Liverpool- The Truth

Rafa must go. 5 wins in 18 matches is not good. For  a club like Liverpool it is horrifically bad. Man Utd aside, Wolves, Wigan, Everton and Debrecen are not exactly difficult opponents. These are who the 5 wins have came against. Not inspiring to say the least.

Rafa is clutching at straws, "our season starts..." has been thrown around lately. I can understand his thinking, 12 points behind in the league is not an insurmountable gap. With no Champions League, Rafa is thinking he can sneak points when the others are involved in big midweek encounters. But to do that you need a good enough squad, and well, he doesn't have it. Today against Wolves they looked devoid of ideas until the sending off. This led to a swell in confidence, coupled with a rash dive in from Wolves' right back and some typical Gerrard bravery/desire brought the opener.

"Is this the springboard for Liverpools season" I have heard this time and again from media pundits, springboard to what exactly? 7th at Christmas, out of the Champions League, 5 wins in 18. They are where they are for a reason. Which is 2 points infront of Birmingham. Face it, Liverpool are poor.

Also,  Alonso is becoming a better player with every game he does not play for Liverpool, I think he may be in the running for player of the year in England.

Alonso apart, Rafa has shopped pathetically, years of poor buys and a stubborn refusal to admit that, now weigh him down with the poor squad that will be  the end of him. Gerrard and Torres deserve to have a better supporting cast, especially in this, the most open of recent Premier League chases.  Rafa's massive contract is the only thing keeping him in a job, I believe he would have been sacked a few games ago, if they could have afforded to do it. He is living on borrowed time, or maybe until Jose gets kicked out of Italy.

I think it will be very interesting to see who is offered the job when Rafa goes. Any thoughts?

Hughes Sacked, Mancini In

No hanging about for the owners of Man City. No time for tabloids to link, Sven with a Sun-sational return, or Fergie Crosses the City for Cash, or Mourinho...blah blah. No, they clearly were unhappy with Hughes, so what did they do? Well they smiled and reassured him "No Sparky your jobs safe" while they went and found his successor. All very Machiavellian, but well, can you really blame them, I can't.

 I think Hughes did an OK job, but with the cash he spent he was always cutting down his time. It's a cruel irony, 'the more you spend the quicker the axe falls'... if your stumbling. I believe that Hughes was always going to struggle because he is just not 'Sexy' enough. You know that the owners want style and panache, they want Mourinho and Ronaldo in speedos oiled up, doing bicycle kicks in slow motion. Not some hard nosed Welsh bastid who's stare eats peoples souls.

The writing was on the wall when they failed to sign any of the big names they chased. Kaka, Terry et al all saying "erm thanks but no thanks, we'll just use your interest to get more cash from our clubs or new employers, but thanks again.". City might tell you Robinho is a superstar, but then again so was Juan Veron before he landed in Manchester. City could only attract second tier stars. That is the problem. Manchester City are trying to do a Chelsea, good luck to them, but they needed to re-evaluate their plan of action. And they did so, swiftly. They had a second tier manager, and he took them to where he knew, the second tier. Not even a victory could save him, the choice had already been made.

Mancini, all suave scarf and Marty Feldman love child looking, is for me a fantastic appointment. 3 Coppa Italia's with 3 different teams,  throw in 3 Scuddetto's with Inter and 2 Italian Super Cups, Inter's most successful manager for 30 years. Well it's not a poor CV is it?  The reason he left Inter was the failure in the Champions League, that is not a worry for City. His job will be to get them there. He is a top tier manager, who may just be able to attract the caliber of player that ultimately Hughes could not. I'm excited about the Mancini era, yet I'm sad Hughes has gone, I loved him as a player and I like him as a manager. I think it will be interesting what his next move will be, I could see him moving abroad if the right offer came up, Liverpool could do with a new man at the helm. But that's a post for another day.

*In other news

I'm delighted ESPN have finally realized that the commentators they were using were...how to put this...erm, Shite. Martin Tyler has been brought in for the World Cup, I hope they keep former US Captain John Harkes with him, and feed Tommy Smyth to a pack of feral children.

World Cup Draw

FIFA did everything they could to hype up the draw, and for once I agree with them. THIS IS THE WORLD CUP. Nothing on Earth unites people like the World Cup. NOTHING. 3 Billion people are estimated to have watched the last one. No language, no religion, nothing comes close to unifying people like the World Cup.

As for the draw itself, well some of us have to work so there was no tense viewing for me. I looked afterward and received my barrage of information, my eyes and my mind going crazy like a kid who got and Xbox 360, PS3, Scalectrix, AND a new ball for Christmas...where do you start?

I'll give a quick rundown and throw in a few predictions.

Group A

I think that South Africa will go through, swept up in the biggest moment of the players careers, I think it is a draw that suits them. I think France will top the group, if they decide to get their fingers out of their arses and stop being so... erm...French. Mexico will be waiting to pounce should France slip up.  I believe Uruguay are weak, although they will be confident after winning the play off.


Group B

My adopted team NIGERIA (the wifey is a Naija girl) to go through with Diego's Argentina. Greece and Korean Republic to pack their bags early.

Group C

En-gur-land (sorry lads) to top this group with my other adopted team USA to take second. I think that the US could get a draw from the first game. England are coming in with all the pressure and the first game is often difficult to adjust to. I think this is the best chance the US have. Should England pump the US, then US moral could be shot for good and Slovenia may be the biggest benefactors of this (and English Landlords)


Group D

Aptly named D. D for DEATH (dun dun dun) There is always one group that from the outset looks harder than quantum physics with a wine hangover, while taking jabs from Manny Pacquiao.  I'm going for Germany and Serbia to go through. But it will be tighter than a tight thing.


Group E

Holland and Cameroon. Holland to win the group and then I like Cameroon's chances just because I Samuel Eto'o is not Nicklas Bendtner


Group F

Italy may not need to try very hard to get out of this group. The other teams are poor with Slovakia taking runner up.


Group G

Another intriguing group. Brazil to win it, but not as easily as some think. I think if Ronaldo is in top form, not fannying about then Portugal have the chance of doing very well. Ivory Coast will be many people's dark horses. They have a wealth of talent with players playing all over Europe and when it boils down to who wants it most between Portugal and Ivory Coast? I'm taking Drogba and Co.


Group H

Spain at a canter, and then for runner up Chile, although I really really want Honduras to  get it, for the simple reason that my mother adopted them in 1978 and has never stopped talking about them!

Me watching a game on TV

"Ma who do you want to win?"

"Honduras"

"Ma it's the fecking Scottish Cup!!"

So those are my initial thoughts on the World Cup, ONLY 187 days to go. I am buzzing.

