₦airaland Forum

@ Debosky,

Have u been smoking a pound of cess? What are you talking about? Comparing Ruud Van Nistelrooy's industrious career to Flamini? Is this a bloody joke?
In failing to persuade Flamini or Hleb(if he leaves) to stay at the club, Arsenal have shown a weakness which their rivals are likely to capitalise on. Without an injection of new blood at the club, another trophyless season seems an inevitability although Wenger's own position is unquestioned. The manager must persuade his current crop of stars to stay and the signs don't look good. If Hleb leaves, Arsene Wenger should just kiss his title hopes goodbye next season.

@ Loyika,

This is unbelievable! Funny how u compare Heinze, Rossi and Mikel Obi to Flamini's case. Firstly, Heinze knew he was no longer the first choice left back and decided to move on. Rossi rarely makes the United bench. How are they similar to Flamini who bar Fabregas was the most improved Arsenal player this season. He wouldn't have left if Wenger had showed some appreciation but trust your gaffer to muddle things up. No matter how u look at it, Wenger will miss the Frenchman and there's no guarantee his replacement will measure up. On that single note, u should admit Arsene is a schmuk!

The individual awards keep rolling in for Cristiano Ronaldo, who has picked up the Barclays Player of the Season and Barclays Golden Boot awards to complete a sensational season.

The 23-year-old Portuguese wing wizard also collected a merit award for reaching 30 league goals this season.

Ronaldo was pivotal in United's Barclays Premier League title success and it was no surprise that he earned the Barclays Player of the Season accolade for the second year in succession.

Whichever way you look at it, Ronaldo has been exceptional this season, and the stats back it up. His 31 goals from 34 league appearances helped see off stiff opposition for the awards from Arsenal’s Emmanuel Adebayor and Fernando Torres of Liverpool.

It's the first time a player has scored more than 30 league goals in a season since Alan Shearer’s 31-goal haul for Blackburn Rovers twelve years ago.

The merit award for reaching 30 goals will also benefit one lucky charity as Ronaldo will receive £1,000 for every goal scored to be donated to a charity of his choice.

However, for all the personal awards showered on the Madeiran magician, his sights will be firmly set on the Champions League trophy in Moscow next Wednesday.

hustler:
your ignorance is obvious. As such there is no need wasting time doing much analysis to school u. If your argument is based on European games against the only competitive 4 English teams and most of my argument has been based on the remaining 16 mediocrity ridden and hopeless teams then clearly you're just as hopeless as these 16 teams.

Or did i mention defenders like RIo, Carvalho, Agger in the argument?

More juvenile talks from a spoilt nuance. What i cannot understand is why computers in kindergarten schools in Nigeria are left unmonitored. A tot like u shouldn't be using the net without any sort of parental guidance. How can anyone with an iota of common sense say it's easier to score in England than other countries. Ronaldo played against Roma and scored, last season(he scored twice). U keep harping about the other 16 clubs. Bolton that got 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich or what exactly is your point? Go and wrap your head in a hot towel, mate!!!

@ Hustler,

Stop talking crap. It is easy to score in the Premiership and 3 Italian teams couldn't get a goal against 3 English clubs both Home and Away. Barcelona had 180 minutes to breach United's defence and they failed without Vidic. I think it's easier to score in other European leagues than the English Premiership. Forlan, Kanoute, Van Nistelrooy, Giusseppe Rossi and many more are doing better than what they were in the English league. Robert Pires is a cult hero in Spain and a waste of space at Arsenal. Tell me another story, mate!!!!!

debosky:
Are you being serious Hucarson??

The largest contributors to your success this term have been - a rock solid defence (NO addition last term) and the phenomenal form of Ronaldo. Nani did little if anything to the quest, and Hargreaves was a bit player at best, injured for long spells, while Anderson made a reasonable impact.

Of all the summer buys, I would say Tevez made the biggest impact, but still that cannot be given as the reason for the success.

I beg to differ, mate. While a rock solid defence helped United's cause, some squad players also did their bit. Owen Hargreaves playing as a right back when Vidic was out!!! Tevez helping out when Rooney was out THRICE this season!!!! Nani also filled in for ageing Ryan Giggs and so on and forth.
Arsenal will not win anything if they don't buy at least 5-7 players this summer. No one is asking them to but 40 million pound players. They should just stock up and get decent players who can help Cesc when legs r heavy.

hustler:
I refuse to agree with you. How many goals did Canna score when he won it??Zidane, Figo, Kaka, They were not highest goal scorers in their leagues but they were decisive for their teams and very consistent in the games against QUALITY opposition in BIG tournaments.

