Manchester United Banter Archive October 20 2012

20 Oct 2012 22:10:59
Well Pogba is playing well & scoring.
Morrison seems to have cleaned up his act & getting high praise with MoM performances.

We'll be saying the same about Petrucci, Macheda & King soon when they leave through lack of games.

Add tunniclife , lingard, keane and blacket to that

Morrison has cleaned up his act? Says who?

GDS

Macheda and king are not good enough. Petrucci on the other hand... losing him would be a shame.

Mick

20 Oct 2012 19:38:06
Looks likely that rio is in trouble. Personally I don't see why fergie is upset. Yes he does now look like a hypocrit after the jason Roberts comments but fervid should just let him be

Jay-c

Fergie never has been and never will be dictated to by one of his players,his way or the high way,ask stam

20 Oct 2012 20:44:40
Supasub...........................Supasub you seemed proud that we are a bunch of replica shirt wearing muppets who pay over the odds. Oh well good luck to you and your jester hat wearing mates. I AM KLOOT

Think you missed my point KLOOT, the point I was making was a bit of humour regarding size of fan bases.
I don't have a replica shirt or a jesters hat for that matter, I'm a bit more of a club polo person if that's alright with you. If you've ever noticed I'm actually someone who if ever comments on your posts is normally in defence of you rather than some of the others as sometimes you mention things that others don't want to admit but I won't waste time in future.
I thought the banter page was meant to be a little humourous at times and not obvious tongue in cheek posts taken incredibly seriously.

Supasub

I would like to no what is the problem with supporting your club and being proud to wear there colours i gather kloot you must not be proud enough of Manchester united to wear there colours i suspect you will come back with the most depressing reasons as u mostly always post negativity towards the club an its players

dio

Unfortunately KLOOT, whether you like it or not - no shirt sales = less money for players.

StevieK

20 Oct 2012 19:35:03
Great match today and one of the best performances of the season against a reasonably strong side.
Here are a couple of points i want to discuss:

1- Rio ferdinand : i prefer not to comment on this whole racisme row and fergy's comments because i have no idea what's going on behind the scene.
But from a footballing point of view Rio has been appaling in this eason. He just loses it when a player comes running at him and imo he shouldnt be anything more than a cover for injuries this season and he should be shipped out in the summer. even if he stays beyond he shouldnt be playing regularly. He's not good enough anymore and Smalling and Evans are more than up for it.

2- the midfield : As i said many times before the Scholes Carrick combination doesnt work. This was highlighted when Anderson came on and showed what was missing. A player to take the da** ball and run forward.

3- The attack : the attack tonight was truely world class. If they had more support from the midfield im sure we could have scored more. The interchangeablility between rooney, Van persie and Welbeck ( who needs to work on his finishing big time ) was a joy to watch, and extremly effective. Van persie was at his creative best tnight.
Valencia seems to be hitting top form and he had the left back in his pocket and kept finding pace to send a cross. The wingless formation seems very attractive but a winger in the team can be very effective.

just for the record, a front 4 of rooney van persie welbeck and kagawa, with a midfield of anderson and cleverley behind them would offer the most attractive football in the league but im not sure it can work, noone wuld be protecting the back 4.

Mick

Were u watching the same match? We were abysmal in first half. DDg made three top saves to keep us in the match, and this is stoke we' re talking about!
Tactics were non existant. Evra was at his level worst. Defence looked shaky as midfield gave them no cover.
We play like this against Chelsea and we are screwed big time.
NoMidfield

I know our defense was not good but attacking wise we were very impresive werent we? Scored 4 and could have scored 2 more.

