Simpson to Blackburn

Farewell to Ole


It looks like we may see a bit of a cull amongst our youngsters as first Eagles, now Simpson on a years loan with a view to a pemanent move if he impresses, i would have thought, and also talk of Lee Martin looking to move away from Old Trafford. I know i like to see our youngsters given a chance, but the first two have been given enough of go for me. Eagles just couldn't hack it physically and whilst Simpson looks good going forward, his defending was suspect at times. As for Lee Martin, he has had injuries at bad times and hasn't made the impression hoped for on loan. It's brutal, but a fact that when our youngsters go on loan they have to make a big impression to suggest they are going to have a chance at Old Trafford. At least Campbell and Johnny Evans have given themselves a chance with their successful loan periods over the last couple of seasons. I hope Brandy and Cathcart ( Fergie has said he needs to go out on loan) are watching and learning, because they are going to have to do the business this season, fitness permitting.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/transfers/blackburn-sign-manchester-united-fullback-884989.html



A poor game and a poor atmosphere but i am glad i went to say goodbye to 20legend Ole,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/03/manchesterunited.espanyol
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/manchester_united/s/1060950_united_1_espanyol_0
Once again Tevez was the best player on show, although the only moment of magic in the game was Giggs run and through ball for Campbell's winning goal. Campbell looked lively when he came on and his pace is a useful addition to the forward line, whether he will be good enough ultimately, i don't know. At least it looks like he is going to be given some kind of chance. Wasn't it great and annoying to see how Ole could still come alive in the penalty box for those last twenty minutes that he was on the pitch. He and we have been cruelly robbed over the last few seasons.

Van Nistelroy doubts Ronaldo will be at the Bernabau next season, and states no one is bigger than the club. Quite right too, he should know.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/2494684/Ruud-van-Nistelrooy-expects-Cristiano-Ronaldo-to-stay-at-Manchester-United---football.html
Though i admit he didn't half look useful for Holland in the summer, in fact i watched one of the end of season DVD's after that and you have to say his last two years at the club tend to make you forget just what a superb player Ruud was for us when he was in his pomp.

One of the two great soviet dissidents of the 20th century dies, an obituary of Alexander Solzhenitsyn,
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/aug/04/nobelprize.russia2
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/solzhenitsyn.russia
As somebody who is fascinated by Russian history i am embarrassed to say i haven't read any of his books. The book i have always meant to read is the Gulag Archipelago. I guess though Sakharov was the more admirable human being and certainly had the liberal democratic values we in the west share, which it looks more and more likely russians just don't, history will probably remember Solzzhenitsyn for longer.

Economist Stephen King is worried about the Future for the US, and so i would guess for us, as it all probably applies to the UK too.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/comment/stephen-king/stephen-king-a-miserable-time-looms-for-america-as-the-boomers-become-pensioners-884334.html

Max Hastings on the diplomatic and hopefully not military manoueverings towards Iran.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/04/iran.usa
One thing is for sure, for all the bellyaching about the price of oil over the last year, if the Yanks or Israelis sanctioned, by the yanks do attack, we aint seen nothing yet.

Illegal downloading here to stay says report by music rights holders
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/aug/04/illegal.downloading.is.here.to.stay

Wii Hutton on last weeks gas price increases and the energy market
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/aug/03/energy.gas
Another not in favour of a cheap political fix