MeanSucka - I know I may be late on this one - what do you think of Michael Owen saying that the England need to rethink psychological preparation for matches: "When fear takes over, you start to do things wrong and take the easy option which in our case is lumping the ball forward to the front men. I’m not absolving myself from blame… What must be addressed as much as anything is our psychological preparations."
Do you suspect that McClaren was playing a DVD of Shrek to motivate the team?
Bobby – As late as a Robbie Savage challenge. I think Owen has a point. The way England plays at times it does look like they are racked with fear. But fear can be generated from a number of sources and having a manager who was indecisive and seemed more concerned about his image would not have helped.
CIAO - Here is to MILAN!!! I hope they prove Marcotti wrong! Haven't writers yet learned not to write off Italians?
Bobby – I guess it stings more when it as an Italian writer writing off Milan.
CIAO - Can you please give us your early predictions for the EURO 2008?
Bobby – It is far too early to start looking at a crystal ball. I’ll keep my thoughts until next summer.
Getz76 - Is Sam Allardyce in trouble? I am completely indifferent on the topic and to me it looks like they are performing much like they were last season; was he expected to get to European competition in the first season?
Bobby – Yes. Newcastle fans are so frustrated after years of false dawns and a revolving manager’s door that they do probably have unrealistic expectations. However, having unrealistic expectations is one thing but I think you nailed it with your comment “to me it looks like they are performing much like they were last season.” With the money that has been spent – again – and to see a team that is no better must be soul-destroying.
CIAO - So I just search the World Cup in Wikipedia. 1930 was the first WC. Won by Uruguay, runner up was Argentina. Third place it listed as USA and 4th Yugoslavia. Is this correct? Was the US really 3rd?
Bobby – It was a thirteen tournament with one group of four and three groups of three. The USA was drawn in pool IV along with Paraguay and Belgium. The USA beat both 3-0. They lost 6-1 to Argentina in the semi final although they were only losing 1-0 at the half and conceded three goals in the last nine minutes of the match. I can’t find any record of a third place game so it they finished third it might have been due to a better goal average than Yugoslavia who had also lost 6-1 to Uruguay in the other semi.
European representation was limited to France, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Belgium – even at that they only decided to travel less than two months before the tournament. However, it would be unfair to make too much out of the few European teams that travelled given that Argentina and Uruguay had also contested the Olympic Final in ’28. Uruguay won both finals. The European teams that were missed the most were probably Austria, Scotland and England.
According to “The Story of the World Cup” by Brian Glanville (a book that every fan of international football would enjoy) the USA was actually seeded top in their pool. To quote Glanville – “At this time there was still professional football of a sort in the States, the rump of the attempt by such as Bethlehem Steel to put sports on its feet in the 1920s. The American team managed by Jack McColl of Brooklyn Wanderers, was made up largely of British and Scots pros: Alec Wood, James Gallacher, Andrew Auld, James Brown and Bart McGhee from Scotland, George Moorhouse from England. They were powerfully-built men whom the French players nicknamed the “shot-putters”.”
Gregz-Q1. Jamaica rehired Rene Simoes to try to recapture the '98 glory? Won't it be harder for him this time around? Q2. Which country from the CONCACAF region do you see having a good chance of qualifying for WC 2010 other than Mexico and the United States of course.
Bobby – Q1. I think it will be harder this time around. Greater expectations, CONCACAF is probably stronger than 10 years ago and they have a tough qualifying group.
Q2 Based on past performances you would have to give Costa Rica a nod as one of the countries with an excellent chance. On paper Honduras as a good squad but they have a habit of folding under pressure. Canada is in with a shout but they need to win at home and hope that a few of their more creative and attacking players stay healthy.
Milan4Ever - Is it just me or are there a lot more own goals being scored in football these days? Could it be because of the increased pace of the game or the extra pressure on defenders? or maybe even both..?
Bobby – Good question and the answer is yes and no. I went back to the last two seasons and compared the average goals scored in six of Europe’s domestic leagues with the average so far this season.
Here are the statistics by country and season (2008, 2007 and 2006).
