Archive for July, 2007

The Great Position Debate: Right Midfield

Published by
Paul
at July 31, 2007 in Position Debate. 0 Comments

I’m assuming a 4-4-2 formation (or at the very least a 4-4-1-1) formation but I think United’s lineup is going to be increasingly fluid this season. Last season’s most effective formation appeared to be Saha up front (or Smith when Saha was injured) with Rooney, Giggs and Ronaldo operating loosely around him. With that in mind, I’m looking at the right sided attacking position more than a midfielder. However, there really is only one option here.

  • Christiano Ronaldo. Last season the Boy Wonder came of age. After the World Cup and the Rooney incident, it was predicted Ronaldo would leave or wilt under the pressure of the media and opposition fans. Instead he grew. I was at the Reading game fairly early in the season. Reading were leading 1-0 and the crowd around me were happy. However, my friend Terry wasn’t. The home fan’s were constantly booing Ronaldo and he thought this was only going to make him angry. He wasn’t wrong. Ronaldo took the ball and turned the Reading rightback inside out and put the ball in the net. He single-handedly saved a point for us. He also won the game away to Fulham in similar circumstances. He is our key match winner. My only criticism is that he needs to bring that level of performance up in key Champions League games.
  • The Backups. The legend that is Solskjaer can fill in right midfield but his contribution can be no more that a bit part now and he may contribute more as a late substitute. Nani is mostly a left sided player but could swap over with Ronaldo. Brazilian wonder kid Anderson again is left sided and in fact is more of a central player so probably won’t feature much on the right. Youngster Chris Eagles may have the chance this season to feature in 5-10 less important League and Cup games. If he can shine this season, he may get the chance to push Ronaldo more next season, but really he won’t be able to break through. However, he has the talent to take advantage of any long term injury to Ronaldo.
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The Alan Smith Appreciation Society Edition

Published by
Paul
at July 31, 2007 in Manchester United. 1 Comment

My dad is not a fan of Alan Smith. However, I became a fan whilst sitting in the stands at Old Trafford one Sunday evening. When United brought Arsenal’s unbeaten run to an end, Smith came off the bench and put in a typical hard challenge on some Arsenal lightweight (maybe even José Antonio “ex-Arsenal English weather hating can’t even take a tackle from Phil Nevill” Reyes) right in front of us. It was the sort of commitment that fans like.

Fergie was under the misapprehension that he could be turned into the next Roy Keane. That horror leg break put an end to that and when he made his recovery it was in midfield. He looked back to full strenght in that Roma game which enhanced my appreciation of him, but it was all a bit of a shroud.

He was essentially a poor man’s Mark Hughes, all the aggression but very little of the skill and finishing and it is no real surprise that he will soon be off (most likely to Newcastle if you believe the Manchester Evening News).

Here is Smith in a typically robust tackle with John Terry.

Wherever he goes, he will be liked and doesn’t leave United with bad feeling.

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Football Shorts: The Falklands Edition

Published by
Paul
at July 30, 2007 in Shorts. 0 Comments

No mention of Argentinians until either the Tevez or Heinze Conflicts are resolved.

Here’s what’s been happening in the world of Manchester United recently

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Football Shorts: The Goodbye Richardson Edition

Published by
Paul
at July 16, 2007 in Manchester United and Shorts. 0 Comments

Good evening. United fans up and down the country must surely be hoping for three things to happen before the end of the summer. Firstly, the Tevez transfer goes through. Secondly, Heinze decides to stay and rediscovers his form for next season (or at least does not join Liverpool). Thirdly, that Keiran Richardson does one.

Well, 1 out of 3 is certainly a done deal and has “done one” to Sunderland. I think he found his level when was on loan at West Brom and certainly never did anything in a United shirt to warrant a starting position. Also, he gave off the impression of gaining rather a big head.

It does raise some future concerns about a potential future manager going by the name of Roy Keane. When Steve Bruce bought Emile Heskey it pretty much put a nail in the coffin of him ever managing Manchester United. However, I’m told that Keiran is actually a quiet lad (unlike his cousin, Charley!) and Keane pretty much made it clear he knows what level Sunderland will be playing at this season.

“I’m well aware of what a good player and a good lad he is. He’s ready for a fresh challenge and we can provide that.”

Meanwhile, the Tevez transfer is going as fast as expected. You can read the frustration in the quote of “over-complicated”. The only group that can get anything positive out of this is Sheffield United who appear to want to appeal against the denial of the appeal for their last failed appeal. Or something equally silly. Give it a rest and get ready for next season. If you are good enough, you’ll get promoted again.

One bizarre twist was the news that Kia Joorabchian was on the run from the Brazilian authorities over money laundering.

Finally, sadder news comes in the form of the serious injury to Park which will keep him out until January and the fact that Heinze wants away. It isn’t quite a certainty that he will leave as Fergie doesn’t sound like he wants him to go, quite rightly.

“I am not too sure about that and we do not have a concrete offer but there is momentum regarding his next move, even if nothing is close right now.”

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The Great Position Debate: Centre Back

Published by
Paul
at July 12, 2007 in Manchester United and Position Debate. 2 Comments

Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have formed the best centre-half partnership since Bruce and Pallister.  They say opposites attract, but it can’t be truer in football than with Ferdinand and Vidic.  When paired with someone like Silvestre, Ferdinand plays like Calamity Rio.  But with a solid man like Vidic (and Terry for England) Rio has played out of his skin.  

When Vidic first signed, fans initially were sceptical, but I never doubted he would be a star.  He just looks so hard.  He did make some mistakes, but gave away fouls by blocking the player instead of making a worse mistake of letting them through.  Gradually he adapted and became so strong.

The main reserves last season when either Rio or Vidic were Wes Brown and to a lesser extent, Heinze.  Neither exudes confidence in this position.  Wes is a sort of Mini-me of Rio, incredibly talented, but prone to make terrible mistakes.  Heinze’s style of complete commitment and throwing himself towards the player and ball to make a great tackle is good for full-back when the centre-back can cover, but at centre-back it is just too scary (see the Milan semi-final 2nd leg last season for a example.

No, I’d look to our future for players next season, Jonny Evans and Gerard Pique now need first team experience to progress.  I’ve not seen enough of either of them, or reserve team captain, Craig Cathcart to judge them further.

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