I've been puzzled by the team selections and tactics of both Sven Goran Eriksson and Mini-Sven, Steve McLaren. In terms of selection, they both seem desparate to curry the favor of "star" players and are reluctant to withdraw them whether they are in-form or not. So...we get the Gerrard/Lampard combination when it clearly doesn't work and the strange devotion to Paul Roinson when the likes of Robert Green and David James are clearly in better form. Wouldn't everyone be better served if Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Bentley, etc. were fighting for these spots? Pushing each other to greater heights? Of course, it would be benefit club and country for these places--and all others--to be up for grabs, so to speak. If you are doing the business for your club then you'll see time on the pitch. If England would have a stable pool of 30 or so players, all of whom were in contention and knew that their form would be a key to squad selection it would also give the team stability as you wouldn't have people constantly coming and going. England has so many potential performers that I would think keeping an England "B" squad would be a great way for the manager to see players under pressure. For example, I can only think Lescott would have benefitted from such an experience while the more accomplished left-backs Shorey and Bridge deputized for Ashley Cole. Okay. On to a bigger problem, tactics. England often bustle with energy but look lost and dependent on flashes of brilliance and hard work rather than a more erudite approach to the game. For example, if you MUST play Gerrard and Lampard a
The Group C will be the best Group coz Nigeria, Ivory Cost and Mali can all qualify. Apart from that the other groups are pretty much staright foward.
Congrats to South Africa in the big win over England in the Rugby world cup. Totally a misrable time to be a England Sports fun. That one was for Lucky Dubey the Greatest Reggae musician from Africa.
Arsenal Keep rolling rolling, Liverfools are next in the Epl. Tough game hope Rafarotator, rests Gerrald, Carraghar and Torres for the Carling cup game on Tue or Weds after our game.
Barca and Real both got a beating. AC Milan look terrible and lost, Seville finally win a league game, have to see the Roma/Napoli highlights seems like it was an awesome game to watch. The 2nd goal by Espanyol was amazingly sweet.
It's great to have Club football back, now lets see how it goes in the C.L.
Sam Wallace – dull article with two good bits
Hiddink being short with a reporter and England only missing 6 tournaments since ’66; behind Germany, Italy and tied with Spain.
Roddy Forsyth – good article
The political machinations of FIFA are oft gobsmacking.
In the rarified air of Switzerland calling Blatter a ‘tricky customer’ is probably more frowned upon than anything else McBeth said.
Seb Coe doesn’t know shiite about ethics – he was bloody good runner – but he’s always been a turgid human being.
Andrew Jennings –
Interesting addendum to the above – one FIFA payment to a Caribbean team went to the head of that countries FA, it was split 50/50 between the FA and the team – but – the taxes came solely from the half given to the team.
I like the feet under the table but not at the trough analogy
Yes, describing Coe as well rewarded is fairly accurate. Lord Coe is about at ethical as a haddock. Olympic Gold to a Lord…hmm if that’s not fishy then neither is Grimsby.
The ACN draw –
Favours Ghana somewhat. I don’t know whether to support RSA or Nigeria or to cheer against them, the Ivory Coast Nigeria game could be a good one.
Uri Sharedsky –comes across as tongue in cheek
But an interesting slant on the Israelis not playing hard if they can’t qualify – a draw will be the result.
Tom English – funny and enjoyable (in parts) but not particularly insightful
The Cruyf comment was wickedly funny.
I’m sure Walter is quaking in his boots; the bloke is a fine manager could be the upset of the tournament so far.
If only someone at the FA could be so enthusiastic.
Do you have any impressions of Warner you’d share Bobby?
Will FSC be showing any ACN games?
Will Yallop stay or go?
Which games tickle your fancy in the play offs?
Who is a team you think would slip up or be surprised in this weeks, UEFA Champions League or UEFA Cup?
Gunner - FSC does a good serie a highlight show on Monday nite
Dasayev - England have always been about hard work and flashes of brilliance - some teams have atouch more brilliance in them than other (GAZZA, Hoddle) whilst other have a bit more graft (Butcher, Robson, Ince). The England coach is cack.
I'm watching the Villareal/Barca game and pires just walked out to a deserved standing ovation. He was amazing. Wenger must have been thinking "I should have kept this guy in the game against Barca in last year's final." Totally overshadowed the man he played in his shadow for many year The King himself Henry.
