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Not So Keane...
So it looks like Rafa's intent on splashing £20m and an £80k a week contract on one of the most overpriced transfers in premiership history. Im sure that the managers of Barcelona, Madrid, AC Milan, Man Ure, Arsenal and all the other major clubs around Europe will be crying into their corn-flakes at the news that Robbie Keane is no longer available to sign. The mind boggles.
This is your last chance Rafa.
Gavin McCarthy
What's Rafa Thinking?
With the arrival of Keane, is Rafa planning a 4-4-2? If so, where will Gerrard play? What will happen Liverpool's defensive record, considering that their flat back 9 has been the bedrock of boredom for the last few years? With all this new space for the opposition to find, will Liverpool concede more than Robbie can contribute at the other end? Will Liverpool be out of the race by October? Is there really no better striker around for TWENTY MILLION POUNDS? Seriously?
Joe Donohoe
Market Forces
If Aston Villa's price for Barry is so reasonable, even really cheap as Martin O'Neill claims, why has nobody else come in for him? I think the lack of other interest at Villa's price, for a current England international, is the true measure of the price being asked.
Bob N, Dublin
..I think Mr O'Neill is trying to play mind games with Rafa to try to hurry him into paying over the odds for Barry. Don't take the bait Rafa.
Dave Bridge
We Need A Lawyer For This One
Could anyone shed light onto whether Gareth Barry's public assertion that:
"My mind's made up, I want to join Liverpool. There's no going back, it's time for me to move on. I'm desperate to play Champions League football and that's why I have to leave Villa."
Is an equivalent to a written transfer request and therefore grounds for Villa not to pay him a loyalty bonus, therefore facilitating his move to Liverpool for the £16m Liverpool have allegedly offered?
On a side note how can you dismiss the team someone supports based on where they are from? That's only a short step away from racism frankly.
Nick Kowal, London Gooner
Sing Along
I would just like to ask if those Villa fans who thought it was funny to sing Eduardo songs at The Emirates a few months back would now be similarly amused if travelling supporters were to do the same with Wilfred Bouma at Villa Park. Not quite so funny when you see your own player in agony & his team mates crying is it?
Dan (Best wishes Wilfred) Needham
Wanting Barry At Arsenal
With Bouma out and Liverpool acting like clowns, do you think there's a chance that a cash plus Justin Hoyte (I know, he's poo) deal might bring Barry to Arsenal?
It's be great to think it could for three big reasons. Most importantly, the fans need a statement of intent from Arsenal at the moment, we need to see a commitment to success right now rather than in a few years (as a mate pointed out this weekend, I've been saying that Arsenal were three years from greatness for at least four years). Gareth Barry is a very good player who can pass, tackle and has great delivery from set pieces, and most importantly he's in his prime.
Secondly, Fabregas emerged when the squad was packed with talented midfielders and Flamini had to prove himself worthy after Gilberto had his best year for the club and captained Brazil to the Copa America and Diarra had been bought; as much as I'd love Diaby or Song to step up and prove themselves to be Champions' League-quality midfielders right now, I don't think they're ready yet and there's a lot to be said for competition sorting the wheat from the chaff (and anyway, Alex Song is probably going to be our back up central defender... hmmmm).
Thirdly, it'd be nice to see another British player brought in. That's not for any Daily Mail reason, but because I'm absolutely fed up with our players constantly being linked with moves to Real etc. It's only a matter of time before Fabregas moves back to Spain (though at least that'll be for an unholy amount of money), Flamini and Hleb have just completed 'dream' moves to the continent, and Adebayor wants to follow them, it seems. Whether or not it's lazy journalism that sees our foreign players so regularly linked with moves to the Italian or Spanish leagues, there's no doubt that players from the UK rarely end up playing there and an Arsenal side stocked with British players like Walcott and Barry and hopefully Ramsey, Lansbury and Simpson one day would be less susceptible to the destabilizing effects of the summer's transfer rumours.
Now, clearly there's a 50% chance I haven't even heard of the player that Wenger will bring in and, if Bacary Sagna is anything to go by, a very good chance that he'll be a very good addition to the squad but if Wenger wanted the perfect signing, he's be on the phone to Villa right now.
William O'Doherty
Tevez Needed At ManYoo
As a Man Utd fan I must say I am delighted that the Tevez deal is close to being done. Ronaldo scored 42 goals last year but I truly believe he did this because Tevez and Rooney were prepared to work for him by dropping deep and chasing the ball around. Also they were prepared to play out of position to allow Ronaldo more freedom. Carlos also has the knack of scoring important goals. Guys with team spirit like that are invaluable. Long after they are gone people will probably refer to this Man Utd team as the 'Ronaldo team'. Rooney and Tevez may not have Ronaldo's goal ratio but the contribution they make is I feel equally important.
