Manchester United Football today announced the news all fans of the club and general lovers of the game would thought they would never hear, the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson is an icon to the game worldwide, he is most succesful manager of english football in history. Fergie, has taken Manchester United Football club to the extreme power house, he is the complete back bone to their success.
Facts
893 victories,
337 draws
267 defeats
26 years of service
38 trophies
13 league titles
2 Champions league crowns
5 FA cups
4 League Cups
over million packets of chewing up
The 71 year old was respected by everyone. People say he was the only one you wanted to please and be on the good side of – was the last person you wanted to make angry. I know I wouldn’t want to be in that dressing room at halftime if you’re having a terrible game.
The front-runner to succeed Sir Alex is heavily linked to fellow Scot and friend, Everton Manager David Moyes. This move could also see Roberto Martinez heading to Goodison Park. Whoever takes this huge challenge, even if it was the special one, would have an awful lot to handle.
Thank you for the service and what you did for the game. Sir Alex I salute you
The summer is approaching and transfers will be happening. We all know the key to a decent team is to have replacements and weapons to use. Sometimes a club must unload players to bring players in, financially or whatever the case maybe.
Prime example, our leader and captain Steven Gerrard is nearing the end of his playing career so Liverpool football club must be proactive in signing a young, up and coming talent to replace him when the time nears.
Here are a few players of the current squad I feel maybe offloaded this summer.
Brad Jones
Jones is a good keeper, represents Australian national team. I just don’t think as a number 2 keeper he is strong enough to be called on. I always think with that Pepe Reina is complacent. Jones doesn’t push him hard enough for the number 1 jersey.
Joe Allen
Brendan Rodgers brought him in from his old club Swansea. I just don’t think it’s worked out for him. Not strong enough physically for the defensive midfield spot. Competing with Leiva, Shelvey, Henderson even Sahin kept him out from playing.
Fabio Borini
Again, like Allen was brought in by Rodgers from his time at Swansea. Borini has been at several clubs in the past few seasons including Chelsea. Borini has had injuries, but when fit yet to show anything worthy. Being the number 3 striker he just isn’t good enough, especially when he is the first sub to come off the bench offensively
Oussama Assaidi
I liked this guy a lot, he is a fast winger and is technically very good on the ball. Assaidi can turn defenders inside and out. Rodgers just hasn’t given him a chance. I feel he doesn’t fit into his philosophy which is odd because he brought him in. Just hasn’t worked for him, a little bit like Joe Cole really. Perhaps he may go out on loan.
Martin Skrtel
Form has dipped in recent months. Lost his partnership with Daniel Agger especially with it being Jamie Carraghers last season. Liverpool will need to strengthen in the center off defence and could offload Martin. Not consistent enough.
Stewart Downing
Downing is on the fence. Hit or miss. Downing had a poor start to the season but really improved and favoured by Rodgers in the latter part of the season. I am not really a fan, I think a bit overrated but does the job when up for it.
Chelsea secured a spot in the FINAL of the Europa league with a 3-1 victory over FC Basel. Brazilian sensation David Luiz was amongst the talk at Stamford bridge with a wonderful first time strike, curling it around Sommer.
Luiz also scored the last-minute winner in the first leg with a trademark free kick.
The blues will face Benfica in Amsterdam on May 25th. Everyone in US can watch the game like on FOX
With the end of the season drawing to a close, a lot of football fans worldwide talk about one thing… Transfers. Weather it is online in gossip columns, a discussion in the pub or reading it in the newspaper – players will be linked everywhere.
Few possible players being linked across Europe this summer
Chelsea move for Falcao
Xabi Alonso back to Liverpool
Cesc returning to the Emirates
United swoop for Marchisio
Robert Lewandowski to German rivals Bayern
City 20 million for Fernandinho
What are your thoughts, also do you have any other players being linked to other clubs?
Every eye, every camera was on the famous handshake between Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez today at Old Trafford. Much like the John Terry and Wayne Bridge situation. The best thing both players could have done was to shake hands have mutual respect and get on with the game…
As we all know, it never happened. Patrice Evra had said before the game that he was going to shake the hand of the Liverpool striker and have ‘dignity’. However, Luis Suarez refused to shake hands with the Manchester United defender. As a Liverpool fan, I can admit that was the wrong decision. Liverpool v United is always going to be a rough encounter – a simple shake of hands might have changed all that. You don’t have to like a player to have mutual respect. The pre match handshake could have set things up to be an amazing afternoon of football. Instead, every news channel, sports website and radio stations are not talking about the game, the football being played. How terrible we were, Henderson and Downing especially. They are not talking about United’s victory or even the fact they are top of the league. No.. everyone is talking about the hand shake that never took place.
Just minutes into the game Patrice Evra and Suarez came face to face in a tackle. There was that much determination between the two - Evra ended up taking out his teammate Rio Ferdinand. We all predicted it to be hostile crowd toward Suarez, and it was. Many of us would put money on there being a tunnel bust up – there was at half time and after the game, both involving police and stewards.The mutual respect at the start of the game would have help prevent all this.
