Quite an eventful sporting day that started with New Zealand lifting the Webb Ellis Cup as they were crowned rugby World champions. Commentators will have to find another topic to discuss now that they have rid themselves of the World Cup chokers monkey after edging past France 8-7 to win after that 24 year gap. That label will have hurt as they have been favourites a number of times and to have lost to a poor French side (who did play well in the final) would only have confirmed that status on home soil even without Dan Carter.
Following England's exit a couple of weeks ago the captain Lewis Moody announced he was retiring from international rugby. At 33 he recognises that he won't be around for the next tournament and that England need to rebuild. His recent injury problems may have persuade him although a lot of players see these events as a good time to end their international careers if allowed that luxury. Moody has been a good servant for England as have a number of other veterans who may be considering their options before the decision is made for them.
Most people in the UK will undoubtedly be talking about the Manchester derby where United were beaten 6-1 at home by City. Like United's 8-2 win over Arsenal earlier in the season it was one of those freak results that does not really reflect the difference in quality of the two teams but should serve as a wake up call to the red half (if they needed it) that they are still a long way fron challenging Barcelona. This sort of result has been coming with a drop off in recent performances with a number of key injuries impairing their defence in the main. The back four has not been stable yet this season and with a new goalkeeper not making the most confident of starts that has seen a once solid defence look vulnerable. At the start of the season Smalling and Jones looked solid and promising but they have been taking turns filling in at right back as Ferdinand and Vidic were accommodated back into the starting XI. That they are not yet match fit with Ferdinand in particular looking a shadow of his former self has not helped either.
What was certainly shown up was Man United's lack of creativity from centre midfield which is what everybody knew from last season but which has not been addressed even after Scholes and Hargreaves left the club. Their dip in form has coincided with the loss of Tom Cleverley through injury who did look to provide a certain spark but whilst it is reassuring to see the faith placed in one so young rather than resort to the transfer window his absence has only highlighted the lack of depth that they have in that position. For all that City were good with David Silva in particular having a great start to the season. That, however, is the point of a league over a season as form dips in and out and it is how teams respond to the bad results which determines whether they are champion material or not.
Following England's exit a couple of weeks ago the captain Lewis Moody announced he was retiring from international rugby. At 33 he recognises that he won't be around for the next tournament and that England need to rebuild. His recent injury problems may have persuade him although a lot of players see these events as a good time to end their international careers if allowed that luxury. Moody has been a good servant for England as have a number of other veterans who may be considering their options before the decision is made for them.
Most people in the UK will undoubtedly be talking about the Manchester derby where United were beaten 6-1 at home by City. Like United's 8-2 win over Arsenal earlier in the season it was one of those freak results that does not really reflect the difference in quality of the two teams but should serve as a wake up call to the red half (if they needed it) that they are still a long way fron challenging Barcelona. This sort of result has been coming with a drop off in recent performances with a number of key injuries impairing their defence in the main. The back four has not been stable yet this season and with a new goalkeeper not making the most confident of starts that has seen a once solid defence look vulnerable. At the start of the season Smalling and Jones looked solid and promising but they have been taking turns filling in at right back as Ferdinand and Vidic were accommodated back into the starting XI. That they are not yet match fit with Ferdinand in particular looking a shadow of his former self has not helped either.
What was certainly shown up was Man United's lack of creativity from centre midfield which is what everybody knew from last season but which has not been addressed even after Scholes and Hargreaves left the club. Their dip in form has coincided with the loss of Tom Cleverley through injury who did look to provide a certain spark but whilst it is reassuring to see the faith placed in one so young rather than resort to the transfer window his absence has only highlighted the lack of depth that they have in that position. For all that City were good with David Silva in particular having a great start to the season. That, however, is the point of a league over a season as form dips in and out and it is how teams respond to the bad results which determines whether they are champion material or not.
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