Mick

The weakest parts of the team were:-
1) Evra - Thought his attacking play was ok although defensively he was poor ..... again. Bring in Buttner for the Chelsea game !
2) The midfield particularly Scholes and Carrick. They play the ball far too slowly and give the opposition time to reorganise before we attack. Scholesy's main asset is his long range passing but its clear he is well past his best and should only be used as a sub. Against Chelsea I'd replace all 4 of them with:- Fletch, Ando, Clevz and Kagawa and keep RVP and Wazza up front. Keep saying that we need to speed up our game. Fast and accurate pass and move and we will be devastating. Lets get back to the diamond and have the wingers on the bench for plan b, if needed.
PerthDave

I would rather see us play with wingers at home and have exciting games like yesterday. The only problem is to play like that we need a better centre midfielder and a left footed left winger otherwise we will get overrun against the big teams like we did in the first half against spurs.

The diamond should work in away games and maybe some home games, but it's difficult to not want united to play with such width and pace at old Trafford to rip teams apart, especially when we have one of the most natural right wingers in the world in Toni v.

GDS

GDS, there is no reason why we couldn't start the game as a diamond and then add wingers or a winger during the game?

Sydney!

20 Oct 2012 18:37:58
Merseyside Ambulance service has reported an epidemic of nose bleeds. A spokesman said 'we believe this is connected to Liverpool almost reaching halfway in the Premiership table'...

AJH

20 Oct 2012 17:57:59
Very strange atmosphere at OT today the crowd or the team never really got out of second gear. Stoke had one game plan that never changed get everyone behind the ball then try and catch United on the break and launch balls into the area. United played the game at an almost pedestrian pace and should have scored ten but were happy to pass the ball all along the back line. Stoke's second goal once again showed that if you get the ball and run at our midfield it will disintegrate infront of your very eyes. The amazing thing is if you take Rooney's two goals away (Both good goals scored from where a striker should be not hanging outside the box) His overall play was shocking his first touch and passing was dreadful. But then again I can't remember Scholes having a game as bad as today and I was very surprised he came out second half as the ref was just waiting for an opportunity to send him off. RVP oozed class though he looked to be carrying a bit of a knock. As for Mad Paddy well everything has been said about him and yet Fergie still makes him Captain someone please explain that to me. Will he ever close a winger down again? On the ballance of things I am astounded that we can be playing so badly this season and be second. On a positive note some amazing saves by DDG in the first half. If only he had some bottle he would be some keeper. Absolutely brilliant from the Stretford end when Owen came on You Scouse B***ard. Need to up our game by 100% against the Rent boys or they will make mince meat of our midfield. We can not afford to give the top teams a goal start. I AM KLOOT

We heard from the mouth of SAF himself that letting off and not finishing teams off was a problem of last season that wouldn't be repeated. I just wonder when he will put that into practice.

TK-Red

Totally agree. It was a bit subdued. And the team played with no pace. My worry though is our manager, he elected to play carrick and scholes together and we have seen that this does not work. When we lose the ball, we have no tacklers or energy in midfield. As for evra, he was playing midfield, left wing, right wing, anywhere but left back. Three times in first half he lost possession and ended up nearly costing us a goal.
If we play with this team and formation against chelski then we will lost by at least three goals.
Saf pls wake up and start playing some modern tactics instead of the clueless stuff we are seeing at present.
I'm not holding my breath though!
NoMidfield

I was concerned as soon as I saw us line up with those 2 in midfield. I don't understand SAF's thinking. In games that we need a high energy/physical midfield like Stoke and Spurs he plays the likes of Giggs, Scholes and Carrick. It just doesnt make sense.

TK-Red

We didn't have the personnel to play a diamond formation yesterday with Cleverley and Kagawa out. So we had to put up with a two man midfield that does not work in today's game. At least we will have a fully fit Cleverley, Kagawa, Young & Smalling for the Braga game. I fully expect to see Hernandez, Anderson, Buttner and Nani to get game time too in midweek.

Sydney!

20 Oct 2012 17:35:50
A little joke, with some meaning behind it.

Cleverley will be our Xavi, while Kagawa will be our Iniesta.

lololololol, funny? I mean it though.

Anyway on a more perfectly serious note: 4-4-2 diamond v Braga anyone?
Since Cleverley and Kagawa weren't on the bench & Welb and Chicha didn't play full game.

