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What is a modern-day proffesional football team without an influential player?
Well, for a start, you can bet they're nowhere-near the top of the Premiership, let-alone Europe or even a good cup run. Kind of like Brighton or Hartlepool, or one of those other teams way-down-there.
Without even one player who adds a bit of flair and style to the attack, you're not going to score as-many goals in a season as you would be able to do with him.
Over the years, in the Premiership alone, we've seen a number of influential players come-in to our game from over-seas and really give their new teams the kick-up-the-backside they needed in-order to get back into 1st gear and really push-themselves towards great things and shiny silver trophies.
Eric Cantona, even after retirement, is still regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever graced England's top division after helping both Leeds, and more importantly, Manchester United, onto greater things during his time here in England with 'ze seaguls'. He added something special to the attacks of both teams, and we soon saw United on-towards their record-breaking second Premiership and FA Cup Double with the Frenchman in-control as Captain. Back then, in the 1990's, United were unstoppable. C'mon you Gooners..., admit it! It's un-deniable.
But look at them now..., without Cantona (aswell-as one-or-two others) and you'll see a completely different United side out on the Old Trafford pitch every-week, looking like they are missing something that would normally hold them together.
Ever-since Cantona left to 'call it a day' and soak-up-some-sun in Beach Soccer tournaments while gaining-weight and pursuing his acting dreams, United have never really been able to find a new player who could add creativity to the attack like he did. Ryan Giggs may still be there, but as a wide-player who seems to have lost his pace recently it just isn't the same. He just doesn't have Cantona's... "fíness" or "instant creativity" from which nothing can become something at the right-end of the pitch.
Is it the job of a Captain to get the players working-hard? That's something Roy Keane can certainly do, aswell as put himself into 'overtime' and then in the stands with a suspension... or two. But again, he is missing what "The King" Cantona had when going forwards in the attack. Keane's too defensive for that, but the determination and fire is there.
And then there's Beckham... A player who can Captain the side well, and also pick-up any loose-ball in the right positition and turn it into a deadly cross infront-of the oppositions' goal-line.
Anyone else...??
United are missing the influence of a player like Cantona. He always knew what he was doing with the ball at his feet, even if we didn't. And untill they can find a new way of solving this problem, they'll be losing-out to all other teams like Arsenal in the Premiership, Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe, and even Chelsea and West Ham, who have something they do not, at this point in time.
It's not-enough to have players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham in your team, you need someone-else to bring it all together, and make all those links and connections come-together as one.
And you wonder WHY Arsenal can be seen ontop of the pile in the league whenever you check the standings throughout this season! They didn't win The Double again for nothing, you know! They were creative in their attacking plays and very-rarely failed to dazzle-us with their world-class performances, week-in, week-out.
Have you ever wondered why Arsenal fans are always ranting-and-raving about Dennis Bergkamp, yet, we rarely see him do anything THAT special ourselves?
Bergkamp is a player who's not all-about goal-scoring, or silky skills, although he is a striker, and can do both without having to think too-hard. He is influential - just like Cantona. Now I know he may find himself out-of-the-picture more-often-than he'd like nowadays at Arsenal, but even with him on the subs' bench, or while he's back at home watching his side live on TV as Henry and the rest are off in Moscow, they have other players the can rely-on to take Bergy's place, unlike Man United.
Henry is without-a-doubt, the first name they'll look-to. The former World Cup Winner can not-only score goals, but provide them too with his lively runs, great sense of vision and awareness, and the abillity to put the ball exactly where it needs to be - kina like David Beckham. And this is a player Sir Alex Ferguson ignored when he had the chance to sign him a few years back! ....IDIOT!!
And even when this Frenchman's out, there's still more-to-come from the Arsenal reserves in the form of that giant Nigerian international known-as "Kanu".
Now he may be a striker, and he many critics may be expecting him to score goals when he plays (which he doesn't always do), but there are other reasons as to why Arséne Wenger persists in using this so-called "lanky, over-payed, wase-of-space"...
