Following on from our flashback of Darren Fletcher, let’s take a look at how things have changed for John O’Shea over the years.
May 11th 2001: “We`ve had a dry spell for a couple of years,” said Ferguson. “At some stage you have to let the system unchoke and allow it to breathe again. Now we are looking not bad again, we are very pleased at the standard that is coming through, we are back on track a little bit. You can’t always have it perfect, but there are signs now that we are getting there again, the likes of the Stewarts, O’Sheas, Roches and Fletchers look like they could get into the first team eventually. It is always a part of our club to produce our own players. That creates the spirit at our club and I am pleased things are looking good again.”
March 10th 2002: “My performances have been up and down,” O’Shea admitted of his time so far in Antwerp. “Some matches I was content, some weren’t that bad. I am looking forward to playing in the next few matches and developing further. It is a fantastic experience to play here but I am the first to say that my performances in some matches were not good enough. I shouldn’t have any problems. It`s just that everything is new and you have to accustom to things. I have moved to a foreign country and play in a team whose players I don’t know. I came into contact with an new style of living and had to acclimatise to the new surroundings. You cannot underestimate that. My girlfriend came over but it is a pity she will stay living in England because she is studying. But I have got a lot of work to do with training and playing matches. I haven’t got any problems with being homesick.”
July 16th 2002: “We’ve got some terrific prospects at Old Trafford,” said Ferguson. “Michael Stewart and Luke Chadwick are doing very well, and John O’Shea’s doing well too. And there’s a young boy who has started now, he’s 16, called Kieran Richardson. He’s going to be a fantastic player.”
September 29th 2002: “John has done fantastically well,” said Ferguson. “I look at him and Rio, think of next season and think to myself – there’s your partnership. I remember saying it right from the first time I saw him, he could read the game superbly. But now he has size, now he has the shoulders. He looks like a centre half now. Last year he was a big beanpole.”
February 27th 2003: “I definitely learned from Paul,” said O’Shea of compatriot McGrath. “He was so relaxed but he completely controlled games. In many ways, it was like Roy Keane did for Ireland. Paul never trained, he just played the games. That’s how good he was. I try to be composed and be a big figure on the pitch and impose myself. That’s what Paul used to do and I try to copy that.”
March 12th 2003: “It has gone well for me,” said O’Shea of playing at full-back. “But I have not really played there since I was 10 or 12 years old. I never believed I would be a full back in the United team, but I am happy to continue if it gets me into the side.”
March 20th 2003: “I have made a breakthrough by playing so many games this season and maybe that will encourage the other young lads,” said O’Shea. “Even though we lost, they gained invaluable experience by playing against Deportivo. You could tell it was new to our boys from the way they were breathing so hard. The pace of the game was something they weren’t used to. It was a world away from playing for the reserves down at Altrincham. It was a big step up for them and the lads with a bit more experience like myself tried our best to help them. I enjoyed the extra responsibility and it’s easy to see the advantages of putting out the team we did. The bonus from playing that game with nothing to lose was that it let the new players trying to break through know what they have to achieve.”
April 4th 2003: “When I was 15, I had all but dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s on the dotted line to go to Celtic,” said O’Shea. “But then United came in for me and I changed my mind. Everyone kept asking ‘How are you going to get into that team?’ But I decided the education I could get football-wise at United would do me the world of good and I couldn’t turn down the chance.”
May 4th 2003: “Over the summer I was listening to all the talk of a new central defender coming,” said O’Shea. “I knew it was going to happen and I knew it was going to be someone big. First it was Nesta, then Ayala and, eventually, Rio came. He showed in the World Cup what a great player he is. People were saying to me ‘What are you going to do? Are you going to move?’ But I kept saying ‘No’ and took the attitude that he’s a player who I can learn from. With Laurent Blanc and Rio, I knew it was going to be good for me. It has been a dream season for me. Yet I want to make sure we get something out of it. It has been great for me to look back on but it is even better if you have a medal to prove it. The Premiership is our only target now and we are determined that we won’t throw that away. We know we have a great chance of winning the league. If someone had said to me at the start of the season that I’d have played a part in nearly every game I’d have found it a little bit hard to believe. Now I want a Premiership winner’s medal.”