England (2.66, 2.45, 2.48) Italy (2.52, 2.55, 2.61) Spain (2.68, 2.48, 2.46) France (2.24, 2.25, 2.13) Germany (2.76, 2.74, 2.81) Holland (3.19, 2.99, 2.98)
In some cases there are more goals being scored but in others less. There is nothing to indicate that any systemic type change leading to more goals is underway. What you might be seeing is more blow outs than normal. For example the Portsmouth/Reading and Everton/Sunderland games have increased the goal average by 0.10 based on these two results alone.
Pgaijar - Fantastic hearing about the development of football in India, earlier this year in January I was in India, and was surprised by the amount of cricket Indians watched. They took days off to watch a test match, and hopefully in the years to come India will embrace footy just as much as cricket. But one thing troubles me Bobby do you think corruption which has disrupted much of the development in India will cause problems?
Bobby – It doesn’t seem to have affected FIFA so India should be ok.
Indahaeri - There is an interesting story in Inter-Milan that is under the surface. It looks to me that there is lack of cooperation between Ibrahimovic and the new attackers that Inter signed this year.
As I watched the second half of Inter and Fiorentina this past weekend, I saw terse statements exchanged by Ibrahimovic and Suazo. I also see that Ibrahimovic seems to intentionally play better with Cruz than either with new big signings - Suazo or the Argentinian. I saw several times in that game when Ibrahimovic delayed passes to Suazo or slowed down leaving Suazo to hold the ball longer than supporting him (when Suazo had the ball).
Bobby – Ibrahimovic has always been a prickly character. I have trouble believing that a player intentionally plays better (or worse) depending on who he is playing with. Who is the big Argentine signing?
Craigy_f - Favour if you could; I have a point to prove - check out my Liverpool v Bolton game summary and give some indication of (in your opinion) of it's veracity and bias. You can just laugh at the second one!
Bobby – Let’s just say that you can’t be accused of seeing things through red-tinted glasses.
Wiegs9 – I was wondering if there are certain experience, successes or personality traits which might suggest someone would be good int'l manager for a bigger nation like Scotland, England or Ireland? I ask b/c it seems like success at a club doesn't necessarily equate to int'l success, though I wondered if you had seen any trends. Thanks!
Bobby – I don’t think there is necessarily an identikit that can be constructed as there will always be exceptions. But successful international managers tend to be older (check past winners of the World Cup and Euros) and have enjoyed some success at the club level.
The other international manager niche is coaches who graduate through the national system (working with age group teams) and work their way into a job after building trust along the way with players, the media, and the national associations. Media savvy is critical, as is the ability to get on with club managers.
Ulsterson – I didn't get to watch the game yesterday (Work) so I was hoping someone could tell me why Evra was subbed in the 47th?
Bobby – It was reported as illness.
Henry14 - Q1 Don't you feel that Jose is a risk , okay the media wants him to be paid $12m and won't it be a risk that he is given a job and Barca, then and scoop him when the fa is sending money on his blue print of facilities and before World Cup.
Q2 Tottenham could be in bottom half by February, if you look at their fixture list what do you make of that fact.
Q3 Liverpool are playing well do you see them challenging for the title given they still have to go to Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd. and they lost all those games
Bobby – 1. Find me a manager who is a sure thing.
2. As so could three quaters of the Premiership.
3. I said at the beginning of the season that I could see a four-horse race and I stick by that.
Henry14 - Milan are a poor side.
Bobby – Perhaps but remember the same or similar was said last season around this time and they finished up as the Champions of Europe.
Bobby, I've been catching up on your recent blog entries, incl. your comments on the Euro 08 draw. I noticed that your comments on the France squad emphasized their age while for the Italian squad you described them as "in their prime" during the 2006 wc. I don't know why the age issue comes up only with the French squad. At the wc in Germany, the avg. age of the French team was 29.6, while the avg. age of the Italian team was 29 -- not much difference at all.
Since the wc, Domenech has brought in a lot of younger players (they predominate) -- however, he does still include Thuram and Makelele --- and occasionally Vieira. I wish he wouldn't, but he's concerned about having some experience in the squad. Fortunately Gallas is one of the older players who still can perform. Henry still has something to give. I just want Domenech to focus more on the amazing Benzema -- plus Ben Arfa. And Govou is on fire right now.