Just like Bergkamp, and Henry aswell, the former Inter Milan striker has more to offer that isn't so noticable. He can create 'something' out-of 'nothing', and his array os skills and flicks-'n'-tricks really speak for themselves. He may appear useless, but he does do things that are usefull - even from a stand-still position, he doesn't have to move anywhere!
Take away these 3 alone and Arsenal wouldn't quite be the same.
Even a team right at the bottom of the Premiership like West Ham has exactly what Manchester United should be looking for, and not just once either.
We all know about Fergie's interests in controversial Italin star Paulo DiCanio, which has been going-on for quite-some-time now. He may be an ageing un-capped player with a bad-attitude at-times, but can certainly do the business when the ball's at-his-feet. And I'm sure many 'ammers fans will tell you the same.
And then there's Joe Cole too, an English player who can work-wonders with the ball at his feet, especially when he's given the time and space to do so. But even when he doesn't have what he needs, he doesn't give-up. He'll MAKE space for himself, and use his time wisely in-order-to help tear defences apart with his dangerous runs. And it is because of his unique style that's makes him stand-out-from the rest that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has called-for his services more than once recently.
But even with the likes of DiCano and Cole in their side, aswell-as several others, West Ham United are still down the wrong-end of the table and have been tipped as one of the favourites for 'The Drop' this season already.
This just goes to show you that adding influential players to your squad won't solve all your problems. And that you will need to consider the players around these 'key men' and whether-or-not they are what he is looking for in ideal team-mates.
So at-least we know Sir Alex Ferguson is doing something right by searching for replacements that'll plug-the-gaps in all-areas of the pitch, like the defence and attack.
But we'll still need a new Cantona to find new-ways-into the backline's of Europe's top clubs, if we want to succeed that is...
Hasn't he realised that Juan-Séba Veron ISN'T Roy Keane with a skin-head and a sun-tan yet??
You can't put 2 players or more together in your attack and expect them to click immediatly. You need someone-else there who can play behind them, but also with them, in-order to make the magic happen and get-things-going. Look at Real Madrid... They may have spent £30m on Ronaldo, but it wasn't a watse of money as he has the likes of Raul, Zidane and Luis Figo to work-with, aswell-as the possible strike-partner of Fernando Morientes. Without those 3, Real wouldn't be favourites for the Champions' League this season.
Unless Sir Alex Ferguson can get things like this right, we can't expect to see the "Team of the 90's" return to their best today or anytime-soon.
It was hard-enough saying "Au revoir, Cantona." back-then, but we never thought things would have gotten this bad for us already, so-soon.
Well, for a start, you can bet they're nowhere-near the top of the Premiership, let-alone Europe or even a good cup run. Kind of like Brighton or Hartlepool, or one of those other teams way-down-there.
Without even one player who adds a bit of flair and style to the attack, you're not going to score as-many goals in a season as you would be able to do with him.
Over the years, in the Premiership alone, we've seen a number of influential players come-in to our game from over-seas and really give their new teams the kick-up-the-backside they needed in-order to get back into 1st gear and really push-themselves towards great things and shiny silver trophies.
Eric Cantona, even after retirement, is still regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever graced England's top division after helping both Leeds, and more importantly, Manchester United, onto greater things during his time here in England with 'ze seaguls'. He added something special to the attacks of both teams, and we soon saw United on-towards their record-breaking second Premiership and FA Cup Double with the Frenchman in-control as Captain. Back then, in the 1990's, United were unstoppable. C'mon you Gooners..., admit it! It's un-deniable.
But look at them now..., without Cantona (aswell-as one-or-two others) and you'll see a completely different United side out on the Old Trafford pitch every-week, looking like they are missing something that would normally hold them together.
Ever-since Cantona left to 'call it a day' and soak-up-some-sun in Beach Soccer tournaments while gaining-weight and pursuing his acting dreams, United have never really been able to find a new player who could add creativity to the attack like he did. Ryan Giggs may still be there, but as a wide-player who seems to have lost his pace recently it just isn't the same. He just doesn't have Cantona's... "fíness" or "instant creativity" from which nothing can become something at the right-end of the pitch.
