You can shout at Rob Shepherd by joining his online forum on Sunday between 11am and noon. He'll be discussing all the weekend's big talking points and you can tell him what you think of the FA Cup Final.
TIME TO GO, GIGGS
RYAN GIGGS will become English football's most decorated player should Manchester United win the European Cup on Wednesday.
A 22nd major winners' medal will surpass the gongs hauled in by Phil 'Nodding Dog' Neal.
That is one of many reasons why I hope Giggs will play a part in a United victory over Chelsea - and then retire for good.
Let's tackle the Neal issue first. Agreed,he was a Liverpool stalwart who weighed in with a fair few goals from the penalty spot and played for England for a while.
Legend
But he was a right back and you don't queue up to watch them play.
And when Neal moved into coaching he became a laughing stock as the 'Yes boss, no boss' sidekick to Graham Taylor.
Hard to call him a real legend, then.
Giggs, on the other hand, has been a superstar winger for the past 17 years. He makes and scores goals with verve and finesse. An entertainer as well as a winner.
At 17, he carried the burden of being labelled the new George Best.
With Alex Ferguson's guidance, Giggs has achieved far more than Best on the pitch, while avoiding the pitfalls off it.
He may well have been helped by David Beckham's emergence, which took the spotlight off him, but, while generally smiling for the cameras, Giggs has never courted them.
In short, Giggs has been a hugely gifted but a model professional.
He embodies all that is worthy and dignified about the game, values too often sneered at by the modern breed of player.
So if he is victorious in Moscow and also surpasses Sir Bobby Charlton's appearance record, what better way to bow out?
Go before his legendary status is undermined by weary limbs. Go before fans with infamously short memories forget the glory he has brought United.
And if he wants a continuing role in the game, what better position than as an ambassador for United alongside Sir Bobby and Bryan Robson?
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Don't feel sorry for Sven
On the face of it, Manchester City's decision to sack Sven Goran Eriksson seems unfair.
But when you hear rumours from Tyneside that Sven threw his hat into the ring after Newcastle sacked Sam Allardyce, perhaps it's more understandable.
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Cash in at Palace
Yes, 16-year-old John Bostock's decision to quit Palace for Spurs is all about money.
It's hardly one-sided, though. Five million quid for an unproven prospect loooks remarkably good business from where Simon Jordan is sitting.
Comparing Ryan Giggs to Phil Neal is like comparing Kenny Dalglish to Gary Neville. All 4 were/are very good at what they do.
Regardless of what happens on Wednesday night, Giggs will never surpass Neal's record of 5 European Cup finals, & 4 winners medals. He also scored in 2 of those finals.......Not bad for a nodding dog.
Posted by: Mike Robins | May 19, 2008 at 07:16 AM | Report this comment