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The Question That One Person Is Asking
The most important question arising from this weekend's football:
Are Walcott's sideburns worst than Neville's moustache?
Lawrence, London
Nope
Can anyone think of a worse bit of business than signing Shevchenko and Senderos on the same day?
Rob, Cork
Good Idea
So Man Utd are only willing to pay £25m for Berbatov and Spurs want £30 for him... Here's an idea for you, as it has always been Berbatov's dream to play for Man Utd (well for the past 18 months anyway) why doesn't he stump up the difference out of his own pocket? I would imagine he could expect to earn around £15/20m over the next 3 or 4 years and surely this would be a small price to pay to follow ones dreams...!!!
Matt Clark, Bristol
Don't Judge Rooney As A Goal-Scorer
There has been a lot of debate recently about Wayne Rooney and his contribution to England and United.
People get too hung up on Rooney's goal return. In Cantona's 5 seasons at United he scored 64 league goals in 143 games, at the peak of his career. Rooney, still yet to peak, has scored 53 goals in 129 games and is still learning the game.
Rooney is no more an out-and-out striker than Eric was, and his goal return per season is much the same as Eric's was, and Rooney has already scored twice as many goals in Europe as Cantona. Last season Rooney was instrumental in winning the double.
Where's the problem?
Same for England... If we compare Rooney to Sheringham a more similar deep-lying forward, rather than a one-dimensional poacher like Owen we find that a still learning Rooney has scored 14 times in 44 games compared to the 11 times in 51 contributed by Sheringham. Let's also not forget how young Rooney is, at the same age Zidane had only just made it into the French team, and he turned out OK.
Rooney is not Van Nistelrooy, or Owen, he provides so much more to the teams he plays for. His goal return, when compared to players that play in a similar role, is more than respectable. His selfless attitude and willingness to put the performance of the team above personal glory is laudable and is an object lesson to some of the more selfish players who are more concerned with personal achievements and glories.
Mike Christie
A Call For Calm At The Lane...
Can I make a plea for some return to sanity at White Hart Lane, on behalf of all of us long suffering season ticket holders. We had steady progress under Martin Jol, and whilst he may not have been perfect, in the main he had the support of the fans, and we could see progress. But Daniel Levy wants more, and he wants it now. Well I think it's about time Spurs fans heard from him if he actually has any coherent plan, other than appearing to act tough with the likes of Manchester United and Liverpool.
Most supporters accepted, if unhappily, that Berbatov was going to Old Trafford since the start of last season, so why has the current farcical situation arisen. During last summer, Jol was presented by the Sporting Director with a selection of young prospects, Kaboul, Taarabt, Bale etc, and was then effectively turned into a lame duck before they had bedded in. Then we buy a higher calibre of player, Dos Santos, Woodgate, Modric, Bentley, but let Defoe go when common sense might have suggested he was a better long term prospect than the departing Bulgarian.
It will be interesting to see how Modric and Dos Santos fit in to life in the Premier league in a team that is likely to have zero points after three matches. To me they are the sort of 'marquee' signings that can be brought in to complement a settled side, which we are not. It is worrying that in a summer that saw Keane, and it is to be hoped now, Berbatov going, that such signings whatever their quality were seen as a priority. This summer Spurs needed a good strong defensive midfielder, we needed cover for our porcelain centre backs and an additional striker, and these three priorities do not seem to have been addressed.
Spurs produced a typical new manager surge between the arrival of Ramos in October and the Carling Cup win at Wembley, would that win have happened against Mourinho or Scolari?, I doubt it. From where I sit the team that lost to Sunderland on Saturday looked less likely to challenge than the one that lost to Everton in the corresponding opening match last season. Ramos has totally failed to convince me so far that in the Premier League he will achieve any more than Jol. I accept he may be a better manager, but with the two muppets Stadtler and Waldorff (Levy & Comolli) in the background, I suspect old Rednose himself would struggle to achieve much.
Levy! Get it sorted.
Jim (Spurs since '59) French, Herts
...Not Heeded
Considering the treatment that Martin Jol received from the Spurs board after a bad start to last season (including a loss against Sunderland, except Jol lost at the Stadium of Light rather than on his own turf), does that mean that Juande Ramos is, how you say, f*cked?
Andy Wilson
Picking On Liverpool
In response to Glen (yes I'm bitter) Stuart, NZ.
Let's compare his comments to Liverpool's season thus far:
"but still needed a goal from an unlikely source (Fletcher) to grab the win and struggled to finish the game off"
Carragher against Middlesborough - a regular scorer?
"VERY average the other night, and would have lost two points if it weren't for a magic Deco free-kick"
Similarities to Torres' Magic strike in an unconvincing 1-0 win against Sunderland?
"Arsenal - hmm, no offence Fulham, but losing to them would definitely not have been in the predictions pre-season"
Admittedly, they didn't lose to Standard Liege, but surely a 0-0 against a poorer side than Fulham wouldn't have been in the predictions pre-season either.
I know it's unfair, but the scousers are easy targets!
