Segun Oluwaniyi

Nice article from 2003: ------- By Dan Warren BBC Sport Online January is a bleak, depressing month, brightened only by the occasional snowball fight and the fact there are no wasps. But if you are an English football fan, there is at least some reason to continue living. The recent steady flow of talented young stars has turned into an veritable torrent, with a new teenage hero seemingly unearthed every week. A brace by 19-year-old Michael Tonge against Liverpool on Wednesday, while 20-year-old Neil Mellor was scoring at the other end, added two more names to this term's astounding production line of promise. And future England manager Alan Shearer must be rubbing his sensible hands together in glee at the pot of gold maturing before his very eyes. Your say: Pick the best of the bunch? Goalkeepers Chris Kirkland, 21 now, will be the world's finest goalkeeper by 2008, especially after another five years of shot-stopping practice at the back of Liverpool's attack-shy team. Leeds' Paul Robinson, 23, is unlikely to be far behind his Liverpool rival and the two of them are likely to vie, Shilton-Clemence style, for the number one jersey for many years. Defence History has shown that every successful England international team has contained brothers, and Rio and Anton Ferdinand will form the bedrock of Shearer's defence. Rio will be the team's veteran at 29, but Anton will possess the same assured approach and, let us hope, the same "funky" goalscoring celebrations. Blackburn's Martin Taylor will be there to mop up when the siblings' rivalry causes them to lose concentration. Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips will be devastating wing-backs, whose surging runs will leave Italians crying into their capuccinos and Germans blubbing in their bratwursts. Midfield This is where England excel, with the maverick talents of Joe Cole and David Dunn backed by the steel and vision of Steven Gerrard. With Dunn (28 in 2008) and Cole (26 in 2008) possessing maturity and talent, all England need is for Gerrard (27) to end his current run of form which is, unfortunately, rubbish. All three will be at their peak, and the onlooking David Beckham, who will probably retire from football at 30 to pursue a rock career, will smile in the stands as his successors shine. Forwards Everton's teenage superstar Wayne Rooney Rooney is but part of England's talent avalanche England will have so much talent up front it will be embarrassing, and other teams may concede games before kick-off to avoid the humiliation on the pitch. The original odd couple will spearhead the attack - Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen. Off the field, the pair will fight like dogs, but on the field they will combine to create flowing football poetry which will reduce even the most toughened defenders to mere shells of men. And to keep them alert, the likes of Liverpool's Neil Mellor, Aston Villa's Darius Vassell, Leeds' James Milner and West Ham's Jermaine Defoe will all be in the prime of their careers. A warning No doubt England's rivals will be gnashing teeth at the land of milk and honey awaiting fans of the Three Lions. But a look back one decade offers hope to those who thrive on England's failure. When footballers go bad: Under-21 stars of 1993 Neil Ardley Billy Kenny Eddie Newton Scott Minto Richard Hall Andy Awford The England Under-21s side of 1993 does not exactly read like a list of world beaters. For every Steve McManaman - himself an international disappointment - there is a Billy Kenny, a Neil Cox and a Nicky "Swindon Town" Summerbee. Perhaps the end to what is rapidly approaching 40 years of hurt is not quite as close as it appears. ------------------ I found the part about Kirkland to be interesting. Amazing how these things work out.

I thought he had signed for some nondescript lower division team in England. Maybe not. Pires does not need a role. He's a 36 year old without a contract in November. He'll not be picking and choosing his spots. At this point in his career, he would be unlikely to turn his nose up at decent wages and nice, warm place to escape the cold.

Chelsea were already a pretty good team, though. It would be similar to if a billionaire came in to buy Tottenham. They need a lot of investment, obviously, but the roots of success are already there. Man City were nothing. They've had to essentially buy a completely different squad and completely new identity.

According to Soccernet (which is generally a decent source), Gareth Bale is rated at 50 million pounds.