Super Barca

It was a build up fraught with nerves. Possible elimination from the competition for the current holders at this stage would have been highly embarrassing, just a few day before 'el clasico' it would have been a disaster. And, with their two mega stars out with injuries, and Barca losing top spot in La Liga, let's just say some Barca fans may have been having a wee 'squeaky bum' moment.

Fast forward two hours, Barca dished out a COMPLETE LESSON in how to play the game, cemented there position as best team in the world, and switched the pressure on to Real for the clasico. All without Messi and Zlatan. Not a bad days work.

Let us not underestimate this performance, they were fantastic, high pressing, sharp crisp passing, creative around the box, movement to die for...the list goes on and on. This was a coach's dream. The team who have arguably the best manager in the world and currently sit 5 points clear in Seria A were outclassed.

Mourinho, king of spin that he is pointed out that his team did well to keep it at 2-0. Well I'm sure Moratti will be delighted with that. "We got to half-time and Barcelona were playing brilliantly but we did not lose control. Some teams would lose three or four because there's such psychological pressure when you are in that position." I bet he thinks they won the second half 0-0.

The Barca fans had a dig at Mourinho by chanting "go to the theatre' but trust me, as a football fan Mourinho couldn't have been more entertained if he had gone to the theatre and, John Cleese was playing Alex Ferguson in a one man play called "Angry Whiskey Nose."

Barca were SUPER, roll on el clasico.

Football In Crisis (*dum dum duuuuuuum)

*That was dramatic drums for those of you not initiated in the world of dramatic drums.

So, Henry is a bigger villain than Darth Vader, Roy Keane comes across as, well, Roy Keane and oh, there is the small matter of the game's biggest match fixing scandal. Interesting times.

Firstly, Hand-ry, Tehandry Henry, Cheating French Arrogant Bastard, whatever you want to call him, he is being treated as if he just ate the baby Jesus live on T.V, while sodomizing an Alter Boy. People need to put things in perspective. And, Oh God I thought I'd never say this, (or the last sentence for that matter) but if your looking for perspective listen to Roy Keane. Keane should have been like every other Irishman, unhappy that his country were cheated out of the chance of going to the World Cup (everyone assumes that Ireland would have got there had the ball gone out of play) Yet Keane as only Keane can, basically told Ireland to stop crying and get on with it. And I agree wholeheartedly with him. Ireland had their chances, not only over the course of the two games but over the ENTIRE qualifying campaign. So as Keane stated they should be looking at their own mistakes and not those of the officials. Harsh but fair, which is how I believe Keane sees himself. but we all know that that view is a little askew.

The match fixing scandal (and probably the answer to Henry's prayers) worries me a great deal more than anything I have read about in football in a long time. I hope that people are caught and prosecuted, and the focus can go back to on field happenings. The negative light surounding football this week has been terrible, the Henry saga, match fixing and now topped off by the Egypt and Algeria saga. (Another post will follow)

Football has always had and always will have certain dubious charecteristics, but correctly at the core of the game, and the majority of fans hearts is the idea of fair play. Yet those who are clambering for justice, or retribution, should understand that football has never, and will never be a game where justice is meted out. Injustice is the fuel that our game runs on.

Light Relief

If you are already sick of the fall out from Henry's handball, here is something to warm your heart. Think of this as the 'happy' story at the end of the news. You know where the budgie dialed 999 and saved the old lady...

...well this maybe the greatest thing I have seen in a long time. Watch it once. Watch it again. Then go back and dissect it. It has the lot, spandex mousers, high kicks...it's like Miami Vice for Aerobics/soft core gay porn.

All I want to know is how do you pitch that idea "Guys, I have an idea, it will involve, leg warmers, spray tan, and possibly the gayest move ever seen on national T.V...who's in?"

WOW

The Main Problem

Henry's next visit to Dublin

I just seen the goal that sent France to South Africa. And I can honestly say

1.  I hope they get pumped
2. Thierry, Thierry, Thierry (shakes head) tsk tsk tsk, I thought you were better than that
3. I would have done the exact same thing

You see, that's the beautiful thing about sport, one man's hero is another man's villain. So as much as Henry is being pencilled in as next target man at rubber bullet testing night at the local I.R.A bar, he with that little instinctive flick of the wrist, has earned himself more free wine for the rest of his life than Dionysus had left overs.

As hard as it is to swallow, it is what makes the game special. Think Diego.

Reaping what you sow.

Scotland, the gorgeous land of my birth, with its mountains, glens, kilted men and  pale skinned women, and now the shittiest football team representing it that I can ever recall. EVER.

Scotland losing to Japan and then a complete humiliation in Cardiff to an understrength Welsh team was enough for the head honchos at the S.F.A  to call time on George Burley's tenure. And no, SFA does not stand for Sweet Fuck All, although you might be surprised because that has often been their M.O.

Of the names being touted around to succeed Burley I think that John Collins would be my pick, and of those not beng touted I would say Stevie Nichol but more of that later. Because if Jim Jeffries gets it then it shows that Scotland have chucked it, also Walter Smith is the man the bookmakers believe will take it. Yes, the same Walter Smith who left Scotland in the lurch to go to manage Rangers a few years ago. It seems some have a short memory, or should that be selective memory.

So Scotland are back to where we were 8 years ago, looking for a coach who can get us to a major championship. The major difference is the coach coming in then had some good players to pick. Well maybe not good but better than now. Darren Fletcher apart I do not think we have one other World Class player. and here is the point of my rambling "Why is that?" Why do Scotland not have any good players?

The answer I believe is a complex one that begins with Celtic and Rangers and carries on to the S.F.A, and other scottish clubs.

When Rangers changed the face of Scottish football in the 80's with Murray's millions little did we know that we would see the boom and bust in a matter of 20 years. Rangers (a club now toiling so badly in debt they can't find a buyer) can be credited for starting the demise of the Scottish national team. But they are not alone.  Celtic obviously followed suit with spending money and so a period followed when both clubs spent lots of money. But the thing is, I do not blame them. Celtic and Rangers could afford to spend. My problem lies with the smaller clubs who tried to emulate them.

As a player in the lower leagues, I saw first hand the 'foreign is better' mentality that swept Scotland in the late 90's and early 00's.  Managers all across the leagues were dying for that foreign flair. Why invest in youth, when it takes time to produce, when you can go get a 'complete' player. Now I happened to play with a huge amount of foreign guys and I can safely say the majority of them were average, one stands out because he was fantastic, Cedric Anselin but he played for Bordeaux with Zidane, so I expect him to be decent!! But the rest, well the rest all came from countries where they had their youth systems in order. So by the time these guys were failing in France or Spain, they could come to Scotland and look better in the lower leagues, and get payed good money for it too. Thus taking up the spots that would be filled with Scottish talent, the lower leagues should be a breeding ground of talent, where kids are given a chance to express themselves, and learn their trade.

