David Beckham has hinted he's not looking to leave Madrid 'at the minute'. There has been talk of a new deal, but so far nothing has been signed and so while this is the case the former England captain will be the subject of intense media speculation.
As with the way with these things, several stories emerged over the weekend in the British tabloid press claiming that there's strong interest for his signature from among others Spurs.
One never knows where these stories originate from, but more often than not they turn out to be kite flying exercises from agents and even clubs themselves. Once you start reading these stories on a regular basis, it can mark the beginning of an elaborate courtship via the media with subtle hints from the player and his would be suitors. Today's story contains the usual tell-tale coded messages with Beckham using the carefully chosen words "I am not considering any move at the minute."
However, Beckham did say he's not looking to leave, which again is message to the Madrid people, in fairness he has to say that to keep on side with the fans. Personally I'd be amazed if Beckham signs this new deal. A move back to England is my best bet.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 29, 2006
A season defining game?.....
I don't want to get too carried away about United's win at Bolton yesterday, but at the same time it's worth re-evaluting United's prospects this season, seeing as they are riding high and remain top of the league and are 6 goals better off than Chelsea.
Every season has its games that turn out to defining regarding the remainder of the season. These games usually fall around Easter as the end of the season becomes in sight and while we're obviously nowhere near reaching that critical point, United's performance yesterday was easily the seasons best so far and it will give everyone the belief that just perhaps United can mount a serious challenge for the games top honours.
Prior to yesterday we'd all heard the claptrap about United's title credentials coming out of Old Trafford from Fergie and some of the usual suspects, most of that can be ignored, because frankly we've heard it many times and despite the clubs success under Ferguson United haven't always delivered, and especially in Europe which remains the holy grail for the manager and many of his players.
Personally I still doubt United have a good enough squad to win the title or the Champions League. United are relying heavily on Saha at present because we don't have strength in depth up front and so we remain one injury away from potential disaster.
However, if United could string a few more performances together like yesterday and providing we have a run of luck with injuries then everyone including me might really start to believe the hype.
United have a relatively easy looking run of fixtures coming up, with the exception of Pompey at home and an away trip to Blackburn (don't forget last season Fergie), but the biggest test of the season so far comes on November 26th when the champions visit Old Trafford. Depending on how Fergie tinkers between now and then United's confidence should be sky high.
One thing is for certain, United do stand a better chance of making more of a fist of it this season and even if we don't win any of the big prizes, many will happy if the reds keep on playing as they did against Bolton.
Every season has its games that turn out to defining regarding the remainder of the season. These games usually fall around Easter as the end of the season becomes in sight and while we're obviously nowhere near reaching that critical point, United's performance yesterday was easily the seasons best so far and it will give everyone the belief that just perhaps United can mount a serious challenge for the games top honours.
Prior to yesterday we'd all heard the claptrap about United's title credentials coming out of Old Trafford from Fergie and some of the usual suspects, most of that can be ignored, because frankly we've heard it many times and despite the clubs success under Ferguson United haven't always delivered, and especially in Europe which remains the holy grail for the manager and many of his players.
Personally I still doubt United have a good enough squad to win the title or the Champions League. United are relying heavily on Saha at present because we don't have strength in depth up front and so we remain one injury away from potential disaster.
However, if United could string a few more performances together like yesterday and providing we have a run of luck with injuries then everyone including me might really start to believe the hype.
United have a relatively easy looking run of fixtures coming up, with the exception of Pompey at home and an away trip to Blackburn (don't forget last season Fergie), but the biggest test of the season so far comes on November 26th when the champions visit Old Trafford. Depending on how Fergie tinkers between now and then United's confidence should be sky high.
One thing is for certain, United do stand a better chance of making more of a fist of it this season and even if we don't win any of the big prizes, many will happy if the reds keep on playing as they did against Bolton.
Saturday, October 28, 2006
Bolton swamped by red tide..
When the Bolton manager Sam Allardyce recently went to Soho Square to be interviewed for the England managers job, he took four laptop computers with him to show the FA how in touch with technology and the modern game he is.