June 13th 2003: “I’m in talks with United at the moment about a new contract,” said O’Shea. “I’ve played almost 60 games this season and I’ve never done that before, but I’m looking forward to doing it next season. Everyone seems to be quite happy with me. It was Alex Ferguson’s decision to play me in all those games so he must have been happy with me. I’ve played some internationals in the middle of that and I think Brian Kerr was happy so it was a case of being a very satisfying season for me. Normally the manager might give me a game or two followed by a rest but he felt he needed to keep putting me back in. I think I played 12 games last season and I was hoping that if I got around the mid-20s in games the next term I would have been happy because that would have been a good progression, so to quadruple that figure from the season before and to have a championship medal at the end of it all has just been fantastic.”
March 2nd 2004: “My first season went well and my second hasn’t been as good, so it’s natural people will comment on it,” O’Shea conceded. “All I can do is keep my head down, work hard, believe in my own ability and make sure it’s tough for the manager to leave me out. I can’t do anything about the attention. The spotlight has only been on me for a couple of years so I can only imagine what some of the others have had to put up with.”
July 22nd 2004: “I’ve had a few chats with the boy, he knows himself,” Ferguson said. “He’s still only 23, very young for a defender. He has to maybe look at another position. He’s a naturally right-footed player and could play centre midfield, centre back or right back maybe. He’s very versatile, but he’s suffered because of that. But he’s a good type, and you always think with guys of decent character is that they find their way back. He’s got years ahead of him.”
November 29th 2004: “There is no way I am leaving Old Trafford,” O’Shea said. “I am definitely staying, without a doubt, and, fingers crossed, I will be here for a long time to come. When you are playing for Manchester United, you are going to face pressure. I have faced it before, no doubt I will face it again in the future. What you have to do is make sure when you get a chance, you put the manager under pressure not to leave you out.”
December 12th 2004: “When you see the improvement he has made in training, and strength-wise, it is remarkable,” said Ferguson. “For two-and-a-half years we played him all the time in different positions, sometimes with injuries, simply because we had to. Now having given him that break he looks a different player completely. He is fresh and strong and he has been terrific in training.”
February 1st 2005: O’Shea scores that goal at Highbury.
August 7th 2005: “I’m aware of the speculation but I’m very happy here,” said O’Shea. “I’m getting plenty of football and know I can get a lot more. That’s my aim. Old Trafford is the best place to learn your football but that isn’t the reason I am staying. I want to get into the first XI – that’s the most important thing – and I believe I have a future here.”
August 10th 2005: “I am very close to signing a new four-year deal and, fingers crossed, that will be done and dusted before the start of the season,” said O’Shea. “That will take me to around 27 or 28-years-old which people say is around the time you reach your prime. Overall, I am looking forward to spending a lot more time at United and enjoying lots more success.”
Novermber 1st 2005: “He’s just strolling around when he should have been busting a gut to get back,” said Roy Keane.
March 16th 2006: “I just think he needs to be tougher for the big, crunch games,” said Roy Keane. “I saw the highlights of the United and Newcastle game, and I thought he played quite well. If he gets tougher, he can do more than a job there. But you have to bear in mind, he’s still young and he’s still improving. He just needs to get tougher, both physically and mentally.”
July 14th 2006: “I want to play as many games as possible for the club in whatever position that they want,” said O’Shea. “I’ve really enjoyed playing midfield and if the opportunity comes up again I’m more than happy to do it.”
March 5th 2007: “The 90th minute at Anfield, in front of the Kop – Gary Neville’s just told me that is his dream and I’ve just gone and done it!” said O’Shea. “Without a doubt, it’s the most important goal I’ve ever scored. To score a goal in such circumstances in front of the Kop is so special.”