Now this may sound like sour grapes, but believe me it is not. I ultimately was not good enough to succeed at the highest level but I had fun trying. My concern here is not for myself, but in trying to show where Scotland went wrong and how they can get it right. The current Scotland squad has no leaders. Players who are age 30+ the players who in any other international squad are the experienced ones, the calm heads, the lead by example men. Beckham and Ferdinand for England, Gallas and Henry for France, Buffon and Cannavarro for Italy. Scotland's best player of this generation was Barry Ferguson, and he told every one to Fuck Off, the other player in the squad of this age group is Barry Robson. I played against both and they were good players but the drop off after them is incredible. Yes we have a little talent-ish Riordan, Maloney, McFadden but they all share the distardly 'potential' tag, I'm sorry but by 25 you should be consistent with your 'potential'.

My point is Scotland is currently reaping what was sown well over 10 years ago. We have a dearth of talent in the country because the smaller teams tried to cheat the system and buy success. There was no emphasis on youth, our leagues were full of teams playing average foreign players instead of Scottish talent. This filtered down from the top two at times outrageously so. Hearts were paying some players $20,000 a week in 2000!

I think the penny dropped and now Scotland, again starting with Rangers and the completion of Murray Park (the fantastic training facility) Celtic followed with Lennoxtown (another superb facility) teams are trying to do the correct thing and focus on youth.  It just saddens me that I can not see Scotland qualify for a major tournament.The days of Dalglish, Souness, Hansen etc when England's best teams were littered with the cream of the Scottish crop seems like a far too distant memory, I think it will be even more distant until it happens again. And these fans deserve better than that.

P.S Stevie Nichol won't get the job because Scotland is too xenophobic for him to get a chance because he is coaching in an' inferior' league...newsflash Scotland, the MLS is every bit as good as the SPL. Beckham, Ljungberg, Donovan, Blanco...that is far more talent than plays in Scotland.

Soccer Savvy- Michael McBride

It brings me great pleasure to provide the first installment of Soccer Savvy, our series of interviews with people inside the world of soccer. I caught up with my old friend, Michael McBride, the physiotherapist for Coventry City FC and Scotland's national team, as he flew back from a recent friendly against Japan. He answered a few questions I had asked him, and I'm glad to have him here on the blog. 

1. Obviously apart from me ;) who is the most famous player you have put your magic hands on?

The most famous is relative, really- I suppose as what I think famous and what my dad does is different and I suppose also where you follow football. But I would probably say Darren Fletcher presently, Steve Staunton and Gary McAllister in my earlier days at Coventry. I also did a medical on Fabrizio Ravenilli but it didn’t go through.

2. What is the worst injury you have seen?

I've been kinda fortunate that I've not seen too many bad injuries, Broto (the goalkeeper at Livingston who then signed for Celtic) had a fracture dislocation of his ankle, which wasn’t great!!

3. If you had to choose an injury that you didn't want to try to come back from what would it be?

Ruptured Achilles and anterior cruciates aren’t nice either, not ones that I would want to recover from. 

4. What's the most gutted you have been in football?

I was devastated when Scotland never qualified for the Euros after having such great games against France at home and away, then losing out with the early Luca Toni goal, then the last minute Panucci header at the back post when it wasn’t even a foul on Alan Hutton. I was convinced that we would go through, nightmare. 

(Ed note: Cunt...)

5. Most happy?

At club level it's been good, there was obvious success at Livingston with the league promotions and European appearance in the UEFA cup. Coventry haven’t been near success to be disappointed with the failure. We have had reasonable cup runs last year- beating Blackburn then playing Chelsea at home. The year before, we went to Old Trafford and won 2-0.

6. What do you like most about your job?

It's being on trips like this that I realize just how lucky I am, to experience the extensive travel and see the cultures, people, and places really is a privilege and pleasure.

 
7. What's the best stadium you worked at?

San Siro

There've been loads of different stadiums I've liked for different reasons, whether it be the history, the result at the time, the atmosphere or indeed the facilities. I loved being at the San Siro when we played Italy. I grew up always hearing about it and seeing it on telly. The inside is unbelievably basic- the dressing rooms are very poor. The two Japanese stadiums were fantastic- the one last night was where the 2002 World Cup final was held, it's a huge place, absolutely vast. We trained there the night before the game and I was just messing about in the dressing room (each player has like a wee cubicle/booth type changing area). There was a white panel there that I pulled off to reveal a signed picture of Ronaldo- it was only the bloody place where he changed before scoring the two goals!!!! I tell you, Marky, what a buzz.

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama

8. Most intimidating atmosphere?

Hampden and Celtic Park are still excellent places for the atmosphere and I think I will find that hard to beat. The old Russian states are very intimidating. Moldova, Belarus and Georgia were not particularly pleasant visits but obviously great to experience.

 

9. Since you started in football, sport science has transformed attitudes, bodies and performance. What do you believe are the biggest changes and what do you see the future bringing to footballers?

Sports science has had a big influence in football definitely, we urine test the boys everyday for hydration levels, they wear heart rate monitors and we have ProZone which gives us every stat on a player you can imagine. We go a lot on distance covered, high intensity sprints passes completed, it is a fascinating area. I use it quite a bit for injury prevention and diagnosis. So for instance, I checked to see how many times in 5 games our goalkeeper kicked the ball: from ground, hand and pass backs. I then used this info to influence the coach to inform them about over-training and too much repeated kicking. This then reduced hip flexor and hamstring injuries in the goalkeepers. We review every injury that happens and look at the mechanism to help with the diagnosis and prognosis.

Lots of fitness work is now position specific and done to reproduce the stats from the ProZone stuff. Upper body weights and Olympic squats and lifts are a big thing at the moment. Technology is improving rapidly and football preparation is definitely a science. Some of the bigger clubs will start doing saliva tests to predict infection, illness and overtraining. It's exciting times.

10. What is your dream job? 

To work at this level is a dream job, but I would love to go further and work at a finals, either the World Cup or Euros- even just for those 3 group games. I think I would like to work in the premiership if the opportunity arose, but it is so difficult trying to get that opening. 

11. I recall that your favourite time of the week is 2.30 till 3.00 on a Saturday, because all the week's work is coming to a head, the nervous energy is abundant and everyone is buzzing. Is this still the same?

I cant believe you remembered that 2.30 was my favourite time!!! Yes, it still is and funnily enough, I was talking to George Burley at it just prior to the Macedonia game.

*******************************

Hope you enjoyed the interview, there will be more such as these in the future so look out for those.

Rafa-- Time to go?

