Craigy_f – 1. I can write off the Johnson goal as 'one of those things' Dunn not getting a second yellow rankles much more. Look forward to your opinion either in print or on the show tomorrow . 2. Premier League V Champions League - Is one harder than the other or are they two different beasts.
3.What brought a frown to your face and what brought a smile this weekend?
4. Are you a fan or an analyst first and foremost? And why?
5. The Fiorentina Milan game was pretty dire, what do you think accounted for this? The importance of the game (a real decider on 4th place). The closeness of the two teams in terms of skill etc...The two teams didn't actually play that well.
6. GIVE THEM HANDS! Two very similar situations and two vastly different results. Carragher gets the benefit of the doubt when his hands block a Murphy shot in the area – Styles waves play on. Zaccardo blocks the ball with his hand - Bergzoni immediately and calmly points to the spot. You can see why fans, managers and players get frustrated. The commentators always seem to talk about how you have no control over your arms in situations like these. Your take on this issue - which seems to have cropped up a fair bit recently - if you please.
7. And finally... Five footballing people agree to be interviewed by you - who would you pick?
Bobby – 1. Sorry to disappoint but the only piece of the Everton and Blackburn game that I saw that was controversial was Khizanishvili pole-axing John son in the penalty box. Didn’t see the offside decision although certainly sounds as if the officials made a mistake.
2. Pointless exercise – purely subjective.
3. The weather – Drogba’s goal against Guinea.
4. I don’t think you could do the analyst thing for any length of time without being a fan – it would drive you around the bend. However, I think it is even more important to be a student of the game if you are trying to analyze it.
5. It needed a goal early on and probably from Fiorentina. As it was I think both teams were well prepared and cancelled each other out. A massive disappointment.
6. I was always taught that if you “wave your arms around” (i.e. away from your body) when trying to make a block then there was a very good chance that you were going to get called for hand ball.
Claiming that players have no control of their arms is almost always rubbish. You may as well claim they have no control over their legs. I say almost always because in a situation when a player is falling after a challenge or has slipped then arm movement becomes instinctive.
I was surprised that Styles did not award a penalty against Carragher.
7. Luis Cesar Menotti, Jim McLean, Guy Roux, Alfredo di Stefano and (I don’t know of fits the definition) Hugh McIlvanney.
Gregz - Q1.What do you make of Abou Diaby? At times doesn't he seem too selfish & hence out of place for Arsenal's team play. Q2. Lionel Messi has become a bit predictable in his play. He most times dribbles too much instead of go for the quick pass or quick shot. What do you think?
Bobby –1. He is there primarily to give the team a bit more grit in midfield. I would not consider him a selfish player. When he dribbles there mostly seems to be a point to it rather than just holding on to the ball for the sake of it. He has a terrific shot and if needs to take a couple of players on to open up a shooting opportunity then it is probably a good decision.
2. If I was a defender facing Lionel Messi I would certainly want him to make the quick pass. That way I could escape with some self respect intact.
Players like Messi have been blessed with special skills and should be appreciated for what they have rather than trying to turn them into something they are not. I don’t want to tune in a year from now and find that Messi has been turned into a useful midfield player who just sits deep and hits nice passes.
Did you ever consider that someone might have said the same thing about Maradona? Instead of running through the England team in 1986 perhaps Maradona could have laid a nice first time ten yard pass back to Jose Luis Brown. Over twenty years on do you think we would be replaying that ten yard pass?
Ursusarctos –1. In Bill Edgar's latest quiz the answer to the question "Which two league clubs’ grounds in Britain are the closest together?" is Dundee and Dundee United. I've never been to Dundee, so I looked up a picture of the setting)- holy ....., they're just across the street from each other! Do you have any stories about what it is like for fans to be so close to the local rivals (and here I thought the width of Stanley Park was close proximity ...)? 2. I forgot to add that in the same quiz, Bill Edgar asks :"How many times has one club won the FA Cup and League Cup in the same season?" ...... and gives the answer "2. Arsenal in 1993, and Chelsea in 2007." Now, advancing middle age may be robbing me of essential cognitive functions (certainly yes, but beside the point ...!), but I would have added Liverpool in the year of the Cup Treble, 2001. Can you tell me what twist to the question I am missing? Or did Bill Edgar mess up? Thanks!
Bobby –1. With a helpful gust of wind you could probably punt the ball from Dens to Tannadice and there are a number of wayward strikers from both sides who have tried over the year. It may have again since I left but I can only remember game being played on the same day.
I had to do a little bit of checking back on this one but I am pretty confident that Dundee and Dundee United were both drawn at home in the Scottish Cup in 1968. This was a few seasons before the advent of Sunday football so they decided to have one game kick off earlier than the other – I can’t remember which was which.
I was at Dens to see Dundee draw with Rangers 1-1 while Dundee United lost to Hearts by the odd goal in 11 – yes they lost 6-5. Hearts went on to the final that season but lost 3-1 to Dunfermline. Dunfermline knocked out the European Champions Celtic in the first round by a score of 2-0 at Parkhead.
Rangers beat Dundee in a replay 4-1 in extra time and I think Jim Easton the Dundee centre half who later moved to Vancouver scored an own goal in one of the two games.
