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Not too far away now. I see that Aston Villa look likely to sign Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan. In my opinion he is a far superior player to Stuart Downing, also slightly younger and definitely less expensive. I suppose Liverpool went for Downing to compliment Andy Carroll, as he does send in a lot of decent crosses.
Ferguson has denied any approach for Sneijder, saying that there's no real interest for many reasons...I'd love to hear some of them because, to me, he's exactly what they need.
Not pushed on N'Zogbia myself. Seems to play one good game in five. Would have preferred Ashley Young myself to Downing but all in all not much between the two of them imo. Just happy to be spending again as opposed to sell to buy. Bar the season under Jose don't think Sneijder has been anything special would prefer Modric. Utd have done well to bring in the replacement keeper and Phil Jones for the future. Ashley Young for Giggs is a good one as well.
Couldn't disagree more about N'Zogbia, think he's been incredibly consistent at Wigan and was the main reason they've stayed up the last two seasons. If Modric leaves (which he will sooner or later) it looks like being Chelsea doesn't it? He is a class act alright but Sneijder, too, would be a big improvement on what United have already.
Yeah looks like Chelsea alright well from the way he has been speaking. Saw an interview with Pallister recently and he thought Modric would be ideal for Man U but at the same time while i would prefer him yes Sneijder would be an improvement. I would much prefer Downing in the Liverpool team to Nzogbia but that's a personal opinion.
Fair enough. I wouldn't really rate Downing but he'll be suitable enough for Carroll alright, and he'll give their midfield a better balance. The fact that he hasn't nailed down a place in the England team says a lot for me, considering they've been so starved of decent left sided midfielders.
To be honest not really bothered about what he does or doesn't do for England. Not exactly many players who set the world alight in the England team who play in their regular positions most games never mind not have a place nailed down in a problem position. Out of interest does Nzogbia play regularly for France?
No, think he has been capped alright but certainly not regularly selected. It's amazing really as they have very few decent players who could do a job in wide areas. I know they have the likes of Ribery, Malouda and Nasri but Downing would oust any of them if he was French!Quote:
Originally Posted by KK77
We'll never know!Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
Wigan midfielder Charles N'Zogbia is to go on strike by refusing to train as his frustration boils over following the rejection of a £9m bid from Aston Villa.
Thought Taibi had an interesting debut for Man Utd yesterday.
Do you not rate him Edmundo? Haven't seen much of him myself. He's bound to take a bit of time to settle, young man in a new country at a massive club.Quote:
Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
I think he'll probably be ok in the long run, but for someone so young I do wonder if he might have a few howlers like yesterday at the start of the season.
It's always going to be difficult for a player who was born in Madrid and only ever played for his local team to move to a different culture, a different style of football and a different country at such a young age. I also think he wont benefit from the transition that Man Utd will have to make at central defence this season. I think Ferdinand is past it now and one of Smalling or Jones will displace him by the end of the season, but will De Gea have the authourity Der Saar had ? Will he able to marshall his defence as well. One problem he'll have now is word might get out that he's suspect from distance and doesnt command his box from crosses. The latter can be mitigated by getting the center backs to mop up anything in front of him, but for the former teams might start shooting from distance and there is a danger this could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Simply put if the opposition pepper his goal with shots he's likely to conceed more goals from distance.
Title: Man U
Relegated: Swansea, Norwich and Wigan.
Title - Man Utd
Second - City
Third - Chelsea
Fourth- Liverpool
Relegated- QPR, Norwich, Blackburn
I'd agree with Mastermind on 1-4, but I reckon QPR, Swansea and Wigan will be the bottom three.
Even though the riots have largely died down for now, QPR-Bolton, Spurs-Everton and Fulham-Everton will probably be postponed, possibly West Brom- Man United also.
De Gea is a very good shot stopper. I think he just got caught out for the 2nd goal and was left a bit flat footed. He also tries to catch instead of punch (which I like to see) so he should cope with the PL no bother. He lacks experience but over time he'll be able to bark orders and command his box with the best of em. Ferdinand only plays in 50% of PL games because of injuries so I agree he is on the way out. Smalling (who might start at RB for a while) and Jones are more than capable of filling in. The defence and attacking options for United are top notch. Central midfield however (like Ireland) is the main problem area.Quote:
Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo
Man Utd will walk the league unless Chelsea bring in a couple of big guns before the August transfer window.
Champions: United
2nd: Chelsea
3rd: Man City
4th: Arsenal
Relegated:
Blackburn
QPR
Wigan
1 - manure Utd
2- Chelsea
Norwich to get a top 10 finish
Everton to get into Europe
Blackburn to be relegated
And Villa might also be in trouble
Can't wait for the season to start! Excited!!!!!!!!!!!!
It started. In March. We're half way through.