An extract from Sir Bobby Charlton’s latest autobiography. I still have one he wrote in 1964 called "My Soccer Life" so it will be interesting to contrast it with the book that is about to be published.
This piece is for the old timers. The last chapter of the 1964 book Charlton picked his best British eleven. The side he picked in the old 2-3-5 was - Bert Trautmann; Jimmy Armfield, Ray Wilson; Danny Blanchflower, Neil Franklin, Duncan Edwards; Stanley Matthews, Wilf Mannion, Tommy Taylor, Denis Law and Tom Finney.
Would this proposal by Platini affect Spain in the same way that it affects England (in terms of handing a Champions League spot to the Copa del Rey winner)?
I think it's gonna be a real good Champions League this season, I hope FK Sarajevo can qualify for teh group stages against Dynamo Kyiv for the first time in their history.
Would be nice to hear a comment from you on a subject of Chelsea performance. I think they look realy boring, playing this sort of midfield soccer. And what I do not understand is why Schevchenko and Joe Cole are not involved at all. They both showed pretty good form in their international games.
I was talking to my wife on thursady night when LA Galazy played Chivas USA - and I was starting to wonder how long F Yallop would stay? They looked horrible and extremely out classed by Chivas. I do not think he is the guy for the galaxy
Question: If they terminate Yallop (or if he quits) and they do the un-thinkable and hire Klinsman - what else does the Galaxy need to do to start winning? Also, do you think the next coach will keep Landon or let him go? Is there any chance of them making the playoffs?
My thoughts are either a) let Beckham play the last 45-30 min of each game and play out the year second to dead last and tell people that Beckhams ankle will only allow him to play 30-45 min or b) hire a new manager yesterday and make a push for the playoffs today (the final one at best)
PS - I think they need to give you full control of the pre & post game for FSC and allow you to cut off the other people and choose who says what.
wyofc- Basically that club needs to be rebuilt from the ground up, with the exception of some players, such as Landon, Chris Albright, and Kyle Martino. I also think it would be foolish for any coach to push Landon out the door, he is a big fish in a small pond, and has been dominating the MLS for years. I do however Landon should leave on his own accord and head to Europe, but that is a different discussion altogether.
The biggest mistake with Beckham was letting him play against Chivas. I liked coach Yallop's quote "He said he was fine and he wanted to play." Really great excuse Yallop, who the hell is the coach you or Beckham, just becaues he wants to play, and should play are two completely different things. I mean it is common sense, he has played 2 games for 90 minutes, as well as traveled to and from England, and then you want him to play his 3rd game in 6 days, come on.
Bobby- Leche kind words have encouraged me to pursue the Chris Coleman thing a little bit more.
What is your opinion of Chris Coleman being the Nats head coach? And do you think there is a snowball's chance that would ever happen?
Platini's proposal is ludicrous. A team that plays 38 games in a domestic league against top flight clubs and ends up in 3rd or 4th place has achieved far more than a team that has won 6 or 7 games (against lower level clubs) in a domestic tournament. Sorry, but a team that has won 2 or 3 games against the likes of Colchester and Macclesfield hasn't achieved anything terribly impressive.
I feel sorry for Yallop. He's the victim of this insane Beckham juggernaut. He's not a great manager but he's got few resources to get decent players. This whole Beckham thing is going to wind up a huge flop. If he were in Europe, Beckham would not even be training until November with that unstable ankle. He's being forced to play (or forcing himself to play) and it's going to end in tears.
Cathal Kelly – good article, interesting comparisons to the USSR way of doing things. The Times has some Professors who study football using statistics and draw all sorts of surprising conclusions, for one the PL is the most defensive in Europe. Actim do produce stats as well as Optima.
Baseball, football and cricket are tailor made for stats the game is segmented and easily defined elements can be recorded. Football is a game of ebb and flow. You do get ‘assist’ stats up on the MLS WebPages and I can’t help thinking that they do show some of the picture but not all, i####oal is scored after a ball comes back off the crossbar no one gets a credit for the ‘assist’.
Still the Earthquakes will be a welcome addition to the MLS and if some form of statistical basis is used for the selecting tactics and players it’ll be interesting to monitor the results.
Paul Kelso – In England; at least; the last none big four to win the FA Cup was Everton so nothing much would change. Platini will squeeze this through; it’s a good idea with the end result of spreading the wealth of the UEFA Champions League around. For those who remember the European Cup it was always good to have a ‘big club’ face a tough game away to a less glamorous side. I’d rather see less pre-qualifying and less group games. Perhaps the top two from each member League and to make up the correct numbers have the third placed teams with the best records. KISS please.
Gabriele Marcotti – sums it up pretty succinctly. Basically too many football clubs are run by incompetents. Sometimes the dream o
Last edited by craigy_f on August 27th at 3:09 PM.
Sometimes the dream of success on the pitch and the reality of achieving sustainable income and steady growth are a bazillion miles apart. Some clubs get it and some clubs don’t.