Ahh, yes, throw another Corgi on the barbie in honour of Arsenal. Singe when you're winnin', wot? Pip-pip and here's a pinta Pims to perpetuatin' class structure in England. A whiff of grapeshot, an' all that, wot?
Club L'Arse have had a great start, to be sure, but they've also played one of the softest schedules so far, with six of their first nine at home. Now a doomed entity with news of the new EU regs on sport being ruled different from other economic/trade matters. Wenger on suicide counselling?
In more relevant matters to the Norf'Merican scene, the inaugural season for Toronto FC ended on a poetic note Saturday when fan-favorite Danny Dichio hit a gorgeous, arcing lob shot from a back-to-goal spin move to give TFC a 2-2 tie with New England this past weekend.
Last goal of the season scored by the same man who scored TFC's first-ever goal. An amazing inaugural season, capped by one of the best days you could experience at a game. Down 2-0, up pops marvellous Marvell Wynne to doggedly engineer the first goal and Dichio to end it with an absolute stunner.
Best of all, I got FOUR MORE SEATS for next year. To go with two pairs I already participate in. And TFC has guaranteed itself sellout attendance for next year, 16,000 subscribers already. We'll rule MLS one day. Soon, even. And I'll be there!
With the CanuckBuck dwarfing the puny 'Merican babybuck, we'll easily lure top talent with our superior economy and upscale lifestyle.
Out the way, you little people! We've got Arsenal to emulate!
GILES! Just taser the damn dog if you cahn't catch it!
Last edited by flashman on October 21st at 11:34 PM.
Bobby, How long do you think it's going to take for Mourinho to surface at AC Milan? They looked awful this weekend against Emploi, haven't won a home fixture, and are now in the bottom half of the talbe. It's like they're moving in slow motion. If they lose or draw to Shahtar on Wednesday, will Ancelotti be sent packing? Also, what does AC need in January (player/position wise) to find a resurgence in Serie A and the Champions League?
Poor officiating (re Clattenburg); allowing players to influence his decision (Gerrard), maybe. Or, maybe not awarding Everton a blatant last-second penalty. Was there anything else shambolic about his officiating?
I pick Ghana and Nigeria to make it to the ACN final. I only base that on the fact that both countries made it very far in the U-17 World Cup (Nigeria were champions). A promising sign for their 2010 World Cup campaigns in South Africa.
Three cheers to Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal for moving things forward on thier own.
Canada has a rich cultual mosaic that is quite supportive of the "beautiful game". The ability to attract top level athletes and potential to make it one of the premier sports in the nation should be quite obvious.
Perhaps an open letter to schools, parents and communities about the health, social and cost benefits for children, communities and families involved in soccer should be a starting point for the CSA and the trio of clubs looking to push the game further along.
Lets face it growing and cutting grass is a lot less expensive than making ice year round. Fighting is not tolerated in society let alone a soccer match. Finally the world is getting warmer, who wants to be cold.
He got the call right in the end in reference to Gerrard...isn't that what it should be about? Getting the right call in the end?
He missed a blatant penalty. That was his only mistake. The Kuyt challenge wasn't a red as per shown by Bobby when he showed us the rules. So one wrong decision and he's suspended?
Not sure where the obsession stems from especially since it seems your a TFC fan? didn't know Arsenal and TFC had a cross league, ocean rivalry going.
Not sure why you mention the strength of schedule as I don't think any fan with sense would deny it. Arsenal fans are just happy that we haven't dropped points like a sieve like last year right out of the gate especially against the lower quarter of the table.
As for the European ruling you just show your ignorance on the issue really. Any changes to the structure of what players can play would not be instant and fought tooth in nail by all the large clubs. By the time any of these xenophobic rules could be in place the Arsenal academy will have produced enough English players if need be.
"We hope that in a few years we will have some very strong English players who can of course be a good mixture with players from abroad." some guy named Arsene Wenger.
ManU, Chelsea and Pool will have as much or more problems if any of these rules get forced in the long run. Roman has no allegiance to England and he outed the manager who wanted to setup a youth system. Fergie now relies on Queiroz who does his shopping at Sporting. Benitez is trying to build a youth system but when in doubt hes gone to Spain.
Last edited by JayAlves on October 22nd at 9:07 AM.
