Thierry_Henry - From your point of view, do you think Setanta Sport which charges $15/m in Canada will have any success? I think the Premier League might be squeezing its loyal subscribers out. I don't think there are many people in Canada who are soccer crazy enough to pay that kind of money.
If it was hockey, yes. but soccer... I doubt. It's only the die hard or professional analysts like you who will pay for it. I had a few friends from Africa who used to wake up every morning to watch the EPL, but now they don't really bother...btw 300,000 subscribers in china on pay tv. wow. that is not even enough. how much do they pay per month? $15?
Bobby – It is interesting question especially given the news this week that Setantamay be sold. First of all I have been surprised how many people that I come across who I would have expected to subscribe to Setanta but have not.
Their reasons are diverse but price is an obvious issue and a lot are quite happy with a couple of game each weekend on Sportsnet and The Score. The market for seven or eight games a weekend is very limited. I don’t know the Setanta subscription numbers in Canada but I would be very surprised if it was in excess of 30,000.
Admittedly at $15 a month that is a fair chunk of revenue but that is not what the company would pocket. It is probably more like $8 or $9 a month after paying money to the cable and satellite delivery systems. The bad news for fans is that I would reckon that $15 a month is the thin edge of the wedge.
Whoever buys Setanta (and they will certainly be sold) will be faced with actually having to make a profit. The only way to do that is either cut costs, increase prices or increase audience. Guess which is the easiest?
Setanta has been happy to rack up losses while acquiring programming assets and offering discounted subscription fees particularly in the UK. The company line is that Setanta will break even this year or next but there are some legitimate doubts that this might actually happen.
The larger problem is that Setanta has forced programming costs up in the markets where they compete and have in turn fueled the expectation that these markets will generate ever higher rights fees.
If they are not sold and turned profitable in a year or so, a loss making Setanta will be back at the table and having to pay even more for the Premiership.
From the weekly viewing figures I have seen Setanta Canada has not served to increase the viewing figures for the Premiership in Canada.
Last season audiences of 90,000 plus were very normal for Sportsnet Saturday morning games. Just two weekends ago the audience for the Saturday and Sunday games did not exceed 65,000. Sportsnet garnered 104,000 for that horrible Everton-Reading game on Saturday which was a very decent number but Chelsea vs. Liverpool only attracted 77,000.
The news last week that the Score was cutting back on their soccer coverage that had only been beefed up in August to support their one game each week is probably another sign that the Premiership although popular is still a niche market. .
Ringo - Do you know of any viewing figures for FSC/FSWC?
Bobby – Neither channel subscribe to ratings and so I don’t know if there are any reliable numbers out there. I’m guessing that FSWC is probably around 750,000 subscribers in Canada while I believe that FSC in the US is around 30m.
However, there is always going to be a large discrepancy between subscribers and regular viewership.
Craigy_f - Did you watch the Udinese V Juventus game? Did it live up to your billing? Did any other game surpass it?
Bobby – I did not watch it . It wasn’t televised in Canada. I watched Inter-Catania, Roma-Reggina and a good portion of Milan-Siena. None of them very inspiring.
Redfan2000 - What's your opinion on Inter Milan? Can Rafa's redmen overcome the blue of Milan do you think? Who is your favourite for this year's Champions League and UEFA Cups?
If you were Rafa where would you strengthen?
Bobby – I picked Inter to win the CL at the start of the season but it was not a choice made with any great confidence. I think the glass jaw might come into it. Certainly Liverpool can beat Inter but if I had to pick this one I would stick with Inter.
Out of the last 32 I don’t think I could name 20 of the teams left in the UEFA Cup without checking uefa.com. I will have a look when it gets down to the last 8.
As for strengthening Liverpool? Definitely on the flanks – both fullbacks and two wide players. I know a lot of fans want Babel through the middle and it is probably his best spot. His crossing is not good enough. Harry Kewell – I think it is time to cut bait. Jermaine Pennant – not good enough. Yossi Benayoun – gets a pass mark but looks more comfortable coming infield rather than staying wide.
