Wednesday 28 September 2011
Armchair Sport: Carlos Tevez
Armchair Sport: Carlos Tevez: I forget exactly when but over the summer I commented that I felt ultimately Manchester City were wrong in the handling of the Carlos Tevez ...
Carlos Tevez
I forget exactly when but over the summer I commented that I felt ultimately Manchester City were wrong in the handling of the Carlos Tevez affair. After last nights dramatic story after their loss to Bayern Munich I still stand by that.
Yes I am aware that refusing to come off the bench to try to help your team mates was wrong and Tevez will have to answer them himself over the coming days. But this Carlos Tevez hasn't felt the need to behave like this before and the blame lies with City.
When City signed him from under Alex Ferguson's nose it was a real coup. A statement of intent that no player was beyond City and the money they were able to throw around. Indeed Tevez was installed as captain and his performances over the next two seasons almost single handedly gained city a place in the coveted Champions League. Having secured that Tevez openly stated a desire to move not to a bigger club or to a rival but for family reasons. This is were City have to take all of the blame. The kid Boateng who didn't feature or impress as much as Tevez was allowed to leave when he stated a desire to play for Bayern Munich. City were respectful and didn't hold up to much fuss. However we all know how they handled the Tevez affair and no matter how you disguise it City are guilty of trying to exploit Tevez's professionalism. There is no reason other than it didn't quite suit Manchester City that he didn't complete a switch to Corinthians. City could have forced cash plus installments to recover the loss as that is obviously the only thing they care about. Instead they thought they could keep a man at their club whose family were homesick, then strip him of his captaincy and expect him to be happy with everything.
If I'm honest I have not seen as much of them play this season but from what I have seen there seems more emphasis on the team and they have good depth in the squad now so Tevez was never going to be playing every week. When he missed that penalty early in the season Mancini came out and said he was sorry because his performance deserved a goal but hopefully that would change in the next match. He has only featured in 3 games so far this season. While the new signings have been scoring goals for fun a clearly unhappy and low on confidence Tevez has had to be content for a place on the bench. It must be difficult going from the most effective and important player to one who doesn't know if he will make the substitutes bench.
Last night saw those frustrations reach a point where City will blame the player and football pundits will slam Tevez for what happened last night but in my opinion it's one of those scenarios similar to Fabregas and Arsenal. Arsene Wenger done it right by getting a fair but maybe reduced price for him, sending him happy with good memories and the best of wishes and they moved on. City had the chance to treat Tevez with respect rather than try to throw money at the problem or professionally blackmailing him. Further more surely his value would go down now from what it was in the summer so any hope they had of breaking even on that deal is long gone.
Even allowing Tevez to join someone on loan would relieve the wage bill. Now they can't just let him run his contract down as it just won't be good for the club of football. The equation is simple. The cost of having him there not onboard against the cost of no more Tevez. If City have to take £10m-£15m in January then so be it. They won't get their asking price from the summer now and I just hope this is a lesson to all youngsters out there. Fair enough City can pay you any figure you can dream of but when real life problems arise the money men turn into cyborgs and their true colours shine through. Rightly so for refusing to play will see Tevez as the scapegoat but it is Manchester City who are to blame for this and what Roberto Mancini or anyone else at the club fails to realise is we all know that. Anyone else would have waved Tevez off to Brazil with gratitude and dignity and respect. Values not found around the Etihad Stadium it seems.
Yes I am aware that refusing to come off the bench to try to help your team mates was wrong and Tevez will have to answer them himself over the coming days. But this Carlos Tevez hasn't felt the need to behave like this before and the blame lies with City.
When City signed him from under Alex Ferguson's nose it was a real coup. A statement of intent that no player was beyond City and the money they were able to throw around. Indeed Tevez was installed as captain and his performances over the next two seasons almost single handedly gained city a place in the coveted Champions League. Having secured that Tevez openly stated a desire to move not to a bigger club or to a rival but for family reasons. This is were City have to take all of the blame. The kid Boateng who didn't feature or impress as much as Tevez was allowed to leave when he stated a desire to play for Bayern Munich. City were respectful and didn't hold up to much fuss. However we all know how they handled the Tevez affair and no matter how you disguise it City are guilty of trying to exploit Tevez's professionalism. There is no reason other than it didn't quite suit Manchester City that he didn't complete a switch to Corinthians. City could have forced cash plus installments to recover the loss as that is obviously the only thing they care about. Instead they thought they could keep a man at their club whose family were homesick, then strip him of his captaincy and expect him to be happy with everything.