I reckon it'll be close to:

______De Gea/Lindgaard______
_Smalling_Wootton_Evans _Buttner_
________Fletcher________
_Kagawa________Cleverley_
_______Powell_______
__Chicha_____Welbeck

Well, to be honest that would be one hell of a fairly young team imo.

We've pretty much qualified anyway and gotta rest players for the upcoming games against Chelsea so why not? {Ed004's Note - Braga are not to be underestimated mate, we will play one of Rooney or RVP imo and i could see a few seniors players playing. Would like to see a similar team to yours.}

Do you not remember last season.....

we underestimated the op and went out at the first hurdle...

it will not happen again...

i would play

_________ De Gea

Raf _ Evans _ Smalling _ Buttner

___ Fletcher_ Cleverly

_ Nani _ Anderson _ Kagawa

_______ Van Persie

solid, quick 3 in the middle and the same up top..

Oxred

I like a lot of your lineup but agree with Ed's point - I would play Rooney instead of Powell to add experience and I think Wayne could do with a run of games too. Would be good to rest RVP for Chelsea though. I like the rest of your lineup, I would possibly give Anderson a shot later on in the game

Gav

Eds do you have any idea why Petrucci is not in the cl squad? I would think he has done enough to deserve the privilege.

Mick {Ed004's Note - I have no idea?}

Could it be that the Nani/Petrucci incident is the cause and Petrucci is being disciplined even though Nani got all the bad press.

Shahram

20 Oct 2012 16:58:56
still not convinced with defense, centre mid and the tactics but once again im happy with 3 points but wondering when im gna be totally satisfied with a man united performance (apart from newcastle game)

20 Oct 2012 15:44:06
I am holding my breath every time Evra receives the ball. How about this statement - on a simple scale, He really is one of the more exciting players in the Epl - not because he is stellar, but because every time he touches it, things just seem to suddenly become batsh!t Crazy. My favorite "moment" of his is when he kind of winds up to charge inside from the left and then smashes the layoff pass as he runs through putting united in immediate danger. It IS the right idea, football-wise, but i have lost all faith in him to complete the move. Even when he is clear he tends to fluff it. This is not the type of instability we can afford on the left and it shows in every game. Nonetheless, it keeps you on the edge of your seat every week.

Windy City Red

By "exciting," I mean "calamity" which, as we all know, always piques the interest.

Windy City Red

20 Oct 2012 15:38:45
valencia has been poor so far.

DesiRed.

Commentator's curse :)

StevieK

20 Oct 2012 15:50:04
agreed, i dno how nani can get slated but not valencia, atleast nani gets involved even if he is shootin wide and crossing at the first man

20 Oct 2012 15:17:09
We are playing at walking pace and quite boring, needless to say we are down 1-0 and i think everyone is on sleeping pills.

Shahram

20 Oct 2012 14:35:04
Man Utd 01 De Gea 02 Rafael 03 Evra 05 Ferdinand 06 Evans 07 Valencia 16 Carrick 22 Scholes 10 Rooney 19 Welbeck 20 Van Persie

Substitutes 13 Lindegaard, 31 Wootton, 8 Anderson, 11 Giggs, 17 Nani, 25 Powell, 14 Hernandez

No Kagawa?

No Smalling or young either. Bench looks light

SAF won't play Kagawa because of Stoke's physicality and how Kagawa can't handle strength.

He would get crushed if he played against Stoke, no point risking him.

-JakeW

Or he resting him to play in the CL v Braga and v Chelsea. We can't play our strongest team today then again against Braga and then play them again v Chelsea.

Chelsea's front four (oscar, mata, hazard and torres) aren't exactly bulls either strength wise. Hazard is probably the strongest of the lot with his small yet muscular build.

Where is CLEV's too......??

oxred

And how the HELL does giggs still get on the bench....

