On the Eve of the new Season...

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  with that midfield, no one is going to want to play newcastle. and this is without barton
 
 i think the toon's main issue is lack of creativity, with the exception of jimmy. might improve when barton and butt come back, or if emre ever decides to play
 
 still might get a couple of right backs before the window closes, which will be a boost

The fact that they hired big Sam pretty much confirms that they weren't going for 'creativity'....he's the master of the long ball and bullying tactics, which worked fine for him at Bolton, but creativity just isn't his bag.

[godsshoeshine]

he did that at bolton because he could not afford world class creativity. now he can
 
 maybe you're right, but the we'll see

[Frank Gallagher]

Quote of the week....
 
 "Don't hoover up while Chelsea are playing because if you knock the telly, Robben will fall over."
 Former Dutch international Ruud Gullit quotes chaos theory scientists to give his verdict on Chelsea!
 
 (hoover = vacuum)

[brennser]

good article on adu

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by brennser:
  good article on adu

Adufus if you ask me..

[brennser]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
   

Originally posted by brennser:
  good article on adu

Adufus if you ask me.. [/b]

well thats pretty much the gist of the article....

[godsshoeshine]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=455386&cc=5901
 STAY AWAY   :mad:

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=455386&cc=5901
 STAY AWAY    :mad:  

It's interesting - Fergie has normally stayed away from the African nationals, but in this case, with Rooney returning right as the African Nations Cup starts, it makes a little sense.  I don't see him doing it, but it makes sense.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by brennser:
   

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
   Adufus if you ask me..

well thats pretty much the gist of the article.... [/b]

That's a little bit unfair.  
 
 He had been with Benefica for two weeks before that Champions League match - that's a little early to see significant playing time.  
 
 Now, had the article pointed out that he was a little hesitant when he did crack the squad at the 36th minute, it would have been more fair.  By the 70th minute, he was as bad as the rest of the team - that Benefica team looked awful against Copenhagen and I'm not surprised at all the manager was sacked.  Rui Costa was the only Benefica player worth a damn in that match. It was a typical Adu game - a few nice passes on runs down the side, but mostly a little lost in the middle.  He's 18, give him time to adjust to a new league and much better competition.  It was also his first UEFA match - I would have been a little in awe myself.

[godsshoeshine]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
   http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=455386&cc=5901  
 STAY AWAY     :mad:  

It's interesting - Fergie has normally stayed away from the African nationals, but in this case, with Rooney returning right as the African Nations Cup starts, it makes a little sense.  I don't see him doing it, but it makes sense. [/b]

supposedly anelka berbatov and huntelaar are in the mix too, so at least its quality. makes less sense to go for a smaller forward

[vansmack]

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  supposedly anelka berbatov and huntelaar are in the mix too, so at least its quality. makes less sense to go for a smaller forward

But any of those three would create a log jam when Rooney and Glass, I mean Saha, return.  Unless Saha is sold (but who'd take him, really), I don't see anyone but Martins making sense.  I think Berbatov was a fallback if Tevez wasn't aquired, and I just don't see United doing that with Tevez and Rooney already on the roster.

[vansmack]

Wednesday, August 22
 
 12:00 Armenia v Portugal Euro Qualifier (Set)
 2:30 Sweden v. USA Friendly (FSC)
 2:45 Belgium v Serbia Euro Qualifier (Set)
 4:45 Russia v Poland Friendly (Set)
 5:00 England v. Germany Friendly (FSC Delayed)
 6:30 Bosnia v Croatia Friendly (Set)
   
 
 Thursday, August 23
 
 5:15 Denmark v Ireland Friendly (Set Delayed)
 
 Two questions:
 
 How long until Owen hurts himself?  I'll make it easy - first half or second half?
 
 If Terry doesn't start and with Gerard out, does McClaren make Becks Captain again?

[godsshoeshine]

still cant believe that england cant seem to get any forwards to start for them besides crouch, owen and rooney, especially with two of those being hurt all the time

[Frank Gallagher]

Originally posted by vansmack:
   

Originally posted by god's shoeshine:
  supposedly anelka berbatov and huntelaar are in the mix too, so at least its quality. makes less sense to go for a smaller forward

But any of those three would create a log jam when Rooney and Glass, I mean Saha, return.  Unless Saha is sold (but who'd take him, really), I don't see anyone but Martins making sense.  I think Berbatov was a fallback if Tevez wasn't aquired, and I just don't see United doing that with Tevez and Rooney already on the roster. [/b]

I said it....but Fergie never listened to me. Where is Alan Smith when we really need him?
 
 We should've dumped Saha for 20 quid plus his medical bills and gave the physio a bit of a break, and kept Smith. He never got a chance at United. First of all they play him out of his natural position in midfield to try to fill Keanes boots, then he had that horrendous injury and was shipped out before getting match fit again.

[vansmack]

Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
  I said it....but Fergie never listened to me. Where is Alan Smith when we really need him?
 

I don't think this was all Fergie's doing.  I can remember him saying that he expected Smudge to stay at OT because of all the hard work and support the team put in to rebuilding his knee, but he went on to say that if Smith wanted a first choice starting position, he wouldn't stop him from moving either.  I think Smith might have asked for a transfer and it was granted.
 
 Of course Fergie could have taken the hard line approach like he has with Heinze, but I don't expect Heinze to remain at OT.  I just know he won't be going to Liverpool either.  He's heading back to France.