Rooney and Gerrard Set for Anfield Showdown

It has long been credited as the biggest fixture of the Premiership calendar and at Saturday lunchtime the sparks are set to fly once again as Manchester United visit Anfield.

United have started the season in blistering form but lately have come off the tracks slightly, however they have still done enough to occupy the joint top position of the Premier League. The red side of Merseyside are arguably the most improved side in the past 12 months, and under Kenny Dalglish that improvement can only continue.

It has to be noted that Manchester United have not won at Anfield in the last four years and have also  struggled against their fierce rivals at Old Trafford also. Sir Alex’s side will not have been aided by the recent negative press surrounding Wayne Rooney and his father, which obviously got under the striker’s skin in Montenegro. Rooney’s actions in the English shirt during the week, is a prime example of the negative power the British media have over their high profile players.  

The decision by UEFA to hand Rooney a three game ban will add further misery to the striker and whether or not he wants to admit it; Sir Alex will have the striker’s mental state going into Saturday’s clash in the back of his mind.It could go either way for the united talisman i.e. he could come out all guns blazing and put in the performances we’ve seen so far this season or he could come out kicking and play right into the Kop’s hands. Either way the Liverpool fans will be waiting for Rooney on Saturday and it will be a stern test of his mental state of mind.

On the other hand, United have other players in top form that can make the difference for them at Anfield. Ashley Young, Nani and Welbeck, are all on top form, while Hernandez and Owen always have a goal in them. Sir Alex also has his first choice defensive pairing available in Ferdinand and Vidic, while he also has Phil Jones currently in excellent form to deploy at right back.

But Liverpool fans have also a case for optimism heading into Saturday's crunch encounter. Steven Gerrard is set to start for the first time this season and Kenny Dalglish has stated the Liverpool captain is as fit as ever. The Scotsman has taken his time in bringing the Liverpool legend back into action, and one can only imagine that this game has been earmarked for Gerrard’s return for some time.

Similar to United, Liverpool is no one man team and has players in fine form. Charlie Adam has slotted into the midfield with ease and could form a formidable link playing behind the influential Gerrard. Stewart Downing and Lucas have also been impressive for Liverpool in midfield, while Suarez has been in prolific form so far this season. Andy Carroll’s goal two weekends ago will have done him the world of good and don’t be surprised if he troubles United’s back four should he be called upon.

It will be interesting to see the team selections by both Scottish managers in particular the approach they take from kick off. It would not be surprising to see both teams start with a 4-4-1-1 formation and cancel each other out from the start. On the other hand, the fixture also has the potential to be a fiery atmosphere which could lead to mistakes at the back for both sides and provide us with plenty of goals.

With the negative publicity and current animosity surrounding Wayne Rooney, the United man was always going to take centre stage at Anfield, as will the returning Gerrard. The Liverpool captain has been out of the limelight for some time and he will be out to remind Liverpool fans and a certain Fabio Capello of what he is all about. 


One thing's for sure; we can expect a fiery atmosphere at Anfield this Saturday, as Rooney's UEFA ban comes to surface and with Liverpool and the KOP end smelling blood. 

Make or Break for Trap’s Irish Army

So Ireland is once again heading into the final group game of a qualifying campaign needing a result to guarantee a playoff position. Here we go again? Surely not.

Ireland are a neutral country, always have been always will be. We are the nation everyone loves to love and a country many claim to ascend from. Unfortunately, we are also a country whose subconscious mind dreads two words – a playoff.

It’s been over two years since Ireland were controversially denied a place in the World Cup by Thierry Henry’s infamous handball, and yes we have accepted that it is time to move on. However, the heartache for the Irish soccer team stretches back a lot further than a cheating French man.

The glory days of Jack Charlton are a fond and distant memory, as are the not so shabby days under (love him or hate him) Mick McCarthy. This situation is familiar as Ireland has been in this predicament before i.e. enduring a hard fought out campaign in which they should have done better, but cannot be faulted on effort.

It is this kind of mentality that got under the skin of a certain Roy Keane and although his approach and behaviour was wrong in Saipan, the United legend does have a point. Ireland lack a killer mentality and that is the biggest worry heading into next Tuesday’s make or break clash with Armenia.

An even bigger worry is that following Russia’s victory away to Slovakia; a draw is all Ireland need to qualify for the playoff stages of Euro 2012. Trapattoni has been quick to reiterate that Ireland will not play for a draw as he never sets his team out to play in that matter. While this may be somewhat true in the back of the Italian’s mind, his number one intention is always to avoid defeat.

And who are we to complain with Ireland boasting an impressive eight consecutive clean sheets and currently one point away from the qualifying stages of a major tournament. We would have taken that at the start of the campaign right, or is this the exact mentality that has prevented us from topping the group? Ask Eamon Dunphy and I am sure his answer would be yes. The simple matter of fact is we are where we are, and we must get on with it.

Armenia is similar to Ireland; they are no great side but they have proved in this campaign that they have a lot of heart. They have also proved that can play football and get a result. They are faster, fitter and they are a proud nation who will give everything in Dublin on Tuesday night. But so is Ireland and like or loathe his approach, Trapattoni has given us a winning mentality and belief that has been missing for years gone by.

There is no point in hoping for a last minute enthusiastic attacking midfield approach because it just will not happen. Ireland will go out with the same mentality on Tuesday night; hard to break down, defensively solid and attacking on the counter attack in particular on the wings. It has got us this far and there is no point changing it now.

If everyone plays to the best of their ability on Tuesday night then Ireland will be in the draw for the playoffs. If the big players such as O’Shea, Dunne, McGeady, Keane etc, do not play to their standards then Ireland will be in trouble. It is imperative that Ireland start brightly and treat the game as an away fixture as that is when they play their best.

Trap’s army must put Armenia under pressure and not allow them to play their game. Andorra came to the Aviva and scored, which suggests that Armenia definitely have a goal in them. It is therefore important that Ireland score first, preferably early to avoid nerves. The bench may have a significant role to play Tuesday night with the likes of Hunt, Long, McCarthy and Walters offering attacking options to call upon.

There will be a tense atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night, and once again it is make or break for Ireland.

We’ve heard this song before; hopefully this time it will consist of Ole Ole Ole.