Favourite Players, Denis Irwin

            Denis Irwin

Denis Irwin was born and brought up in Cork in the Republic of Ireland. He began his footballing life as an apprentice at Leeds United, he played over 50 games for them, having been released he was then picked up by Oldham. He had a successful spell at Oldham playing many games and helping his side make an appearance in the League Cup final and the semi final of the FA Cup. In June 1990 he was transferred to Manchester United for a fee of approximately £650,000. The FA Cup semi final in question was against United and has been marked as the game in which Irwin really grabbed the attention of Sir Alex Ferguson.

Football Book Reviews

Football Book Reviews

I have read a fair few football books and amongst those have been some poor ones, which is to be expected really.  However, there have been some good ones in there and have enjoyed reading the books of the games characters, particular players I've admired and also the managers themselves.  Here is a small selection of my favourites: 

Sir Bobby Charlton, it is his autobiography (which he does in two parts, one United and one England). It was a long awaited release. He goes back through his life, childhood, playing for United and speaks about modern day United and his love of a certain Paul Scholes in particular. It was such an incredible read and interesting to get a personal account of the man who seen it all in the brilliant and devastating times of Manchester United. The part about Munich is incredibly sad. Every United and indeed football fan would love this book.  Bobby really does tell a great story and he is the very essence of the club itself.  It is the way it is written too that makes this so strong, a real read unlike too many football books especially autobiographies.

SAMBA TWINS, DOUBLE THE TROUBLE AND TWICE THE TALENT

 

 

As soon as the da Silva twins Rafael and Fabio arrived at Manchester United their talent has been clear and they have been a real breath of fresh air. With their curly hair, dimples, boundless energy and passion for the game- they have been difficult to miss. Lively and skilful players they were signed straight from Brazil aged just seventeen and were yet to make a competitive appearance for their side. Brazilian club Fluminese, was where the brothers played and trained having moved to the clubs training complex aged eleven. Rafael caught United’s attention through his participation in a youth tournament in 2005- Nike’s Premier Cup in Tokyo. Progress of the brothers was followed closely. A deal was signed in 2007 and the pair moved to Manchester with their older brother in 2008. They couldn’t play until they turned 18 due to league rules. Manchester United almost lost out on the twins to Arsenal apparently, who tried to tap the boys up- thankfully their Mum ensured they respected their old club.

TEN BRILLIANT VOLLEYS

   

 Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen

 

 

Rooney: Has He Become As Good As We Thought?

　

That debut all these years ago and he had made us wait, ankle injury delaying the opportunity to see the teenager bought for a record breaking fee. Then bang first Champions League appearance and a hatrick to boot. What an announcement that was. He has never been a favourite player but I always thought, well. with him we always know what we’re getting and he was always all for the team and I appreciated that. He can be dirty and his off the field behaviour has been in the papers since he was just seventeen- he aint a saint! That night he scored the hatrick it was just incredible and you knew great things would come from him. They did but has he really fulfilled all the expectations that fans had of him?

　

He had an excellent first season outshining Ronaldo. Scored some memorable goals and was capped player of the season. Who could forget that volley he scored against Newcastle, it was really something special. But it was his industry and style that were most outstanding. He had made himself an essential part of the United team. He was often streaky in front of goal and would be criticised for not scoring enough. Ronaldo spun off into a different galaxy and the team was built around him, Ronaldo really did just take off like a rocket. Not forgetting the incredible defence of course but Rooney was the teams second most influential player for the most part. He was the one that often pulled the strings. He sacrificed his own strengths and preferences for the good of the team, often playing out wide on the left. He and Ronaldo shared a good understanding, echoed very much in him being directly involved (via assist) in more than half of Ronaldo’s 42 goals. Personally for Rooney that season was a very successful one winning the double but as far as his playing goes it certainly wasn’t his best. In the 08/09 seasons United won the league and got to the final of the Champions league. It was a pretty good season for Rooney who needed to do more, Ronaldo was in his last season of the club and there were a number of games that he didn’t pull his weight.

EURO'S ROUND UP, Euro 2012

           

Favourite Games

EURO 2012 FINAL- Spain vs Italy

    

 

Starting Teams-

Spain: Casillas(C), Arbeloa, Pique, Ramos, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Alonso, Silva, Fabregas, Iniesta

Italy: Buffon(C), Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli, Pirlo, Motolivo, De Rossi, Marchisio, Cassano, Balotelli