Nobody would even give a seconds thought to playing both games on the same day nowadays.
2. I think Mr. Edgar may have got that one wrong. It even happens to the best.
Yrusodull - Please, a clear headed, unbiased account of the Spurs - Manu match a White Hart Lane. I don't want to appear to whine (as the majority of gooners do, when things don't go their way!!), but I was sure there were 93:+ mins. on the clock before the corner was given. Is it my imagination, or do Spurs consistently get the short end from the officials?? Please give me your take!
Bobby – The board that goes up it supposed to show the minimum amount of time to be added so I would not hang my hat on that one. There were four substitutions (one was a double) as well as five yellow cards in the second half including one to Cerny for time wasting. So I don’t think the added tome was out of line. Bottom line is Spurs had chances to win the game and they defended the corner kick very poorly.
Shmish - With regards to the Kuper article, not being much of a soccer player myself I've never quite understood the concept of "old" for players. I always thought that soccer was a bit of an endurance sport, in which case men in their 30's should be very comfortable.
Okay, so here's two comparisons. First, professional road racing. Erik Zabel is still a force in cycling and he will be 38 years old this year. He is primarily a sprinter with explosive speed. Lance Armstrong, 37 this year, would probably still be the premier racer if he didn't retire.
His schtick is everything but sprinting (which he probably wouldn't be bad at either). Secondly there is ice hockey. It is not uncommon for top players to be in their mid thirties. Hockey is mix of speed and power, and physical durability.
So why would we expect a 37 year old to be over the hill in soccer? Don't be me wrong, I'm 37 and a bit out of shape so I can relate to the article and the joy of playing for the sake of playing. But I also know that even at 37, a person should be able to be as competitive as they want.
I know that Bobby has alluded to Drogba's age a few times. I don't want to misquote Bobby but my general impression is that he thinks Drogba's age will start to have a detrimental effect on his play. While I won't argue that perhaps Drogba is at his peak, I also don't see why he couldn't play at almost the same level for another 5 years. The "best" in other sports do.
Bobby – Endurance is only part of it. Without quickness of thought and foot as well as technical ability having endurance is only going to allow you to run around and be an irritant for ninety minutes.
I don’t think your comparison with cycling and hockey stands up. I cannot speak on cycling per se (even though the lack of physical contact likely precludes any valid comparison) but can on hockey.
Over the years I played with a number of team mates who were very good hockey players and in a couple of cases they played professionally. The conditioning for soccer and hockey is very different.
It shows in the way hockey games are scheduled – often back to back or three games in four or five nights. That is just impossible in terms of soccer.
It is not about wanting or not wanting to be competitive it is about having the physical capability to play at the highest level where a fraction of space given or taken or split second decision making often separates winning and losing.
Although the lifespan of a player tends to decrease as we move from front to back there are exceptions as there is to any rule. Strikers generally have the shortest lifespan given that to be successful they generally need the full package of technical ability, endurance, quickness and strength –Super Pippo the exception!!!
It is not a case that I think age will have a detrimental effect on Drogba’s play – it almost certainly will, it is nature taking its course.
Take a look at how George Weah’s production quickly waned at the end of his career. He didn’t stop scoring goals – he just stopped scoring as frequently and against good teams. If Drogba is still producing at the same rate and at the same level in five years he will be abnormal. More likely whoever he is playing for will not be a very good team.
CIAO - Do you know whether or not Nick Webster gets "the beers in..." before he writes his articles?
Bobby – You will have to ask Nick. From experience it is not a good idea. Something written after a few beers is not nearly as funny the next morning.
Apad03 -1. What do you think of the outcome of the upcoming US V MEX game will be?
2. The US has something of a streak going against Mexico lately and many people say that the US is getting in Mexico’s head. They (Mexico) seem to dominate the possession and outplay the US but fail to score and end up losing in the end. Mexico is trying out many players that have not been on the team for the previous losses to the US, could that affect the outcome?
3. I read a blog post by Chang over at ESPN and he was talking about what a great season Bradley is having over there in Holland. Have you seen him play and how would you rate his progress?
I think he has really developed a lot this past year. Really earned his spot on the USMNT and has become a better two way player. Gets behind the ball well but also is very good at starting counter attacks and showing up in the box at opportune times. Chang was also writing that he would probably move on in the summer to a much bigger club, have you heard anything about that?
Bobby –1. One of three possible outcomes I would say. In the end it is a friendly international and friendlies are there to help the coaches. The only results that count are the ones that lead to a trophy.
2. It is rarely about possession it is how effective you are when you have the ball. If Mexico wins then I’m sure someone will claim it is down to new players. If not another excuse will be trotted out – there is never a shortage of excuses for losing a game.
3. I saw Bradley at the under-20s and thought he played very well. I have not seen him since. There are stories out there about Bradley moving to a Premiership club but there is no indication that at the moment these rumours are anything more than a product of someone having to write a story and needing a tidy ending. If 1% of transfer stories ever come to pass then I would be surprised.
