Mails: Would you take Rooney for nowt?

Mails: Would you take Rooney for nowt?

This could be a long week. We must work together. Mail us at theeditor@football365.com

Would you take Rooney on a free?
Short-time reader, first-time emailer.

Had a little chat with a Spurs fan while watching the Eng V Sco game.

I support Liverpool.

Both of us would not take Rooney on a ‘free’.

Even if his wages were paid for…

…And he’s England captain.

We were just wondering who would be the lowest team in the Premier League to actually accept the ‘English captain’ on a free transfer.

(Sad times)
Bodych

In summary
Sunderland 3-0 Stenhousemuir
Dave

Southgate situation is mental
I surely cannot be the only one to gawp incredulously at the television after Mark Pougatch and Lee Dixon sagely informed us that Gareth Southgate should obviously be given the England job. If there was a Dictionary definition of a ‘winnable run of games’, it would surely be along the lines of what Southgate has overseen in his interim position. However, we didn’t win one of them (but it was somehow still seen in some circles as a good result?) and on Friday night we could easily have lost against a pretty poor Scotland team. Is this what people actually want? One increasingly feels that Southgate gets the nod over the likes of, say, Blanc and Pellegrini because he was born on these shores. A truly mental state of affairs.

The other English candidates hardly induce optimism, but they have experience that he simply lacks. Southgate was a great player and seems to be doing a reasonable job with the under-21s, I don’t think anyone has anything against him. But if the qualification for giving him a huge international job is that a) he’s English and b) he knows the system having worked with the under-21s, it suggests that something seriously eggy is going on at FA towers. What if it goes badly for Southgate? Do we just promote Aidy Boothroyd from the under-20s? Actually, don’t say that out loud.
Ed, BHAFC, Oxford (Hughton doesn’t want the job, I already asked him)

Sturridge wanders…and that’s fine
Interesting reading your thoughts on Sturridge and his wanderings away from the number 9 position.

Ian Wright made a similar observation at half time. Now I actually think Wright comes into his own when analysing centre-forwards but usually when it’s their finishing he’s analysing. In this case I think he’s wrong and changing position is exactly what Sturridge should be doing. I’m sure Klopp must also encourage it at Liverpool too if Firmino’s play is anything to go by.

I don’t think it’s a coincidence that in the two minutes before the goal Sturridge had dropped deeper and wider to get the ball. Surely this helps keep defenders guessing and makes him harder to pick up. The days of forwards like Inzaghi and Lineker are long gone.
Josh (I still think Clyne > Walker) LFC

England: Good at heading
So, we’ve rediscovered the art of crosses and headers. That’s good, and you can’t argue with the quality of the goals. So sloppy throughout though, could easily have been 3-3, but quality prevailed. All the more worrying ahead of Spain, because if we play like that with so little conviction we’ll be on the other end of it.

God, I wish Fletcher still played for United.
Guy S

England v Scotland: Terrible all round
The ref in the England Scotland game has made big mistakes in higher-profile games in the past and he continued to be awful on Friday night.

I could have sent a similar mail every weekend since Xakha got sent off, but Cahill should not have been on the pitch to score the third goal if judging by the same standards.

Scotland were on a 2v1 break and he just rugby tackled the Scottish player. According to the officials, Xahka got sent off because he made no attempt to play the ball and just made a cynical foul. Cahill’s was much worse in that regard – at least Xakha’s foot was within a few feet of the ball.

Then consider the stonewall pen the Scotland should have had for Rose scything down Snodgrass and England are really very lucky.

In the end England have better finishers and that’s what won the game, but calling the match Championship quality would do a disservice to Newcastle.
Adonis Stevenson, AFC

Oh England…you should be pumped
Hated the following opening paragraph on the Southgate article:

‘Welcome to Gareth Southgate’s England, then. Welcome to a new era of probable qualification followed by eventual tournament disappointment. Pumped, aren’t you?’

You should be pumped. You’ll qualify for a major tournament and have all the fun that the 3-5 games guarantees. You gather with friends, drink beer, shout at the TV and come together as a nation. It’s awesome and you’re so lucky to have it. The truth is your best English players at club level are surrounded by far better foreign players who elevate the English players, whereas at national level this doesn’t exist. Accept it and just enjoy being part of a tournament. This attitude of being perpetually disappointed is nonsense, it’s like a first world problem where you complain because the wifi in the five-star hotel is a bit slow and the mini bar has roasted nuts instead of pistachios.

