The memories of that night in San Siro still haunts many of us. And though the score line yesterday was better that what we had to suffer there, the feeling of revenge was not complete. The AC Milan side is not nearly what it was all those years ago. There was no satisfaction of beating an elite side. And the fact that Milan are the second team in Serie A, rather than being a praise for the Milan team is a valid question of the quality and standard of the Italian league. The threats they posses are threadbare. All they have are the aging legs of Ronaldihno, Seerdorf, Pirlo, Gattuso. The problems they face almost mirror the problems that United have, the inability to replace past heroes. There is a crowd of central midfielders among the ranks at united, but barring Fletcher no one is really a big performer. Carrick, Gibson, Anderson. No one stands out. The need to replace Scholesy is becoming more and more crucial. United are asking a lot from the legs of Giggs and Scholes. It’s about time Nani stepped up. Valencia has been brilliant in his first season. An attacking midfielder and a proper striker have to be the prime objective for the new season.
Seeing Rooney perform time after time as a lone striker must give Fabio Capello something to think about. I would definitely play him alone up front and pay the medical staff at Tottenham a whole stash of cash to make sure Aaron Lennon is available for the big tournament. With Rooney’s astounding development in heading ability a proper crosser of the ball is essential. Maybe the inclusion of David Beckham wouldn’t be such a bad idea. He showed yesterday he can still cross the ball and cross it with the highest quality.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Still Unanswered
England 3-1 Egypt
That game didn’t help. At all. It did nothing to answer any of the questions asked of this England team. After a horrible first half, the team did pick it up in the second but nothing to say that this is the team that will win the world cup. Why does anyone even bother with Walcott these days? Remember when there was a tug of war between Liverpool and Arsenal for him, when he was supposed to be the next big English international? How far behind do those days seem now? He just runs. He should definitely not be on the squad. SWP did better. Well, he couldn’t do any worse. Wes Brown looked okay in the right back slot. That is the problem with England I guess. There are way too many 'okay' performances but too little brilliant ones. And yesterday's performance was nothing but okay. And though Crouch scored a brace, I would rather play Rooney up front on his own. Gerrard likes to play in the middle, so let him play in the middle. And most important get Aaron Lennon fit. He is essential. Absolutely essential. With all the names involved in the squad, the England team seems to be very imbalanced. There are a lot of promises that need to be fulfilled. And this is not the right time to take reverse steps. Time to move forward. And for the big result of the night, Spain beating France in France. Spain have got to be the favorites to win the whole thing this summer. Fabio better do something, and do it quick.
That game didn’t help. At all. It did nothing to answer any of the questions asked of this England team. After a horrible first half, the team did pick it up in the second but nothing to say that this is the team that will win the world cup. Why does anyone even bother with Walcott these days? Remember when there was a tug of war between Liverpool and Arsenal for him, when he was supposed to be the next big English international? How far behind do those days seem now? He just runs. He should definitely not be on the squad. SWP did better. Well, he couldn’t do any worse. Wes Brown looked okay in the right back slot. That is the problem with England I guess. There are way too many 'okay' performances but too little brilliant ones. And yesterday's performance was nothing but okay. And though Crouch scored a brace, I would rather play Rooney up front on his own. Gerrard likes to play in the middle, so let him play in the middle. And most important get Aaron Lennon fit. He is essential. Absolutely essential. With all the names involved in the squad, the England team seems to be very imbalanced. There are a lot of promises that need to be fulfilled. And this is not the right time to take reverse steps. Time to move forward. And for the big result of the night, Spain beating France in France. Spain have got to be the favorites to win the whole thing this summer. Fabio better do something, and do it quick.
The Pharaohs Come to Town
England vs Egypt
Ninety nine days to the world cup. England play Egypt, which could be a tricky tie. Egypt are no pushovers as the other participants of the African cup of nations will testify. They have been denied, what would have been a deserved place in the world cup. So, it should be a good test for Capello and his team. His team, which is hinged around the extremely talented feet, and of recent, head, of Wayne Rooney. He is in the form of his life, in exactly the right time. And it may turn out that the team to profit the most from the sale of C.Ronaldo is the English football team. There always is a worry of a burn out, but the stage of the world cup should provide enough incentive to push harder. There are of course 10 other players Rooney will have to share the field with, of which the most important in an attacking sense, would be Steven Gerrard. He is the axis around which the team rotates. His timed runs into the box could prove crucial in unlocking tight defenses. Although not playing brilliant at the moment, he is quality through and through and when the time comes he'll be ready. So we hope.
The problem really lies in defense. And there is an inevitable and very worrying question mark in every department of defense including the goal keeper. Right back: Glen Johnson, very good in attack, so-so in defense but injured. Centre of defense: John Terry, excellent defender but going through a horrible dip in form for well documented reasons. Rio Ferdinand, captain of the team, but a chronic absentee for both club and country. Left back: Ashley Cole, second best left back of the premier league, injured and off-match scandals threatening to hamper his football. Goal keeper:? Who should England play in goal? My candidate would be Joe Hart. He has had a brilliant season. But he's inexperienced and it seems unlikely that Capello will take a chance with him. Green? James? Kirkland? Foster? Just wish someone would make a real good case for himself in the next couple of months. Capello will make the right choice. He has to. He's capable enough.
So now to wembley, for tonight's game against the champions of Africa. Rooney to score a brace and one from Gerrard with a final score line of 3-1.
Ninety nine days to the world cup. England play Egypt, which could be a tricky tie. Egypt are no pushovers as the other participants of the African cup of nations will testify. They have been denied, what would have been a deserved place in the world cup. So, it should be a good test for Capello and his team. His team, which is hinged around the extremely talented feet, and of recent, head, of Wayne Rooney. He is in the form of his life, in exactly the right time. And it may turn out that the team to profit the most from the sale of C.Ronaldo is the English football team. There always is a worry of a burn out, but the stage of the world cup should provide enough incentive to push harder. There are of course 10 other players Rooney will have to share the field with, of which the most important in an attacking sense, would be Steven Gerrard. He is the axis around which the team rotates. His timed runs into the box could prove crucial in unlocking tight defenses. Although not playing brilliant at the moment, he is quality through and through and when the time comes he'll be ready. So we hope.
The problem really lies in defense. And there is an inevitable and very worrying question mark in every department of defense including the goal keeper. Right back: Glen Johnson, very good in attack, so-so in defense but injured. Centre of defense: John Terry, excellent defender but going through a horrible dip in form for well documented reasons. Rio Ferdinand, captain of the team, but a chronic absentee for both club and country. Left back: Ashley Cole, second best left back of the premier league, injured and off-match scandals threatening to hamper his football. Goal keeper:? Who should England play in goal? My candidate would be Joe Hart. He has had a brilliant season. But he's inexperienced and it seems unlikely that Capello will take a chance with him. Green? James? Kirkland? Foster? Just wish someone would make a real good case for himself in the next couple of months. Capello will make the right choice. He has to. He's capable enough.
So now to wembley, for tonight's game against the champions of Africa. Rooney to score a brace and one from Gerrard with a final score line of 3-1.
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