Oct 03
The Debate on United’s First Eleven
It was interesting to hear Fergie make comparisons recently to the Treble-winning squad. He particularly alluded to having a pool of strikers who he could rotate through the season, drawing parallels with the Yorke, Cole, Solskjaer and Sheringham quartet. However, whilst the strength in depth of our squad is at least equal to the Treble boys (and probably superior), there is one major difference that makes other comparisons irrelevant:
We have no idea what our best team is.
Simple as that. And to me, that makes us vulnerable. When the going gets tough, it helps to have habits to fall back on, to know how your teammates and going to react and where they will position themselves, to have the belief that comes from having got through this before together. If we’re not careful, we’re going to lose that valuable ingredient. In 1999, there was no doubt at all what our best eleven was:
Schmeichel – Irwin, Stam, Johnsen, Neville – Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Beckham – Yorke, Cole.
No question in anyone’s mind. So to rotate a couple of players here and there was useful and practical. They fitted into the side amongst the core of 8 or 9 players from the first team – Blomqvist, Butt, Solskjaer, Sheringham, Phil Neville, Henning Berg and others all played strong supporting roles in this context.
Even last season, nine of the eleven names on the teamsheet were set in stone:
EVDS – Evra, Rio, Vidic, Brown – ??????, Carrick, ??????, Ronaldo – Rooney, Tevez
You could have had a debate about Anderson, Scholes or Hargreaves to play alongside Carrick, and between Giggs, Nani and Park for the left wing slot, but the rest was clear-cut.
Now this season. I would say, based on performances so far and assuming a fully fit squad, I think there are five names, six at most, who definitely form part of our best team:
?????? – Evra, Rio, Vidic, ??????- ??????, Carrick, ??????, Ronaldo – ??????, (Berbatov)
And that doesn’t even take into account that we don’t know our best formation – do we play 4-4-2, 4-3-2-1, 4-2-3-1, 4-1-2-2-1?
Why don’t we know?
So why is it such a mess? Well, the most recurring theme is the transition to the next generation. Across the team, there are players who are just a bit too old to be play their best all the time, and there are players who will be good but haven’t matured fully yet. Complicating matters even further, in most positions there is a solid but unspectacular third player.
GK: EVDS (fading legend); Kuczszak (solid middle-man); Foster (future superstar)
RB: Neville; Brown; Rafael
CM: Scholes; Hargreaves/Fletcher; Anderson
LM: Giggs; Park; Nani
The striker issue is different, and we’ll come onto that. But for these four positions, there is a tough balance to strike between experience, competence and potential. Filling the gaps with EVDS, Neville, Scholes and Giggs would leave you concerned about the energy levels of your team, particularly in the last third of the game. Use TK, Brown, Fletcher and Park, and you will get solid performances but rarely a match-winning performance. Opt for Foster, Rafael, Anderson and Nani and the thrills of watching young talent blossom will be tempered by heart-attacks as they make mistakes and learn some tough lessons in the heat of battle.
On the strikers, things have been stirred up the purchase of someone who is not comparable to anyone else in the squad. When Berba is fit and firing, he must surely play – and equally, there can surely only be space for one of Tevez and Rooney. Here the variables are different. Berba is the sort of player who will run hot and cold more emphatically than Rooney or Tevez, because he contributes little when he is not scoring or contributing to goals – how will Fergie react to a cold spell? Which of Rooney and Tevez will play best with him, or will it be the case that each partnership offers a subtly different skill set? Is there a way of accomodating all three in a different formation? The are questions to which nobody, not even Fergie, has the answer, so we must wait and see.
Outside factors
I can’t finish this article without playing this game. So what should our best team be? Assuming a fully fit and reasonably on form squad, what is our best team? Hmmm?
First things first – did you immediately start putting together a line-up in your head? Or did you mentally ask “what is the match”? If you’re in the latter group, you seem to be in line with Fergie’s current thinking, that a game away at Chelski requires a totally different team to a game at home to Bolton.
I’m not sure about this approach. I would prefer to play our best side, and say “here you go, do your worst, because we know this team is good enough to beat anyone”. It’s a slightly simplistic view, though, when you have a squad at your disposal that offers all sorts of shades of grey rather than forcing you to pick black or white.
Indeed, as the CL final showed, a creative team selection can really gain the initiative, and tailoring the complexion of your line-up to the occasion appears to be logical. But then, would you care to recall the away leg of the Barca semi? No, me neither – it can be taken too far.
