One of the most annoying talking points of United's FA Cup rout of Arsenal was the post-match verdicts of what has been described as Nani's 'Seal act', which was in relation to the Portuguese winger juggling the ball on his on is boot, head and thigh.
Arsene Wenger, no doubt looking for something to crib about following his own sides capitulation described the juggling as an attempt to 'humiliate' his players, then again he would say that wouldn't he, given Flamini tried to rearrange Nani's kneecaps?
When things go wrong, there's nothing better than an attention deflecting talking point or two. In fairness, the Arsenal manager does at least still speak to the BBC, unlike our own manager.
Somewhat surprisingly Fergie appeared to agree that his own player had done something wrong when saying 'there was no need for him to do that - I will have a word with him'. What utter nonsense. Nani wasn't showboating; he was trying to retain possession of the ball when facing the wrong way and heading into the United half of the pitch. The 'purists' would no doubt say that in such situations you should boot the ball into row Z, but Nani is a fancy Dan winger, he is not Gary Neville or Wes Brown, in true Basil Faulty style, "he is from Portugal, he doesn't know any better"...
If Nani had performed his seal act near one of the Arsenal corner flags when playing for time, then both Fergie and Wenger would have a point, but that was not the case. The fact is the Portuguese winger tried to retain the ball, which took courage because if he'd lost it in that area of the pitch then United could have been in trouble. It is to be hoped that is what Fergie meant when he said that he was going to have a word with his winger...
On-looking youngsters love to see good examples of top class players displaying their skills, you can guarantee the following day kids up and down the land will have been attempting to mimic Nani's skills, sadly some will also mimic the other side of the game such as Flamini's exocet like challenge and the Gallas kick on Nani.
Here's a question, what would Wenger have said if Patrice Evra had launched into Fabregas in similar circumstances? 'I did not see it' is a fair bet.
Arsenal could have ended that match with eight players on the pitch. Eboue was red carded, Gallas got away with it and Flamini's challenge on Nani wasn't far off a sending off. I don't know how many players have been red carded while Fergie has been in charge of United, but it's now 79 now for Wenger at Arsenal.
This current Arsenal team are are not a dirty side, but on Saturday one or two players came close to losing it, the Eboue challenge was rash, as was Flamini's challenge on Nani. What Gallas did, from what I've seen of him, was out of character and in that moment he lost the plot.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
United on trail of red hot striker....
Manchester United take on Lyon at the Stade Gerland on Wednesday when the Champions League resumes for a game that could prove to be the most difficult so far this season for the Red Devils.
Over the last few seasons Lyon have been many neutrals 'dark-horse' tip to lift Europe's premier club competition, only for them to fail in the latter stages as United themselves have done so many times over recent seasons.
Last Saturday Fergie went on a scouting mission to check out Lyon, they won 4-1 and the United manager let it slip that he's interested in 20-year-old striker Karim Benzema, who scored his 25th goal of the season. Benzema is hot property and is coveted by just about every top club in Europe. The striker has hinted that he would like to join AC Milan, Fergie hasn't gone overboard when confirming his interest, but the United boss has admitted that Benzema "is a possibility".
In time honoured fashion Benzema bas been dubbed "the new Zidane", "the new Platini" and "the new Henry", and so it goes.
In 2006 Benzema, who is of Algerian descent, was given the option of playing for Algeria, but instead he opted for France and he is now a full international who is expected to play and big part in the French Euro 2008 finals campaign.
One of the key elements that United always look in any potential transfer is the desire of the player concerned to join the Reds, a case in point is Van Nistelrooy. Once Fergie knew that the Dutch striker really wanted to come to Old Trafford even a serious knee injury setback didn't prevent that deal from eventually going through. However, at the time of the Van Nistelrooy transfer the Red Devils were the only serious bidders, it is likely to be a different situation where Benzema is concerned.
Over the last few seasons Lyon have been many neutrals 'dark-horse' tip to lift Europe's premier club competition, only for them to fail in the latter stages as United themselves have done so many times over recent seasons.
