Here is this week’s Penny for your Thoughts article from akvbcfc.

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The Real Deal?
Ronaldo, Kaka and Albiol have all recently passed through the great revolving doors of Real Madrid, and following the lavish unveiling of Cristiano Ronaldo, all the critics are asking the same question – Have Madrid done enough?What we do know, is that the Galacticos are back. Florentino Perez has made that clear enough to anyone who will listen. However, has he learnt from his mistakes? It is ironic that time, something that cannot be bought or sold, resulted in the eventual failure of the club with endless amounts of funds.

During his previous reign, Perez brought the very best players in the world to the Bernabeu, regardless of price, or age. In his first 3 years in charge, Madrid won everything possible. However, Perez’s greatest failure lies in the fact that he let the team grow old together. He did not replace ageing stars due to their popularity within the country and abroad. He kept faith with the players who had delivered the fame and fortune that he craved.

Personally, I would say that Madrid have made a good start. However, it is only that. Look at last season, and you will see that Madrid’s attack was half decent, but their greatest weakness came in defence. Well, in their lack of a defence.
In the Madrid side, only Casillas, Sergio Ramos and Raul Albiol are world class defenders. However, Ramos spends half his time in the opposition penalty area, and Albiol has weaknesses that can be exposed by top class attackers. In short, Madrid don’t have a defence.

Manuel Pellegrini (or should that be Florentino Perez?) needs to go out and sign top defenders if Madrid are to survive a long gruelling season. Whilst Casillas is the best keeper in the world, one man does not make a team. The previous Galacticos side had an excellent defence built on the strength of Hierro, Roberto Carlos and Casillas.

If Madrid are to succeed, they need to have a team, not just 11 attackers.

It’s a decent start, but that’s it. It is only a start.

Too Busy?
So, Tuncay, Mido and Afonso Alves have all failed to report back to Middlesbrough for the start of pre-season. Word has it, that Tuncay was allowed extra time off to recuperate after playing for the national side. However, there appears to be absolutely no reason why Mido and Alves should not have been at training. The question on the lips of every Middlesbrough fan is obvious and appropriate – WHY?! Yes, the club got relegated, but who’s fault was that? Mido was always eating and Alves couldn’t hit a barn door with a banjo even if he was given assistance.

These two clowns are at fault, just like any other Boro player. I am sure that they both stayed away believing that this would help their cause as they try to engineer moves to different clubs. If my suspicions are true, then I am truly appalled.

This is no way to behave. Disgraceful.

When Will They Learn?
Sheffield United keeper Paddy Kenny has been suspended by his club after he failed a drugs test. He faces a ban from the game after testing positive for the stimulant ephedrine after the play-off semi-final against Preston. Kenny says that ephedrine was present in a cough mixture that he bought over the counter, but why would he be so foolish?
With WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) pressurising different sports to sign up to its strict testing routines, Kenny has not aided the cause of his fellow professionals.

It is up to players to check exactly what is in the medicine that they are taking, otherwise there could be grave consequences.

It has been quite a slippery slope for Kenny, who was praised from all quarters for his performances for the Blades against Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final a few years ago. Kenny may have made a mistake, and he will probably pay for it. It’s about time that footballers realised the consequences of their actions.

By akvbcfc

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