November 18th 2007: “I have this season and the next on my current contract, but I am very close to signing a new deal that will keep me at United into my 30s,” said O’Shea. “It is something I want to do. I want to stay here, everything is good and this is where I want to be. I have never looked to go elsewhere.”
November 27th 2007: “I feel like I am going to be part of something special,” said O’Shea. “Signing the new contract was not a particularly hard decision but it was an important one. I know it is going to be difficult to get into the team and stay there but I also know I will get my chance. I feel that if you look at the club, the team, my age and the age of the squad, there are good times ahead. And I want to be part of it.”
May 27th 2008: “That is crossing my mind a lot of the time, but then I think ‘where do you go when you leave a team like that?’” said O’Shea. “That’s an even bigger question. For the time being, I will stay where I am. You just have to get on with it. The club has so many players and in the build-up to the final, he [Ferguson] had every player fit.”
August 15th 2008: “You could say a game here is worth two elsewhere but it is more than that,” said O’Shea. “I want to challenge myself, both in matches and in training every day and I want to improve my game. That is why I am here. As long as the manager keeps me as part of the team that will do for me. At this club all you have to do is look across at Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes and see the way they train. It is such an example they set. Despite the success they have had and the rewards they have received, they still want more and more. It is what the manager prides himself on too. You have to learn from these players and want to be like them. That is what this place is all about.”
March 17th 2009: “The attitude of the players has been marvellous, especially when it comes to the business of being left out,” said Ferguson. “There have been no dummies flying out of the pram. I hate telling a player that, although he has perhaps just delivered a top-class performance, I will not be using him in the next match. It’s not nice, but it helps that the players understand. I feel blessed that we have players like John O’Shea, who has stepped in to play out of his skin. John has thrived on playing regularly and I’m sure that if I asked him to play at centre-forward he would get us a goal. It’s great to have such adaptable players and it’s one of our strengths as we enter the last lap of the title race.”
May 21st 2009: “I would never stay at a club just for the sake of winning a medal,” said O’Shea. “If I felt I wasn’t playing a part I would leave. That has always been the case. I know Roy Keane’s said that 20 games for United is better than 40 anywhere else but I don’t buy into that idea. As a footballer, you want to play as often as you can, no matter what club you are at. You could say I have been rewarded for my patience. But whether you are playing a bit part or a bigger part I was always confident, if I got a run in the team, I could show I could stay in it. I have always had a good relationship with the manager. It is difficult to keep everyone happy but being successful is a key. If you are winning things it makes it slightly easier when you are left out at certain stages. Look at the size of squads at big clubs in Europe now. You can’t win things with 11 players. The teams who will be successful will have between 18 and 22. It’s the man-management side that does it. He makes you feel involved. He might come around and say ‘You are not playing tomorrow but you are playing on Wednesday week and I want you ready for that game’. It is those little things that make him the best in the business.”
October 14th 2009: “I don’t want to look back on my Manchester United career,” said O’Shea. “Fingers crossed there is lots more to come. I knew if I was going to leave United I would have a great grounding. The education was terrific, not only in terms of football, but maturing as a person. But when you look back, I guess everything has worked out okay so far. Long may it continue. I know I am maturing and getting that bit older. I used to think I was quite young. Obviously you know the years are ticking by because of the age of the lads coming into the squad and the amount of games you have played. Overall, it is a good achievement for someone to stay 10 years at a club like Manchester United and to be involved in a lot of games and win some great trophies. Now I just want to continue and be a part of the team.”
April 20th 2010: “Normally, when most teams lose a game it’s not really spoken about but when we lose a game it’s a guaranteed crisis,” said O’Shea. “I remember the first time I won the league back in 2003 the headlines for about a month were ‘The Empire’s Crumbling’. It’s just always been the way – they can’t wait to shoot down the best, and we’ll keep proving them wrong.”
