Come on England, Come on England…

_41379954_threelionsbadge2201Start looking into deals for South Africa kids. England made it 5 out of 5 wins in the World Cup Qualifiers by beating the Ukraine 2-1 at Wembley. Skipper John Terry scored a late winner to help guide the team one step closer to South Africa. Could this be the time? Could this be our fate? Capello has got England playing like champs. We’ve looked special throughout the group stages and even when we’ve been less than special, we’ve won! Sven and McLaren found it hard to win when we played like a pub team. Good job they’re not in charge anymore!

The Italian maestro is conducting his orchestra beautifully. The English players trust him. They want to succeed. He can give them success and they are willing to do it his way to fulfill their boyhood dreams. Who would you take on the non-commercial flight out to South Africa. Who deserves a shot at kissing the World Cup? Pack ’em or Leave ’em? It’s never too early to start the fantasy…

Legend Alan Shearer…

shearerHe played for Southampton, Blackburn and Newcastle. He was captain of the England football team. He scored goals…lots of goals. He was built like a Hummer. So strong, physically and mentally. The chants were simple. The name was clear. Shearer, Shearer, Shearer. 

Alan Shearer will go down as one of the greatest English strikers to have played the beautiful game. When he made a choice to leave Southampton, he decided to join Jack Walker’s revolution at Blackburn Rovers and at the time, he cost a record-breaking 3.3 million pounds. Loose change in the transfer market these days! Surprisingly, Shearer won the title with Blackburn in the 1994-95 season. He never won it again.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson tried to buy Alan Shearer twice. Once from Southampton and then from Blackburn. Instead of joining the Red Devils after a successful Euro 96 campaign with England, Shearer followed his heart and chose to join his boyhood club, Newcastle United. He wanted to go and play football for his hero Kevin Keegan. Perhaps he should have followed his head instead of his heart. Shearer won nothing at Newcastle. The 1996-97 season was particularly a harsh one for him. With the team 11 points clear over their rivals Manchester United, they imploded and lost the title. Shearer was also a losing finalist in the F.A. Cup…twice. In 1998, Arsenal destroyed his dream and in 1999, Manchester United dealt Shearer another dagger to the heart.

Regardless of the few medals he won, Shearer was a world class striker. He has scored more goals than any other player in the Premier League. He was a predator in front of that goal. Thank goodness for his title at Blackburn. Otherwise, Shearer could have been one of the greatest strikers to have played the game and won nothing. Where do you rank him?

The lion returns…

rooney_ad_41517-708572In sublime form for Manchester United and scoring goals again for England, the boy wonder is back. Who should we credit for this? Well Rooney himself of course. The kid works hard after all. But let’s also save some praise for the master chef of football managers, Sir Alex Ferguson. He benched Rooney and the United striker didn’t take kindly to it. Since then, he’s been sensational.

Could it also be that Rooney is finally ready to step out of Ronaldo’s shadow? He has had to play second fiddle to the Portuguese superstar over the last couple of seasons. Not anymore. It’s Rooney’s shout to have a breakout superstar season and finally conquer the world. He has the talent. He has the physical attributes. The question is, does he have the mental strength to sustain his form over a long period of time? Under Sir Alex Ferguson’s watch, Rooney will do just fine. You cannot tame this lion. Hear him roar…

Spurs splashed out on a Bentley…

77414576RM024_Blackburn_RovDavid Bentley could prove a great signing for Spurs. He’s young, ambitious, focused and a very driven player. He’ll be dedicated to the cause. However, did Spurs pay too much for him? Is he worth that kind of money and does he have the talent to warrant being in that bracket? Does it matter when his best years are ahead of him? The jury’s still out on Bentley. I mean we know he has a great engine, skillful ability encompassed with sheer confidence and he can make others around him look good. But will he grow to become a classic, a legend and a regular England international? I need to think about this one…