i hope spurs get the drop.
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@Will: yeah, i hope so too, maybe menez is in there too, cuz after watchin ole’s testimonial, we do need him!!
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@Red Diablo: I like Sanchez a lot but he’s a winger/WMF so even though we need him now and especially the future, we need to get a striker. If it’s not Berbatov it better be Huntelaar.
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Disregard this if somebody already posted this but Wesley Sneijder apparently tore his knee up real bad the other day. Serves him right for snubbing a move to United. His loss will make Real want Ronaldo even more now. Good Grief!!
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BBC website seems to indicate Ferguson is giving a chance to Campbell.
“We do not have any strikers apart from Wayne Rooney and Carlos Tevez and Frazier plays in that area.
“He is quick and determined and he can do very well in the game. Fraizer’s future is here,” said Ferguson.
This is crazy. Ferguson is basically indicating Campbell is now our third striker to take Saha’s place. Note that Ferguson did not mention Saha in the quote……
Ronaldo was our third striker last season. He’s out the first couple of months and we need him on the wing.
For me Campbell would be much better off at Hull on loan. He’d get a ton of games (unlike Rossi at newcastle) and he’d sharpen up playing against top class defenders.
We need a replacement for Saha who is proven top class who we can rely on whatever the occasion. Berbatov would have been ideal but if we cannot get him there are other options.
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@dan(u-ol): Actually it’s Nelson Valdez. He’s from Paraguay and all though he has some quickness and skill, I think he is a terrible shooter of the ball and he lacks composure in the box. He’s 26 or 26 now and so he is not a prospect but he is a fairly dependable player coming off the bench. I wouldn’t get too excited about him as he has never been able to crack the starting lineup either at Dortmund or at Bremen for any length of time. Everybody can have a great game in a meaningless pre season match and ook like a world beater. Although he can be streaky good, he’s far from accomplished.
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can we all just forget about huntelar? He is simply not good enough. he isnt even in the same class as berbatov. and I say give Cambell a chance, just not at the expense of not signing Berbatov.
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@dan(u-ol): It’s pre season Dan. I wouldn’t anoint him King Carlos quite yet. God how some of you make much ado about nothing. Pre season games are about as interesting and stimulating as watching wet wallpaper dry. I refuse to watch these games as they are zero indication of the team’s potential or a true indicator of player’s regular season potential. Tevez smells Berbatov and so he is working his socks off to impress the boss because he knows he’s the odd man out in the lineup should Berbatov arrive. In that scenario I would be the one who won the argument Danny boy. Lets wait until the season starts before we start declaring ourselves winner.
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RUUD TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: An article from the Sun where RVN basically tells the naive and powerless Ronaldo what his chances are of getting his way and his dream move to Real Mediocrity.
“CRISTIANO RONALDO can forget coming out on top in this week’s showdown with Alex Ferguson.
The warning to the Manchester United star came from old boy Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Real Madrid striker Van Nistelrooy, 32, had his own crunch talks with the United manager before finally being sold two years ago.
And he does not expect Fergie to back down when Ronaldo, 23, tries to get the OK to join the Spanish giants.
Van Nistelrooy told Five Live’s Sportsweek: “In those meetings, if he wants to keep the player he’ll do everything he can to do so — and he’ll probably succeed as well.
“What he is doing is in the interests of Manchester United. That’s what he always thinks of.
“Nobody is bigger than the club and it’s true. Will Ronaldo stay at United? I think so.”
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@johnsom33: How about you forget about Huntelaar and let poor delusional idiots like myself rant on about his overrated and highly unimpressive skills and statistics. After all, you would know.
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@ Beachryan:
I don’t think the team will have problems motivating the big defense we have attained. Considering the Nevster is back, that would put the back four consisting of Neville, Rio, Vida, Evra. Now, that sounds nice, but what makes me smile are those waiting to take those four places away from these probable starters. Players such as Brown, O’Shea, Silvestre, Simpson all have shown they have what it takes to act as fill ins able to give the necessary rest to starters. Wes has proved he can start game in game out without rest. The midfield on our team will not have a problem motivating themselves for the same reason. We have proven talent and more of it waiting on the bench. The team can afford to rotate fifty percent of the team every game to keep the fresh legs at a maximum. I am looking forward to seeing the full strength of the team. It was nice to see Van Der Sar back thsi weekend. But I think Kuszczak should be given more games under his belt. Not to give him some confidence, but to allow the rest of the team to grow in their trust to him. He has what the team needs in talent. Berba will be an expensive piece of work. Maybe worth the money, but only time will tell.
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Now it has been confirmed by Fergie himself. My logical side said that Grogs was probably right and we wouldn’t be buying this summer. But I couldn’t let myself believe it until I heard it from SAF, because of all that it would imply. I seriously hope I am wrong about this but it doesn’t look likely.