Last Saturday Fergie went on a scouting mission to check out Lyon, they won 4-1 and the United manager let it slip that he's interested in 20-year-old striker Karim Benzema, who scored his 25th goal of the season. Benzema is hot property and is coveted by just about every top club in Europe. The striker has hinted that he would like to join AC Milan, Fergie hasn't gone overboard when confirming his interest, but the United boss has admitted that Benzema "is a possibility".
In time honoured fashion Benzema bas been dubbed "the new Zidane", "the new Platini" and "the new Henry", and so it goes.
In 2006 Benzema, who is of Algerian descent, was given the option of playing for Algeria, but instead he opted for France and he is now a full international who is expected to play and big part in the French Euro 2008 finals campaign.
One of the key elements that United always look in any potential transfer is the desire of the player concerned to join the Reds, a case in point is Van Nistelrooy. Once Fergie knew that the Dutch striker really wanted to come to Old Trafford even a serious knee injury setback didn't prevent that deal from eventually going through. However, at the time of the Van Nistelrooy transfer the Red Devils were the only serious bidders, it is likely to be a different situation where Benzema is concerned.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
FA Cup: Arsenal flattened by United steamroller...
Manchester United went into today's 5th round FA Cup tie off the back of two awful Premier League performances which has given today's visitors to Old Trafford a five point lead at the top of the table.
IF United supporters are honest with themselves many will have been looking forward to today's game more in hope than in expectation following last weekend's derby debacle in which not a single player in the red shirt covered himself in glory.
With Champions League games in mind and ahead of this 5th round FA Cup tie both managers made changes to their starting line-up. For the United there was no Ronaldo, Tevez, Hargreaves, Giggs or Scholes. Arsenal were without their two first choice fullbacks and their talisman Adebayor was left on the bench, but both managers were able to field strong teams.
From the first few minutes of this game United harried the visitors all over the park, but especially in midfield with Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani and Park all getting to the ball first in the 50/50 challenges and coming off best.
Rarely has an Arsenal midfield that consisted of Fabregas, Hleb and Gilberto been so comprehensively out muscled and out fought. United's early pressure was rewarded when Anderson contested and won a header on the edge of the visitors penalty area, which in turn found the head of Rooney who then steered his header beyond Lehmann in the Arsenal goal. Just four minutes later the Reds made it two nil, after superb work by Nani. The Portuguese winger bamboozled a defender by stopping the ball on the visitors by-line before pinging a pin-point cross onto the head of Fletcher, but it was Gallas who clearly headed into his own net to send the Red army into raptures.
At that point United fans will have thinking that perhaps it was going to be our day, but many will have expected the Gunners to mount an offensive, it simply did not happen as the home side continued to create plenty of good first half chances. Rooney while having an excellent game should have scored more than one goal, but it was Nani who made it three-nil after an excellent ball from United's left found the winger in a central position and he made no mistake when bursting clean through on goal.
If the Arsenal fans were expecting a better second-half performance then they will have been disappointed as the pattern of the game was just like the opening period with United dominating and winning the midfield battles and the home team were creating all the chances.
Eboue added to the Gunners problems when referee Wiley issued a red card for a high challenge on Evra on 49 minutes, and luckily for United and the Reds fullback, there wasn't that much contact.
With not much to play for and with AC Milan on the horizon Wenger made three second half changes when sending on Adebayor, Flamini and Senderos. It made no difference to the pattern of the game as United continued to dominate and create chances. It came as no surprise that Fletcher made it four-nil when he got himself on the end of another pin-point Nani cross to head home unchallenged at the far post on 74 minutes.
Today Arsenal's slick passing machine came up against an irresistible force of power in the form of the Manchester United steamroller on what was another bumpy Old Trafford playing surface. On 71 minutes Fergie replaced Wayne Rooney who wouldn't look out of place driving a steam driven machine. Judging by the look on the former Everton striker's face he'd clearly enjoyed his work as did the home supporters.
On 72 minutes Scholes replaced Anderson, who was given another standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd. Louis Saha had replaced Rooney and he looked surprisingly sharp given his horrendous recent injury record.
As for Wenger, he won’t be happy with his defenders and perhaps the biggest miss for the Gunners was the absence of his two first choice fullbacks.