Who would you pick?
For the sake of argument, I’m going to give you four line-ups. First, what I regard to be the best team we can select, assuming I had to pick a team for a game without knowing who the opposition were or where it was to be played. Second, home to a big four or major European team, assuming I accepted the principle of adjusting my team to suit the occasion. Third, away to a big team. And fourth, against lesser PL opposition.
Best team (blindfold)
EVDS – Evra, Vidic, Rio, Brown – Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Ronaldo – Rooney, Berbatov
EVDS just gets the nod over Foster for his experience, but a few impressive performances from Foster would change my mind fast. Neville looks too sluggish, Rafael to weak defensively. Nani gives us the attacking flavour that I think we should approach every game with. Anderson and Carrick have all the attributes between them to be a sensational partnership. Rooney links more naturally with Berba at present.
Home to a “big” team
EVDS – Evra, Vidic, Rio, Brown – Park, Hargreaves, Carrick, Ronaldo – Rooney, Berbatov
Park shores up one wing, making up for the fact that Ronaldo won’t track back – the central midfielders only have to cover one errant winger. Equally, Evra provides extra impetus behind Park going forward, whilst Park provides more cover for Evra’s over-enthusiasm going the other way. Hargreaves gives more mature and secure bite to our midfield, where Anderson can be a bit of a gamble.
Away to a “big” team
EVDS – Evra, Vidic, Rio, Brown – Hargreaves, Carrick, Anderson – Ronaldo, Rooney – Berbatov
Three in central midfield ensures we get a foothold in the game, with Anderson having licence to bomb on if the foothold turns into a more sustained advantage. Ronaldo and Rooney are more flexible, looking to start raids wherever there is space.
Lesser team
Foster – Evra, Vidic, Rio, Rafael – Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Ronaldo – Rooney Berbatov
Gives Foster and Rafael valuable experience. Rafael’s and Nani’s attacking prowess is more relevant against the large number of teams that set up with ten men behind the ball.
Obviously many of you will have alternative opinions, but that’s what the comments are for. Should we be adjusting for who are opposition are and where we are playing? And how would your four line-ups look?
Ed: Penguin, the author of this article, also blogs here.
Related items from Red Rants:
- Barnsley vs Manchester United: Preview
- Manchester United vs Wolves: Preview
- West Ham United vs Manchester United: Match Preview
- Man Utd v Celtic: Preview
- Can We Really Rely On Berbatov?
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (346)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Stephen: Yeah, suppose so, yorke could pick a pass.
Like?
0 
0
@Nico QB: Agree totally man. I see a bit of Berba in myself when I play actually (although my friends call me a lazy feck), it’s all about 50% less physical and 50% more mental work.
Like?
0 
0
@antsBoy: Scholes is a better passer than carrick, and carrick can be sloppy with his passing far more often than scholes.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: True, true
And Cole’s creativity too was underrated. I remember that he also had great understanding with Giggs (I especially recall two successive one-twos a la fifa or pes whatever the fancy these days, call that a 1-2-3-4!).
If Giggs was black, people would have made a similar “brother” analogy with the Cole-Yorke one!
And one of the reasons our treble winning squad had a midfield four who averaged about 12 goals each (other than being on top of their game of course) was that the front two did a great job of linking play with them.
Notice how the fantastic four midfield scored less when Cole and Yorke were not playing. Its one of the reasons i think why Sheringham and Ole were behind them in the picking order.
Anyway, perhaps Tevez has a good footballing brain, but he’s certainly not using it nowadays. He nearly always goes for the shot.
In any case, knowing Rooney and how inconsistent he can be , I wouldnt bet on Carlitos not getting an extended run and soon finding form too!
Like?
0 
0
Nice article Penguin. I think the reason for the multiple lineups and constant rotation is because that is the way the game has had to change in order to protect it’s players from burnout. There is far too many games played today and the travel has become greater and more frequent from country to country and sometimes even continent to continent. Because of the travel, longer international tournaments in the Summer and pre season promotional tours to far away exotic places and more and more games and cup competitions the average starting player today can play well over 60 games a season. That’s just too much with the kind of travel and schedule that is being kept for these teams. The only way to combat this is to have larger squads and reserves available to be used in a squad rotation system. This system never allows for your best eleven to play together very often but it ensures that the team remains fresher and in better health and form for the entire season.
