Films, and such.

allow me to indulge in a footy post, haha.

Paul Scholes, He scores Goals!

Paul Scholes he scores goals,
he scores goals galore, he scores goals,
Paul Scholes he scores goals!

It was an absolute delight to watch Paul Scholes against Fulham. So much so that i've watched the second half live (at 4am!) and watched replays of the first half twice. As testament to the man he is, he goes on to say that his goal was a poor strike. Thankfully, Berbatov and Rooney set the record straight by saying that he is 'one of the best ever' and '(there isn't) anyone else in the world like him'.

As you may know, Im a huge Man Utd fan, and Paul Scholes is arguably my favourite player. He possesss what appears the purest of characters in the modern game. I've read many interviews and articles, and often found other players (Roy Keane, Sir Bobby Charlton and Steve Gerrard, to name a few) gushing over what a humble and shy person he remains. At a time where football is infested with egos and money - an incredible turn-off for me-, Scholes remains a throwback to the days where footballers treated each other with respect and concentrated on their football skills, instead of their bank accounts. In that sense, he is remarkable character. Salford born, United bred.

Aside from his wonderful character, he is blessed with technical brilliance. He passes the ball superbly and his touch is rarely found wanting. His shooting, as displayed against Fulham, balances both power and precision. His tackling is sadly terrible, although not for the lack of effort. Importantly for me, he gives as much as he takes, he could take a tackle, but he would gladly put his foot in to protect himself and his team-mates. Modern football is plagued by divers. Diving is a joke. I love watching old matches and see the physicality. Football is a physical game. In that sense, Scholes maintains that older mentality of taking and dishing out a crunching tackle.

It is in my opinion that Scholes remains a very unappreciated figure in English football, and even to some United fans. I read a United forum the other day, and to my horror, discovered that some fans do not consider him a legend. This is a player who has spent his entire career at Old Trafford. A player whom Bobby Charlton considers the modern player who epitomises the tradition and essence of Manchester United. If not him, really, then who? He is arguably, the player of his generation. Who else can rival him for technique, creativity and desire? What is more remarkable and impressive is his ability to stay in complete command of the game, despite his age.

In his youth, he was very much a box to box type of player, with late runs into the penalty box to finish off a move. With decreased mobility, he has tweaked his game considerably. He now stays back more often, as an easy and ready option for players. He plays more long balls, and makes less runs into the box. He is, in a sense, an english Pirlo. He is old, but with a footballing brain like his, it is difficult to take advantage of him, because all movements and passes are planned for maximum efficiency.

English footballing community, of course, favours the strong running types, ala Gerrard and Lampard. I find both lacking Scholes subtlety and footballing brain. Scholes retains the ball astonishingly well, for someone who provides incisive passes. Perhaps the highest compliment i could pay him is that he would not look out of place in Spain's first team, a team built so beautifully around short incisive passing and ball retention. The same Spain that England, boasting the likes of the aforementioned Lampard, found so difficult to play against. People don't appreciate him because he doesn't do the fancy stuff that the untrained pick on, like stepovers and such, and also he doesn't indulge in self promotion. Phyically, he is also unremarkable. At 1.6m, many will tower over him.

I will shed a tear, i think, the day Scholes retires. The man himself says he has two years remaining at most. It will be a sad day. I'm already losing touch with modern football. Cash is the venom that has been injected into football. Ironically, perhaps, welcomed to openly by my favourite club back in the 90s. Footballers live in a bubble, filled with massive egos (are you listening Ronaldo). I yearn to see players with passion, who seem genuinely hurt by a loss. There a so few remaining, the likes of Scholes and Giggs, and Carragher, who is from Liverpool but unites me with his no-nonsense style and intense loyalty. Till he retires, i hope you will take some time out to watch this old master play.