Thanks to all the regular visitors and posters, your support and enthusiasm is remarkable. Also, thanks to other bloggers who linkthrough to this site.
Stuart James explains why teams may not be so keen to be in the group of top seeds alongside Austria at Euro 2008.
Gabriele Marcotti on Italy’s performance against Scotland. I found the Scottish press placing a bit to much emphasis on the awarding of the late free kick to the exclusion of some of the officials other decisions. I don't think the claims of victimization are credible when measured over the ninety minutes. It also masks the issue that although Scotland has made great progress there is still a roads to go.
Mark McGhee takes a look at former teammate Alex McLeish’s tactics and decisions.
Yeah, I am the first person to post! Just a repeat of the comment of the previous topic so that Bobby does not miss it!
---
Bobby:
I am so sorry that Scotland cannot make it again. Let's hope they get a favorable WC qualifying draw so that they can make it to South Africa.
I agree with one of the above bloggers about having a preliminary round of qualifying in Europe because seeing Germany thrashing San Marino 13-0 is a nuisance. Say the bottom 16 ranked teams to compete for 4 to 5 spots in a small tournament in order to give them something to fight for if not the Finals. What do you think on that?
Doing so, bigger teams do not have to play up to 14 matches to qualify because it is gruelling to the players, managers, and clubs concerned.
One more question, I did not watch the MLS Cup Final because there are better things to watch on TV. Did Houston play well enough or Revs had a bad day?
Like always, I love Bobby as much as I love my family and friends. Keep it up! It took me some time to get used a glass-free Bobby, but it just looks great either way.
alan hansen -1989 I was part of a Liverpool side that would have won the championship had they limited Arsenal to a 1-0 win at Anfield. It proved a very awkward match to prepare for - Arsenal knew exactly what they had to do - and in the event we conceded a second goal and lost the title.
Thanks Bobby for the Usmanov article. Surely the guy has a dark history and I really hope he never buys Arsenal I even hope he sells those stocks that he bought.
Sorry to all the Scottish fans it was a tough loss for you. The 3 refs who according to an article on soccernet are all spanish league refs were terrible. In the article the writer is calling for spanish league refs to stop getting international games coz they are just terrible.
I can't wait for the England/Croatia game. How cool it would be if Eduardo scored the goal that killed England then they can blame Wenger even more and boo Eduardo every game.
I watched the entire Scotland v. Italy game, and I thought the referees were terrible. They made bad calls both ways a number of times. That second goal for Italy was onside, the free kick that led to the Italy winner was weak at best, and the Scotland goal was questionable (offside). I am not sure if different referees would have changed the outcome, but it is a shame you have to ask the question.
Speaking of horrible referees... watch the MLS Cup? How did Alex Prus let Smith off with only a caution after an intentional head-butt? I think someone needs to send the man a copy of the laws. I understand not wanting to "ruin" a cup final, but there is no place for that.
I was not surprised by the Israeli effort. Has nothing to do with England's standing or anything else thereafter. The Russkis are none too popular in Israel for many, many reasons, not least the long term Russian support for PLO and other such organizations pledged to pushing the Israelis into the Mediterranean without water wings. Definitely a Maccabean effort in all respects.
Never has this poem been more fitting than after the events at Hampden:
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
and auld lang syne ?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !
And surely I’ll be mine !
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae run about the braes,
and pou’d the gowans fine ;
But we’ve wander’d mony a weary fit,
sin’ auld lang syne.
CHORUS
We twa hae paidl’d in the burn,
frae morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
sin’ auld lang syne.
CHORUS
And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere !
And gies a hand o’ thine !
And we’ll tak a right gude-willie-waught,
for auld lang syne.
Condolences to Bobby on Scotland's loss to Italy, but congratulations to the Scottish side, which has a bright future in international football. All that is needed is a bit more attack power, and that may be coming up the ranks from the junior talent. Losing at home is painful, but wait until next time.