Graham Hunter – good article. But Real Madrid just beat Atletico Madrid on the weekend so maybe Schuster is the right man and Hunter is just talking tosh.
Jason Burt – Good piece, sounds like a decent bloke. It’s refreshing with all of the class one idiots playing the game.
Calamity – oohh you must seethe when you see Robinson in goal for England, 54 times he picked the ball out of the net last season (only in the Premier League). Good article, yet another coherent footballer. Nice. Catching is harder, the balls are lighter, swerve more and are harder to handle; a good balance is required, catch what you can and parry the rest.
Rob Hughes – I can see where he is coming from and it is echoed in England with Gerrard at Liverpool and, Scholes and Giggs at United. Thing is Rob that if Totti couldn’t play very well he’d be dropped like a sack of spuds, this happens all too regularly in the game. The Tevez saga and Fernandes going to Valencia instead of Everton are a more realistic view of the modern footballing world.
But when great players come along you want to keep them, they are inevitably worth far more than you pay them or what you could make from selling them. Owners like Berlusconi are right to gloat over Kaka.
The Galaxy is pretty clack, but in Cannon, Pavon, Beckham, Donovan, Buddle, and Harmse you have the core of a promising side. It won’t be the first
The Galaxy is pretty cack, but in Cannon, Pavon, Beckham, Donovan, Buddle, and Harmse you have the core of a promising side. It won’t be the first time a manager has got the boot over a player and it won’t be the last. This season has seen a poor LA side, the game against Toronto was a blip, an anomaly, they might make the play offs but don’t expect them to be do well once they arrive.
Klinsmann couldn’t turn them around this season.
Bobby, what did you watch at the weekend and what results surprised you. You were there; in Toronto; on TV DC United looked formidable and comfortable. How good would you rate them after seeing them in the flesh?
BOBBY, YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW PEOPLE WHOSE ANALYSES I TAKE TO HEART.I AM WRITING FOR YOU TO PUT IT OUT THERE THROUGH FSC PROGRAM THAT JESSE ALTIDORE NEEDS TO BE A PRO IN EUROPE.I HAVE SEEN THIS BOY PLAY.HE HAS SKILLS,STRENGTH,PACE.ALL HE NEEDS RIGHT NOW IS TO GO ABROAD WHERE HE WOULD FACE STRONGER OPPOSITION,AND HIS GAME WILL BE BETTER FOR IT.I WOULD NOT LIKE HIM TO GO THE WAY OF FREDDIE ADU,WHO HAS BEEN GROSSLY OVER-RATED.PLS BOBBY,MAKE THIS A PRIORITY.GETTING INTO A BIG CLUB EVEN THOUGH HE IS NOT PLAYING IS A GOOD THING SINCE AGE IS ON HIS SIDE.IN 1987, ZONIMIR BOBAN WAS SIGNED BY AC MILAN EVENTHOUGH THEY HAD ESTABLISHED NAMES.BOBAN ROSE TO BE A MILAN GREAT BECAUSE HE WAS GIVEN A CHANCE AND HE TOOK.ALTIDORE,EUROPE IS THE PLACE TO BE.THANKS
Last edited by samogala on August 27th at 3:36 PM.
Everton need to sue Valencia. Hopefully this in turn with result in how they brokered the last minute deal to steal Fernandes which is his 3rd party agent I bet. These guys need to be chased out of the game by FIFA its starting to turn into a huge farce.
Jay, on what grounds, exactly would Everton win a legal affair with Valencia, over?
I mean, how many countless times do you think it happens that two clubs are trying to get the same player's signature? At least one club has to lose. Just because Fernandes had said he would play for Everton, doesn't make him wrong (legally) for going back on that decision...
Bobby while you're at it, can you stop world hunger, and end war, I would really appreciate it. And while your at it, can you solve that global warming thing too, sorry to be a stickler but someone has to do it.
Well, heck, if Bobby has time to contact Altidore's agent, stop world hunger, end the war, solve global warming, surely he can cook my dinner tomorrow. ;)
Jay, leche is right. Fernandes might have made a verbal agreement to join Everton, but he didn't sign any contract with them, which means he's not legally bound to them.
I don't think Valencia is the real villain here. The blame can be put on the Premier League/FA (and, to some extent, the Everton board). Appears that Fernandes got worried that the paperwork wouldn't be finalized by the deadline and would have to go back to Benfica. Everton didn't finally agree to pay the full amount to buy out the 3rd party until it was too late. Appears that 3rd party ownership isn't a problem in Spain.
Still, Manny didn't endear himself to Everton fans by leaving Everton the way he did (I blame his agent here, to be frank). Pass his physical, was training with the squad, and everything was agreed in principle except for the actual signing.
Would like to Bobby to weigh on this - I think UEFA/FIFA needs to make some kind of decision as to the consistancy of 3rd party ownership across leagues in Europe (and elswhere).
And JayAlves, I am an Everton fan and simply gutted by Fernandes signing with Valencia.
Last edited by eponymous on August 27th at 4:45 PM.
danielgregg-Why is it ludicrous? The Champions League is a Cup competition, not a league competition. I'd rather have a good Cup team, especially if its better than the fourth placed league team.
