Gunner44 - Since Owen seems to be set to leave Newcastle where do you see him going since the top 4 all seem to not be interested? And how much is he worth?
Bobby – I’m not convinced that Owen will leave mainly because I can’t come up with a reason why the big four would be interested in him now when they weren’t before he moved from Real Madrid to Newcastle and before his injury. I think big Sam will fight tooth and nail to hold on to him if there is a chance of him leaving. If he goes I think the release figure in his contract is 12 milion pounds.
Mr. Red Devil - I think that Group E is definitely one of the 2 or 3 most difficult groups in Euro 2008 qualifying. I know that England has some very big matches at Wembley coming up. Do you think their qualification is a lock? Does Israel have any chance at qualification? What do you think the final standings will be in that group (just the top 4 spots)?
Bobby – It is certainly one of the three toughest groups. I would have to award the toughest title to Group B with Italy, France and Ukraine (WC winners, runners-up, last eight). I am still confident that England will qualify. They have Russia, Israel, Estonia and Croatia at Wembley while the only away game is in Moscow. England also may have the added advantage that by the time Croatia visits Wembley for the last game on November 21, Croatia may have already sealed a place in the finals and will have nothing to play for.
If Israel is to qualify then they need to find a way to make up for the 4-3 home loss to Croatia. That was a big blow to Israel. If I assume – for sake of argument – that Israel wins their two home games against Russia and Macedonia then the September 8 meeting with England at Wembley becomes the pivotal match. If Israel wins that one then an upset could be on the books. But if they lose then they are likely to find themselves six points behind Croatia with three games left, a point behind Russia with a game more played and tied with England with a game more played. Croatia would only need a draw to kill off the Israeli challenge while Russia and/or England would have likely gained points in their games.
Whichever way it goes it will be exciting. My placing prediction is Croatia, England, Russia and Israel.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - Can Fox get together an invitation to Coach Stephen Hart to be on FSR tomorrow night – even by phone in? With one game (and one slip up) away from a much needed title, why would this guy (Ramon Calderon) risk disrupting Beckham and the team by running off at the mouth about getting Beckham to change his mind? The answer is presumably a massive ego that had him invent the nonsense about Arjen Robben over the weekend, when he obviously no contact was made and Robben isn’t going anywhere. Presumably he is still trying to patch over his election promises. It could really tick Beckham off and suddenly his injury “won’t recover in time.” Assuming you watched La Liga on Saturday, how did you rate what you saw? How will you view Messi in the future?
Bobby – A smashing idea but interim Coach Hart had a pre-arranged appointment with Haiti on Monday.
On the question of Calderon’s motive - ego or a complete imbecile, or both.
With the last minute dramatics over the last few rounds of La Liga and in particular last weekend it really puts another spin on the best league question. Given what we have seen who cares if La Liga is no longer “the best” – the last minute dramatics at the Nou Camp and Zaragoza were incredible. I really can’t see how Barcelona can recover from the two stakes in the heart – unbelievable stuff. As for Messi – I think it will be a cloud over him for a little while. I think it would have been worse if it had given Barcelona a lead going into the final weekend. I was listening to Sid Lowe on the Guardian Unlimited Podcast and he brought up an interesting point. He said in the Messi case and others like it the public blame the officials for not catching it but don’t take the player to task. It set of an interesting few comments about what different countries regard as cheating. One example was that in England nudging the centre half just as he is jumping is looked upon as part of the game while others might consider it just another form of cheating.
Jeffers77 - Any thoughts on Tyrone Marshall's tackle late in the game that broke Kenny Cooper's leg? Do you think he deserves any suspension over the 1-game for the red card?
Bobby – Late, high but I don’t think he meant to injure Kenny Cooper. I would be surprised if he was suspended beyond the standard punishment.
Henry14 - l was thinking that instead of MLS looking for star names why can't they look for quality players between 26 to 32 from the Prem, La Liga and top league not exactly the star players. You look at Angel he is probably the best player in MLS but he is a professional who does not go about marketing but ensures victory. The likes of Marlon King, Djemba Djemba will help in real quality on the pitch, you look at Andy Cole and probably a Fowler what is your take. What do you make on the restriction of funds by the Liverpool board, firstly l thought they would spend 70m pounds but l think the new contracts will expand their wage bill from 61m to around 90m pounds a season and if they were to bring Eto’o Tevez, Malouda and Milito they would have to break the 100m pound mark and they owe 470m pounds what do you think will be the transfer policy at Liverpool this season.
