Djnima – I wanted to hear your thoughts on your fellow Fox Football Pundit Nick "get the beers in" Webster.
I do admit that his prediction does look set to come true, but who knows who else Fergie can bring to the team in January. I hope for the leagues sake that it does go down to the wire. I think Chelsea need to reinforce the back four and bringing Cech back will help. I do think Utd were unlucky to come away with a result. They don't seem to "go for the jugular" as Fergie puts it. Thoughts?
Bobby - I think I would like to comment on it from my perspective rather than providing my thoughts Nick’s article. First of all, I picked Chelsea to win the Premiership this season and I still think come May they will be the champions. However, the shine has been removed from Chelsea this season-this is not the team we have seen the last two years. A pattern has evolved whereby Chelsea get behind in a game or are having trouble breaking down the opposition -- Newcastle as an example – then Essien moves to wingback, they throw on another forward or two and they finish up getting a result.
Chelsea is allowing the opposition to score first to a far greater extent than we have seen before. They have also all lost to Middlesbrough and Spurs after taking the lead. If they don't get themselves sorted out they will drop more points. By now teams should know what to expect in terms of the Essien move and you should see teams adjust their tactics accordingly. Clearly Mourinho has been unable to sort out the predicament of Michael Ballack and Frank Lampard essentially occupying the same position. It is a bit like the Lampard/Gerrard problem that England suffers with. Chelsea has relied on a few players to bale them out this season- Drogba perhaps being the most prominent.
Henry14 - Gone are the days that you would look at the league fixture as an arsenal fan and predict a win on Saturday l noticed something that l never thought would happen. A new all time low was recorded in the gunners’ team. Surely the young team has made the standards of the arsenal team fall. l could not believe that drawing with Portsmouth is now seen as symbol of character, something that was unheard of a few seasons ago. Arsenal built their reputation on thrashing all the teams they have drawn with at home. Half the season have gone one has come to a conclusion that surely some of the players are highly overrated. l watched the Portsmouth game twice and suddenly saw that they is no longer any pride in pulling the Arsenal jersey. RVP, Clichy, Eboue, Hleb, Toure, Djouru have all been a disgrace this season. l could not believe that we can not have a two match winning streak. These players has been living in the glory of Pires, Bergkamp, Henry, Vieira, Ashley Cole, Sol, Lauren to such an extent that they are happy to have the ego that comes with it but not the performance. These players have not stepped up and to show how their ego affects them after a performance like that some of them go to the media and claims their can still win the league which is disrespectful to the fans. They are young but so are 11 of the 20 teams in the Premiership and if they are not careful they are staring at UEFA cup football in the face and an empty stadium. The reality that Wenger hides from is that he should sign two or three good experienced players in midfield and attack.
Do you think there is any better country at producing strikers like Italy, if you look at their goal scoring chart over the seasons it is amazing. And what do you think about Sheffield United.
Bobby - Henry14, I am beginning to get bit concerned that you are going to do yourself a mischief jumping on and off the Arsenal wagon. You're upset about drawing with Portsmouth, but go back to the “Invincible Year” and did Arsenal not draw with the newly promoted Portsmouth that season? Young players do not become better players by not playing them. In your words signing “two of three good experienced players in midfield attack” assumes that these players are automatically better than what Arsenal presently has.
As for Italian strikers, I can think of a few countries that are better at producing goal scorers. Brazil and Argentina come quickly to mind. You will have to explain to me what is amazing about the Italian goal scoring charts over the seasons.
Neil Warnock has Sheffield United working very hard and it has paid off with some vital goals in the last few weeks. However, I cannot see them doing anything else but battling relegation all season although I fancy their chances of eventually surviving.
Jeffers77 - What do you think are the chances that Tottenham will win a trophy this year? They’ve been in great form lately, looks like they are coming together very well as a team. They’ll have to win some big games obviously to have a chance at winning something, but I think they could pull it off this year.
Bobby - Martin Jol has been talking up the UEFA Cup so that may be his number one target. But if you look at the last 32 of the UEFA Cup I think you can see is going be extremely difficult tournament to win.
Dwight4007 - Arsene Wenger has been having some emotional control issues lately. Given his fantastic success over the past 10 years, is he displacing some frustration over the play of his young team onto opposing managers and match officials?
Bobby - Probably.
Bigdavedisaster - With Keane's injury do you think he is done at White Hart Lane? I hope not because I believe that Spurs increased level of play cannot be credited to the matching of Berbatov and Defoe but rather to the play of Huddlestone who just gets better with every match.