Is it the job of a Captain to get the players working-hard? That's something Roy Keane can certainly do, aswell as put himself into 'overtime' and then in the stands with a suspension... or two. But again, he is missing what "The King" Cantona had when going forwards in the attack. Keane's too defensive for that, but the determination and fire is there.
And then there's Beckham... A player who can Captain the side well, and also pick-up any loose-ball in the right positition and turn it into a deadly cross infront-of the oppositions' goal-line.
Anyone else...??
United are missing the influence of a player like Cantona. He always knew what he was doing with the ball at his feet, even if we didn't. And untill they can find a new way of solving this problem, they'll be losing-out to all other teams like Arsenal in the Premiership, Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe, and even Chelsea and West Ham, who have something they do not, at this point in time.
It's not-enough to have players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham in your team, you need someone-else to bring it all together, and make all those links and connections come-together as one.
And you wonder WHY Arsenal can be seen ontop of the pile in the league whenever you check the standings throughout this season! They didn't win The Double again for nothing, you know! They were creative in their attacking plays and very-rarely failed to dazzle-us with their world-class performances, week-in, week-out.
Have you ever wondered why Arsenal fans are always ranting-and-raving about Dennis Bergkamp, yet, we rarely see him do anything THAT special ourselves?
Bergkamp is a player who's not all-about goal-scoring, or silky skills, although he is a striker, and can do both without having to think too-hard. He is influential - just like Cantona. Now I know he may find himself out-of-the-picture more-often-than he'd like nowadays at Arsenal, but even with him on the subs' bench, or while he's back at home watching his side live on TV as Henry and the rest are off in Moscow, they have other players the can rely-on to take Bergy's place, unlike Man United.
Henry is without-a-doubt, the first name they'll look-to. The former World Cup Winner can not-only score goals, but provide them too with his lively runs, great sense of vision and awareness, and the abillity to put the ball exactly where it needs to be - kina like David Beckham. And this is a player Sir Alex Ferguson ignored when he had the chance to sign him a few years back! ....IDIOT!!
And even when this Frenchman's out, there's still more-to-come from the Arsenal reserves in the form of that giant Nigerian international known-as "Kanu".
Now he may be a striker, and he many critics may be expecting him to score goals when he plays (which he doesn't always do), but there are other reasons as to why Arséne Wenger persists in using this so-called "lanky, over-payed, wase-of-space"...
Just like Bergkamp, and Henry aswell, the former Inter Milan striker has more to offer that isn't so noticable. He can create 'something' out-of 'nothing', and his array os skills and flicks-'n'-tricks really speak for themselves. He may appear useless, but he does do things that are usefull - even from a stand-still position, he doesn't have to move anywhere!
Take away these 3 alone and Arsenal wouldn't quite be the same.
Even a team right at the bottom of the Premiership like West Ham has exactly what Manchester United should be looking for, and not just once either.
We all know about Fergie's interests in controversial Italin star Paulo DiCanio, which has been going-on for quite-some-time now. He may be an ageing un-capped player with a bad-attitude at-times, but can certainly do the business when the ball's at-his-feet. And I'm sure many 'ammers fans will tell you the same.
And then there's Joe Cole too, an English player who can work-wonders with the ball at his feet, especially when he's given the time and space to do so. But even when he doesn't have what he needs, he doesn't give-up. He'll MAKE space for himself, and use his time wisely in-order-to help tear defences apart with his dangerous runs. And it is because of his unique style that's makes him stand-out-from the rest that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has called-for his services more than once recently.
But even with the likes of DiCano and Cole in their side, aswell-as several others, West Ham United are still down the wrong-end of the table and have been tipped as one of the favourites for 'The Drop' this season already.
This just goes to show you that adding influential players to your squad won't solve all your problems. And that you will need to consider the players around these 'key men' and whether-or-not they are what he is looking for in ideal team-mates.
