Showing posts with label Kagawa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kagawa. Show all posts
Monday, February 10, 2014
Where do Manchester United go from here?
Liverpool won the title 11 times from 1972-90, but (as many United fans will tell you) haven't won it since. United have won it 13 times since the 1992-93 season - and while their total dominance is probably over, their ability to compete at the top hasn't quite come to an end, but it could if they don't completely rebuild.
Manchester United are 15 points behind Chelsea after 25 games, and 9 points behind Liverpool who currently occupy the last Champions League place.
A draw with bottom-placed Fulham is the latest disappointment in a season that many are already labeling a disaster.
Competing for major trophies is probably unrealistic this year, and the process of overhauling the squad begins as soon as the season ends. People may be laughing at David Moyes now and saying he's clueless, but he needs to be given a chance to shape a squad.
Personally, I don't think Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata were the players that United should have spend the best part of $100 million on. Mata is a top player, but Fellaini doesn't fit United style. He may have scored a couple against Fulham on Sunday, but that's not the typical United way of playing. They need players who can open the door and create chances for Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Juan Mata could be that guy, as could Shinji Kagawa (although it seems his time at Old Trafford is done).
Nemanja Vidic is leaving in the summer, as will Rio Ferdinand. Ryan Giggs may call it a day, but he looks like he's done after an amazing career. Patrice Evra could go, as could Chicharito and Nani.
With all these players on the way out, United would need 6-7 really good players if they are going to compete with Manchester City and Chelsea next year. If they don't strengthen at the start of the summer, Rooney and van Persie could also exit - and that may be a hurdle too much for Moyes to overcome. He'll get the blame, but there doesn't appear to be another 'Class of '92' coming along to help him out.
There is still a huge amount of talent at Old Trafford, they've just lost the edge that Fergie gave them - and that will probably never be replicated. But how long the slide lasts is dependent on how well they rebuild this summer.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Juve in need of points; Moyes under pressure
Real Madrid against Juventus. It doesn't get much bigger than that. Throw in Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte, Cristiano and Andrea Pirlo, and we should have a fantastic game.
Juventus have drawn their first two games, while Real have scored 10 in their two victories. There is a lot of history between these giants of the game, with so many stars of the game having represented one or both - with one of my all-time favorites Zinedine Zidane coming to mind.
Conte was captain of Juve when Ancelotti was the coach there, and won't want to lose to to his mentor. But more than that, he knows that should Juve fail to pick up at least one win against Real in their two games, they face the reality of not progressing from a group that looks relatively straight-forward on paper.
Then there's David Moyes. He's already getting loads of abuse from the media, and some fans are turning on him a little already. United have a tough game at home against Real Sociedad, and if they fail to win, you know they'll be people calling for him to go. He needs time, but he also needs his players to step up.
Rooney and van Persie are his best two players, but they need to get some service. Fellaini is average at best. He's never worth the money that Moyes paid for him and really looks out of his depth. Is it time for Kagawa? I doubt it - the Scotsman just doesn't seem to rate him. I hope they lose, just so United fans can experience the turmoil of change. Moyes needs time, and I am pretty sure he'll get it, but chairmen and fans have short memories, especially with the money associated with the Champions League.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Mario Misses, City Maul United, Geezer Wrong Again
Mario Balotelli bagged 26 in a row before missing his first ever penalty this weekend. Milan went down 2-1 to Napoli, with Rafa Benitez's team on a tear. They look the real deal and will really push Juventus this year. As I was reminded this weekend by an Inter fan, Serie A is very open this year. I think he just wanted to celebrate the face that Diego Milito is back and grabbed a brace in a 7-0 win, but there is some truth to the statement. Roma look good after winning the derby against Lazio, Inter are revolutionizing systems, playing 3-6-1, Juve look very strong, and Napoli may even be the favorites. And then there's AC Milan and Fiorentina - a very competitive league, although I think the only thing stopping Juve or Napoli winning the title will be their participation in the Champions League. A strong run for either will test the strength of their squads, but they should be able to handle the price of success.
***
City gave United a proper schlapping in the Manchester derby, with Yaya Toure looking back to his best. Rooney worked hard for United, but they seem to have a lack of ideas right now. Yes, van Persie missing was huge, but surely Kagawa instead of Valencia or Welbeck would have created a few chances. Young is also much less effective without someone to cross for - and partly because Welbeck is a decent link player, but he's not a leader and doesn't really trouble defenders from crosses, or in behind.
Paulo Di Canio sacked? Surprise? Of course not. Just a surprise someone gave him a high profile job and loads of cash, then expected him to be a success after just 13 games. Strange decision all around.
Great free-kicks by Rooney and Leighton Baines this weekend. Everton were by far the better team against West Ham, but it shows what a help a dead ball specialist is. And after I predicted a bunch of home wins, it was tough on Cardiff, but nice finish from Paulinho...Newcastle hard to work out again....Villa win, but Benteke could be out. Lots of subplots in teh Premier League, and I didn't even mention Arsenal, then Chelsea were top of the league, or that Liverpool are back to their unpredictable best!
***
Also, Falcao and Ibra both scored in the 1-1 draw, with Monaco keeping their two point lead at the top of Ligue Un... Barca and ral both won (shock)... Bale is injured already (another shock)... Bayern and Dortmund are joint top of the Bundesliga again... and PSV spanked Ajax 4-0.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Was Kagawa scared to let go when Klopp hugged him?
And we all thought Jurgen Klopp was such a nice guy. He talked about how him and Shinji Kagawa cried in each other's arms when Kagawa was sold to Manchester United, he likened Bayern Munich to a James Bond villain, and turned down loads of big clubs as he was interested in the 'special project' at Dortmund.
But he's an angry man (although issued a very genuine apology accepting all the fault).
The fourth official did well to not react, although various reports suggest he changed his shorts at half-time.
But he's an angry man (although issued a very genuine apology accepting all the fault).
The fourth official did well to not react, although various reports suggest he changed his shorts at half-time.
Labels:
Angry,
Dortmund,
Football Geezer,
Jurgen Klopp,
Kagawa,
Klopp,
Napoli
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