I would LOVE to see a new Home Internationals for the UK. Maybe the England FA is scared of what could happen? I would say Scotland has more than a fighting chance against England based on current form. Scotland nearly made it through in a much tougher group (on paper).
I'm not convinced England are going to make it through. Croatia is on top of the group for a reason.
Remember though, if a player that makes $5MIL per year can have a bad game then certainly a referee can be afforded the same luxury. I agree with getz76 that it is a shame that you have to ask the question.
Is this the worst "transfer" of recent times?
Steve Bruce to Wigan for 3m pounds!
Bobby - Will Mcleish still be in charge when WC qualifying comes round?
Will he be able to resist when a premier league club comes calling? Birmingham perhaps?
I apologize for questioning Israel's honor regarding this sporting event.
I never thought England wouldn't qualify. My worst fears are proving true. Not only will England qualify they will win the group. So McClown is in the for the long run. They will be lucky to get out of the group in Austria.
Last edited by MasMaz on November 19th at 9:38 AM.
It's true. Spain haven't won anything since the 60's. Chock full class players, but notorious underachievers.
They follow the same pattern for just about every competition: delirious predictions of conquest followed by massive deflation in later rounds caused by some absurdity.
Getz,
What smith did was stupid, but it was not a red card, he more nuzzled his shoulder than actually headbutted. Whoever the defender was sold it well.
Great article on Paul Mariner. I got a fairly funny story from my soccer camp days. So as I mentioned he ran the Coever Elite soccer camp I went to in St Lawrence University. Everyday we would play against the councilors, and the first game and last game they would videotape and critque. Normally Paul would just watch and tell us what we did wrong, but the day before camp ended he decided to play. During the game Paul put in a quite hard tackle on a 14 year old who was about 5'7 and weighed probably 140. He ended up sending the kid to the hospital. But rather than feel any remorse Paul in the critque said he basically deserved it because he held onto the ball too long. Needless to say the father was not too happy with him from what my parents told me.
Predictions? Spain Euro 2008 winners led by Cesc Fabulous as player of the tournament. Spanish media make a big deal about their best player (maybe two with Torres) play outside Spain and English media complain that the EPL is breeding success in foreign national teams and that they should all be kicked out ! Blatter then kidnaps both players and sends one of each to Real and Barca to restore the balance to old fogies football where you can only be happy with your club if they are as nationalistic and xenophobic as possible! Then the world implodes. (as thats what would happen if Spain ever won a tournament.)
Nuzzled sounds so cozy. :D We will agree to disagree; I think it was a poorly executed headbutt. The intent was there, and the intent is what matters, not the contact (same with Dirk Kuyt's two-footed drop kick tackle from some weeks back).
If any card was to be shown, it should have been red or nothing. Otherwise, what was the card for?
JayAlves,
I agree 100%. Best prediction ever. You forgot one detail; Blatter will deliver a groin-shot to Arsene Wenger on the way out of London as he is jealous there is a talented man in football administration that makes him look like the useless beauracrat that he is.
I remember the first time I saw Khano Smith play for the revs. It was against the Crew and for some reason thought he was American and only 19. I got so excited because the way he runs is like Thiery Henry, and Henry started on the wing.
Then I found out that he is 24 and from Bermuda and I started to dislike him, because he sucks,and does the same tap tap, and hard touch with his left down the sideline where he trys to outrun the guy covering him.
He is a fustrating player to watch, and I feel any potential he might have had it is already probably too late for him to really become a decent player, forget world class.
Last edited by therealrico on November 19th at 12:40 PM.
Getz I just thought of this as well. I can understand the comparison to the Kuyt missed tackle, but I feel that they are different and here is why. Although I didn't see the tackle by Kuyt it sounded like there was malicious intent, but he missed completely, had he connected it probably would have been a red card.