Scoring 40 goals in your league is not enough.Last yr didnt he score more goals than Kaka and Messi?? It makes me laff that a player like Torres is now getting up to 30 goals when he was averaging 15 in the La Liga,

But i had a dream that RIbery dazzled at the Euros and won everything,

You are talking out of your ass, mate!!! U cannot compare the team quality in Athletico Madrid with Liverpool. When Etoo was at Mallorca, he was averasging 14-17 goals a season, one season at Barca(when he had quality service from Ronaldinho, Messi, Deco), he won the Pichichi. Are u trying to say it's easier to score in the English league than anywhere else? Another plastic fan emerges!!!!!!

@ Debosky,

While signing players is no guarantee to success, NOT SIGNING players gives a club no chance at all. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Man United were the biggest spenders last summer and did it worth their while? A resounding YES!!!!!  Lets imagine Man United without their summer addition!!!!
Ferguson would have crashed out of Europe(No Vidic and Rooney), United would have finished 4th or 5th in the Premiership. You don't win lottery without a raffle ticket. Arsenal should start spending! They must match their rivals if they want to compete realistically next season.

@ Vinisky,

Alves and Fabiano will definitely cost more than 30 million. Huntelaar(the hunter) will be the best option upfront. Luis Fabiano might chicken out with the physcial nature of the English league. Ferguson should sign Micah Richards/Daniel Alves and Huntelaar or Fabiano. Manucho is doing us proud in Greece.
He has bagged 3 goals in 5 appearances which isn't a bad return. Bring on next season, please.

Good observation. I believe Ronaldo's advantages hinged on the fact that other good players just went to sleep this season. Messi was far too absent, Ronaldinho is not interested in football anymore, Henry was a hogwash, Etoo can't score from 6 yards, Raul was a mediocre, Robinho was useless, no Chelsea player scored more than 10 league goals, Luca Toni and Miroslav Klose were disgraceful in UEFA cup, Kaka and Pato were humiliated by Toure and Flamini. The way just paved for Cristiano and one cannot ignore his massive improvement since he was made public enemy #1 after the world cup incident with England.

@ Lordi,

What are Arsenal's chances of winning something next season. The future looks very bleak for Wenger and Arsenal fans as a whole. I don't think Arsenal can challenge Chelsea and Man United if they don't spend money this summer. Ferguson knew he had spend 60 million last season to have a grip on the title. Had he been tight-fisted, Man United would have been blown away to bits when Scholes got injured. I expect Ferguson to spend another 40 million this summer. The key here is to match our rivals in the transfer market.

@ Nazzyon,

The Jose Bosingwa deal was anutha masterstroke ingenuity played by Ferguson and Queiroz. If Man United really wanted Bosingwa, Carlos Queiroz would have been the first to get him but knowing Chelsea love hi-jacking United targets(no thanx to Peter Kenyon), they threw a chaff and Chelsea bought it line, hook and sinker. Now, Fergie and Queiroz can now land Daniel Alves who has always been their main target.

@ Akinalabi,

Don't let Dayokanu feed u chaff. Michael Ballack missed a chunky part of this season and was shambolic for Chelsea in the carling cup final and couldn't inspire his club to win the league title. If he wins the Champions league and push Germany to win the Euro2008, i dont even think he would have matched what Cristiano has achieved this season.

Correct me if i am wrong, what major tournament did George Weah win in 1995 when he won all the awards. Weah never played in the African nations cup then, nor Euro 92 or any World cup. Are we not attaching too much bullshit to this Euro2008 which might even be won by another mediocre team like Greece did in 2004?

@ Lordi,

Ferguson will live forever. He is by far the best living manager in the world. This was a season many predicted the community shield jinx will stop Man United from winning the title. Fergie proved his critics wrong again like he did in 93/94 and 96/97. I am tipping Ferguson to stay until he is 75 years of age which is 9 years away.

@ Akolawole,

Sheeeeeeeeeeeesh******** What is it about Chelsea that this outfit lacks class. Bosingwa flew down from Portugal and Peter Kenyon and co couldn't even arrange adequate transportation from Heathrow to Stamford Bridge? Look at the guy looking lost with a ragged black leather jacket n tattered pair of jeans on SKYSPORTS. He was finding his way to the bridge via mobile phone.   Chelsea have no class, i remember Alex was subjected to the same slave-like reception as well. Alex getting into a London bus like a schmuk. You can pay 16 million for a player but u cannot arrange his transporation. I feel sorry for Jose.

