Premier League 2010/11

[Guest ttfn]

Nani's been outstanding this season.

So far he's been the best player in the league who's not playing for Chelsea.

[dandannieldanok]

Berbatov and Nani have been far more effective this season than Scholes or Giggs.

And Rooney for that matter. People seem to be gleefully forgetting he was shit even before this story broke.

Nani and Berbatov are not good enough to ...... a) maintain this consistency of high performance (after all they've been very disappointing in previous seasons) and ....... b) even if they do, neither are world-class and neither have the devastating effect of Rooney or a C.Ronaldo when on top form. Yes Rooney has been dismal this season, and it's no surprise to see Man Utd floundering at the same time, it's not just coincidence. If Man Utd want to keep challenging at the highest level in the next few years, they must first of all sign Rooney up and then SAF must earn his money and get him playing better. If Rooney goes, who are they going to replace him with and with what money? Hoping that Nani and Berbatov will maintain their form is a foolish strategy.

[Finnegan]

Strikes me as a poor argument, to be honest.

Berbatov was consistently brilliant before going to Manchester United. It took him a season to settle, this is not a rare a thing, and now he's displaying the flashes of genius that got him the move to Old Trafford in the first place.

As for Nani, correct me if I'm wrong but is this not his first proper run as a first choice player at Old Trafford? It's easy to forget he's still only twenty three and has matured a lot as a footballer in the last eighteen months. If he's not Premiership winning quality I hate to see who is.

Rooney is one of the most consistently overrated players in the world. With the exception of last season (in which he was frequently unplayable, I admit) he's been a distinctively average top-four player for most of his career. Don't get me wrong, he's not the sort of player anyone wants to lose from their team if they're trying to progress - but irreplaceable?

Sorry, no.

[dandannieldanok]

Strikes me as a poor argument, to be honest.

Berbatov was consistently brilliant before going to Manchester United. It took him a season to settle, this is not a rare a thing, and now he's displaying the flashes of genius that got him the move to Old Trafford in the first place.

As for Nani, correct me if I'm wrong but is this not his first proper run as a first choice player at Old Trafford? It's easy to forget he's still only twenty three and has matured a lot as a footballer in the last eighteen months. If he's not Premiership winning quality I hate to see who is.

Rooney is one of the most consistently overrated players in the world. With the exception of last season (in which he was frequently unplayable, I admit) he's been a distinctively average top-four player for most of his career. Don't get me wrong, he's not the sort of player anyone wants to lose from their team if they're trying to progress - but irreplaceable?

Sorry, no.

Fair enough, if you think Nani and a 29 year-old Berbatov are going to be able to carry most of the burden of Man Utd's big expectations as one of the biggest clubs in the world for the next few years then fine. I personally can't see it myself, and the table doesn't lie either.

[Mee]

Strikes me as a poor argument, to be honest.

Berbatov was consistently brilliant before going to Manchester United. It took him a season to settle, this is not a rare a thing, and now he's displaying the flashes of genius that got him the move to Old Trafford in the first place.

As for Nani, correct me if I'm wrong but is this not his first proper run as a first choice player at Old Trafford? It's easy to forget he's still only twenty three and has matured a lot as a footballer in the last eighteen months. If he's not Premiership winning quality I hate to see who is.

Rooney is one of the most consistently overrated players in the world. With the exception of last season (in which he was frequently unplayable, I admit) he's been a distinctively average top-four player for most of his career. Don't get me wrong, he's not the sort of player anyone wants to lose from their team if they're trying to progress - but irreplaceable?

Sorry, no.

Agree with this. When Anderson and Nani went to United, i was told, numerous times that Anderson will be the 'bigger name' out of the two, but now, i never really see anything of him. Nani is a great player now, in my opinion he may mature to be as good as Ronaldo.

I was a big Rooney fan before the World Cup, but he has gone down in my, and many people, estimations. He seems like he plays as the only man who matters on the field. He is not irreplaceable, and they could find (or mature) a player just as easily. I am sure in their academy their is a player waiting there to turn into the next big thing. For example Wilshere. I know he is at Arsenal, but he has come through the ranks so quickly, and therefore should be respected. He will be the next big English superstar, if handled correctly.

[Guest ttfn]

Agree with this. When Anderson and Nani went to United, i was told, numerous times that Anderson will be the 'bigger name' out of the two, but now, i never really see anything of him. Nani is a great player now, in my opinion he may mature to be as good as Ronaldo.

I was a big Rooney fan before the World Cup, but he has gone down in my, and many people, estimations. He seems like he plays as the only man who matters on the field. He is not irreplaceable, and they could find (or mature) a player just as easily. I am sure in their academy their is a player waiting there to turn into the next big thing. For example Wilshere. I know he is at Arsenal, but he has come through the ranks so quickly, and therefore should be respected. He will be the next big English superstar, if handled correctly.

I think Nani's great (see above). But he will never be as good as Ronaldo. No way.