Quickly on Tevez' price. It seems like it is rather high but I am sure this includes certain clauses. I doubt we will be paying 32 million straight up.(If we are paying 32 million at all) Of course the media 'crazy media' as Fergie puts it will go for the headlines.
Eddie 'Fergie is GOD' Johnson
And Not So Keane On Sunderland Either
Is it me or is Roy Keane looking to build up the league's most hated team?
Pascal Chimbonda first and now El Hadji Diouf potentially on his way to the Stadium of Light. These players seem totally at odds with Keane's views of players when he was in his prime. Didn't he hate this type of player (ie work shy and money grabbing).
Other strange signings include Dwight Yorke and Kieran Richardson, who both enjoy a large night out...Who next for the Mackam's, Joey Barton?
Don't get me wrong I have nothing against Sunderland or Keane, but he does seem to be going against his entire footballing philosophy. Maybe next he'll bring in Alfie Haaland as first team coach.
Chris Nixon, HK
Will The Real Michael Owen Please Stand Up?
I know the usual way to provoke debate in this mailbox is to post a ridiculously one-sided, often ill-informed (hopefully this is a little better), account of a story, but I thought I'd try another method. For some years now the issue of Michael Owen has bothered me, and has come to the surface again with reports he may be moving in a years time. How should he be regarded as both a player, and in terms of his c**t/non-c**t status?
As a player - brilliant for Liverpool and responsible for one of the best world cup moments for England fans in the last decade. Didn't see much of his time in Madrid, but got the impression (think it was from the ever-excellent Guillem Balague) that he was unlucky with injuries and team selection (always difficult when Raul has to be picked), and his record of 13 goals in 35 apps suggests he did well. Now for Newcastle. Again, he has been unlucky with injuries, and has undoubtedly lost the yard of pace that made him so dangerous as a teenager. But was his spell as a centre midfielder at the back end of last season really enough to suggest he would be receiving a host of offers in excess of the 105k he already (allegedly) receives? Furthermore, was he really that great last season or was this on the crest of a wave regarding the return of Keegan's barmy attacking football, and in comparison to his Newcastle teammates who were generally lacking in talent and effort (especially in central midfield)?
As a man - While all of the following is largely based on what comes out of the red tops, I would love to hear from anyone who can prove/disprove some of these stories. The picture painted of Michael Owen on this and other sites, is often one of a money-grabbing mercenary with an alleged gambling addiction. This is in stark contrast to the image of the clean-cut, if quite dull, image that saw him become both a pin-up and a popular figure in the football world while at Liverpool. While I understand his desperation to leave Madrid, and at the time, Newcastle presented perhaps the only option after his dream return to Liverpool didn't materialise, but has he really conducted himself well at Newcastle? I know it's not his fault he was injured playing for England, but the current stories regarding his desire for a new contract seem a little distasteful considering how little of his previous wages he has 'earned'.
Don't know if anyone else is similarly confused about a man who could still become England's leading goalscorer of all time, but I'd like to suggest it beats talking about CR7/Ade-pay-more/or Gare Bare.
Marcus (Behrami's missus is great), WHUFC
Is This Tapping Up?
If Cesc Fabregas had told Ramon Calderon "not yet", is it safe for us to assume that they had actually spoken about the move? As far as I know, Real Madrid has not made an official offer to Arsenal on this (or have I missed something?). With all this 'tapping up' arguments going on all summer ... can anyone please help explain where this stands?
Keeps, Kuala Lumpur
Standing Up To Be Counted
Re: Carl M, why people stand
I find your observation interesting, but the reason people stand up whooping in church and lift their arms is in order to get 'closer' to their 'God', to feel 'elevated'; sports fans like to stand as it makes urinating in the pocket of the person in front easier, i can't see that it's to gain any sense of greater involvement.
It's a shame that terracing has gone out of favour though, what I feel has been lost is the tribal fervour you got from two sets of opposing fans standing behind the goals at opposite ends of the pitch who were ready to battle-charge the length of the field to get at each other at any flashpoint during a game. Now what do we have? Has anyone else fallen alseep at Old Trafford because of the sullen atmosphere? I must note though that I saw the Liverpool fans fill the entire Darwen End at Ewood, every one of them on their feet. Superb. Still lost 1-0 though :)
Paul, BRFC
Location, Location
Why does where you live have anything to do with who you support? I live in Cornwall which has precisely zero football teams in any of the recognised leagues in this country. Does this mean I am denied supporting any team at all apart from my local non-league team?