O
April 23rd: 2010: “That’s where the club has been so successful and maintained a structure all the way through, giving the youngsters a chance,” said O’Shea. “Like I’m 28, just about to be 29, and you look at Giggsy and Scholesy – it’s a credit to the club that they keep the consistency going and it’s worked because the team keeps being successful.”
—————–
Flashback: Darren ‘Football Genius’ Fletcher
Man Utd News 24/7
Nevermind the fucking Ribery’s and Gourcoff’s etc. Its lads like these, Fletch, Gibbo etc that make United so succesful. Sad thing is some fans would farm the lot out and replace them with players that know fuck all about United and it’s traditions.
keep the faith.
We did miss him last season.
Off topic, looking at our player at the World Cup, one has to notice that our star of th elast season, Own Goal, is doing quite well. He got two goals so far. Golden boot beckons!
God to see a player that never moans about not playing, he knows its a team game and he’ll wait turn and be ready when called apon..
@ King Eric
Spot on mate……I look forward to Cleverly, Cathcart, Ravel Morrison, Pogba, Petrucci, Will Keane, Cofie, joshua King etc come up in the future and really take the mantle forward for United
A fantastic lad and a very reliable player. O’Shea could have his own testimonial right now if he wanted to hey?
All the media talk about replacing giggs scholes and Neville and it’s the fletcher oshea and brown that does it for me.
@Red Devil
I don’t think more than 2 will come into the first team from those players but I hope i’m wrong
For every Fletch, Evans and O’Shea
we have the Chadwicks, Stewarts, Bardsley, Simpson, Welbecks, Richardson’s etc etc
Ravel Morrison and Pogba for me to emerge from the reserves
Also dont forget the twins and Macheda are in the first team squad!!!
Maybe a flashback on brown
Brandy will be some player in the future, I just can’t see the future been at united because he has never got a chance
Well said King Eric.
It’s great to see John O’Shea put in the spotlight. Great team player, wholehearted come rain or shine, incredibly adaptable, and a very well-liked bloke, and of course steadily increasing his medal tally.
Am I imagining it, or did Fergie once tell Shaysey when he was just starting, ‘You’re a big Waterford fucker, now go out and show it!’
Well well Costas! They have just bloody scored!
And Costas goes wild, the greeks are back in it!!!
One question. Why the FUCK is that horrible little dipper Colin Murray on the beeb? Jumped up little know it all.
Just got back from running up and down the stairs, lol. We deserved the equaliser. Shouldn’t have been 1-0 behind in the first place. I will never say another bad word about Foster or Taibi after that piece of goalkeeping! Hopefully we can keep this up and get the second.
My favourite United player ever. Love him.
Costa- How about that eh? You still have to treat us to kebabs.
@boogeyman
I sure do! You are all invited tonight, lol.
I have to say that Nigeria cut their own throats with the red card, but I loved the passion of my country today.
Congrats for your first ever win, Costas! Good comeback. You will get battered by the Argies though, so enjoy it while it lasts.
.Despite gifting them a goal, the nigerian keeper, Enyeama, was absolutely fantasic again.
@Fze123
Thanks. You are probably right about the Argies, lol. Our goalkeeper actually made a bigger howler than Enyeama. As I said earlier, it made me appreciate Taibi!
@Costas
has nikopolidis retired or is he still playing??.he was a very good goal keeper.
@AIG
He has retired from international football unfortunately. He will be 40 next year and he will probably retire at the end of next season. He was a very reliable goalkeeper. Haven’t managed to replace him.
I agree with you about Rehagel, There are times when he reads a game brilliantly. And other times he motivates the players very well. Today it was mostly the latter. As fpor Argentina, I don’t know what we can do in that game. I just hope that our players come down from cloud nine in time.