Plus as the article points out only once since 92 has some team out of the big four won the the FA Cup. In fact since 89 only 2 teams out of the big four have won the FA Cup and its been Everton and Tottenham.
Bobby
Whats your british 11 all time?
Im a young man but heres mine ( a bit heavy on the bhoys) 4 4 2
In Goal Banks
at the back Bobby Moore, Ray Wilson, Billy Mcneill, Jimmy Armfield
midfield Jinky, Charlton, Lennox, Dalglish
up front Best, Jimmy Greaves
manager Jock Stein
Just a comment on the coverage of the EPL....
Its absolutely insane....completely and utterly insane and I love it.....Its not a rumor mill its a rumor supernova ie Spurs/ Jol/ Berbatov.... I think i heard that Bobby was linked with the job....there is simply nothing else like it....could they use the term "relaible source" any more loosely
Websters: Reliable Source- as in EPL reporting- 1) that guy at the pub 2) my cousin Pats girlfriends niece who does the nails of equipment managers wife
3) where short for news and wouldnt this be a good story
Last edited by bigdavedisaster on August 27th at 5:29 PM.
Let me clarify. I think Everton should go after Valencia as a means to root out the proof that the third party was the instigator in this whole debacle and from there seek action against them. I by no means feel Valencia is in the wrong as I rate the player very highly and they are smart to step in and snag the player when the transfer was in limbo. I just feel that if Everton just take this one on the chin and don't make a huge fuss (threaten Valencia the third party and raise hell with UEFA and FIFA) that this junk will continue to pop up. The kind of stuff that happened with Mikel, Mascherano, Tevez and now Fernandes is not good for the game. Being an Arsenal fan I'm weary as to how Fabregas and F.Merida got to the club and maybe the eventual parting by either when behind the scenes tapping up might happen.
My point about Fernandes is that he didn't show the character of the players described in the article, Totti, Maldini, Zanetti and Del Piero.
Stuff like this inevitably happens, John Obi Mikel anyone.
I just read that Solskjaer retired due to his long running injury troubles. Have you heard the same? How did you rate him? Even though I dislike United, somehow I became a fan of Ole Gunner.
Also do you think SAF will be back in the market for a striker? If so, I would imagine Gudjohnsen would be the perfect replacement -what do you think? I bet SAF is kicking himself for letting Rossi go...
what do you make of the following reports:
1. Chelsea are bidding for Ronaldinho
2. Inter are considering loaning out Adriano
3. Inter are considering bidding for Deco
I personally think Chelsea might be better off as is. If they do make the bid then I imagine they would need to sell off Ballack.
I don't really think Inter will make a bid for Deco, if they had plans to do so they would have already done so... right?
As for loaning out Adriano, this actually could happen. Knowing he will not have enough playing time he could decide to hit the road. I know he is a great player, but Inter has no luck with Brazilian forwards. I think we have enough strikers to live without him...
Ciao, I've heard Inter are willing to part with Adriano... But I've also heard that he wants to go somewhere on a permanent move, not a loan... Which could complicate things.
1.what do you kno w and can you pass a judgement on whats going on between portsmouth and nugent
2.red rom wants ronnie do you see it happening by friday although l do not have an idea why they would wait until the last minute?
3who is the better player martins and owen as we see them and going into the future if they both stay fit?
If Liverpool signs The Beast, where does he play? Who gets left out? And did Rafa see him play last season(other than the game he scored four goals against us...)
I wonder exactly the same thing LGB...unless he's pulling a Shankly and buying him for Liverpool Reserves.
My British all-time 11
GK: Ray Clemence
D: Tommy Smith, Emlyn Hughes, Alan Hansen, Joey Jones
M: John Barnes, Steven Gerrard, Graeme Souness, Steve McManaman
F: Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush
Bench: Elisha Scott-GK, Jaime Carragher-D, Ian Callaghan-M, Robbie Fowler-F, Kevin Keegan-F
Rest in Peace Antonio Puerta. It's a sad day for world soccer when one of the most promising players in one of the best teams in the world dies in such a surprising manner. At least he died doing what he loved, which is more than many people are able to hope for. He's left behind a loving wife and an unborn child. My condolences to his family.
As tragic as the Puerta situation is, I don't think the qualifier should've been postponed. I know that will make me unpopular here but I just think that since this isn't "out of the blue" and the fact that people travel far distances to watch these games, sometimes spending their entire savings, its not something that should be done.
I am sure that FC Sevilla, their fans and Puerta's family and teammates are disconsolate and gutted that you were unreachable prior to this decision. Your insight perhaps could have swayed or influenced this difficult decision.
You sure you don't want to record your post verbatim and post it on Youtube?
You made my day.
Last edited by gongatore on August 28th at 11:40 AM.
I don't like you and think you're a complete f'n #### because of your holier than thou attitude that you take with everyone. I think you need to deal with that...
(Sorry forgot to put this on the original post)-Cheers
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site.
And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