Rafa Benitez goes a bit overboard in his squad rotation system but Fergie I feel gets it right. He has the depth in quality so he might as well use it. Players today also seem to have a lower pain threshold than their predecessors form 25 years ago and beyond. Are they wimps and girly men? Many are but the fact of the matter is the big money being tossed around today and the potential money lost by not going far enough in the Cl or other tourney’s makes it vital that teams protect players from further injury. Players won’t play through pain anymore. Also, each player in insured and for these policies to take hold, strict measures are in place to ensure that players are not used when injuries have the potential of getting worse.
Today A team does not want to face their insurance broker in a scenario where they worsened a player’s injury by letting him play through the initial damage. It could cost them millions if the player does major or irreparable damage to himself. This wasn’t an issue in the days of George Best, Bobby Charlton or even later with Bryan Robson and Joe Jordan. I remember many games where players played with severe enough injuries. Legs were wrapped because of groin or hamstring pulls but players were expected to play. This has never been more evident than in the sport of baseball. Today pitchers are shut down and operated on for injuries that 30 years ago were accepted and pitchers played through. Partial tears or cartilage damage was tolerated and players played as soon as the inflammation subsided. Quite often a player played through a stiff or dead arm and eventually many would regain their full form. Today they are placed on the 30 day or 60 Disabled List. No risks no chances are taken with payers injuries. Why? One word, INSURANCE. Big money as always is changing the game. Insurance has reared it’s ugly head in the sport and because of it’s bottom line which of course is to ensure itself profit, teams are no longer willing or able to risk players with mild to moderate injuries. 25 years ago Rooney’s ankle would be wrapped up and he would be given a pain killer and expected to play against Blackburn tomorrow. Somehow I doubt we will see him tomorrow. Carrick’s injury would have been dealt with differently and he would probably have played games hobbling a bit. Hargreaves would be on pain killers and an anti inflammatory be expected to play. Saha would have been expected to play also. Only super serious injuries like Eduardo or Scholesy would be looked at differently.
I was impressed a couple of weeks ago to see Joe Cole come out and play with his heavily wrapped due to stitches in the head. You don’t see that very often anymore. Ask yourself why back injuries seem to be more prevalent in todays sports than they were in the 50′s, 60′s and 70′s? It’s because they are better understood and and diagnosed today and because teams and physicians truly understand today the limitations placed on a player because of a bad back. Many have surgery to correct their problems. Most of them were given pain killers and told to rest 30 years ago. They were expected to play with the discomfort. My the time s have changed. Some of it for better and a lot of it for worse.
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: The reason we pay so much money is our success comes up to bite us. And an expectation of such success by both the team and it’s supporters is that the success must continue perpetually. Therefore other teams see that pressure and desperation and hike their prices up for players. It’s that simple. We are a victim of our own success. Having said that we have paid for or are willing to pay far more than some players are worth. That just makes United bad judges of talent.
With all due to players like Tevez, Carrick, Hargo, Berbatov, Anderson and Nani, we have paid well over their value. The problem of course is that had we not bought those players, we would have bought other players who were overpriced instead. It’s a lose lose scenario. There are ways to do better business however. With all due respect to Berbatov, I think a smarter decision would have been to buy Huntelaar for 20 million and then used the extra 12 million to buy a winger or central attacking midfielder like Marin or Sanchez etc. Still, that’s just me thinking out loud. United’s success has put them in a very precarious position. And with the economic money crunch that has just hit, I think the Glazer’s purse strings may have got a whole lot tighter.
Like?
0 
0
Firstly, Stephen, the reason i would have tevez ahead of berba in tough away games in the CL is because of the “itallian” tactics we seem to use. Our game plan was to keep a clean sheet with everyone, bar ronaldo, behind the ball working hard to keep a clean sheet and hoping to nick a goal on the break. Ronaldo, like berba, is not a worker. Having 2 attakers players not willing to do the dirty work (like roovez) would compromise our game plan. A game plan that played a huge part in winning the CL.
Secondly… im astonished at the tevez bashing going on here.i agree with johnsom33. If tevez was a brit, we would be singing his praises. He and rooney are very similar, but where rooney is more creative, tevez is more skilfull, and imo generally a better finisher. Most importantly, they are both extremely hard working and play for united, for the team, and i dont think you can have too many hard working,skillfull team players in a team.
