Henry14 - 1 Bobby what do you learn about United's attack today (Sunday), and l remember you talking about how Samuel Eto'o is probably the most valuable player in the planet because he is so difficult to replace and we saw how it affected Barca, using your same argument do you feel than Tevez and Rooney will complement that well in against deep defending teams and good solid teams with good defenders? 2 Bobby what did you make of the three promoted teams and their performance and especially Birmingham? l thought they look better than people think of them 3 Can you help me about how Wenger is 13/2 to get fired and do you think martin Jol will be at spurs next season if they do not win a trophy or break into the top four? 4 Do you think Ronaldo looks fat or there is something wrong with my TV 5 There is talk of Alves going to Chelsea and l do not think he is a good defender he is just like Evra and Eboue , not good defenders but excellent going forward, how would you describe Mr. Alves
Bobby 1. Rooney and Tevez will work fine together when the chance presents itself and they get a few games together under their belts. Even if they don't it is a gamble well worth taking. 2. If a newly promoted team stinks in the first couple of games then they generally have no chance of staying up. This is particularly true at home. Even then there are a good number of examples of promoted teams that flew out of the blocks only to be relegated. 3. My error – should have read 13/1. It was corrected in last week’s blog response and in the preview. 4. I don’t know I haven’t seen your TV. He might be big boned. 5. He’s really more of a wingback than a full back – the heir to Cafu (although Maicon looks pretty good as well).
Ohphuque – I’m surprised more folks aren’t in for the Portuguese fullback Miguel; he seems perfect for the EPL. I didn’t see much of Valencia last term so I don’t know how his club season went, maybe atleti can fill us in, but he looked a real menace at the World Cup. How do you rate this player?
Bobby – Excellent player and he had an excellent Euro 2004 when he replaced Ferreira.
Venti_vidi_vici - 1. What to you make of the incredible number of foreigners in the EPL this season? At last count there were 330 from 66 different countries; 50 more than last season, and for the first time ever they outnumber their English counterparts. In the inaugural EPL season in 1992 there were a total of 11 foreigners in the league. Arsenal has 22 foreigners and 2 locals; Liverpool's ratio is 18 and 5. This without mentioning that all the major managers and owners are also foreign.
2. What is the British Government trying to do about this? What can they do and why are they considering intervening? Is this because they fear that this is a short term phenomenon which could leave the English game in ruins, or are they just trying to help the national team?
Bobby – 1. The EPL is caught in their own marketing hype. To match what they claim about being the best league in the world the teams are “forced” to buy foreign players – mostly because they are better than the home-bred variety – and foreign clubs know that EPL teams will overpay. Having said that the league is infinitely better than it was 15 years ago. It will come at a price and the price is performances at the international level. If you go back and read about the formation of the EPL one of aims was to improve performances at the international level. The FA got sucked in on that one! 2. The government is limited to granting or not granting work permits to foreign players. You have to differentiate between players with an European Union passport (that entitles them to sign and play for any UK team) and non EU passport holders such as South Americans and Americans. Because of EU rules concerning freedom of movement for workers the “foreign player” numbers are somewhat distorted. What you really need in numbers by English players, other UK, other EU and foreign players. In addition any government that starts to stick a nose too deeply into the affairs of a national association runs the real risk of FIFA withdrawing sanction for the teams to participate in club and international competition.
Bigdavedisaster - I believe you said last year that you believed Berbatov was the transfer that made the biggest impact. Who will it be this year? Along the same lines who will be the bust?
Bobby – I will go for Malouda as the player to make the biggest impact and Roque Santa Cruz as one of the biggest busts. Santa Cruz’s goals coring in Germany has averaged around a goal every five games (in a league in which more goals are scored than the EPL) and I don’t see Bayern Munich selling a 25-year-old striker who looks to have all the tools if they didn’t have good reason to doubt his consistency.
