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Losing My Mind Over Fergie
Call it what you will. Call it 'mind games', call it 'psychological manipulation', call it 'controlling the agenda', attach any impressive-sounding, exotic label to it as you see fit. But when Alex Ferguson murmurs some cryptic, spite-based banality in a press conference and a bunch of headline-starved hacks don't just pounce upon it, but blurt 'mind games' in Dolby Stereo to a waiting world that doesn't so much wait as sits back, fiddles with the remote control and mumbles 'whatever', my heart suddenly accumulates a quarter of a ton of misery and sinks lower than a Sun editor's sense of integrity.

Stop it. Just stop this annual fraud that says whenever Ferguson casts a lamely-acerbic aside, the tectonic plates of the football world shift in mortal fear of what his childish, third-rate garbling will accomplish. Will managers' tempers fray? Will they spontaneously combust? Will all the teams in the Premier League call up that extra army of psychologists to handle the onset of hundreds of nervous breakdowns?

No, and it's why Kevin Keegan should be forever be culpable for offering up, in his own uniquely bumpkin way, the behaviour that gave credence to this 'Ferguson Mind Game' crap which now goes into another tedious year. When Ferguson gave him the verbal shaft, then Newcastle boss Keegan acted like a blarting, hurtful six-year-old whose sweets had been swiped from his grasp, and not only exhibited the spinelessness that went toward costing him a possible Premiership title, but set the groundwork for a future phenomenon favoured and enjoyed only by Manchester United fans and obsequious journalists with the brownest of noses. The rest of us just sighed, handled the ensuing boredom in the best way we could and got on with it. As we still do.

Ferguson 'sets no-one's agenda'. He's not 'toying with us'. No-one else, who's not a Manchester United fan, will 'dance to his tune'.

The only effect these games have on the mind is when a ton's worth of dreariness descends upon it. And that's not a game worth playing.

Give it a rest.

Yours sincerely,
Ian James


Fergie's Mind Games
It's a bit like hearing the first cuckoo of spring really
Andrew Vince. Gold Coast


Peter Kenyon: Maybe A Genius
After the incredible feat of getting £5m for Steven Sidwell it now appears they will get £4m from City for Ben Haim.

I was thinking about selling my car, its not all that good but it's a solid reserve. Might get him involved...
Matthew Hanchett


GB 2012 Must Happen
Although I am a Scot, I think we must have to enter a football team into the Olympics in 2012. It would be hypocritical not to enter a team in after all the effort (and money!) that will be placed into London 2012.
I think Fergie would be a good manager for Britain, he has consistently got the best out of youngsters throughout his career and he would certainly strike the fear into any of the squad to go out there and get the job done.
Regarding Lord Moynihan's comments about Britain being a medal contender though.... Have Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England dominated at under 19 level at the moment? Don't think so and this is where the squad would be coming from in 2012.
To spark some debate. In 2012 who would the three wildcard picks be for the squad? I know its four years away but base it on current form and potential.
Al - Little to no work today - Reid

The Transfer Solution
After all the talk of transfers and contracts to be honoured. Talk of loyalty to the club, loyalty to the player. I've thought of a simple way around this.

I recently took a short contracting job on for a local firm. They agreed to pay me £X amount per week (sorry I don't want my accounts publishing for Mr Tax man to read). This was supposed to keep my cash flow flowing and my bills paid. Then on the end of the contract I got given a completion bonus that almost doubled my money.

Why can't we scrap signing on bonuses? Surely FIFA/EUFA make these illegal?

Then they can have loyalty bonuses. Basically the signing on bonus at the end of the contract. Surely this will encourage players to stick to their contracts, knowing they have a nice juicy worm (with a suitcase full of cash) at the end of it.

Let me use the Chrissy Ronaldo situation as an example. He wouldn't have received his signing on bonus when he signed is contract extension a year or so ago. That deal still had a couple of years to run.

The loyalty bonus (worth a couple of million maybe) from the original contract will be payable at the end date of that original contract in a year or so's time. Obviously so long as he doesn't move to Madrid or anywhere else in the mean time.