Bobby – When you are a star your name is recognized and therefore of greater value and is more likely to attract people to watch. I think you underestimate Angel’s standing as a star – given his career with River Plate and Colombia I would say he is qualified. As for Djemba Djemba – I don’t think he qualifies under star, or quality. The last I heard of him he was with Burnley on loan. On problem with the proposal is that it would in most cases involve paying significant transfer fees.
We are the stage in the summer break when the papers are struggling for stories. That’s why we are hearing so much about possible club takeovers and who has what to spend and who doesn’t. The vast majority of stuff that is being printed and reported just now is absolute rubbish. The Spanish season finishes this weekend and after a brief break the real moves with real money will start to happen. Then we will see who has what to spend and on who.
Neophyte - Do you think anything will come of Ronaldinho's comments about being tired? He was voted the best player in Europe last year, this year everyone says he's washed up. Why isn't the fatigue caused by the ridiculous schedule these guys are forced to keep by FIFA, UEFA, domestic leagues and their own national federations, discussed and changed? It seems to me that the demands on the players have increased. This will only diminish the product on the pitch as the best players are carried off due to injury.
Any thoughts on the USMNT? Bradley and Failhauber (sp?) seem like a tough combination in the middle and if Beasley, Dempsey, Ching, and Donovan can keep those defenders stretched with their speed it might make for a fun Copa America. I have also been impressed by Mapp and his attacking ability on the left. What do you think...anyone?
Bobby – I think everyone knows the solution (fewer games) but the powers that be can’t or won’t make the tough decisions. To some extent we are also the problem. The fans have an almost limitless appetite for the game and so as long as we are watching then I can’t see anything changing.
I’m not sure that all the players you mentioned will be at the Copa America. The last thing I heard was that you could expect a Copa America squad heavy with Euro-based players. Mapp has the ability to go past defenders although his final ball into the box is a bit inconsistent I think.
Digity - Sounds like Atletico might be ready to accept offers for Fernando Torres...where do you think he might end up? Any thoughts on whose system he might fit well into? I feel he's a very versatile player, but that he would fit in perfectly at Man United and flourish under SAF's guidance. thoughts?
Bobby – I know that there is a lot of talk of England but I don’t think you can discount an Italian move. You have to also factor in where David Villa might go and who goes first. Torres or Villa might turn into a very good “consolation” price for someone. I don’t think Torres will go to Old Trafford. Sixty million dollars is a lot of extra money to come up and then there is the wages.
Gongatore - Why do you think FR should be fired at Barca? And who should replace him? Have the new American owners delivered at their respective clubs in the EPL?
Bobby – It’s not the case that I think Rijkaard should be fired it is a case that I think he will be fired. At the end of 2006 things looked great for Barcelona – one season on and it looks like they will finish with no major trophies. To me that looks like a recipe for a dismissal. As for a replacement – perhaps Quique Flores or Juande Ramos. It is far too early to come to any conclusion as to the success or otherwise on ownership changes. The timeline on that one is probably a decade or so.
Bobby- In your responce to LACF regarding cheating perspectives and blame, you touched on something that I, as a United fan, have been thinking about in my attempt to defend C Ronaldo and Rooney.
The current uproar about diving gets to almost the hysterical point everytime a player is shown on slo-motion replay to have gone down with decption or too much ease. This rise in diving is, without question, due to the increased protection of attackting players by refs. This protection increased the likelyhood of creativity and goals as well as preventing injuries so I think few would argue against it. However, before this shift in enforcement it could often be a brutal game with two footed challenges, challenges from behind, ankle and heel kicks common and accepted. Soccer has never been a sport where players are expected to govern themselves. Most who have played the game have at least pulled a jersey or put an arm out for advantage. You play till the whistle. Playing to injure is never acceptable but while in the past, professional fouls were more routine and accepted by the fans (who didn't love their clubs "hardman"?) the current rash of diving and call baiting is, IMHO, in the same spirit. Its just the flip side of the same coin. Ideally, of course it should be eliminated from the game but how, and how much?