"In the last 18 months, we have invested £128million on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better. Now if it's not getting better, it's not Gillett and Hicks, it's the manager, it's the scouting. You have to make sure you balance out your analysis." - Quotes attributed to Liverpool co-owner George Gillett do not exactly increase the American's reputation at Anfield. (Sky Sports)

OK they may not make the American popular at Anfield but that does not make him incorrect. I feel that this is a sound statement, and were it applied to any other business everyone would agree. Rafa has spent a shit load, over £150m.The man who is writing the cheques is clearly stating that he would like to see some return for his investment. What is wrong with that?

Liverpool were my pick to win the league this year, and they may still do, but they are 2 injuries (Torres and Gerrard) away from being a mid table team. Take those two out, and perhaps Glen Johnson and I'm not sure you have many outstanding players left, and I include Mascherano in that. Rafa has bought poorly. That is they key, he can moan and fiddle with the stats but that is the bottom line. N'gog, Babbel, Voronin etc etc these guys won't win you championships. The pressure for Aquilani to perform is now immense, the hole left by Alonso is far deeper than first thought, and only now is his worth truly revealed.

I think that Rafa has a whole lot to thank Torres and Gerrard for, although the Captain has been posted M.I.A for the last few weeks, and if Liverpool are to still be in with a shout at Christmas Stevie la, needs to shake off the court case and get his finger out. But it will be interesting to see what Rafa can blame his lack of success on next, it certainly isn't lack of money, or behind the scenes politics, perhaps a long hard look in the mirror is required to finally reveal just why Liverpool are underachieving.

Refreshing

It was great to see the human side of the robot-refs this weekend in Scotland. The referee from the Rangers v Celtic derby came out and openly admitted he made a mistake. Whatever next? The SFA gathers its senses and moves the kick off back to a normal time? I won't be holding my breath.

The Dark Side of Barca

    Football is the biggest sport in the world, no questions asked. Football World Cups are as important, if not more important than any other event. People care about their teams and players as if they were part of their families. Every day we hear news about such and such a player, we know their personal lives, what food they like, what music they listen to, or what car they drive. That is the impact that football has in our lives, and some people take advantage of it.

    During the last couple of years F.C Barcelona has been on the news, both for issues related to sports and  matters which have nothing to do with any sport. Two years ago most of the sections (football, basketball, handball, etc) were not doing very well; and that was concerning many people. Last year the football team achieved the wonderful ``TRIPLETE´´ and the basketball team obtained the double (league, and cup). Some other teams are doing better and working in the right direction. This is a natural thing. Teams go through ups and downs. You cannot win every year and that is part of this business.

    What has been constant is the quantity of trouble generated inside the club from its own directors and of course its president. Let´s go back a few years to understand the whole situation. When president Laporta was elected in 2003 he came with a new crew of vice presidents and other executives. According to him they were all very loyal and very important in his project. Two men had more importance than the rest : Sandro Rosell, and Ferran Soriano. Rosell was the sports vice president and he played a key role in signing Ronaldinho and Deco. His contacts and his knowledge of the South American market were very important for the club. Soriano was the economics vice president. He managed to put the club back in a profitable position, generating great profits; and all obtained thanks to some of his innovative marketing strategies. Surprisingly, these two characters and many other important executives are no longer part of the current board. Apparently the liberal and consensual Joan Laporta changed into a bit more dictatorial president, whowith  the fame obtained after winning two leagues and one Champions League (including a double) twisted his habits. Many members of the board disagreed with his new policies and most of the initial crew is no longer there. Maybe an accidental casualty? But the reality is the club started to fall apart. Internal problems, difficulties dealing with the players, all kind of things started to happen.

    Laporta started very well in 2003. He was an interesting character who proposed new ways to bring the club back where it belonged. Sometimes he showed his ``catalanism´´, but not to a big extent. He started getting rid of the radical supporters. His zero tolerance worked very well and the whole country admired him for that. But after a couple of years, when he was feeling powerful, he started to involve himself in areas where the president of a big club such as Barcelona should not get involved. He continuously declared his political views (independency for Cataluña as another country), and constantly important members of the board were leaving their charges. Half of the country did not like him, and half of the Catalunians did not either. But the worst moment for him was in Summer 2008 when the stockholders tried to get rid of him even out of an electoral process. There is a legal way to do that if more than 66% of the club affiliates vote for it. People vote and a very impressive 60.60% voted against the current president. It was not enough but the message was out there. People do not like him anymore.

    Since then, F.C Barcelona seems more like the White House than a football club. Next summer there are elections for a new president. Laporta cannot present himself again but he is preparing a few candidates who will follow his tendency and obviously will provide him a good spot in the highest circles of the club. The last scandal was raised when some Spanish media found out that the club was actually spying on 4 of the current vice presidents (some of them could present themselves as candidates in the summer). Laporta said that he had nothing to do with that, and executive vice president Oliver claimed that it was necessary for the club to obtain information of potential club presidents.  He keeps using his position as the president of one of the biggest clubs in the world to expand his political views. He is making strides in politics at the club´s expenses. Some people are starting to identify the whole structure as Laporta´s stepping stone. That is not true. Barça supporters only want the club to do well, mostly concern with the football team. Laporta is very lucky that Guardiola is there (by the way Laporta wanted Mourinho for that position). Hopefully all this will be over in the summer and everyone will talk just about Messi, Xavi, or Ricky Rubio (basketball star). The next president, hopefully Rosell, must be focused in sports and the club´s good image.



Posted by Nando

Rangers v Celtic

Hatred will commence at Ibrox Park 7:30am EST Sunday Oct 4th.

Outcome?

Average level of football, lots of running around like madmen, bigotry, minor violence, the Queen and the Pope will be F***ed to heaven or hell, 1000's of hangovers, 55,000 incorrect historians, blood, sweat snotters and tears.

Bonnie Scotland

Made Me Smile

Just to see a centre half get a bit of a shoeing today. The less physical the Prem and football in general becomes the better, well if you are Fifa and Uefa that is, but I am more of an old school type. So to see Kenwyne Jones and Nemanja Vidic go at it today was refreshing. What made it better was that Jones dominated Vidic, I loved this because as a 5ft 8 striker, centre halfs have had their way with me many a time (insert own Carry On joke here)

And props to the ref who let it go.

Between Two

It has been only 5 games, but everyone’s shared fear seems to be becoming true. La Liga is going to be a race between Real Madrid and F.C Barcelona. Both teams have a perfect record so far, and they have not suffered too much to win their games. Sevilla are almost keeping up the pace, but who knows if they can handle the intensity all year. Hopefully they can. There are different ways to analyze this differences. The first one which claims that these two clubs are too good, have spent much more money than the rest and they are almost impossible to catch. The other view reasons that the Spanish league is losing its level and the middle class is not good enough to compete with the big ones. In my opinion, it has to do more with the first explanation. Money talks. Either way this is not good for the league.