Henry14 - Q1 Do you think the Ivory Coast potentially or still have probably the best African squad ever? Q2 - Do you think rotation alone is the reason Liverpool are down in fifth or they just do not have Liverpool type players apart from the obvious 4 players? Q3 Who is the mvp in the premiership not necessarily from the top 3, but the most pivotal guy to a team? Q4 Can Fulham survive given that they are 3 points from safety?
Bobby –1. Nigeria in 1994 (World Cup) and 1996 (Olympics) was pretty good.
2. You are not allowed to mention the R-word it upsets L-fans. I noticed when the stock market slumped a couple of weeks that news commentators and economists were pointing out that that the R-word was being talked about. Personally I was a bit baffled as to how Rafa’s choices would impact the stock market but there you go.
3. How about Martin Laursen at Aston Villa?
4. There are 39 points still at stake and with a three point deficit I would have to say that yes Fulham can survive. Will they survive – I still don’t think so.
Mts2284- 1. I was wondering what your thoughts were on Mohamed Sissoko and Lassana Diarra. I know both struggled this season for first team action with Liverpool and Arsenal considering both team’s depth at midfield. Do you think Sissoko and Diarra will get more chances to play for Juventus and Portsmouth and become better and more seasoned players? I thought Diarra played rather well against Chelsea.
2. Also, who do you like in the FA Cup 5th Round match between Arsenal and Manchester United?
3. Who is your favorite for Champions League glory? And who do you like in the AC Milan Arsenal Group of 16?
Bobby –1. Sissoko started strongly but has not really delivered after that early surge. Ranieri may have had Sissoko at Valencia so he is likely going to play for a manager who has bought him with a specific purpose in mind. I think you will see both players get more playing time initially but as with any other player they will only consistently start over the long haul if they are delivering the right stuff.
2. I haven't really given up much thought so far.
3. I said at the beginning of the season I thought Inter Milan had a good shot. Oddly enough I could also see things lining up for Chelsea – maybe not to win it but maybe a spot in the final. Arsenal or Milan – I would give Milan the edge.
Redfan2000 - Questions and discussions abound on why Liverpool are underachieving or underperforming. As a qualified and well experienced ops manager I know well enough that the off field antics of Laurel and Hardy have destabilised the ship.
Such is the embarrassment in Hicks' camp that he has not been seen at Anfield since the Man Utd game I think. His only interview this year done with BBC or SKy but not with the club TV station and there have been no letters or articles to the club website, all to compound a communications disaster like none other in Premiership history.
Despite all the noise, which has become repetitive and boring, I was pondering a remark Bobby you made on Friday (I think) that many of the current squad are not of the calibre of a club of Liverpool's stature. Aside of the above mentioned mess and upsets, I have been wondering what else would take a team of CL winners and make it worse 3 years later?
Since the Champion's League win we have had a massive turnover in players. We have lost: Baros, Hammann, Traore, Smicer, Warnock, Henchoz, Cisse, Fowler, Dudek, Garcia, Biscan, Pongolle, Cheyrou, Le Tellec to name but a few.
In we have bought the likes of: Alonso, Nunez, Josemi, Pellegrino, Morientes, Sissoko, Mascherano, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres, Benayoun, Pennant, Crouch, Babel, Veronin, Arbeloa, Aurelio, Skrtel, Agger, Reina etc etc. Some of these have now gone too.
I am bound to say that a little spoken factor has to be change. So much has changed in the last 3 years including ownership, but especially player turnover as can be seen. The actual lists of players in and out is huge.
Such changes will take time to settle. Some players may never settle or adapt to the premiership, but molding so many new faces into a team is a long job as the likes of Shankly, Wenger and Ferguson have proved.
Not only are the changes so many and too many in so short a time, the players brought in, especially before Hicks and Gillett took over, were not necessarily much of an improvement and in several cases far worse. Losing Biscan and Henchoz for Pellegrino for example was not an improvement. Many bad buys among the few good ones. I wonder if Rafa needs a director of football?
There are clearly right now several Heinz 57 mutts standing in the greyhound derby and it shows. More spending is needed for wingers and defenders, or some of the reserves have to be given a shot. Either way the changes will take time to settle down and like Gwillem Bellague, I thing the Premiership is two seasons off yet and then only if the right pegs are found to fill vacant holes. Any further thoughts.
Plus - Gerrard is today named as captain of England to play Switzerland tomorrow. Another question for you to ponder regarding his position as skipper at Liverpool: Do you think he would be a better player at Liverpool (and maybe England too), if Carragher or another senior pro was skipper (of LFC)? I named Carragher because he is vice captain.
Bobby – I think that is a pretty good summation of the Liverpool situation. There are a couple of things I would add. There is no doubt in my mind that this Liverpool team is a better team than 2005 even though that side won the Champions League – that is not to say that it doesn’t come without glaring weaknesses.
The fight back from 3-0 was probably the greatest seen in the final of a major competition and I think because Liverpool won very little is said about how they came to be down 3-0 in the first place. Rafa put out the wrong players out playing in the wrong formation.
His half time substitutions only rectified his original mistake – not a bad gig if you can get it. Receiving credit for solving the problem you caused in the first place.
And that leads me to the second point. I just keep on getting the feeling that Benitez thinks that he has to get every team and every formation just right for every game. It leads to odd formations, players out of position and the team generally looking disjointed and confused.