CONT>
What Messi did was wrong but as you said some forms of cheating bring scorn for the cheater (diving) some for the ref (intentional fouls not called) and some bring it for both cheater and/or ref, depending on the fan. Messi's "hand of Joan Gamper" seems to fall into this last catagory, where some fans are asking of the refs and some are deriding Messi. To me, cheating is cheating is cheating, and while I don't condone it and I have a much lower threshold for what lengths I would go to to win, if you arn't trying to injure its part of the game so people should quit whining about it. Players have always and will always continue to try to get away with certain things on the field. Draw your own line where you wish but realize that the mentality of if the ref doesn't see it it ain't a foul has been around a long time and isn't likely to change.
and for the reccord I was a keeper, so my questionable behavior involved the old one on one saying, "If the ball gets by you, the man doesn't", taking too many steps with the ball and moving before the PK (which was against the rules when I was coming up).
l will curse wenger if he signs trezguet, because he is a very limited who goes missing in games far to many times and is not the most clinical finisher
Mas - If you foul intentionally expecting that card and the ref doesn't see it, is that cheating? Every time you break the rules, you are breaking the rules. I just don't understand how some rules are ok to knowingly break and some are not. Every time you throw that elbow, pull that jersey, give that little bit extra in the challange (you defenders know what I mean) or bump on that defender when going up for a ball you are breaking the rules just as much and as intentionally as when you dive or handle the ball. Weather you are caught and accept your punishment for breaking those rules should have nothing to do with why one is acceptableand one is seen as worthy of furious blogging flame and indignant outrage.
Again, my stance is, cringe when you don't agree with the behavior, tell your kids not to play like that but don't act as though the players should be above deceptions. Clearly some are more acceptable than others but I'd rather have them diving than trying to take the most entertaining players out with cleats up tackling.
Hand ball goals are tougher to defend but I got to give him points for technique and creativity and as they say Alls fair in love war and Football!
It is wrong to conceptualize breaking the rules as always cheating. Was Zidane's head-butt cheating? No but it was against the rules. Breaking a rule warrants a negative consequence, if you are willing to accept the punishment and do not attempt to deceive it is not cheating.
You have to assume that Messi intended to use his hand and intended to deceive. That is cheating.
Gaining an advantage by deception is cheating. Breaking the rules with the intent of accepting the consequence is... if you can believe it... playing by the rules.
I hope that is clear and I am sorry for wasting your time.
Bobby,
Is is true that Juventus have signed Iaquinta and are considering bringing Miccoli back to Italy? If so, how do you rate these moves?
There is talk indicating that Trezeguet will most likely leave for Arsenal to link back up with Wenger and Henry. Do you think this would be a positive move for Arsenal?
All:
I would not be surprised if Milan is the final destination of Torres. I think this would be the ideal club for him. He would be able to link up with the likes of Ronaldo and Kaka. I think the three would be oddly great together. Which would also mean that Fiorentina would be able to replace Toni with Gilardino.
And things have now come full circle. Moratti has indicated that Suazo is in negotiation to join Inter. If they fail to agree, he indicates that Inter will be after Tevez to replace Recoba. Rumors of Recoba heading to Atletico continue. I personally think, as long as he plays regularly, any team would benefit from Recoba's inclusion.
And last but not least, I'm very happy that Figo decided to stay with Inter for one more year. He provides a rare spark to the team. Which most of the players that Mancini brings in have lacked...
I read that Francis Jeffers is hoping to sign with Ipswich. Wasn't this guy playing with Arsenal for a while? Is he a good player? If so, why is he headed to the Championship? Is this a case of poor career management or has he not delivered on expectations?
On the Messi thing the bottom line is he Cheated intentionally, just like we all have in our lives to get something we want. As a ameture player I also try to cheat sometimes to win I've saved my team twice by using my hand to clear the ball of the line and the ref didn't see it in both incidents and no I wasn't a goalie. Thats the drive of winning that makes you do such things like cheat.