Madrid started the league the same way they finished last year. It does not matter how they play, it is the result that is important. They have been very effective and the newcomers are solving the hard situations. However, the team is not playing very well, and it has caused some disappointment in Spain. After the big spending, people are expecting so see a magnificent football team. It is still very early, but it is true that Pellegrini should get more out of that much talent. Critics believe that it is interesting that teams like Xerez, Tenerife, or Deportivo challenged Madrid so much on the field. Results showed big differences, but the performance on the field proved that the team is having problems keeping the ball and creating good chances. But at the end of the day they have so much power going forward that the goals end up coming. One day Ronaldo scores a free kick, the next one Kaka brings out some magic, or if not; the 7 is always there to be the smartest of the class once more. It has been very important Guti and Granero´s contribution to the team. These two ``underdogs´´ have taken responsibility in those moments when the big names could not solve the problems.

Barça in the other hand seems to be getting back to their good habits. After a sloppy start, Guardiola´s pupils seem to keep using the same methods. The ball is not moving as fast as it used to, but the concept is there and game after game they look a bit better. Nonetheless in some occasions they found themselves with tougher opposition than expected. Some people believe that the team prepared the season to be at their best fitness around November and then April. Some others think that teams already know what Barcelona do and they try to stop them by slowing them down with fouls and ultra-defensive strategies. This is part of the game and Messi and company must find the solutions to overcome these difficulties. So far the Argentinean and Zlatan are putting the goals on the table, but again it is Xavi who is directing the orchestra. Soon Iniesta will be back and probably he will send Henry to the bench. The Frenchman is not going through a good time and he needs to step up if he does not want to see his last days in Barcelona from the bench.

The other duel within the duel is Ronaldo vs Messi. The Portuguese star is not playing at his best level but his ability to score and decide games is out of question. He is an athlete and he has all the physical conditions to be the football icon in the next years. Messi is more of a team player. He understands better his role as member of a group. He helps the midfielders to create chances and his quick transitions allow the team to move the ball quickly. He always finds a partner (Alves, Iniesta, Xavi, and now Ibraimovich), and he has improved his scoring numbers.

I would like to mention another character: David Villa. ``El Guaje´´ is always there. Even though Valencia are not doing that well, he keeps scoring goals. So far he is the top scorer of the league and his ambition to succeed will never stop. He knows that next summer he will have the chance to shine like no one else has done before for Spain in South Africa, and that motivation will keep him on scoring track.

So probably La Liga is going to be a duopoly. Hopefully Sevilla can get there, and teams like Valencia, Atletico, or Villareal get back on their feet. This Sunday the ``Merengues´´ are visiting Luis Fabiano and his mates. After that game we could see if there is any hope for the rest or we will have to wait for the Clasico to see who goes on top.

Posted by Nando

Soapbox

OK, lots of little things to get off my chest, so bear with me. First and let me be clear about this. EL HADJ DIOUF YOU ARE A WANK.

Ah that is better, I just had to say it, as annoying a footballer as I have ever come across. Like a bad mix of Gary Neville and Joey Barton, with a touch of Craig Bellamy. Speaking of Bellamy I truly believe he gets a real raw deal in the media, is it because he is Welsh? I really think it is, because if an English player was performing like Bellamy all of their indiscretions would be smoothed over (think Rooney) I hope that people get off his back and judge him on the football, because his work rate, finishing and desire outshine his temper.

Anyway Diouf's "F**K off white boy" has opened up a huge can of worms, and the racism card has been spouted from all sides. Diouf claimed that bananas were thrown at him from the Goodison crowd, which when investigated proved to be false. But it has led to so called experts giving us their opinion on what racism is. Sadly people with far reaching readership have been spouting absolute SHITE. Gabrielle Marcotti, a journalist who I admired and respected has clearly lost his mind. I was appalled on reading this, Marcotti if you read this (ha-ha) racism is racism and for you to suggest otherwise is disgraceful. I could go on and on and spout my views but I can't be arsed, if Marcotti and others believe that then God help us all.

Things that piss me off. Managers who think that it all about them, remember Phil-facial hair experiment- Brown talking to his players on the pitch at half time, well Mickey Adams has now joined him by putting his entire squad on the transfer list. What a Muppet, that is a great way to win over your dressing room by singling players out for not performing in the reserves! The fact that in the same statement he talks of being told that the budget was spent when he arrived and now his reaction is this, get rid of everyone. Here is a revolutionary solution Mr. Adams instead of blaming the players, why don't you try and coach them to be better, is that not your job? You are a coach/manager, not a shopper, work with what you have and make them better, oh wait you can't because YOU are not good enough.

Still on managers pissing me off. Steve Bruce, apart from the fact that his nose looks like his two nostrils are playing Twister against each other, his rant about Darren Bent giving Kenwyne Jones the penalty. "That is something you do with your mates, not in the Premier League" OK fair enough I get his idea of professionalism etc but wait hang on this is coming from a guy who doesn't watch penalties because he is superstitious. I mean COME ON, what is it Steve, do you think the Penalty Pixies will come steal all your good luck if you happen to eyeball one? Muppet.

Some interesting tidbits from Spain, Barca spying on their own directors, could this be considered industrial espionage? Our Spanish man will be giving us the lowdown soon on all things Espana. I am loving the fact that Ibra is silencing the mainly English critics by having the best start EVER for any newcomer to Barca, better than Romario, Ronaldo and even Lineker ;) Also Ronaldo's strop where he ignored the hand of his manager has led to a slight backlash against Pelligrini's rotation system, so it will be interesting to watch the developments there. Having said that Messi, Ronaldo Ibra, and Villa are setting La Liga on fire, lets hope it continues.

New Look, Upcoming Events...and erm stuff.

Ok, you may have noticed the severe inactivity of the past week. My deepest apologies, but a severe dose of house cleaning was required, and this is the result. New look and a new direction for the blog. Although it is not completely finished (we still have a few thing to iron out) I'm sure you will agree it looks better, is easier to use and is more up to date, kind of like a second wife.

We have been getting some things together behind the scenes here and I'm happy to tell you we have some amazing and unique interviews with some incredible football people. A former International captain who played in  two World Cups -  we have someone who is at the cutting edge of Sports Science and is a current International team physio- and we have a Top Ten ranked College Coach.

Those will all be with you soon, and we are working on an Ex S.P.L,  ex Eredivisie, Ex MLS, and current Premiership player. (Not all the same person!)

Here at Tricky Left Winger, we don't just want to talk about the game, we want to take you inside, inside the heads of the guys who have done/do it at the highest level. So we hope you enjoy the new look and enjoy the blog. Remember to comment, anything goes as long as it is football.