20 Oct 2012 14:13:51
Currently watching the Chelsea and Spurs game, it has been a brilliant game and has really got me thinking of the tactics we employ. I personally think the 4231 formation is the best formation to use. You have enough cover in defence so are never left wide open, if you have four very good attacking players you will always make chances and it gives full backs the opportunity to get forward.
Now I saw the debate early about possibly selling Rooney. Now I do not think we should do that. He is such an influential player for us and he adds so much to our team.
However I do think we need to decide where he is playing and just play him there. None of this midfield one game and forward the next business.
Now I think we have a very good team at the minute and with a few changes I think it could be world class and up there competing with the very best and challenging for the champions league. Currently I think we are just lacking to be able to dominate the European stage, though I think we have enough to win domestically.
I will address the attack first. It appears as though Fergie is fed up with Nani and appears the interest in Hazard, Moura and I think Isco? makes it apparent that we were trying to replace Nani. Now Ed 2 stated 27 million Euros was the fee being talked about, granted it may be a bit lower now but I seriously think we should still be looking at Isco and I feel Ozil may be obtainable as well. Ozil is apparently unhappy at Madrid and I think Ed 2, again, stated that Madrid would listen to offers of around 25 million euros which is a bargain for someone as good as Ozil. He has created 58 goals in 2 seasons which is remarkable. So an attack of:
Ozil________Rooney_______Kagawa
____________RVP
Now I feel this attack would get the best out of Kagawa as he will have freedom to interchange with other plays, cutting in and picking up pockets of space. It will benefit RVP as he is better when he recieves the ball along the ground though he is dangerous in the air and it gives Rooney freedom to do what he wants. Ozil and Kagawa can both drop into midfield and so can Rooney if we are being dominated in midfield.
Now in midfield it is the area of the pitch I feel we are lacking in the most. For the 4231 formation to work I feel you need a defensive midfielder and a deep lying playmaker. Currently I think Cleverley and Carrick can act as the playmaker (I am not counting Scholes as I feel he will retire at the end of the year and we need to gradually let him retire and replace him with proven world class). So I feel Cleverley should be given a chance the rest of the season and if he doesn't make that position his own and develop into a world class player I feel we should sign one. Unless either petrucci or Powell can make the step up within the next year. Two players I would like to see signed are Moutinho or Cabaye. Both are fantastic players. Now as for defensive midfielder, I think Fletcher is a brilliant squad player and a perfect professional to have in the team but he unfortunately isn't world class atm. However I would give him a season just like Cleverley to see if he can make the position his own. Maybe even give Tuncliffe a chance as well. However, if he can't I feel we should bring in someone like Wanyama or M'Vila. It appears as though we made an attempt to get a strong midfielder this summer with the apparent bid for Witsel? So midfield of
Fletcher/Wanyama/M'Vila_Cleverley/Cabaye/Moutinho
Now in nets we are fine. I have high hopes for De Gea and Lindengaard is a fantastic number 2.
Now currently our defense is struggling imo because
a) there is no consistency, players keep getting injured
b) not enough protection from midfield
c) we can't push high up the field due to the fact we have no speed at the back
d) We dont have a consistent goal keeper.
Now I feel the new medical centre will help with point A. If Fletcher makes the dm position his own or we sign a dm along with a hard working play maker who will not shy out of a tackle then point b will be covered. Also with Smalling back it will add a bit of speed in defence, something we lack with Evans, Rio and Vidic. Smalling and Vidic will hopefully be a top partnership, however, if Vidic or Smalling does not return from injury the player they used to then we have to take action in the market as Rio has lost half a yard, Evans is a fantastic squad player, just not quite good enough imo and Jones isn't ready yet. I would love to see either Papadopolis or Hummels signed. Both are fantastic players. Now if Smalling and Vidic come back fit and strong then I think we may need to replace Rio? Maybe with someone like Shawcross? Now lastly a left back for Evra and to compete with Buttner. I would love to sign Baines as he is solid defensively and offers a LOT going forward. Him and Rafael would be top wing backs to have. So a defence of
____________De Gea
Rafael___Smalling___Vidic/Hummels__Baines
would be a top defence with Fabio, Jones, Rio/Shawcross, Evans and Buttner providing cover.
With this formation we can still play wingers or bring on wingers to influence a game so Valencia and Young would still offer a lot to the team. Now possible signings would be
Hummels but only if Vidic or Smalling dont become the players they once were.
Shawcross if Fergie wants to replace Rio
M'Vila/Wanyama if Fletcher or Tunncliffe don't make the position their own.
Moutinho/Cabaye if Cleverley or Carrick can't step up
Signings I feel should be made
Baines - I just don't rate Evra as highly anymore
Ozil/Isco - With the signing of either of them it will help us play a more free flowing formation.
Players I think will leave
Possibly Rio or Vidic. Though I think Evra, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Anderson and Macheda will leave. So if all these changes are made which i dont think will happen we could have a team of
______________De Gea
Rafael____Smalling____Vidic/Hummels___Baines
_____M'Vila/Wanyama__Moutinho/Cabaye
Ozil/Isco_______Rooney________Kagawa
_______________RVP
Now I don't think the outlay would be too high with player sales but it would be one hell of a team. Team I would think is realistic
______________De Gea
Rafael____Smalling____Vidic_______Baines
_____M'Vila/Wanyama__Cleverley
Ozil/Isco_______Rooney________Kagawa
_______________RVP
Only 3 changes there and Nani is a certainty to leave atm so I think a replacement will definately be signed and Evra isn't getting any younger.
What do you think of the formation? Opinions welcome lol
The Red Manc

