As we’ve found out throughout the course of this season, the popular social-networking site, Twitter, has become a footballers best friend, and a journalists haven of gossip and potential headlines. This week, it has been the turn of Darron Gibson to be embroiled in a new story with Tweeting connections, albeit his lasted a record-breaking amount of time. But as I chuckled to myself reading the short-sighted opinions people had of the Manchester United man, I started to wonder: what has Michael Carrick done to get himself all wrapped up in this affair?

The midfielder hasn’t even become involved in a positive way. As many were joining the ‘we hate Darron Gibson’ bandwagon, they attempted to attach a ‘lets start on Carrick as well’ side-car. Some of the comments which have caused such a stir around Old Trafford were directly abusive and altogether ignorant of the work both players have done for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side this season.

Even before the FA Cup final mistake, there seems to be a ‘blame Michael Carrick’ cult going around Old Trafford – something I just cannot understand. Just because he plays a similar way to Gibson, Carrick has too become a target of some pretty harsh ‘tweets’. His form recently has been good. Not great, but like many other of United’s players this season, Carrick has been doing enough to keep them top of the pile and on course for a Champions League final. Speaking of the European Cup, I wonder if any of the tweeting bright-sparks saw his performance against Schalke on Tuesday night? Not bad for a player who is apparently rubbish, eh? Ferguson trusts him in the big games. He controls matches with his passing and protects the back four as well as anyone around at the moment. The days of a crunching tackle have gone. Carrick has become the master of the interception which then leads into an attack – something United play on very well.

Gibson on the other hand has always had his critics, me being one of them, sometimes. But firstly, I would never publish such a degrading opinion of someone for the world to see – that’s just cowardly. After-all, the lad has more talent in his left boot than I could ever dream of. But despite what anybody thinks, at a time when United are fighting for several trophies, his inclusion in the squad is not such a bad thing. Are we forgetting Ryan Giggs is 37? Have we not realised that Paul Scholes has been out-of-form and Darren Fletcher has apparently been suffering from the worlds worst case of influenza? I’m not saying lets start the him at the Emirates this weekend, but if Gibson can come in for a game in which the boss trusts his players are good enough to win, why does every other Tom, Dick and Harry seem to want to argue?

[ad_pod id=’unruly’ align=’right’]

As I mentioned earlier, I had a little laugh to myself and what was being said, in particular towards Carrick, because they were so unjustified and I’m sure neither player will let it bother them. They are both part of a team who are about to achieve something very special, and there is no bigger compliment than being entrusted with the responsibility of pulling United over the line from the manager himself. Instead of jumping on these band wagons, maybe it’s about time we trusted Sir Alex to have in his squad who he believes will get the job done. Carrick could very easily orchestrate a Championship winning performance at Arsenal this weekend, and then the Twitter world will have to find someone else to belittle. Until then, I’m sure he’s losing plenty of sleep over it…

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

If you want to make me the next person to angrily delete his Twitter account then follow me at www.twitter.com/@joino

[divider]

Listen to the third episode of our brand new podcast – The Football FanCast. – Featuring Razor Ruddock, Gary O’Reilly and singer/songwriter Alistair Griffin, who performs a live version of his cult tribute to Mark Viduka, with Razor on backing vocals!

Pass and Move is King Kenny’s philosophy, Pass and Move is how Liverpool will play next season, but how does £35million striker Andy Carroll fit into this? Firstly I believe the 22 year old will fit in to Liverpool ’s attack next season, due to no small part because he cost so much money. They will have to make it happen somehow. In any case, Carroll and the pass and move style has been shown to work once this season already. In one of Liverpool ’s best performances of the season, Carroll scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Manchester City . While the Reds went on to record a 5-0 win over Birmingham City and a 5-2 win over Fulham however, Carroll was sidelined with injury, and his integration into a side which had begun to find a fluid attacking style, was prevented from happening.