Bobby - Perhaps with his injury it might make it more likely that Keane will not leave come the January transfer window. It certainly looks like Huddlestone is the heir apparent to Michael Carrick. He seems to be improving rapidly and certainly looks the part.
Realmadridccfan – 1. What do you think of the FIFA rankings that FIFA re-jigged after the World Cup? They make no sense at all! How does the United States end up 30th at this ranking, Canada 82nd, Trinidad & Tobago 91st, Guinea 23rd and Cuba 46th? This new formula that FIFA has come up with is pretty dumb.
2. Out of all the EPL managers right now, which club get's their money's worth in terms of getting the most out of their players and the financial resources (or lack their of) that the club has?
3. Who do you think is the most under-rated and over-rated goalkeeper in Spain's La Liga right now?
Bobby–1. I pay no attention to the FIFA rankings – absolute worthless ####. 2. It is going to vary from week to week, and I think you can only make that call come the end of season. However, Bolton has to be ranked highly on a value for money to points basis. 3. There are more avid watchers of La Liga than me who are better qualified to comment on the goalkeepers. However, I would throw in the name of Roberto Abbondanzieri (Getafe) as someone who perhaps doesn’t get enough credit; on the other side I think Carlos Kameni (Espanyol) is often more style than substance.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - I agree 100% with your Summary on Chelsea on FSWR tonight (Chelsea not as good as last year’s 4-3-3 team, Boularouz being a disaster, risky tactics, Drogba getting more space, etc.).
I really don’t get the claim by the media that Chelsea has a deep squad to get them through while others may not last. They’ve been running on fumes and 30 yard strikes recently. We had this discussion earlier but they have no right winger, they only play well when they take Geremi off the pitch, there’s no CB coverage and we all know the Ballack/Sheva issues. Terry’s injury may not be trivial and explains his pretty passive displays of the last month or so. Kalou, Mikel are high risk.
It was interesting that JM today said that he wouldn’t have played the midfield diamond if Terry had been fit. I guess they can’t just dump Sheva, and I guess Ballack will be in the picture till they have someone better or they switch formations.
Do you have any thoughts about who Chelsea could get in the transfer window? Maybe there’s a swap on the way. Have you heard any rumors? Who do you think Man U should/could get?
Bobby - The last thing Chelsea need is to sign more players. They have not successfully integrated the ones they signed in the summer saw adding more to the mix is not going to make the situation any better. I think many Manchester United fans are hoping that Fergie will sign another striker even with Larsson arriving on loan. It looks like the move for Owen Hargreaves is definitely off so it might free up some substantial money for Fernando Torres. But there again Atletico Madrid may want to keep him until the summer and make a big push for a Champions League spot.
I don't think Torres will leave Atletico in January.
On a completely different note, Fernando Cavenaghi is one of my favorite young Argentine players. He's wasting away at Spartak Moscow at the moment, but I did hear a rumor recently that he's desperately seeking a transfer out-- to Spain or Italy. Have you heard anything about this player, Bobby?
you know what as a fan my reaction is probably normal at least l do not support manu or chelsea but l also feeel that due to success in previous years fans become made to losing to small clubs.if you look at the good italians strikers, at their best, they have countless who are capable of 20 goals a season like giladino,aquinta,toni, lucarelli,totti,phlippo,delpiero, demachele and a bunch of the annonymous guys at small clubs who are right up there in the goal scoring chart. Bobby how would describe adebayor, l feel he is more like a drogba type player than kanu, what do you think
LAChelsea, I know all too well how much your judgement can be impacted when you talk about your own favorite team, but come on now... no right-winger??? Wright-Phillips is the kind of player that I think most teams in the world would be lucky to have. He tends to be a point of argument for many football fans, but I don't quite get it. I think the guy is class, especially when you give him, I don't know, a couple games to play in? So much talent going to waste, and Chelsea fans are asking "where's our right-winger?" Joe Cole is another one. Don't tell me he couldn't do a job out on the right as well as the left.
EDIT: Speaking of Chelsea, here is a line from a recent article written by James Lawton of The Independent on the Blues. The first time I read it, I actually laughed at how awesome it is:
"You don't have to love Chelsea - no more than an ungovernable woman - to marvel at their power to destroy."
Bobby turned us on to him during the WC. My suggestion to everyone reading this blog: Bookmark the Independent's website and read everything this guy writes.
Last edited by USAenglandfan on December 20th at 8:59 AM.