I think he gives three-quarters of the Premiership far too much credit. If he has a more settled formation he could throw the team out most weeks and they would come back with three points.
It’s not to say that formations cannot change based on the level of the opposition – Benitez has shown a masterful hand at times in one off games – but every game?
Liverpool does need a couple of better fullbacks going forward. There are not many teams that are successful without solid attacking options at full back.
I don’t see Gerrard captaincy as being an issue.
OrangeSpur - I've enjoyed your opinions over the years and I'm curious on your take on Tottenham's current CB situation. Can Tottenham really afford to accommodate Ledley King with playing him in one out of every 3 games?
I've been after my glory-glory.net mates that Spurs need to move on a plan for life without King and should his health turn around then it is a bonus for us.
Secondly, what do you think about the thought that Berbatov is the new Zizou - well the closest thing we have to Zizou in today's game? Take care!
Bobby – A few months ago I took a look at Spurs point production with and without King. There is no doubt that Spurs are far more productive with King in the side. However, I am not sure I understand what you are getting at when you refer to a plan for life without King. What are you suggesting?
The thought that Berbatov is the new Zizou? Well, it is a unique thought given that they play(ed) in very different positions and not an idea that has ever crossed my mind. I thought the comment from last season that Berbatov was the new Alan Gilzean was closer to the mark.
Henry14 - What do you think of the statement that Walcott is more of an athlete learning to play football rather than a footballer who becomes a great athlete? What do you think of such an assessment?
Bobby – I would say that anyone that came up with that doesn’t know very much about what it takes to develop a professional soccer player. If you are not a great athlete to start with your chances of getting a look in are pretty slim. I can’t think of one player who was a great player who became a great athlete.
Gers4Lyfe – 1. Will Dundee make another run at Hamilton? 2. Do you think Celtic's additions will push them past Rangers in the second half? 3. How do you rate Hutton's debut performance for Spurs over the weekend? 4. Your views on the coaching staff for Scotland?
Bobby –1. Sincerely hope so. Still a good bit of the season left. 2. I would say it is Rangers league to lose. 3. I thought he played very well – in no way did he look out of place. 4. If George Burley is happy with Terry Butcher then I am happy to give it a chance. However…….
Jeremy St Louis is back in the blogging business and don’t forget that England vs. Switzerland is on both FSC in the US and FSWC in Canada.
Bobby, the tinkering of team formations for every game and the mess ups that have sometimes followed does not address my question, but is in reality the reason for the rotation levels. Not the way Sir Bill or Sir Bob managed at all.
My point was to raise the issue of transfer dealings, the number of players in and (in some cases very quickly) out over the last three years and the effect upon morale and team unity these player ins and outs have had.
So many changes and so few successes. You said on the FSR Monday, that a key sign of faith in any team, was the lack of transfer activity. The implication clearly being that alot of activity does not inspire any team with much confidence especially in overlapping areas.
I take it from your FSR comments that you would agree that the many player changes Rafa has tried in most every area of the team, HAS had a detrimental effect on player morale?
Hey bobby do you know anything more about the Kaka, and pato injuries, will they be missing the first leg? The whole round? And is gattuso out because I heard he would be for the first leg? You said you would like to interview Guy Roux, what question would you ask him? In france he has a bad reputation for being a sore loser and very stingy? Also, do you think the French league is the one that has been the most damaged by the Bosman Rule?
BLUESTUFF
Just like in real life the blue is above the red :)
RF
Take your point one step further and look at teams with simialr situations in terms of transfer activty over a similar time period. How have they done?
Would you allocate blame for the lack of player successes? If so to whom, the player or the manager?
Historically Liverpool were always, well, Liverpool and played in a similar fashion every week. That was all about confidence and the Fortress Anfield mentality.
All the problems at Anfield seem related, it would be hard to pick one out and analyse it without bringing up some other aspect or issue.
(Personally I see it as twofold:
pesky yank owners and mr goat t)
Perhaps a season without a trophy and a 5th placed finish is the kick up the proverbial that Anfield may need. A cold shock of 'this is us if we don't get our shiite together'.
If Liverpool can win the Premier League then look out Man U, Chelsea and Arsenal, if they don't (and soon) a team will sneak up and win it (Blackburnesque or Leedsesque)
before Liverpool do.
Which of the games in your next three will be the most testing? Why?
Looking at Rafa's stats (WLDFA) two things stand out, he's lost more than he's drawn and he has a pretty good A stat.
BOBBY
Ta for the responses. I don't agree with your second response but that's another reason to love free will.
What's the reason for only showing some PL highlights?
Bobby, morale or plain lack of confidence caused by repetitive changes due to many transfers in and out over a short 3 year period. This plus your point about over strategising each game.
All this with the added problems caused by Hicks and Gillette makes not for good team harmony. A merge of yours and my points. Dare I say we are on the verge of agreement?
Craigy: managing change in business is something business schools teach at the higher end of management courses. I encountered it at DMS and MBA level. It is a highly complex management task.
Rafa clearly does not have that gift. I am simply pointing out that Hicks/Gillett alone is not the only problem Liverpool players have when so many other factors can be easily counted in as contributing to the poor performances. Too often on this and other boards pages have been written about just one causal effect, of late the Yanks. Before that it was rotation.