Today at the Reebok Stadium you do wonder what use those computer stats would be given that his team Bolton didn't have the ball, ergo, sans football one cannot play and that was the pattern of todays game as United thrashed Bolton by four goals to nil.
Rooney's finishing was clinical, he scored three great strikers goals, Ronaldo got the other one. Bolton were outclassed and got what they deserved, precisely nothing.
Despite Rooney's wonderful finishing, my man of the match was Vidic. The Serbian defender looks more at home by the week, the same can be said of all of Fergie's recent signings. Looking good.
Today at the Reebok Stadium you do wonder what use those computer stats would be given that his team Bolton didn't have the ball, ergo, sans football one cannot play and that was the pattern of todays game as United thrashed Bolton by four goals to nil.
Rooney's finishing was clinical, he scored three great strikers goals, Ronaldo got the other one. Bolton were outclassed and got what they deserved, precisely nothing.
Despite Rooney's wonderful finishing, my man of the match was Vidic. The Serbian defender looks more at home by the week, the same can be said of all of Fergie's recent signings. Looking good.
Glazer on hunt for Far Eastern fools gold?
According to MarketingWeek the Glazer family has tightened its grip over United with the recent departures of Andy Anson, Nick Humby and Peter Draper. Questions are being raised as to who exactly is pulling the strings at United, it has been suggested that the three high profile departures came about because of the increasing influence of the Glazer family.
One suggestion put forward by a media guru is that United will once again attempt to try to further their interests in the Far East market. The fact is United have already tried and failed with their own United branded Cafe's in that part of the world. Furthermore, the clubs 2005 tour of the Far East was played in front of substantially less than full houses. IF the demand and interest was really there then these games would have been sold out, the fact that they weren't speaks volumes.
The whole Asian football market is a media myth, only fools in the world of marketing believe the myth, it is a myth created by gurus and spin doctors.
Fans in Asia are interested in Football, but they're not passionate followers of any particular English clubs, they are more likely to follow the club who their current favourite star player is playing for, like Beckham or Park, so they are very fickle. As far as football goes, chasing the Far East market will lead to nothing but wasted time, it will be a search for fools gold.
The only serious market is the domestic market - matchday income is by far United's biggest earner. IF United could gain complete control of their own tv rights then things would look very different , but that will never happen because it would take agreement from two thirds of the Premier League clubs - and for them to agree would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas.
Many serious commentators believe that the levels of debt at United are too high and that it's only a matter of time before the whole thing collapses.
Sure United are doing ok on the pitch right now, but United wont be able to compete with Chelsea in the long term without serious investment.
Last summer United were the Premierships lowest net spenders, that was unheard of until the Glazers arrived.
Given the appalling levels of debt perhaps United would have been better off being owned by Murdoch. The bottom line is Glazer couldn't afford United, but he was able to acquire the club precisely because it was so well run. The irony is, if United had racked up a lot of debt prior to the takeover, then Glazer would never have been able to finance such a ridiculous deal.
Now United are in serious financial trouble and it's likely the Glazers will attempt restructure the clubs debts with a securitisation deal which will end up leaving the club locked in with little money for transfers in the years ahead. David Gill rightly told fans at the last AGM that Glazer would be bad for United, because a club like United can only be successful on the pitch with substantial continual investment, Malcolm Glazer cannot afford investment. Glazers plan is flawed, the club and Glazer is on borrowed time.
As for Andy Anson, he was booted off the board by Glazer and then brought back post takeover. Rightly or wrongly Anson has been portrayed as a Glazer stooge in all of this, and so no hardcore United fans are going to lose any sleep over him being muscled out, the only pity is we are stuck with the Glazer regime who are on the road to nowhere.
MarketingWeek
One suggestion put forward by a media guru is that United will once again attempt to try to further their interests in the Far East market. The fact is United have already tried and failed with their own United branded Cafe's in that part of the world. Furthermore, the clubs 2005 tour of the Far East was played in front of substantially less than full houses. IF the demand and interest was really there then these games would have been sold out, the fact that they weren't speaks volumes.