Usa2010 - What really stuck out in the first round of the EPL was the value o####ood GK. While we all know that a good GK is invaluable, it was painfully obvious when you look at the Man Utd/Reading game and the Chelsea/Birm game. Put average keepers in goal for Reading and Birm, and Man Utd wins easily and Birm ties, or even wins. Also, with all the goal keeping woes at Man Utd, why don't you think SAF never looked at Friedel a few years back? I was always surprised his name was never mentioned. The guy is consistent in goal at a very, very high level.
Bobby – I’m assuming you mean when he signed Van der Sar. As for why SAF didn’t go after him – I have no idea.
Neophyte - I hope you read all the way down here. I have a question for you. Of the American goalkeepers in the EPL, who do you rate #1, 2 and 3? Do you think Chris Seitz (the US U-20 keeper) will get his turn to keep for a European club anytime soon?
Is there another midfielder from England as skilled as Gerrard in your opinion? (I officially don't like Liverpool but I will watch them play anytime Stevie G is playing. That free kick was incredible)
Bobby – GK Friedel, Howard, Hahnemann. Goalkeepers mature a lot later than outfield players so I don’t think there is any rush to get to Europe. He would be just as well getting experience and playing time – waiting a few years doesn’t seem to have hurt the other US keepers. If you are meaning an English midfielder rather than a midfielder playing in England then I would have to say that nobody can match Gerrard in my opinion.
George11Best - What is your take on Cagliari and Mallorca?
Bobby – Nice places to visit? As far as their fooball teams are concerned - the upside is mid table with a relegation fight in their respective leagues a possibility.
bobby
Is it missing 3 out of 4 starters at the back or is it just to much pressure to be crowned the team that will break into the top 4?
Personally i think the problem is that people want to see another team compete with the top 4 consistantly so they keep looking even though it might not be there
Bobby I was late for putting on my questions.
Bobby, what in your mind gives Arsenal an upper hand over Liverpool? They have obvious shortcomings that Liverpool don't on width, power, and set-pieces. Plus Wenger refuses to reinforce. I am not even convinced they'll get 4th this year.
Second question. Is there a chance for the top EPL teams to win their own TV deals like in Spain and Italy? Thought the Glazers were looking to that to increase their income.
Personally I think the top signings poll shouldn't be conducted until the end of the season. Doing it now makes it close to playing the fantasy game. Of the names mentioned I like Malouda and Tevez, and of those not mentioned I'd rate Elano.
Bobby your comments on Alves? He's more a midfielder and won't solve Chelsea's right wing defense problem, if there is any as it appears now. Funny to me cos JM said many times he's not gonna spend Roman's money and then 13.5 and 25 mil out. If they are ever serious about getting their books balanced, they must hire Wenger.
I bet the top signings poll will be conducted at the end of the season as well...
A question I missed on the speakers corner too, Bobby...
What are your thoughs on SAF playing 5 defensive players against Reading, in relation to their inability to score. I know Evra played in a midfield role, but let's be real here, he's not a midfielder. Granted, everyone will probably agree, Rooney not getting injured gives United their best opportunity to win the game, but that aside, how do you think this decision affected the outcome?
Lazio started off the UCL final qualifying round on the wrong foot today.
First of all 5 visitng fans were injured before the match in clashes outside the stadium. During the match they had 2 players sent off, 3 players were injured, they missed a penalty, and only managed a 1-1 score at home. Now that's a bad start to the season!
Some more big games tomorrow, very tricky territory for some big clubs.
Interesting matchups tomorrow... Sevilla and AEK. I would not at all be surprised to see AEK through to the group stage. I am intersted to see how Liverpool and Arsenal manage, after their less than quality performances at the weekend. The only team I am thoroughly pulling for... Tampere United. I gotta pull for the underdog
leche010 having followed Seville over the last 2yrs that they have won the UEFA they are one of the best cup sides in Europe. Will be very suprised if AEK beat them in any of the the 2 games. To tell you the truth Seville is a team I would like Arsenal to avoid this year coz I see them really suprising people even with Alves leaving.
Spurs are really not looking good but like I said they won't finish in the top 6 but they will be in the top 10. Injuries are really killing them though but there mid field is also no match for the likes of Everton let alone the big 4.