Barcelona are so injury-ridden it's crazy. They need to revamp their training sessions to build up strength & endurance. There was an article on sport.es (Barcelona's main news source) about that when they first began suffering injuries this season.
I just read right now that Dida's suspension has been reduced by UEFA. Can anyone confirm this?
JayAlves, great post, but logic doesn't work with the kind of hysterical, neurotic anti-Arsenal hatred that consumes Flashman. His arguments are laughable and driven only by an irrational fixation, not reality.
Bobby, could you please tell your friends on the Fox Soccer Report and the entire Fox Soccer Channel that the player's name is ELANO BLUMER! ELANO BLUMER! ELANO BLUMER! I don't understand why the Fox Soccer Channel (mainly Derek Taylor and Jeremy St. Louis, but also the guys who put together the captions for who scored which goal) keep calling him BLUMER ELANO.
This has become a point of constant irritation and comment from my circle of Brazilian football fans here in NYC -- we all watch the channel and this idiotic, incredibly stupid "Blumer Elano" cr@p is mystifying. Don't these people know the basic rules of Brazilian footballers' names?!?! They are known by one of the following:
1. A childhood nickname derived from their real name (Kaka) or having absolutely nothing to do with their real name (Pele)
2. Their first name or variation thereof (Ronaldinho, Ronaldo)
I said 'reports suggest'- I never once said that I personally saw that game. Thanks for the footage though- it actually does confirm the report: Clattenburg had the yellow in his hand until Gerrard said a few words to him.
q1 what is the deal with gerrard clear the air, do you mean he can not be subbed, if fergie or wenger sub a rooney or ronaldo or cesc there will not be any clear the air talks whats your take
q2l think wenger is probably more ruthless than fergie but less confrontational do you agree
q3 how do you rate keane' signing this season , the likes of halford,cole
I hate how the rules shakedown sometimes... So if a defender is last man back its a red but how many times has it been a goalie and its fine. The lack of consistency is annoying and its one of my least favorite rules on how its interpreted.
I don't think Atleti is saying it should be a yellow so much as it looked like it was a yellow by the ref until he had a change of heart. Some coaxing we don't know exactly but still shady.
Kuyt was also lucky as that was one ridiculous challenge. I think what saved him in the refs eyes was the lack of contact but another ref could of easily interpreted the intent of a 2 foot flying tackle. Words really cant describe what he was trying to do for anyone who hasn't seen it's a must.
Easily the best highlight was Nevilles amazing save. Imagine what we would be talking about if the penalty didn't go in that would of been 2 points stolen.
Question: It seems like West Ham and Sunderland have spent comparable sums of money to Man City, but have been less successful. Do you think it is because british managers make poor signings?. I do not see a playmaker (like elano) in these sides. Are they trying to build a high-tempo english long ball squad which does not require a playmaker?
Last edited by bayareasoccerfan on October 22nd at 10:42 AM.
I can see similarities to Gullit-Shearer because Gerrard does have that same bit of whingey streak in him as Shearer, complaining about playing out wide and now about being subbed. The difference is Benitez has won some pretty impressive silverware and Liverpool's new ownership completely backed him with a huge bankroll to sign Torres, Babel et al this summer.
And I hope the scouse contingent, who waxed vitrolic about my comments a couple of weeks back about Gerrard's turnip positional sense read Bobby's rather astute analysis as well as caught Rafa's comments about his "playing with his heart rather than his head" after Saturday's match.
And, by the way, Clattenberg deserves to sit after that performance. He choked on the Kuyt decision -- compare it to the tackle that got Mikel sent off. And he missed a stonewall penalty at the end. If Styles earned a suspension for the Chelsea non-penalty, Clattenberg certainly did, too. Liverpool is now even on the blown calls -- Everton needs one to make up for that injustice -- hopefully through an Andy Johnson dive against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Some posts read as alcohol-fuelled gibberish so I ignore them as move on. ;-)
I love talk about Arsenal's "soft" schedule. Hmm, let's see. Beat Pompey (who drew Liverpool), defeated City (who beat United), drew Rovers (who drew Chelsea), beat Spurs at WHL (who drew Liverpool at Anfield). While I have agreed to reserve judgement on Arsenal's title hopes until this weekend's trip to Anfield and the showdown with United, the signs are promising.
atleti,
The news that Dida's suspension has been reduced is all over the wire services.
Bobby, what do you think is the source of england's problems on the international stage?