Otherwise, I love the site and read it every day. I like recommended reading of the day but would much appreciate you bringing back non-football story of the day, or as it’s probably a drain to compile, how about once a week on a Friday?
Doug (obviously Scottish and just wants to be at the party) Sutherland

Wales: Not so cute now
So Wales are finally being found out for what they are – an average team with one world-class player.

They took advantage of the more favourable qualifying for Euro 2016 and increased their chances by working out how to game the FIFA ranking system to get them the most favourable ranking – and higher pots for the draws.

But even with all this, it comes down to how you play. There was a lot of hype around Wales in the Euros in which they really only played really well in one game, well in another two and so-so in the rest.

There is a fine line between confidence and arrogance and I sensed that this team had started to teeter over the line.

Are these last few games a reckoning? If Wales fail to qualify now I believe it will set them even further back than before. Time to re-focus and stop worrying about funky team pictures.
Paul McDevitt

Irish eyes are smiling
With all the apathy for international football in the mai box during the week I found myself on the opposite end of the spectrum because I was very excited for Ireland’s game away to Austria. This is probably because my formative years were the second half of the big Jack Charlton era.

The game itself turned out to be a very Irish win that big Jack would have been pleased with. First half was terrible but both teams hit the crossbar. Ireland’s winner came from a break and we tried to clam up for the last 10 minutes. To be honest if Austria had a bit of quality up front they would have got something from the game.

As of writing we are clear on top by three points and Austria are nearly out of it. Our group is funny. Whilst there is no stand-out team there are four very average teams so anyone of those could still qualify. We have a long way to go but we have given ourselves every chance. Look forward to the next game at home to Wales next.
Joe

…A very decent performance from Ireland against an Austrian team that is beginning to look a tad egomaniacal and entitled. What really stood out for me was the composure that Ireland showed as well as a maturity that is beginning to encompass the team. Not only did Ireland knock the ball around with a casualness normally associated with a Premier League team but they showed a cunningness and cynicism that one can only assume is coming from the experience of O’Neill and Keane (I’m referring to the somewhat European tactic of hanging around on the floor when awarded a free-kick, general time wasting and mugging the opposing team off when they attempt to help you to your feet).

Yes, Austria were poor and could have nicked at least an equaliser at the end but any idea that they were robbed needs to be dispelled – I’m beginning to enjoy these international breaks again.
The Flan, North London

Nigeria are back, back, back
It’s the boring international break again, but as a Nigerian it’s been a good one. That’s why I thought of writing to the mailbox for the one millionth time – without getting published. I know this might end up in the F365 junk yard as well. Just had to point to the fact that we beat a very good team (Algeria) out there, making it two wins from two tough World Cup qualifier games; the other being away to Zambia. It’s been a torrid last couple of years for Nigerian football but Gernot Rohr seems to be getting us back to where we should be: the top of African football. Well played today guys. 2018 we coming!
SAMUEL (ABUJA)

Thoughts on Brazil 3 Argentina 0
I’ve been a regular reader of this site and the mailbox for a decade but this is my first time writing in! Just wanted to weigh in on my thoughts on the currently ongoing international week: while I regularly follow my team Liverpool and try as much as possible to catch up with the top five European leagues, I often ignore international qualifying matches, simply hoping that none of Liverpool’s players get injured.

This week however, I found myself free and available to catch the Brazil vs Argentina game on Friday morning (living in Asia). I decided to take a chance and watched my first international qualifier in years – I was lured by the star names on show in a historical grudge match with Argentina outside the qualifying slots and Brazil top of the group. A few takeaways from a neutral’s perspective of the enjoyable game which Brazil won 3-0:

1) The power Coutinho generated behind the shot for his goal was borderline ridiculous, again displaying his ability to make game-changing differences (the match was fairly even before the first goal). That said, every Liverpool fan is now worried about the growing rumours that Barcelona are set to make an offer for the little magician. Personally, I would selfishly prefer it if he never made it to the Brazil squad to the best of Liverpool’s interests, but he is too likeable and talented and I think every reasonable Liverpool fan knows it’s just a matter of time before Barcelona come calling. The only question is when we should sell him, and at what price – I optimistically hope for the sale to occur in three years’ time when he’s 27 after helping us and Klopp to a league title, and hopefully at a near-world record price by then.