He would also be eligible on the completion of his contract extension to another loyalty bonus. Again, worth millions, but not a penny of that he will see if he moves.

Before the contract runs out, he is free to negotiate with United on a new contract. And within 6 months of the end of his contract with any other employer. (Well if I can line up work ready for when my temp contract ends why shouldn't he?)

I think this way, we get players wanting to stay loyal to the clubs they play wanting to get to the end of their contracts.

It should also protect the current transfer system. Though I don't know if this is a good thing, I can't think of a better way of handling this. Small clubs do need transfer fees from their best players to survive. Especially in the current climate.

Anyone else think this is a good idea?
John (who's next contract will sadly not be getting him £140,000 a week
to play football for the next 4 years), Pembrokeshire


Questions On The Barry Saga
As a Liverpool fan I have closely followed the (now, frankly, tiresome) Gareth Barry transfer situation, and heated debate in my office on the issue led to a few questions being raised. This may highlight an unbelievable level of naivety but I find teachers jobs so don't really care if I am ridiculously uninformed.

Is being a professional footballer (applicable to other sports) the only job which you cannot resign from, and subsequently serve a notice period?

For most it is one month, for teachers it is a term's notice; but what is the official ruling for footballers? For odious little pr*cks like Ronaldo and Ashley Cole it is only bypassed by throwing their diamond encrusted toys from their gold alloy plated prams; but what about the good guys like Monsieur Barry? A faithful club-man who, at the tender age of 28, has the ambition to challenge himself in The Champions League and (as it could be our year) fight for the EPL (sic) crown.

Is a transfer request a pseudo-resignation, or just an unequivocal statement of a wish to leave, only eventually decided by a willing buyer? M'ON is being a prize bell and effectively forcing him to stay in his 'job' against his will. Many learned individuals could even say this is a form of slavery.

One mail last week highlighted transfer tribunals, and how in the Barry case it would solve all the bickering and leave us to focus on the more poignant and fascinating parts of football. Like pre-season. What a joyous time - free-flowing football from each respective team's top players.....
Chris Evans


And Thoughts On Him Being Booed By The Villa Fans
He had already burnt all of his bridges after sounding off about the manager that saved him from a 6 Million pounds move to Portsmouth and propelled him into the England midfield.

He has had nothing but loyalty and support from the fans and the new management, but that didn't stop him downing tools for the last two games of last season after Raffa offered 10 million, the same amount that he was asking for Carson!

With regards to last night he didn't get much more than any other ex player and he was clapped off the pitch.

I really do wish him well wherever he's playing next season....
Stafford Villan


Nothing Courageous About Supporting ManYoo
I read both of yesterdays mail boxes and was extremely sad to not see a suitable witty and sarcastic response to Steve Jones' mail regarding the team he supports and why.

I would just like to pick up on one small point in his email, namely wanting resect for his courage to support Manchester United. Hmmmm, exactly what courage does it take to support the most successful club of the past 20 years for (and i'm making an educated guess from his email here) the past 20 years or less?!?!?!?

As the journalist Paul Morley wrote so succinctly "To support United is too easy. It's convenience supporting. It makes life too easy. There is no challenge. It is a cowardly form of escapism, a sell-out to the forces of evil" and not to mention "to support them is heroism in a can."

So please explain how you have been so courageous?

Was it looking down your nose at fellow school friends who supported their local team? Was it celebrating winning Premier League title after Premier League title? Please do explain how you have fought the detractors to remain brave and virtuous in your support of your child hood team for all these years?

A quick Google search shows that Sandhurst United is in Crowthorne, Berkshire, which is rather near Reading FC. Why not 'grow up' and support them instead?

I completely agree with the chap that wrote the email, about how a combination of blanket coverage by Sky of the Premier League and the numerous Message Boards, Forums, and assorted websites has (in their mind) legitimised the sheep that follow the Big 4 from all corners of England other than Manchester, London and Liverpool.