[Mee]

I think Nani's great (see above). But he will never be as good as Ronaldo. No way.

I think he has the credentials to be like him. He just has that stance about him, and the way he isn't afraid to attack the defence. Just my opinion, mind.

[dandannieldanok]

Agree with this. When Anderson and Nani went to United, i was told, numerous times that Anderson will be the 'bigger name' out of the two, but now, i never really see anything of him. Nani is a great player now, in my opinion he may mature to be as good as Ronaldo.

I was a big Rooney fan before the World Cup, but he has gone down in my, and many people, estimations. He seems like he plays as the only man who matters on the field. He is not irreplaceable, and they could find (or mature) a player just as easily. I am sure in their academy their is a player waiting there to turn into the next big thing. For example Wilshere. I know he is at Arsenal, but he has come through the ranks so quickly, and therefore should be respected. He will be the next big English superstar, if handled correctly.

I personally don't hold with this at all. Rooney is a world-class talent whether people like it or not. Seems as though fans and his club alike just seem happy to give up on the lad cos he's out of form and made mistakes off the pitch. Man Utd are debt-ridden, so they can't afford to buy anyone as good as Rooney. Man Utd may well have talent in their academy, but players like Rooney and Wilshere are once-in-a-cycle players, there isn't a conveyor belt of talent to cherry-pick from. Rooney irreplacable? Depends on Man Utd's ambitions in the next few years.

[Finnegan]

Fair enough, if you think Nani and a 29 year-old Berbatov are going to be able to carry most of the burden of Man Utd's big expectations as one of the biggest clubs in the world for the next few years then fine. I personally can't see it myself, and the table doesn't lie either.

You speak like Wayne Rooney can single handedly carry most of the burden of Man Utd's big expectations. I'd take Nani and Berbatov over Rooney; two world class players over one. It's a no brainer.

There are only a very small handful of players in this world I would desperately cling on to and more or less build my side around. As much as I hate him, C. Ronaldo is in that group as is Leo Messi. But Wayne Rooney? Behave.

The genius of the likes of SAF and Wenger has been finding these players without having to break transfer records. Manchester United, even in debt, have the spending power, the reputation and the manager to bring in some of the best talent in the world and with £50m from the sale of Rooney they could easily bring in a goal scorer to fill the gap - that's if Hernandez doesn't turn out to be the next big thing.

If Manchester United have problems it's because their legendary squad depth is starting to wane and there are holes all around the park - not just because one high profile player is having a strop. Look at Barca a few years ago - who'd have thought they could shed Ronaldinho and Eto'o et all and come out a better side? But they have.

[sdb]

Massive blow for Utd, although it could be a blessing in disguise if the last 6 months indicate the future of WR - he's been appalling. Would like to see him back to his best in Spain. With regards to Utd, i think this could be the most harmful of the 'big player leaving' scenarios. Becks was as much a brand as a good player (excellent tho he was), RVN and Stam got replaced (eventually) but they didn't run the team like Rooney did for Utd last year, and they weren't 800mill in debt then either. Very interesting.

[Mee]

I personally don't hold with this at all. Rooney is a world-class talent whether people like it or not. Seems as though fans and his club alike just seem happy to give up on the lad cos he's out of form and made mistakes off the pitch. Man Utd are debt-ridden, so they can't afford to buy anyone as good as Rooney. Man Utd may well have talent in their academy, but players like Rooney and Wilshere are once-in-a-cycle players, there isn't a conveyor belt of talent to cherry-pick from. Rooney irreplacable? Depends on Man Utd's ambitions in the next few years.

I can see where you are coming from, and i agree, Rooney is a world class player. But sometimes world class players are not football players. Sometimes they have the wrong attitude towards the way they play. In the real world, everybody has to work so hard for their money, but people like Rooney could retire now and have more than enough to live on for a lifetime. His attitude is not right in my opinion. Surely he should try his hardest, every game, and therefore the fans will see how he is doing. But at this moment in time, he does not look like he cares. Rooney has a lot going on off the field, and, in my opinion, money is wrecking the game. If they were not so well paid, they would have to work solid for their money, therefore giving everything they have got. It would also help the academy develop people like Rooney and Wilshere. With all this money they have, they could at least invest in some future players. Arsene Wenger does it perfectly. Buys the yound lads when they are only 16, sometimes 15 years old. As you say, not all of these make it, but surely it is a risk worth taking. Clubs like Man City, who have massive amounts of money, invest in people who are proven, or in there prime. Some exceptions are the Adam Johnson's etc, but surely for the good of football, they should put a few million into the youth academy. As you have probably gathered, i am all for bringing the youth through.

[dandannieldanok]

You speak like Wayne Rooney can single handedly carry most of the burden of Man Utd's big expectations. I'd take Nani and Berbatov over Rooney; two world class players over one. It's a no brainer.