With the Smith headbutt/nuzzle I feel he deserved the yellow, because of the action that he took. I however don't feel it merited the red card based on the fact that I thought about a split second before he did it, common sense overrode, and he just tapped him, the way he did. To me that is no worse than a player pushing away an opponent with thier hands.
Now the rules might state that would be a red card, but I feel that refs don't always go by the book, and sometimes refs interpret it as they wish, (which can be a good and a bad thing). So if I was personally the ref I would have interpreted it as a yellow card.
Cheers. Thanks for the response. I can see it from that point of view a bit more clearly. I still would have went for red (as a complete neutral).
And yes, the defender definitely tried to sell it.
The Kuyt tackle was horrible; he should have been sent off and suspended. The fact he did not make contact with Neville was not for lack of effort but by luck alone. It looked like a professional wrestling drop kick.
Go back to last season, Gilberto Silva was red carded after he kicked out at Robbie Savage after a nasty challenge. No contact. I did not like the fact Gilberto was sent off as I am an Arsenal supporter, but I understood it. I was more upset at Gilberto for responding. He's not a kid and should know better. I thought Savage deserved the same treatment, but we had the benefit of replay while the referee did not, and in all honesty Savage deserved a yellow and not a red. It is often the response that is caught but not the instigation.
Kuyt's intent is irrelevant -- it was a reckless and dangerous challenge that deserved a red card far more than Obi Mikel's tackle at Old Trafford.
Sorry, but I won't join the chorus in predicting a bright future for the Scots, whose results weren't matched by their performances. They were well organized but rode their luck in many, many matches, particularly away from home. They still lack consistent goal scoring up front. Still, it could be worse. They could be Steve McClaren's England . . .
Kuyt's intent is irrelevant -- it was a reckless and dangerous challenge that deserved a red card far more than Obi Mikel's tackle at Old Trafford.
Sorry, but I won't join the chorus in predicting a bright future for the Scots, whose results weren't matched by their performances. They were well organized but rode their luck in many, many matches, particularly away from home. They still lack consistent goal scoring up front. Still, it could be worse. They could be Steve McClaren's England . . .
Interesing interview with Don Garber. I have have never been much for the hipster marketing that he subscribes to but it is hard to deny the business success that MLS has seen during his tenure. If you project out 10 to 15 years, where do you think MLS will be?
Last edited by oldcoach on November 19th at 5:47 PM.
Adu vs Altidore...
There is still something Adu has that Josey nor any other American player possess. You just have to watch the magic to know what I am talking about. It becomes more obvious everytime I see Freddy do his thing. When he learns his position on the pitch to anticipate the pass, deflection or steal (come with experience)but more important a teammate that puts the ball in a area that gives Freddy that first advantage, it will be time to sit back and enjoy the finish. Great players need to be playing along side good players that appreciate their superior ability.
Italy beating Scotland - so many people using the D word and talking about luck and the refereeing, had they not coughed up a hugely awful display against Georgia they might have just needed the draw against Italy. Valiant losers again - just like the English, except we generally do it in the Finals themselves :)
England does go football mad when there is a tournamanet to watch - but what is the cost to the local police forces?
Don Garber is good for the MLS - his head is screwed on and he's taking things nice and slow. Now if only he could work out how to balance the MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield more evenly.
The fat Russian crook would fit in nioely with the current crop of Premier League bast ards.
Abramovich - arch crook
Shinawatra - governmental crook
Usmanov - anopther russian crook
Yeung - totally above board - right!
Glazers - in it purely for the love of the game
Maybe the next Premier league Chairman could be an ex-general from Iraq.
Russia got found out as being not very good - doh - no suprise there then - who were all these idiots who pumped them up just because they beat a shiite england 2-1 at home?
getz76 + relarico - the headbutt was kinda neglible and the Houston player did make a meal of it. But why didn't Smith get a second yellow for 'escorting' Ngwenya from the pitch. A clear case of 'bringing the game into disrepute'
Prus obviously noticed but his hand gestures to Smith seemed to suggest exsasperation. It was kind of odd, the player and the ref obviously had some dialogue but no card was flo
It was kind of odd, the player and the ref obviously had some dialogue but no card was flourished.
