On the first point, that's quite an interesting one. Most fans of other teams on forums have recognised Carrick's significant improvement as a player this season, however when talking to a lot of my mates, I realised that none of them still particularly rate Carrick, with one of them saying he just 'doesn't do anything'. Now, what surprised me is that some of my friends are actually quite knowledgeable when it comes to their football.
I would argue that although we had some top players we lacked quality in key positions i.e goalkeeper, central midfield (Scholes had retired and Gerrard/Lampard were attacking midfielders for my money) and a number 9.
No one else was specifying what they said either, sweety. This is just the thing that is like sand in your cnut.
Kaka, fair enough, but Zidane?
wait, so, which one is the unpopular opinion ?
There'll be some unpopular ones there alright. The first one being the biggest for me.
The one that caught my eye was him saying De Gea is better than Neuer. I'd disagree with that.
Yeah that's another controversial one, though I'd let it slide.
Yes, he was sensational. Fair play. But I stand by 'overrated', because many were puzzled at how he didn't wear European or World footballer of the year. In truth, he was never the best in the World in any given year.
I don't think Arsenal's 2004 side was 'great'. I think that's an overused word. One trophy that season, with no league title either side of 2003/04 makes them the level down from 'great'. They were outstanding and exciting to watch, though.
I can't see that one, at all. Baines' delivery and set pieces are superb, but Cole is superior in every other department.
I was saying that for years whilst they played together. Most of my mates took no notice. It doesn't mean I was right, but really, I am.
Blimey.
I would've agree that Cole was better for years and that there wasn't much debate to be had about it at all. I think Cole's been on the decline for a good while now and while his attacking game is still good, his defensive game is poor, and he's often exposed big time whenever he comes up against a fast or tricky defender, which was a major reason for players like Nani and Valencia playing well against Chelsea in recent encounters. I used the comparison of Baines and Cole because it's relevant for England.
I just wouldn't say Baines is a much better defender. Nani did tear Cole a new one this season, but that so rarely happens. I think Cole has been better than people have made out, this season. Although Baines, this campaign, has been better.
Perhaps, although - if we are comparing - Anderson's career has been heavily disrupted by injury. Mikel's hasn't.
Possibly, but as I said it generally is an unpopular opinion and I didn't expect a lot of people to agree with me on it.
In my opinion he is neither of those things, I honestly can't see how you've come to that conclusion.
I think Mourinho ruined him, he's still a good technical player and accurate passer but he used to pose a real attacking threat. SAF could have taken his game to the next level and turned him into a complete midfielder.
Aye. He's one of the best players never to have won that award, along with other greats such as Raul, Xavi and Michael Laudrup, but every year he was in contention there was somebody else more deserving, such as Pavel Nedved or Ronaldinho.
Takes a special player to be the top scorer of one of the greatest club sides in the game and that, along with Rooney being the key player in a Champions League finalists side, will stand the test of time better than anything Scholesy's done. As for Rooney being better, well that's just personal preference.
Like he did with Anderson....oh wait....