But this victory was all about United's industry and work rate. Added to which when a United player crossed the ball, on many occasions they found their target inside the box, which is quite something given that the Reds played the whole game with just one striker.
Ferguson doesn't always get it right when tinkering with his line-up but today it worked perfectly with players like Fletcher and Carrick putting in fist-class performances from start to finish.
In a week when the Beck’s and Posh re-affirmed their marriage vows, United supporters ended a bad week by having their collective faith restored in a team that looked in danger of faltering following two poor results and performances. Normal service has well and truly been resumed and so United and their supporters can look forward to the fresh challenge of Europe, added to which Liverpool were humbled at Anfield by the mighty Barnsley, it really doesn't get much better than today from a Reds' perspective.
Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans can count themselves lucky that United didn't score eight today, and eight-nil would not have flattered the Red Devils.
IF United supporters are honest with themselves many will have been looking forward to today's game more in hope than in expectation following last weekend's derby debacle in which not a single player in the red shirt covered himself in glory.
With Champions League games in mind and ahead of this 5th round FA Cup tie both managers made changes to their starting line-up. For the United there was no Ronaldo, Tevez, Hargreaves, Giggs or Scholes. Arsenal were without their two first choice fullbacks and their talisman Adebayor was left on the bench, but both managers were able to field strong teams.
From the first few minutes of this game United harried the visitors all over the park, but especially in midfield with Anderson, Fletcher, Carrick, Nani and Park all getting to the ball first in the 50/50 challenges and coming off best.
Rarely has an Arsenal midfield that consisted of Fabregas, Hleb and Gilberto been so comprehensively out muscled and out fought. United's early pressure was rewarded when Anderson contested and won a header on the edge of the visitors penalty area, which in turn found the head of Rooney who then steered his header beyond Lehmann in the Arsenal goal. Just four minutes later the Reds made it two nil, after superb work by Nani. The Portuguese winger bamboozled a defender by stopping the ball on the visitors by-line before pinging a pin-point cross onto the head of Fletcher, but it was Gallas who clearly headed into his own net to send the Red army into raptures.
At that point United fans will have thinking that perhaps it was going to be our day, but many will have expected the Gunners to mount an offensive, it simply did not happen as the home side continued to create plenty of good first half chances. Rooney while having an excellent game should have scored more than one goal, but it was Nani who made it three-nil after an excellent ball from United's left found the winger in a central position and he made no mistake when bursting clean through on goal.
If the Arsenal fans were expecting a better second-half performance then they will have been disappointed as the pattern of the game was just like the opening period with United dominating and winning the midfield battles and the home team were creating all the chances.
Eboue added to the Gunners problems when referee Wiley issued a red card for a high challenge on Evra on 49 minutes, and luckily for United and the Reds fullback, there wasn't that much contact.
With not much to play for and with AC Milan on the horizon Wenger made three second half changes when sending on Adebayor, Flamini and Senderos. It made no difference to the pattern of the game as United continued to dominate and create chances. It came as no surprise that Fletcher made it four-nil when he got himself on the end of another pin-point Nani cross to head home unchallenged at the far post on 74 minutes.
Today Arsenal's slick passing machine came up against an irresistible force of power in the form of the Manchester United steamroller on what was another bumpy Old Trafford playing surface. On 71 minutes Fergie replaced Wayne Rooney who wouldn't look out of place driving a steam driven machine. Judging by the look on the former Everton striker's face he'd clearly enjoyed his work as did the home supporters.
On 72 minutes Scholes replaced Anderson, who was given another standing ovation by the Old Trafford crowd. Louis Saha had replaced Rooney and he looked surprisingly sharp given his horrendous recent injury record.
As for Wenger, he won’t be happy with his defenders and perhaps the biggest miss for the Gunners was the absence of his two first choice fullbacks.
But this victory was all about United's industry and work rate. Added to which when a United player crossed the ball, on many occasions they found their target inside the box, which is quite something given that the Reds played the whole game with just one striker.
Ferguson doesn't always get it right when tinkering with his line-up but today it worked perfectly with players like Fletcher and Carrick putting in fist-class performances from start to finish.