It was then inevitable then that his reintroduction into the team against Spurs yesterday would be used as the reason as to why the Reds capitulated so badly. Certainly, there is an argument to be had that the selection of Carroll in the starting line up disrupted the rhythm of the side both offensively ad defensively. On the attacking side, Dirk Kuyt had struck up a very good understanding with Luis Suarez , and the pair had been an integral part of Liverpool’s 5 goals victories over Fulham and Birmingham. In addition to this, the absence of a target man had forced others, such as Jamie Carragher, to pass on the floor more often than not and not look for the easy option to Carroll and lose possession of the ball. On the defensive side, Kuyt and Suarez led from the front with their pressing, and with Carroll only half fit, this lack of pressing meant the intensity in our off the ball play was lacking from the team against Spurs yesterday.

These are all reasons to point fingers at Andy Carroll for the display yesterday, but none of them are that conclusive. It is very easy to think that just because he was the only change to the side, he must have been the prime reason why the Reds didn’t play as well. As I have already mentioned however, one of the best performances of the season from the Reds’ point of view came against Manchester City, with Andy Carroll starting and scoring two impressive goals. From my point of view, there were may other factors more important than the disruption caused by an unfit Andy Carroll.

Firstly, the calibre of opposition we were playing was a lot higher than we have become accustomed to in recent weeks. Spurs came out of the blocks yesterday fully motivated and dominated the first 30 minutes of the game. Against Newcastle United especially a couple of weeks ago, the Reds got away with an average display in the first half, one which would have been punished by better opposition. Spurs were that superior opponent and took advantage. Unlike against the aforementioned Man City, where the Reds started like a house on fire, Spurs fully deserved their 1-0 lead at half time.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

The big difference between the City and Spurs was not the presence of Andy Carroll , as he started both matches, it was a lack of intensity in the midfield areas. Here’s a useful quote from the match programme from Steven Gerrard:

“In the last four or five games, especially, we have recovered possession in areas where we haven’t in the past. Against Man City goals came from us winning the ball back outside their area.”

In the big games against Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City at home this season, high pressing and high tempo have been the feature of our games in the three wins and a draw; in the defeat to Spurs, this was lacking. Combined with decisions from the referee, the lack of match fitness from Andy Carroll, the lack of performances from players who needed to be at the top of their game, and a great defensive display from King and Dawson, it all contributed to a limp 2-0 defeat.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

To answer the question from the opening paragraph, how does Andy Carroll fit in to Liverpool ’s pass and move philosophy? The answer is simple, if he gets the service he needs he will score goals. We don’t need to change our style and hoof the ball to accommodate him. We can pass as sublimely as we have been in recent matches and still use him as a key outlet. Bring in players who both compliment him and the team, and combined with our short passing style, we will have a strong aerial presence and an extra dimension to ensure we are covered for all eventualities when games are tight.

Read more of David’s articles at Live4Liverpool

Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani was taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during Euro 2012 qualifying.Aquilani, on loan at Juventus from Liverpool, suffered the knock early in the 3-0 win over Estonia on Friday and will miss Tuesday’s friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

He said he was pleased the injury was not serious injury after tests showed the knock to be head trauma.

“For a while everything looked as if it was in fog,” Aquilani told Sky Sport Italia.

“I asked (teammate) Riccardo Montolivo what was on my head and he told me to immediately get it looked at by the medical staff as I had a large bump.”

“Fortunately it was just a nasty knock to the head as these things can be dangerous.”

Aquilani’s club future remains uncertain but a decision from the Serie A and English Premier League giants is expected in the next few days.

The 26-year-old is keen to stay in Turin but Juventus has failed to meet the eight million pound fee agreed with Liverpool.

Aquilani also praised Italy coach Cesare Prandelli for the new style of play he has implemented with the national side.

“Prandelli is one of the best coaches in the world,” Aquilani said.

“With him, it’s all about the quality of our football and that is the big difference compared to previous administrations.”

Italy are five points clear in Group C as they aim to qualify for next year’s tournament in Ukraine and Poland.

Today Manchester City announced a sponsorship deal for their stadium that means it will be named after the airline Etihad, in a deal worth up to £300m over ten years, which includes sponsorship of the area around the stadium and various other interests.