Have you actually seen SWP play at Chelsea. His most recent "break" came against Asrenal and I can tell you, we didn't lose because he was playing. The boy is done.
The "boy" is only done because of what Chelsea did to him. Remember, he was an exciting, goal-scoring winger who was able to beat players left and right. People were clammoring for him to replace Beckham in the STARTING line-up for England. One year later, he wasn't even in the squad for Germany.
I hope he finds a new home in January, and it sounds like Chelsea are open to him leaving. I think with an opportunity to play often he'll be able to regain form.
Anyway, one very good thing about the Wright-Phillips/Chelsea experiment is that it shows young quality players that they will not likely have a chance to play if they go to Stamford Bridge.
Personally I can't see why people are so big on SWP. He has 1 move, which he nearly always tries instead of just putting the ball to the open man: push the ball to the right of the defender with a HEAVY touch then hope he's quick enough to run around him and control the ball about 6 yards away. Nothing creative, nothing controlled, and then he usually flubs the cross/pass. Kalou is looking a lot more promising, and Joe Cole is twice the player Phillips is.
Last edited by AlexMorph on December 20th at 12:02 PM.
I'm going to have to disagree with you about Man Utd going for a striker. To me there needs to be more central midfield depth with United having 5-6 forwards in January if Rossi comes back. Saying that who do you think would be the best buy/loan to comeplement Scholes, Carrick, Fletcher and O' Shea?
l have just seen the worst madrid perfomance in history , they failed to have a shot on target from open play at home and were just hammered 3 nil by recreativo that was shocking
USAEnglandFan .. Re my judgment being impaired ... I have no judgment, only opinion and life-long love of the game!! 50 years of waiting for greatness does that to you. But thanks for the comments on SWP, Cole etc.
Does this theory about wingers who have very good ball skills make sense?. For the first year or so, the really good wingers run rings around defenders, then seem to get "found out". Duff, and to a less degree Robben, have been found out. Robben has used his speed more recently to get crosses in, but not to take on defenders and score goals. SWP was great to watch at Man City, but since he moved to Chelsea, defenders have not dived into tackles and he has been disposed almost every time he takes one on. His contributions have been very ineffective. Apart from 3 or 4 good crosses and one strike, he has not taken the many opportunities JM has given him. Compare these players to Ronaldo who has sharpened his game and cut out most of the ineffective step over nonsense which fooled defenders for a few months and is now becoming a really great player. Only great wingers like George Best seem do this over many years. SWP is not in that class and it seems he needs to transfer to a team to be a starter and find new skills and confidence.
Like SWP, Joe Cole is another example of a player who had limited opportunities. However, he kept improving and fighting until he forced his way to be a starter. Although he is a right sided player, I think he has the potential to be a great inside player in mold of the great Jimmy Greaves. .....
... The goal Cole scored against Man U last year was a glimpse of that. I just hope his chance isn't slipping away, but I’d love to see him partner with or play behind Drogba.
I can’t figure why Wayne Bridge recently signed a new contract at Chelsea. It has to be bad for England. He was very unlucky with the injury that lead to the Cole acquisition. After a really ugly start, Ashley Cole is playing very well. Bridge's only hope seems to be an unlikely conversion to left wing.
P.S. USAEF thanks for the pointer to the Independent article. Great Stuff.
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on December 21st at 12:13 AM.
LA ChelsFan: I would guess players not playing stay at Chelsea for one reason: $$$$. As for SWP, Robben and other wingers being "found out" you seem very near sighted. There have been plenty of great career wingers besides G. Best(basically out to pasture at 27) and Ronaldo (current age: 21). If you want to stick with Man U. look no further than Giggs in his 16th year. SWP has become a bit of an unknown but I think his pre- Chelsea performance warrants a bit more reservation of judgement. I sure wouldn't mind having him come over to Manchester and rotate with Giggs and C. Ronaldo(who probably has one or two more seasons in the Red at most).
Roseboy: I agree, but I don't think were thin just in the center of midfield. If Giggs or C Ronaldo has a bad day, needs a rest, or god forbid.... they really don't have much to answer with. (K. Richardson?) SWP might be just the cast off we were looking for. Perhaps Chelski fans will then give up on Jon Obi Mikel, seeing as he too has failed to break into the first team. He can claim Jose made him sign, something about his kneecaps being at risk and ask to get back to Man U. Perhaps henry14 would give us that useless Fabregas... he could slot an Italian striker in: guaranteed 20 goals.