@ Mc Omo,

Believe what suits you. Who is Arsene buying to replace Flamini? Reports are saying Seyi Olofinjana and Chris Obodo.

Yaya Toure at Arsenal? Forget it!!! One, he won't be cheap(Wenger loves em cheap). Secondly, he won't opt for Arsenal where Wenger treats some players as first-class season and treats the rest as 2nd class citizen. Expect players like Mputu, Ideye, Bala Ezekiel and Marcus Bent.

@ Akolawole,

Jackal? Can't u read? El Chacal is writing exams in Leeds.

Chelsea lost to Barnsley because of some silly decisions made by the referee. I remember the referee flagging Kalou offside when a Barnsley player was clearly keeping him on and Joe Cole was so furious, it was unimaginable. Coventry beat Man Utd 2-0 at OT. Southend beat Man Utd some seasons ago.
These are cup-ties, anything can happen.  

@ Ibime,

Akola has conjuctivitis. He cannot read.

Peter Kenyon and the decision makers at Chelsea will plunge that club into the abyss with the senseless signings. Bosingwa for 16 million pounds when u have Essien(24 million), Ferreira(13.5 million) and Belletti($$$). What's the economic sense in signing Bosingwa?

@ Vicade,

Adebayor will score in big matches if his teammates do what they are paid to do. Adebayor has done his job, it is left for Hleb(doesn't contribute much as far as goals r concerned), Rosicky, RVP,(Another Saha), Bendtner(pants) and Walcott(over-rated) to do their jobs effectively. Adebayor added another dimension to Arsenal's attack. This season, i saw Sagna & Flamini putting quality balls in the box for Adebayor to head in. The lad has improved and Wenger should up the ante to motivate him. This is what Fergie does very well. Wenger should wager him scoring 40 next season and push his wages to 80k and letz see if Ade won't score. I don't see Ronaldo leaving Man United anytime soon, his next challenge is to score 50 goals next season. Ferguson knows how to keep them firing.

@ Dayokanu,

Henry and all French strikers were disgraceful at the world cup. Even if Henry had scored 200 league goals, he wouldn't have won it that season. Apart from the Premiership, he was nowhere to be found in the Champions league and failed to inspire France to win a single game in the world cup. Trezegeut got the golden boot in Italy, Henry got the one in England and Cisse bagged the one in France and none of them could score a single world cup goal. That alone is enough to smear their credentials.

It would be a disgrace if Ronaldo fails to inspire Portugal to win games this summer. I cannot even see it happening like what happened in 2002 when France as defending champions were pathetic. What will count for Ronaldo is his consistent performance since the last world cup. He has won all the well-meaningful individual awards in England, he will have a say in Europe(UCLgolden boot and the golden shoe) and may probably win UEFA. It will be very difficult to ignore this even if Luca Toni bags 33 goals in Euro2008.

@ Loyika,

At the drop of the season's curtain, what the fans will be demanding is trophys and titles? Tottenham will show their cup, Man Utd will show their Premiership trophy, Pompey will certainly show their FA cup but will Wenger show his fans? 83 points? Are you kidding me? How many players score 30 goals a season like Ade did this season? I am beginning to see why players leave Arsenal. U guys don't appreciate what u have got until they leave u.
Ade deserves 80k a week!!!!

@ HNIC,

I saw Eduardo's injury but what has that got to do with Adebayor. Okay-ok, Saha would have scored 50 goals this season if he wasn't injured. Players should know when to make contact ball and when to withdraw their feet in tackles. I just don't enjoy players that hug/romance the bench due to one injury or the other. They dampen the spirit in their team.  

My friend, there's no difference between the 3rd and the 11th. Do u really think Tottenham was hoping to break into the BIG 4 way back in August? Maybe u need to listen to Keegan's post-match conference last week. Top 4 qualifies for what? Money-spinning what? U are obviously naive about these competitions. Over the past 2 years, the Premiership has eclipsed UEFA. Derby County will make more money relegating than Man Utd winning the champions league. I won't be surprised if the rich teams in Europe form their own super league in the coming years as the much talked about Champions league is now a hogwash. Apart from the prestige, money is no longer the motivating factor especially for English clubs.

I didn't say Arsenal has finished trophyless for 4 seasons. . . .I said 4 years.