How can you watch the game and write all that at the same time.
by the way your right great game
jred

I wrote this at half time. Would have loved to see how spurs coped with a full team. Dembele, Ekotto (so vertonghen could play centrally for gallas who has been poor) and Bale to run at Ivanovic. Think they would've made a big difference
The Red Manc

I agree with most of this, but :

If we are looking for a playmaker who isnt shy of a tackle, Marco Veratti and Gundogan look to be very special players on their way to worldclass status.

A defensive midfielder should be brought in this summer but i feel that sven bender is twice the player waynama/ m'vila is.

If we cant get ozil, isco and/or muniain would be wonderful, beeing 21 and 19 resectivly and both beeing touted as worldclass talents.

And if Evans isnt good enough, why would shawcross be. Evans is a much better player and is improving massively.

Mick

I agree I think the Dortmund boys look good but I don't think we would be able to get them and Hummels who I think is just something special.
I agree with Isco and Muniain and actually forgot about Muniain until I finished writing the post. The best thing about Ozil and Muniain though is there willingness to work extremely hard for the team. I don't think Isco is as hard a worker though but would probably be the cheapest of the three but I say you could get each of them for under 30 million euros at the most.
Veratti I don't think is avaliable as he has just moved and psg have no reason to sell him and I rate Cabaye and Moutinho highly.
I don't think Evans is good enough to be a regular starter but he is a top squad player. I would only sign Shawcross if Smalling and Vidic return to their best form because I feel Rio needs replaced and Shawcross is young and it will help with the homegrown quota.
Also I haven't seen much of Bender so what are his key attributes? Is he fast, strong a good passer of the ball or what? I think we need to move to quicker midfielder as if you look at today having Carrick and Scholes just DOES not work. They are too slow to get back into position meaning other teams attack the space quickly
The Red Manc

He is what Shappy ha been crying for for the last mmmm couple of years. He is a defenive midfielder in every sense. A wonderful tackler and a great engine along with an imposing physique. Not the best player on the ball but he is a brilliant cdm

Mick

20 Oct 2012 18:04:04
He's a very very good player, my only issue with him is his lack of pace, which I feel could catch him out in the EPL. But his reading of the game is second to none.