I have simply sought to cite change in the playing staff and the lack of succesful signings there in as one more cause. Add the frequency of signings to the frequency of tactical team selections/changes and the public debate over the whole future of the club and you have a real "brew" for the destabilsiing of morale throughout the club, not just on the pitch.
It will take time to heal and for the players to settle down. I agree with Bobby in principle, that just one signing in the January window, coupled with the permanent signing of Mascherano should give the squad quite a lot of confidence. No changes now until June except for those Rafa makes on matchdays, forced or otherwise.
redfan2000: "you have a real "brew" for the destabilsiing of morale throughout the club, not just on the pitch."
Exactly. That is the point I have been trying to make- that to dismiss any one possible contributing cause out of hand, when it cannot be easily separated out from the others, is premature. Only after we have considered all possible causes are we in a position to rank them by relative importance.
In that spirit let me suggest a further ingredient to add to your "brew": the (probably unrealistically high) expectations going into the season, based on the increasingly desperate pressure to secure the League title. In itself, such pressure would usually be a positive motivation to talented professionals- except when things are already out of kilter for other reasons. Then, it could become an incentive to play in fear of losing (and the consequent loss of points), rather than to play positively to one's strengths with the goal of winning. Such a negative mindset- "we must not lose"- is rarely the best way to accomplish a difficult task (I distinguish that fear of failure from a well planned and executed intentional defensive effort by a side that sees such a strategy as its best hope of securing points against a stronger opposition, for example).
Pretty obvious what the reader's asking about. Their captain who has missed many, many months with a very serious knee injury.
Now they have to contemplate moving forward without his services.
Are you professionally obligated from discussing Spurs because of the predilections of FOX soccer's English honcho - hence, your boss - towards Ar5ena1?
----
Thank you for the response. Your story of the two Dundee teams' involvement in the Scottish Cup reminded me yet again how shamefully little I know about Scottish football ... I'm no "student of the game" the way you and a few others around here are, but football history is always interesting and usually fun to read. Time to learn a bit more about the claimed cradle of the modern game! Do you have any suggestions for accessible books or online resources (I've looked at Wikipedia and the SFA, but neither has much depth or detail)?
In another reply you stated: "Without quickness of thought and foot as well as technical ability having endurance is only going to allow you to run around and be an irritant for ninety minutes."
Made me laugh- that was a good job of nailing my school-boy efforts at right back!!! Lots of enthusiastic stamina, not a great deal of quickness (except in a straight line without the ball) or technical ability ... but a love of watching the game, and booting the ball around in the park for fun, that has stayed with me for life- hopefully without being too irritating!
Last edited by Ursusarctos on February 5th at 11:25 PM.
BLUESTUFF
Still higher (last time I checked)
DM has manaaged more games than rafa with less wins more losses and more draws. He's regarded as one of the better managers in england, often above rafa - despite the trophies and lack of.
INTERATIONAL
Cahill scores against Quatar
U21
Ferndandes help Portugal beat Scotland
Vaughn takes an evening off
REDSTUFF
It'll take time...
That has been said around one half of Liverpool with more a grimace than a grin (a bit too much) in recent years.
Does rafa need a bloke to do all the hirings? (that american position - GM?)
Will that happen if H&G continue at the helm.
Milan's injuries - who knows at this stage. These things can change in a matter of hours. Guy Roux - I have no idea. I was just asked who I would like to interview not the what. I think I pretty much answered the Bosman question for you last week on one of the posts.
Craigy-f - There is only so much time to cover a good number of leagues so it is not possible to cram everything into an hour on Monday and Friday. On Monday the show normally focuses on the games that have been watched.
redfan2000 - As others have pointed out it is never just one thing and I think the postings lately have nailed many of the reasons for Liverpool's stuttering performances.
AC MILAN
GATTUSO
PIPPO
RONALDO
PATO
GILARDINO
DIDA
Arsenal and Serie A can start breathing a bit easier when these blokes pick up a knock or pull a hammy...
SEEDORF
AMBROSINI
PIRLO
NESTA
KALADZE
None of them are 'sexy' players, just vital, kind of like your kidneys or ribcage
Kaka stands apart - kind of a cross between a kidney, a ribcage and a heart!
Flashman - It may be obvious to you but it still isn't to me. If the decision is to move forward without King then surely you get rid of him. I don't see how Plan B is any different than what Spurs have been doing for the last year or so. They have gone out and signed three centre halfs at least in the last two seasons (Rocha, Kaboul, Woodgate) have they not. To me plan B was Spurs present plan A.
Who is Fox Soccer's English honcho that I work for?
If you mean Nick Webster then I doubt if I talk to Nick more than once a year. Secondly I don't actually work for FSC. I work for FSWC and so if I have a boss it is the FSR producer who certainly is not English and is most definitely not an Arsenal supporter.
Ursusarctos - There are a couple of books I would suggest although I can't ever recall a book that has dealt with the entire history. "Wizards and Bravehearts" by David Potter is a history of the national side. "Flower of Scotland" by long time Scottish commentator Archie MacPherson deals with the game in Scotland over the last 40 years. Both could be described as "warts and all" books.
