A Fair Warning – Fernando Torres

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Chelsea, Fernando Torres

This really cracked me up this morning.

Once A Red Now A Blue

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Chelsea, Fernando Torres, Liverpool

Here are some of the chants that might start ringing through the Chelsea Fan stands! The Scousers might just feel the pinch LMAO!!!

You’ll always walk alone he said -Torres, Torres !

They bought the lad from sunny spain, he scored a few then grew a brain!

Fernando Torres, Chelsea’s new number 9!

He’s still our number 9

He’s now a blue he was a red, Torres! Torres!

He´s told the club he wants to leave,

to play with Frank instead of Steve,

Fernando Torres Chelsea´s number 9!!

Still No Holding Down Man Utd!

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A thrilling 3-2 win at Blackpool allowed the current Manchester United crop to prove that, while they may not be a vintage edition in their club’s illustrious history, all the resilience of predecessors exists in abundance.

First-half goals from former United youngster Craig Cathcart and DJ Campbell seemed set to provide Ian Holloway’s hosts with their greatest moment to date, but their still unbeaten visitors came storming back.

United have been an enigma this season. Criticised for a lack of panache earlier in the campaign; praised for potential to emulate the 2003/04 Invincibles of Arsenal; hailed in the wake of humiliating Birmingham at the weekend.

But in a brilliant 16-minute turnaround it was the never-say-die attitude of Sir Alex Ferguson teams which proved a continued trademark as Dimitar Berbatov goals either side of one from Javier Hernandez opened a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

It was a cruel night for last season’s Championship play-off winners, Blackpool, but Holloway is also likely to point to the positives from an engrossing contest, which was the first in 40 years between the respective clubs in the top-flight.

Charlie Adam was the architect in the first half and his name was sung loudly by Blackpool followers from kick-off as the Scot was named in the line-up, although it remains to be seen if this was his last match before a move to Liverpool.

Ferguson was unable to call on Rio Ferdinand due to the England captain’s ongoing injury problems. Paul Scholes did return, but his reputation did not intimidate in an engrossing opening 45 minutes.

Blackpool have refused to abandon attacking principles and, despite United’s attempts to target their hosts’ makeshift left-back, Alex Baptiste, it was Holloway’s men who were setting the tempo.

Courtesy of Sky Sports

English Premier League Sack Theory – Sir Alex Ferguson

Sir Alex Ferguson believes an influx of foreign owners has contributed to the spate of managerial sackings in English football over recent years.

The Manchester United boss has been in charge at Old Trafford since November 1986 but is a rare example of longevity in the modern game.

Several bosses have parted company with their clubs since the turn of the year, including Roy Hodgson at Liverpool and former Red Devils captain Roy Keane at Ipswich.

Ferguson feels a key factor in the sudden rise in managerial casualties is the increased number of owners coming in from overseas.

While he is happy with the way the American Glazer family go about their business at United, Ferguson admits that clubs are generally not as ‘stable’ as in days gone by.

No trust

“Unfortunately it’s the climate of management nowadays and, over the last decade, it has got worse and worse,” he told The Football Show onSirius XM, a US radio station.

“I don’t think the game has the stable directorships it used to have, with clubs having the grandfather and father being chairmen for periods of 40-odd years.

“You have new ownerships now, people from abroad, the Middle East, the United States and Russia.”

Ferguson believes it was harsh of Ipswich to get rid of Keane last week after less than two years at the helm.

He said: “The ability is not in question, it is just about the trust that people put in you and managers are just not getting that, whoever it is.”

Courtesy of Sky Sports

The EPL 14-12-2010 – In A Nutshell

Sam Allardyce sacking a shock and a disgrace

Allardyce’s sacking as Blackburn manager is a shock and a disgrace. I was stunned at Newcastle sacking Chris Hughton and replacing him with Alan Pardew – Chris did not deserve it. But the dismissal of Sam was a bigger shock and not deserved.

He has done a pretty good job in difficult circumstances and the new Indian owners should have given him a chance and supported him with funds. It’s tight down there in the relegation zone. Blackburn are 13th out of 20 teams, five points clear of the drop zone. I expect Martin Jol to be the new manager. He will need to maintain at least what Sam has done.

