Community Shield - Pie Eaters v Rags

[Beefymcfc]

I see that it's not just about the Community Shield, most headlines this morning are about Rooney. Hell, this must be killing the writers having to choose between the Rags and Ronney. The official Beeb Community Shield preview (below) has about 5 lines on the game and the rest about Rooney!!!

Anyway, thought we'd have a thread rather than just ignoring the game. Both managers have done nothing to deserve having a crack at the trophy/shield but who's going to come out on top? I can't see anything other than a Rag win but can Coyle and his men cause an upset and will Dave Whelan be 'Breaking a Leg' for good luck?

Come on Wigan!!!
________________

From the Beeb

FA Community Shield
Venue: Wembley
Date: Sunday 11 August
Kick-off: 14:00 BST
Coverage: BBC Sport website and BBC Radio 5 live

England striker Wayne Rooney has been left out of Manchester United's Community Shield squad because of a shoulder injury.

Rooney trained with the reserves this week but was not deemed fit to face Wigan, while Ashley Young and Nani (both ankle) did not travel to Wembley.

Robin van Persie, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra should be fit after missing Rio Ferdinand's testimonial.

Wigan are without captain Gary Caldwell but James McClean could make his debut.

Another new signing, Thomas Rogne, is out with a back problem for Wigan, though Leon Barnett and Emmerson Boyce are expected to retain their places in Owen Coyle's side.

Grant Holt will lead the line for his new club after dropping down a division from Norwich, with Marc Antoine-Fortune also in contention.

Rooney missed Rio Ferdinand's testimonial against Sevilla at Old Trafford on Friday, having suffered the injury during a behind-closed-doors match nine days ago.

But Roy Hodgson has included the striker in his squad for England's friendly against Scotland at Wembley on Wednesday.

Rooney publicly thanked Hodgson for his "faith and support" in a message on his Facebook account on Friday. "Can't wait to join up with the England squad and hopefully play in a competitive match, they always are against Scotland," Rooney wrote.

"Big thanks to Roy Hodgson for selecting me and showing his faith and support, appreciate it."

However Manchester United manager David Moyes told MUTV he expected the striker to be used sparingly by England.

"I had a long conversation with Roy about it last week," Moyes said.

"Wayne has had a shoulder injury. He has been sore with it, which has meant he has not been able to have any contact. He has trained a little bit with the reserves as a non-contact player, a floating player, so at least he got a little bit of football work.

"He trained with the first team on Saturday and he did a bit of extra work, so he is probably more likely to be ready for England than he will be for us. You've got to remember he has had no football practice.

"I explained all this and I would only expect Roy to play him for a short time."

Hodgson has already said that he believes Rooney is physically fit but it has now been more than a month since the striker joined up with United's senior squad since leaving the club's pre-season in Asia with a hamstring injury.

United insist that Rooney will not be sold this summer, having rejected two bids from Chelsea.

[lets all have a disco]

Hope the ground opens up and they both fall in.

[Yffi_88]

Hope the ground opens up and they both fall in.

Dave Whelan might break his leg if that happens and nobody needs that again.

[Beefymcfc]

The last time Coyle and Wigan played at Wembley they both won. The omens are with them.

[Blue Since 76]

I'll settle for a Wigan win and RVP cruciate injury. Anything else would be a bonus.

[Beefymcfc]

I'll settle for a Wigan win and RVP cruciate injury. Anything else would be a bonus.

I'm not sure if I would want somebody to get injured but if it did happen, then that's life. I'd much prefer it if Shrek snapped whilst watching the game, ran on the pitch and starting tugging at Pussy's hair, bitch slapping him in the process.

Now, that's make for entertainment.

[Green & Blue]

Come on Wigan.

I hope Mcarthy is at his best today and makes a show of Clevz(as they call him) and Carrick.

Wigan still look reasonably strong.Holt and McClean are very good signings for them i can see them coming straight back up.

[Beefymcfc]

Come on Wigan.

I hope Mcarthy is at his best today and makes a show of Clevz(as they call him) and Carrick.

Wigan still look reasonably strong.Holt and McClean are very good signings for them i can see them coming straight back up.

If Martinez was still there then I'd think they had a chance. With Coyle at the helm I'm not very confident.

I wonder what Coyle's record is against the Rags and Everton?

[Yffi_88]

God Save The Queen in an American accent.

[Green & Blue]

Come on Wigan.

I hope Mcarthy is at his best today and makes a show of Clevz(as they call him) and Carrick.

Wigan still look reasonably strong.Holt and McClean are very good signings for them i can see them coming straight back up.

If Martinez was still there then I'd think they had a chance. With Coyle at the helm I'm not very confident.

I wonder what Coyle's record is against the Rags and Everton?

Just realised Clattenburg is the referee, Rags have this one wrapped up already.

True about Coyle hardly the most inspiring of appointments but he has done the business at championship level with Burnley bringing them up via the play offs.

Burnley actually had a shock win over the rags when he was in charge.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

What a header.

[Sideshow Bob]

Van fuckwit picking up where he left off, sadly. 1-0 scum.

[Ted Hughes]

And just left for absolute dead in a sprint. Pace going already.

[Ted Hughes]

So far Wigan look like a typical British lower league side as opposed to the passing team Martinez built. Be interesting to see what he does at Everton.

[Sideshow Bob]

So far Wigan look like a typical British lower league side as opposed to the passing team Martinez built. Be interesting to see what he does at Everton.

Agreed. They look a completely different side.

[Yffi_88]

Sloppiest passing I've seen from Wigan. Can tell they're a Championship side.

United not looking great either but some nice bits of play.

The shadow on the pitch is awful.

[Esky]

Reminds me of watching Serie A in the 90s - half the pitch lost to shadow.

Wigan's squad seems like it should do very well in the Championship. Hardly involved so far, though, and when they are they look very much like a Coyle team.

[Ted Hughes]

Utd fans must be excited watching Zaha.

[Green & Blue]

Is Thiago starting?

[Sideshow Bob]

Is Thiago starting?

fabregas got the nod today.