G'day Gentleman
I've been thinking about my worst team of the season. I'm not necessarily going for the absolute shocking or I'd just be picking the wolves team. I want players from top clubs earning a lot of money but in my view cost the teams more than they give. Basically a lot of players I think are overrated.
Friedel
Rafael Mertesacker Evans Evra
Nani Ramsey Mikel Downing
Carroll Kalou
Friedel is a harsh choice but for me he hasn't performed as well as in previous seasons and never really looked composed behind the spurs defence. Got to say my favourite Prem keeper ever.
Rafael just makes the wrong decision whether he is defending or attacking. Someone should tell him he can control the ball before trying to cross. The amount of times he skied it. To many silly fouls when needless.
Mertesacker, What a donkey. So called defensive experts seem to think he'll strengthen but they looked so much better after he got injured.
Evans, Just because the press circus hyped him up after a couple of decent games. Still cost us in a lot of games with his positioning. His play out of defence isn't the best in the modern game. He'll learn though.
Evra, Probably one of the best in the prem but in a season so tight his flippy-flappy style of defending cost Man U. Not fit to captain United either.
Nani, New Ronny my arse. Just fed up of row Z when he attempts a cross or more likely one of his many shit shots when better options are available.
Ramsey looked all at sea for most of the season. He doesn't really look like he knows what he's doing or where he's meant to be, Possibly Humbert Humbert's Fault.
Mikel, I can't believe people are starting to rave about him. I fail to see what he does apart from silly fouls around the box. He hasn't got the presence of a top quality Midfielder.
Downing hahahahahahah, But oh no he is going to the Euro s
Carroll, Not just because the money but he failed to lead the line at Liverpool. His aerial presence paid dividends in about 3 games all season and he had some shocking attempts on goals. Another in the England squad, Crouch must be wandering what he has to do.
Kalou, Just played in the champions league final but really what are his skills as a forward.
I was going to write a blog about the rise of Belgian football but would have taken a lot of effort. I've noticed a good amount of youngster coming through in recent years and I'm looking forward to see how it will progress. You heard it here first.
Have to disagree with few of your inclusions. Mikel has been very impressive the last few months. Granted it has to happen over a sustained time. He reminds me very much of Patrick Viera - can break up play very well. Would get into of the top 4s midfield especially ahead of the periennial passengers such as Michael Carrick and Gaz Baz. Would have thought Evans has played well enough this season - he is a squad player at best. He stepped in and did his part trying to fill the huge void left by Vidic. When you compare this to Savic coming in for Kompany or Coates coming in for Agger - his contribution is far greater. I maintain that the reason for Uniteds success over the years is Fergies use of average enough squad players. The Wes Browns, John O Sheas and Nicky Butts have proved invaluable to United.
ReplyDeleteJordan Henderson still has a lot to prove me. Needs to show next season that he is more than just a clogger
Nice thought on Belgium. They are in a very difficult group for the World Cup
Serbia
Croatia
Belgium
Scotland
Macedonia
Wales
I have also heard there is a divide of sorts between the Flemish(Dutch side and the Walloons(French side). This influences not only their national identity but also there soccer team. They don't seem to have the same togetherness as Switzerland who are in a similar situation.
Here is Belgiums team
Courtois (20)
Kompany (26)
Vermaelen (26)
Lombaerts (20)
Fellaini (24)
Verthogen (25)
Witsel (21)
Defour (24)
Hazard (21)
Demeble (24)
Lukaku (19)
They would have had a quality team for the Olympics. They could probably do with an outside manager with a lot of experience a la Capello or Hiddink.Will be interesting to see how they progress!
I remember new years eve 09/10 when Peter asked what time the fireworks would be going off. I'd put your Mikel/ Viera on a par with that in terms of stupidity. Are you making the comparison because they're both black? Miggsy will surly agree with me that Mikel is cack.
ReplyDeleteEvans was the last name on the team. Fair play to the lad he's improved a great deal but still got a long way to go. The press just pissed me off when they jumped on the bandwagon after one good game. Savic was just so ridiculously bad that I didn't need to mention.
Mikel was quality against Barca home and away and in the final. Started 14 of the last 16 games. No suprise he was on the bench for AVBs horrific fina 2 games versus Napoli a and WBA. Although Viera is superior - Mikel this season has replaced Essien. Since RDM arrived he has done the business - he also had a tough start to year with his father been abducted. Got on with it and achieved success.
ReplyDeleteOn an aside I will put up some predictions in the next day or 2 for the euros. I also am moving to Boston airport tommorrow for free accomadation still on the job hunt. Nearing illegal alien time but so long as I get to see the ireland qualify, I will be happy out.
I'm not convinced on Mikel to be honest. He's clearly a good athlete, he looked like a unit when he arrived at 18/19, but I think it remains to be seen if he can come in as a long-term replacement for Essien. I know he's been on the wane for the past couple of years but, despite him being a dirty bastard, he was an absolute beast of a player. Credit to Mikel for the Champions League final though, he put a shift in there.
ReplyDeleteAny updates on how you're getting on Kev? How's life as Tom Hanks at The Terminal?
I'm all moved to the big smoke now. Feels like a bit of a holiday so far, sure that'll change when I'm back to work on Monday.