Football, that most wonderful but sometimes heartbreaking and frustrating of past times and sports, is back. And about time too. And being a Manchester Utd and mighty Woking FC supporter, i’m excited at both ends of the football spectrum. Honestly cannot wait to start my season long discussions, rants and moans with both Man Utd and Woking. Anyhow,
welcome one and welcome all. Please, take a pew :)
Hopes for the season: Manchester United and Woking FC, my two footballing loves
This summer has already seen a colourful mix of movements and players heading in all different directions, none more so than the new faces arriving at Old Trafford. The need to jump into the transfer market was required by Ferguson. That’s a given. The retirements of Scholes and Van Der Sar were key areas that needed attention and I’m pleased with the signing’s we’ve made so far. It’s given us a chance to freshen up a squad that needed just a few more pieces to complete the jigsaw puzzle. And for a refreshing change, two have been home grown players we’ve managed to acquire. For David De Gea, Ashley Young and Phil Jones, this year will certainly be tough and the fast pace and driven mentality that is all too apparent with the Premiership will demand instant success...or deal with failure. In the face of failure, you just need to look at Manucho, Bebe (god forgiven) and Gabriel Obertan as three present examples of failing to make the grade. You could argue that Obertan’s position has been one of unluckiness. Timing and a host of injuries (albeit one serious regarding his back) has hampered his chances to break through into being a first team regular. Fingers crossed his move to Newcastle works out for him and he can finally show the potential that persuaded Sir Alex in bringing him to Old Trafford from Bordeaux. Manchester Utd has had its fair share of players that haven’t/didn’t quite make the cut over the years, including players like:
Kieran Richardson
Phil Bardsley
Danny Simpson
Ricardo
Kleberson
Bojan Djordic
Massimo Taibi (Still haven’t forgiven him for his crimes)
Roy Carroll
Dong Fangzuho
Eric Djemba Djemba
Juan Sebastian Veron
David Bellion
Jordi Cruyff
Lee Martin
Frazier Campbell
Alex Notman
Erik Nevland
Only a small handful, and a couple you might think to yourself “hang on a minute, they weren’t THAT bad “ or “they did alright.....honestly they did” In fairness, some players on that list you can forgive, for other’s there is no excuse. And it’s this potential outcome that could face any one of Utd’s summer signings of 2011. The worry of being hyped so much by fans, the media and the club itself and then failing to deliver when it truly matters.
However looking at them, I honestly couldn’t be more confident about De Gea, Young and Jones. My feeling is that Ferguson, despite the money spent on bringing these players, has been shrewd but superb in his choices. Starting off at the back and De Gea’s capture has been a superb piece of transfer dealing. However already the knifes are out for him after his display against Man City in the Community Shield, and personally I think that’s harsh. How can you honestly become a keeper of Van Der Sar’s quality overnight? Any player need’s time to adapt to different environments. I hardly think that one game should dictate any level of criticism in regards of whether a player is good enough or not, even underlying worry and mumblings at least about how he will cope against opposition when in the Premiership season gets underway. Memories of previous Utd goalkeeping failures still haunt many a fan. As stated previously, Taibi’s reign in particular. Is this more likely the reason why people are so quick to question Utd’s new acquisition in only a handful of pre season games and one Community Shield?? Its possibly closest to this, However , considering De Gea is only 20 years of age and for him to have already established himself against fellow keepers like Gregory Coupet at Atletico Madrid, been linked with both the likes of Barcelona and Real, shows the kind of player Manchester Utd have brought. And how much talent we have yet to see from will in my view becoming more apparent in the season, and years to come.
Utd's new No.1. Got a big void to fill at Old Trafford
Same can be said for Phil Jones. Young in age but already, and alarmingly, settled and solid as a defender against some of the best players of the highest premiership calibre. He’s already been established as one of Britain’s foremost talents in the game, and rightly so. Like De Gea, the price tag was considerably high for both. Signed for around 17-18 million. However taking into effect the meteoric rise of Jones within the setup at Blackburn Rovers (under the watchful eye of Steven Kean), his displays, along with his partnership with Chris Samba become one of the great success stories of the 2010/11 season. His confidence and current ability at the back is similar to that seen of a player almost 10 years ahead of him, yet he still manages to go from strength to strength. His performances in the Under 21’s European Championship again further argued his case of one of England’s brightest stars. I’ll stick my neck out and suggest that what we see in Jones and his rapid development could very easily become the next John Terry or even Tony Adams style defender, for both club and country. Along with Chris Smalling, it will be exciting to see how the partnership works out and develops as time goes on. If was Ferdinand and either Vidic, I’d be a little worried about the progression of those two. These two really can’t displace these two at the centre of defence now......can they? Don’t write that off just yet.
The Future backline for Utd??
And last but no means least, what about Ashley Young? Is he really the right kind of player for United? Pre season has shown that overwhelming in favour for the ex Aston Villa and Watford winger. Young’s arrival adds a breath of fresh to a United midfield that is in need of some new blood. Being one of England’s more promising performers of late, a good spell as a cemented first team regular would not only be positive to United in the league, but also England in the long run. With the emergence of Nani in the last couple of seasons, the non stop Park Ji Sung, coupled with the upcoming talent of Tom Cleverley AND if all goes to plan.....the arrival of a certain Dutchman from Italy, the midfield is complete and looking as strong as ever. Question is, who to play and who leave on the bench, or even loan out!!
Shrewd investment? Time will tell but if his previous spells at Watford and Villa have anything to go by, its money well spent
It’s funny what three players can do to a team. All the doom and gloom over player retirements, the dark side of Manchester appearing to be never ending in how much money its churning out, as well as further issues with the Glazers, a great pre season in the USA plus victory over Man City has brought confidence and expectation to the level that every Manchester United fan knows and loves. That’s why their is many reasons to be cheerful if your a red, along with Michael Owen’s staggering goal scoring habit in America....but that in itself, is for another day!
James Cummins
No comments:
Post a Comment