This same team outplayed l'OM and should have won at the Velodrome last match day. I am in shock at the result. Just getting back in, and I thought it was a misprint. I wonder how BEN BEN BEN ARFA feels, now. The donkey has risen. Big result. So far we've made up 10 goals in the GD, and gone even with Spartak on points, but still need to get results at Chelsea home and Spartak away. Difficult.

It's harder to eliminate Ronaldo from a game, though. His freekicks and physical attributes makes sure of that. Ronaldo and Drogba are, imo, the two players that will do well no matter who are what they are playing with. Ronaldo and various animals would stilll be likely to threaten. Messi is better, though.

Over the last two league seasons, Drogba has scored 35 in less than 40 appearances. He's close as far as statistics will take you.

He's already there, brummie. He's already there.

I would never call myself a "Geordie" because I don't speak your dialect, I don't share your culture, and I have no heritage within the region. It would be like me calling my Spurs supporting cousin a cockney. It doesn't make any sense.

Stunned by Bale's development. Didn't see this coming at all. What happened to the odd looking Welsh boy who didn't have a position.

Wait US? I thought you lived in Nigeria? Aww, man. Are you about to rewrite the laws of internet reality? International Student. I'm a Nigerian national who is currently abroad.

Legitimately angry that US television has decided to show Man U vs. Bursaspor. Already turned it off. Such a meaningless and mindless game.

I still think it is ridiculous that EU players has some sort of advantage in going to most of these European leagues. Of course, we should show preference to English players, but is should an Austrian more desired than a Russian?

Ben Arfa definitely has the pedigree. I know you consider Everton a top six club, and he could walk into that team.

To be honest with you, I really liked the team at the end of 2007-2008. Had quite a few nice players and were putting the talent to good use. That was for a short period of time, though. This will be a short period of time though as well. It's easy to love a team when they've crushed Sunderland in the derby. but the hatred will seep in if we lose more easy points at home and slide down the table. It's all about results.

Those horrific football jokes people make after any big victory for their team. It is possibly the most tedious thing of all things. "(renowned striker/attacking midfielder) was declared missing yesterday, but was eventually found in the back pocket of (defensive midfielder/centre back)" "Three-fourths of the world is covered by water, the rest by (centre midfielder)" "(striker who's scored two or more goals) is wanted for rape in (whatever city he scored these goals in)" This is the worst thing imaginable.

I'm fully expecting it. It happens without fail. As soon as we start falling back in love for the first time, he breaks his hip and spends a year being injured/alarmingly rubbish. The cycle starts again.

Mensah against Uruguay is one of my recent favourites. Brilliant attempt

I think we'll finish somewhere between 16th and 12th. The squad has no depth and even the starting eleven has some glaring weaknesses. The likes of Shola, Nolan, Barton, etc, have not shown an ability to maintain a high level over the course of a long season for quite some time. Right now, things are good, but two weeks ago they were bad. Everything is fragile and at some point it will collapse. It is a question of how quickly we can build it back up.

Modric is essentially a lower quality version of four players at your club. I do not know why this possibility excites or interests you.

I tend to agree with Ronaldo. Whenever the boy has been given a chance to really hold down that position in the centre of midfield he's been alright and has been one of the team's most important players at times. He's been a horrific acquisition for the club because of what he's cost and his constant struggles with injury and discipline, but I like when he's on the pitch.

when did that happen? i dont know how you can stay on the pitch after that. weak from the ref. Just after Colo sent that fella flying after about 20 mins. He jumped right into Dowd, and should easily have been carded. I would like to see video of that. It's difficult to figure the reality of the situation from one still image.

You don't need to play 4-4-2 to utilise two forwards. Hell, Keegan managed to utilise 3 in his last spell here without playing 4-4-2. Gyan would have been a good signing as they needed cover, anyway, but the price is just ridiculous.

Their team is awful and it really shouldn't be. They've had plenty of time to establish themselves in the division and have spent plenty of money, and yet the side they put out is so useless. It's just a waste.

There's a reason Chelsea moved on. He used to be a lot of things, but he is no longer any of these things.