The whole Asian football market is a media myth, only fools in the world of marketing believe the myth, it is a myth created by gurus and spin doctors.
Fans in Asia are interested in Football, but they're not passionate followers of any particular English clubs, they are more likely to follow the club who their current favourite star player is playing for, like Beckham or Park, so they are very fickle. As far as football goes, chasing the Far East market will lead to nothing but wasted time, it will be a search for fools gold.
The only serious market is the domestic market - matchday income is by far United's biggest earner. IF United could gain complete control of their own tv rights then things would look very different , but that will never happen because it would take agreement from two thirds of the Premier League clubs - and for them to agree would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas.
Many serious commentators believe that the levels of debt at United are too high and that it's only a matter of time before the whole thing collapses.
Sure United are doing ok on the pitch right now, but United wont be able to compete with Chelsea in the long term without serious investment.
Last summer United were the Premierships lowest net spenders, that was unheard of until the Glazers arrived.
Given the appalling levels of debt perhaps United would have been better off being owned by Murdoch. The bottom line is Glazer couldn't afford United, but he was able to acquire the club precisely because it was so well run. The irony is, if United had racked up a lot of debt prior to the takeover, then Glazer would never have been able to finance such a ridiculous deal.
Now United are in serious financial trouble and it's likely the Glazers will attempt restructure the clubs debts with a securitisation deal which will end up leaving the club locked in with little money for transfers in the years ahead. David Gill rightly told fans at the last AGM that Glazer would be bad for United, because a club like United can only be successful on the pitch with substantial continual investment, Malcolm Glazer cannot afford investment. Glazers plan is flawed, the club and Glazer is on borrowed time.
As for Andy Anson, he was booted off the board by Glazer and then brought back post takeover. Rightly or wrongly Anson has been portrayed as a Glazer stooge in all of this, and so no hardcore United fans are going to lose any sleep over him being muscled out, the only pity is we are stuck with the Glazer regime who are on the road to nowhere.
MarketingWeek
Friday, October 27, 2006
Ulster's finest son, a fitting tribute...
Dick Best, George's father, and the new five pound noteHow many professional sportsmen, never mind famous footballers have been honoured by having their face being printed on banknotes? I don't know the answer to that question, but I doubt there's many, if any. But that is exactly what the Ulster Bank has done to commemorate the legend and the late Georgie Best, it's a fitting tribute to the finest player that I've ever had the pleasure to witness play.
Best gave me countless unforgettable memories of his sublime skill. He will never be replaced by another in the eyes of those who watched him play on a regular basis back in the 60s and early 70s.
Forget the rubbish about being a flawed genius, he was a true genius, only Diego Maradona has come close to what Best could do with a football as his feet. If you get to chance to own one of these notes, they will be collectors items. The legend lives on.
BBC News
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Why St Ole is still pure class.......
Last night United fielded 7 full internationals but Crewe still managed to make United look very average and for large parts of the game second best.
One man stood out for United and it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Despite being injured for two years, the Norwegian still looks class, every touch assured, none more so than his brilliant first half goal, which was superbly taken and it happened in the blink of the eye. No wonder he's called the smiling assassin.
He's a bit like a Rolls Royce, with all of his moving parts in perfect harmony. Long may it continue.
The final score was Crewe 1 United 2. It was entertaining, but largely due to the home side. United's youngsters had a mixed night, but at least reds fans had St Ole to remember on an otherwise largely disappointing night of performances.
One man stood out for United and it was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Despite being injured for two years, the Norwegian still looks class, every touch assured, none more so than his brilliant first half goal, which was superbly taken and it happened in the blink of the eye. No wonder he's called the smiling assassin.
He's a bit like a Rolls Royce, with all of his moving parts in perfect harmony. Long may it continue.
