A Bridge Too Far?
After yesterdays announcement by Wayne Bridge, there has been a lot of press discussion about the situation. I thought I would blog my opinion on it.
Now this IS an emotive subject, and I am aware that people reading this may have experienced similar situations – so I hope that I can deal with this sensitively.
Ok, let’s say you discover that your work mate does what John Terry did with the lady of your life? What would you do?
I suspect there would be a variety of responses from violence to walking away from the people in question. To get a perspective on this, I think it is important to understand the feelings that you may go through. We all know that we were are emotionally involved with people, and that is challenged, it can affect all aspects in your life.
If it happened to you at work, could you continue to work with them?
It happened at a place I worked at and it was awful, the atmosphere was really affected. In the end all three people had to leave.
Ok having used that as a reference, a few comments on the situation in hand.
Some people are accusing Wayne Bridge of letting his country down leading up to the world cup – but sorry I don’t agree with that. (See opening paragraphs!) I actually think Bridge didn’t have any choice at all. He would have been living with Terry for several weeks in a close environment and I can’t believe, (having served in the forces), that words wouldn’t have been said and that would have upset the team spirit.
Wayne’s decision IMO is his attempt to try and bring some stability to the side, however it isn’t going to happen while Terry is still there. Let’s remember it is Terry’s actions that have caused this, not Wayne Bridge’s actions.
Terry should have stepped down, I don’t care if he is a quality defender or not – there are consequences to actions, something that footballers often want to avoid or think they are above.
So Wayne has my support for his decision, and I actually think that he has handled himself with dignity through this. Unfortunately I doubt this is the last of things, I am certain there are members of the England squad who won’t appreciate Terry still being in the squad, especially if they consider that it could of been their wife or girlfriend he had been with.
I know people will agree with me and there will be people who disagree with me, but this is my opinion of the situation as it stands right now.
Kev
Mr. Wayne Rooney
Here is Dale’s latest article.
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Growing up in the mean streets of Croxteth, is it no surprise that Wayne Rooney has always had a sharp edge to his character. As a youngster is was football that dragged him away from the avenues of crime and mischief and provided him with a passion. A true passion that now, 76,000 people can bear witness to on a Saturday afternoon. Like many young lads before him, Rooney aspired to “make it”. Growing up watching the big, bustling and sometimes belligerent Duncan Ferguson, he found a childhood hero to aspire to be. Joining his boyhood club Everton at the age of ten, Rooney started to turn heads in Liverpool and many branded him as the “next big thing”. Then, a goal that would propel the prospect to unprecedented heights. Reigning champions Arsenal were the visitors at Goodison and on the back of a 30 match unbeaten run. A hard fought 1-1 draw beckoned as the clock ticked onto the 90th minute. Then off the bench stepped up 16 year old Wayne Rooney. A spectacular 30 yard strike cannoning off the underside of the bar made Rooney the youngest goal scorer in Premier league history and ending the gunner’s fantastic run.
Two years later, Rooney’s performances caught the eye of Sir Alex Ferguson and after seeing off Newcastle in a bidding war for the young starlet, the Evertonian was to join Manchester United for £25.6 million pounds. Rooney marked his debut against Fenerbahce with a hat-trick in a 6-2 win against in the champion’s league. He went on to bag 11 goals in his opening season and received the PFA Young Player of the Year Award for 04/05. However Rooney’s aggressive nature also provided some of the more forgettable instances during his career. Sarcastically clapping the referee for booking him earned him a sending off coupled with another dismissal for an alleged elbow on now Real Madrid defender Pepe during the Amsterdam tournament of 2006. That same year many national newspapers blamed Rooney for England’s departure from the 2006 world cup, after stamping on Ricardo Carvalho in the quarter-final tie earning a red card from referee.
However it was the arrival of Christiano Ronaldo that somewhat overshadowed Rooney’s performances and although the Englishman was still a prized asset to United, it was Ronaldo that began to run the show. His 12 goals during the 07/08 season was by no means an underachievement but the 31 goals and string of world class performances by Ronaldo issued a new star of the Stretford End.
Ronaldo parted company with United, opting for Real Madrid as his preferred destination for the fee of £80 million. This sparked doubts in many critics’ columns as to who would fill a void of goals and assists that Ronaldo previously acclaimed. Many believed United would falter without the Portuguese superstar but there was no need for Alex Ferguson to spend some of the money made available on a striker. As the remedy was right under their noses, like a big ginger chunk of vapour rub, in Wayne Rooney. Rooney currently occupies a more central role at United in every sense of the word. Playing down the spine of the team, the United striker has evolved into one of the most accomplished, classy and gifted players to grace English football. His grit and determination to get the ball from the opposition has made him a fans favourite and coupled with his improved goal scoring record, Rooney has become the ultimate player.
England travel to South Africa this summer in their quest for World Cup Glory. Spearheading their attack is non-other than the new and improved Wayne Rooney. Undoubtedly a more mature, professional and prolific player that previously put on the three lions shirt in a major competition. If the form of this transformed and rejuvenated striker continues, England may just have a chance of doing the unthinkable. Rooney brings something to a team that no other player can. Not only has he immense talent, quality and skill but he has the bite, the determination and the grit that sets him apart. He can produce moments of quality but unlike his Bulgarian team mate Berbatov he will work tirelessly for the team. As an Englishman, I hope and pray that Wayne Rooney can transfer his performances for his club onto an international scale and fire England to world cup glory in South Africa this summer.
Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, Mr. Wayne Rooney.
Home is Where the Hart Is
Here is an article by Dale.
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Charles Joseph John “Joe” Hart has most certainly arrived. After securing his services on a season long loan, Birmingham City has prospered from the money machine in Manchester. Man City have arguably the best goal keeper in the premier league in Shay Given and could afford to let their young second keeper go out and gain some valuable first team experience. Since arriving at the blues, Joe Hart has shown outstanding ability to deny some of the league’s elite. A regular run of games for the young former England U21 goal keeper has given him stability and confidence, something which Man City could not.
At 6 foot 3, Hart is one of the most agile keepers in the league and his shot stopping ability is next to none. Upon joining blues, there was debate over whether Maik Taylor would be left out to pave the way for the fresh faced Hart but very few could predict the way he has exploded on the scene at St Andrews. In the most recent games, Joe Hart has been nothing short of outstanding. Stoke and Chelsea both were frustrated by the inform keeper as Hart’s heroics earned blues another valuable 4 points. Hart has another element to his game that very few young keepers can emulate. He has one hell of a gob. The back four are constantly assured by their keeper with a series of bellows and roars. It is an element to his game that many young players lack the confidence to do which only cements the thoughts that he is a very confident player.
Since making his first professional debut at 15 years young, Joe Hart has been catching the eye of premier league scouts. Everton, Chelsea and Arsenal were said to be keeping tabs on the young keeper but it was only when he joined Man City was the premier league properly introduced to Joe Hart. With 50 Man City caps to his name, he was allowed to join Tranmere Rovers and Blackpool on loan but it has been his short opening spout for Blues that has really captured the pundit’s attention. Such attention that has linked him with a place in the England squad for their quest for World Cup Glory in South Africa. Currently there are very few English keepers who have shown the consistency that Hart has. Week after week he pulls off saves that look certain to nestle in the back of the net and with this kind of form he looks certain to join the three lions this summer.
As for blues, McLeish has tested the water with Man City but was given a resounding “No” as to signing Joe Hart in the January transfer window. No doubt when his loan expires McLeish would love to make Hart a permanent player at St Andrews but the decision lies with his employers in Manchester. That’s not to say Hart has no say in the matter. He has been pretty vocal in expressing his enjoyment at Blues which is encouraging to hear and the more he performs well and enjoys the best spell of form in his career then it bodes well for a summer signing.
Dale Moon
World Cup 2010, Easy, Easy, Easy!
England have been drawn to face the United States, Algeria and Slovenia in the group stage, (group C), of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
What an easy draw, we can be concentrating on who we will get after qualifying with 9 points. It could well be Germany, as they are in a difficult group with Australia, Serbia and Ghana and they could well finish 2nd, as they aren’t as strong as previous years – so we are in the semi finals – easy, easy, easy!
Spin forward 6 months to Saturday 12th June and the score comes in…
England 0 – 3 USA.
Well it is England after all!
(More on the World Cup to come!)
Penny For Your Thoughts?
More thoughts from akvbcfc.
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Irish in Need of Lady Luck
They toiled against one of Europe’s giants, and came close to gaining a remarkable result. However, the plaudits will mean absolutely nothing if the Irish spend the summer in Dublin, instead of South Africa.
The first leg of the World Cup play-off provided Republic of Ireland with the perfect chance to ‘get at ‘em’, hopefully earning a result to defend across the water on Wednesday night. Liam Lawrence came oh-so-close to raising the roof, before a Patrice Evra intervention prevented the Irish from opening the scoring. Just when it seemed that the Irish grit and determination would cancel out the French swagger and style, the French created a crucial chance. Anelka moved into space and fired home via a deflection off Sean St Ledger. Anelka bought a ticket for the lottery and ended up winning. Lucky boy.
Heading to France with a one-goal deficit to overcome would be an immense challenge for anyone, let alone a side considered to be one of the ‘lesser lights’ on the European circuit. Lady luck deserted them at home, and Giovanni Trapattoni will pray that she brings her whole family to the game in the Stade de France…
Bye-bye Burley
George Burley is the manager of the Scottish National Football team. Read that sentence one more time, because it may not be true for much longer.
A woefully inept performance against Wales resulted in a 3-0 loss, as pressure on Burley reached an all time high. The Scotland side have never been world beaters, but a 3-0 loss to a side who have only ever once qualified for the World Cup is a disgrace. Burley’s tactics seemed cataclysmic at times and the team were simply appalling. Scotland need a change…now. They are never going to be a team who will be beating the best European sides regularly, with the odd result against France aside, but the Scottish deserve better.
….By the time that this article was finished, Burley’s sacking had been announced on all major news outlets (i.e. Sky Sports News and NewsNow!). Scotland were ranked 14th in the world not so long ago, but the recent decline, leaving them in 46th has forced the hands of the SFA. Now the real job for the SFA is to replace Burley with a better manager who can take the side forward. Euro 2012 must now be their goal.
Banned! Oh, wait, nevermind…
Chelsea’s transfer ban has been lifted for the meantime, allowing the club to sign new players in January. What’s the point then? The club will get the ban shortened, while splashing the cash in January, severely reducing the effect of any ban.
Another FIFA ruling wasted. Another embarrassment.
By akvbcfc
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