As for the centre of midfield I would say the question (as long as Rafa is around) has changed from who plays with Gerrard to who plays with Mascherano. I thought that Mascherano on Sunday against Chelsea was the only player worth watching.
Neophyte -Did you see the Barcelona v. Sevilla match? La Liga still captures my respect. I love the style and pace I see there. Did you happen to see Capel? I believe he is only 19 yrs. old. He looked incredible. I have seen quite a youth movement in Spain more so than any other league (except maybe Holland). Am I correct or are there just as many U-20's in the Premiership that I'm just not aware of?
Bobby – I did see that game. Capel played well for Spain at the under-20s last summer and I am pretty confident in saying that he played at Emirates against Arsenal earlier this season in the Champions League. T
here are not too many under-20 players in the Premiership. If you take a look at the England under-21 and under-19 squads you will see very few names that are recognizable.
Djnima - Do you think Schuster deserves the credit for Real Madrid's success?
Bobby – Did I miss something? I didn’t realize that Real Madrid had won a trophy this season under Bernd Schuster. I didn’t realize that success for Real Madrid was now defined by leading the league, getting to the knock out round of the Champions League and getting knock out of the Copa del Rey.
A bit too early for assigning credit I think.
Davard - Last week you posted an interesting article by a journalist regarding playing into his late 30's in a recreational capacity, and the subsequent physical toll.
Since I have seen you post about still playing the game today, I am curious what your experience has been relating to your overall fitness and football abilities, and overall knowledge/instincts as you transitioned from 20's, to 30's, 40's and onward.
Being in my 30's, and still loving playing the game, just curious to see what I have to look forward to. :)
Bobby – I guess I would sum it up with “I wish I knew then what I know now.” I was taught that running – and particularly up and down sand dunes during pre season – got you fit and maintained it.
Looking back on it that sort of training may have worked when you were 17-22 but at a certain point it makes you very one paced – especially if you did not have a lot of quickness to begin with.
I have learned over the last couple of seasons how important the core of your body is and how it contributes to fitness and balance. Working with weights has made a ton of difference to me as well as working on flexibility - although I still have Scottish hamstrings!!
There was point around four years ago that I would pull a hamstring bending over to tie a shoe lace. Fifty year old+ hamstrings are always going to be problematic but I have experienced a significant improvement since changing my fitness approach.
Overall I think I am in better physical shape than I was a decade ago and it comes down to having a better understanding of what helps you stay in shape and what doesn’t really work. There is no way I can turn up in April without preparing for it and expect not to get injured.
Back in the more serious playing days I could take October to December off but I came to the conclusion that I could not take any months off and I have to keep at it throughout the year. Over time your body will deteriorate but you definitely have a choice about how quickly it will happen. The good news is that you never stop learning and experience helps.
Craigy-F1. Would you attend a Premier League game in the US or Canada?
2. Do you always watch football with the same mindset?
3. Anyone in football you would refuse to interview?
4. Are you a left footer or a right footer?
5. What's the most trouble you've gone through to see a game?
Bobby –1. I doubt it very much. A choice between Birmingham and Wigan and DC United and Toronto FC – I would give my money to MLS.
2. I’m not sure what you mean by mindset. I watch a game hoping that I will be entertained and in some cases astonished at the ability of some players. However, my expectations do change depending on who is playing.
3. Never really thought about it.
4. Where I come from that is a religious question but I am assuming that is not what you mean. Right footed…very right footed although I have always been comfortable playing on the left side.
5. Three memories. Trying to find a game that was on during a cold snap in Scotland. Each game we decided to go to got postponed with two of them while we were on the road or actually outside the park.
The fifth choice was a junior game that we finally got to with half an hour played.
Second memory – having to go to bed very early on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights in order to be allowed to go with my Dad to see Dundee in the European Cup on Wednesdays. For a seven year old that is tough bargain especially because no one at school believed me about getting to go the matches.
The last one involved an incredible amount of weaseling, trading and logistics in order to get to Athens, Georgia to see the 1996 Olympic Final between Nigeria and Argentina. I was working at the Olympics in Atlanta and needed to rearrange a work schedule, get a ticket and arrange a ride to and from Athens.