@ Vicade,

It doesn't matter where Ronaldo plays. Most of the time in Europe, he was being used as a striker cos Rooney had to do defensive duties to cover Evra or Brown.
Ronaldo does not track back so i know what i am saying. Adebayor needs to up his game(u keep repeating yourself) but would u have predicted he would score 30 goals in August when the season kicked off? Sheeeeeesh**********His 30 goals won u nothing because pasta-brittle boned players like Eduardo, Van Persie and Bendtner didn't contribute enough. United's attack(The Holy Trinity) have scored 77 goals this season alone, this is because Rooney and Tevez contributed their own quota. After Adebayor, who do u have next in line. . . Fabregas!!!! Contribution( miserly 13 goals all season).

@ Vieira,

Rooney had a poor season but United will not cut his wages. Adebayor is a quality striker. A modern day trojan horse who only needs a decent player to feed off from. The only way Adebayor will fail to flourish next season is if Wenger does not sign quality players to back the Togolese up. What is wrong in rewarding a striker that performed above Wenger's expectation. You kept mentioning Clichy and Van Persie but these lots have been at Arsenal well before Ade. Mind u, RVP is yet to score 12 league goals since he was born in 1983. Sagna has just one season under his belt. Fabregas is young and has a long contract ahead of him to retire on. Ade deserves more than 35k.

@ HNIC,

Arsenal are not better than Liverpool, Everton, and Reading. In the league, if u don't come 1st then u can as well consider it a woeful season. Spurs had their own problems but against all odds, they trounced Arsenal 5-1 and won the carling cup. A trophy is a trophy. I'd rather ma club end up with the carling cup than end up trophyless for 4 years. There's no difference between teams that finished in the 3rd position and the 11th position. I cannot understand why u feel Arsenal's season was better than the last. This was the worst season under Wenger. He reiterated that on Arsenal TV.

@ Vicade,

Cristiano Ronaldo did not score a single champions league goal in his first 3 seasons at Man United. Today, he is the highest goal scorer. What does that tell u?
Give this guy a break. All this theory about him scoring more goals against weaker teams does not prove anything. Do u expect Arsenal to play conservatively against Derby or Fulham? Normally, caution is thrown into the wind against teams like this so the attacking football will flourish whereas against teams like Milan or Barcelona, the manager will be cautious how he bombs forward. Sheeeeeeeesh******* this is pure logic.

@ Akolawole,

This is getting tasteless by the minute. JM lost to Aston Villa, didn't he? Where was his tactical acumen when it was 1-0. Why didn't he change the game around and win? What about the 0-0 against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge or Rosenborg's 1st champions league fixture? U must admit JM was losing the plot gradually. He was lucky he left the time he did, Chelsea could have finished 6th easily. Besides, United and Chelsea weren't exactly 2 points below Arsenal cos the gunners had a game in hand then.

Forget the issue of Barnsley will not beat Mourinho and Spurs. Chelsea lost to Charlton at SB in a Carling cup game, isn't it? Newcastle once knocked JM's Chelsea out of the FA cup, isn't it? By your assertions, one would think JM never got it wrong when he was at Chelsea. The same Mourinho that was beaten blue black by Middlesboro some few seasons ago. United couldn't have sacked Ferguson at the start of the season because there was no fit striker available for Man United when the season kicked off. It was different to Chelsea who had Drogba, Kalou, Shev and Pizarrro.

@ Vicade,

U are bent on disrespecting Adebayor and i won't let u do that even though i support Man United. Adebayor is a work-horse and a great finisher. He is even better than Cristiano Ronaldo in front of goal. Are u aware Ronaldo had 131 shots on goal in the league and scoring just 31? U begin to wonder what happened to the remaining 100 shots aimed at the goal. . . . In the final OPTA stats. . . . Ronaldo has 24% goal/shot ratio same as Adebayor. Torres(25%), Santa Cruz(25%) and even Yakubu(29%) are more deadlier in front of goal than Ronaldo. Give Adebayor a break and stop comparing him to Eduardo who couldn't stay fit to rescue his team.

@ Dayokanu,

I beg to differ. Are u saying if Germany wins Euro2008 with Klose scoring 9 goals, he would win the world player of the year? How can?
It will be difficult for UEFA/FIFA to trash what Cristiano has done this season especially with the Champions league and the European golden shoe that will be added to Ronaldo's accolades.

In 2000, i am sure there was no outstanding/remarkable player in club competitions which prompted UEFA to name Zidane based on his exploits at the European championship. For Ronaldo, it's not about his goalscoring alone. It is about his overall contribution to Man United in the last 12 months. He was always available even when team-mates like Rooney, Scholes, Giggs and Saha were out injured.  In 1996, German team won the Euros but Ronaldo de Lima was named the player of the year. Who can forget his 34 goal-haul in La Liga for Barcelona.

