Early Doors - Your morning briefing blog

All is forgiven, Rio

Wed Nov 04 09:01AM

Rio Ferdinand doesn't look so rubbish any more, does he?

Wes Brown and Jonny Evans are players with big reputations, but reputations acquired mainly while not playing.

Last night the pair had an absolute nightmare replacing Nemanja Vidic and Ferdinand for the 3-3 draw against CSKA Moscow.

Far from stepping seamlessly in for their injured colleagues, they looked like talentless hacks masquerading as top-class performers - in other words the Champions League's answer to John and Edward.

The visitors repeatedly tore through a defensive line so wonky it might have been drawn by a crayon-wielding toddler.

And the defensive duo weren't helped by Federico Macheda, who was assigned to mark Vassili Berezutski but ended up covering his twin brother Alexei for the third goal.

CSKA keeper Igor Akinfeev passed his audition to be United's next goalkeeper with flying colours, winning unprompted praise from Alex Ferguson after full-time.

Akinfeev is strong, decisive, boasts great reflexes and superb distribution. No doubt he won't come cheap but he is a superb player. Ben Foster he ain't.

The Russian's likely arrival at Old Trafford rather calls into question why big teams with money even bother with youth development.

What is the point of trying to nurture British talent like Foster, Evans and Brown when you can just go out and buy somebody better?

Given the time, money and risk (Chelsea-style transfer ban, anyone?) invested in youth development by top sides, you have to ask whether all that effort is really worth it.

In any case, United's efforts at unearthing hidden gems tends to involve splurging upwards of £10 million on utter dross like Nani.

CSKA coach Leonid Slutski is called the Russian Mourinho because he did not have a successful playing career - he was forced to retire by a knee injury sustained falling out of a tree while attempting to rescue his neighbour's cat.

There any similarity with the Special One ends. Far from boasting Mourinho's ice-cold arrogance, Slutski spent the final 10 minutes looking nauseous and rocking back and forth in his seat like an extra from One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.

His nerves were well-founded. First Paul Scholes headed in a superb cross from Gary Neville whose marauding performance suggests he has - and ED is only half-joking here - as much claim as David Beckham to a place on the right side of England's midfield.

Then came the stomach punch of Georgi Schennikov deflecting an off-target Antonio Valencia shot past Akinfeev.

Still, there was plenty for Fergie to complain about, describing the referee's decision to deny Darren Fletcher a clear penalty and book him for diving instead as: "One of the worst I have seen in my lifetime."

In recent seasons, Fletcher has turned into the Dalkeith Makelele. It's not clear exactly what he does, but it seems all those niggly fouls and leggy interceptions seem to help.

His absence from the Champions League final - following an outrageous red card in the semi-final against Arsenal - was oddly held as a major factor in United's capitulation, and it would be typical if more official bungling sees him ruled out of another big game this season.

- - -

QUOTE OF THE DAY: "We are never going to lose St James' Park." Newcastle managing director Derek Llambias attempts to play down fears about a renaming of the ground. So what is it going to be known as for the rest of the season? SportsDirect@St James's Park.

FOREIGN VIEW: Score! It's a hat-trick for Bulgaria! The Bulgarian Football Union have slapped home bans on Botev Plovdiv and Lokomotiv Plovdiv in the wake of a mass brawl involving players, coaches and fans after Saturday's city derby.

Botev, who won the match 1-0, were banned from their ground for two home matches and also fined 12,000 levs (£5,500).

Lokomotiv received a second stadium ban this season and must play one more home game at a neutral venue. The 2004 Bulgarian champions received a one-match ban for fan violence last week.

Lokomotiv were fined 4,000 levs (£1,830).

COMING UP: The headline in today's Daily Telegraph that will have all Liverpool fans quaking: 'Time for Voronin, Ngog and Babel to show their worth'. ED would suggest they have already shown their worth - and it is not much.

Things are so dire that Rafa Benitez abandoned all citation of facts for his pre-match news conference and instead quoted 'You'll Never Walk Alone':
"And you know what they say, that when you walk through a storm, hold your head up high. We will try to keep ours high."

Anyway, ignore your terrestrial TV and follow all the action from Lyon v Liverpool, starting at 19:45 UK time.

And that's not all! We've got live text commentary on every Champions League game, kicking off with Rubin Kazan v Barcelona at 17:30 CET.

