^I have been watching our new kid Jack Wilshire. He reminds me of the old Rooney. That Rooney was not scared to take on defenders, not scared to blast it if he thought he could get it on target, not intimidated by defenders with hundreds of caps and medals etc. Rooney hasn't been the same since he got hurt in Euro 2004. He's still world class but he's not living up to his potential to be even better than that.
England Q/F start September 6th (Andorra) I think with the Croatia match on the 10th but will have to double check that. I do think our central midfield is no problem and 2 of the Barry, Gerrard & Hargreaves. IMO lesser teams we can play Gerrard/Barry but in the much bigger games we need Hargreaves in there over Barry though we could always do what we did against USA and move Gerrard out wide to link up again with Rooney.
It's all looking a bit Gazza for Rooney. He peaked so early, and now he's still only 22, but he's been around for ages. I don't think he's been helped by Ferguson's tactics. With the emphasis on Ronaldo, he's been turned into a fat Dirk Kuyt. He's got age on his side, but I think he's been mishandled the past few years.
Forget all this Premier League/International stuff. The real news is from the Micky Mouse Cup. Last night, we (Derby) finally won a game!!!!!! Granted it was against a team two divisions lower than us, at home, and we were within 10 minutes of going out, but still, a win!!!! Woohoo!!!!
Chelsea have called a 5pm press conference where they will make a "major announcement". New contract for Lampard ? Drogba ? Robinho signed ? Kaka signed ?
In the meantime a couple of papers are reporting that the Berbatov to United deal is all but done. This may also free up Spurs to pay Zenit the silly money they are asking for Ashavin.
Damn 28 million. Where is Manchester United getting the cash with their enormous debt hanging over their heads?
Fat Frank's signed a new contract. Looks well chuffed with himself sitting next to Kenyon in a shiny silver jacket. Talking about how much he loves the club, and how could he not stay for the rest of his career. The price of his devotion? £150,000 a week it seems. A league and European Cup double helps. The CL prize money alone pays for him, with change for the bus home.
Good for Fat Frank. He's being rewarded for being one of the better midfielders in the Prem for years. Berbatov to United it scary considering the service he'll get.
It'll be interesting. He's a sulker. And United have a big talented squad. Put him on the bench for a few games and maybe we'll see Berbatov moping around the pitch like he did at Spurs. Of course, this is more of a hope than an actual prediction.
Man Utd still bring more money in per year than any club in terms of a profit (Real bring in the most money if I remember right). So with that all that plus PL & CL money from last year they can easily manage to payments of there debt, which will be paid off much quicker than first expected (2016) at this rate.
Proof that Steve McClaren is not all there. "I outfoxed Arsene!". Mate, you lost 2-0. I suppose you "outfoxed" Slaven Bilic too.
Priceless. Nice to see that McClown is still a big a cnut as ever. Berbatov at OT would be frightening. Him and Rooney up front with Ronaldo providing the service. Lamplard signs a new contract. Bad luck Jose.
Oh McClown. I thought I'd run out of ways to laugh at you, and now you take up a 'Dutch' accent. Oh my sides. I didn't see either game, so I have to ask - were Liege really as good as I'm hearing!?
They weren't especially good, it's just we were so bad. It's the same old story - smaller team has a go instead of parking the bus, closes us down energetically in midfield, and we can't get going. They threaten from crosses and set pieces. See Luton, Havant & Waterlooville and Barnsley last season. I have confidence that we'll stuff them at Anfield, especially if we have Mascherano back. His presence was sorely missed, as he has the energy to counter those tactics and clear the park for us so we can play the game in their half. I'm not worrying yet. Hopefully Roy Keane wasn't watching.
Looks like Arsenal's Justin Hoyte is headed to Boro. Cue the papers' predictable "Arsenal won't play English boys" lies.