High comedy that people are still mentioning Arsenal at 5th when the team pegged to pass them is playing football that would get them 8th if their lucky to turn it around.
I'm not sure what league these people are watching but the miles between the top 4 and the rest is still massive. Arsenal and Liverpool had very poor league seasons last year that made the 2 team race look very lopsided and the teams from 5 down look much closer. Bold obvious prediction the top 4 will remain the top 4. Stop dreaming.
I think the Serie A is doing everything in its power to correct past mistakes as quickly as possible. We should all give them credit for relagating Juve last year -that was a big deal.
Which also just happen to make Inter the only Italian team left never to have been relagated.
Oh####: It amazes me how a team battles all year to get a UCL spot, and then come out for their first competitive match of the season and throw it all away. Lazio played well enough to win, but missed a penalty and had 2 players sent off (and suspended for the return leg in Romania), which they now must win.
It’s also a shame to see that SS Lazio haven’t done much over the summer to contain their right-wing extremist fans either. Very disappointing all around.
I hope Arsenal and Liverpool are up for the challenge today. They face difficult opponents, and both seemed a bit rusty at the weekend. The latter stages of the UCL wouldn’t be the same without either of them. It’s honestly a shame that two finalists from the past two seasons should even have to qualify.
CIAO: You and I are going to get along great this season!!
Bobby or anyone with a solid foundation. Can you explain to me the argument of why having foreign players hurts the National team. I know it's conventonal wisdom but I have heard no arguments which have any intellectual bite.
I suppose the shotgun argument has some merit. The idea that w/o the foreigners there would be more spots for young English players and by the law of averages some gems would be revealed. But it would seem that any benefits would be nullified by the removal of the benefits of competing against the best. Nor does that prove that these gems wouldn't have been discovered anyway.
I don't see the English team as underachieving. If there is any complaint it is their lack of developing coaches, not players.
It is not as if there are not plenty of avenues for young players. There are umpteen division, umpteen million neighborhood and pub teams. Why would having foreigners at the highest level and even at the academies prevent a promising youth of "real" quality from developing. Maybe they should start emphasising ball skills and just having fun to kids.
Your view on the coaching defecit is beginning to get some traction int he UK.
The views on foriegners in the prem is really a reflection of a xenophobic undercurrent that is quite prevelant in the wider culture in england. These views appear throughout society and not just in football.
For those who read SHOOT magazine they had pictures comparing people and the two that I can remember were Tevez been compared to Ugly Betty and Vidic with Cameron Diaz. The Tevez one was pretty funny coz they really do look a like. So if I had a newspaper this would be my headline:
"CAN UGLY BETTY REPLACE SHREK"
Liverfools got the win they needed I don't see that team pulling a shocker at Anfield. Lets hope Arsenal can do better later on.
I really wasn't trying to prove the point I just never understood the argument.
I actually think England are good just not great and it all starts with the worst GK in the league and the worst Manager in the world. Picking Beckham next a week is a stupid, stupid, stupid thing to do. He needs to rest. Beckham is in a terrible position he has to do whatever McClown wants b/c he desires to make Euro '08, which he should do w/o effort even if only on the bench as a game changing sub.
Anybody else think Alves is a worse buy for the money than Torres?
I could not agree with you any more... McClown should take the opportunity of a friendly to test out Becks replacements... Why bring in a player that is trying to get over an injury. I think Napoleon said it best, "####!"
Veronin will make a big impact for 'pool this year. He and Crouch will take a lot of pressure off of Torres. That is why I think, Torres will do okay this season. He will probably only get 10-15 goals. But his 2nd year he will make a much bigger impact.
Whats funny is that of the Alves signing goes thru, chelsea would have spent 100 million dollars on that one position over the past few years! Yikes.
Alves is a very good attacking player, he can be undisciplined at times and not the best defender, but chelsea have good defensive cover so it shouldnt be too much of a problem for them.
Robinson isn't the worst keeper in the league now. After the Birminghham game, we have a new heir to the throne.