I’ve yet to encounter a City fan who was remotely concerned at this news – far from it, as it was greeted as a two-fingered salute to Michele Platini and his financial fair play rules. It was common knowledge anyway – news of this deal has been rumoured for many months now, it was always going to happen as part of the sheikhs’ second phase of being economically self-sufficient.

Elsewhere though, there was outrage. Waving the placards most vigorously of all was the ever-entertaining Ollie Holt of the Mirror. He was depressed, distraught, devastated even at the news. Here are some of his thoughts on Twitter:

There are many ways in which the current owners of Manchester City have shown class. Renaming the stadium after a sponsor isn’t one of them.

I know part of the answer is FFP but if City have got so much cash, why do they have to sell a piece of their soul for stadium naming rights?

Many City fans saying they don’t care about stadium renaming because new stadium never had an identity anyway. Sad comment on the game.

Is it acceptable then to change name of team too? Presumably all in favour of Etihad Stadium would be fine with Etihad City as name of team.

Now if Maine Road had been re-named, I’d be rather more upset, as would a lot of City fans. But it hasn’t. What is being re-named is an eight year old stadium that didn’t have a set name anyway. How often have you heard a City fan refer to the City of Manchester Stadium? Some called it COMS, some called it Eastlands, some, like when getting a taxi to the ground, just call it “the city ground please mate”. Fans call their ground various names all the time, and will continue to call their ground what they want, sponsor or no sponsor.

In fact someone argued online of the loss of heritage in changing from Eastlands to the Etihad Stadium, the irony completely lost on him that Eastlands is not, and has never been the name of the ground – but it goes to show this deal changes nothing – fans and journalists alike have been happy to spend the last eight years calling the ground by a made-up name.

So I can see how in theory a re-name could be seen as sacrilege and offensive. One journalist commented that he would be disgusted if Celtic Park was re-named. But this is different, clearly. How can everyone not see this? This is not Celtic Park, this is not Wembley, Villa Park or Anfield. If it had happened eight years earlier no one would have batted an eyelid.

It was acceptable for Arsenal to move into a sponsored stadium without having to defend themselves, and Wigan and Bolton. It’s fine for Bayern Munich to do the same. Why the outrage now?

Inevitably the old misconception that Etihad actually translates to mean United was once more dug up out of the woodwork. It doesn’t, and I couldn’t care less if it did anyway, but if that’s all people have got to attack City with, then the outlook is definitely rosy.

People can moan about the soul of a club (a ridiculous concept that is impossible determine and does not in fact exist), about modern football being all about money, about the loss of identity and so on, but the bottom line is this – the stadium naming deal makes no difference to anything. Same team, same ground, same players, same kit, same players, same division, same match-day experience, same everything.

The fact is that the deal was inevitable the moment the financial fair play plans were agreed. As I have argued before, however noble Platini’s intentions were (not very, a cynic might say), the consequences of this will be clubs desperately trying to earn more money any which way they can, leading to sponsorship deals aplenty, higher ticket prices, and even less thought given to the fans. If you want to blame someone, look towards France.

Holt had already written an article on the topic a few days ago, bemoaning the re-naming of Leicester’s ground, to the King Power Stadium.

“If you defile the stadium by prostituting its name, you destroy part of the experience.”

No you don’t Ollie. My experience next season will not be 1% worse because of the name of the stadium. Any true football fan would know this.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“I could live with the Walkers Stadium even if it was named after a bag of crisps. It was the name of Leicester’s new arena and had been since they moved there from Filbert Street in 2002.”

What a ridiculous argument – you can have a sponsor’s name on the stadium when you move there, but don’t you dare do it eight or nine years down the line, as this is removing the soul from the game, and a depressing sign of what football has become? Utter hogwash.