The final score was Crewe 1 United 2. It was entertaining, but largely due to the home side. United's youngsters had a mixed night, but at least reds fans had St Ole to remember on an otherwise largely disappointing night of performances.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
One rule for Rooney another for Defoe...
So following Defoe biting Mascherano the FA have reportedly decided to take no action. Question what would have happened if it had been Wayne Rooney doing the biting? I think it's fair to say we'd be looking at a three game ban, possibly longer and a huge fine. The FA have video evidence, the ref didnt see the incident but tv replays showed Defoe biting, yet video evidence wasn't used. This incident highlights the inconsistency that is all too often evident with the FA. It's one rule for Rooney and United players and another for everyone else.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
'Sack the board and Stuart Pearce'...
City (Manchester) fans as you can probably guess, were more than a bit upset having lost 4-0 to Wigan at the weekend. One City supporters site is calling for the manager and the board to be sacked.
The City chairman David Wardle actually went as far as making a public apology to City fans via the clubs website. The chairman hinted at new faces arriving in the January transfer window, but in the next sentence he invited any would be new investors to come in and join the club. The message is clear, City are skint. This is despite the fact that the club was given the biggest leg-up ever seen in British football club history when the local council provided a brand new ground for them in 2002. £120m of tax payers money was given over to the development of what was formerly known as the Commonwealth Stadium for the Commonwealth Games, if it was a good deal for 'the games', it was a belter for Manchester City. The City of Manchester Stadium aka 'The Council House' should have been the platform for City to make a concerted challenge for a place in the UEFA Cup, it hasn't happened.
Unlike all those clubs who have had to finance the building of new stadiums, City haven't been saddled with any crippling loan repayments nor any huge initial outlay. Sunderland, Derby and Southampton all spent heavily on building new stadiums - all three clubs have been relegated. Granted City pay the council rent, but it only kicks in when attendances go over City's old average gate. So in point of fact City play at the City of Manchester Stadium rent free for any gate under 32,500, they do pay a revenue share on anything over that figure.
Despite help from the council and tax payers, City are like many professional football clubs, they have failed to manage their funds well. The club is in danger of losing supporters if things don't improve on the pitch. As for sacking the manager, City should know from previous experience that isn't the answer. As Wardle says, investment and support is the key otherwise relegation may follow again in the not too distant future. If however City do find themselves out of the top flight and attendances drop below 32,500, then they do at least have the relative luxury of rent free accommodation - how many other City of Manchester council house tenants have that perk?
The City chairman David Wardle actually went as far as making a public apology to City fans via the clubs website. The chairman hinted at new faces arriving in the January transfer window, but in the next sentence he invited any would be new investors to come in and join the club. The message is clear, City are skint. This is despite the fact that the club was given the biggest leg-up ever seen in British football club history when the local council provided a brand new ground for them in 2002. £120m of tax payers money was given over to the development of what was formerly known as the Commonwealth Stadium for the Commonwealth Games, if it was a good deal for 'the games', it was a belter for Manchester City. The City of Manchester Stadium aka 'The Council House' should have been the platform for City to make a concerted challenge for a place in the UEFA Cup, it hasn't happened.
Unlike all those clubs who have had to finance the building of new stadiums, City haven't been saddled with any crippling loan repayments nor any huge initial outlay. Sunderland, Derby and Southampton all spent heavily on building new stadiums - all three clubs have been relegated. Granted City pay the council rent, but it only kicks in when attendances go over City's old average gate. So in point of fact City play at the City of Manchester Stadium rent free for any gate under 32,500, they do pay a revenue share on anything over that figure.
Despite help from the council and tax payers, City are like many professional football clubs, they have failed to manage their funds well. The club is in danger of losing supporters if things don't improve on the pitch. As for sacking the manager, City should know from previous experience that isn't the answer. As Wardle says, investment and support is the key otherwise relegation may follow again in the not too distant future. If however City do find themselves out of the top flight and attendances drop below 32,500, then they do at least have the relative luxury of rent free accommodation - how many other City of Manchester council house tenants have that perk?
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