... england hasn't won anything even when Eriksson was there. Its the whole program that should be analyzed. But I do think McClaren should be sacked... especially because he tried to make the players fit in a mold, instead of shaping the formation to suit the type of players he had.
Some players are overated... like (i know u guys wont like it..haha) Lampard and joe Cole, Gary neville, ashley cole...
Some players are injury prone like m.owen, o.hartgreaves, lennon and j.Terry.
some players are underated and should get a bigger share of playing time... Carragher, sidwell and even pennant comes to mind...
Hiddink should be approached by the fa... even if he does not come from england. Besisde him, I can see no one that could quickly turn the club arround... the past 5 years have proved him to be a very solid international coach... I have a lot of respect for what he has done.
LGB - when is the last time you got your eyes checked? :P
Arsenal may have had a 'soft' schedule - something I disagree with - but you only have to have seen the manner of their wins, some of the best pure football (slick passing and movement etc) in the Premier League.
Good teams - especially teams with League Title aspirations - beat the teams that Arsenal have beaten - they find a way to win; which is as much down to the sort of tactical shennanigans we saw at Goodison as the players themselves.
dg - you forgot 4. An adult nickname based on their extra curricular activities - Wagner Love
Last man commits the foul it's a red - the law
But referees have often used their judgement and common sense and you see many yellows in that and similar situations.
This is what Micah Richards said about the field Turf pitch in Moscow
"I am not going to use the artificial pitch as an excuse but I am not going to lie either - it made a difference.
Shaun Wright-Phillips and I were not our usual selves on the right - we tried to link up in the first five minutes when I went on a run and tried knocking the ball in front of me but it just stopped dead.
We knew what to expect because we had played on it before but it was quite hard taking on a player with pace and using that side of my game. "
For the full article :
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foo tball/7051498.stm
alberta...I believe Bobby prefaced that by stating Gerrard's greatest strength is his greatest weakness. To be honest, I'm not sure if Gerrard was supposed to be playing purely right-sided of if he was given a free role (which I think is his best position). If a player is told to roam then can his positional sense be ridiculed? In any event, I was surprised that he was substituted (as was everybody else). His surging run was the reason Liverpool got their first penalty, without which Liverpool may have lost. Despite his lack of form, he still had a positive influence in a big game. In the end, I'm annoyed at how much effort I put in to defend Gerrard, who though I hold in very high regards, isn't on my 5 favorite players list.
LGB, I obviously don't like taking shots at what a fellow supporter has to say (especially on this blog), but some of your thoughts over the past couple days have me scratching my head. Clattenberg (who I think is a good ref overall) had a bad game on par with Styles performance mentioned above. Just because Liverpool benefited doesn't mean he shouldn't be punished as Styles was punished. And the league is FAR more important than the CL. The CL is a great knock-out tournament that allows teams from different leagues great competition from sources that they aren't accustomed. I love the CL, but the league is the more important and difficult competion to win.
And a question for the masses...how does one actually break a metatarsal? Sometimes it seems that contact from an opponent isn't necessary to break it?
Arsenal may yet to have beaten any of the traditional top four, but there are no easy games in the EPL. And as been outlined before the teams they have beaten are no slouches, and two of those teams traditionally gave Arsenal a hard time, Blackburn and Bolton. Last year Arsenal would lose or draw those games.
Craigy, on the topic of the EPL review show, don't you miss the old theme music? That music got me so pumped, I wish they hadn't changed it, the new theme music stinks!
The longer Frank Lampard is out of the England team the better he will become in the eyes of all those who knock him ,until everyone is calling for him to be recalled. Seem to remember it happening once or twice before with others...
Although it would be in everyone`s best interest`s for Liverpool to beat Arsenal at the weekend ,I hope Arsenal go there and stuff them!
A win would be nice but for the sake of the EPL I'm hoping the result wont be marred by reffing debacles. Has there been a hyped up game this season that hasn't? Chelsea Liverpool, Chelsea ManU and Liverpool Everton are all forgettable games for quality and have had huge debates on the calls in the game and how it had an effect on the results. Would be nice to watch a big game where at the end you can say the result was deserved and the ref had no significant part in shaping it.
Last edited by JayAlves on October 22nd at 12:46 PM.
Nah I have the MOTD theme tune :)
verbal97 - nicely put. As a blue it is my duty to win the 'war of words' as we aren't winning the actual games lately - it's all we have.