Sir Alex has come out and said Suarez is a disgrace to the game and to the football club. Ferguson felt that Liverpool should never let him play again. What role model is he toward children? – how many of them were at Old Trafford? watching on TV? you have to put that into context. I am a massive Suarez fan, however, how is he setting a good example?
But what about Rio Ferdinand? – did anyone see that he refused the hand of Luis? was this because of all what was going on with his brother, Anton? perhaps he was just sticking up for his teammate? I mean, if someone refused the hand of your fellow team-mate – would refuse to shake their hand? Jamie Redknapp has come in defence for Suarez saying, don’t quote me here but if you knew someone on the street you didn’t like, would you shake hands with him? – Lots of food for thought..
King Kenny didnt not attend his post match conference as per usual. Instead, Sky Sports journalist, Geoff Shreeves put him on the spot which he did not like at all. A lot of trouble and negativity in Manchester. Racism in football goes on…
People will be talking about this for the next week or even more… It’s a shame that this is how the two biggest clubs in our country are portrayed.
For those of you who havent seen it or just want to see it again – I have share the video below.
As much as I love him – Luis, you should have shook his hand and be done with it, move on!
Love to hear your thoughts and views, please share.
After a long meeting with the FA Chairman, David Bernstein at Wembley. The FA today have announced the resignation of Fabio Capello as England Head Coach.
Capello had a good campaign with the England national team. He was appointed in 2008 on a 4 year campaign. Fabio had a win rate of 67%- which is actually was the best of all time – hard to believe.
His record: 42 games, won 28, drew 8 and lost 6.
We wish him all the best for the future and thank you for his services…
The next question is, who will be appointed before the Holland game. Will we see Stuart Pearce act as interim coach until they appoint a new coach? Will Harry Redknapp come straight in? There is even talk about the Special one.
Harry Redknapp was today cleared of all charges linking him with Tax Evasion. Redknapp was proven Not guilty of trying to out the Tax System in England. This is a great day for Harry and his family. Harry has said, ‘”It’s been a nightmare, it’s been five years, it’s a case that should never have come to court.” – Now he gets to get on with this life…which brings me to the big question.
Should Harry Redknapp be the next Coach for England. People back home think its time to part ways with Fabio Capello right now before the European Championships and get Harry into the position read to start in the summer. I think this is a must. Harry has done such a fantastic job with spurs this season, currently sitting in 3rd and pretty much have secured that place.
No disrespect to Mr Capello - he has done a great job. Lifting the country when he was appointed, I just think he has run out of ideas what to do and all a big mess. We are in the news as a country for the wrong reasons. The FA need to part ways…
In my eyes, the England manager should be English – there is no doubt about that. Redknapp is the best English manager around. Anyone could tell you that by looking at the Premier league table. It is also how he conducts himself toward the players. Harry has a bond with his players, he treats them like men. That is what the England squad need. Look how he is with the Press. That is a huge factor. To be able to deal with them – they all love him. He is the man for the job. – I just wanted to share my favourite video of him where he gets hit by the ball — shows his true character. Please excuse the language during this clip.
There has been so many problems with that team. Many differences. Problems off the pitch, in the media that we all know about – not going to get in to that. Harry Redknapp would sort it out. Putting his foot down, he wouldn’t take any rubbish. It doesn’t matter who you play for in the premiership – every player gets on with him. That is what Redknapp is like. John Hartson was speaking on Talk Sport radio today saying he was like second father. That is what you need as England manager.
Being a coach myself, I know what it takes to have the complete package, what is required. Harry Redknapp has that. The season is over in may, will he take the job in the summer? would he leave Spurs before the end of the season – I wouldn’t have thought so.. But I think it is essential to wipe the slate clean for the summer, otherwise we all know how its going to end up – Just like every big tournament we enter. We havent had a good unit of players – a better bond since Euro 96. We had the greatest squad – we should have won it that summer, on our home turf.
Harry can bring that back… This move needs to happen. It is the next chapter in his life. It is what most England fans want to see. That is an English manager – in Harry Redknapp. Glad this ordeal is over for him whatever anyone thinks. There is nothing worse in being in the situation he has for the last few weeks.
GET HIM IN THE ENGLAND JOB!- DO IT NOW!
What are your thoughts? – I love to hear from England, Spurs or any football fans regarding Harry Redknapp being England Coach. Right now its 50/50…
I received a package in the post from a friend back home. Lots of goodies were in the parcel including, Monster Munch – yes the pickled onion flavor only the best. Big bar of Dairy Milk and a set full of Moustaches. Your thinking what?….well it is a collection of different moustaches – this should be linked to my, No shave November blog, which you can see for a refresher in this link here.
Hope you enjoy these as much as I did - taken them.
Hugh Bonneville, Lord Grantham from Downton Abbey was a guest on the Johnathon Ross show in the UK last week. I am a huge fan of the show, Downton Abbey- I just wanted to share this video with their being a resemblence of someone in my direct family - Hilarious.
Let me know what you think.
Big thanks to Amelia for recording this for me, I appreciate it.
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Alex Burrell is the Founder and Administrator of Pitchofdreams.