@ Costas, this WC may well be remembered for keepers’ blunders, we’ve seen quite a few already. Especially if Calamity James plays regularly for England – we’ll see quality howlers from him, surely. The ball is getting all the blame at the moment.
@Fze123
Yep, that’s right. The Nigeria goalie can blame the ball. Ours can’t lol. But, I’ve watched 9 major tournaments and in many cases the teams blame the new ball. I accept that a new ball might cause chaos, but willierednut said something correct earlier today. They could have used the WC ball in their domestic championships and make the players familiar with it.
Samaparas’ hairstyle reminds me of good ol George Best
@costas
king eric replied as to why the ball couldnt be used.down to contractual reasons.the bundesliga is sponsored by adidas
@AIG
Ah, I see. I didn’t notice his reply.
@ Costas, the ball used in the PL, Seria A and La Liga is supplied by Nike, so the Jabulani couldn’t be used. The ball is always complained about at WCs, especially from GKs, however this ball must be a nightmare for them this year considering it’s purposefully light and very sphere – much harder to control.
No reason they didn’t use the ball in Champions League/Europa League other than the ability to sell more replica balls as both competitions use Adidas footballs.
I do believe that all the complaints about the ball are a poor copout of an excuse for why so many teams have underperformed though.
agree with bigphil2003,the ball’s an excuse for some teams who’ve not been doing well as of yet.though it’s visible that the ball does move wildly esp at the altitude the games are being played at,if argentina,germany,holland seem to be able to do it,don’t see why the rest can’t.
Really hope Hernandez starts ahead of Franco for Mexico today. I want to see how well he does over the course of 90 minutes, if he doesn’t get brought off.
i do hope the mexicans win it.i means eriously, the spirit the french team has is appalling.
@fze123
unfortunately he is on the bench again
AIG
I never thought I would be this bitter about a Mexican team selection. Fuck the Mexican coach, Chico is gonna take a big part in our team. I’m starting to really like him.
@Moscow
i am surprised too mate. the press in mexico wanted him to start and aguirre too had good things to say about him. think they want to utilize his pace against a tired french defense later in the game. this kid has all the attributes to be a star, just needs to continue developing
@ AIG, I don’t get the Mexico coach, Hernandez has a fantastic record for his country. Franco is so utterly useless.
Why did they ever get rid of Adidas Tango or Mitre Delta’s? Cracking balls.
@ KIngOfStretfordEnd, there’s no hope for them this year, lots of tension and disputes going on in the dressing room between the players that Domenech can’t control.
http://www.tribalfootball.com/mexico-fans-call-man-utd-striker-hernandez-start-911101
@Fze
surprising that because he did well after coming on against RSA. franco is experienced. hernandez has pace which can be used against a tired french defence. looks like the only reason to me.
@ King Eric
those old mitre balls were quality, even the Nike ones from World Cup 2002 were good!!
can someone explain this to me, what difference does it make what ball england use they could not pass to each other or keep the ball to save their lives, england are perhaps the worse team on a teqnical level they are pants if I was a bookie I would have england 50/1 Iam that confidente england will not win it, especiially when the heart of england is aston villa then you know your team is infested with mediocrety
Why was Pat in tears during the national anthem???
No chico? crying shame.
King Eric
With those balls you could just SPANK it into the net. Quality.
The France/Mexico game is on, First game i’ve that has some real consequence at the end of it. Like to see Hernandez if he comes on. Evra as captain feels strange but its good for the guy, he’s top notch
RTNK – You said the same thing about the Argies, no chance of winning.
I want France to take an early 2 goal lead then they’ll def but Chico on!!! I’m
an impatient bastard hate having to wait to see new players
#put#
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/A/427569754?-11193
Pogba deal sorted out at last.
The Mexicans’ pace are causing the French all kinds of problems. Entertaining match at last?
No surprise Malouda back in the team, they lacked spark in the last game.
Is it just me or does mexicos jersey look like a standard scouser tracksuit top
ohhh is hernandez coming on??? hope so!!