(As an aside in response to Christymoro’s question on Rodgers, I admit I did hail Rodgers in that season, pointing to Henderson’s improvement and his awareness to exploit the attacking talents of SAS. However, and I think most Liverpool fans will agree with me on this, it is widely accepted that the purchases of Coutinho, Can and even recently called-up Aspas amongst others, were driven by the ‘transfer committee’ and not by Rodgers himself. Rodgers did request for Lallana but failed to elicit any sustainable product from him, while he didn’t push for Coutinho but made him an underrated part of that team. In other words, I think he is a decent manager who definitely lost his way after Suarez left, and may have just found his level at Celtic.)

2) Neymar’s record of 50 goals in 74 games is an astonishing one, as Martin pointed out in an earlier mailbox entry, and he showed off his dribbling and finishing skills in an entertaining display. What a player.

3) Messi saw plenty of the ball, but too often in deeper areas and surrounded by many yellow shirts. His teammates were usually too far away from him to present an outlet, unlike at Barcelona where they could move the ball quickly and sharply to escape opponents’ pressure. Here, the Argentina captain was isolated from his teammates and the team’s plan seemed to simply be ‘give the ball to Messi, and hope he or Higuain will create something and score a goal’. There was little cohesiveness to their shape: Di Maria stayed on left but was shackled by Dani Alves, and Enzo Perez on the right kept coming inside to crowd the pitch – not surprisingly given that he ordinarily plays as a central midfielder for Valencia – but he was not advanced enough to support his captain in offensive play.

4) Mascherano also looked lost in central midfield after years of playing as a central defender for Barcelona. I’d’ve expected him to organize the midfield to be tighter, preventing Brazil from ripping through them with ease. Instead, Mascherano looked to be on an unsuccessful one-man mission to hold the midfield: the pressing and falling back was totally uncoordinated between the midfielders, leaving too much space for Brazil to exploit. His deployment in midfield was all the more confusing considering the struggles of Premier League trio Funes Mori, Otamendi and Zabaleta in defence, who all could not cope with the speed of Brazil’s attack.

5) Finally, a word on long-lost man Paulinho. I was surprised as any non-follower of the Brazil national team to see him in the starting line-up, having thought he’d automatically lose his place with his move to China after failing to make an impact at Spurs. Yet he was arguably the best player of the match: relentless in his pressing and boundlessly enthusiastic in attack. He helped out in defence and ensured that Fernandinho never needed to risk a second yellow card after the Manchester City man was booked after just five minutes. He also helped himself to Brazil’s final goal, a reward for his support in attacking play. I later found out that Brazil manager Tite had previously worked with Paulinho with great success, winning the Brazilian league title, the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup with Corinthians.

It was really refreshing to see familiar players in different lights, and I also enjoyed watching Marquinhos’ commanding performance. Am looking forward to my next South American WCQ: either Chile vs Uruguay or Argentina vs Colombia.

I’ve yet to decide between the two clashing matches, any avid follower would like to advise me?
Paul, Singapore

Actually, it is the answer
I am reading Matt Stead’s ‘What every PL club needs in January’ at a bar now as we speak (because of this exceptionally boring group of people I am with, none on that later), and just happened to come across this massive equation.

Came across this – ‘Oumar Niasse was not the answer. Oumar Niasse is never the answer, unless the question is ‘Who is not the answer?’ Then the answer would be Oumar Niasse, for he is not the answer.’

Perhaps it is just my depleted brain cells, temporarily weakened from small talk, boredom and a couple of beers, but I took way too long to work all that out in my head.

But just so you know, if you’re bothering on analyzing it, it all checks out.
Stig, MUFC
(Please please watch ‘Existence Impromptu’ – Alan Watts on Youtube. Its beautiful, and I think everyone should been forced to watch that in school instead of math. Oh, it is the answer.)
Integrity amongst writers
So yesterday I realised my faux pas with the Steve Bruce book reviews and sheepishly checked the mailbox to see which of the regulars had picked me up on it. Lo and behold, Mr Macintosh himself had corrected my mistake. Lovely to see there are at least two sports websites where the writers still have integrity.

To Mr Storey, apologies for the mix-up. It was tough enough to pick between the two of you without adding the excellent writing of a third into the mix. For what it’s worth I think you’ll have enough support without my lone vote anyway (which has been redressed in any case).

To Mr Macintosh, the football manager series are excellent anyway and deserving of a vote on their own.

Best of luck to both.
Dave, MUFC, Manchester