Daily News Roundup: 18 April 2007
It’s almost time folks (but more on that tomorrow).
Let’s take a quick look at the top headlines today:
News Headlines
- Rangers are interested in mining LA Galaxy’s new-found fame. Their angle? Getting in quickly and setting up a footballing link between Galaxy and Rangers.
- Rio Ferdinand and John O’Shea should be back for the Saturday game against Middlesbrough. That means that United fill hopefully have a ‘regular’ back four, with O’Shea at right, Brown and Rio in the center and Heinze on the left.
Rio has been one of United’s top players this season. We didn’t notice Vidic’s absence as much as we noticed Rio’s, and hopefully with Rio back United will keep winning.
- I’m trying really hard not to mention this…but…
- From the Offside, reports of match fixing.
- This just in - Euro 2012 will be co-hosted by Poland and Ukraine. It could be a political punishment for Italy (who were deemed to be favourites) or just a means to bring more money to the poorer half of Europe, but either way, it’s settled folks.
Now back to planning for Euro 2008.
- West Ham’s impending relegation is likely to spark a sell-off. What are your bets on Tevez, Benayoun, Reo-Coker, Ferdinand and Ashton leaving?
- Coming back to Manchester United’s game last night, there’s a lot of noise over the penalty that wasn’t given and the usual associated jibes that refs never give penalties at Old Trafford. What can I say? Warnock has complained about it, but two things come to mind:
One, instead of bitching, why not do something more constructive and try to figure out how Sheffield United could not score against a team that boasted Richardson and Fletcher in their defensive lineup? Or do a study of all ‘penalty’ incidents at Old Trafford, compare them with those at other grounds and figure out if there is any serious evidence for a bias.
Two, it serves to underline that referees need help in these situations, and the FA needs to provide that help as soon as possible.
- Juan Pablo Angel is the latest Premiership import in the MLS - the Times has more.
- A very interesting piece in the Sun about Ferguson and Manchester United. Long story short - United will bring in 2-3 players in the summer, to tweak rather than rebuild. Hargreaves is one of them. Pedersen, Bale and Nani are just three other names linked with United. Torres has said no, etc etc.
Soccerlens Coverage
Honestly this new striker issue was all built up by the media. Torres isn’t good enough. We’ve bought youngsters like Ronaldo and Rooney. It only proves that we spend a lot on a youngster only if he’s that good. Torres is no-where near rooney/ronny’s league. And we’ve been very ambitious in our buys lately.
And we’ll definitely have 6 strikers next season. Rossi, Dong and Saha(new contracts for them so…), Rooney, Solskjaer, Smith( A good player coming off the bench)
Plus our priorities are a winger and a CM. And fergie’s made it clear already that he wants OH and Bale.(30m+ for these 2 + 15 for a winger) I’ve never heard him mention anything about Diarra, Torres or Mascherano. All these targets were built up by the media.
If he buys a striker our youth system will go to dogs. What’s the point developing Dong and Rossi when we just put big names(just names) in front of them?