I couldn't help notice Metro describing Jamie Vardy as "loyal" this morning. Steven Gerrard really ****ed up the definition of that word, didn't he?
Not really. If I remember correctly Anderton played well for England when he missed a lot of the season
Schweinsteiger has been banished to the reserves at Utd. Was only 2 years ago (if that!) that he was by far one of the best midfielders on the planet, how things can change so quickly. If he can be got for a minimal fee, the time that signs him would be laughing providing he can stay injury free.
Not at all surprising tbh. He was cack most of last season and in a system that generally played slow, ponderous football that should've suited his dwindling abilities. He'd be useful to have around the training ground for the sheer experience and leadership qualities he has, but very few teams out there could afford his wages - rumoured to be around £130k per week. I reckon it won't be too long before he moves to the MLS for one last pay cheque.
I remember asking on the Prem board if any Utd fan could explain to me what he actually did. I meant apart from 5yd passes and point and shout a lot!....
I don't think LVG helped with the matter either, a number of top players seemed to lose form under him; Di Maria, Blind, Rojo, Darmian and Mata all flattered to deceive under his leadership.
At his pomp, he was a kind of quarter back, in that everything went through him or was orchestrated by him. Last season United were cack. I don't know that I would read much into his form given that and the injuries he suffered and probably carried. He seems very intelligent and if he could be got fit enough to play 30 or so games, he'd be a real asset. However, that's an 'IF' almost as big as his backside. Were United prepared to loan him and support his wage....
I would disagree with your assessment of Rojo, Darmian and Blind as 'top players' but you've certainly got a point for Di Maria and Mata - although in fairness the latter hasn't done too badly there, he was almost a permanent fixture under LVG and hit double figures both seasons. So, in summary, you're quite right about Di Maria
Yeah perhaps Darmian and Rojo aren't top players lol, although Rojo did have a superb world cup which put him on the map. I thought for the first month or two Darmian looked quality for Utd, solid in the tackle and very reliable, then LVGitis kicked in and he lost his way. Blind I'd stand by as a top player, having watched him regularly when he played for Ajax and after his impressive world cup display, I was a little disappointed he went to Utd as I'd have loved him at Spurs back then, think he's been massively under appreciated there, if he's to leave them then I think whoever buys him - providing they stick him at DM - they'll pick up a brilliant player..
Rojo is definitely a good example of how inaccurate international football is as a point of reference to club football, especially the brand of club football played in this country. On the one hand, half the teams in any given international tournament would struggle to make the top half of the PL (*cough* England *cough*), whilst on the other hand the brand of football tends to be cautious, ultra-conservative with teams more concerned about not losing than winning - this past summer with the ridiculous 3rd place qualifiers was an excellent example of this as teams went into games thinking '3 draws and we'll probably still qualify'. I think both Blind and Rojo struggle to cope with the pace of play in the PL. The former seems to be constantly the wrong side of his man whilst the latter is almost permanently out of position.
I wonder who's for the drop in the PL next season.....and do you think Newcastle are a lock to return looking back to their 5-1 thrashing of a certain team......?
I think that day we would have lost to the St Dunstan's Girls Under 9's Second XI. I agree Newcastle must be the shortest favourites for that league for some time. They've got a good manager and he's rebuilding a very poor squad and they'll have enormous support. It'll be a really major surprise if they don't go up.
This is not the first time I've seen you mention the Newcastle debacle recently. That performance and result still gives me nightmares. How Poch got off so lightly after the ending of last season is staggering. The guy completely blew it.