And this isn't an anti Manchester United rant, but a anti big 4 wagon jumping sheep rant, trying to justify their choice of easy team as courageous!! Pathetic!
Andy Davies, Manchester, MCFC


Paul Scholes: The Footballer's Footballer
How refreshing to see a footballer (Paul Scholes), upon talk of his retirement, say: "The only thing I will definitely miss is the football, not the general life of a footballer." If only all players had this attitude (if not his tackling). Scholes has an obvious love of football, whereas the majority of players only appear to care about their inflated salaries and personal glory.

I hope that the new crop of young footballers follow the example he has set, rather than focus on the size of their Bentley, and whether they'll be on £80k or £90k per week.
Rob Brown, Manc in Edinburgh


..."The only thing I will definitely miss is the football, not the general life of a footballer."

I *heart* Paul Scholes
D Hennessy


Although A Liverpool Fan Won't Accept That
am not writing in to talk about the CR7 debate, or the Liverpool/Man U tapping up row.

My point today is the about the sanctimonious ass kissing that the press make about Paul Scholes never having an agent.

This is not to detract from Scholes at all, he is a great (or as Jamie Redknapp would put it a Top, Top) player and has served his club and country in an exemplary fashion for years.

My issue is with the pundits who feel that all players should follow in his steps. Today on Sky Sports News one of the regular hacks was saying it again. Yes he has been without an agent his entire career, but when you are Paul Scholes that is quite easy to do.

I am sure his contract talks have gone likes this:-

Man U - Paul your 14 and a really good player. Do you want to train with us?

Paul Scholes - Yes please

Man U - Paul, your now 17 do you want to sign pro-forms

PS - Yeah ok

Sir Alex Ferguson - Hi Paul, I have seen you play in the youth team and reserves, would you want to sign an extension and as you are a good player we will double your salary?

PS - Great.

Some Agent - Hi Paul I am an agent, do you want me to represent you? I can get you lots of extra money and products to endorse.

PS - No thanks, I am happy just being myself.

SAF - Paul your 27 now do you want a long term contract that will tie you down for the rest of your career?

PS - Why not, oh and Boss I have quit International football.

SAF - Great


Now let's look at a player not so good:-

1st Division Club - Sorry lad your 17 but your not gunna cut it

Player A - But all I know how to do is play football, what am I gunna do now?

Club - Not our problem anymore

Player - Sh*t, now how can I get a club

Agent - I can get you trials, help you with the contract and all that stuff. But I want a percentage of anything you make.

Player - if you can get me a club you can have it.

So can the press please stop the ass kissing of players who have never had to trawl the lower leagues or have suffered the worry about where their next pay check is coming from.

Moan Over
Ian "Liverpool Fan" Hewison


Excuse The Pathetic Bad Language In This
So I might be getting reamed a new asshole at work but I've still got a reason to be happy. West Ham United have finally had a decent transfer window under Alan Curbishley. Too many times during last summer and January I would be living in a state of constant fear that we would be signing some s**t house over the hill player on a ridiculously high wage in what seemed to be Curbs' attempt to sign a circa Championship Manager 01/02 all star team. Obviously the real reason behind our improvement this year has been because of the introduction of Nani (not the pubic haired tw*t) as our Football Director.

The Italian has started off by bringing in 3 youngsters from Iceland, Hungary and Poland to boost the youth team and has now orchestrated the signing of Valon Behrami from Lazio for 5mil. This guy just ticks all of the boxes for a player who has the potential to succeed in the Premiership. He's young, can play at right back and anywhere across the midfield, doesn't have a massive ego and has got a tasty model girlfriend (http://www.elenabonzanni.fan-club.it/).

Not only this, we have managed to offload Bobby Zamora and John Pantsil for 6.3mil. F**k that's good money for some very average players.

The only thing that could perhaps spoil this good mood is reading something about Andy Johnson or El Hadji Diouf being brought in on 90k a week salaries.

Here's an idea for Platini and Blatter: instead of having a foreign/dometic player quota they should introduce a c*nt/non-c*nt quota
Ads, Melbourne



Still With The Makelele Debate
Gotta say, there's been some rubbish sent in regarding CP's original thoughts about the 'underrated' Makelele. (How can you be underrated if you've got a position named after you???)