I'm also hoping and praying Wenger doesn't buy Trezeguet, he's absolutely useless in my opinion.
Francis Jeffers is simply not a good player. And I agree with CIAO he should come to the MLS maybe he can do better here.
I agree that the cheating thing is way overblown, I was just defining the terms. Cheating necessarily involves intent and deception.
-Actually you can argue that it is a player's responsibility to do all he can to win and it is the ref's job to keep the player's in check. So in a way Messi did his job and the Ref didn't.
-I wouldn't make that argument but Drogba did the season before last.
you look at the morden forwad and see that he has to bring more to the game, rvp and ade are beter footballers than trez and l just feel he might be the fox in the box needed but he now lacks pace and a year in seria b won't do him favours and mean while Henry continues to flirt outrageously with Barcelona. He’s no longer fluttering his eyelashes - he’s hitching up his skirt and pouting like an under-priced prostitute.
Bobby-
It seems that you in the past were calling for FR's head which is out of character for you. Hence my question.
Also re: Yank owners in the EPL. I did not phrase my initial question correctly. Do you think they have done right in the short term by not meddling, keeping finances in order, letting the local professionals run things, etc?
You don't score that many goals and have that good of a strike rate if you are worthless.
This is the same stuff they were saying about Ruud.
I wouldn't be dissappointed if Wenger brought in Trezeguet. Although I blame him totally for the WC loss, not Zidane. In my book it was Trez's miss and Saha's careless yellow against Portugal that cost the game. Saha would have come on for the overworked and underappreciated Henry who played 100 minutes as the lone striker and ran like 10 miles sprinting 4 of them.
I'd rather Wenger bring in Saha (ManU would never allow) even though short he is a great leaper, plays the center forward role very well, can hold up play with his back to goal and knows flowing football when he plays every couple of months.
H14 no question that Van Basten was one of the greatest. But the jury is still out on RVN. They were very different players. Van Basten was a cross between Henry and RVN.
Trezeguet is like RVN a poucher. Trezeguet is more of a newer model of Inzaghi. I see them a bit more as team oriented players. So I personally would rather have Trezeguet in my team than RVN. You can still play flowing football with such players in the team. they just remain up top to cherry pick the goals. If Trezeguet did make it to Arsenal, you may see that Henry and RVP play right behind him and both turn providers/ goal scorers.
ruud had 150 goals in 218 appearances for united. , 58 in 64 appearances for psv and he has 31 goals fior madrid this season. l personally think he is a better goal getter than henry but not a better player
RVN has numerous balls supplied to him for a final shot on goal. Henry generally has to create his own opportunity. They are two different styles, you can't compare the two. RVN because of his physical mass can get around defenders more than Trezeguet and Inzaghi. Trez & Inza have to be agile and anticipate. Any one of these players combined with Henry would be great.
Against the run of play in the comments section, I have to say Liverpool really need to spend a huge chunk of change on a striker. Rafa has built a gread midfield and an strong defense. They have a bunch of very good players but no one like a Henry or Drogba, players who, when on fire, win championships and instill confidence and an unbeatable air.
Thing is, apart from Eto, who's available? (And he said he's not leaving Barca, anyway). Fernando Torres (14 goals last year, I believe) has Dirk Kuyt written all over him - very good player, score some goals, but ultimately not someone who can lead the line consistently and instill fear in the heart of physically imposing premiership defenders.
Maybe Atleti Female can tell me something different, though. :)
Ringo: nice little article but I would disagree with the analogy. Chelsea is more like...umm...Elton John not the Sex Pistols. Flamboyant, extravagant, fun to watch but not really taken seriously long term. (just having fun, come to think of it my analogy doesn't really work either but if we were sitting bar side I would stay with it)
RVN a pocher? Not as good as Trez? Hmmm. Has anyone been watching La Liga? Did anyone pay attention to the EPL the last few years? Ruud has the gift...he can score period. As Ray Hudson said, the man has the leg of a horse and a face to match. I would take Ruud in his present form/fitness over Trez anyday.
neo - I really liked the Kenyon/Mclaren (thats Malcolm ,not Mclown for those who don`t know) comparison ,and I`d love to be sitting in a bar chewing it over right now!