Bobby - Would you want Usmanov as an owner of a club you supported?
What next for Scotland? A new manager or stick with the current set up for 2010 qualification.
How much would Dixie Dean be worth in today's money - say in the summer of 28 after he bagged the 60 goals.
Do you think Bruce is right to leave to try and resurrect a 'dead horse'.
Who do you think will try to finish second (in euro 08 qualifying) and how will they do it? Or have they already done it?
Ringo - that move suprised me - it almost certainly seems to be a move back into the Championship for next season.
Atleti - Spain are actually worse than England, they seem to have better players but just play well below themselves in major tournaments, they even lost to England on PKs!
Is it me or is the MLS really pushing for the Galaxy to win the MLS Cup next year? The create the DP role that seems to be tailor made for David Beckham, the extend the one year grandfather clause for existing players over the 400,000 salary - which seems to help the Galaxy more than any other team (see Landon Donavan wages), and they are going to play the Cup in LA next year?
QUESTION - Bobby do you think after next year the league will comment that the Designated Player is working so well that they will grant all teams yet another DP slot? Allowing David Beckham and Landon Donavan to play on the same team and be the most marketable team worldwide for MLS and becoming the face for MLS.
i think don garber has done a great job of marketing the league. They (MLS) are just starting to get a youth program built which will be key for the future of the league and allow for more expansion teams. No one really has addressed where all the players are going to come from in the next two or three years when the league is expecting to add 3 or 4 teams. There is a super carrier amount of talent out here in the states that is yet to be tapped into. I live in S.Florida and there are a bunch of 2nd generation immigrants that play soccer and understand the game. Many of them could play in MLS. The other thing i dont get is why the league doesnt go to a single table format. You could still have the rivalries and the playoff system. The top 6 teams make the playoffs. Simply as that. You could also use that single table to hand out qualification for the super liga, the open cup, champions cup, the copa sudamericana. I mean there is a host of things that would make a single table format better than this stupid conference thing.
I know the argument too that Mexico has 3 table, but the difference is that there are like 30 teams in Mexico. Whatever. i just think MLS has a bit of work to do before the league can start sending teams to compete with S.American teams.
Nice broadcast last night as usual. Any truth to getting you on-air for Wednesday night? It will give me something to watch while the turkey is in the brine.
What does everyone think of McClaren's decision to go with Robinson in goal? I still think there are at least three healthy England keepers in better form (James, Green, Carson). Why did he bother starting Carson in the friendly, then? I know it was not exactly a stiff test versus Austria, but it seems like the man can deal with a cross!
I have no skin in this game. I tend to follow the English because I follow the EPL.
apad, I think there's some difficulty in making the MLS single table. The sheer size of the USA and the number of teams makes having a balanced schedule difficult. It's not impossible though and when more teams are added to the mix, perhaps they'll do it.
Verbal97 - i keep hearing that same argument that the size of the country and i just dont buy it. Dont they all play each other anyways. I think i remember United playing against Chivas in LA and vice versa? Single table everybody plays everybody twice home and away and thats that. What is difficult about that? Im not jumping on you verbal97, i just think its just the MLS trying to keep to the American sporting landscape. All the other sports do it so they think football should do it too. Its stupid. This isnt the same sport as all the other american sprots. Be different, its already a different game then anything else on teh planet. Just go for it. Would a Galaxy vs United game have more meaning anyways if they are in the same table and fighting for the same playoffs?
I agree, I would be more interested in MLS if it had a better (European) format. Take "strength of schedule" out of the equation, make winning the league a goal for teams, and... relegation?!? I would love relegation, but I will not hold my breath.