Shappy

20 Oct 2012 13:55:22
Really happy that tottenham equalised.I really hope and also believe this game will end 1-1. {Ed004's Note - It is 2-2 at the minute mate, think you spoke too soon lol}

20 Oct 2012 13:10:48
Chelsea playing excellent tactics and winning. If only saf can get a right hand man to improve our tactics.
Chelsea team to beat this year.
NoMidfield

Chelsea have really been superb this season. United will have to be careful while playing. I would break my TV if Giggs starts that game or if we play with two strikers and 2 wingers. I cant see us makong the same mistakes again & again.

Gallas is useless and they are missing Bale and Dembele which are big players for them.
Lennon giving ashley cole and co all they can handle. Their midfield of huddlestone and sandro looking out of pace and outclassed by chelsea midfield. Not the same team we played at OT.

Shahram

Shahram

Agree, they have looked very solid this year (even though Spurs now level today).

AJH

Chelsea are a top striker away from being a very good team.
Really hope they dont sign falcao
jred {Ed004's Note - I also think one midfielder away as well}

Look at their recent purchases - Mata, Hazard, Oscar, very high quality and very creative. They looked very good today. Wasn't sure until they beat Arsenal and they've followed it up with a hatful at Tottenham.

AJH

20 Oct 2012 10:28:44
Anyone know where I can watch the game today?

Old trafford?

Lol. Try first row sports or ronaldo7 for a stream.

AJH

20 Oct 2012 10:16:57
TK - Tell me how have we fared when we have played with RVP and Kagawa in Wayne's absence?Brilliant players that they are, i trully think that they dont bring what Wayne brings to think. Pure passion and an unrelenting desire to win.
-------------------------------------------------------

I agree about Rooney's passion but the fact is that we now have RVP and Kagawa and I just don't think that all 3 fit into the same team effectively so long as SAF refuses to play both Rooney and RVP as strikers. Ideally he would go out and sign a top CM so we could play 4 in midfield and 2 up front (RVP and Rooney) but until he does that Rooney is playing out of position IMO. Anyone who has read all of my posts on this issue will see that I don't actually want to sell Rooney but I also don't think it would be as disasterous a move as some claim.

TK-Red

TK i get where your coming from but Rooney can blow hot and cold hence signing RVP, but RVP is always a risk of picking up a bad knock. Kagawa still hasn't quite caught yet and i think we haven't figured out how best to use him. Ideally he would go out and sign a top CM but i've been hearing that every window since i first started using this website.

Have you gone mad, sell Rooney? And buy who? If Rooney goes, most of money will go in Glazers pocket. Then you'll be complaining we havent got a good team.
While we're at it why dont we sell, RVP, Kagawaa, Valencia, Raphael and all our other best players and then we cn start with Bebe, Macheda, Nani and the other useless lot, and we might as well make Phelan our boss!
NoMidfield

'NoMidfield'

Read the other posts and you'll see the context of the conversation.

TK-Red

20 Oct 2012 13:34:48
TK

I know you have never ever advocated selling Rooney. My point here is, are we good enough with RVP and Kagawa?.. With some examples that i have seen, just felt that without Wayne being there, a sheer driving force goes missing in matches. And i just think it isent worth risking it now. And obviously there are no guarantees as to what happens with the money. As per the captaincy row, till we don't have an able leader on the pitch i will give young Wayne the benefit of the doubt and let me him be the skipper.

SteveieK

I know how you feel about the Rooney being a cult figure thing. Just one question, do we have anyone better? And a humble request mate, give him a chance lol.

Deeps...

Here you go midfield

Spending

Goetze 28 , Strootman 18, Munian/isco 18, Lewandowski 22, Hummels 25. Total 111.

Sell Rooney 50, Nani 20, Anderson 10, Macheda 3, Bebe 2. 85 Million

I admit Rooney is a fantastic player and a big part of our team today and hence the 50 million price tag. I also believe it is due to a lack of what I call world class players in the team and many good squad players. I am not a big fan of his as a person due to his transfer request and off the field stuff and do not believe he is ever going to be a leader on the pitch like some of the greats who have led our club. As they say a leopard can't change his spots.