Interesting that 4 of the 14 strikers you listed are FORMER Liverpool strikers.
davard:
Personally, I think Kuyt will be much more prolific next year in his second season in England. For instance, Drogba scored 10 goals in 26 league apps in his first season, Kuyt had 12 goals in 34 league apps. But I do agree that Liverpool do need to spend big on a striker. I'd rather them spend the money (however much it may be) on 2 players, a striker and a winger. Perhaps use sales of squad players (Gonzalez, Sinama (already sold), Cisse, Bellamy, Sissoko?, Carson?) to bring in extra cover at CB, too.
Bobby Laporta will not fire Rijkaard he will give him one more season to try and fix what ever the problem with the team, and though I kind of what him to leave he deserves it.
Mas
Thanks for the tip ,just listenend to Jonesy`s jukebox ,loved it ,wish he`d play some of his own stuff though!
And I find it really ironic he`s sitting there getting all chummy with Ian Hunter and playing old Mott the Hoople records ,and others that the Pistols used to slag off!
Ringo: It is funny that the only one who still believes the #### they sang about, Johnny Rotten, is still calling everyone wankers, and smoking like a chimney. (although he seems to get a pass for his P.I.L. venture which was a complete sell out). I loved those "Pink Floyd Sucks" shirts they wore back in the day.
Atleti, has Villarreal surprised you by their late season revival? They could possibly hold onto the last European spot. Is Maxi Rodriguez up for sale this year?
neo
The first two PIL albums where ok ,went off them after I found out Lydon was a gooner though!
Funny thing is ,when I was into all the punk bands in the late seventies ,I hated the older stuff too. Now I have Floyd ,Stones and Who cd`s next to my Pistols ,Buzzcocks and Clash!
I'm not too surprised by their revival (winning the last 7 recent games): they have been playing very well and Pellegrini is an excellent manager. Not to mention Forlan, who is fine goal-scoring form (19 goals this season so far). They must win their final game of the season against Sevilla (away) in order to qualify for UEFA.
Villarreal have recruited quite a few players for next season already: Roberto Ayala, Joan Capdevila (plays as LB/LW), and a few youngsters.
Ringo, I can completely identify with the CD collection comment. I just added a few songs to the ipod from the Kinks.
Atleti, I would love to see Maxi sporting the Red Devils kit. I believe he would be a great fit at Old Trafford. Unfortunately I think SAF is a little sour on the Argentines/South Americans. I thought the departure of Riquelme (from Villarreal) would destroy the club's standing in the table but they have recovered well. So where is Saviola going? (the best striker not starting right now.)
Saviola is linked to a host of clubs at the moment, but most heavily to Real Madrid. I seriously doubt he will go there. The most interesting rumor I've read recently from a Spanish news source is that Napoli (former club of Maradona) would like to lure him to their neck of the woods.
I rank him #2 (second to Tevez) as the top Argentine in the transfer market.
Not to go back to this but, samantics I'll concede. My point was that deception and breaking of rules/cheating are and always have been part of the game. I just find it interesting that certain types of cheating or by certain players warrents hatred from fans while other times its directed at refs and sometimes it doesn't seem to bother anyone. Like Verbal, most of us who have played have cheated on the field and while some forms by some players get peoples hackles up, others do not. I guess what I am asking is, why does diving warrent the most disgust for players? Punching a ball into the net(or out of it) warrents a bit less for the players and some for the refs for not catching it? And going into someone cleats up-ankle level, hoping that the ref doesn't see it and getting away with it (still don't see how thats different from the first two, Maz, but thats not my point) really only brings anger to the ref? Why do we seem to see diving as about the worst thing a player can do?
Regarding Kuyt, I think he will score more goals next season and while he's no Drogba, the comparisons to an adjustment period is valid. The problem is you can't have just one producing striker. Everyone goes cold from time to time and the most successful teams get goals from more than one source. While at United, RVN had an amazing scoring rate but when they won trophys he had help up front. United's treble year they had four legitimate threats at forward. I guess the formation played makes a difference too.
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