Henry14, Milan are not a poor side. Not by any means. They're not at their best right now. They're struggling in the league, they have weaknesses, but they could very well trounce Arsenal, Man United and Barca. Experience is Milan's most powerful weapon and they have loads of it. Milan didn't look very good at this time last year and yet they battered Man United and went on to win the CL. You don't call a squad with Kaka, Gattuso, Pirlo and the quintessential poacher Inzaghi "poor."
Disregard Milan at your peril in big tournaments.
The ones who have their hands full are Celtic. What a woeful performance. Each Celtic Player and Strachan should send a sheep to Benfica (I know that'll put a few gutter minds in a tizzy!)
McDonald was disappointing. He's got 12 goals in the SPL.
I have never seen a player get caught 3 times for handling the ball except a keeper!
I remember a couple of years ago, you made the outrageous claim that Newcastle would beat Chelsea. Everyone thought you were mad but sure enough it came true. Do you see a repeat of that happening tomorrow? Arsenal are hammered with injuries and looked horrible in the second half against Villa. Newcastle are at home and are in dire need of a win.
""Craigy_f - Favour if you could; I have a point to prove - check out my Liverpool v Bolton game summary and give some indication of (in your opinion) of it's veracity and bias. You can just laugh at the second one!"
Bobby – Let’s just say that you can’t be accused of seeing things through red-tinted glasses""
Blue tints I guess and no mistake! Which is why I would never comment on an Everton match, especially not in print!
Even Megson said he did not believe Bolton would have got anything out of the game if Anelka had scored. We were all over Bolton and this is a partisan comment!
Last edited by redfan2000 on December 4th at 4:55 PM.
danielgregg - The Italian team was a balanced team in the WC final. Ony two players that started were over 30 (Cannavaro and Materazzi both 32+). The youngest that started was Pirlo at a little over 27 and next to Cannavaro and Materazzi the oldest starter was Totti at 29 and 10 months. If you look at teams that have won the WC you find that many fit the pattern of the majority of their key players between 26 and 29. That was what I meant by "in their prime."
France had five starters over the age of 30 with 4 over the age of 33. Ribery, Abidal and Malouda on the other hand were all younger than Italy's youngest starter.
I'm not sure that I can agree with you that young players now predominate for France. In the qualifying group I saw Thuram, Makalele, Vieira. Gallas will soon be 30 although as a centre back he could play for years yet. Henry is over 30.
Domenech will never willingly discard the older players. The "occassionaly includes Vieira" comment is surely because Vieira is occassionally fit not because Domenench has dropped him.
Benni McCarthy (Blackburn Rovers & South Africa)
Joseph Yobo (Everton & Nigeria)
John Utaka (Stade Rennais, Portsmouth & Nigeria)
John Obi Mikel (Chelsea & Nigeria)
Victor Anichebe (Everton & Nigeria)
Obafemi Martins (Newcastle & Everton)
Kolo Toure (Arsenal & Ivory Coast)
Mahamadou Diarra (Real Madrid & Mali)
I’m sure many other African players are worthy of at least being elligible for a vote from the public.
Auntie, you’ve dropped the ball on this one. If you are going to create an award then at least open it to all African players, not just YOUR OWN PICKS!
Who would be your African player of the year?
Celtic - meow, meow, meow. Lucky that Benfica beat Shaktar (apologies for the dodgy spelling)
Where was the heart, drive, passion, skill.
McGeady was awful, kept running up the right then giving the ball to Milan.
Whoopee! You qualified. Maybe you should have tried harder to throw more games, the UEFA Cup might suit you more, come the KO rounds you're gonna get yours handed to you.
Looking at Milan, I think they will need to begin bringing some fresh blood this summer.
Keepers: Dida 34, Kalac 35 and Fiori 38
Defenders: Dida 37, Maldini 39, Nesta 31, Simic 30, Favalli 35, Serginho 36 and Oddo 31
Midfielders: Brocchi 31, Ba 34, Ambrosini 29, Seedorf 31 and Emerson 31
Forwards: Inzagi 34 and Ronaldo 31
I agree that the midfield and strikers are mostly still in their lower 30s and Milan will be able to utilize them for a couple more years. However, there are quite a few of the keepers and defenders that are well into their 30s. Would you not agree that it is time begin replacing them? If so, have you heard of any potential players ready to move to Milan? Or do you have any players in mind that may be suited best for Milan?