If I'm honest I have not seen as much of them play this season but from what I have seen there seems more emphasis on the team and they have good depth in the squad now so Tevez was never going to be playing every week. When he missed that penalty early in the season Mancini came out and said he was sorry because his performance deserved a goal but hopefully that would change in the next match. He has only featured in 3 games so far this season. While the new signings have been scoring goals for fun a clearly unhappy and low on confidence Tevez has had to be content for a place on the bench. It must be difficult going from the most effective and important player to one who doesn't know if he will make the substitutes bench.
Last night saw those frustrations reach a point where City will blame the player and football pundits will slam Tevez for what happened last night but in my opinion it's one of those scenarios similar to Fabregas and Arsenal. Arsene Wenger done it right by getting a fair but maybe reduced price for him, sending him happy with good memories and the best of wishes and they moved on. City had the chance to treat Tevez with respect rather than try to throw money at the problem or professionally blackmailing him. Further more surely his value would go down now from what it was in the summer so any hope they had of breaking even on that deal is long gone.
Even allowing Tevez to join someone on loan would relieve the wage bill. Now they can't just let him run his contract down as it just won't be good for the club of football. The equation is simple. The cost of having him there not onboard against the cost of no more Tevez. If City have to take £10m-£15m in January then so be it. They won't get their asking price from the summer now and I just hope this is a lesson to all youngsters out there. Fair enough City can pay you any figure you can dream of but when real life problems arise the money men turn into cyborgs and their true colours shine through. Rightly so for refusing to play will see Tevez as the scapegoat but it is Manchester City who are to blame for this and what Roberto Mancini or anyone else at the club fails to realise is we all know that. Anyone else would have waved Tevez off to Brazil with gratitude and dignity and respect. Values not found around the Etihad Stadium it seems.
Wednesday 21 September 2011
Armchair Sport: Man United's flexibility
Armchair Sport: Man United's flexibility: As a life long United fan I was playing the game we play of trying to guess Ferguson's team for last nights Carling Cup tie against fierce r...
Man United's flexibility
As a life long United fan I was playing the game we play of trying to guess Ferguson's team for last nights Carling Cup tie against fierce rivals Leeds United. I didn't come close. But who can question Ferguson the title of greatest ever manager when his visions become clear to the rest of us.
Whether it is something that United have stumbled on or has been in the managers plans but the decision to play Antonio Valencia at right back made sense. He played there last season and as Fergie tries to fit all his star names into the same team Valencia might be playing there a lot more. By having him there it mirrors what Danial Alves does at Barcelona. Except that Valencia might be better going backwards than the Brazilian. Away from home United will probably play Smalling or Jones at right back for the extra threat they carry on set pieces. But the way the youngsters have started I don't think it will be long before Jones and Smalling are playing at centre back with Evra at left back. That will free Valencia to start at right back. What an attacking defence that would be. That also allows Nani and Young more freedom and Fletcher and Anderson in the middle with the energy and drive with Rooney and either Welbeck or Hernandez up front.
Then last night young Ben Amos announced himself with a decent performance while Carrick and Fryers who made his debut did enough and the second half was a mere canter. Only minuses would be maybe it just isn't going to happen for Fabio at United. It's hard for him as he doesn't get the run of games that Rafael gets due to the outstanding Evra but both need to put down the Paul Scholes book of tackling. When your not playing every week the last thing you can afford is getting suspended when you do play. Then there is Diouf and Macheda only 6th and 7th in the Old Trafford pecking order. Macheda should of gone out on loan this season after what it did for Cleverley and Welbeck. Sitting in the reserves and cameo appearances won't see the best from him. I'm not sure where Diouf fits in to the grand scheme of things. He had flashes at Blackburn last season but again needs the regular football.