Manchester United for the title again

Every season I pick Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson to win the Premier League. They do it most seasons! Of course this particular season is off the wall but I still fancy them strongly. Sir Alex is consistent in his desire, his ability to re-create great squads and his skill in solving player problems…and keeping control.

At times United have not played well and have drawn 7 of their 16 games, but they still remain unbeaten in the Premier League. They have the most points, a game in hand and the best goal-difference. If they win at Chelsea on Sunday they will have completed a great six days having beaten Arsenal one nil at home on Monday…all this and Wayne Rooney yet to return to regular goal-scoring. It will come and so will the title!

Andy Carroll is a real talent

Carroll is making the headlines for the right reasons. A few weeks ago he was in trouble and it was reported that England boss Fabio Capello warned him about the future. Whether that happened or not, Carroll has arrived on the scene with England and is banging in the goals for Newcastle. He has size, strength, goal power and a good pass on him as well. What a future ahead!

Carlos Tevez

Feel sorry for money bags Manchester City? Don’t. I do however feel sorry for Carlos Tevez who is showing all that is wrong on one aspect of importing players. He should put his head down and get on with earning his enormous fees and wages. He is a real talent, but this is not on. City should make him sit it out if he won’t play for them. What is his game off the pitch?

Chelsea need wins – and fast!

Chelsea need to start winning, quickly. New leaders Manchester United are at Chelsea on Sunday (4pm kick-off live on Sky Sports 1). This match may decide their season even in this current topsy-turvy Premier League. Chelsea have only taken 6 points from a possible 21, they have won just two of their last nine games and are on their worst run since September 2000.

Didier Drogba comes on as sub at Spurs and scores only his first away goal in 13 League games….and he misses a penalty. Anelka has not scored away. That tells one major part of Chelsea’s current run that has somehow managed to throw away a five points lead. Ray Wilkins has clearly been sacked at a cost even if Chelsea want to differ!

Football has a habit of suddenly changing but at present, Chelsea have a long way to go.

 

Man Utd 1 – Arsenal 0

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

As the reds go marching on on on!

Just like the busby babes in days gone by,

We’ll keep the red flags flying high,

Your gonna see us all from far and wide,

Your gonna hear the masses sing with pride.

United, Man united,

We’re the boys in red and we’re on our way to Wembley!

Wembley, Wembley,

We’re the famous Man united and we’re going to Wembley,

Wembley, Wembley,

We’re the famous Man united and we’re going to Wembley

In Seventy-Seven it was Docherty

Atkinson will make it Eighty-Three

And everyone will no just who we are,

They’ll be singing que sera sera

United, Man united,

We’re the boys in red and we’re on our way to Wembley!

Wembley, Wembley,

We’re the famous Man united and we’re going to Wembley,

Wembley, Wembley,

We’re the famous Man united and we’re going to Wembley

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

As the reds go marching on on on!

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

As the reds go marching on on on!

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

Glory glory Man united,

As the reds go marching on on on!

Wayne Rooney Should Feel The Love

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Wayne Rooney

It is hard to imagine Rooney strolling down the Castellana, immersing himself in the language and enjoying the studious environment of a dressing room like Real Madrid’s. Donde El Banter? Perhaps Manchester United’s unsettled striker should have a quiet word with Michael Owen to gain a clearer picture of what it’s like abroad. It’s not simply a land of silk and money.

Perhaps Rooney should stand back and analyse properly the momentous step he is taking by saying he will not re-sign with United.

For a man who’s only 24, Rooney gives a very good impersonation of somebody experiencing a premature mid-life crisis, having embarrassed his family and employers in recent weeks. As with his domestic arrangements, Rooney needs to think very carefully before severing his hitherto productive partnership with Sir Alex Ferguson.

In the epic Rooney-Ferguson stand-off, some sympathy must exist for the striker, particularly over the United manager’s damaging refusal to play him at Goodison Park on Sept 11.