The only rumor I had heard over the summer is that Galiani had been talking about Zaccardo. But that doesn't make much sense at this point because he plays the same position as Oddo. Oddo I think can still play for 2-3 more seasons on a regular basis. I think they need to bring in 1-2 CBs.
Maybe Amelia will make his way this summer to Milan.
ciao - his name is Pato - he'll be elligible in January and if the reports are to be believed he's awesome.
Nesta and Oddo have a few more seasons in them
Ambrosini and Seedorf likewise
Emerson actually looks 41!??!?
Super Pippo is the best ever European competition goalscorer, he can come off the bench for a couple more seasons, he's never been about electric pace anyway.
I wouldn't be suprised if Milan get rid of Ancelotti in the summer and bring in a new manager (someone like Mancini perhaps) and go for some serious rebuilding.
Burlesconi is an odd one though, he may do anything and it probably depends upon the CL this season and whether they qualify for next seasons CL.
All reports seemed to be gushing about the Milan - Juventus game. it was good but not great! FSC showed three more enteratining games with some scintillating football.
craigy_f - You really have to expect that a Milan -Boca final will be the end result. Though what this tournament needs is an upset. One of these times it will happen.
The Guardian is reporting that the Liverpool - Besiktas (8-0 result not 2-1 Besiktas) is one of the games that has been passed to Interpol for investigation.
Bobby- What do you think of Chelsea's spending since Roman arrived? I consider them a joke of a club because at the end of the day this is a business, and they have substantial amounts of "bad debt", and would fall apart without Roman's money. What do you think? Also please explain they're philosophy to me? How do they plan to turn Chelsea to the biggest club in the world when they keep adding to this "bad debt". If you were a player looking at Chelsea from the external perspective, would you be proud to play for them?
Very peculiar that many folks would place a bid on a record-breaking score-line before the start of the Liverpool game, as claimed by the German paper.
An article on Auntie suggested that Mourinho should get more plaudits for his work at Porto rather than at Chelsea.
For once McNulty is onto something.
Benzema is a no brainer the Les Bleus squad even though he's not a traditional leader of the line. I've seen him play three times this year and he's too good not to bring along. I think Anelka should another one of the five forwards in the French squad, too.
rosickyisking - Chelsea is a special case. When you have more money than you could reasonably spend in 100 life-times what does it matter? For Abramovich it is not a business no matter the nonsense you hear from Kenyon about becoming a sustainable club. It is an indulgence for Abramovich. The debt is owed to Abramovich who could write it off in a blink off an eye. The level of Chelsea's debt to the owner is probably no more than 2% of his total wealth - it is pocket change. If Abramovich ever wants out then he would be forced to take the hit on most of the debt because no one would buy the club off him and assume the debt.
I don't understand why a player would not be proud to play for Chelsea. The players are well paid, they have been successful over the last few years, Chelsea has always had a good solid core of support and they have great facilities. I don't think you will find many professional players that will analyse a balance sheet before deciding whether or not to sign for a club - especially one that pays very well.
If they are a joke club then how come they have won trophies over the last three seasons?
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on December 4th at 8:13 PM.
...and according to Flourent Malouda they have a well stocked tea trolley at Stamford Bridge...what more could a player with a healthy junk food craving wish for?
Well it looks like Arsenals army of midfielders might pay off today. With Cesc, Hleb, Diaby and now Flamini out they still have the likes of Gilberto, Diarra and Denilson to step in. Hardly straight swaps but nothing to laugh at. Id still take a draw and be happy considering its away and Arsenal have a game in hand anyways.
If I could bet on Joey Barton trying to stamp on someones achilles today I would. Hes trash and theres immense pressure on the Newcastle squad to get a result for their boss and thats the only way Joey knows how to play. If were all lucky he will be in jail for his stuff last year.
"Oh me lads, you should've seen us gannin'
Passing the folks along the road
just as they were stannin'
Aal the lads and lasses there
aal wi' smilin' faces
Gannin along the Scotswood Road
To see the Blaydon Races"
craigy you forget the Kop in the game against your boys in '05-'06..."10 men, we've only got 10 men"...Phil Neville for goal of the season in that one :)
Milan will soon be able to play Pato upfront. This kid (18 yrs old) is supposed to be great.
We'll see.
