The Mail Bag
Man U players
Comments (11)
I can't understand why a lot of you people out there in ToffeeWeb cyber space really hate the idea of signing more Man U players. These are players that have international caps and have won silverware in their pretty short careers. Yes, I realise that we could end up like a Man U rejects team but, let's face it, if they can play for their country and win the team they're currently with a league title and whatnot then send them in! They know what its all about!
And if these rumoured signings go through as part of a deal struck with selling Wayne, then we're just gonna have to grin and bear it. Like the Tim Howard thing, it looked bad but it all worked out ok in the end. IMWT
Mike Bates, Posted 05/07/2007 at 23:13:21
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Lyndon
Probably because, as Phil Neville proved, playing among the stars at Manchester United at England can make you look significantly better than you actually are...? Seriously, though, I wouldn't mind Alan Smith ? right attitude, useful versatility ? at the right price but I think we can do better than Kieran Richardson by looking abroad.
Derek Thomas
1 Posted 06/07/2007 at 06:04:21
1 Posted 06/07/2007 at 06:04:21
Exactly Lyndon, good teams, can and do carry passengers more easily than average/struggling ones. This safety net allows the ’passenger’ the bonus of being able to do the simple things, which may be all he is capable of compared to his higher skilled team mates. So he functions at 100%, that coupled with the synergies of the teammates makes him look and sometimes play better than he normally would. Similar things happen when managers play players out of position,where they havn’t got the experience of many games to know what to do when things go wrong...no basics to fall back on, be it skill or knowledge.
Tony Towers
2 Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:02:27
2 Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:02:27
We have signed a number of ex-Utd players over the yeaers and had mixed results. This I think gives creedance to the thoughts of some EFC fans.
Of the most recent ones in Howard and Neville I think we have signed two good ones. An excellent keeper and a good right back (noticed I said right back and not midfielder).
Also you need to look at other players that have left Utd over the last couple of years:-
Butt - Hasn’t adjusted well.
Yorke - Hasn’t adjusted well.
Cole - Hasn’t adjusted well.
These players are all medal winners with Utd.
If we are to persue Utd players we need to be carefull but I think Moyes only has the best intensions at heart for the club.
Of the most recent ones in Howard and Neville I think we have signed two good ones. An excellent keeper and a good right back (noticed I said right back and not midfielder).
Also you need to look at other players that have left Utd over the last couple of years:-
Butt - Hasn’t adjusted well.
Yorke - Hasn’t adjusted well.
Cole - Hasn’t adjusted well.
These players are all medal winners with Utd.
If we are to persue Utd players we need to be carefull but I think Moyes only has the best intensions at heart for the club.
Ed Miller
3 Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:46:06
3 Posted 06/07/2007 at 08:46:06
Rooney blames Moyes for his move to United and within a few years half the United team move over to Everton, Me thinks Shrek needs to have a good look at himself - On a serius note, I would be quite happy to have both Smith and Richardson in our squad, wouldent mind Scholes either if is is being let go.
Dozza
4 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:22:39
4 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:22:39
I agree its better than nothing I mean look at Tim Howard.He nearly equaled Nevile Southall’s record.It can’t be all bad can it?
James McPherson
5 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:16:11
5 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:16:11
A reasoned post from Tony Towers.
Since their ascendency (under SAF), very few Man Utd exports have gone on to better things.
We have to acknowledge, albeit begrudgingly, that on the stage that is football, most footballers would regard it as the pinnacle.
We do not - but that’s us.
Whilst an ex Utd player will often make all the right noises when putting pen to paper, enthusiasm does seem to evaporate all too quickly.
On that basis, it’s a definite no to Smith as a hefty % of his game is based purely on passion.
As for Richardson, it’s more of a calculated gamble - as in my view, you would have to measure up the above negative possibility with the positive benefit of addding a genuine left-sided player to the squad.
As yet, I am still undecided.
Since their ascendency (under SAF), very few Man Utd exports have gone on to better things.
We have to acknowledge, albeit begrudgingly, that on the stage that is football, most footballers would regard it as the pinnacle.
We do not - but that’s us.
Whilst an ex Utd player will often make all the right noises when putting pen to paper, enthusiasm does seem to evaporate all too quickly.
On that basis, it’s a definite no to Smith as a hefty % of his game is based purely on passion.
As for Richardson, it’s more of a calculated gamble - as in my view, you would have to measure up the above negative possibility with the positive benefit of addding a genuine left-sided player to the squad.
As yet, I am still undecided.
Tony Towers
6 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:40:36
6 Posted 06/07/2007 at 09:40:36
As far as Smith is concerned he has not really flurished at Man U and he maybe a big gamble due to his lack of good performances since his bad injury.
If Moyes thinks it’s a risk worth taking then it’s fine by me but, I will just warn everyone that it is a big risk.
Richardson however, is an international and is also fairly young so holds a lot of potential. He is a cocky young man but I think Moyes can harness his potential and create a good left sided player. He does need to sign him for the correct value to make it work though.
James, thanks for them kind words.
If Moyes thinks it’s a risk worth taking then it’s fine by me but, I will just warn everyone that it is a big risk.
Richardson however, is an international and is also fairly young so holds a lot of potential. He is a cocky young man but I think Moyes can harness his potential and create a good left sided player. He does need to sign him for the correct value to make it work though.