Much of the argument revolves around that last point – how football is run by money, how things aren’t what they used to be. The fact is, there’s nothing worse than nostalgia. Football when I first started watching it in the 1980’s was a terrible time to be involved as a fan. Poor grounds, poor facilities, poor crowds, poor football on the whole, hooliganism, ID cards and tragedy after tragedy. I still loved every minute of course, but give me a sponsored ground and indoor toilets any day. Football has been about money since Sky invented the game in 1992. It seems some have only just woken up to the fact. Holt also mentioned Chesterfield’s sponsored stadium name, blissfully unaware of the massive financial problems they have suffered over the past decade or so, and how this deal will make their future even more secure.

Regarding City, the deal goes beyond the naming of a stadium anyway. It will form part of the £1 billion regeneration of the surrounding area, one of the poorest areas of the city. It will provide world-class sporting facilities and community football pitches. Etihad will also partner on youth and community projects both locally, throughout Britain and internationally. And clubs are after all part of the community in which they exist, and there to serve it. And it should be made clear too that Manchester City council do very well financially from the football club.

So what’s more important? A fatuous sense of outrage because the name of an almost new building has been changed, or the regeneration of east Manchester?  Not a tough decision.

Following a meeting between wantaway playmaker Luka Modric and Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, the London club have revealed that the Croatian has been told he is not for sale.

Chelsea tabled a £22 million bid for the former Dinamo Zagreb midfielder two weeks ago, which was firmly rejected by the player’s current employers. Since then the 25-year-old has stated that he wants to leave White Hart Lane in search of Champions League football, but Levy has clarified that this will not happen, even if the Stamford Bridge team increase their offer.

“It would make no difference. This is not about money, we’re not selling our best players,” he stated to Sky Sports.

The 49-year-old believes that the meeting went very well, and that the Croatia international will be convinced to stay at the club once pre-season kicks in.

“Everything was fine, we had a very good conversation and – as I said previously – Luka Modric will not be sold.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

“It’s the end of it. As I said a few weeks ago, there’s no further discussion on it. He was on holiday, we’ve now had the conversation and he understands our position. I’m sure once he’s back with his team-mates everything will be fine,” he concluded.

Everton have told Arsenal they’ll need to double their offer for Phil Jagielka if they are to land the defender BBC Sport understands.

The Gunners had a £10 million bid for the defender rejected yesterday as manager Arsene Wenger continues his summer search for a partner worthy of lining up alongside Thomas Vermaelen next season.

Wenger has been chasing for the 28-year-old for two seasons and Everton will settle for nothing less than £20 million.

Arsenal bid £12 million last summer and their latest bid has fortified the Toffee’s resolve to keep the player.

Signed from Sheffield United for £4 million in 2007 Jagielka’s superb form and commanding performances have turned him into an England regular during his time at Goodison Park.

However boss David Moyes is keen to strengthen his squad this summer and selling his star player could be the only option.

With a sell before you buy policy at Goodison Park there is a quiet acceptance that Jagielka may have to leave.

It’s not up to Wenger who must decide whether they are going to increase their offer or focus on other targets as the pressure grows on him to add to his backline.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Bolton’s Gary Cahill still remains in the Frenchman’s crosshairs with a £17 million move being touted whilst Blackburn’s Christopher Samba and Birmingham’s Scott Dann have also been linked.

The honeymoon period is well and truly over for Premiership new boys QPR and Swansea City. The ecstasy of promotion to the top flight has been cast out and replaced by the harsh reality of playing in the unforgiving terrain of top flight football. Whilst fellow promotees Norwich City can be satisfied with their endeavours following a 1-1 draw at Wigan, the picture in West London and South Wales tells a very different story. The hope and confidence of cementing a long-term stay in the Premiership has already hit a massive stumbling block, as both sides kicked off their respective seasons with soul-destroying 4-0 defeats.

Both sides thoroughly earned their right to play in the Premiership and with both sides having put in so much hard work to get to where they are now, it was vital that they didn’t let the thrill of top-flight football get to their heads and ensure that they started the season as positively as possible. And yet, despite both sides putting in good 1st half performances, they completely capitulated against their respective opponents and, by the time 90 minutes was up, both teams had their tails firmly between their legs.