Other pluses from the match had to be Michael Owen's return and lets be fair, Ok he scuffed his first but was aiming there and what a second goal. From Michael Owen. A player who the squad, management and fans all appreciate for his squad ability. He will get spells on the sidelines but Ferguson will get the best out of him. Many feel with Owen fit then Berbatov is another who could become surplus to requirements. And then we have the evergreen Giggs and the tireless Park but who would willingly play anywhere and have done and will need to as although they are no longer guaranteed starters but still bring something that adds the squad. That will be how Ferguson views the next few windows. His teams have proved that playing out of position isn't a problem for many of his players and he will trim the edges of his squad with the likes of Kuszczak and Gibson two of the first expected out. I was a little surprised given the new found good relations between Ferguson and Wenger that Arsenal didn't put some offer in for Gibson but he seems to of fallen from favour at Old Trafford. Only time will tell but United's flexibilty is leaving their opponents second guessing.
And so United rumble on to Stoke and if they can stay unbeaten after 10 games the media will really start to whip up the hype. Nobody has said it yet but can they go unbeaten all season. With City looking good it certainly would be some achievement.
Whether it is something that United have stumbled on or has been in the managers plans but the decision to play Antonio Valencia at right back made sense. He played there last season and as Fergie tries to fit all his star names into the same team Valencia might be playing there a lot more. By having him there it mirrors what Danial Alves does at Barcelona. Except that Valencia might be better going backwards than the Brazilian. Away from home United will probably play Smalling or Jones at right back for the extra threat they carry on set pieces. But the way the youngsters have started I don't think it will be long before Jones and Smalling are playing at centre back with Evra at left back. That will free Valencia to start at right back. What an attacking defence that would be. That also allows Nani and Young more freedom and Fletcher and Anderson in the middle with the energy and drive with Rooney and either Welbeck or Hernandez up front.
Then last night young Ben Amos announced himself with a decent performance while Carrick and Fryers who made his debut did enough and the second half was a mere canter. Only minuses would be maybe it just isn't going to happen for Fabio at United. It's hard for him as he doesn't get the run of games that Rafael gets due to the outstanding Evra but both need to put down the Paul Scholes book of tackling. When your not playing every week the last thing you can afford is getting suspended when you do play. Then there is Diouf and Macheda only 6th and 7th in the Old Trafford pecking order. Macheda should of gone out on loan this season after what it did for Cleverley and Welbeck. Sitting in the reserves and cameo appearances won't see the best from him. I'm not sure where Diouf fits in to the grand scheme of things. He had flashes at Blackburn last season but again needs the regular football.
Other pluses from the match had to be Michael Owen's return and lets be fair, Ok he scuffed his first but was aiming there and what a second goal. From Michael Owen. A player who the squad, management and fans all appreciate for his squad ability. He will get spells on the sidelines but Ferguson will get the best out of him. Many feel with Owen fit then Berbatov is another who could become surplus to requirements. And then we have the evergreen Giggs and the tireless Park but who would willingly play anywhere and have done and will need to as although they are no longer guaranteed starters but still bring something that adds the squad. That will be how Ferguson views the next few windows. His teams have proved that playing out of position isn't a problem for many of his players and he will trim the edges of his squad with the likes of Kuszczak and Gibson two of the first expected out. I was a little surprised given the new found good relations between Ferguson and Wenger that Arsenal didn't put some offer in for Gibson but he seems to of fallen from favour at Old Trafford. Only time will tell but United's flexibilty is leaving their opponents second guessing.
And so United rumble on to Stoke and if they can stay unbeaten after 10 games the media will really start to whip up the hype. Nobody has said it yet but can they go unbeaten all season. With City looking good it certainly would be some achievement.
Thursday 8 September 2011
Armchair Sport: The end of the golden generation
Armchair Sport: The end of the golden generation: At Wembley on Tuesday night we saw the unthinkable happen. The end of the so called "Golden Generation" came to an end. That's not to say th...