Tristan "If Fletcher is the new Ronaldo, then Titus Bramble is the new Bobby Moore", Ireland
Getting The Gag
All this talk of Fletcher being the new Ronaldo makes me laugh. The guy has scored against Newcastle and Pompey, surely he'd have to score against a big team before he can be compared.... oh wait.
Martin Southall
Yeah, Don't Be Too Smug
With reference to my letter printed 06/08/08 'A One Man Fan Club' (referring to Darren Fletcher being the best thing since sliced bread) Im not the kind of guy to say, I told you so...but...
I told you so!
Not only has the rise of Sir Fletch pleased me but it has made me look like a football predicting genius. I salute the gifted one and look forward to more exemplary performances from Man Utd's number 1 right sided midfielder.
Martin 'available for palm reading' Grainger
Indeed
Good to see the Utd fans out in full force this morning! I would have thopugh they'd all be in bed nursing sore bell-end's from the way they've been bangin one out all night over Daz Fletcher.
Dan Benvenuto
Well Played Sir
I hate to say it as a Tottenham supporter but SAF has absolutely run rings around us over Berbatov. First act interested, then pretend not to be, come to the negotiating table, move away, come back, move away. All conducted through drinking buddies on the tabloids, needless to add.
Sick of the usual ManYoo arrogance and buoyed by some good pre-season showings, the Tottenham board understandably says stuff you, this is the price, take it or leave it. He leaves it but continues to leak like a cabinet meeting. Meanwhile the player gets sick and tired of the media storm and, even in the unlikely event he wasn't that interested in going to ManYoo anyway, decides he wants out.
Result: less than a week before the transfer window closes, we are sitting on a wasting asset who is of no use to us at all, the other possible buyers have gone elsewhere and we will end up selling him to them at far less than he is worth and will either run out of time to get a replacement or pay over the odds for one because our desperation is going to be obvious to one and all. Apparently we are looking at Heskey now, for f***'s sake.
Plus, instead of departing on good terms, Berbatov ends up reviled at WHL and can become part of the hysterial you-all-hate-us-we-don't-care atmosphere that SAF has drawn on so well down the years.
Andrew (this has nothing to do with him being in my fantasy team) Warmington
Arsene Doesn't Know
I am becoming increasingly bewildered by Wenger's apparent lack of awareness of what is going on on the pitch with Arsenal.
1. Gallas - I have been arguing for well over three years that this man is an AWFUL defender. I cringed when my beloved Gooners signed him. His positioning is diabolical. Flamini made sure that his flaws were covered by patrolling the area in front of him perfectly. Don't even get me started on what a knobhead and pathetic captain he is. Worringly - his crapness is effecting Kolo's performance and Clichy's attacking game.
2. Eboue - Oh lordie. He actually can't do anything. A horrible specimen that for some reason retains a position in the team (even if it is blatently out of position). He would not make my Sunday league team. And we are crap.
3. Walcott / Wilshere / Ramsey - Walcott is a striker. Not a winger. When played as a striker he looks superb. Really awesome. On the wing he looks lost. He is not a winger. (see Messr Henry's career as a winger vs his career as a striker).
- Wilshere is a winger. Yes he is 16 but god he was superb pre-season. also because he is aged 16 he will not be driven by ego and unlikey to become an egotstical wa**er who is worried about money, celebrity and OK magazine. (thats you Rooney, Lumpard, Gerrard - actually all English players except Bullard). Pace, power, crossing ability and "works the full back" (Lee Dixon will be pleased).
- Ramsey - am I mistaken or is he not a central midfielder? and a very competant and talented one too? That cost a decent amount? Best play that crap right-back Eboue in the centre then Arsene.
Arsenal have now put in three of their worst performances since the start of the season. And I fear that nothing will change. For me, I am slowly not trusting in Arsene.
CP (Irish Gooner in London)
What If...
Interesting reading about the troubles at West ham these days. Whenever I see reports of another player leaving, I always think to myself "what if they'd kept their top players?" Here is a line up I have come up with of ex/current hammers still playing at the top level who I reckon would have a realistic shot at the top 4:
GK - James
RB - Glen Johnson
CB - Rio
CB - Upson
LB - McCartney
Midfield - Lampard
Midfield - Carrick
Midfield - Parker
Midfield - J Cole
Striker - Kanoute
Striker - Defoe
That looks a bloody good side to me with a mix of just about everything you need to be a successful side! If I've missed anyone out, apologies in advance!
Tim (how many Hammers are saying "if only" right now) Collins
Tim, Can We Suggest You Do Some Work?
Where do I start in John Nicholson's column today? Well... What a load of absolute s**te I suppose would be a good start...
His title says "There is no business like Football" and then proceeds to try and compare it to other businesses. Why do people continue to come up with this shite analogy when trying to make a point that footballers are paid too much???
Don't get me wrong, I'm not disagreeing that Lampard's contract is daft and that Owen shouldn't be getting half a million a month to be unfit, but just say that instead of trying to justify it with some stupid business analogy. Football has customers that no other business has, they will stay with them through just about anything (ask Leeds fans for one example of that).