QPR were a class act last season as they ran away with the Championship title. A home game against Bolton Wanderers to kick off their first top-flight match in 15 years was never going to be easy, but it was certainly a match that they would hope to get a result from. And for almost 45 minutes, they were the better team. Yet one lapse in concentration just before half-time cost them dearly, and from then on, the team simply imploded against a well-organised and confident Bolton squad. Players like Jay Bothroyd, DJ Campbell and Adel Taarabt, who was so influential for QPR last season, were merely shadows of their usual selves and by the time Bolton scored their fourth, it was difficult to see how this club were going to survive the next 37 matches. With concerns off the pitch by a potential sale of the club, a lack of big-money signings and doubts over the future of manager Neil Warnock, this was not the start that the club needed or wanted.

Swansea’s determination and attacking style of football were significant factors as they achieved promotion via the play-offs to become the first Welsh team to play in the Premiership. Yet their opening game could not have been tougher. Whilst a result for QPR against Bolton was believable, a result for Swansea away at Manchester City would have been perceived as nothing short of a miracle. To put things in perspective, Manchester City’s new striker, Sergio Aguero, cost the club £13 million more than the entire Swansea squad put together. In the eyes of most football fans, a 2-0 defeat would have been a respectable scoreline for Swansea. But like QPR, they attributed themselves admirably against the giants of Manchester City and they managed to hold them for almost an hour, with new goalkeeper Michel Vorm in inspired form. Yet once they conceded the first goal, it was simply a matter of time before the Eastlands club would prove their dominance. In fact it was Aguero who was the biggest tormentor to the Swans as he put in an outstanding debut performance for his new club. It was a commendable performance by Swansea, but good performances count for nothing if you back it up with a good result. Let’s not make excuses, this was a heavy defeat.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

If ever there was proof of the gulf in class between the Premiership and the Championship, these were results were surely it. Of course it is way too early to condemn either club to an immediate return to the Championship, a league they worked so hard to get out of, and both clubs did show glimpses of why they now find themselves playing in the Premiership. Yet it’s so often said that a good start to the season is the benchmark to a successful campaign. The road that lies ahead for these two clubs will now seem considerably longer following the weekend’s results and a lot of work needs to be done in order for a successful campaign to be achieved.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It’s a joy to have these two proud, well-established football clubs in the Premiership. But they have a lot of work to do to make sure that they stay there.

Read more of Sam’s articles at http://diamondformation.wordpress.com/. Also follow him on Twitter: @DiamondFormat.

Harry Redknapp is pondering a fresh move for Gary Cahill the Daily Mail understands with David Bentley used as bait.

The Tottenham manager is concerned by the lack of defensive cover at White Hart Lane and wants a dependable centre back to provide competition.

Negotiations for Christopher Samba have so far failed to bear fruit causing Redknapp to turn his attentions to Cahill.

He watched him put a sterling performance in for Bolton against Manchester City on Sunday, which convinced him to step up his interest.

Wanderers value the England defender at £17 million, which would be too much for Spurs at this current time.

Redknapp knows that kind of money won’t be sanctioned by chairman Daniel Levy but could offer Bentley and Sebastian Bassong to try and see the price reduced.

Trotters boss Owen Coyle is in the marker for a right midfielder after losing Chung Yong-Lee for the season and would be keen to give Bentley a chance at revitalising his career at the Reebok.

Bassong would also be an attractive proposition as he would be an instant replacement for Cahill.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Arsenal are also weighing up a bid for the defender who have more financial clout at this moment in time and Spurs will have to fend off their fierce rivals to land the player.

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’right’]

Manchester United had Anderson and Danny Welbeck to thank for their 2-0 win over plucky Norwich after Paul Lamberts side threatened to leave Old Trafford with a point.

It took until the 68th minute for the home side to break the Canaries resolve with Anderson heading home to the relief of Sir Alex Ferguson who saw his players struggle to overcome Lamberts team. Welbeck added a touch of gloss to the win which keeps the Red Devil’s top ahead of neighbours City on goal difference. With Wayne Rooney back from injury and restored to the United attack many envisaged an easy, high scoring win for the hosts but they were made to battle by a Norwich team who have grown in confidence over the past couple of weeks. Wins against Bolton and Sunderland have lifted the Canaries spirits and their determination to take something back to Carrow Road was admirable. If midfielder Anthony Pilkington had shown some prowess in front of goal they might well of came away victorious.