The end of the golden generation
At Wembley on Tuesday night we saw the unthinkable happen. The end of the so called "Golden Generation" came to an end. That's not to say that none of them will make an England Squad again but that eventually someone is picking players on form and not on the size of their bank balance or on their name.
In hindsight Fabio Capello has been going down this road longer than people give him credit for with Michael Owen and David Beckham's international departures and Joe Cole's sudden disappearance off the radar. Added to that Rio Ferdinand's constant injury problems mean it is surely time for him to concentrate on Manchester United. David James hasn't been picked up out of the Championship while Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have both now retired completely from football.
That leaves us with a handful of the "Golden" boys and as Frank Lampard is proving they cannot rely on their reputations any longer to get picked for England. Let's be fair before we carry on it is what we all wanted after the shambles in the world cup. Players looking like they want to play for England rather than just going through the motions. We could reach a point this season where 3 or 4 defenders are playing better than John Terry and then Capello will have a problem. How could he ever replace John Terry. The answer is easy. Terry has never been quite quick enough at international level and when played with a partner of equal pace like Matthew Upsom this has been highlighted. They say he is a born leader yet when he opens his mouth my brain switches off. Now you put an armband on Joe Hart or Wayne Rooney and interview them and the passion is there for all to see. Like Beckham before him Terry is expendable and the sooner he realises that the better for country and club as well.
In all seriousness we could go to the Euro's with only Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard as experienced players. I wouldn't mind that. I am sick of haring pathetic excuses for poor performance. I would rather risk losing by trying some new blood and let them learn from the experience than carry on down the usual path. I compiled a squad of possible players that could see England through the next two tournaments.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Ben Foster and Ben Amos.
Defenders
Chris Smalling, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Jones
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Jack Wilshire, Tom Cleverley, Stuart Downing
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck
That is a 25 man squad with Gerrard as captain and Rooney as vice captain. I think they have as much chance as a squad with Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry or Frank Lampard in.
In hindsight Fabio Capello has been going down this road longer than people give him credit for with Michael Owen and David Beckham's international departures and Joe Cole's sudden disappearance off the radar. Added to that Rio Ferdinand's constant injury problems mean it is surely time for him to concentrate on Manchester United. David James hasn't been picked up out of the Championship while Gary Neville and Paul Scholes have both now retired completely from football.
That leaves us with a handful of the "Golden" boys and as Frank Lampard is proving they cannot rely on their reputations any longer to get picked for England. Let's be fair before we carry on it is what we all wanted after the shambles in the world cup. Players looking like they want to play for England rather than just going through the motions. We could reach a point this season where 3 or 4 defenders are playing better than John Terry and then Capello will have a problem. How could he ever replace John Terry. The answer is easy. Terry has never been quite quick enough at international level and when played with a partner of equal pace like Matthew Upsom this has been highlighted. They say he is a born leader yet when he opens his mouth my brain switches off. Now you put an armband on Joe Hart or Wayne Rooney and interview them and the passion is there for all to see. Like Beckham before him Terry is expendable and the sooner he realises that the better for country and club as well.
In all seriousness we could go to the Euro's with only Ashley Cole and Steven Gerrard as experienced players. I wouldn't mind that. I am sick of haring pathetic excuses for poor performance. I would rather risk losing by trying some new blood and let them learn from the experience than carry on down the usual path. I compiled a squad of possible players that could see England through the next two tournaments.
Goalkeepers
Joe Hart, Ben Foster and Ben Amos.
Defenders
Chris Smalling, Micah Richards, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines, Gary Cahill, Ryan Shawcross, Phil Jones
Midfielders
Steven Gerrard, James Milner, Scott Parker, Gareth Barry, Ashley Young, Theo Walcott, Aaron Lennon, Jack Wilshire, Tom Cleverley, Stuart Downing
Forwards
Wayne Rooney, Darren Bent, Andy Carroll, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck
That is a 25 man squad with Gerrard as captain and Rooney as vice captain. I think they have as much chance as a squad with Joe Cole, Rio Ferdinand, John Terry or Frank Lampard in.
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