Love and Peace
TLW

God versus the Devil

It could be the final. Well if Inter aren't as they usually are, shit in Europe, it might still be. All of the build up will be overshadowed by Zlatan v Eto'o. But the mouth watering aspect of this tie for me, has to be Mourinho v Guardiola.




Mourinho epitomizes all that is evil in football. Perhaps on Earth. Maybe the Universe, who knows? His arrogance and utter contempt for established football figures is bad enough, but add to that his shocking style of football that he carries from team to team, like a poisoned chalice, makes him about as popular as a fresh turd on a honeymooners pillow. His ego puts Kanye West's in the shadow! Just overall Mourinho is, well, a not very likeable person. Yes, his record speaks for itself, and that is what ultimately counts, but doing it with class and dignity will always be beyond him.

Speaking of class and dignity Guardiola is Skywalker to Mourinho's Vader. He is the saviour of football. His swashbuckling Barca squad swept all before them last year, playing the game the 'proper way', beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, rampaging attacking football. Maybe stopping off mid counter attack to rescue some drowning orphans. You get the picture.

There is more than three points to fight for, there is a whole footballing philosophy at stake. The dark side has been on the rise for years, 1-o's, dire football, grinding results. Can Barca defeat them? Wouldn't it be great if Inter came out and played the 'beautiful way' and out Barca'd Barca? Can Pep out think the man who has a love hate relationship with his (Pep's) job? I could go on all night...lets just say I am excited...and if it's 0-0 then all is lost.

True Cost of Tevez to City $140m?

If this is true then I for one am astonished. Man Utd must be pissing themselves laughing all the way to the bank, well until they get there and realize it is a mere drop in the ocean of the sums of money that they owe.

Man City, well, it really is more about a statement of intent rather than the actual player. This was an Arab flexing of muscle to the Glazier Family. We have money, we are willing to spend it, so how are you going to react? Everyone knows Tevez isn't worth that money, and as Fergie stated he is not worth the $41m that was originally thought to be the price. So for it to turn into $140m over 5 years is astounding.

The 'Super Agent" Kia Joorabchian is shadier than a comic book villian, I wonder just how much of this inflated tranfer fee is lining his pockets?

Prem Predictions #4

OK here are this weeks predictions.

Blackburn v Wolverhampton, Draw
Liverpool v Burnley, Liverpool
Man City v Arsenal, Arsenal
Portsmouth v Bolton, Bolton
Stoke v Chelsea, Chelsea
Sunderland v Hull, Sunderland
Tottenham v Man Utd, Draw
Wigan v West Ham, West Ham

Birmingham v Aston Villa, 12:00 Draw
Fulham v Everton, 16:15 Everton

I'm not too confident this week, there are a few dodgy games that could go either way but my treble is Liverpool Chelsea and Sunderland

Anti-Football- The Nando View

We all know what people mean when they use this phrase. It is beyond specific definitions, or dictionary standards. It is and idea or concept of bad football.

This sport is the best one in the world because of its attractiveness and the passions it arises. Nowadays football is more than a simple sport; it is a show and it is entertainment. The Premier League understood this concept, and that is why it is the best promoted and marketed league in the world. People around the globe like the way the game is played, its intensity, its fair play, and how most of the teams of the league have one thing in their minds, score goals from the very first minute of the game and get as many as you can. All this is producing huge revenues from TV and sponsors contracts, and stadiums are full game after game.

Goals and a good game is the soul of this game, its essence; basically the main point of this magnificent sport. There are many ways to win and to play the game, and each coach or team could pick the one they wanted. It is legitimate, and it is right.

ANTI-FOOTBALL is the way some teams approach the game in order to make sure the other team does not play at all, at any cost. If it is necessary to make 30 fouls a game, waste every second of the 90 minutes, and put the ball in the sky every time there is a chance; that is what is needed to be done. “Let’s make sure the other team does not create anything, and maybe if we are lucky we will find some way to create something”. ANTI-FOOTBALL tries to reduce the game to the aspects in which chance or luck count the most. “Maybe we score in a corner, or a free kick, or if we are lucky we will get an own goal or a deflection, that does not matter; most important thing is they do not play, do not move the ball and if they attempt: FOUL”.

Football is about looking for some way to win the game or find the opponents net. There are many ways to achieve that, you can play long, short, counter-attack, etc. But ANTI-FOOTBALL does not want to know about it. Just make sure the other team does not pursue its plan, and then who knows.

It is hard to believe that Sir Alex’ plan to beat Arsenal was that Diaby would score a great header on his own goal, and Almunia would make a stupid penalty when Rooney’s touch was going to the corner flag. I understand teams like Rangers, Siena, Stoke, or Mallorca playing like that. They do not have players to do much better, they do not have the money to build big teams. But it is embarrassing the way Inter Milan, Chelsea, or Real Madrid approached the game the last few seasons, considering the players they had and the money they spent. And it is more embarrassing that the great Manchester United play in front of their own crowd with one striker and ten guys behind the ball and their only idea is to chase 18 and 19 year old Arsenal players and put them on the ground. Is it not true? Is not Fergie able to present a better approach to the game with players like Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Valencia, Rooney, or Fletcher?

Being tough defensively does not mean you have to give up on attacking. F.C Barcelona was an exhibition of offensive football during the last year, and they conceded the least amount of goals in the Spanish league and they were first or second in this category in the champions league. Not to mention the amount of titles all this provided. And they were physical, they had players like Keita, Puyol, Toure, Pique, Marquez, Dani Alves, or Sergio Busquets. They are all physical and they are tough players, but they also want the ball and they also want to use it properly. There are more examples of teams which combine being aggressive with playing well, they are no opposite concepts.

Fans go to the stadiums to enjoy and entertain themselves and if not they will stop going or ask for explanations. Why was Capello or Schuster fired after winning the Spanish League? Why was Mancini fired after winning two Scudettos? Why are Italian stadiums empty? Everyone knows why, because they all play boring football, actually ANTI-FOOTBALL.

*Once again thanks to Nando for posting.

Scotland...go f**K yerself!!

It is ALWAYS the same. ALWAYS! You give us that little glimmer of hope that this time it might be different. This time will be the magical time. This time you wont be like the drug addict, who promises that they have changed and wants to borrow $100 and swears it aint for drugs. Well Scotland I gave you my $100 of faith and you repaid me the only way you know how...you ripped my fucking heart out. You bought your drugs.

Plucky. Spirited. Bravehearts. You will read all the usual jingoistic bullshit tomorrow. And you will get that feeling that is all to common. Another big tournament that we will watch on the T.V.

Yes, we gave the Dutch a run for their money. The team ranked 3rd in the World. "We were unlucky" "If only Miller had scored" or "If Miller's shot that hit the bar went in" etc etc these all equate to one thing. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. YOU HEAR ME. N-O-T G-O-O-D E-N-O-U-G-H!!