So Usmanov is prepared to give the Croats 4 Mercedes if they are to beat England. LOl. I hope they can oblige him.
I am disappointed at Wenger saying England will win 2:0, but I guess seeing that he is such a celebrity in England, he doesn't want to upset the fans by saying Croatia could win this one. Then again, he was never good at predictions when it came to Non-western European countries either.
Nobody predicted Croatia would destroy Italy away during Croatia's qualifiers debut in 1994 and set the world on fire. But they did. I am not predicting Croatia will win at Wembley, but I really hope they do, and show once again why they are the best team in the group. This is a perfect opportunity for Modric to showcase his talent to some of the top European clubs that are interested in him (Arsenal, Chelsea, etc).
apad, I'm not saying I agree with the notion just offering the reasons that have been used. I think the # of teams is the bigger issue as everybody playing twice = fewer games and everybody playing 4x = many more. Eventually, when the league has more teams, it would be far more realistic.
Relegation will NEVER happen. It's difficult to get the owners to come into the league as it is, if they buy a team and there's a chance of it being out of the league and in USL, the incentive for ownership will be less.
Here is a good example of England being overrated. Micah Richards plays together with Vedran Corluka in the Manchester City defence. While Eriksson sees an exceptionally gifted defender in Corluka, the English media and fans can only talk about Richards. The fact is Richards (who was the worst player during their annihilation by Chelsea even though the English won't admit it) is only as good as his supporting cast, such as Croatia's Vedran Corluka. Other than Man City fans, has anybody even heard of Corluka? Probably not. He's not English, and if you'd ask an English fan to pick a defender between the two (and yes Corluka can play any position in the defence), fans would pick Richards on account of him being English. Thank God, results in soccer depend on merrit and not popularity.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on November 20th at 8:47 AM.
Another point I was trying to make with my afore mentioned example was that just because Croatia had some unknowns on their squad, (to the English media at least) it did not mean they lacked the quality to compete at the top level.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on November 20th at 9:11 AM.
Difference between Croatia and England: Croatia are always full of compliments when they talk about England,while the English only mention some poor results during the early competition that resulted in them having trouble to qualify. English clearly don't respect the Croats. It could cost them.
Don't be shocked if Croatia beat the tar out of England tomorrow. If you ask me The FA, Steve McClaren, English Squad, English Media and fans are in desparate need of a lesson and humility.
You are right Sleeper, respect is due.
getz, I would prefer Cole to start over Beckham since my proposed formation is much like the 4-3-3 Mourinho employed, '04-'05 especially. I think this is the only way that Lampard and Gerrard could co-exist on the team and it's a much better option than throwing Bent or Defoe on for the sake of keeping it a 4-4-2. I'd throw Beckham on if needed around the hour mark. At the moment, he isn't match fit and playing him for 90 minutes just for his dead ball expertise is tantamount to playing with 10 and a half. Plus having Barry AND Hargreaves protecting the back four not only allows Gerrard and Lampard the freedom to press forward to link play with Crouch, but adds the extra protection in a game where keeping a clean sheet guarantees qualification.
But seeing as McLaren has no gonads he will play the lazy 4-4-2 with Beckham and Bent/Defoe from the start. In the end, I really don't care if England qualify, but I'm bored so I thought I'd put myself in McLaren's shoes.
Last edited by verbal97 on November 20th at 12:09 PM.
Also I hit up the Green briar, and had the hangover breakfast. Not sure if you ever had it but it included 2 eggs, 2 pancakes, has browns, rashers, bashers, and I don't even know what else, it was heavenly!
Last edited by therealrico on November 20th at 12:20 PM.
Some Monday night drinking rico? I love the Green Briar, but if I had that with a hangover, I'd be spending the day in the bathroom. Being a skier I can't be bothered by the snow though, it's just unfortunate it stopped. I'm just waiting until I can leave work for the week. I love two day weeks.
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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