I for one would happily spend 30mill on him as i think he represents the modern Manchester United…Attacking, skillfull, hard working, selfless, with the ability to single handedly turn a game. Not too many latin players would show their affection to an english club the way carlitos did by wearing a united shirt to a press confrence long before he came to the uk. The ronaldos and cantonas of this world are what make united great, but without players like rooney and tevez there wouldnt be much of a united. Tevez is still very young, and i think he and rooney could form the basis for a sustained period of success (the way we hoped ronaldo and rooney would up until the summer) and that is why his price is so high. I also think his prce is closer to 20mill as i remember reading reports at the begining of last season that said we were “renting’ him for 2 years for 5mil a season with the option to buy at the end of the agreement. So in theory we have paid 10mill fo him already. Why let him get away for 20mill…
I dont buy into the whole “tevez cant link up with the rest of our team, and that he does not have great vision” His team play is what formed the basis of what has got him to where he is today. His spell at west ham (an example is his goal against us) and last season illustrate that. I think the form of tevez has dipped abit since pre season, and he does seem abit more selfish on the ball now, but i think thats more because of circumstance.
The begining of last season started pretty much the asme at this, with us struggling for form and goals. Countless oppotunities were wasted until ronaldo took it upon himself to be selfish and have a few attempts on goal, which he got in and his confidence grew and grew which helped the goals to keep coming, and the rest is history. I think tevez was merely trying to do the same this season. taking the responsibility upon himself to carry united without ronaldo and a out of form rooney. Ufortunately for him and us it hasnt worked the way it did for ronaldo. i think once he plays with berba more, and adjusts to a slightly new system, he will settle down and play his natural game.
Form is temporary, class is pemanent… Tevez is pure class
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: True about the Huntelaar thing Grog. But still with all due respect no one can deny that Berbatov has that experience which Huntelaar would lack specially in the EPL.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: we havent paid for tevez, rooney we bought for way to much, and buying huntelaar for 20 million over berbatov for 30 million is complete madness! why not buy the proven, prolific striker that will be far less a gamble, then buying a striker from the dutch league who has never played in the premier league. Especially with the likes of alves and kuyt being prolific in the dutch league, and complete flops in the our league. berbatov is a far smarter buy.
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): Umm! Alright about Kuyt and alves! But Huntelaar is the same mold as RVN. So calling him a would be flop would be going a way too far!
Like?
0 
0
Saying that Tevez is not as good as Rooney in teamplay does not mean that I do not appreciate the guy and his contribution to our game.
Everybody knows that Vidic is a poor passer of the ball, likewise Berba can switch off and seem languid, I say to each his own.
Its quite normal that some players have certain attributes that others don’t.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Diablo: alves is in the same mold, as was kezmam. Honestly, RVN and to an extent babel(even though he’s a winger) are really the only dutch men to be successful in england.
Like?
0 
0
@Nico QB: But Vidic is a wonderful Extra Long Range Crosser from what i have observed.
Like?
0 
0
I love Tevez, I really do, but for £30 million pound we could probably get Huntelaar, Benzema or Kun Aguero.
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: sorry to burst your burst your bubble, but 30 million will only get you the left boot of benzema, same with the kun, we are looking at £40mil+ if we wanted any of them.
Like?
0 
0
@Kingpin: well said.
And terrific post from Penguin.
I wish Foster could stay healthy because I would love him to push evs for a starting job. Ummm Brown over Gary every day of the week for me.
And I dont understand this obsession with price tags. Who gives a fuck if they cost ten billion or if they come free through the ranks as long as they perform when the whistle blows. None of us are the ones paying the price tag so why worry about it? And as Grognard said, we as United will always always always pay over the odds for a player, its an unwritten rule that no other side wants to be seen as getting done by us so they can save face to their fans, they know their players, for the most part would rather play in a united shirt than their side, so they only way they can stick it to us is in the price tag. Fuck it. Pay the money and then win trophies so we can do it all again the next time a player is wanted.
Like?
0 
0
As for the lineups, I dont see what Berba has done to be guaranteed a starting job for every situation. I really dont. And please GOD dont come on here and tell me its because I dont see what he brings to the table, or I dont recognize his quality. I cant fucking stand the arrogance and pompous attitude of some of the people on here who think just because they post shit on here 200 times a week they are football geniuses.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: For one, we just paid 30 million for him. Surely Fergie would be looking to play him more often at least for the moment.