This is Bad News Bears kids. Especially with Van Basten stating again today that there have been ZERO offers on Huntlear. I can understand that we won’t get bent over the barrel and get a good shagging over Berbatov. But Holy sh!t people. We are the EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS!!! And all we get is………wait for it…..Frazier Motherfu@*ing Campbell?
Ba dum Pa 
What a joke. Someone in the front office is sick in the head or some kind of savaunt. What happend to all of the loot we procured when we won all of that shiny silverware? What about the promises of not sitting on our laurels and spending big? I am getting the feeling that people must have when they find out that the relationship with thier girl isn’t ‘quite’ what they thought it was.
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@colvers :you guys play too much FM08… ALL news and event at Utd has to do with (as someone mentioned before) negiotiate prizes of players. If Ferguson says, “Campell will cover for Rooney and Tevez”, it really means, Spurs lower the prize of Berba or we will leave spurs and spend our millions somewhere else… Chill out about the transfers… As if Ferguson does not have plans A, B, C, D, E,… ad infinium – there is more to manager than what FM2008 allows and Ferguson is very good at playing the real version of FM.
If no-one, besides Rafael and his brother (his name escapes me now) arrive here before two weeks/beginning of season, then you may return to your “anger” and “despair” comments because then someone at Utd is sleeping at the wheels.
What a coup it could be to get Berba for 20 mils considering keane was 20! Or what about getting Cruz for 12? Ferguson will pull something out of his hat very soon… let him work his magic!
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@Mads in USA: I almost agree with you.
But we should remember that the season starts before the end of August, and in our current form (with Anderson, Nani, Ronaldo not available), we might want to close the deal for Berbatov sooner rather than later.
Oh, and we really shouldn’t buy Cruz. He’s useless at any price.
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@ManUtd10Titles: The money is going to pay off a massive debt by the Glazer’s. I still think we will get Berbatov. Fergie is just playing mind games. Rather than look eager and aggressive he is using a different tactic. He will let Berbatov convince Spurs to let him go much like Bary is doing with Villa. Levy has no choice but to deal him. I don’t like it when players play these kind of games when they have signed contracts but what are team’s supposed to do? I seriously doubt that Levy will do to Berbatov what Fergie is planning for Ronaldo. The situation is quite different as Berby made a formal request to be moved last year. Fergie is just waiting for Spurs to commit money towards Arshavin and possibly Pavlyuchenko. Once they are committed to eith or both of these players Berbatov will become ours. Still, I don’t understand why Fergie feels we have no weaknesses? Frazier fucking Campbell? Are you fucking kidding me? I’ll settle for him as a #4 striker. I don’t get why nobody isn’t interested in Huntelaar? And I don’t want to hear any bullshit about him not being good enough because that’s just so off the bloody reservation it’s not even funny. Mystifying!!
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@Grognard: Yes, the money is going to pay off some of the debts, and that’s very fair. We scored a lot of cash, and a hell lot more than the £27 mil, we’re buying Berbatov for. Add to the money won, the money from a few sales (Pique most notably, of course) and we have money to pay off a good chunck of the debt.
About Huntelaar. It really is weird that no club has put in an offer for this lad. I think it may be because clubs think, he’s too expensive. Ajax will probably hold out for £20 mil, and that’s a lot of money. There are not many clubs that can afford such a purchase that are also looking for strikers, so it may be connected to that someway.
We are looking, but of course we haven’t put in a bid, because we want Berbatov. Barca aren’t looking, and neither are AC Milan or Inter. Juventus could be asking, but they’ve still got Del Piero, Trez and Iaquinta. Chelsea have more than enough, and so have Arsenal (who probably wouldn’t go that high anyway). Liverpool signed Keane, and Spurs are in for the Russians. City signed Jo, and Bayern want Gomez.
It doens’t leave many clubs left. I think, he could be SAF’s plan B, but then again, I don’t think he’ll need to initiate it, since Berbatov is quite likely to come here imo.
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If we don’t get Berbatov and we haven’t bought in any form of replacement, then In my view we can kiss goodbye to the league. We are so in need of a striker and this to me could be our problem next season.
I don’t subscribe to the school of thought that Huntelaar will slow us down to me thats just lazy thinking because of his similarities to Ruud, how is Berbatov any quicker with his play?
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@Stephen: Why does no-one seem to be concerned about our need for an extra WF/SMF? Was I the only one who noticed our lack of width after Nani left the pitch? Giggs doesn’t play WF anymore, he’s now an AMF; fletcher, hargo are CMFs; Ronaldo and Park are injured; what wingers do we have left?
