It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

Best wishes for the Red Shite against Spurs tonight. Everton 9/2 for 4th.

Rooney running around like a headless chicken again last night.

Looked in the second half dissinterested in the game.

Little effect on the game as per usual, cant turn it on against the top teams.

'Just another' if he goes to Brazil.

If Rooney was running around like a headless chicken then what did the rest of that team look like? I don't know what Moyes works on in the training sessions, but none of the players seem to know what role they are supposed to be playing in the team - apart from the goalkeeper.

Liverpool play Sunderland tonight, Spurs Sat.

GF - How you can blame Rooney is beyond me.

Martinez: Barkley wouldn't be fazed by World Cup stage
by Lyndon Lloyd | 26/03/2014 Comments (7) jump to end

Should Roy Hodgson elect to take Ross Barkley to the World Cup Finals this summer, he would have the full backing of Roberto Martinez.
Speaking after the Blues' blossoming midfielder's pivotal role in Everton's demolition of Newcastle at St James' Park, Martinez said that, while Barkley would benefit from a break this summer to regenerate after his first full season of first-team football, he would not stand in the way of a player whom he feels is ready to play for his country at the top level.

"All I can say is Ross is ready to help the national team, and nothing will faze him," Martinez said. "He would be very proud to represent England.

"I know that [he] will be a phenomenal footballer for England.

"Technically, he is as gifted as you are going to see. But what shocks you is the physicality that goes with it.

"On top of that is the character. Nothing distracts him from his role. He is a really down to earth, modern footballer. All he wants to do is enjoy his football and score goals. He is a joy to work with."

But the timing [of his international involvement] has to be measured by the England manager. We all have to respect that.

"If the national team manager believes he needs Ross, he will be ready; if not, he will have a good summer.

"He needs to regenerate and recover after what has been his best and most demanding season as a professional."

Quotes sourced from BBC Sport

Reader Comments
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Mark Tanton
164 Posted 26/03/2014 at 07:24:07 I notice the Telegraph taking the shine off our wonderful win with a story about Tottenham going in for Lukaku while we struggle to raise the cash for him, unless we offload Barkley to Chelsea.
Utter bollocks - I think we could actually go in for Lukaku and keep Traore on loan (or why else would we keep him while crocked at this stage of the season?).

I think Barkley will be on the plane to Brazil and I think he will have his 'Gazza Italia '90' moment.

Al Reddish
170 Posted 26/03/2014 at 08:20:26 I can see that too Mark. The worrying thing though is I remember Wayne Rooney in the Euro's '04 running teams ragged. When he scored against Croatia(?) I turned to my brother and said that's the goal that's sold him. Sadly it was true. The board need to show ambition to players like Ross and give Roberto the funds to compete with the Sky 4 or else we will once again lose a precious talent.
As for England though, the chances are we will see the same shit midfield rolled out..Lampard, Gerrard, Milner etc and Ross will only get his chance if we are 2 - 0 down with ten to go.
Mark Tanton
171 Posted 26/03/2014 at 08:27:02 Agreed Al, it could be counterproductive to our interests; just a Kenwright shop window.
I fear that Hodgson will just wheel out all the usual faces, the ones who have lost in tournament after tournament, and are tainted with failure - I'm not very excited for Brazil, Barkley aside.

On the Lukaku news, it would be classic Spurs to come and buy Lukaku. If we want him, I hope we compete with them and sign him, that would be a massive boost and a message to the clubs we challenge for top 4 with.

Al Reddish
208 Posted 26/03/2014 at 11:37:55 Lukaku, despite an injury lay off and a period of poor form, is actually the third highest scorer since 1996 and we still have a few games to go. Only the Yak (21) and Saha (15) have scored more than Lukaku since Kanchelskis got 16 Eighteen years ago!

Chris £300,000 per game says I can blame Rooney.

All the rest are playing for a fraction of that amount so yes I can say they are all playing like headless chickens but Rooney because of his tantrums over the past two seasons and his limitless salary stands out as the man who should get most blame.

De Gea is rapidly becoming the best keeper in the premiership. For certain hes the best shot stopper, mind he gets plenty of practice with Utds defence.

GF - It was either pay to keep him or he was away. Board and Moyes surely to blame.

Last night the name Cleverly on the team sheet was hardly going to worry City (Or Accrington Stanley). Why did he change a winning team?

Most of the fans didnt want to be blackmailed a second time by him.

Why do you think Fergie aswel as Moyes got the aggro last night.

Hes a midfielder now not a striker.

Sooner he realises that the better.

The fans (and I use the term loosely) according to the press were having a go at Moyes and Fergie. If Rooney got any kind of service he wouldn't have to go looking for the ball and he would be able to hold his position, as it is he is surrounded by shite so ends up in every position bar goalie. :O)

Yep but shouldnt a striker be able to go around a defender??????????beat him for speed.

believe me he cant do that anymore chris.

Lets face it a striker shouldnt be here there and everywhere on the pitch, but he is and its not just this season.

Hes paid to score goals.

Lol, Rooney is fast approaching Utd's all time top goal scorer!

Stick to shares, you know nowt about footy :)

Looks like UEFA and FIFA have discovered the Davis cup (as in tennis) !......same style of competition being introduced for the national sides.....perhaps not a bad idea...so...all we need now is the Ryder cup and pourquoi pas ? : "the Ashes" football style ?!...

You don't stand by your managers Chels.

You need to be more loyal

You'll win nothing the way you chop and change etc etc

And here's mine (directed to some mancs and gooners) - Practice what you preach hypocrites

Cracking championship top of the table clash today, honours even I reckon.
2517

Good game Dill but neither of us got the result we needed!

Agreed M.

Gave you a 2 goal head start within 8 minutes and were utter useless for the first 30. Respect to our fans when 2 goals down stood to a man after 9 minutes for the justice to Jeff campaign and supported the cause.

After 30 minutes and our goal we bossed the game and there only looked liked one winner and almost chucked the pc out the window I was painting when your lot scored the 93rd minute " winner" then almost fell out of said window when we equalised but ref should have blown for time long before we scored but we been having crap like that go against us all season so hey ho !

Beat you 1-0 in Cardiff and football was dire , watched every minute of every game since we been in the Premier League and as I said when Malky got sacked he was a nice guy but at least now we are watching some football.

I'll settle for beating Chelsea on the last day of the season to stay up if it were offered now ... good luck mate I'm hoping any 3 from Fulham , Palace , Sunderland and Norwich (look at their last 4 games !) to go down but think I'm clutching at straws.

Apologies to panto for being up so late.

I see Rooney only scored two goals on Saturday, slacking again, he really is rubbish.

He'd have missed that glancing header if he hadn't had the hair transplant!

Aye Rooney is well past it now, shit player. GF football genius! :O)