I can't see that the gaping hole into which Lescott continually galloped foward (as a result of Gerrard coming inside) as any sort of sound tactical ploy - although Osman isn't really a winger, he drifts inside as well.
Are Metatarsal breaks are more frequent with the introduction of the ultra-uber-lightweight-feels like a slipper football boots?
Does the banter increase the higher up the League a team is?
JayAlves - every game Clattenburg refereed until THE DERBY was excellent, one game he didn't even show a card.
That is why his performance on Saturday is so inexplicable.
But the tighter the game the more the referee's decisions come into play.
Had that Kuyt tackle gone unpunished in the win against Derby County it would have hardly made a blip.
why would I miss that tune when I have the MOTD theme tune.
Although that isn't as good as the Cricket theme tunes.
Or Z Cars
Toon 3 - 1 Tottingham with 10 mins to go
Tonight its the hammers v the black cats on Premier League Fanzone (why could they have not had The Derby?). The show is great - especially if it involves your team.
Well I wasn't comparing it to themes of other shows especially shows I have never heard of. But the theme last year I absolutley loved, where as this year, it just doesn't seem right at all.
And you still haven't clarified what MOTD is.
Last edited by therealrico on October 22nd at 1:45 PM.
Congrats on your nuptials. In terms of Stevie G., players need to maintain discipline and focus, even in a free role in the midfield or they will allow space for the opposition to exploit. That's why Rafa subbed him and later made comments about needing to play "with his head not his heart." Like you, I hold Gerrard in high regard as an attacking midfielder. However, he switches into headless chicken mode too often to be regarded as a great all-around box-to-box central midfielder a la Keane, Vieira or even Essien.
I completely agree with you on both Clattenberg's suspension and the need to win the Premiership versus the Champions League. Most Liverpool supporters would gladly trade crashing out in the group stages of the Champions League for a league title. Most Arsenal supporters would probably make the same trade off. Chelsea supporters may be the one exception to this rule.
Rico,
MOTD is an abbreviation for the enormously popular BBC programme Match of the Day, hosted by Gary Linekar and I think Alan Hansen. It's been running since the 1960s and it's theme song is very well known.
Spurs looked shambolic today -- wonder how much time Jol will have to set it right. You'd hate to see the guy get it in the neck when the club is badly missing their best defender and captain. As an Arsenal supporter, though, I hope hope Levy pushes him out the door. Spurs can go back to mid-table mediocrity for a while, it's their proper station.
A Walter Smith lemon (Bakayoko, one of his few) will get a good reception on Thursday night - any other players who are making a competitive return to former clubs in Europe this week?
Arsenal's second goal - two players were offside by a country mile.
Paul Robinson (aka butterfingers - he's going to appear in the new bond film)
seemed quite gutted in the studio before the Toon game. He said that he must work harder to eliminate his mistakes.
Although I would suggest some time spent getting a better understanding of how to catch a ball, how to palm a ball aside and positional awareness on crosses would be more appropriate - if his football career goes down the pan he can always come and play football for the Giants
Is anybody aware of the mess at the CSA outside Canada? The shambles would be laughable, but for two reasons: firstly nobody is taking much notice here, a sad reflection on the soccer scene here - in my humble opinion and secondly, nobody outside Canada has heard of it.... have they?
The artical on England makes a pretty good case for sacking McClaren. It mentions very nicely most of what has been missed or done wrong, from team selection to tactics. Had 'King Sven II' not worked with his predecessor he might have more time, but his planning, decisions and public demeanour all leave much to be desired. Clearly he is not in the same league as Jose or Gus, not to mention a good few more we can all think of, so time now Mr Barwick to put things right before it's too late.
The FA say Clattenburg is on a prearranged leave and refereeing a European match next week.
Moyes doubtless will get better days just as Rafa will, but what goes around comes around.
Gerrard will be fresher for Besiktas and what clearly materialised against the Bluenoses is that Leiva was an unknown quantity of real class. Everyone knows Gerrards capablility and style of play and coaches do their upmost to harness him. Taking him off out of the blue clearly upset the opposition flow and tactically it worked. What is more Rafa has signalled his willingness to do it at one of the two most important league games. If only McClaren could do this for England.
Looking forward to tonight's report Bobby....I think?
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.
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