So at-least we know Sir Alex Ferguson is doing something right by searching for replacements that'll plug-the-gaps in all-areas of the pitch, like the defence and attack.
But we'll still need a new Cantona to find new-ways-into the backline's of Europe's top clubs, if we want to succeed that is...
Hasn't he realised that Juan-Séba Veron ISN'T Roy Keane with a skin-head and a sun-tan yet??
You can't put 2 players or more together in your attack and expect them to click immediatly. You need someone-else there who can play behind them, but also with them, in-order to make the magic happen and get-things-going. Look at Real Madrid... They may have spent £30m on Ronaldo, but it wasn't a watse of money as he has the likes of Raul, Zidane and Luis Figo to work-with, aswell-as the possible strike-partner of Fernando Morientes. Without those 3, Real wouldn't be favourites for the Champions' League this season.
Unless Sir Alex Ferguson can get things like this right, we can't expect to see the "Team of the 90's" return to their best today or anytime-soon.
It was hard-enough saying "Au revoir, Cantona." back-then, but we never thought things would have gotten this bad for us already, so-soon.
Solskjær wrote:
> What is a modern-day proffesional football team without an influential
> player?
And there, RIGHT there, in your thread's very first impression, is why I didn't read it.
> What is a modern-day proffesional football team without an influential
> player?
And there, RIGHT there, in your thread's very first impression, is why I didn't read it.
It's the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
I hate to admit it. But lying gets you nowhere!
But it'll never last forever!
I hate to admit it. But lying gets you nowhere!
But it'll never last forever!
Solskjær wrote:
> Now are you gunna reply to the topic itself or not? :)
Not a lot I can add, really - you pretty much said it all!
Still, hearing a ManYoo supporter say that Arsenal are better has brought a smile to my face for the rest of the day, so I suppose a "thank you" is in order. ;-D
> Now are you gunna reply to the topic itself or not? :)
Not a lot I can add, really - you pretty much said it all!
Still, hearing a ManYoo supporter say that Arsenal are better has brought a smile to my face for the rest of the day, so I suppose a "thank you" is in order. ;-D
WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
"Do you have a hyphen fetish? :-)"
What can I say? I love the little guys! :D
It used to be exclamation marks, but now it's hyphens.
I've even got one in my surname!
Now are you gunna reply to the topic itself or not? :)
"Do you have a hyphen fetish? :-)"
What can I say? I love the little guys! :D
It used to be exclamation marks, but now it's hyphens.
I've even got one in my surname!
Now are you gunna reply to the topic itself or not? :)
Lol@Wookie.
Nice post Solskjær. ..Even though it took 10mins of my time to read.
:D
Nice post Solskjær. ..Even though it took 10mins of my time to read.
:D
Do you have a hyphen fetish? :-)
What is a modern-day proffesional football team without an influential player?
Well, for a start, you can bet they're nowhere-near the top of the Premiership, let-alone Europe or even a good cup run. Kind of like Brighton or Hartlepool, or one of those other teams way-down-there.
Without even one player who adds a bit of flair and style to the attack, you're not going to score as-many goals in a season as you would be able to do with him.
Over the years, in the Premiership alone, we've seen a number of influential players come-in to our game from over-seas and really give their new teams the kick-up-the-backside they needed in-order to get back into 1st gear and really push-themselves towards great things and shiny silver trophies.
Eric Cantona, even after retirement, is still regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever graced England's top division after helping both Leeds, and more importantly, Manchester United, onto greater things during his time here in England with 'ze seaguls'. He added something special to the attacks of both teams, and we soon saw United on-towards their record-breaking second Premiership and FA Cup Double with the Frenchman in-control as Captain. Back then, in the 1990's, United were unstoppable. C'mon you Gooners..., admit it! It's un-deniable.
But look at them now..., without Cantona (aswell-as one-or-two others) and you'll see a completely different United side out on the Old Trafford pitch every-week, looking like they are missing something that would normally hold them together.