Anyway, last year they were as awful as this year and then in the second part of the season they had a good run in serie A to secure the 4th place and they were absolutely great in the CL.
For next season they'll probably sign Zambrotta (not Zaccardo) and they'll let go Ronaldo, Serginho and all the over 35. They do need a keeper but Amelia will probably join Roma. As for Ancelotti, if he fails to qualify for next year CL he will be fired.
I know of Pato. He is considered a forward player. I am more interested in finding out possibilities of replacements for:
Keepers: Dida 34, Kalac 35 and Fiori 38
Defenders: Cafu 37, Maldini 39, Favalli 35 and Serginho 36
Midfielders: Ba 34
Although Zambrotta would be a great addition for maybe 3-4 years -he is currently 30. So he is not a long term solution.
ciao - zapata from udinese is being scouted by Milan, Mellberg at Villa is a potential Milan target.
van basten & Lippi are potentials to replace Ancelotti in the summer - one would mean a few dutchmen back at the San Siro
Galiiani (AC-VP) says Zambrotta in July, he also said no January moves. (nov)
Stelvio, 18 (Braga) is a potential target (NOV)
That's all I can find on Milan related webpages.
It will depend on second half of the season. But unitl things pan out after xmas the Rossoneri are keeping tight lipped and whilst they don't quite have the Abramovich wallet they can buy big if they need to.
The past few years Italian teams have been poaching talent from Eastern Europe and the talent from Africa isn't being recruited.
Milan (in Serie A) are an enimgma this year - 411 away and 052 at home just doesn't compute, particularly against teams like Parma, Catania, Empoli, Torino - if they win their game in hand v Atalanta they climb one more place into seventh.
Did you notice on the weekend that Gattuso played for parts of the game as an inside right - kinda odd for the Snarling Dog?
Milan's training centre is renowned for it's "age-defying" treatments.
They are an older team but I recall people making that comment about them a year ago...
The crowd was 'quiet' for long periods in the Bolton match
Spurs out sang them
Often all the crowd would chant was a repetitive Liverpool over and over - yawn.
red envy - hmmmm - yes - just like every other blue - we all yearn - yearn to be a supporters of such a well loved and admired club - we are green under our blue shirts at the sheer wonderousness of your red machine - we long to feel at home in the Kop - we lust for Red!
Hey guys just dropping in for a quick hello, and to let you know I am not dead. My work has given me more responsibilities meaning more work, and less time to lolly gag on Fox soccer blog.
Also a headline on soccernet, Dudek wants to leave Real to gain a place in Poland. What an ####!!! What did he expect, he would be the number one over Casillas at Real? If you wanted to become number 1 at Poland you should have gone somewhere you would have started.
Bobby how about a move to Tottenham for Real. You think Juende Ramos will stick with Robinson or try to upgrade. And I do feel Dudek at this point is an upgrade over Robinson.
Last edited by therealrico on December 5th at 11:52 AM.
LGB/Verbal: I see in todays press that Everton have a new director, none other than the head honcho of Planet Hollywood, until recently a diehard Spurs fan.
It now seems that there are three possible options for Everton's future according to Mr Kenright. Kirby with Tesco (infamous UK based low cost supermarket); Scotland Road where rumour has it they can build to around 20,000 seats and finally, they can stay where they are at Goodison, where a fix up will cost a minor 250 mil.
Craigy, I am so glad to see that you know what Liverpool have accomplished down the years and such a student of football history must be really applauded.
However, because you support another team in the city, you must be perpetually miffed if not tormented by the fact that no other team in Liverpool bears any comparison.
I must though admit I have not raised any comment as to the blue accomplishments, largely because (I am happy to say) I do not remember any.
Enjoy your rants for I have no plans to do Everton ones, but one suggestion might be for perhaps LGB or Verbal to guest on your blog, so as to cover the Liverpool reports? Me doubts you are that pragmatic though.
Adebyor took a lovely cross off his chest in the box and fired a strike on the volley at 3'. Much like the strike against Derby. Beautiful first touch.
Well that was an uncomfortable first half! Clinical finish by Adebayor, but Arsenal have gotten into their free-flowing passing game. Adebayor could have had a second but Diarra committed a senseless foul on Butt in the midfield, about 30 yards behind the play. Arrgh!
Arsenal's defending on set pieces does not inspire confidence.
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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