All of the above "what if's" are equivalent of saying "well if we had Torres up front with Rooney just off..." basically it is the same excuses over and over. If my Granny had balls, well she would be my Grandpa. You get what I'm saying.

The damage was done away long before tonight. So for those out there that want to paint the picture of the Gallant Scots mull this over. Our qualifying record consists of 2 wins over Iceland, 1 win over Macedonia, and a draw with Norway. That is the kind of form that would have Kaka reaching for the toilet roll, I'm sure th shit was rolling down his legs worrying about facing a team that could pull of those astonishing feats. Or maybe he just shat himself laughing.

I do not know where we go from here. I honestly do not. We tried Bertie, Wattie fucked off, and Burley will get bombed. I have no clue as to what is next. I hoped that we would have been soundly beaten rather than being nearly men again. Even the goal, it was not the Total Football 52 pass monster we expected where, Van Persie riding a unicycle nutmegs 10 men and Marshall then slots it home before disappearing in a puff of orange smoke. It was, a hump up the park, an old 39 year old man couldn't move his legs fast enough, then falls over, but not before cushioning the ball into the Dutch Usain Bolt, who promptly made Marshall fall before slotting it in. It was a goal Scotland would score. If we didn't have the shite Kenny Miller up front, but hey ho he tries hard. Do one.

My misery is a seething rage combined with pure dejection. The first text I got after the game was from a fellow Scot "Devastation doesn't quite cover it somehow"

So very very true.

The ba's burst.

Predictions #3 reprise

70% that is very good. Yes and I am saying that myself.

Also my treble came in.

will post weekends predictions on Friday.

Anti-Football the Truth

Anti Football. Not the wife of your dad's brother. The much used buzz word since Arsene Wenger used it to describe Man Utd's physical approach to his team of pirouetting perfectionists. The phrase has of course has been around for some time now. Most famously when Lionel Messi accused Rangers of "Anti-futbol" at Ibrox after a 0-0 encounter.

As the great wise Wikipedia declares it "a robust style of play."

Now I know the co author of this blog, Nando disagrees with me completely on this subject but as he is not writing it you will have to deal with my thoughts, (hopefully he will write a peice in response)

Anti-Football doesn't exist. There I have said it. Simple.

Not simple I hear you cry, ok well let me explain. Nowhere in the rules of the game does it state that you to come out and win the game by playing attractive, free flowing, orgasm to the eyes football. We ALL would love to see the game played that way, where teams just come out and have a go at each other and someone wins 11-9. But that is like saying wouldn't it be nice if all guns were used as flower pots. Nice thought but nonsense.

Teams who are physical and who break the laws of the game are punished. That is what referees are for. The referee can not stop the game and say" Hey, you guys had 10 men behind the ball, how is Van Persie supposed to score if you pesky kids keep defending? Tsk Tsk Fre Kick to Arsenal"But he can book and send people off who break the rules of the game. You following?

"Anti-Football" is the complete opposite of what is the common perception of it . To look at it properly you need to think of it as "Total Football" not the Dutch affair but from a deconstructionalist point of view. It is a mere tactic of the game. Not popular, not entertaining, but it IS part of the game. For Wenger, Messi and co, there ideals will always be that of minimal contact, and attacking as the only option, as romantic as this is it is also ignorant. The imagination and guile that it takes to break down an "Anti Football" defence or the long ball bombardment, whatever it takes to overcome- this IS the game. How you and your players deal with different situations that are put infront of you. It has provided countless incredible memories like this (not exactly an Anti Football defence but you get the 'whatever it takes" mentality)

Physical football is still football. Defensive football is still football. It can not always be the poster boys having there way. As a pro I have waked off the field happier with a scrappy 0-0 where we had to defend with our lives for 90 mins, than times when we won 5-0. You play to your strengths. Rangers did it against Barca, Celtic have done it for years at Celtic Park in Champions League. Man Utd got stuck into Arsenal because they knew that they couldn't handle it. Fergie is not the manager he is without being acutely aware of his oppositions weaknesses. Arsenal have flair, panache, amazing skill, yet they lack a little grit. Why wouldn't an opposition manager test that. If he didn't then he would be going into battle not fully prepared and therefore doing his ream and fans a disservice.

So for me "Football" is Football, whether you use the prefix anti, defensive or eye poppingly stunning. It is ALL football.

Predictions #3

So I'm just over 50% for my predictions so far, but a stonking (if I do say so myself) 3-1 correct score on Wednesday with Arsenal and Celtic gives me a little more confidence. so here are my Prem predictions.

I am adding my Treble to it also. My 3 team 'certs' hahaha

Also if anyone wants to give us their tips or certs feel free. Any league is welcome.

Saturday 29th August

Blackburn v West Ham, 15:00 Draw Draw
Bolton v Liverpool, 15:00 Liverpool Liverpool
Chelsea v Burnley, 12:45 Chelsea Chelsea
Man Utd v Arsenal, 17:15 Draw Man Utd
Stoke v Sunderland, 15:00 Sunderland Stoke
Tottenham v Birmingham, 15:00 Tottenham Tottenham
Wolverhampton v Hull, 15:00 Wolves Draw

Sunday 30th August

Aston Villa v Fulham, 16:00 Aston Villa Villa
Everton v Wigan, 15:00 Everton Everton
Portsmouth v Man City, 13:30 Man City City

My Treble = Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton

If you are having a punt good luck and let us know how you did.

The 'Fall'out of Eduardo's dive

Eduardo dived. He knows that. Celtic know that. Wenger knows that. UEFA know that. Whether we like it or not it IS part of the game. Congratulations to UEFA for trying to make a statement, but I don't think Celtic fans will feel better about it. The goal was THE crucial goal of the tie. Him being banned will not make the board at Celtic park sleep any better thinking about the $20m that just slipped through their grasp.

Ask ANY manager in the world, last minute of World Cup final, Champions League final, league decider, any must win game, "would they condone their player doing what Eduardo did?"

Every single one would be out there putting the springboard in place so that Jonny Diver could catapult himself through the air and win his team the penalty.

Shit reality, but reality none the less.

Arsenal v Celtic- Luck of the...erm better team!

Arsenal cruised past Celtic with less fuss than most imagined. Celtic were outclassed in every department. Arsenal were bigger, stronger, quicker, cuter, better on the ball, better off the ball. Sure Arsenal were lucky over both legs at certain times, both goals in Glasgow, and the penalty tonight. But the long qouted cliche "you make your own luck" is sometimes very true.

How to sum this tie up? Arsenal brought on Arshavin, Celtic brought on Willo Flood. 'Nuff said.