Ever-since Cantona left to 'call it a day' and soak-up-some-sun in Beach Soccer tournaments while gaining-weight and pursuing his acting dreams, United have never really been able to find a new player who could add creativity to the attack like he did. Ryan Giggs may still be there, but as a wide-player who seems to have lost his pace recently it just isn't the same. He just doesn't have Cantona's... "fíness" or "instant creativity" from which nothing can become something at the right-end of the pitch.
Is it the job of a Captain to get the players working-hard? That's something Roy Keane can certainly do, aswell as put himself into 'overtime' and then in the stands with a suspension... or two. But again, he is missing what "The King" Cantona had when going forwards in the attack. Keane's too defensive for that, but the determination and fire is there.
And then there's Beckham... A player who can Captain the side well, and also pick-up any loose-ball in the right positition and turn it into a deadly cross infront-of the oppositions' goal-line.
Anyone else...??
United are missing the influence of a player like Cantona. He always knew what he was doing with the ball at his feet, even if we didn't. And untill they can find a new way of solving this problem, they'll be losing-out to all other teams like Arsenal in the Premiership, Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe, and even Chelsea and West Ham, who have something they do not, at this point in time.
It's not-enough to have players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham in your team, you need someone-else to bring it all together, and make all those links and connections come-together as one.
And you wonder WHY Arsenal can be seen ontop of the pile in the league whenever you check the standings throughout this season! They didn't win The Double again for nothing, you know! They were creative in their attacking plays and very-rarely failed to dazzle-us with their world-class performances, week-in, week-out.
Have you ever wondered why Arsenal fans are always ranting-and-raving about Dennis Bergkamp, yet, we rarely see him do anything THAT special ourselves?
Bergkamp is a player who's not all-about goal-scoring, or silky skills, although he is a striker, and can do both without having to think too-hard. He is influential - just like Cantona. Now I know he may find himself out-of-the-picture more-often-than he'd like nowadays at Arsenal, but even with him on the subs' bench, or while he's back at home watching his side live on TV as Henry and the rest are off in Moscow, they have other players the can rely-on to take Bergy's place, unlike Man United.
Henry is without-a-doubt, the first name they'll look-to. The former World Cup Winner can not-only score goals, but provide them too with his lively runs, great sense of vision and awareness, and the abillity to put the ball exactly where it needs to be - kina like David Beckham. And this is a player Sir Alex Ferguson ignored when he had the chance to sign him a few years back! ....IDIOT!!
And even when this Frenchman's out, there's still more-to-come from the Arsenal reserves in the form of that giant Nigerian international known-as "Kanu".
Now he may be a striker, and he many critics may be expecting him to score goals when he plays (which he doesn't always do), but there are other reasons as to why Arséne Wenger persists in using this so-called "lanky, over-payed, wase-of-space"...
Just like Bergkamp, and Henry aswell, the former Inter Milan striker has more to offer that isn't so noticable. He can create 'something' out-of 'nothing', and his array os skills and flicks-'n'-tricks really speak for themselves. He may appear useless, but he does do things that are usefull - even from a stand-still position, he doesn't have to move anywhere!
Take away these 3 alone and Arsenal wouldn't quite be the same.
Even a team right at the bottom of the Premiership like West Ham has exactly what Manchester United should be looking for, and not just once either.
We all know about Fergie's interests in controversial Italin star Paulo DiCanio, which has been going-on for quite-some-time now. He may be an ageing un-capped player with a bad-attitude at-times, but can certainly do the business when the ball's at-his-feet. And I'm sure many 'ammers fans will tell you the same.
And then there's Joe Cole too, an English player who can work-wonders with the ball at his feet, especially when he's given the time and space to do so. But even when he doesn't have what he needs, he doesn't give-up. He'll MAKE space for himself, and use his time wisely in-order-to help tear defences apart with his dangerous runs. And it is because of his unique style that's makes him stand-out-from the rest that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has called-for his services more than once recently.