And if you can’t stand them, then you do know you have other options, don’t you? After all this is the world wide web, and RR isn’t the only Manchester United fan site.
Like?
0 
0
Dan,
To avoid redundancy I removed your comment because I conveyed what needed to be conveyed. Restraint is not your strength now is it?
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter:
but really, its really frustrating not being able to say what i really want to say to some people… i have to do it as politely as possible, and well, im just not polite hehe.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: With all respect for the site and you for running it, does this mean price tag is what should determine who starts? Berba costs 30, as did Wayne, and tevez is rumored to eventually cost around the same, while Ronaldo was only 17 million. So, does that mean we put Ronaldo on the bench?
Like?
0 
0
@Red Diablo: The experience thing is kind of overrated. It’s not like Huntelaar is 16. He has played for Ajax who historically has a very strong European pedigree and he has played for the Dutch national team and has scored a goal a game for them. It’s like Obama vs McCain. Obama hasn’t got the same experience but he has the energy, youth and new approach which sometimes means more than McCain’s or better yet, Gary Neville’s old legs and experience. Berbatov is great but Huntelaar would be great for us too. Plus we would have more money to burn had we gone with the hunter.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: ronaldo was 12 million… rooney was 20-25 million with add-ons. berbatov is probably 27million with add-ons.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: Football Geniuses
.
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): We haven’t paid for Tevez yet but the money that’s being talked about in securing him is too much in my opinion. And I’m not going to get into it with you over Huntelaar. You are welcome to your opinion which I completely disagree with. Lets leave it at that mate.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Diablo: Well said. Huntelaar is as close to RVN as it gets. He may even be potentially better than him.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: we wont see eye to eye on this at all hehe, i really think that he would be a flop here.
i mean, yea RVN was great, but so was sheva, and sheva came from a much, much better league then the dutch one, and look what happened to him.
Like?
0 
0
And man…I stand by what I said. And I come to this site because I like to read about United and I like reading about the team. But you have to admit some people think their opinions are more right than others. And they act their ability to analyze tactical decisions rivals that of Mourinho. But none of us teach footballing seminars. I’m highly confident none of us have written a book on football tactics. We’re all just nerds, including me, who probably, like me, weren’t very good at actually playing football so we became huge fans. Thats it.
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): That’s your opinion and it’s in the minority. Ask most experts about Huntelaar and they all think he is great. You just have an unbearable hatred and bias towards the Dutch league and you don’t even realize how many world class players have come out of there. You only focus on the few that have been failures. That’s very close minded and unfair of you.
Like?
0 
0
And I just get frustrated when I read people’s position on why Berba should be playing as “some of you just dont see what he brings and dont recognize his quality” To me, that just smacks of arrogance and it bothers me, thats all.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: He has one that position based on his past pedigree, reputation and the fact he has cost the team a mint. He will have to play himself out of the spot rather than have to play himself into it. Deal with it. He’s not Welbeck or Manucho. He’s a world class player who is a proven entity. I honestly do not see where this debate is coming from but it makes no sense. He is an out and out striker and that is something we have been looking for for agas. And you want him to sit down. Get real mate.
Like?
0 
0
sorry, i didnt see you comment there.
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): There is nothing wrong with being polite Dan. You show more of yourself and your intelligence by trying to argue your point in a friendly and articulate manner. There is no need for rudeness or anger in order to make your point. You are better than that mate. I know your frustration but you need to be civil, even if it kills you.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: If you generalize a cross section of people in any community you will get morons, intelligent people, the average minded and the pompous. So what? We are all different people, and as long as we don’t attack a fellow commenter in a personal manner we are free enough to express what we want.
So I guess your point of being pissed off at some people is not relevant, because if someone pisses you off because of the manner in which they express their opinion (and not because they attacked you personally) then you will be better served ignoring them. Venting out, in the manner that you just did, will not endear you nor will serve your purpose.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: no, i focus on the ones that have come to the premier league. And for some reason, the floppage rate is pretty high. i have nothing against the dutch league or its players, but if i where to buy a player from that league, i would think very carefully about it.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: hehe quite right.