United were still suffering from the disastrous 3-3 draw against Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday and they looked to be suffering a terrible hangover as Lamberts counter attacking plan almost paid off. Wes Hoolahan was the first to really test Anders Lindegaard, making his first Premier League start, in the United goal stinging his palms with a long range effort. Norwich’s early pressure failed to pay dividends and as the half drew to a close they were made to defend with all their might as the home side poured forward in search of the opening goal. They never really tested John Ruddy in the visitors goal with Darren Fletcher’s flicked header from a corner the closest they came.

The second period saw Norwich step up their game as frustration started to build in the stands. Hoolahan was becoming an ever increasing influence in midfield and he almost got on the end of Steve Morison’s cross only for Phil Jones to divert the ball out of his path. He then turned provider with his through ball putting Pilkington, who took advantage of a slip from Antonio Valencia, clean through on goal only for the former Huddersfield man to crumble at the vital moment and shoot wide. That proved costly as Anderson nodded home from Ryan Giggs corner to finally break the deadlock as relief rippled through the stands . Norwich didn’t back down though and Pilkington was again presented with a glorious opportunity only to see his sweet strike deflected onto the post by Anderson. He was again made to rue another missed chance as Welbeck wrapped up the points exchanging passes with Park Ji Sung before sliding home his fifth goal of the season.

Get over to Goaldash and check your numbers to see what you might have won!

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

It was around this time last year that a man masquerading as Wayne Rooney was putting in awful performances for Manchester United.

It was assumed that injuries as well as fatigue were robbing us of the Wayne Rooney that had scored 34 goals the previous season. He had been rushed back from the ankle injury that effectively ended his season and our title hopes too soon. Coupling that with the fact he went to South Africa with England for the World Cup meant we had been given back a weary and unfit striker.

But at the start of October rumours of the strikers infidelity were smeared across the front pages of newspapers worldwide. Everybody had an opinion on it and subsequently Wayne Rooney made his intentions of leaving Old Trafford clear.

We all know how that saga panned out and it is merely an aside in a season that saw us win league title number 19 as well as reach the Champions League final for the 3rd time in 4 years as Rooney came good and his poor start was put down to off field problems amongst other things.

With that said I don’t suppose I’m the only person with a feeling of Deja Vu here?

News today that Rio Ferdinand has lost a court case to prevent papers revealing cases of extra marital activities make this a very familiar scenario to the one we faced last season.

Last season as he returned against Chelsea in the Champions League we sang his praises, welcoming the returning hero but this season, with the rise of Chris Smalling and the signing of burgeoning talent Phil Jones, it appears Ferdinand is becoming a whipping boy.

Injured in the first league game against West Brom, this season has been a stop start one for Rio Ferdinand and when he has played he hasn’t looked his assured comfortable self and the game against Basel highlighted this.

It wasn’t just the sloppy manner in which we gave away goals with a defence supposedly being marshalled by the former captain, it was silly things that we don’t expect from the usually class Ferdinand, things like his slip that felled Frei, an indiscretion that a harsher ref may have deemed a foul and sent him off for as the last man.

Injuries haven’t been kind to Ferdinand in recent years and it seems this season is no different, at his age they will definitely start taking a toll so having to worry about personal problem won’t help his case.

FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast. Subscribe FootballFanCast General Stay ahead in the world of football analysis, commentary, and fan insights with FootballFancast.

---

Subscribe

By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

Whilst Ferdinand’s form hasn’t been as drastically bad as Rooney’s was it has still been bad enough for people to highlight but like I said in Rooney’s case, players don’t just turn ‘shit’ overnight so I expect that his off field problems will be taken into account when people start writing him off.

Article courtesy of Chudi from The Busby Way

[ad_pod id=’unruly-2′ align=’left’]