But even with the likes of DiCano and Cole in their side, aswell-as several others, West Ham United are still down the wrong-end of the table and have been tipped as one of the favourites for 'The Drop' this season already.
This just goes to show you that adding influential players to your squad won't solve all your problems. And that you will need to consider the players around these 'key men' and whether-or-not they are what he is looking for in ideal team-mates.
So at-least we know Sir Alex Ferguson is doing something right by searching for replacements that'll plug-the-gaps in all-areas of the pitch, like the defence and attack.
But we'll still need a new Cantona to find new-ways-into the backline's of Europe's top clubs, if we want to succeed that is...
Hasn't he realised that Juan-Séba Veron ISN'T Roy Keane with a skin-head and a sun-tan yet??
You can't put 2 players or more together in your attack and expect them to click immediatly. You need someone-else there who can play behind them, but also with them, in-order to make the magic happen and get-things-going. Look at Real Madrid... They may have spent £30m on Ronaldo, but it wasn't a watse of money as he has the likes of Raul, Zidane and Luis Figo to work-with, aswell-as the possible strike-partner of Fernando Morientes. Without those 3, Real wouldn't be favourites for the Champions' League this season.
Unless Sir Alex Ferguson can get things like this right, we can't expect to see the "Team of the 90's" return to their best today or anytime-soon.
It was hard-enough saying "Au revoir, Cantona." back-then, but we never thought things would have gotten this bad for us already, so-soon.
Well, for a start, you can bet they're nowhere-near the top of the Premiership, let-alone Europe or even a good cup run. Kind of like Brighton or Hartlepool, or one of those other teams way-down-there.
Without even one player who adds a bit of flair and style to the attack, you're not going to score as-many goals in a season as you would be able to do with him.
Over the years, in the Premiership alone, we've seen a number of influential players come-in to our game from over-seas and really give their new teams the kick-up-the-backside they needed in-order to get back into 1st gear and really push-themselves towards great things and shiny silver trophies.
Eric Cantona, even after retirement, is still regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever graced England's top division after helping both Leeds, and more importantly, Manchester United, onto greater things during his time here in England with 'ze seaguls'. He added something special to the attacks of both teams, and we soon saw United on-towards their record-breaking second Premiership and FA Cup Double with the Frenchman in-control as Captain. Back then, in the 1990's, United were unstoppable. C'mon you Gooners..., admit it! It's un-deniable.
But look at them now..., without Cantona (aswell-as one-or-two others) and you'll see a completely different United side out on the Old Trafford pitch every-week, looking like they are missing something that would normally hold them together.
Ever-since Cantona left to 'call it a day' and soak-up-some-sun in Beach Soccer tournaments while gaining-weight and pursuing his acting dreams, United have never really been able to find a new player who could add creativity to the attack like he did. Ryan Giggs may still be there, but as a wide-player who seems to have lost his pace recently it just isn't the same. He just doesn't have Cantona's... "fíness" or "instant creativity" from which nothing can become something at the right-end of the pitch.
Is it the job of a Captain to get the players working-hard? That's something Roy Keane can certainly do, aswell as put himself into 'overtime' and then in the stands with a suspension... or two. But again, he is missing what "The King" Cantona had when going forwards in the attack. Keane's too defensive for that, but the determination and fire is there.
And then there's Beckham... A player who can Captain the side well, and also pick-up any loose-ball in the right positition and turn it into a deadly cross infront-of the oppositions' goal-line.
Anyone else...??
United are missing the influence of a player like Cantona. He always knew what he was doing with the ball at his feet, even if we didn't. And untill they can find a new way of solving this problem, they'll be losing-out to all other teams like Arsenal in the Premiership, Barcelona and Real Madrid in Europe, and even Chelsea and West Ham, who have something they do not, at this point in time.
It's not-enough to have players like Ruud van Nistelrooy and David Beckham in your team, you need someone-else to bring it all together, and make all those links and connections come-together as one.
