roy keane scarpers!

[tarannau]

Taking off the rose tinted glases for one moment Jo, what has Mikel contributed so far? Will he actually be contributing anything before Fergie's turfed out onto his ear. I doubt it.

He can add to a list of midfield 'talent' including Kleberson, Veron, Djemba-Djemba, Fletcher, Miller, many of which have been acclaimed as the answer. And with nearly 50 million wasted on that lot and with the past boasts of the 'world's biggest club' (commercial entity) ringing around Old Trafford, Man Utd are in no position to start pointing the finger at others. Their predicament is all of their own making - the failing being that they weren't bought by the guy the bigger pockets, only an American dude with dodgy sideburns was interested in them..

 

[Rocket Romano]

Freddy Adu...wasn't he the last Mikel?

 

[tarannau]

And wasn't Miller the next Keane?

Mikel's probably the next Djemba-Djemba...

 

[Chuck Wilson]

Mikel wants to go to Chelsea anyway as most players do when faced with the choice between Chlesea and Man Utd. Ferguson in one of his rare moments of lucid reflection admitted as much months ago, Robben, Duff, Essien all want to win medals.

Anyway what ever happened to Cherna Samba ? Wasn't he the last wonderkid?

 

[Balbi]

Mikel wants to go to Chelsea anyway as most players do when faced with the choice between Chlesea and Man Utd. Ferguson in one of his rare moments of lucid reflection admitted as much months ago, Robben, Duff, Essien all want to win medals.

Anyway what ever happened to Cherna Samba ? Wasn't he the last wonderkid?

Tonton Zola Moukoko

 

[Joe Reilly]

Taking off the rose tinted glases for one moment Jo, what has Mikel contributed so far? Will he actually be contributing anything before Fergie's turfed out onto his ear. I doubt it.

He can add to a list of midfield 'talent' including Kleberson, Veron, Djemba-Djemba, Fletcher, Miller, many of which have been acclaimed as the answer. And with nearly 50 million wasted on that lot and with the past boasts of the 'world's biggest club' (commercial entity) ringing around Old Trafford, Man Utd are in no position to start pointing the finger at others. Their predicament is all of their own making - the failing being that they weren't bought by the guy the bigger pockets, only an American dude with dodgy sideburns was interested in them..

Veron was widely acclaimed as one of the best players in the world when Utd signed him. Neither Fletcher nor Miller cost anything. Djemba and Kleberson cost £9 million for the two. Add in the 27 million for Veron and that comes to £36 million. Moreover almost 20 million of that was recovered when they were sold on. A shortfall of £16 million is not of course to be sniffed at. Nevertheless it is considerably less than the £50 million you quoted. As for Mikel he has done nothing. The question is not really over his ability but the fact that the minute Utd signed him Chelsea had him smuggled out of the country. There is plenty evidence of intimidation now in the hands of FIFA. As I say it will be interesting to see what happens in January.

 

[Joe Reilly]

Mikel wants to go to Chelsea anyway as most players do when faced with the choice between Chlesea and Man Utd. Ferguson in one of his rare moments of lucid reflection admitted as much months ago, Robben, Duff, Essien all want to win medals.

The list you mention were possibly targets for Utd, which is why Chelsea went after them. Just as the sought out Wright-Phillips to deter Arsenal (though actually they may have done Wenger a rare favour) and are now talking of signing Zakora again to weaken the opposition. Personally I have never heard of a team signing players fancied by other clubs simply cos they fancied them but we are dealing with the utterly corrupt here.

The issue with Mikel is very different. Here is a player Utd had already signed. Getting the kid to renounce Utd publicy when his delight at signing was evident is like one of Stalins show trials.

 

[Rocket Romano]

Tonton Zola Moukoko

He is unbelievably good on Champ Man

 

[Chuck Wilson]

The list you mention were possibly targets for Utd, which is why Chelsea went after them. Just as the sought out Wright-Phillips to deter Arsenal (though actually they may have done Wenger a rare favour) and are now talking of signing Zakora again to weaken the opposition. Personally I have never heard of a team signing players fancied by other clubs simply cos they fancied them but we are dealing with the utterly corrupt here.

The issue with Mikel is very different. Here is a player Utd had already signed. Getting the kid to renounce Utd publicy when his delight at signing was evident is like one of Stalins show trials.

Brill. We have built a team around players that Man Utd wanted rather than build a team around the best young hungry players who want to win something. Abromvitch has changed the ball game whereas Utd set transfer record after transafer record ( I actually think Keano was a transfer record at the time ?) they now struggle to compete. Ironically when both clubs are owned by millionaires who probably have as much in common with their sharp business practises . Two peas in the same pod imo.

I agree that United need to sign three world class midfield players but I don't know if we would sell Makelele, Lampard and Essien to you.

Mickel... we will have to see but what ever way it goes it is extraodinary how capital will fight over what they see to be the next product regardless of age or morality.

Byw Joe, what do you think about FC United? 'Spike' is keenly involved btw.

 

[Chuck Wilson]

He is unbelievably good on Champ Man

So was Cherno Samba, although I always buy Neil wainright from Darlington if I am in a lower league.

 

[Chorlton]

Byw Joe, what do you think about FC United? 'Spike' is keenly involved btw.

spike?

theres a game on tonight - i know chris on here goes regular - if you live in manchester you really should think about going its a seriously good day/night out

oh btw way chuck i was at OT last night you will be pleased to hear but i was there with the Villareal fans....