LA and H14 just goofing with you now... no handbags.
Last edited by ulstrson on December 21st at 1:14 AM.
Ultsrson
I couldn't list all greats, post was already too long. I'm big fan of Giggs, Charlie Cooke, Stanley matthews (!), Bobby Tambling ...etc. I was just lucky enough to see Best in his prime. Man U wouldn't help SWP or vice versa. AlexMorph nailed it. SWP needs to get some new trcks and play 90 minutes.
Re signing for $$$. You're obviously right. Also, I guess they have nothing to lose. If someone bids for them they have stronger bargaining position.
If you take back Bon Jovi Mikel, please can we have our money back?
Last edited by LosAngelesChelseaFan on December 21st at 4:26 AM.
My only argument is that SWP seemed on track to greatness but his development hasn't been slowed by his pedigree but because he can't get a game with the established players above him. Who's to say how any of the great players would have done with out senior match time. We won't know how good SWP will play until... he plays regularly. It took Ronaldo a year or two of regular action to settle in. Drogba same thing (I seem to remember Bobby commenting that Cisse was a better buy at the time). Who knows how much playing time Best would have gotten if Munich had never happened. David Pegg, Liam Whelan and even big Dunc probably would have held up at least some of his field time. It was widely believed SWP was bought simply to keep the other big three from picking him up and he's been on the shelf since. Anyway, for you to say that Chelsea isn't as deep as everyone else claims, is (no offence here) ridiculous. None of the other big three has more than one or two players on the bench who can come in at the same level as the starting 11. How much relief do you think us Manchester fans feel when a player is having a bad day, seems tired, formation not working, etc. and on comes O'shea, Fletcher, Richardson or Smudger. I still have hope that they will develop into great players but as of now the introduction of any of our subs is not much cause for renewed hope in the outcome o####ame. Arsenal and Liverpool seem to have more depth than Manchester but certainly not as much as the blues. It's a long season and depth will be certainly be factor.
Last edited by ulstrson on December 21st at 3:27 PM.
My heart is with the Devils but if we had a Cream and Cookies here my money would be with the Blues. They are the best bet in all competitions they are involved in now. I think anyway.
Only goes to show that there is no right answer to the SWP question at the moment. A lot of people have told me that he gets dispossessed all the time and can't beat defenders 1-on-1 anymore. I don't know guys... I've seen him make some truly breathtaking runs in the past and put in some really meaningful balls. He needs match time. Needs it. Until then, our opinions on his development dont mean much. He was PFA Young Player of the Year and for damn good reason. He's capable of a lot... its just up to a wise club with a good spot for him to shell out some cash. Now if Mourinho gives Joe the same treatment... that, my friend, would be an absolute tragic waste.
Among all soccer nations of this world, its only the United States of America that couldn't, wouldn't and can not come to an agreement to sign Jurgen Klinsman as the United States Soccer head coach. Its such a shame that this country does not have the love and the passion for the game. USA will fight in wars and sponsor all sorts of activities around the world but can't make a simple agreement for a soccer head coach to better their chances of going futher in the world cup tournament in the near future. Even San Marino would come to an agreement to sign Jurgen Klinsman.
It's interesting to see the dichotomy that exists on your network and the Fox Sports World Report regarding the two big norf London clubs.
Based on the comments aired since this program began, Arsenal would seem to be the darlings of the FSWC crew. They are gushed over at length(understandable to an extent) in preview and review programs. But they don't seem to appear in action all that often on FSWC.
Tottenham, on the other hand, seem to be your programmer's darlings based on the amount of live action we get to see of them. Yet in preview and review shows, this club is often not commented on or dismissed with a few jovial wisecracks(also understandable to an extent).
Recent in-depth comments have focused on charismatic but chaotic Prem club situations involving West Ham, Charlton, or everyone's favorite small club from Scotland, Newcastle.
Is their a reason we can't get more of this insight into other clubs in the Prem? Is it really just all about the big four clubs or does anything remotely interesting happen at Fulham, 'Boro, or Portsmouth. Can Blackburn hang onto a Prem place, what's the deal with small crowds there or at Wigan or Bolton?
While I enjoy seeing Spurs play - an soap-opera club that looks to be improving and games from White Hart Lane always seem lively and rowdy - I'm bored spitless listening to the same old predictable sequence of preview and review dross talking about the big four. I wanna know more about Sheffield Utd. staying up, or why is Reading so good and can Aidy Boothroyd really split glass with just one hard, mean glance?
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