The Milan squad is a glaring example of how important experience is at the highest level of the game. None of the Milan players have dazzling skills, even Kaka’ is nothing like any Brazilian superstar before him, nothing fancy, just a very direct style of play. Seedorf, Nesta, and Pirlo play very smart football and have incredible vision; they are very unique players.
With regards to the injuries, just as Bobby said, things change from day to day. Milan play three Serie A matches in the 10 days leading up to the Arsenal 1st leg. Kaka’ and Seedorf have minor knocks, Ronaldo and Inzaghi are almost back to fitness and will probably get some playing time in the next week. Pato, at the earliest, will play in the 1st leg, but don’t expect many updates from Milan because that will greatly affect the Arsenal setup. I doubt Gattuso will play against Arsenal.
Hiya Bobby,
As we enter the final third of the EPL season it seems some teams are on the up, down or stagnant.
Portsmouth are looking strong in all departments as are West Ham (Bellamy and a few others returninig), Everton and Tottenahm are also looking good BUT Man City and Aston Villa may drop a few places.
How a bout a few weekend predictions. 1)Villa vs. Newcastle (Gabby is injured and Villa are a thin squad with Newcastle almost at full strength), 2)Bolton vs. Portsmouth, 3)Eve vs. Reading, 4)West Ham vs. Birmingham City, 5)Derby vs. Tott, 6)Arsenal vs. Blackburn, 7)Man U vs. Man C ?
Last edited by HatrickVieira on February 6th at 8:18 AM.
Time is a great healer and it allows for stability to be attained after upheaval. If not too much else changes at Anfield I predict things to settle down a bit on and off the pitch. I would not rule out an upset at Stamford Bridge this weekend, if the Liverpool defence can marshall the crosses that will surely pepper the box and keep Joe Cole under wraps. If that happens all reds fans will be exstatically swinnging from the rafters, (sorry Ringo) until we lose to Barnsley or some other such minnow.
It will take time for all that has gone on the past little while to settle down. Until a vein of form develops we hardened die-hard fans have to be patient, probably more so than Craigy. Nothing will surprise me after 30 odd years of support and to be honest it was worse not winning the title in the year after we won it than it is to wait for the 19th (my opinion from experience).
Backing up a question or two Craigy: I cannot prove the statistics but the past 3 years 05/06, 06/07, 07/08, I would bet Liverpool have made more changes to the first team squad than any of the other top sides in comparison. Chelsea spent much but on very few players. Utd did very little business after the Glazers bought the club. Liverpool bought and sold half the squad, it seems like. As I said above, too many bad buys and too much change,all designed to strengthen the squad, but in effect it has weakened morale and confidence.
Last edited by redfan2000 on February 6th at 7:03 AM.
Since Glazier took over I would bet Man Utd have spent more in the transfer market than any other team in the EPL (or Europe for that matter!). A few names signed by Man Utd under the Glazier ownership (starting May 2005).
Patrice Evra £5.5m
Owen Hargreaves £17m
Carlos Teves £20m
Michael Carrick £18.6m
Nani £14m
Anderson £17m
Nemanja Vidic £7m
Kuszczak undisclosed
... and are on the verge of signing C.Ronaldo to a 6 year £45m contract extension.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on February 6th at 8:10 AM.
I think it's been alluded to, but I think the issue is (was?) that the players Rafa bought weren't an improvement over the ones that left. He brought in Aurelio over Warnock because Aurelio is better going forward. Well, Aurelio has yet to score (in the correct goal) while Warnock has a couple. There are other examples that are escaping me now, but it seems that prior to last summer, Rafa was trying to buy a bargain bin player with potential and then get lucky (Sissoko, Gonzalez, etc). He finally had some money to play with and bought Torres and Babel (why not use him?). Basically, what I'm trying to say is, you get what you pay for. Now, if Smokey and the Bandit put their checkbooks in a vault after one fleeting summer, then Rafa will be forced to buy pittance and hope for luck again.
For me, Liverpool's problems stem from two things, neither of them related to the owners.
First, the back line looks far shakier with Agger injured. Good in the air, Carragher and Hyypia look unnerved against better clubs and play a low line. It opens up space in the middle of the park for cannier clubs to exploit. It's worse when Gerrard is in the middle of the park because his raids forward open up even more space. This was very evident in the Reading and Everton matches.
Rafa is culpable in the sense that he didn't draft in defensive cover in case one of his top two was injured. He's also culpable in the sense that he's bent to the will of his captain/popular opinion and played him in the middle of the park.
The second area is failing to identify the right striker to partner with Torres, which often leaves Liverpool looking stilted or disjointed up top. I like verbal's suggestion of trying Babel -- he can't be any worse than Vronin, Kuyt or Crouch in linking with Torres. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Torres needs a partner that's mobile (much more so than Crouch) with better finishing than Kuyt or Vronin. Or maybe he needs to try a 4-2-3-1 with Torres as the lone striker supported by Gerrard as an attacking midfielder. So something like:
. . . In terms of his transfers, Rafa's made some excellent buys (Reina, Agger, Torres), promising ones (Babel, Benayoun) and some real stinkers (Gonzalez, Morinetes, Bellamy, Pellegrino). He's turned over a lot of the squad -- including many players that he's bought and then sold in just three years at Anfield. Unlike Arsene Wenger, Rafa didn't seem interested in trying to work with the players that he had on hand when he arrived in England, especially Michael Owen, Cisse (who was badly misused out on the right) and Sinama-Pongelle. Contrast that to Wenger's early days at Highbury. There's a big difference.