Vela injured. Enter Chicharito.
Vela down, Hernandez on anyone ?
Barrera?!?!?!? WTAF
7 goals for his country and he can’t get on the bloody pitch!
why not chicharito????he is their leading scorer for crying out loud!!
hernandez will come on later in the 2nd half depending on the situation. as i said before they will want to test his pace against the tiring french defence which is looking very shaky at the moment and by the looks of it will get only worse
This is a game of 2 halfs , shame the passing is shite in both halfs
Malouda is the best French player in the world, after our Pat.
Don’t know about that Moscow, Platini wasn’t bad lol.
At the moment that is
Fantastic, read on big John**. Merci Monsieur.
You gotta love him, even though he is Irish, lmao, Joking before anyone gets all prickly.
Cmon France, we need to see you, maybe they need a helping hand, where is that twat, ohh yes on the bench, playing with himself.
RedScot – There’s a guy i know called mr cactus, he’s always getting prickly.
Redscot
how dare you i’m outraged at the vile things you said about Ireland for shame redscot…… For shame
@ Willie evening mate hope Belfast is well tonight.
Shit game so far, just stalemate, Patrice is playing okay though, shame we did not get to see Hernandez though, I dont get it really.
Here he comes, yipeeeeeeeeee
did i just hear hernandez is coming on?
Chico about to enter the field of play.
@GHTT, i AM HANGING MY HEAD, utterly dereadfull of me , I will wash my mouth out with some Whisky, lol
Chicarito to make an impact??
Is that god on the PA system??
Did the Mexican keeper use to be a boxer ?
RedScot – Belfast is sound tonight mate, the game is on a knife edge, good to see Chico come on.
@ GHTT, I know what you mean he certainly likes punching. double fisted two, reminds of a kangaroo
@ Willie yeah lets hope our new star scores.
GHTT – Is that god on the pa system lol, it’s Jim carrey.
No wonder the French had to cheat against the irish. Otherwise they would never have got through. Wondering how did they manage that 1-0 win in Ireland. On this evidence feel even bad for the irish. sure they could have done much much better than what the french have to offer
Well said AIG, justice and all that, its a lame attempt by the French, Rubbery looks threatening though,
The man is my hero
HERNANDEZ GET IN MY SON
HERNANDEZ GOAL!!!!!!! fuckin lovely!!!!!
Yesssssssssssssssssssssss, heaven!!!!!! Star
HERNANDEZ
GET IN!!!!
Chicoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!
Chicaritoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
You Beauty son
: )
Get in!!
Sorry Evra.
HE’S HERE HE’S THERE HE’S EVERY FUCKING WHERE IT’S CHICHARITOOOO
Henry sitting on the bench like a spare rib, not even warming up.
What a finsh!!! Great composure…. just what we need at OT!!
The French are starting to get a bit dirty! That tackle on Hernadez from Diaby deserved a yellow!
Cool as you like, remember its the weather is -4 and he’s been sitting down for at least an hour. sharp.
if mexico win this ,now theres a long 20 minutes left, be aware that the most boring 0all draw since the dippers v the bitters is coming up between uraguary and mexico. cause i think if they both draw they are both through
was a tight call as to whether he was offside. maybe abidal played him on. Dont think anyone of us are bothered about that though
@Redscot
thanks. yeah . i am sure it riles the irish people even more seeing such rubbish performances from the french. would have been great to have them at the world cup
I thought he was positionally just like Owen…. just sitting off the last man and waiting for his moment… but he’s showing glimpses of coming deep with good link play! nice!
I agree GHTT… he’s sharp… always looking to get on the end of a killer pass!
Long way to go yet but first signs are looking good… and a successful WC can only do him good for us!
France = FUCKED
Lets all hope boys, the South African’s get a win against Les Blues, and put this ghost to rest.