Comments1 - 30 of 215
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first!
From brendan.devenny@y7mail.com on Wed Nov 04 09:09AM
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1st
From redangelsfc on Wed Nov 04 09:11AM
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Why do people on here feel the need to write 'First' on a comment? quite frankly who gives a s*** whos first
From daddybaz1 on Wed Nov 04 09:13AM
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Early Doors talking @#$%. Sure CSKA played very well in the first half, but apart from the goal were nowhere to be seen. Give Evans and Brown credit for showing stability when they were previously shakey.
From sammydaddo on Wed Nov 04 09:29AM
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Did anyone else think much of Obertan when he came on last night? I was, impressed, for some reason, came on at a good time admittedly, but liked what he showed, a little skill which they seemed to be missing.
From canyonchef on Wed Nov 04 09:30AM
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It really does beggars belief how my comments from yesterday highlighting Wartyhole as a clear and obvious danger to children are deleted and to top it off his little 'procurer' ball_bag_boo_hoo (so obviously a crying imanerdo99 fake) are left on!
Keep your head in the sand girls
ED the internet Harringay!
LOL aaaaaaaaaaaaarghh Booooooo hooooo
From fbf.forever on Wed Nov 04 09:35AM
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7th? An why do poeple like Spaz wright in about people writing?
From r_maltman on Wed Nov 04 09:36AM
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apologies for spelling, it appears I'm a Baz too?
From r_maltman on Wed Nov 04 09:37AM
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Ferdinand, Vidic, Brown and Evans are the wonkiest defence in the EPL they none of them is really fit enough to be a bench warmer
Looks like the 'Don of all England' may yet have to pull Owen into his England soccer squad to give him some options in lieu of a wonkey defence built around Ferdinand
From arttidesco on Wed Nov 04 09:46AM
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What a stupid article. What evidence do you have that Vidic and Ferdinand would have been any better. None. Journalistic nonsense.
From damurf2000 on Wed Nov 04 09:50AM
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7 - it really does beggar belief that anyone could be bothered to go thru yesterdays comments to see which had been deleted. Life? Get one! Sorry Al!
From danny_saks on Wed Nov 04 09:50AM
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The new name for St James's Park?
Nintendo are interested apparently........it will be called 'The Stadium of Wii'.
From praetor123456 on Wed Nov 04 09:52AM
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Hello fellas..
Wats the story of the day??
Apart from Fergie fuming about yet another "wrong" decision??
I dunno if you all agree on this point, but Fletcher has been one of the key members of the Utd squad that if and wen they go missing, the reds stumble...
From rock.bratt on Wed Nov 04 10:04AM
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Oh dear Fiddlybuttfisted another days comments deleted?
Your internet bullying will be recorded.
Are we to have a repeat of the early '09 Spam wars when you and the rest of your bumgang got spanked by the mighty Judesurf !!! hahaha !!!
Rio is allowed a little wobble, all professional players have them, Wes ain't in his class.
From nikyates on Wed Nov 04 10:04AM
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7 - It's really very simple, Ficky. You're comments are entirely unfounded and ill-conceived. They're dreamt up 'using the force' (no, not Star Trek). Whilst my comments are undeniably and evidently true. LOL
You remain the fickiest ficker ever LOL! Come to Warty............
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh arrr rrrr boohoo
From wartyhole on Wed Nov 04 10:05AM
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12 - You just can't reason with the simpleton LOL
If you've got no material of your own, Ficky, you can always use mine again... LOL!
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh arr rrr boohoo
From wartyhole on Wed Nov 04 10:07AM
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14 Well, I'm no expert Al, butI think that unless you have proof of his activities then anything thats printed consttitutes libel so they can't possibly leave it on here. Where is Andy Legal Services to explain the details when you need him? LOL.
From danny_saks on Wed Nov 04 10:07AM
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guessing the scouse tinted writer of this article really had a miserable nights viewing....well by tonight he will be cringlike a baby when the scouse get thrashed by lyon..!
From stuartxland on Wed Nov 04 10:08AM
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Too much 'reporting' me thinks Al! But then he lost all his on Monday! and I didn't look danny it was mentioned yesterday!
But if everyone ignors warty he dissappears - maybe do that today???
From doobie.doobiedoo on Wed Nov 04 10:09AM
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15) My nipper used to ask what was the point of Fletcher and highlight every error but the Ayotollah obviously knows more than we do. Darren is not quite the new Keano but getting close.
As for the divingwelshnonce, thanks for the goals but he will never be world class and we, let alone England need a world class striker.
From nikyates on Wed Nov 04 10:09AM
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15 - Fergie fuming is always funny. I personally canm't wait for him to have a heart attack live on television. Would form part of my essential viewing material for years would that.
From danny_saks on Wed Nov 04 10:10AM
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10 - See Ze Germans are scared of Owen.
From jay8my on Wed Nov 04 10:11AM
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19 - Agreed again, Danny. But it won't help, cos you're trying to teach a gibbon... LOL
I've offered him Dr Watson services too, but I suspect he might need Sigmund Freud's Services LOL!
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh arrr rrrr boohoo
From wartyhole on Wed Nov 04 10:14AM
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21 - LOL I'll believe you Steve. Thousands wouldn't...
From danny_saks on Wed Nov 04 10:14AM
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Good article I particullary liked the part about UTD being sh.it
From darrendimascio on Wed Nov 04 10:15AM
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21 - Sounds like a plan, Doobs, but I've already suggested that to Ficky. LOL
He simply (good choice of word there) can't help himself, because I'm in control of his tiny mind LOL!
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh arrrrgh r boohoo
From wartyhole on Wed Nov 04 10:16AM
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rafa's ynwa is cringeworthy. utd typically unconcincing last night but at least showed great heart to nick the draw.
lol at bayern
From bobo.spamble on Wed Nov 04 10:24AM
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Danny the "Give Fergie a heart attack", could be the new TV show where contestants come on down to OT to try and puch old red nose over the edge!! Unfortunately most who try are dressed in red or black!
From doobie.doobiedoo on Wed Nov 04 10:25AM
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puch = push
From doobie.doobiedoo on Wed Nov 04 10:26AM
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Obertan has the ugliest head I've seen in football. A close runner up is Mikael Silvestre!
From amechiakabogu on Wed Nov 04 10:30AM
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