Last edited by albertagooner on February 6th at 11:03 AM.
Oh and aren't Spurs fans ever so perceptive, able to see those grassy knolls missed by the rest of us. Yes, it's down to a gooner conspiracy. It couldn't possibly be that a club in the bottom half of the table who have underachieved for decades wouldn't monopolize a broadcast. After all, the CBC screens the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada every week and people -- well, outside of those who appreciate hockey -- don't complain. Bobby, confess your sins! Out those dastardly gooners in the media! They are worse than lice.
Corriere dello Sport is reporting that Pato will definitely not travel to London in two weeks and is out for at least a month. Kaka’ will not play again until the Arsenal match, and is doubtful for the 1st leg as well. His personal spokesperson is quoted as saying that Kaka’ will most probably not play at Highbury. I guess Milan’s Euro fortunes are back with Super Pippo, and with Kaka’ out, Gourcuff’s time may have finally arrived.
Here are the rules Capello has given the England players. I am translating from Italian so it may not be verbatim what’s on the locker room wall.
BEHAVIOR
1. Tardiness is not tolerated
2. No room service
3. Cell phone only in player’s room
4. Dress elegantly
5. No flip-flops and no shorts
6. In public always wearing national team attire
7. Before the match players always wearing the national jersey
8. The manager will call players by their last name.
9. No wives, girlfriends or parents while away with team.
10. No agents or other reps while away with team
TECHNICAL
1. Build the group/team.
2. The group is built following the rules
3. The team must fulfill manager’s ideas.
4. Regain England’s winning mentality
5. Extreme respect of everyone’s role
6. Only work produces results
7. Forget the past, look forward
8. Build success starting with the mistakes
9. On the field the team must be united and compact (together)
10. The emotions end at kick-off: from there it’s down to work
I can’t wait to see who wonders astray first.
He is trying to instill the long term mentality which is always missing in England. Not to be overjoyed by a single win, or devastated by a solitary defeat.
I think Capello will keep Gerrard as captain even when John Terry is healthy again.
wow, i agree with almost everything you said alberta. The only thing i'd clear up is that Owen was on his way out when Rafa took over. A final failing by Houllier by putting all his eggs in the "Owen will sign an extension" outcome that never came to pass. I remember that for the second half of the '03-'04 season, some variation of "Owen will sign an extension" materialized at least twice a week. In the end, Owen left for 40 cents on the dollar because he had all the hand in negotiating. Seriously, at that time, he should have been worth north of 20 million, instead Liverpool got 8 plus the lawyer Nunez. Not that I'm still bitter or anything...
venti_vidi_vici - If you consider that successful managers are influential(for example Alf Ramsey was credited(?) with English clubs flipping to 4-4-2 after 66) Capello's rules might become a turning point with clubs no longer willing to tolerate adolescent behavior from millionaires.
Hatrick Vieira - Sorry but I rarely if ever predict EPL results. I keep my predictions for my Pro Line ticket. It's easy to fall into just doing the prediction thing each week and it is not a line I want to cross. The EPL predicted finishes are done in August and apart from the occassional upset that I think might be in the offing I stay away from ongoing EPL predictions.
However the African Cup of Nations is a one off so I don't mind going with that.
Ghana 3-2 Cameroon
Ivory Coast 2-1 Egypt
The Ghana game I keep on flipping back and forward on. I don't really know where the goals are going to come from but I feel that Ghana will go through.
IC just look too good and although Egypt has been playing some nice football I don't see them being able to control the Ivorians. Which ever way the semis go I think it will be an excellent final.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on February 6th at 10:30 AM.
Just like in any other field, I think different managers have different skill sets. Wenger and Sir Alex have shown the ability to build a world class team from the ground up. Capello’s has done exceptionally well at taking over good teams and taking them to the proverbial next level. I think the England team and players will benefit from some discipline and structure, because their recent result definitely don’t correspond with the talent available. It is a perfect situation for Capello, and he knows it, and that’s probably why he ‘applied’ for the job almost before it was even open.
Capello has always had interesting relationships with his star players, and manages them well, and always gets the best out of them, because he gets them to believe in him. It worked at Real last season, and Juve before that, both star studded teams; and even when he got his first coaching job at Milan and inherited one of the best teams of the modern era.
I think Capello will do very well in the England job - I have always been a huge fan.
bobby your assesment as to why city wanted benjani was skewed.clearly, vassel,bianci,are not hardworking for a lone role so that is the reason for benjani
I think those rules will instill some badly needed professionalism and maturity that English footballers seem to lack, especially cast against their counterparts on the continent and even other parts of the world. For me, England's problems could also be found in the salicious tabloid headlines about late-night activities that involved drinking, carousing and fisticuffs.
Back to your first question Bobby: morale is not coming and going. We are sneaking past lower teams and struggling against good ones. Playing consistantly well below our potential.