In a week when the Beck’s and Posh re-affirmed their marriage vows, United supporters ended a bad week by having their collective faith restored in a team that looked in danger of faltering following two poor results and performances. Normal service has well and truly been resumed and so United and their supporters can look forward to the fresh challenge of Europe, added to which Liverpool were humbled at Anfield by the mighty Barnsley, it really doesn't get much better than today from a Reds' perspective.
Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal fans can count themselves lucky that United didn't score eight today, and eight-nil would not have flattered the Red Devils.
Blatter happy slaps globalisation plans...
Fans of top flight English clubs who have opposed the Premier League's globalisation plans, will no doubt have been delighted to hear Sepp Blatter kibosh the half-arsed and ill-conceived proposals.
FIFAs president has at times bemused supporters with his proclamations on the world game and ideas, but on this occasion when sticking the boot into the Premier League's money-grabbing expansion plans, Blatter struck a cord with the fans - as he rightly knew that he would - he was shooting into an open goal on that score.
Clearly the Premier League did not do their homework properly ahead of floating their globalisation plans, but reports claim that the PL took legal advice prior to releasing details, in do so the PL believed that FIFA could not halt this initiative. How wrong they were.
Blatter is a man who is not to be under-estimated and without directly threatening to pull the rug from under England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup Finals, the FIFA chief let it be known that this big idea of the PL wouldn't enhance the FAs chances of landing the 2018 finals.
Caught directly in the headlights of the Blatter mobile, the FA, like a startled rabbit, soon distanced themselves from the PLs globalisation plans. How predictable, but surely even anyone with a grain of common sense could have predicted the reaction of Blatter and in turn the FA who ran faster than a sprinter on drugs to distance themselves from the proposal just as soon as the FIFA supremo hinted that there would be trouble ahead.
To make matter worse and while Blatter was busily tightening his vice around the collective nuts of the FA, the Asian Football Federation rubbished the PLs proposals, and elsewhere what has become known as game 39 has been given at best a lukewarm reception.
While fans will be delighted to hear Blatter in such good form when 'happy slapping' the PLs globalisation plans, it has to be said that the FIFA president has once again acted like a dictator, he treats the world governing body as his own personal fiefdom. On this issue, many supporters of the game will not mind and on the whole Blatter does have the interests of world football at heart.
Blatter says the PL globalisation will never happen while he is in charge. It is thought that the FIFA president has no plans to quit, can the same be said of the Premier League's Richard Scudamore?
Just say NO to game 39
FIFAs president has at times bemused supporters with his proclamations on the world game and ideas, but on this occasion when sticking the boot into the Premier League's money-grabbing expansion plans, Blatter struck a cord with the fans - as he rightly knew that he would - he was shooting into an open goal on that score.
Clearly the Premier League did not do their homework properly ahead of floating their globalisation plans, but reports claim that the PL took legal advice prior to releasing details, in do so the PL believed that FIFA could not halt this initiative. How wrong they were.
Blatter is a man who is not to be under-estimated and without directly threatening to pull the rug from under England's bid to stage the 2018 World Cup Finals, the FIFA chief let it be known that this big idea of the PL wouldn't enhance the FAs chances of landing the 2018 finals.
Caught directly in the headlights of the Blatter mobile, the FA, like a startled rabbit, soon distanced themselves from the PLs globalisation plans. How predictable, but surely even anyone with a grain of common sense could have predicted the reaction of Blatter and in turn the FA who ran faster than a sprinter on drugs to distance themselves from the proposal just as soon as the FIFA supremo hinted that there would be trouble ahead.
To make matter worse and while Blatter was busily tightening his vice around the collective nuts of the FA, the Asian Football Federation rubbished the PLs proposals, and elsewhere what has become known as game 39 has been given at best a lukewarm reception.
While fans will be delighted to hear Blatter in such good form when 'happy slapping' the PLs globalisation plans, it has to be said that the FIFA president has once again acted like a dictator, he treats the world governing body as his own personal fiefdom. On this issue, many supporters of the game will not mind and on the whole Blatter does have the interests of world football at heart.
Blatter says the PL globalisation will never happen while he is in charge. It is thought that the FIFA president has no plans to quit, can the same be said of the Premier League's Richard Scudamore?
Just say NO to game 39
Friday, February 15, 2008
United v Arsenal: Is it make or break for the Red Devils?