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): There is never a guarantee anyone will be a success. You just have to base it on his style of play and whether his style and skill set suits your team. Sheva was a bust but he was also well past his best. Ronaldinho is too. Milan will regret buying him. It’s a crap shoot Dan, really it is.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I never said i wanted him to sit down, I said i dont understand why he is guaranteed a spot, how he walked into the lineup and was given a starting berth automatically. If i had been with united busting my ass all summer during the offseason and he walks into the lineup after not doing any of the work I would be rather frustrated and wonder what the fuck i was doing all that work for. thats all man.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: Nope, but when Fergie forked out that much, the pinch of spending so much is still fresh. It’s psychological is what I am trying to say.
Also if we want to integrate a 30 million signing, we need to play him more. Rooney was undroppable in Fergie’s mind until recently. When you fork out so much money you don’t do so by thinking he’ll be a squad player — unless you are Chelsea.
We haven’t signed Tevez yet.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Yeah I guess you’re right, ignoring it would have been the better option.
But for the record, I could give a fuck about endearing myself to anyone…
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: What is arrogant my friend is the idea that you feel you are right and everyone else must be wrong because of it. Even if you are right, getting mad at others because they don’t share your feelings is not the way to go. I speak from experience. I too would get very defensive about a guy named Huntelaar but at the end of the day people are going to agree and disagree. Accept it and move on. Getting upset is only going to make you sick. People don’t care. We all have our own views. Nobody is right and everybody is right.
@dan(u-ol):
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Like RR said I wasnt getting mad about the actual opinions, just the manner in which they are occasionally expressed. thats all
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol): Dan if I wrote down a list of the world class players who have come out of the Dutch League you would be amazed. It’s not a valid argument and not all of them are Dutch. How about Ronaldo (Brazil) for example? How about Romario? Then I could mention the RVN’s, Staam’s, Bergkamp’s to just mention a few. There are dozens and dozens. I won’t even bother to go back to the 70′s when Ajax, PSV and Feyenoord were amongst the best in the world and they had players like Cruyff, Krol, Neeskens, Keizer, Van Hanegam etc. How about Van Basten, Gullit and Rijkaard in more recent times? You are just wrong. Holland may not have the strongest league because they are a football factory that prepares great players before money forces them to jump to Italy, Spain and England. Sorry mate but your case is weak. So what about the Kromkamp’s, Alves’ and Kezman’s. Need I mention how many busts have come out of England, Spain and Italy? There are failures from every league. Anyway, lets agree to disagree. I have made my point.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: Thats kind of tough mate. Life is not fair. If somebody comes to your team and is better than you than it’s just tough if you have worked your ass off. This is not about blue collar factory ethics. We are dealing with a sport and art form which requires the best players to start over the ones that work hardest or who have been with the team longer. It’s not about what is fair, it’s about what is right based on what will make the team win. football is not a democracy and it’s also not socialist. It is fascist in nature because the elite get rewarded and success is based on your talent and you lofty position.
Like?
0 
0
@Drew Vader: Fair enough mate. I just felt like I should express my feelings to you because I know how you feel because I’ve been down that road too. I was offering you advice based on the fact that I have felt like that before myself.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: yes, you are right, they HAD all those great players(although i wouldnt list ronaldo)but currently, the strikers in the dutch league have been prolific, and when they move to england, flops. didnt alves score 7 goals in a single match over there, he must of been one of the best strikers over in holland, and now he is in england,and not exactly prolifincy(if thats even a word lol) personified.
Like?
0 
0
can any someone tell me if rooney is fit or not…
Like?
0 
0
@dan(u-ol):
Patrick Kluivert’s spell at Newcastle springs to mind as a huge flop, he was a troubled man though.
But then Van Persie despite his injurys has grown at Arsenal.
For every Alves and Kuyt there is a Ruud and Bergkamp.
Bringing any player over from a foreign country is a gamble, it is interesting though why Huntelaar is still at Ajax, surely someone would have taken a gamble if he was that good? He has good attributes and there is no reason why he wouldnt do well, im sure City will end up signing him and if like you think he ends up a flop we would all be delighted
Now, lets take Blackburn to the cleaners tomorrow, we have a decent run of games now in the league and should be back right in the mix in a few weeks.
Line up for tomorrow?
VDS, Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Anderson, Park, Tevez, Berbs
Any news on the Roon for tomorrow? I presume he’s out….
Like?
0 
0
I think Tevez fee will be around 20m, the reason 30m is being said is he fact we paid around 10m for his 2 year loan. I dont know that for fact but im sure i’ve read it a few places before….. would make sense I guess.
Like?
0 
0
@wayneboy: Like Neville, he is still a doubt, so i don’t think so.
Like?
0 
0