<cough> one love indeed

 

[sleaterkinney]

It's over two years since United won an away tie in Europe, not looking good.

 

[Joe Reilly]

I agree that United need to sign three world class midfield players but I don't know if we would sell Makelele, Lampard and Essien to you.

5 away defeats and one away draw out of 6 - says otherwise.

Mickel... we will have to see but what ever way it goes it is extraodinary how capital will fight over what they see to be the next product regardless of age or morality.

Utd's transfer involvement is routine and conventional. It is Chelsea who are acting like cheap gangsters. But then what can you expect when the club is owned by a thief and managed by a fascist.

 

[Biffo]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4463534.stm

Vodafone are ceasing their sponsorship of manure. Rumour has it that Woolworth will be stepping in. It's all going tits up

 

[Chorlton]

Vodafone are ceasing their sponsorship of manure. Rumour has it that Woolworth will be stepping in. It's all going tits up

i may be wrong but my reading of it was that it was united that ended the contract - presumably to get an increased offer?

 

[sleaterkinney]

i may be wrong but my reading of it was that it was united that ended the contract - presumably to get an increased offer?

No, Vodafone did.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1649039,00.html

 

[Chorlton]

No, Vodafone did.

http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,1649039,00.html

i stand corrected

 

[Biffo]

The article talks about the mutual benefit of the contract ending but the bottom line is that Vodafone has finished with them. If Slur Alex retired at the end of this season that would be quite a hat-trick for the Glazers' plaything.

 

[Chuck Wilson]

Utd's transfer involvement is routine and conventional. It is Chelsea who are acting like cheap gangsters. But then what can you expect when the club is owned by a thief and managed by a fascist.

The only thing routine is the fact that there have been more allegations about United tapping up players over the years than even us!

Since when have Glazier and your previous plc been 'better' capiltalists then? Even the FC United bunch could only put up with so much.

Anyway unless your glorious stream of form in the Champions League takes on a sharp improvement ie win the financial fall out from not qualifying to the KO stages is going to hasten a few more changes at OT and perhaps produce a few more doubts for players who want to win medals.

Mourinho a fascist? Ferguson's New Labour isn't he?Perhaps he has created the space for Mourinho to grow in.

 

[Chuck Wilson]

spike?

theres a game on tonight - i know chris on here goes regular - if you live in manchester you really should think about going its a seriously good day/night out

oh btw way chuck i was at OT last night you will be pleased to hear but i was there with the Villareal fans....



<cough> one love indeed

I had tickets for the Cheadle Town game but it was moved to Ashton on a night I had to work. I bump into a few of them quite regularly. I 'll get to a couple of games before the seasons out I am sure.

Piss poor game I thought although Betis were weakened with injuries to key players and would have been very happy with the point.

You must have been quite exhausted clapping and cheering every player on the pitch?

 

[Main Street]

So where do peeps think he might go other than Celtic?

What Championship teams might want him? Leeds United?

Or into management with a Championship team?

Or back to Ireland?

Surely not Europe?

Roy - did I say the Whitecaps

 

[Pickman's model]

falkirk

 

[Joe Reilly]

So where do peeps think he might go other than Celtic?

What Championship teams might want him? Leeds United?

Or into management with a Championship team?

Or back to Ireland?

Surely not Europe?

Roy - did I say the Whitecaps

Keane will go to Celtic. Despite the injuries and advancing years and the more circumspect role, he was still effortlessly man of the match in many games last year. Where the problem lies is that Keane did two jobs - at least - for many years - Scholes demise is directly linked to Keane being unable to do his job as well.
With a properly seasoned midfield around him Keane could, if not required to anything else, play the 'holding midfield role' for any team in the country including Chelsea, with ease. Celtic and the SPL would be a cakewalk. If he dosent end up there the reasons will be political, (a Strachan tantrum) rather than for footballing or finacial reasons.

 

[hibee]

Roy Keane is without doubt the best player I have seen play in the flesh for reasons that have been outlined here already. But I have to question his value to Celtic. This season they are going to walk the title, perhaps by a record margin, once the hearts "challenge" is unsustainable by the end of December. In the context of a Celtic midfield bossed by Neil Lennon, who is, in effect, a not-as-good Roy Keane who nonetheless clearly effective enough in the current SPL, what use would Keano be to Strachan? Yes he could play five across the middle with Keane and Lennon at the centre, but this would risk disrupting a side that is just starting to gel. Alternatively it might be acknowledged that Keane only plays maybe five or six games in Lennon's place. But what economic value to Celtic's shareholders would Keane's high wages bring?

 

[Chorlton]

But what economic value to Celtic's shareholders would Keane's high wages bring?

jesus... welcome to 'footie' 2k5....

 

[hibee]

jesus... welcome to 'footie' 2k5....

'fraid so... that's entertainment.

 

[sovietpop]

ooh so this is what the football forum looks like.

This an interview with Eamon Dumphy, Keanes biographer, notable alcoholic, contrarian and Irish character, defending Roy against criticisms. The last line is classic. Worth listening too.

roy keane interview

 

[Chorlton]

Eamon Dumphy, Keanes biographer, notable alcoholic, contrarian and Irish character,

you appear to have spelt 'utter fucken tool of the highest order' wrong there