CP from Cambridge didn't say wee Claude was utter sh%te, in fact he simply insinuated that the niche he's crafted out for himself on the football pitch is detrimental to the excitement for the viewers.

After all, look at the teams that have themselves a proper defensive midfielder ( in it's most limited sense) such as Chelsea (Maka) and Liverpool ( Javier M,) both clubs play some pretty ( wrong word) tedious stuff on the whole, whilst the more exciting Man United and Arsenal have ( or had) Carrick, Anderson and Flamini partnering their 'sparks' in Scholes and Fabregas.

The difference in the above footballer's attributes are obvious - whilst Anderson, Carrick and Flamini provide a get out option for the likes of Cesc and Scholes, they aren't defensive by nature and dare I say they got the attributes to be played in several positions if need be whilst Javier and Claude don't, (and both Chelsea and Liverpool have these less negative options in the forms of Alonso and Mikel.)
Of course Makelele and Mascharano have got important roles in their respective clubs - and we all know that they're imperative to the teams success, you can't take that away from them, but you can't also neglect the fact that teams that don't use the standard anchor contribute a lot more to the attack minded game that we all love.
(Barca just came to mind as well who have Xavi and Iniesta in the team, as opposed to partnering one who exemplifies the 'Nicky Butt' role.)

It would be stupid to say that you wouldn't win things with a Claude type - because obviously you can (and both Chelsea and Real Madrid have,) but that's not the point. What was initially questioned was what the likes of Makelele and co have done to change the formations in a game of football in a way which makes it a bit crapper to watch.

And if you do feel that it's necessary to add to the list of great footballers who had a massive impact on this country, then you'd probably have to add the likes of Schmiechal,Henry, Vieira and Ginola to the list well before little Claude.
Darren Pashen


...Hopefully this will be the last message in the Makelele debate.

If he had been that rubbish, would he have played most of his career for big clubs such as Real Madrid, Chelsea and PSG (sorry I'm a PSG fan, I haven't had a lot to celebrate in recent years) while at the same time having an important role in the French National Team for years and winning countless trophies on the way?

Just a simple thought I know but a player wanted by the greatest clubs and the greatest managers (I'm talking Real, Chelsea, Del Bosque and Mourinho here, not PSG and Le Guen unfortunately) can't be that bad can he?? Then again, what do I know??

As for the phrase ''Makelele role'', he just happened to be the best in his position at a time when journalists stopped looking at strikers and number 10s as the most important part of a team. If Hargreaves had been the best, it would have been called the ''Hargreaves role''. Finally, the ''Makelele role'' is only used in England. It isn't in France or in Italy...
Xav (very excited PSG fan), Colchester


Is Manuel The Goalie Good Enough?
It just hit me, I cannot think of one other regular starter or regular sub at L'Arse who isn't at some level in the reckoning for their national side.

Yes Arsenal has some players in and near our starting lineup that are not automatic starters for their countries, Clichy and Sanga come to mind, but at least they are in the reckoning and many believe they should be first choice.

Yes Arsenal in comparison to the rest of the big 4 probably has more players on the books from lesser football nations (Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Croatia, Togo, Denmark, Swiss, and previously Belarus etc) so it's logical that players from these countries would be regular starters in light that they play for a club as big as Arsenal.

Arsenal has a lot of very young players at or near the first team, but some of them are still in their senior national side reckoning (Theo now Vela and Ramsey) but at the very worst all of these young gunners are in their national reckoning for their age group. Has Almunia ever been?

AND to have a player at such a key position as Goalkeeper who is eligible for two international football heavyweights Spain and er...England, TO NOT EVEN BE CLOSE to selection for either at this stage of his career is alarming for a club as large and as ambitious (hopefully) as Arsenal Football Club. Top Clubs should have top internationals as goalies.

I admit it's going to be hard to ever feature for Spain with the seemingly ever excellent Iker Cassillas still only a baby in goalkeeping years at 25/26, but to not even have come close to being a reserve goalie for some meaningless friendly throughout all these years? And he is Arsenal Class????
Stewart, Miami