Manchester United go into Saturday's 5th round FA Cup tie with Arsenal coming off the back of two very poor performances in the league, the worry for United fans is that defeat in this fixture could turn out to be psychologically damaging for Fergie's players' and the remainder of the season.
In the Manchester derby last weekend, the Reds looked and played nothing like champions, there was spells in that game when they looked more like a team threatened by the fear of relegation, devoid of ideas, lacking in effort and collectively rubbish in every department.
FA Cup ties between these two sides have been very close affairs down the years, with Arsenal having the better of things in 2005 and 2003, though United out played the Gunners in the 2005 final, but ended up losing in the dreaded penalty shoot-out. How Van Nistelrooy failed to win that final for United remains a mystery to this day.
In 2004 when the Reds went on to win the final they beat Arsenal in the semi-final with one goal separating the two sides.
In 2003 Arsenal faced United in the 5th round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford and ran out two-nil winners and they went to on to win the competition. However, as United fans will know the Reds went on to win the title by five points, with Arsenal finishing runner-up.
Even if United lose on Saturday, the Reds will be able to look back to the 2003 result in the same fixture and hope for the same outcome with United going on to lift the title again. That is only one of many scenarios because if the Gunners win they will no doubt fancy themselves for another double or even a treble.
Rooney returns to face Arsenal and it is to hoped that he makes amends for his untimely suspension which saw him miss the Manchester derby, many Reds believe that the England striker's absence was the main reason United performed so poorly last weekend. Tevez, cannot lead the forward line on his own and he needs Rooney alongside him.
Nani is likely to return to bench warming duty with Rooney coming in, but it remains to be seen who plays in midfield, Fergie still doesn't appear to know what his strongest starting eleven is, the recent return of Paul Scholes has if anything just muddied the waters and the manager's thinking.
Against the Arsenal, Fergie will need to ensure that his team dominates midfield. Logic suggests that Anderson and Hargreaves with their younger legs and stamina should be selected at the expense of Scholes and Carrick. However, ahead of the game Fergie has hinted that there will be changes with the midweek game with Lyon in mind when he said: "There are massive games to come so we have to balance our teams and hopefully get it right." It's tinker time...
Whoever Fergie selects in the engine room, the United manager wont want to see a repeat of the Reds poor defending as we saw against City and the return of Patrice Evra will hopefully help on that score.
United's very own 'man in bandages' Louis Saha is apparently fit again, but he's been known to collect injuries in the pre-match warm-up, so his inclusion in the squad could be premature.
As for the Arsenal team news, the visitors will be without their first choice fullbacks as both Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (personal reasons) are both out. But the good news for the visitors is that Toure and Eboue are both back from African Nations Cup duty, although they were not named in the provisional overnight Arsenal squad.
Harking back to the famous 1999 FA Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, it would be great to see Giggsy score another wonder goal tomorrow, but a win for either side will be welcomed by either set of supporters, no matter how it is achieved.
If you fancy a punt on this massive game then why not open an account with Betfair and receive benefit from a £25 free bet.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Nani, Park, Scholes, Ronaldo, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney, Saha, Welbeck.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Fabianski, Senderos, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Adebayor, Eduardo, Bendtner, Traore, Song, J Hoyte, Gilberto, Gilbert, Randall, G Hoyte, Lansbury.
In the Manchester derby last weekend, the Reds looked and played nothing like champions, there was spells in that game when they looked more like a team threatened by the fear of relegation, devoid of ideas, lacking in effort and collectively rubbish in every department.
FA Cup ties between these two sides have been very close affairs down the years, with Arsenal having the better of things in 2005 and 2003, though United out played the Gunners in the 2005 final, but ended up losing in the dreaded penalty shoot-out. How Van Nistelrooy failed to win that final for United remains a mystery to this day.
In 2004 when the Reds went on to win the final they beat Arsenal in the semi-final with one goal separating the two sides.
In 2003 Arsenal faced United in the 5th round of the FA Cup at Old Trafford and ran out two-nil winners and they went to on to win the competition. However, as United fans will know the Reds went on to win the title by five points, with Arsenal finishing runner-up.
