If_You_Wanna_Be_The_Man

Quality

He looks a player the few times I've seen him but considering he's 21 that's been far too rare.

It's astonishing Mikel keeps getting games

Dunno if it's just my tv but the pitch seems a strange colour

Not sure what Rodwell has eer done to warrant all the big money rumours he generates

Braga v Udinese could be tasty

Not convinced this is the way to go if they want to restore the prestige to the FA Cup

Carrick had one of the best seasons of his career last season, arguably the best English centre-midfielder in the league. That along with his ability to keep and pass the ball with ease makes him a very obvious choice for me.

Don't get me wrong England don't have any great options there, bar Wilshere who is never fit. But given that Carrick is 31, I don't see the point in calling him up when it's probable he won't play in any future major tournaments for England.

I'm a United fan and I've never rated Carrick, he just doesn't do enough for me. He doesn't attack, he doesn't defend, sitting in the centre circle and playing short backwards passes or predictably feeding the ball out wide is all well and good but when he's playing in midfield most of the time with Scholes and/or Giggs who can't get up and down the pitch either it's a waste of time. That's opinion though and I know it isn't one shared by Sir Alex.

I was hoping Hodgson would start using young players now so they have the experience of playing together when the next tournament rolls around. Terry, Gerrard, Lampard, Ashley Cole etc, have failed in enough International Tournaments, they'll be either too old or on the brink of being too old to play in the next tournament so there's no point relying on them any more.

Just got this today, enjoying it so far

Stoke have agreed a fee for a left back, Goran Popov

Not sure what the point of calling Carrick back up was

I saw him being linked with Blackpool today

I can understand his frustration, but he can't complain too much he's been like a kid in a sweet shop for the last few seasons

Cabaye too

Interesting move for Lukaku, didn't even hear rumours about that

I don't think they will spend money on them

I thought Owen was going to sign for Stoke once he realised no one else would have him, an it's driving distance from Cheshire.

Good to see Borini get a goal straight away, not that there would be the same amount of hysteria, but avoids a Carroll/Forlan situation

Im sure Michael Owen said he wouldn't drop down a division

Shame about the Olympics and injuries because of both teams had their full squads available it could have been really interesting.

2-2 I reckon

Mexico often get stupidly good as time goes on, and i find my scouts finding more and more mexican players

Currently reading 'The Redbreast' by Jo Nesbo

Yeah it's ridiculous when you have 5 centre backs and can pretty much never have more than 2 of them fit at the same time

It will be fantastic for him and England if e does step up and get into the team

Is Scott Sinclair a right footed player that plays on the left as opposed to a left footed player that plays on the right?

Still seems pointless to me but maybe Adam Johnson has said he wants to leave