If you stretch the Spurs defender buying back to the 2005 winter window you can add Dawson to the list.
Even as a Portugal fan the Rocha move was confusing as he had never really featured for the national team so I'm not sure how Spurs were convinced he was worth the 3.2m they spent on him or that he would translate well into the English game.
Spurs aside it will be interesting how the rest of the Liverpool drama plays out this year. I don't think the chasing pack of Villa, Man City and Everton are deep enough to top them for 4th unless they hit some really great runs of form. Everton might have the best shot but I think ironically their depth combined with the extra games they are playing in the Uefa cup might bog them down. Villa are close but much was made about how they didn't deepen their squad in the window and already had the smallest roster. Man City started strong but as Bobby already mentioned teams are figuring them out and I don't see them regaining their early form that they could finish 4th. The funny part about this all is this was the year people had Spurs getting into the 4th spot ahead of Arsenal. Truthfully under Ramos for an entire season I could see that but this year it would be them beating Liverpool to that 4th spot. The Prem looks like it could be tightening up around the 4-8 spots if quality managers like Moyes, Sven, Redknapp, Ramos and O'neil are able to continue building up their squads. To be clear I don't rate Hughes, Keegan and Curbs as highly. But thats just me.
Last edited by JayAlves on February 6th at 2:40 PM.
Kind of along the lines of Henry14's question - What is the deal with the Benjani transfer? He's having a breakout season, one of the league leaders in goals, relatively steady form all year, and Pompey want Defoe over him - and, reading between the lines a bit, it seems City kind of don't really want him either, and didn't really want the xfer to go through?
Henry14 - I don't remember getting asked about City's motivation behind the move nor do I remember commenting on it. I remember the question as being "why is Portsmouth letting Benjani go?"
Which is davard's question. My guess is that Portsmouth have opted to sell him because he his hot this season and they fear that his form (and market value) will tail off. This season he has scored around a goal every 2 league games while his career average is more like 2 goals every 7 games. He is 30 this season so even if he keeps his pace up this season it is unlikely that he will match it in seasons to come. Strikers rarely see their striking average improve after 30.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on February 6th at 4:43 PM.
I think Benjani is in form and available and Sven needed a stop gap while he looks for better in the summer. The on off was about the fee.
Defoe is known by Rednapp and has been consistant when played over a numer of seasons even if when he stands still he looks the size o####arden gnome. I doubt Benjani will ever play enough at Citay to cause them to pay the top up on the fee. He will be sold on in the next January window or be on staff as super sub.
The Benjani transfer definitely confused me. But in the end it's relatively simple (I think). City want him because right now they can't buy a goal, let alone score one. Their strikers are for lack of a better word, useless. All of their offense comes through Martin Petrov and Elano, but neither of them are goal scorers as much as they are play makers to supply the goal scorers... As far as Pompey goes, the past few seasons have taught me that it's better not to question Harry Redknapp's reasons, because he's clearly thinking much farther outside the box than I am. Although if they are able to seal Baros on a permanent deal, a Defoe-Baros strike partnership looks pretty promising...
Honestly, I don't quite get why Portsmouth would agree on that kind of a pay system, I can't see Benjani sticking around Eastlands past this summer, he'll either be sold to a club farther down the table, or back to France. But I do agree with you Bobby, that Harry let him go knowing he woudln't be able to get more for him than he can right now.
VVV
Was it Davids or Seedorf who got banned for P.E.D a while back, who were they playing for at the time.
Don't forget Emerson, Cafu, Serginho.
RF
Patience like a stone mate!
H&G (who are entirely to blame for the current fiasco!) might not have that patience. No CL next year, no rafa either.
In 30 years what are your foulest and fondest memories of being a redshite fan?
Who was/is the best player from that time?
Ever done a Derby?
Who would you want the owners/manager to buy as a partner for Torres in the summer?
AG
Atleti alluded to Torres being more productive/comfortable/potent in a 442 with a good strike partner.
Yes they are - no mention of the shiite that was white in the godawful 0-0 with us?
So no more dentist's chairs then?
JUSTSTUFF
Who will buy N'Zogbia!
Seedorf, another season at Milan or will this be his last - not happy coming off last week and not too happy with his more withdrawn role.
2-1 in a 451 - I'm so deleriously happy
A three or four game winning streak by any team on the Premier League will distance them from their rivals (or in Derby's csse bring them level)
Bobby i hope you are watching the US v Mex game. This is not a friendly. I know about games that dont count but there are some countries you get up to play more and this is one of them for both teams. This is England v Germany any day of the week.
How bout that goal that was called off by Dempsey? What a goal one and two the ref got it totally wrong. where was the offsides????
I know the game has been sloppy at times but you gotta love the intensity from the players and look at that crowd. there must be 65-67.000 people there. thats an american football stadium.
nice goal from altidore. future upfront for usa wouldnt you say??
Tonight's USA-Mexico Game was the WORST OFFICIATED GAME I'VE EVER #### SEEN! Worse than USA-Ghana in the World Cup 2 years ago by far... HOW THE #### WAS THAT GOAL BY DEMPSEY CALLED OFF??? WAS THAT ####