There are only a very small handful of players in this world I would desperately cling on to and more or less build my side around. As much as I hate him, C. Ronaldo is in that group as is Leo Messi. But Wayne Rooney? Behave.

The genius of the likes of SAF and Wenger has been finding these players without having to break transfer records. Manchester United, even in debt, have the spending power, the reputation and the manager to bring in some of the best talent in the world and with £50m from the sale of Rooney they could easily bring in a goal scorer to fill the gap - that's if Hernandez doesn't turn out to be the next big thing.

If Manchester United have problems it's because their legendary squad depth is starting to wane and there are holes all around the park - not just because one high profile player is having a strop. Look at Barca a few years ago - who'd have thought they could shed Ronaldinho and Eto'o et all and come out a better side? But they have.

Well I wouldn't have Nani and Berbatov over Rooney so we'll never agree on that, once again we rate the players in question differently which is fine.

I do however take issue with Man Utd having the spending power. They didn't spend much of the £80m gained from the Ronaldo deal because they're in a mire of debt. And as I've already said, I believe the top talent will be on their way to the other half of Manchester because of the money, plus City will become a Champions League club at the end of this season so there is equal attraction in that regard.

I can see where you are coming from, and i agree, Rooney is a world class player. But sometimes world class players are not football players. Sometimes they have the wrong attitude towards the way they play. In the real world, everybody has to work so hard for their money, but people like Rooney could retire now and have more than enough to live on for a lifetime. His attitude is not right in my opinion. Surely he should try his hardest, every game, and therefore the fans will see how he is doing. But at this moment in time, he does not look like he cares. Rooney has a lot going on off the field, and, in my opinion, money is wrecking the game. If they were not so well paid, they would have to work solid for their money, therefore giving everything they have got. It would also help the academy develop people like Rooney and Wilshere. With all this money they have, they could at least invest in some future players. Arsene Wenger does it perfectly. Buys the yound lads when they are only 16, sometimes 15 years old. As you say, not all of these make it, but surely it is a risk worth taking. Clubs like Man City, who have massive amounts of money, invest in people who are proven, or in there prime. Some exceptions are the Adam Johnson's etc, but surely for the good of football, they should put a few million into the youth academy. As you have probably gathered, i am all for bringing the youth through.

Rooney's attitude during his career has generally been top notch in my opinion, his work-rate before this summer has usually been excellent. I just think he needs better management in his life and he'll eventually regain the form and that work-rate and attitude. As for bringing youth through, yea I'm totally with you, I'd love to see more talent breaking through. But as many at Everton said, Rooney was a special talent, it's going to be tough to replace someone like that and the talent coming through would have so much pressure on their shoulders, particularly at a club where the expectations are massive.

[Guest ttfn]

Rooney of last season was irreplaceable. Genuinely irreplaceable. No player in the world could offer what he was doing last year.

I could do a passable impression of Rooney this season.

On a side note who on earth is the Sky Commentator for Blackburn v Sunderland? Never heard him before.

[sdb]

Lee Cattermore's dive, lucky to avoid a booking

[Mee]

Lee Cattermore's dive, lucky to avoid a booking

T'was laughable.

On another subject - just having a debate with my Dad - Should players be allowed the towels for the throw ins? He says it's wrong and they should just get the ball in asap.

[sdb]

for me, towel = potential long throw/goal mouth scramble, so i'm all for it! personally Rory Delap get's me very excited (when taking a throw)

[The Doctor]

T'was laughable.

On another subject - just having a debate with my Dad - Should players be allowed the towels for the throw ins? He says it's wrong and they should just get the ball in asap.

depends on the condtions, if it's been raining within half an hour prior to kick off or heavy, heavy rain within 24 hours prior to kick-off or raining during the match then i don't see why not.

If the conditions are fine, slightly damp at best then no, they're just wasting a bit of time drying the ball off.

[Mee]

Bent should of buried that 1 on 1. Nice open game, can see a few goals in this one.

[dandannieldanok]

T'was laughable.

On another subject - just having a debate with my Dad - Should players be allowed the towels for the throw ins? He says it's wrong and they should just get the ball in asap.

No they shouldn't be allowed towels in my opinions, it's tough luck if you can't throw it long cos it's a wet ball. I can't remember what game it was, but a team (have a feeling it was against Blackburn) that lost to Stoke last season complained because Delap had so many throw-ins where he had to dry the ball and overall wasted a good few minutes doing it, minutes that were not added on at the end.

[sdb]

surely ref's should just add the time then? Long throws create goal scoring chances, they're a part of the game that should be exploited and are often the best way to beat the 'bigger' teams. i'm all for it!

[Mee]

Samba sent off for Blackburn. Definitely a red, poor defending.

[sdb]

yeah it was, bbc saying it was controversial...

[Matt]

Rooney for Leicester

[Fox92]

Samba sent off for Blackburn. Definitely a red, poor defending.

I thought it looked like what Vitor did at Portsmouth.

[FoxyPV]

I'd hate to be a Blackburn fan.