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Man U and Liverpool: Not doing well...
Every English league club holds a special place in the hearts of their fans but there is no doubt that two clubs stand head and shoulders above the rest in terms of adoration.
The cities of Liverpool and Manchester have teams in red and blue that split the footballing communities and most football fans would admit that it is the teams in the red that are the bigger draw. So much so that they are loved all around the world with fans in every corner of the globe, which helps them to make money in ways that other clubs can only dream of. For all that though, Manchester United and Liverpool are experiencing a torrid time at the moment.
The football world has been stunned with the news that Wayne Rooney has informed Manchester United that he wishes to leave the club. Sir Alex Ferguson announced this in a press conference before United faced Valencia and it seems that the relationship between the two has broken down.
Ferguson has broken down with many star names in the past and very few have lasted long at Old Trafford after the fall-out. With the esteem that Ferguson is held in at Old Trafford, it is inevitable that what the manager says goes but if Wayne Rooney is allowed to go, it may be the end of the Scottish manager's glorious reign.
Ferguson has been written off many times before and has always managed to bounce back but the financial state of United at the moment suggests it may not be as easy. If United were to sell Rooney for a sum around £50m, they may not receive too much of that to strengthen the squad. After all, Cristiano Ronaldo went for a transfer fee in excess of £80m and not too much money was used by Ferguson to improve his squad. There is also the fear that Rooney may leave United for a figure close to £5m, which would be allowable due to the employment law concerning footballers contracts which came to light when Andy Webster left Hearts.
The Rooney story is dominating the off-field coverage of Manchester United but it has to be said that the club's league form is not much better. United may be in fourth place at the moment but being 5 points behind Chelsea and 3 points behind city rivals City can't be good for United fans. It is far too early to write United off and 5 points can be clawed back in no time at all but it is the manner of performances and results that is most troubling for Ferguson.
Manchester United have yet to win away in the league this season so far and the latest disaster came at Old Trafford when a 2-0 lead against West Bromwich Albion was thrown away. The newly promoted side came back to level the scores at 2-2 and caused even more pain on the Red Devils. With Wayne Rooney being placed on the bench at the start of the game, not even his late appearance could turn the game back in United's favour and two more points were squandered in the league race.
Manchester United look to get their league campaign back on track this weekend with a trip to the Potteries where they will face Stoke City. Stoke City are hardly the team you would choose to face when you are going through a sticky patch as Tony Pullis will have his team fired up from the start. With long-throws and an in your face attitude, Manchester United will know they are in a game and will have to be on form if they wish to pick up their first away league win of the season.
Manchester United have, by their standards, had a poor start to the season but Liverpool are experiencing an atrocious start to their season. New boss Roy Hodgson was always going to struggle to turn Liverpool around quickly but few expected Liverpool would be where they are now. After 8 games of the season, Liverpool are second bottom of the league and on the same number of points as bottom club West Ham United. It is not as if anyone expects Liverpool to be relegated at the end of the season but the fans of the club are outraged at the club's poor start.
A 1-0 home win over West Browmich Albion is the only league match that Liverpool have won in 8 games, a run that would have been impossible to predict at the start of the campaign. When you add the fact that Blackpool have managed a 2-1 win at Anfield and Northampton Town triumphed in the League Cup on penalties, the season has tumbled from bad to worse for those of a Red persuasion. The 2-0 defeat to city rivals Everton may be the low point of the season.
There is hope for Liverpool fans though with the news that their club has been taken over by new American owners. The real positive element from this news comes with the fact that Hicks and Gillett are no longer in control of the club. The Americans saddled Liverpool with debt and failed to live up to the promises they made when they took over. The fans placed all of the blame of their club's demise at the hands of the Yanks although the amount of money that Rafa Benitez wasted should be considered as well.
Liverpool have another home game this weekend and with an improved atmosphere guaranteed after the takeover, the Reds may grab their second win of the league season. Blackburn Rovers are the opponents and you can guarantee that Sam Allardyce will be keen to heap more misery on the suffering Liverpool fans.
Allardyce had numerous run-ins with former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez but the Blackburn manager will be just as keen to cause more trouble for Roy Hodgson. If results do not start to improve soon, Hodgson may find himself out of a job with Martin O'Neill heavily tipped to take over.
There is no denying that Liverpool and Manchester United are two of the biggest clubs in the world but it does show that every football club can suffer bad times. Success and good times will undoubtedly return for both of these sides but at the moment, the fans may have to put up with some more disappointment.
by Andrew Reilly
for The Silver Circle at www.footballtip.co.uk
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Dear Greg,
I've been a member since July 2003, maybe one of the first to join the Silver Circle.
2004 was a good year but I really enjoyed the long run we had in, I think, July 2005. It was exhilarating! 2006-2007 was not as exciting although still quite profitable and so far 2007-2008 looks quite good. I'm wondering if we're going to hit a long one again soon. Anyway, it's been a pleasure as always with your service, Greg. Armstrong and you are one of the few people I trust on the internet. You have made my retirement so much more fun and financially happy!
Best Wishes, Trent Wrayford, Sidney