Their a poor team living of past but recent results, the lad that said is spot on they are getting ugly now, typical bitches all material, when you strip it down, just vulgar and generally hairy arm pits, thats the Ladies.
Here we go, it cant get any better
Oh dear Abidal…. havin a shocker!
For ALL the Irish lads, justice is done.
Viva Mexico!!
top off and run the touchline Larry White
Your going in
aig :if noone cares then why bring it up. .
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You
Come On You Boys In Green
Different shade but who gives a fuck
Whats french for sour grapes? Ireland will be bouncing with joy lol.
@Willie Aigre le raisin, lol
Enjoy you evening
oh my god 88 minutes gone 2 nil up and Hernandez is fooking defending
what the hell has Sir Alex found here
Diaby has proper got it in for Hernadez….
Ribery = £60m….. laughable!
Not that i need much more reason not to like the bloke… but im always keen to watch the greatest talents express themselves on the biggest stage… and he has really let down!
Hernandez is having a great match. cant wait to see what he is like with United!
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You
Come On You Boys In Green
COME..ON >>YOU ..BOYS IN GREEN
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You
Come On You Boys In Green
COME..ON >>YOU ..BOYS IN GREEN
Come On You Boys In Green
Come On You
Come On You Boys In Green
When the going got tough, Ribery got going, MIA. Well played Chico lad.
ahh fuck man!!! evra is crying
evra leave that squad now..ur the only person who wants to play for that team.
Karma triumphs again. The Irish are revenged.
I don’t give a fuck what anyone says, Benzema should have at least been in that squad.
Nasri would have been a better option, he performed well for Arsenal last season contrary to Benzema who majorly disappointed.
@ghtt
just felt it was off initially but replays show it was tight and maybe he was on. wanted to confirm it here.anyways will make the irish and you feel better. never seen ireland play much but i am sure we would have seen much better football from the irish.
Benzema still scored 7, 8 goals, not bad for someone who hardly played a game.
Cisse and Gignac better option than Benzema, do me a favour ffs.
@willie
9 goals in 33 games. think his horrible showing in euro 2008 where he was the first choice striker may have influenced domenech’s decision
cisse 29 goals in 45 games
gignac 11 goals in 35 games
Not sure if the greek league is that strong, maybe Costas can answer that. How many of those 33 games did he start? A far better player than gignac and Cisse and he’ll prove it over the next few years.
Cisse was on much better form than Benzema all throughout the season. But I will accept the arguement that Cisse plays in a minor league. Here’s the point though. Say Benzema was called up and he was in red hot form. What difference was he going to make? This team is completely constipated in front of goal. There’s no game plan. With Ribery, Malouda and Gourcouff there you would expect them to be dangerous in front of goal whether Anelka, Benzema, Cisse, Saha(surprised no on mentioned him) or Bellion was leading the line.
@willierednut
Yeah just to add to that. It’s not a strong league. Not by a long shot. But at least Cisse had discovered his scoring habit this season.
Benzema would have made a better impact than Cisse, or Gignac imo. That dopey french manager fucked up big time in not bringing Nari, or Benzema and it looks like it’s back fired.
I’ve always wondered if Domenech is Ranieri’s twin. They look and they manage alike…
The sooner Laurent Blanc takes over from the clueless moron, the better things will get for France. Pity he wasn’t appointed this year for this WC.
I second that, feel sorry for Evra.
Aig Diego and his mates and chicarito and his young lads and blanco would , I think, of taken Ireland, but ya see there are 2 Irish teams and you ne’er know what your gonna get, but the major difference I see with Ireland or south africa is the play for the pride. I know it’s a bollox line in football but it’s the truth. France have only once played like that under the frence rafa and that was when Henry and zidane stood up told him to take a seat and took control of the dressing room. Benzema Saha whoever it didn’t matter because the will wasn’t there , and I’m scared to say it cause I love the ducker but did you see how Mexico got that peno paddy said fuck this and let the man make him look like carraghers worst day
mag