The performance related pay idea sounds plausible and a decent idea but is in fact yet another load of old tosh!!! Everybody has bad days at the office (yes, that includes everybody in all walks of life), but they still get the same pay packet at the end of the month. To punish someone for being fallible and human is a strange way of looking at life if you ask me. Plus how can you have one system in one league and another in another league, its stupid!!!
I would love to know how John would expect to get round a scenario whereby a player coming back from injury that is clearly way off the pace but has done his boss a favour by declaring himself fit to play and done his best but was in fact shite for the entire game??? Classic case of that was Rooney against Newcastle. He had to play as there was no one else fit or available, but to reduce his pay by 2/3rds because of that is idiotic!
The clubs can do it under the current system if they wished anyway. Take the Berbatov case, where it is clear that he has not been mentally right to play for Spurs. It's his job to get himself right and they would be perfectly within their rights to fine him 2 weeks wages each and every time he doesn't get himself in mental shape to play. I guarantee that he'd be fine after the 1st couple of fines. O'Neill did it with Barry over the paper article and hey presto Barry is fit and available and playing well in the 1st team again - what a fucking surprise - NOT!!!
Tim (I agree it's a problem but this isn't the solution by any stretch) Collins
R.E.S.P.E.C.T
Am I the only slightly annoyed by Sky and, in particular, Andy Gray last night. Martin Tyler and Gray spent the entire match extolling the virtues of the Respect campaign and how it should have a positive impact on the game. Then, in the last couple of minutes, a decision goes against Darren Fletcher by the Portsmouth corner flag (being a biased United fan I agreed with Fletch) and he rants and raves at the linesman for an extended period of time. The referee, rightly, flashes a yellow which causes Andy gray to comment "the ref's been a bit petty there". Jesus, make up your mind. Now, this may not be printed as it is pointing out one of Sky's foremost sports figures contradicting a campaign that the company is so visibly supporting, but I don't understand how Andy can possibly have said this when he's been championing exactly this sort of response all game.
Possibly a petty response from me too but in the words of Peter Griffin, it really grinds my gears.
Alante, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Any Thoughts People?
I like Birdy's idea for a Sheva sweep, but you need to consider the whole Sheva story, and I appear to be missing a key piece of the jigsaw.
Whilst I was leisurely enjoying my extra day off yesterday sitting in my pants in front of the TV eating Dorritos, I was reading an article in The Times' monday football supplement, 'The Game' about Stevie-Me's role in the England team. Squeezed onto to the end of the article, Martin Samuel wrote "José Mourinho had a private theory on why Andriy Shevchenko flopped at Chelsea. He would not voice it publicly and, if you had heard it, you would know why. It will be interesting to see if the Ukraine striker now regains his form after his return to AC Milan."
Now, I have spent this morning trawling dubious internet sites to find out what the Special One's theory is but with no luck! If it was that Sheva's legs had gone and with it, his pace, then surely Jose would have articulated it - so it must be something else!? And Jose's 'theory' suggests that Sheva may refind his scoring form. So what is it? Can't play in blue? Perfomance enhancing drugs in AC Milan's breakfast cereal? A conspiracy between AC Milan and referees in the Serie A... surely not!! Does anyone know the answer? Help! It's driving me nuts.
Daniel (Banksy is not one person but a collective of street artists - or is it?) Nicholls
Quite So
I am so glad that Harry Redknapp was not given the England job.
Tom Fitzgerald, London
Found One
In reponse to Tony Foley's idea for 'Brazengland' I decided to try to think of a decent footballing country who might actually be up for doing a deal with us. Brazil aren't too bad economically these days, and also aren't the football force of old. No, what we need is a country with top quality footballers who are up the economic creek without a paddle but who don't hate us with a passion. How about Argent....ah, perhaps not. But wait, I've found a country whose economy is crashing, with a weak and bumbling leader and a passion for football.... Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present to you...England-England!
Joe (God I'm bored) BWFC
Pedants' Corner
Could I just point out, as I've seen two emails making the same mistake now, that there are three countries in Great Britain, not four. There are four in the United Kingdom, but the only countries in Great Britain, the biggest island of the British Isles - 'great' also means 'large', you seen - are England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, but geographically it's part of Ireland (the island, not the Republic of Ireland). I know year two geography was a long time ago, but come on...
But no, I don't know why we have Team GB instead of Team UK either.
Olly
Old
Re: Billers (at least city won) "The day the dream died..."
We've quite often contemplated this over a pint. The fact that you are now old at 30 and really not going to make it as a professional footballer.
Just to hammer this home, the next time some kind of 'next big thing' article comes out on some Rooney-esque straight-in-to-the-first-team-at-16/17 young buck, check his birth date. Then try and think what you were doing and how old you were when he was born.
Sickening.
Paul Coleman (can pompey run out to Yazz before their next home game?)
...I know exactly what Billers is talking about. I'm an Arsenal season ticket holder and, at the age of 24, I am almost certainly now too old to play for Arsenal.
Tim 'still wears a hoodie though' Stillman