Even if United lose on Saturday, the Reds will be able to look back to the 2003 result in the same fixture and hope for the same outcome with United going on to lift the title again. That is only one of many scenarios because if the Gunners win they will no doubt fancy themselves for another double or even a treble.
Rooney returns to face Arsenal and it is to hoped that he makes amends for his untimely suspension which saw him miss the Manchester derby, many Reds believe that the England striker's absence was the main reason United performed so poorly last weekend. Tevez, cannot lead the forward line on his own and he needs Rooney alongside him.
Nani is likely to return to bench warming duty with Rooney coming in, but it remains to be seen who plays in midfield, Fergie still doesn't appear to know what his strongest starting eleven is, the recent return of Paul Scholes has if anything just muddied the waters and the manager's thinking.
Against the Arsenal, Fergie will need to ensure that his team dominates midfield. Logic suggests that Anderson and Hargreaves with their younger legs and stamina should be selected at the expense of Scholes and Carrick. However, ahead of the game Fergie has hinted that there will be changes with the midweek game with Lyon in mind when he said: "There are massive games to come so we have to balance our teams and hopefully get it right." It's tinker time...
Whoever Fergie selects in the engine room, the United manager wont want to see a repeat of the Reds poor defending as we saw against City and the return of Patrice Evra will hopefully help on that score.
United's very own 'man in bandages' Louis Saha is apparently fit again, but he's been known to collect injuries in the pre-match warm-up, so his inclusion in the squad could be premature.
As for the Arsenal team news, the visitors will be without their first choice fullbacks as both Gael Clichy (hamstring) and Bacary Sagna (personal reasons) are both out. But the good news for the visitors is that Toure and Eboue are both back from African Nations Cup duty, although they were not named in the provisional overnight Arsenal squad.
Harking back to the famous 1999 FA Cup semi-final victory over Arsenal, it would be great to see Giggsy score another wonder goal tomorrow, but a win for either side will be welcomed by either set of supporters, no matter how it is achieved.
If you fancy a punt on this massive game then why not open an account with Betfair and receive benefit from a £25 free bet.
Man Utd (from): Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Brown, O'Shea, Simpson, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Fletcher, Nani, Park, Scholes, Ronaldo, Anderson, Carrick, Hargreaves, Giggs, Tevez, Rooney, Saha, Welbeck.
Arsenal (from): Lehmann, Fabianski, Senderos, Hleb, Fabregas, Flamini, Adebayor, Eduardo, Bendtner, Traore, Song, J Hoyte, Gilberto, Gilbert, Randall, G Hoyte, Lansbury.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Blades axe United legend in Brussels coup d'état...
The King is dead, long live the King - Bryan Robson has been reportedly (and there's no other way of putting this) sacked again.
To Manchester United fans of my generation Robbo remains a hero and always will be. Yet today, and not that surprisingly following several weeks of murmurings of discontent at Bramall Lane, Robbo has been 'relieved of his duties'. The decision to axe Robson, was according to reports made in Brussels, there's talk of a new managerial regime being installed.
Last month Robbo master-minded Sheffield United's win over Man City in the FA Cup and deservedly so. Reds fans will not need reminding that our illustrious leader Ferguson hasn't achieved that feat this season with the Reds on the wrong end of two defeats to near neighbours City.
While Sheffield United have done well in the FA Cup this season, in the league it has been a different story. Robson was of course following in the footsteps of local hero Neil Warnock, so it was always going to be a hard act to follow especially when things didn't go to plan.
It remains to be seen whether Robbo will stay on at Bramall Lane in some capacity, or indeed will he ever be given another managerial job in England, that must be in doubt given his track-record.
Captain Marvel's managerial record:
Middlesbrough: 31 May 1994 - 6 December 2000. Contract ended by mutual consent
Bradford City: 24 November 2003 - 17 June 2004 -Short-term contract not renewed following relegation
West Bromwich Albion: 9 November 2004 - 18th September 2006 - Contract ended by mutual consent
Sheffield United: 22 May 2007 14 - February 2008 - Relieved of his duties.