The reality is that an Arsenal side in full flight (they didn't get beyond 3rd gear in any of the legs in this tie) will always bring more to the Champions League than a plucky, fighting Celtic. Arsenal dealt with the huff and I'll puff attitude and just did what they are good at, playing football.

Europa League it is for the Hoops, but even then, they will have to improve dramatically if they are to have an extended run in Europe, even at the 2nd tier. As for Arsenal, the real test for them will be this weekend against Man Utd, who I can assure you will NOT be bringing on Willo Flood.

PS- Thanks to Donati's volley I am now gutted that I never bet the correct score I predicted!

Arsenal v Celtic

Celtic have to score first. Mowbray has been saying that for a week now, but if Celtic come out all gung ho against one of the best counter attacking teams in the world then it will be tie over before you can say "Drunk Scottish men in London."

I think that will be the case, I think it will end up Arsenal 3 Celtic 1 on the night.

Fantastic Article from The Sweeper

Over at Pitch Invasion I found this interesting article on Africa and the Premiership. Well worth a read.

Platini´s disaster

UEFA´s new organizational system has received all kind of criticism since Michel Platini was elected president of the highest European football association. The Frenchman behaves more as a politician than a football man. His desire for obtaining votes and good relationships has blinded him from the most important: the welfare of European football.

It is well known that Platini started his campaign claiming the right for countries who have a lower level in football to have more participation in the continental competitions. The new president committed himself to give these countries the chance to be more relevant in the international competitions; both for national teams, and club teams.

When it comes to national team football, the first problem aroused when deciding that the Eurocup in 2012 would be organized by Ukraine and Poland, and these two nations will qualify directly to the tournament. Ukraine had not qualified in the two previous tournaments and Poland qualified for the last one, earning only one point.

Platini has tried to redeem himself and is considering creating a tournament with 24 teams instead of 16, which was not his idea. In this way all the top teams will most likely make it to the final tournament and some weak teams will have the chance to participate in this event. Thus making the qualifiers a bit pointless.

But the big mess appears when we look at the Champions League and European League qualification rounds. Big teams like Arsenal and Celtic or Atletico Madrid and Panathinaikos are matched in one side, and then there are games such as Levski Sofia vs Debreceni VSC, or FK Ventspils vs FC Zurich. I do not mean to disrespect these teams but they are not ready to participate in the best football competition in the world. Once they make it to the group stage they get killed by the rest of the teams and the sometimes do not even get a single point. I do not understand how historic teams like Celtic or Sporting Lisbon will probably not be in the Champions League, but we will see FC Kobenhavn or APOEL FC. Do you want to shell out your hard earned cash to see them or the better clubs? Hmmm tough one, do I want to watch Arsenal with Fabregas and friends or do I want to watch Hans the Lumberjack and his buddies?

The new European League has been created to be a secondary European competition where some clubs can test themselves out of their own countries and compare their level with other top teams. But again the differences will be tremendous in this competition. Clubs like Everton, Valencia or Werder Bremen are much better prepared than MFK Kosice or FK Qarabag to win the tournament.

Platini´s idea of making football more equal and more competitive is not working at all. To me it is going in the opposite direction and some clubs are realizing just how far away they are from clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona, or Inter Milan. It is sad to see Champions League games played on artificial grass in which the home team loses 4-0, this is supposed to be the hardest competition on planet Earth, so lets make it that and keep the ‘pub’ teams out.

Posted by Nando

Predictions #2

I'm going to try and do this every week, the midweek games sometimes catch me out, so bear with me.

Arsenal v Portsmouth Arsenal Arsenal
Birmingham v Stoke Draw Draw
Hull v Bolton Draw Hull
Man City v Wolverhampton Man City Man City
Sunderland v Blackburn Draw Sunderland
Wigan v Man Utd Man Utd Man Utd

Sunday
Burnley v Everton Everton Burnley
Fulham v Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea
West Ham v Tottenham Tottenham Tottenham

The Beckham Experiment

Just finished reading this. I recommend it thoroughly, it is a fascinating book that gives a rare insight into the Machiavellian feats that were used to make this move possible. It is a fantastic football book. Especially insightful in its look at the MLS as a whole. Players on $12,900 a year. Now that is dedication.

Buy it or borrow it. Or steal it from someone you don't like

Round Up

A great opening weekend in the Prem, great goals (Denilson,Rodallega,Noble and Drogba) Some stunning performances (Arsenal) and some poor (Liverpool.) Things really got interesting tonight with Burnley beating Man Utd. I for one am delighted about this result, not because I hate Man Utd (I don't I love watching them) but the reason is that, Owen Coyle is genuinely one of the nicest men in football. And as an ex team mate I'll always want to see him do well.

On Sunday Glenn Hoddle claimed Spurs have a better squad than Liverpool. I'm not sure if he is correct, they may have numerous forwards but as an overall squad I'm not sure. What was clearly apparent on Sunday was Liverpool missing Alonso. As a replacement they could do worse than sign Tom Huddlestone who I believe could be a present day Jan Molby. His range of passing is exquisite, if he had some "water carriers' along side him (Mascherano) I feel he could be the ideal candidate to play the killer balls to Torres and Gerrard. Speaking of Gerrard I loved the Spurs fans chorus' of "You're supposed to be inside" and "Self Defence your having a laugh" those cheeky cockney chappies ya gotta love em.

One plus I felt for Liverpool was Glen Johnson, who I said at the time Chelsea fecked up big time by letting him go. Also the astonishing fact that Martin Tyler gushed out "Torres ratio is better than Rush and Fowler's 50 games-36 goals" Now that would be like telling A Catholic that Pope Benedict has more miracles than Jesus and spent an extra few days on the cross before coming back a day earlier. Do red scousers feel Torres is better than both KOP Gods?

It was good to see that humility and football have not become too estranged. Fabregas' tribute to the late Dani Jarque of Espanyol was a nice touch.

Liverpool bounced back with 4 at home tonight but Aquilani will be needed sooner rather than later.

oh and I believe I hit 50% for my predictions...more will follow.

Prem Predictions

Thought I'd have a laugh and try and post my prediction for the weekends results.

Barclays Premier League
Saturday
My Predictions

Aston Villa v Wigan, 15:00 Villa
Blackburn v Man City, 15:00 Man City
Bolton v Sunderland, 15:00 Sunderland
Chelsea v Hull, 12:45 Chelsea
Everton v Arsenal, 17:30 Draw
Portsmouth v Fulham, 15:00 Draw
Stoke v Burnley, 15:00 Draw
Wolverhampton v West Ham, 15:00 West Ham

Sunday
Man Utd v Birmingham, 13:30 Man Utd
Tottenham v Liverpool, 16:00 Draw