A pity the match wasn’t telecast. I can’t give any reviews yet, but I heard that there were quite a handful of chances but the lads just couldn’t convert them to goals. And, apparently Leto had a shocker. A pity Fowler couldn’t get any goal today but I…
Hugh McDaid has today announced that he will stand down as club chairman in Novermber
Two goals last weekend, one midweek in the Champions League and another — plus a starring role — in Manchester United’s 4-1 win over Middlesbrough on Saturday suggest that Wayne Rooney may finally be getting back to the sort of form that persuaded Alex Ferguson to part with $54 million in 2004.
Teenage prodigies rarely manage to deliver on their early potential and Rooney, who turned 22 last week, has been dogged by niggling injuries and poor form since emerging as one of the world’s most promising young talents at Euro 2004 after bursting into the Everton and England teams before his 18th birthday.
Even last season, Rooney was a strangely peripheral figure as United swept to the title, perhaps still struggling to shake off the physical and psychological effects of a nightmarish World Cup at which he arrived late — thrown desperately into England’s quarterfinal against Portugal despite having been ruled out of the competition six weeks earlier by a broken foot — and left early — sent off for a characteristically indisciplined stamp on Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho.
It hardly helped that he was also overshadowed by the inspired form of his World Cup rival and Old Trafford teammate, Cristiano Ronaldo, another teenage talent who left Rooney looking lumpen, tired and slow beyond his years by comparison.
This season though it is Ronaldo who has been out of touch, his exertions of last season perhaps finally catching up with him.
Meanwhile Rooney has thrived in a marauding partnership with Carlos Tevez that has helped catapult United to four consecutive four-goal wins and eight straight league victories, lifting them — after a faltering start — to second in the English Premier League.
That has led Alex Ferguson, not a man naturally prone to hyperbole, to suggest that the pair — who share cartoonishly ugly looks — could become one of United’s most beautiful couples.
“I hope in three or four years we will see something really special from them,” said Ferguson. “Both have got great attributes. Courage, speed, ability to beat men, all those things are there.
“But it’s maturity that is important. Once you see that, you see greater authority, better timing. And when that comes, I hope they’ll still be at this club and people will see what special players they are.”
While the signs are that Rooney is finally leaving his growing pains behind, as Ferguson admits, he undoubtedly remains a work in progress, still prone to needless argument and indiscipline and as capable of losing a game as winning it, as England’s recent 2-1 defeat in Russia demonstrated.
It had been Rooney’s instinctive finish which had put England ahead, seemingly setting them on course for Euro 2008. But it was also his clumsy challenge on the edge of the area that earned Russia the penalty that provided them with an easy route back into the match.
English fans remain patient of Rooney’s foibles, perhaps conscious that he remains their country’s closest approximation to a genuine world-class star and best hope of honors in the future.
Failing that though, Ferguson would probably settle for a continuation of Rooney’s recent scoring streak in Sunday’s top-of-the-table reunion with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Source: CNN
Neil Lennon was mysteriously absent from the Forest squad for last night’s appalling 0-0 draw with Oldham. The official reason given by the club was that he was injured, however according to the BBC he has returned to Scotland for ‘family reasons’.
Lennon revealed last month that he has been suffering from depression for nearly [...]
The displays and results of the Republic of Ireland Women’s teams over the past month reflect the strength of the game in Ireland, according to senior team manager Noel King. The Under-17 and Under-19 squads progressed from the UEFA qualifying groups while the senior team maintained their push for European Championship qualification by defeating Romania.
The displays and results of the Republic of Ireland Women’s teams over the past month reflect the strength of the game in Ireland, according to senior team manager Noel King. The Under-17 and Under-19 squads progressed from the UEFA qualifying groups while the senior team maintained their push for European Championship qualification by defeating Romania.
Timmons 3 goal of the season wasn’t enough to get at least a point to the Merrion team. Timmons has been in great form this season and scored a well taken volley. Based on reports Bangor Celtic were not having a great game however looked very comfortab…
Considering the life-threatening circumstances of his youth, his incredible walk across Africa as one of the “Lost Boys of the Sudan,” and his settlement in the Philadelphia area, Macharia Yuot sincerely believes that anything is possible in life…
Fake? Real? Who cares. Though I’m pretty sure a woman wouldn’t ever bounce a melon of her chest.Thanks to the king of American soccer blogs for the find.
Jaap Stam (right) of Ajax has decided to call it quits. The 35-year-old former Man U and Dutch national defender has been fighting injuries all year.If you want to see an angry Stam from back in the day, watch this.But he isn’t the only Dutchman making…
The S. American soccer-producing factory of a country will host the 2014 World Cup.Soccer. Beaches. Models. What’s not to love?
Raise your hand if you’re a stupid idiot goalkeeper.Thanks to this super awesome blog for the find.
“Fatboy” Rooney gets a hilarious birthday gift. [Sports By Brooks]We give England football. They give us football? [90 Minutes]Soccer fans will pay lotsa $$$ for license plates. [With Leather]Coach moons youth girls team. No more explanation needed. [T…
Yeah, this guy was a total MLS flop. Every one of his coaches over here should be ashamed of themselves.The youngster scored his second goal in eight days to propel Benfica to second in the league standings.Oh yeah, it was in the 87th minute. And his t…
Toronto FC announced Tuesday that midfielder Maurice Edu is one of three finalists for the Gatorade Rookie of the Year Award.
Edu, 21, finished his rookie season with Toronto FC with 4 goals, 1 assist, and recorded 24 shots in 25 games - all as a starter. His 2180 minutes ranked third best on the team, only behind co-captains Jim Brennan and Carl Robinson. It was a great rookie season for Edu after he spent the entire pre-season rehabbing a pelvis injury.
CORINTHIANS CUP DRAWCHECK IT OUT AT>>>>> http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=pSJ61p3f4M3bYuMUCbgzTPg
Bohemians v Longford TownSean Connor now has to raise the morale of his side following last week’s non-performance in the FAI Ford Cup semi-final clash with Cork City. Ironically, they face City’s opponents in the decider, and both sides will be fully …
U-18: Liverpool vs Sunderland [24.10.07]U-18: Liverpool vs West Brom [27.10.07]
Reports:RTÉ SportEleven-a-SideWalk the Chalk statsFor more info and the club, players, signings, and squads why not visit the official website of Finn Harps FC.
MLS has announced the finalists for the Rookie of the Year award.Adam Cristman - New England RevolutionMaurice Edu - Toronto FCDane Richards - New York Red BullsRobbie Findley is the big missing name in my opinion. Why do there have to be three finali…