The question is really have we seen the best Rooney or is he going to be better in 2 years time. If you look at the players mentioned that gives us a team that will be incredible and young when you add rafael, DDG, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Powel, Kagawa, Valencia, Cleverly and let's say 4 or 5 players coming through the academy and the additional players that we would buy in the normal course our transfer activity over the next few years.

I guess the whole thing depends on whether people think the team is great with a few changes or needs a big overhaul. I am of the latter view and as the season goes we will find out more. One thing for sure is that we will not have the money to buy all the players everyone talks unless we are willing to cash in on a major player.

Something tells me once we get a new manager a lot of this will happen.

Shahram

FIFA != Real life

Cows and fields
jred

20 Oct 2012 08:59:44
Wayne Rooney

Matches Played - 370
Goals - 182
Assists - 91

For a player who apparently doesen't influence matches as such. Even during the Ronaldo dominated United, anyone watching the games closely would understand that most of the attacks went through Wayne. Yes, he isent twinkle toed, yes he couldn't score as many as Cristiano. How many times did you see Cristiano being unhappy about something and Rooney running all the way back to defend. Ask Ronaldo and he will tell you, what Rooney has always meant to the team.

You don't sell players like Rooney, they are irreplaceable. Period!

Deeps...

20 Oct 2012 02:09:16
TK - Tell me how have we fared when we have played with RVP and Kagawa in Wayne's absence?Brilliant players that they are, i trully think that they dont bring what Wayne brings to think. Pure passion and an unrelenting desire to win.

Shahram - You asked for an opinion. So there is no reason why people should throw the kitchen sink at you. But my answer is no not for 50 million.

Jred - Can't be more in agreeement with what you said :)

AJH - While i like your posts, there is something that i have observed. "The Rooney Contract" theatrics has always had a say on what u speak about Wayne. Your dislike for that incident kind off blinds your view. Just my opinion.

Deeps...
____________________________________________

Deeps we share a lot of the same views on things and I totally agree with what you have said. I find that when Rooney doesn't play the team look a little flat and lackluster. He leads by example gives his all and shouts at players who aren't doing good enough. People are asking for someone to shout at people when they don't do good enough but you have Rooney there doing that he lifts the team. I feel he should be captain but there are people on here that will disagree because of his contract dispute.

Was reading earlier someone said that he doesn't carry the team. I don't know if they watch games blindfolded but without him in the team we would have been lucky to make top 4 let alone 2nd. Peoples views will always be tinted because of what happened before. Ronaldo doesn't perform every game he plays and neither does Messi but they are the best out there.

Just want to finish with a question for the masses if you could choose 1 of the 3 to be a defender in a last man situation with a striker bearing down on goal who would you take? My money's on Rooney all day everyday that's what makes him special. Yes the others have more attacking flair but his overall game balances the scales to an extent.

Just my views

Darren-Bermuda

20 Oct 2012 09:40:40
Spot on DB Mate. You don't have to go too far back. Look at the Spurs game. It was unbelievable, the lift that it gave when Rooney came on. Everyone started to believe and as KLOOT says, there was not one who didnt think we would turn it around.

And he still isent influencing games is he? .. 2 assists in the Cluj game where the rest of the team looked like they were just sleep walking. Controlled the Newcastle game. And this is what he has been doing for the past 3 years.

I am sorry but where was pretty boi Ronaldo when an attack broke down and certain someone called Wayne Rooney came dashing back. He doesen't play for the records, supremely selfless and gives his heart out. Yes he has got to be the Captain. I dont understand how people can not see this.

Deeps...

'Deeps'

You say the contract issue blinds AJH's view of Wayne Rooney but, regardless of whether he should stay, that saga is one reason why he should not be made captain IMO.

TK-Red

Deeps

Agreeing with TK-Red's last post is all I'm saying on this one :)

StevieK