We play a wide counter attack diven play and with no wingers that would not be possible; the game was so flat after Nani left the pitch. this is urgent, maybe not as much as the need for a striker, but still important if we want to fight of our rivals ‘improved’ advances.
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@Gabriel: Good point mate I think Fergie wants to play 4-3-3 of 4-5-1 next season with Ronaldo one side and Rooney/Tevez the other and Berbatov though the centre. This would include a midfiels 3, not ideal in my view, being a 4-4-2 man but I can understand his feelings on playing that system, as most top teams do and try to contain the midfield like Chelsea. We do have Park, Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs and pos Hagreaves who could play there, we are also a little short @ CB.
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being an Indian….cudnt stop myself from posting it here
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LONDON: Anil Ambani may soon be wearing the black and white Newcastle United jersey. Reliance Communications is in talks to take over the Premier League club from UK billionnaire Mike Ashley for an estimated £260 million ($514 million ), a British newspaper report said.
But Mr Ambani is facing competition from Singapore-based global investment company Profitable Group, which has former England footballer Steve McMahon as a director , News of the World reported on Sunday.
“Both Reliance and Profitable are ready to pay £260 million to own the Magpies outright and are determined to spend more than £100 million on transfers to bolster the team, managed by Kevin Keegan,” it said.
Mr Ashley—who bought Newcastle in July 2007 for £130 million and immediately pumped in another £80 million to wipe out debtwas not able to offer the kind of money required to sign top players so as to make a serious bid for the English Premier League (EPL) title. “He has made it clear he will not sanction the kind of huge signings which might help challenge for a Champions League place (that takes a top four finish in EPL),” the report said.
According to the Sunday tabloid, Mr Ambani has been in negotiations with Mr Ashley for several weeks, and has made it perfectly clear he will rival Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich in the spending stakes. And, it added, India’s second richest man— who has a personal fortune of £21 billion against Mr Abramovich’s £11 billion— is willing to sanction £150 million for players as per his inner circle, it said.
TOON ARMY
Newcastle United was founded in 1892 after the merger of two local clubs, Newcastle East End & Newcastle West End.
They have won First Division Championship four times and the FA Cup six times, though their last league success was in 1927.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Anil_Ambani_looks_to_buy-out_Newcastle_United/articleshow/3323301.cms
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@bond: Er?
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@Stephen: Well, 4-4-2 in the prem, 4-5-1/4-3-3 in CL, i’m ok with. That still doesn’t deter the fact that we need cover in the WF/SMF department. I reckon we should get Menez, as he reminds me so much of Ronnie, although he is already 21. What wing players do you reckon we should consider?
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@Gabriel: and Stephen. I think, our squad is designed to be flexible. We can play through the middle, but we can also play over the wings. Our game interchanges a lot. You shouldn’t forget that we have backs running the wings as well.
Yes, at times our play goes through the middle, but it’s only because we have the players to do so. Tevez, Rooney, Ronaldo, Nani all work fine on little space. Their quick feet and good passing makes us able to play on little space. Of course, we want the wings to be used as well, and they will. Maybe not so much in the first couple of matches, because we’re without Ronaldo and Nani, but our play through the middle will carry us through that.
You also have to remember that Ronaldo’s game has never been running the wing. He always get in and around the box, and the crosses from his wing will mostly come from the back overlapping.
We cannot go out and buy a winger just because we seem short in the beginning of the season. Where would that leave him, when everyone is fit. A squad should be able to cope with injuries and suspensions, and it doesn’t make it any different that they happen to appear for the first matches. We lost Rooney and Ronaldo in the beginning of last season and still ended up champions because of our strong squad.
Now, I can easily see SAF employing Hargo on the right and Giggs on the left, if we don’t get Berbatov for the first match. Rooney and Tevez will still torment the defenses. If we do manage to sign Berbatov, it’s obvious that a 4-3-3 with him up front and Rooney and Tevez just behind making the runs around him.
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@Tomas: I agree, but the whole set up of the side is reliant on getting Berbatov, still think if is looking that Spurs do not want to sell unless for a ridiculious fee then we need to explore different avenues. We need a striker and if not Berbatov then we need someone else, simple, unless Saha can be fit for a continued perios of time which is unlikely.
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Re: Berba – I’m with Stephen and others, Fergie’s comments about Frazier Campbell are just there to reinforce that we don’t ‘need’ him and hopefully make Spurs think they’ll have an unsettled player this year on the bench if they don’t sell. I don’t see it working, personally. The more I think about having Berba, Rooney and Tevez all playing together the more mouth-watering it sounds. Especially having seen Tevez gathering steam this pre-season…he looks truly on form. Let’s hope David Gill is busy this week. I like the look of Campbell and don’t really see a massive difference between him and someone like Walcott – both were pretty tidy in the championship and are lightning fast, but neither has been given a shot at hte big time.
