Tag Archive for 'ferguson'

Major blow for Chelsea

Published by
Paul
at September 9, 2008 in News. 0 Comments

The BBC reports that Chelsea midfield Michael Essien will be out for months after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.  This is a major blow for our main rivals as I see Essien as Chelsea’s key player.

Make no mistake, Chelsea are still a good team without him, but Essien is the sort of player that can raise the whole team to a new level of performance with his drive.   Think of Roy Keane but (occasional poor tackles aside) without the red cards.

He was criminally underused by Chelsea, often playing at right back or centre back.  Would Fergie have tried to play Keane at rightback for any length of time?  I do remember Paul Ince playing in that position for a few games in the 90’s but that was for a very short period of time.  Essien may have been a competant defender, but it removes a very potent midfielder from the side.

Chelsea have got good options in midfield and I think this will make matters worse for them.  It may seem that they will be okay without him, but it will mean the odd point or two will slip every so often which will leave them short come the end of the season.

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United’s midfield is stronger than the 99 team

Published by
Paul
at March 2, 2008 in Articles. 2 Comments

Scott the Red points out that Fergie is a bit sentimental after all

Sir Alex Ferguson has today said that despite not naturally being a sentimental man, he will certainly be starting Paul Scholes if United make it to the Champions League final again this season.

It’s interesting to note that United’s midfield in 99 picked itself. Scholes, Keane, Giggs and Beckham and there was very little in reserve. Now, you can’t name United’s best midfield with the exception of Ronaldo. One week Anderson is being brilliant, the next Scholes is back and is just as good. Should you pick the experience of Giggs or the youth of Nani?

Perhaps Fergie is right and this squad is better than the 99 team and will prove it in the Champions League this season. Both Scholes and Keane picked up bookings in the 2nd leg of the Semi Final against Juventus and whilst there is no one player in the side as important as Roy Keane was, you can imagine that a key midfielder in danger of missing the final would be rested in the 2nd leg.

If Scholes was a booking away from suspension, he wouldn’t start that second leg game and you’d know that Anderson would do a good job in his place. The exception to this, in midfield at least is Ronaldo who can usually be relied on not to pick up a stupid booking.

The midfield in the exception. Everyone knows the first choice keeper and defence. With Neville still injured Brown, Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra pick themselves for all but the easiest of games. Up front Rooney’s name would always be on the team sheet and when United play 4-4-2, Tevez will be alongside him.

The midfield is where you need to be fittest and it is going to be a key department in the league run in this season. Whilst Fabregas and Flamini will have played virtually every game for Arsenal; Scholes, Hargreaves, Anderson, Carrick and even Fletcher will have played a rotating role and be fit and fresh til the end of the season.

Last season United limped over the line in first place in the title run in and ran out of steam in the Champions League semi and FA Cup final. This season, I’m sure it won’t be a problem

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