Life’s A Pitch: why don’t people rate Michael Carrick?

For someone who plays for one of the world’s most popular teams, has won four Premier League titles and one Champions League, Michael Carrick is remarkably unappreciated.

In fact, you could say that some even go out of their way to highlight the Manchester United player’s apparent limitations.

Not Iain Macintosh. He reckons Carrick is exactly what you need in a modern midfielder and he’s got the stats and the rationale to prove it to even the most ardent Carrick detractor.

One player that would most likely be more appreciated by the Old Trafford faithful is Athletic Bilbao’s Fernando Llorente. The 6ft 4in Spanish striker is ideally suited to the Premier League, and Sir Alex Ferguson should be doing all he can to sign him up for next season, reckons Mike Calvin.

Talking of next season, Arsenal’s resurgence in the second half of the season has seen the smile return to the faces of most Gooners. And such has been their upturn in form, plus their summer recruitment plans, that several members of the Life’s A Pitch video panel reckon Arsène Wenger’s men will be a force to be reckoned with next season.

And while Arsenal look all set to clinch Champions League qualification, that’s something Liverpool’s Kenny Dalglish can only dream of given his side’s Premier League form has fallen off a cliff in 2012. So bad has morale got among Kopites that some have even started asking if Dalglish is indeed the right man to lead the team anymore. The panel discusses.

Other contentious subjects chatted over this past week include whether teams such as Portsmouth should be more harshly treated after going into administration. One idea being immediate relegation. What do you think?

Elsewhere, we assess the latest transfer rumours, discuss if Chelsea can win the Champions League, and we’ve got a signed Barcelona shirt from the majestic Andrés Iniesta to give away.

And finally, our Fanzone post of the week comes from Ali Hunter who looks back on Rangers’ therapeutic Old Firm win over Celtic.

Expert pundit videos

“Arsenal could be genuine title contenders next season”

The Life’s A Pitch panellists explain why they think a revitalised Arsenal could end their trophy drought next season.
Title tilt? >

Kenny Dalglish: Legend or liability?

Despite delivering the club’s first silverware for six years, Liverpool’s dismal league form has the Life’s A Pitch team wondering if Dalglish is up to the job.
Legend or liability? >

Time clubs in administration were automatically relegated

The Life’s A Pitch team look at whether clubs who enter administration should be more harshly treated.
Time to get serious? >

Gaitan to Man Utd, Spurs look to Rossi, Villa target Dost?

Want to know what’s happening with the transfers of Gaitan, Rossi and Dost? The Life’s A Pitch team gives its view.
Transfer talk >

Lively opinion blogs

About time Carrick got the credit he deserves

Iain Macintosh puts forward his case for why Michael Carrick’s many detractors are wrong about the Man Utd midfielder.
Carrick’s got it >

Fernando Llorente: the perfect fit for Man Utd

Mike Calvin explains why Man Utd should be doing all they can to bring Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente to Old Trafford this summer.
Just the job >

Dalglish must use remaining league matches to blood the kids

With little to compete for in the Premier League, Mike Calvin reckons Kenny Dalglish should use the games to introduce Liverpool’s next generation of players.
The next generation >

Clint Dempsey – made for a top-six Premier League team

Mike Calvin explains why he believes Fulham’s Clint Dempsey doesn’t get the recognition he deserves in the Premier League.
Capable of more >

Competition

Win a Barcelona shirt signed by Andrés Iniesta!
Enter our competition >

Fanzone post of the week

A small dose of pain relief for Gers

Rangers give their fans a lift with an excellent showing in their Old Firm victory over Celtic.
Pain relief >

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