To Manchester United fans of my generation Robbo remains a hero and always will be. Yet today, and not that surprisingly following several weeks of murmurings of discontent at Bramall Lane, Robbo has been 'relieved of his duties'. The decision to axe Robson, was according to reports made in Brussels, there's talk of a new managerial regime being installed.
Last month Robbo master-minded Sheffield United's win over Man City in the FA Cup and deservedly so. Reds fans will not need reminding that our illustrious leader Ferguson hasn't achieved that feat this season with the Reds on the wrong end of two defeats to near neighbours City.
While Sheffield United have done well in the FA Cup this season, in the league it has been a different story. Robson was of course following in the footsteps of local hero Neil Warnock, so it was always going to be a hard act to follow especially when things didn't go to plan.
It remains to be seen whether Robbo will stay on at Bramall Lane in some capacity, or indeed will he ever be given another managerial job in England, that must be in doubt given his track-record.
Captain Marvel's managerial record:
Middlesbrough: 31 May 1994 - 6 December 2000. Contract ended by mutual consent
Bradford City: 24 November 2003 - 17 June 2004 -Short-term contract not renewed following relegation
West Bromwich Albion: 9 November 2004 - 18th September 2006 - Contract ended by mutual consent
Sheffield United: 22 May 2007 14 - February 2008 - Relieved of his duties.
Transfer Quest doomed?
Here we go again, the FA have announced that Lord Stevens has been appointed to carry an audit of recent transfers. The last Quest investigation which was instigated by the Premier League failed to clear all but 17 transfers out of over 350 deals. Of the 17 transfers which were not cleared, there has been little or no further action.
Apart from firing a warning shot over the heads of so called 'dodgy' agents, the last Quest inquiry must therefore be viewed as a damp squib and a waste of time and money.
Apparently, part of this latest investigation will include an audit of the FAs procedures on new transfer rules. In winning this latest contract, Quest won the tendering process, you do wonder who else was in the bidding process, Inspector Clouseau?
If anyone is found guilty of rule breaking following the publicity surrounding this latest investigation then the cost of these investigations will be well spent, but I wont be holding my breath.
Apart from firing a warning shot over the heads of so called 'dodgy' agents, the last Quest inquiry must therefore be viewed as a damp squib and a waste of time and money.
Apparently, part of this latest investigation will include an audit of the FAs procedures on new transfer rules. In winning this latest contract, Quest won the tendering process, you do wonder who else was in the bidding process, Inspector Clouseau?
If anyone is found guilty of rule breaking following the publicity surrounding this latest investigation then the cost of these investigations will be well spent, but I wont be holding my breath.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
United to play Liverpool in a parallel universe...
Some say he's from a another planet - others know him as Mr Portsmouth Football Club. It's feared that die-hard fans like Mr Portsmouth could fall victim to Screwtheemore's grand Globalisation plans...United and Liverpool supporters have been shocked at the news that their beloved clubs could be set to play an end of season game at an as of yet unnamed destination, all we know is that it will probably be somewhere along the 39th parallel.
Many fans of these football institutions spend a huge chunk of their disposable income following their respective clubs' and for many cash-strapped supporters this additional game might as well be played in a parallel universe as it represents a match too far.
The idea of the additional 39th game is the brain-child of supremo Richard Screwtheemore, who insists that 'everyone will benefit' under what will become known henceforth as 'Globalisation', though Screwtheemore has yet to address the concerns of the paying public.
The thing is, for more than a century English football has largely been for the benefit of the fans who have paid the players wages, that will be the oiks like us who have for better or worse, filled our stadiums, week-in, week-out, come rain or shine.
However, if Screwtheemore and his Globalisation plan ever sees the light of day, fans such as John Westwood, AKA Mr Portsmouth wont be able to fund a trip to far flung destinations such as Korea, that means supporters will miss out on hearing those famous Pompey Chimes from his accompanying bell.
Word has it that some fans are already planning to fund a one way ticket for Mr Portsmouth Football Club. Personally, I'm hoping that they will also fund one-way trips for all the members of that god awful Sheffield Wednesday band and any other drum bashing and trumpet blowing ****s. Which just goes to show that good can come out of even the most ill-conceived and ridiculous ideas. Could Globalisation turn out to be a good thing after all?
Just say NO to game 39
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