MANCHESTER UNITED, ARRGH!

I watched the match that Manchester United played and lost against Swansea.

I too was looking forward to this match, as it was the first under new manager, Louis Van Gaal.

IT WAS DISAPPOINTING!

I have to admit, I felt that former manager, David Moyles had been treated badly and should have been allowed to be the Gaffer for the Red Devils for at least two years, as anyone taking the job after Sir Alex, a strong man who held the job for 26 years, would have a struggle to maintain that type of success.

But a player with both experience and maturity is needed to be the captain – that player is Robin van Persie – not the popular choice, of Wayne Rooney.

Leadership is not about looking the part while shouting insults to people, which is all I got from Mr Rooney in the above match.

Being a captain isn’t about throwing your weight about the place, being a bully or being rude to teammates in person or behind their back – former skipper Roy Keane is a clear example of that one, as the only achievement he made was to nearly destroy this football club.

If Mr Rooney was shouting words of advice, encouragement and inspiration, I would respect him but you don’t need to be a lip-reader to know those weren’t the words that were coming from his mouth!

Such behaviour doesn’t work in any work setting and too many owners or company directors have learned this the hard way, which is why one such owner of a once thriving radio station I worked at, who was warned of her behaviour but refused to change, is now having to make ends meet by flipping burgers at a fast food outlet.

Please don’t get me wrong. I have always admired Wayne Rooney as a player. The excitement and thrill he brings to a match is electrifying, even when he was a player for Everton FC.

But as captain of Manchester United? I have my reservations, as it’s well known that this man also threatens to walk every time he doesn’t get his way.

At a time when players are no longer showing consistency at a club; sadly I think the days of a club having a Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes in their team is a thing of the past, you don’t appoint a captain who seems to throw a strop when things go wrong.

On that day, the behaviour of Mr Rooney left me horrified. When Steve Bruce and Bryan Robson were captains of this great club, they brought honour, respect and decency to the game – I sadly can't say the same about Wayne.

Because I don’t support this team, I won’t go any further in saying what I think it needs to strengthen but at this rate, you might as well hand the title over to Chelsea or Manchester City.

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May I also say I wish the very best for Sheryl, who used to be a support worker at the now defunct Brent Association of Disabled People (BADP).

It's ironic that after being a support worker for Ms Jyoti Patel and Mr Tom Reid, (Ms Patel has Multiple Screlosis, MS for short and Mr Reid was blind)that Cheryl finds out that she is now a member of the MS club.

Cheryl, I know how hard it is to be signed off work but it has to be done - like me, this woman has worked since the age of 15 years as we both delivered local newspapers on the streets we lived on.

I do wish you all the best in life Sheryl and hope you are coping well, since you're diagnosis.

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Light and Peace

Andria - I do still like to watch a good footie match!

X

Hey!

Yes it’s me again.

I’ll try to be as quick as I can.

Best match that wasn’t the final

Holland weren’t expected to win in the quarter final but they did break the South American giants Brazil.

The Dutch manager Van Marwijk had created a good team, with Holland taking every opportunity there was against Brazil.

But my personal favourite was Uruguay against Germany. What a match!

This game showed me that Germany is a force to content with in the future.

Best manager

Diego Maradona.

He inspired a team to believe in themselves, despite having little experience as a manager and having many personal problems.

Well done on getting his extension as Argentina’s manager to the year 2014.

I just love this comment from him, regarding some remarks that have been madr about his national side:

"Many journalists should apologise to the players.

"I'm not suggesting you drop your trousers but it would be honest and great so we all get along better."

Now for my, ahem, disappointments…

Biggest flop as a player

Italy’s Fabio Cannavaro.

Time and age catches up with everyone and it has for this 36 year-old, as he was caught out of position and dived into tackles.

I really think either he cleans up his act, like fellow Wales and Manchester United defender Ryan Giggs, who despite being the same age, shows no signs of slowing down and goes from strength to strength, or call it a day on his international career.

Biggest flop as a team

France – being caught on camerea being disrespectful to their trainer and being held back by manager Raymond Domenech was unacceptable.

This team, with the natural talent of Thiery Henry, Patrice Evra and Nicolas Anelka, should of put their individual issues behind them.

They deserved to be beaten by the host nation South Africa 2-1 in the quarter finals.

As the old saying goes, united we stand, divided we fall – they did justice to those words, regardless of the outcome of Henry’s talks with the country’s president Nicolas Sarkozy.

Biggest mistake by a referee

I know is predicable of me, but Jorge Larrionda and hs assistant did deserve the stick they got for disallowing Frank Lampard’s goal.

If they had rightfully allowed it, the score would have been 2-2 at half time.

That window of opportunity could have changed the direction of the England-Germany game.

Thank goodness for the other sporting activities for me to talk about…

Andria

Time for Teletubbies!

That was the first thought that came to mind when I saw the futuristic home Manchester United ace Gary Neville wants to build.

This carbon-free bunker, which will be powered by wind and solar panels, will cost the 34 year-old £8milllion.

The pad, which keen environmentalist Gary spent three years planning, will include a pool and gym - if (or when) he gets permission to go ahead with the scheme.

Gary may not have the natural agility of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes on the football pitch but judging on the architect's impression, he clearly has a keen eye for design and detail.

Take a look yourself and read more about the plan, by clicking here.

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A man has been charged for racially abusing England and Sunderland striker Darren Bent's mum.

Sunderland fan John Andrew Davison, allegedly made the remarks last November, at Wigan's DW Stadium after Bent's side lost 1-0.

Bent condemned the said remarks on his Twitter page.

Mr Davison, 25, from Chester-le-Street Co Durham, now has an appointment at Wigan JPs next month, to give a reply to the charge.

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Jermain Defoe's half-brother was killed by one punch in the face.

Jade Defoe, 26, is said to of fallen to the pavement by the force of the strike in Leytonstone, east London, which happened in broad daylight.

Mr Defoe suffered a fractured skull and brain injuries as a result of the altercation.

Mr Christopher Farley admits the assault.

The trial for Jade's death is in processes.

The popular rapper died in hospital four days after the attack in Stratford, east London, which happened after 4pm on 20 April 2009.

Mr Farley, 34, of Leytonstone, east London, denies manslaughter.

The trial continues.

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Tonight's the night for the ultimate grudge match!

At this moment I'm not concerned about the Premiership title race.

Looking at what happened last week, today's Manchester derby is going to be unforgettable!

Who can forget the way Carlos Tevez behaved on the pitch last week, after getting one over his former club and calling a former Man Utd team-mate a boot-licker?

I have to admit, City have become a better team, attitude wise, under Roberto Mancini.

Last year, in the first confrontation of the season between them, you could tell it was United who wanted to win and City who would settle for a draw.

But of late, it's been City who really wants to succeed, rather than be grateful for the privilege of simply being the most costly team in the league.

I'm going to reserve a seat at my local pub for this event!

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I've included pictures from a recent holiday in Barbados - one includes a picture of my dad's sisters - enjoy!

Don't forget to visit my other internet site by clicking here.

Be good!

Light and Peace

Andria