Adebayor will improve if he plays around quality players. As a striker, he needs quality delivery to thrive. Have u seen Eboue's crosses? Give Adebayor a break. Would u have believed if someone had told u Ade will hit 30 at the start of the season? You are slaughtering Ade here, what about Van Persie who has never scored 12 league goals in his entire career? What about Bendtner who scores only when the full moon is out? In my own opinion, Adebayor was outstanding this season. Plug him in a team like Man United and u will see the difference after being fed quality passes from Rooney, Tevez and Anderson.

@ Vicade,

Adebayor is not over-rated but i dont think 80k a week for the Togolese is a big ASK. Take out Adebayor's goals in Arsenal's goal haul and what do u have? In a season where he played as a lone striker for many months, what do u expect? When Tevez was doing the lone striker role alone(with Rooney injured), how many goals did he score? For Adebayor to have bagged 24 goals this season is a testimony to his brilliance. Drogba as a lone striker could only manage 20 league goals last season. Strikers miss goals from time to time(u cannot hang the Togolese for that) Where is the support from the midfield? Hleb, Rosicky, Walcott and Eboue did not contribute enough.

@ Dayokanu,

Can u bet Ronaldo will not shine in the european championship next month? Have u forgotten his exploits in Euro 2004 when he was only 19? If Scolari deploys him well like Sir Alex does then there shouldn't be any problem. I am sure he will be taking the free-kicks and penalties and that should add to his goal tally. I believe Portugal have a chance in this tournament not because of Ronaldo but because of players like Pauleta, Carvalho, Bosingwa, Deco and Quaresma.

@ wormedup,

Thanx for the clarification. There is nothing to prove Jose would have done better in the league or the carling cup. If Mourinho could lose to Aston Villa with Drogba at full tilt then u wouldn't bet on him winning against a new-improved Tottenham side.

@ Akolawole,

Give it up. Jose brought all this mess on Grant. Why didn't he keep Chelsea in the top position before being sacked. He inherited Chelsea in the same position as every other team when Ranieri was sacked.

@ Vieira,

U still spew tosh? I thought u should have changed by now. How can u say this was better than the last? Better in what sense? U finished without a trophy this season and u finished without a trophy last season. Besides, didn't Wenger play in the final of carling cup last season?

Isn't that a genuine 50-50 chance of winning something compared to this season when Arsenal was never favoured 50% chance of winning the league. When Arsenal were 5 points clear in February, the book makers still favoured Man United to win it so how has this season shaped better?

@ HNIC,

The last time i checked, Tottenham won the carling cup and beating Arsenal 5-1 and despatching Chelski 2-1 on their way to winning it. On this day, Tottenham has actually fared better than Arsenal. Let me make it worse, Portsmouth have done exceptionally well than Arsenal. Wenger will finish 3rd again next season as his best players will all leave by August.

@ Akolawole,

Adebayor ar 2k a week will cope with all those bills. For all u know, Ade's monthly repayment may be less than 1000 quid a month. Without taking anything away from the Togolese, i think he deserves 90k a week. Wenger is a spin doctor and very very clever for his own good. He manipulated the wage structure when Henry threatened to leave in 2006, tell me why he cannot bend it to keep Flamini or Hleb. Is Henry super-human?

@ Pein,

U forgot the Man United fans on NL.
The fans that kept faith when everything was going pear-shaped.
We all knew the cup was staying at OT but then United love doing things the hard way.

I am chuffed with the arguments but let me make things clear.

@ Pein,

Bundesliga is multiplied by 2 just like England, Spain, Italy and France. Leagues in Holland, Wales, Switzerland and Portugal are multiplied by 1.5. In fairness, the German league has lost it's vigour and taste in the last 5 years and i cannot see any reason why the league still enjoys the same factor with England, Spain and Italy.

@ Dayokanu,

What is your sentiment with Cristiano? Not even the most poor-spirit minded fan can deny his contribution to football this season. A winger scoring 31 league goals in the league cannot be undermined. No player comes close to him this season whether he plays in the european championship or not. He is outstanding and should win the world player of the year award. It will even be a slap on him if they draw a list of nominees. No player in Europe has earned the right to stay on the podium with Ronaldo unless of course the nominees are Adebayor, Torres and Cesc Fabregas.