And you wonder WHY Arsenal can be seen ontop of the pile in the league whenever you check the standings throughout this season! They didn't win The Double again for nothing, you know! They were creative in their attacking plays and very-rarely failed to dazzle-us with their world-class performances, week-in, week-out.
Have you ever wondered why Arsenal fans are always ranting-and-raving about Dennis Bergkamp, yet, we rarely see him do anything THAT special ourselves?
Bergkamp is a player who's not all-about goal-scoring, or silky skills, although he is a striker, and can do both without having to think too-hard. He is influential - just like Cantona. Now I know he may find himself out-of-the-picture more-often-than he'd like nowadays at Arsenal, but even with him on the subs' bench, or while he's back at home watching his side live on TV as Henry and the rest are off in Moscow, they have other players the can rely-on to take Bergy's place, unlike Man United.
Henry is without-a-doubt, the first name they'll look-to. The former World Cup Winner can not-only score goals, but provide them too with his lively runs, great sense of vision and awareness, and the abillity to put the ball exactly where it needs to be - kina like David Beckham. And this is a player Sir Alex Ferguson ignored when he had the chance to sign him a few years back! ....IDIOT!!
And even when this Frenchman's out, there's still more-to-come from the Arsenal reserves in the form of that giant Nigerian international known-as "Kanu".
Now he may be a striker, and he many critics may be expecting him to score goals when he plays (which he doesn't always do), but there are other reasons as to why Arséne Wenger persists in using this so-called "lanky, over-payed, wase-of-space"...
Just like Bergkamp, and Henry aswell, the former Inter Milan striker has more to offer that isn't so noticable. He can create 'something' out-of 'nothing', and his array os skills and flicks-'n'-tricks really speak for themselves. He may appear useless, but he does do things that are usefull - even from a stand-still position, he doesn't have to move anywhere!
Take away these 3 alone and Arsenal wouldn't quite be the same.
Even a team right at the bottom of the Premiership like West Ham has exactly what Manchester United should be looking for, and not just once either.
We all know about Fergie's interests in controversial Italin star Paulo DiCanio, which has been going-on for quite-some-time now. He may be an ageing un-capped player with a bad-attitude at-times, but can certainly do the business when the ball's at-his-feet. And I'm sure many 'ammers fans will tell you the same.
And then there's Joe Cole too, an English player who can work-wonders with the ball at his feet, especially when he's given the time and space to do so. But even when he doesn't have what he needs, he doesn't give-up. He'll MAKE space for himself, and use his time wisely in-order-to help tear defences apart with his dangerous runs. And it is because of his unique style that's makes him stand-out-from the rest that England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has called-for his services more than once recently.
But even with the likes of DiCano and Cole in their side, aswell-as several others, West Ham United are still down the wrong-end of the table and have been tipped as one of the favourites for 'The Drop' this season already.
This just goes to show you that adding influential players to your squad won't solve all your problems. And that you will need to consider the players around these 'key men' and whether-or-not they are what he is looking for in ideal team-mates.
So at-least we know Sir Alex Ferguson is doing something right by searching for replacements that'll plug-the-gaps in all-areas of the pitch, like the defence and attack.
But we'll still need a new Cantona to find new-ways-into the backline's of Europe's top clubs, if we want to succeed that is...
Hasn't he realised that Juan-Séba Veron ISN'T Roy Keane with a skin-head and a sun-tan yet??
You can't put 2 players or more together in your attack and expect them to click immediatly. You need someone-else there who can play behind them, but also with them, in-order to make the magic happen and get-things-going. Look at Real Madrid... They may have spent £30m on Ronaldo, but it wasn't a watse of money as he has the likes of Raul, Zidane and Luis Figo to work-with, aswell-as the possible strike-partner of Fernando Morientes. Without those 3, Real wouldn't be favourites for the Champions' League this season.
Unless Sir Alex Ferguson can get things like this right, we can't expect to see the "Team of the 90's" return to their best today or anytime-soon.
It was hard-enough saying "Au revoir, Cantona." back-then, but we never thought things would have gotten this bad for us already, so-soon.