What do you guys think about the RB situation? For me Danny Simpson has been the best at that position during pre-season. Neville, as much as I love him, hasn’t done much to impress, and Brown was never designed to be a RB, though defensively he’s very sure. For the smaller teams I think we need Evra and Simmo bombing up the flanks – even morso if we lack two fit wide players as most have pointed out above. Should be interesting to see if Fergie actually bloods a youth team player this year.
Also, I can’t find anything on Saha – where is he? I didn’t think he was hurt (though I should probably assume he always is until proof of the contrary) and expected to see him in preseason. I’ve not even seen him on the bench?
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@Beachryan: I think Saha has broken a nail, so will be out for 19 weeks!!
I think Fergie wants him out, and thats why we have not seen much of him.
With the RB/LB we do have the twins, and maybe they will be brought in gradually this season, pos league cup.
I do think that the Campbell praise is fergie creating a smoke screen for Spurs saying we don’t desperately need him (which we do) but we need to move fast, the community shield is next week, then the season starts, would nice for him to bed in.
We should have a back up, Huntelaar, would be great because the Dippers and Chelsea do look good pre season, and have invested.
We won the EC, on pens and league on the last day, Chelsea have bought well and have now a half decent manager, we have stood still which could be costly.
Robbie Keane and Torres will make Liverpool better, and Arsenal Ok not bought much this season but are always decent and a year on.
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@Beachryan: I reckon SAF is holding saha till we get the striker we want (Berba), then he’ll let him go. That’ll give us five strikers, Tevez, Rooney, Berba, Campbell, Manucho. That’s more than enuff options.
As per our defence, we got that covered, cuz the CB’s would play consistently thru the season, with Evans filling in randomly; Simpson, Brown and Gary fightin for the RB position and Evra, Silvestre, O’shea on the left. The key to our tight defence last yr was consistency, and I don’t see that changing this yr.
As per our wide players, I don’t think we have any youth ones left, there are rumours that Fergie might release lee martin to birmingham, so, I reckon he should get a young prodigy, what’s the worst that could happen, he provides us with cover and develops into another ronnie!!!
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@ Gabriel – Yeah you’re probably right re: Saha. It still frustrates me, cause on his day he really is a world beater. Just that his day comes as frequently as Feb 29th…
Interesting stuff coming out after Sneijder got crocked (by a very Vieira like tackle from Diaby – coincidentally also escaping a booking or even a whistle) from Real that they now need Ronaldo, I have to agree with them to an extent. If it pushes their hand for a the big bid I’m all for it, dying to get this saga done and dusted. Hell, if he turns into the greatest thing since sliced bread I still won’t care, he doesn’t want to wear the red and so he shouldn’t have to. I just want a lot of green in return
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@Beachryan: According to German paper, Bild, Real have now signed van der Vaart. I suppose they were always going to do this, but it probably softens the blow of Scheijder’s injury a bit for the fans. They’ll be looking for one more major deal for their attacking line-up, though.
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@Gabriel: Guys! Are you even sure that we are going to GET berbatov? I’m not pretty sure there!
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@Beachryan: Madrid can put in wateva bid they want, Utd are still not gonna sell Ronaldo this season. it’s become a matter of pride and power; Real madrid started this smear campaign with the purpose of trying to devalue our double, refute our claim as the richest club in the world by chasing and trying to acquire our star player and also demean the club. United are not gonna take that lightly!! we just won the double – something they haven’t won in ages, if ever- and we are the richest club in the world and the most popular too, so why should we bend over fo our inferiors? People seem to be forgetting we are on top and if our own fans can’t recognise what Real, Blatter are attempting to do, they better wake up.
if ronnie doesn’t want to wear the red shirt, fine. But we let him go on our own terms, after all, he did sign a lucrative 5-yr contract last yr. Where was his ‘dream’ then? if he knew he always wanted to join real, why didn’t he refuse the contract then, so it’ll be easier for him to leave now?
This unfortunate injury to sneijder doesn’t change how things stand from united’s point of view, if anything, it will hasten real madrid’s attempt to capture van der vaart and maybe villa as they have lost their primary playmaker!!
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@Red Diablo: We might not get huntelaar, but we’re definitely gettin a player in before the deadline is reached… hopefully
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@Gabriel: Fergie wants Berbatov, he won’t go for Huntelaar. I love him to death but he does get very focussed on the player rather than the position. We should have had a back up plan, and go with that if plan A goes, well way of the pear.
We need a target up front, Rooney, Tevez are great but not a classic number 9, which is essential.
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