Coming in the wake of distasteful revelations about Rooney’s private proclivities it seemed that Ferguson did not feel his No 10 possessed the backbone to deal with Gwladys Street glee club. For a naturally combative former Evertonian this was particularly humiliating. Rooney could also be forgiven for glancing around the United dressing room and wondering where all the trophy-winning class is.

But then he should look at the manager, at Ferguson, at the rock on which United’s modern greatness has been built. Rooney should accept the challenge of reviving United’s fortunes, on helping Ferguson bring through another generation. He could earn more money elsewhere, but would he enjoy it? He’s a multi-millionaire anyway. Would he find such a paternal manager as Ferguson?

This is the man who cares deeply for his players’ welfare, for their health. Ankle-gate has certainly been perplexing. After England’s Oct 12 draw with Montenegro, Rooney insisted he had been fit all season, a comment at odds with Ferguson’s appraisal and also the player’s own admission to Sky on Oct 2.

The transcript includes: Interviewer: “What’s the situation with your fitness?’’ Rooney: “I’ve had a bit of a knock since the Rangers game but I’ve been for a scan and the scan’s given me the all-clear.’’ Bang goes the “fit all season’’ theory.

For those of us with a soft spot for Rooney, admiring his technique and essentially likeable character, the whole saga is saddening. The pair need to sort out their differences. Both manager and star player will lose out by the collapse of their axis.

Rooney will be the bigger loser. Where does he go? Only one nation boasts football superior to the Premier League and that is Spain. Rooney’s personality seems ill-suited to an existence overseas. Admittedly, another from the “Wazza’’ mould, Paul “Gazza’’ Gascoigne survived in Rome but not without a shortage of escapades that would keep the current rolling news networks rolling madly.

The Bernabeu has been tipped as a potential destination yet Rooney, for all his playing gifts, does not seem a Jose Mourinho type. From this distinguished club’s perspective, Rooney is hardly a galactico à la Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rooney would love Barcelona’s high-class pass-and-move approach but it would be a surprise if Pep Guardiola could find the space for him, except on the bench. If he is foolish enough to quit Old Trafford, Rooney will surely stay on these shores.

Yet Chelsea are a non-starter because of Roman Abramovich’s desire to trim the wage bill and the presence of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka. He could jump over the fence into the arms of those noisy neighbours, Manchester City, but he would have to become a recluse in Cheshire.

It is difficult to imagine United countenancing actually selling him to City anyway. Besides, does Rooney fit into Roberto Mancini’s tactical 4-3-2-1 template? Does he fit into Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed al-Nahyan’s wish for his employees to be good role models? City seem to be doing all right without Rooney.

Of course, there would be demand for the Footballer of the Year. A few poor months cannot shred a packed CV. Rooney’s prolific form will return, probably as soon as Wednesday evening against Bursaspor when Old Trafford will envelop Rooney in an emotional embrace.

Think, Wayne, before sacrificing that love.

Courtesy of Henry Winter – Football Correspondent of the Telegraph.

Man Utd vs Liverpool – 19/09/10

Dimitar Berbatov scored a hat-trick as Manchester United enjoyed a thrilling 3-2 victory over old rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United appeared in danger of throwing away a winning position for the third time this season when Steven Gerrard’s brace had cancelled out Berbatov’s double either side of half-time.

However, with six minutes to go, the Bulgarian striker became the first United player to net a hat-trick against Liverpool in 64 years as he headed home John O’Shea’s cross.

A first half shy on chances was livened up three minutes before the break when Berbatov easily held off his marker Fernando Torres to head Ryan Giggs’ corner inside the post.

Berbatov’s second just before the hour mark was a majestic overhead kick and it appeared as though it would then be plain sailing for the Red Devils.

But Jonny Evans’ mis-timed challenge on Torres allowed Gerrard to score from the penalty spot on 64 minutes and six minutes later the visiting captain equalised for Liverpool by curling home a free-kick from the edge of the area.

United, though, found one last hurrah as O’Shea drifted a cross to the far post on 84 minutes and Berbatov rose well to beat Jamie Carragher in the air and guide his header inside the upright.

Courtesy of SkySports.com

New Kit Launch – Man Utd 2010-2011 Season

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Man U, Man Utd, Manchester United

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