James, thanks for them kind words.
Mike Bates
7 Posted 06/07/2007 at 12:30:55
7 Posted 06/07/2007 at 12:30:55
Tony, i hear what you’re saying about the players that have left Man U and haven’t adjusted well. BUT these clubs aren’t Everton!
Marc Roberts
8 Posted 06/07/2007 at 12:20:47
8 Posted 06/07/2007 at 12:20:47
Dont Agree!
There is a couple of reasons ManU are selling these two..
1) ability - if they were any good theyd have made a CONTRIBUTION to winning the league last year and theres no way sir gobshite would be looking to offload, like someone said how many shitehawks have moved from ManU at over-inflated prices and produced fuck all - it might be easier if you count the ones who have bucked this trend.... hmmm Kanchelskis maybe but he was past his peak, Howard has also done OK SO FAR.
2) personality - it doesnt take columbo to figure out these two are a right pair of snotty judas bling manbaggers, not the type of player you could look up to, and certainly reason enough to flush your kids? heads down the bog should they ever come home with ?Smith 8? on the back of their shirt and a matching earing.
NO!
There is a couple of reasons ManU are selling these two..
1) ability - if they were any good theyd have made a CONTRIBUTION to winning the league last year and theres no way sir gobshite would be looking to offload, like someone said how many shitehawks have moved from ManU at over-inflated prices and produced fuck all - it might be easier if you count the ones who have bucked this trend.... hmmm Kanchelskis maybe but he was past his peak, Howard has also done OK SO FAR.
2) personality - it doesnt take columbo to figure out these two are a right pair of snotty judas bling manbaggers, not the type of player you could look up to, and certainly reason enough to flush your kids? heads down the bog should they ever come home with ?Smith 8? on the back of their shirt and a matching earing.
NO!
Nick Coyne
9 Posted 06/07/2007 at 14:08:16
9 Posted 06/07/2007 at 14:08:16
I have to agree Mike. Signing the fringe players from the top clubs is generally a fairly reliable way to go. Granted they don’t have the ability to hold down a place in a Utd, Chelsea or Arsenal team, but then again we aren’t a team challenging for the title. We are a team looking to consolidate. Looking to build on what we did last year, and a team trying to banish the yo-yo hoodoo that we have had in recent seasons.
I personally wouldn’t mind us picking off many United players (i.e. Fletcher, O’Shea, Brown, etc.). I think Smith would be a good addition due to his versatility, although I don’t consider a striker to be a necessity. I also think at £2.5m, Richardson has to worth a punt. For me he is very similar to Pennant but has a left foot. The boy will hug the touch line and get the ball into the box having committed a full back. With the exception of Arteta and van der Meyde when he can be arsed, we don’t have a player who can do that at present.
Most importantly however, regardless of ability (and let’s be honest, my 87 year nan has two plastic hips but can still pass a ball better that poor old Pip!!) I think players from the top clubs have a mentality that you can’t teach. The majority are Winners. They have experienced winning trophies and big games, and they will never lose that feeling. I don’t think you can underestimate the impact that Neville and Howard will have made to the mood in the squad towards the end of last season. I personally believe they will have kept the spirit alive in camp and together with the manager and some old heads like Stubbsy, ensured that the team fought on and guaranteed themselves a European trip.
I personally wouldn’t mind us picking off many United players (i.e. Fletcher, O’Shea, Brown, etc.). I think Smith would be a good addition due to his versatility, although I don’t consider a striker to be a necessity. I also think at £2.5m, Richardson has to worth a punt. For me he is very similar to Pennant but has a left foot. The boy will hug the touch line and get the ball into the box having committed a full back. With the exception of Arteta and van der Meyde when he can be arsed, we don’t have a player who can do that at present.
Most importantly however, regardless of ability (and let’s be honest, my 87 year nan has two plastic hips but can still pass a ball better that poor old Pip!!) I think players from the top clubs have a mentality that you can’t teach. The majority are Winners. They have experienced winning trophies and big games, and they will never lose that feeling. I don’t think you can underestimate the impact that Neville and Howard will have made to the mood in the squad towards the end of last season. I personally believe they will have kept the spirit alive in camp and together with the manager and some old heads like Stubbsy, ensured that the team fought on and guaranteed themselves a European trip.
Mike Bates
10 Posted 06/07/2007 at 17:05:42
10 Posted 06/07/2007 at 17:05:42
Marc, Man U just like every other club in the world try to improve their squad inbetween seasons. They have signed Nani, Anderson, Hargreaves and Tevez is on his way. Richardson and Smith have absolutely no chance of getting ahead of these players at Man U. But, as I mentioned, they helped win Man U the league last year. These signings can only improve our squad and their games, just like Sir Alex thinks his signings will do at Old Trafford.
James Newcombe
11 Posted 07/07/2007 at 13:05:23
11 Posted 07/07/2007 at 13:05:23
Richardson £2m - £2.5m got to be worth a shot! I?m a bit more worried about the Smith rumour: he isn?t a prolific goalscorer and that money would be better spent on a left back (Baines!) and / or another midfielder (Flamini?). If we need a new striker (and I?m not thinking thats a real priority) then that should be the position we look to fill with a loan signing / inexpensive european import.
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