That's total crap in my opinion. Even if I shifted allegiance from Cornwall to Devon I would have two choices, Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United (Exeter would have made it three but they got relegated a few years back). What is the difference between supporting Plymouth Argyle in a different County (let alone a different Town) and supporting Man Utd (also in a different County and different Town).
Before anyone takes aim and moans about glory hunting, I supported Man Utd from the late seventies (I would have been about 12) and apart from one memorable FA Cup win against the old enemy Liverpool we won fuck all for most of the late seventies and the eighties. And I had to put up with a younger brother who supported Liverpool when they won everything going (and yes he had to make a decision about who he was going to support too!)
Personally I think a real fan is one who cares about his "team", who feels physically sick during the game if it is not going well, veers from wild optimism to severe pessimism about how we are going to do in the next match, and stays with the same team come what may. Admittedly it's been a bit easier in the nineties and noughties than it was in the eighties but I paid my dues and suffered back then, I deserve to enjoy it now.
And finally the main reason I wanted Man Utd to be MY team was the way they played. Even in the eighties they tried to play entertaining football with skill and enthusiasm, always attacking but sadly not consistent enough and with managers who did not have the nous of Alex Ferguson. He understood that a good team starts with a solid defence and then built flair on top.
Anyway, flame on!
Ian (I was trying hard not to get annoyed about this but I did!)
Let's Have A Few Hundred Words Providing A Club-By-Club Transfer Guide
WTF is with all the blinkered, sound-bite swallowing hordes penning the same media-manipulated drivel day after day? It's amazing how easily people adopt supposition then posit it as unquestionable truth, often with absurd posturing and silly personal vitriol. Simply back up, take off the tinted specs, and have a truly panoramic gander at what is going on.
Aston Villa. Gaz Baz is no Rooney - bailing his boyhood club after a couple of seasons. He's a 10 year servant (which equates to loyalty in this day and age) simply wanting a chance to take his career to the next level. MON doesn't want to sell and has priced his asset out of a move. The truth is, 99% of league chairman would have taken 15 mil + Finnan as a smart bit of business for a 28 year old. The acrimony between some Villa and Liverpool fans is silly and really not worth dignifying.
Liverpool. After four legitimate (the last being more than fair) offers for Barry, Rafa has every right to turn his attentions elsewhere, or take his time before going back with another offer. His interest in Barry does not necessarily mean a newfound dislike for Alonso. Despite the idiot drivel that Rafa doesn't know what he's doing, the shrewd man will build a squad capable of many tactical options and formations that may well include both midfielders. Let's not forget that Barry is the consumate utility player (which Rafa has a penchant for) that made it into the England squad as a left-back and left-sided midfielder not so long ago. Xabi has waned in the last two seasons and is not as suited to premiership play as Barry - but that still doesn't mean that it has to be either/or. Rafa may well sell others such as Pennant, Arbeloa, Voronin, etc. to help fund his transfers. In reality, Alonso is tailor made for Serie A, where one gets much more time on the ball.
Spurs. It's unfortunate that both main strikers want to leave - but as with Barry, 18mil is good business for the 28 year old Keane. With Arshavin and Villa interested, it might not be a bad time to cash in either. Other team managers are within rights to show interest for players - as are chairman in keeping players that they have. Tottenham are a good second tier team, knocking on the door to the big four, and will continue to do so with or without Keane and Berbatov. In Ramos, they have an excellent manager who will build for the future and take the club forward. Levy has every right to try and avoid selling his best players to the world's richest club - just as Keane has a right to fulfill his dream in playing for his boyhood idols.
Man Utd. They may or may not have been guilty in the Berbatov case - but we all know that old Whiskey Nose has flouted the rules over the years because of his standing and club position. None of this is news and Levy is entitled to take a stand if he thinks he has a case. Fergie is a proven, capable manager that has done well, albeit with the most money and resources over the years. There is no reason to doubt that Harry Redknapp would have done just as well with the same deck of cards - but perhaps more reason to wonder how the great SAF would do at a club like Portsmouth. He's wiley and cantankerous in his windups - but no sage. It wasn't team age that caused Chelsea to miss winning the Champions league by one penalty - it was sheer luck! Of course, lucky decisions and breaks are a big part of Fergie's net success.
Of course, I shall be slated by the blinkered brigade for my lucidity - but at least I can say I came to it by a Kantian surmisal of the facts and not through a blind surrender to media sloganeering.
Daniel (ex-pat), Colorado
