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Is Wayne Rooney's ban too harsh? Should Arsenal fans be worried about Robin van Persie? Your questions answered by Goal.com's Greg Stobart in Twitter Q&A
Our Northern correspondent has been fielding all sorts of queries ahead of this weekend's round of Premier League fixtures, and looks forward to the biggest match of the season
14 Oct 2011 14:56:00
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After a fortnight off due to the international break, our LIVE Twitter Q&A returned in order to answer your questions ahead of another weekend of Premier League action - and what a few days we have in store!
With Manchester United travelling to Liverpool and Carlos Tevez having returned to Manchester City, there have been plenty of talking points to discuss.
Goal.com's Northern correspondent Greb Stobart has been fielding your queries, and here are some of the best, sent in by you via our Twitter page. Alternatively, you can click here for the full transcript.
Don't you think Uefa is being a bit rough to Wayne Rooney? He apologised for what he did. Shouldn't that be enough? - Partho Mostaka
Greg Stobart: “I don't think Wayne Rooney or the FA could reasonably expect that an apology would be enough to convince Uefa to lessen his punishment. He received a straight red card for violent conduct, which would result in an automatic three-game ban were it in the Premier League. I do think, given the nature of Uefa's disciplinary system and a number of precedents, a two-match ban would have been most appropriate.”
What do you think about Carlos Tevez's situation? Is he gonna be part of the team or he is gonna find his way out by January? - Ahmad Muhammad
GS: “I found it extremely interesting that Roberto Mancini appeared to leave the door open for Carlos Tevez to return to the Manchester City first-team at his press conference today, particularly after reports of a late night meeting between the pair in the early hours of Thursday morning. I've always suspected that Tevez will play for City again and that the relationship between him and Mancini might thaw if given some healing time. The problem is that both men are extremely stubborn characters and a legal process is still ongoing, so it remains to be seen whether Tevez really has worn a City shirt for the last time. Either way, both the player and the club will want Tevez to leave in January.”
What do you make of the Robin van Persie contract saga at Arsenal? I'm concerned that we've seen it all before... - Alex van Aanholt
GS: “If I was an Arsenal fan, I would be worried about the parallels between Robin van Persie's situation and Samir Nasri's exit in the summer. Van Persie is out of contract in 2013 – as are Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin – and has suggested he is in no rush to sign a new deal. That means Arsenal will be in the worrying situation next summer of potentially being forced to sell their best player for fear of losing him on a free transfer a year later. Another portent is that Van Persie has recently taken on a new agent in Darren Dein, son of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who took Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window. The key to Arsenal keeping Van Persie will probably lie in their performances on the pitch this season as he will not be short of offers if he becomes available.”
Newcastle United are currently unbeaten this season. Do you see that changing on Sunday given Tottenham's poor record in the north east? - Ben Rosenthal
GS: “Newcastle have made an excellent start to the season, especially given the turmoil around the club over the summer. Nothing should be taken away from Alan Pardew's side, but by their own admission Newcastle have had a relatively easy start to the season. The visit of Tottenham on Sunday will provide the toughest test so far this campaign and Spurs have themselves won their last four matches. I am going to play it safe and predict a score draw, but if Emmanuel Adebayor recovers from a hamstring injury to start I think the visitors could get a rare win at St James' Park.”
Will Arsenal continue their dismal start to the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday, or is the wind changing its direction this weekend? - Mohamed Fitri
GS: “I think Arsenal will beat Sunderland on Sunday, but it would be premature to suggest victory this weekend will act as a catalyst in turning their season around. The Gunners' defending has been dreadful in their first seven Premier League games and the players look like they are lacking confidence. People should not forget, however, that Arsenal have quality players and despite their limitations are better than they have been showing of late. The fixture list is looking a bit kinder for them now and Arsene Wenger will want to build some momentum in the next month to get Arsenal in contact with the top six.”
With Manchester United travelling to Liverpool and Carlos Tevez having returned to Manchester City, there have been plenty of talking points to discuss.
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Goal.com's Northern correspondent Greb Stobart has been fielding your queries, and here are some of the best, sent in by you via our Twitter page. Alternatively, you can click here for the full transcript.
Don't you think Uefa is being a bit rough to Wayne Rooney? He apologised for what he did. Shouldn't that be enough? - Partho Mostaka
Greg Stobart: “I don't think Wayne Rooney or the FA could reasonably expect that an apology would be enough to convince Uefa to lessen his punishment. He received a straight red card for violent conduct, which would result in an automatic three-game ban were it in the Premier League. I do think, given the nature of Uefa's disciplinary system and a number of precedents, a two-match ban would have been most appropriate.”
What do you think about Carlos Tevez's situation? Is he gonna be part of the team or he is gonna find his way out by January? - Ahmad Muhammad
GS: “I found it extremely interesting that Roberto Mancini appeared to leave the door open for Carlos Tevez to return to the Manchester City first-team at his press conference today, particularly after reports of a late night meeting between the pair in the early hours of Thursday morning. I've always suspected that Tevez will play for City again and that the relationship between him and Mancini might thaw if given some healing time. The problem is that both men are extremely stubborn characters and a legal process is still ongoing, so it remains to be seen whether Tevez really has worn a City shirt for the last time. Either way, both the player and the club will want Tevez to leave in January.”
What do you make of the Robin van Persie contract saga at Arsenal? I'm concerned that we've seen it all before... - Alex van Aanholt
GS: “If I was an Arsenal fan, I would be worried about the parallels between Robin van Persie's situation and Samir Nasri's exit in the summer. Van Persie is out of contract in 2013 – as are Theo Walcott and Andrei Arshavin – and has suggested he is in no rush to sign a new deal. That means Arsenal will be in the worrying situation next summer of potentially being forced to sell their best player for fear of losing him on a free transfer a year later. Another portent is that Van Persie has recently taken on a new agent in Darren Dein, son of former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein, who took Cesc Fabregas and Gael Clichy away from the Emirates Stadium in the summer transfer window. The key to Arsenal keeping Van Persie will probably lie in their performances on the pitch this season as he will not be short of offers if he becomes available.”
Newcastle United are currently unbeaten this season. Do you see that changing on Sunday given Tottenham's poor record in the north east? - Ben Rosenthal
GS: “Newcastle have made an excellent start to the season, especially given the turmoil around the club over the summer. Nothing should be taken away from Alan Pardew's side, but by their own admission Newcastle have had a relatively easy start to the season. The visit of Tottenham on Sunday will provide the toughest test so far this campaign and Spurs have themselves won their last four matches. I am going to play it safe and predict a score draw, but if Emmanuel Adebayor recovers from a hamstring injury to start I think the visitors could get a rare win at St James' Park.”
Will Arsenal continue their dismal start to the season at home to Sunderland on Sunday, or is the wind changing its direction this weekend? - Mohamed Fitri
GS: “I think Arsenal will beat Sunderland on Sunday, but it would be premature to suggest victory this weekend will act as a catalyst in turning their season around. The Gunners' defending has been dreadful in their first seven Premier League games and the players look like they are lacking confidence. People should not forget, however, that Arsenal have quality players and despite their limitations are better than they have been showing of late. The fixture list is looking a bit kinder for them now and Arsene Wenger will want to build some momentum in the next month to get Arsenal in contact with the top six.”
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
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