Anyone else notice Adu got about 50 minutes of playing time yesterday? Pretty big deal, no idea how he did because I didn't read up on the game, but that is some quality time on the field.
Why is everyone knocking Lazio's chances at a UCL spot after a 1-1 draw in the first leg? Sure, it was at home, and they've given up an away goal, but it's footall we're talking about. A LOT can happen in the second leg. Lazio could win the second leg 3-0 quite easily, just due to the nature of way the game is played.
Did they help themselves a lot? No, but they're not already down 3-0, and have to come up with 3 away goals. I'd say they're sitting in a descent position. Everything is quite within their grasp...
I cant make out much of the action atleti, as im forced to watch the fireflies v reading with dark sunglasses on accoutn of those dayglos. Mind you im only checking in on this match as arsenal are in a rather dull kick the shins contest with sparta, 0-0 ht at the moment
The Arsenal game won't play there seems to be a problem with the server today but I'm watching the Chelsea game if reading keep playing the way they are playing and take there chances this might end up 2-0 or even 3-0. It's not only Chelsea's defending but there offense has done nothing so far either. They are missing their Engine MR. ESSIEN.
All the negative talk around the Alves deal is just jealousy. Knocking the price and his defensive capabilities is your insecurity that if Chelsea do wrap it up they become a very complete deep team.
Cech , Cudicini
Terry, Carvalho, Ben Haim, Alex
Cole, Alves, Bridge, Johnson, Ferreira.
Thats just a world class starting lineup and bench any club would be envious of.
who said anything about his price? I mentioned chelsea spent 100 million on the position over the past 3 yrs alone, youre bound to get it right sooner or later.
Question to verbal: what have you to say about Lawire Sanchez apologizing for accusing Arsenal of diving in the game against Fulham? He now accepts the penalty was legitimate. And by the way, you're completely wrong: it was a fully deserved penalty, Bocanegra knew what he was doing. And the ref had already denied Arsenal a clear penalty.
Great to see our midfielders scoring. And Manu has two draws in a row. I've thought all along that Manu wouldn't retain the title and that Chelsea would win this season, esp. with Malouda (my #1 transfer of the season), Alex "the tank" and now Dani Alves. A lot of gooners dismissed Malouda when there was talk of him coming to Arsenal. More fool they--he was the unsung hero of France's wc run last year, esp. the final. Manu just look too cumbersome and unwieldy.
Sorry, mancs, but Bobby's right on the money in his predictions.
Alves is the best wing back in the world as a right back he is still well above average.
But the question is whether Chelsea really need him? They definitively need a right side option other than SWP and who can also slot back on the right side of the defense. But for the price they are paying they could get two players one solid defensive right back and very good right midfielder.
If they get him more power to them, but I think he would never be able to improve their team to make it worth what they are paying for him.
Wow! We were just talking a day or so ago about JM's inspired substitutions and attack minded second half play). Whoda thunk it SWP at right back. Obi for Sidwell ... that was obvious. Lampard had no support.
Alvez: Other than it was great fun to watch a skilled disciplined and very good performance at right back today, if Alvez plays right back and can interchange with Essien and SWP on the right it would be a winning combo. Bobby and others ... obviously Alzez' limitations in defense are well reported... if he isn't the answer at right back, who is? ... Essien (a waste), SWP(unknown, maybe a waste), Carvalho (Chelsea's best defender last year and fast going forward - with Alex in the center?) someone else (not Ferreira or "Toilet Seat" Johnson) ...???
Never watched the Arsenal game just the highlights but from what I hear it was an impressive win since they dug deep and won it something that we weren't customed to seeing from Arsenal. And Cesc scored which is good for his confidence. Helb seems like he will reach his 10 goals quicker than I thought.
Things not looking good in the ManUre land thats all I can say and Donkey (ronaldo i.e) decided to be a donkey today to bad.
Performances like the one Chelsea put in today are the kind of performances that made me say that if I was putting my money on someone it would be Chelsea.
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