The only way to get to Athens was with someone who wanted to see the Gymnastics final (?) and had to be in Athens at something like 8:00 a.m. in the morning. He game was not until 3:45 p.m.
It all worked out in the end but there are people who still think I was crazy for passing up on the Mens 4X100 metre final the same day.
But Nigeria won 3-2, the game was a classic and it turned out to be a fantastic day.
Oranjespur 1- What I'm getting at is no team seriously wanting to contend for titles and cups can afford to accommodate a CB that can only play once every 3 games. I'm sure you could give examples but I just don't understand why Tottenham took so long on this issue to find a solid (um er Woodgates health record solid? hmmm) replacement for King.
2- What do you make of Hoddle's Academy setting base in Spain? It seems to me that the FA should try something similar and base it in England. I think Hoddle is on to something here and although the EPL may not see direct benefits from it but the Championship and SPL could.
3- What do you make of Sir Alex finding time to flyout right after the game to South Africa this weekend especially after all the noise he was making about EPL not respecting the 50th anniversary of the crash?
Bobby –1. I guess they thought they had got a temp replacement when they signed Rocha and then again when Kaboul last summer.
2. The FA has had trouble getting an academy for great young players going so I would not hold out hope that they could plan two. I’m guessing that the idea of going to Spain is mostly due to a better climate for outdoor practice.
3. Astounded that something like that would be planned mid season. Another sign that money now trumps game preparation at Old Trafford perhaps?
Henry14 -Q1 Was the impact of the African Cup of nations as adverse as pundits anticipated in terms of points lost or gained during the period in the Prem?
Q 2 What do you think caused Man Utd to lose 5 points during last two games?
Q 3 What is your reaction to the theory that Ronaldo has a Henry disease, that is bottles in big pressure fixtures?
Q 4 What have you seen as a football expert to be Adebayor's improvement this season?
Bobby –1. I am sure that fans of specific teams will be able to points lost because of players that took part in the tournament but I am not sure that many others will be much attention to them.
2. Facing teams that were motivated, brave, well prepared and organized. The statistics would also show that United without Rooney this season are susceptible – missing for all four United league losses I believe.
3. I never bought into the Henry conventional wisdom. However, if Ronaldo hopes to be recognized as the best in the world then he is going to have to turn in performances that make the difference between winning major trophies and finishing second. Kaka has done it, now Ronaldo has to match it.
4. Not an expert, just a guy with a good memory and a few opinions. He looks like a player who enjoys pressure and the limelight without being overbearing or a diva. He is very willing to use his physique to a far greater extent than before and Wenger has shown great confidence in him.
Jeremy St Louis off on assignment to Barcelona and will hopefully be blogging while in Spain. He left this blog before he left.
And finally a group called the Canadian Soccer Federation has recently issued a plan that proposes to significantly change the way the game operates in Canada. After years of the Canadian Soccer Association issuing documents and promises but with little or nothing in the way of delivering on their good intentions the CSF overs up an alternative vision for a professionally run organization.
As well as an outline of their vision for the game the CSF has also gained access to a document prepared by Deloitte & Touche in 2005 that laid out an alternative form of governance for the CSA. The CSA never released this document to the soccer public. You can find and read the document at CSF website.
Bobby: interesting take on the Liverpool weaknesses. Kewell has lost his pace so time to go me thinks. Blackburn, Villa or a.n.other midtable side will maybe go for him in summer, but we need something with a left foot to replace him too and cash is short. El Zhar could come up from reserves for certain games, but a new face is needed.
On the right I think we'll see perseverance with alteratively, Benayoun, Pennant, Babel and sometimes Gerrard. Babel does need to work on his crossing, but that is a coaching issue, while he gains first team experience. He does have the speed.
Full backs I agree. Best right back we have is Finnan with........Carragher as back up? Riise is our best left back with Aurelio who is well below parr along with Arbeloa. The latter two are in the mold of Pellegrino and Josemi who were cheap acquisitions and looked it.
With Mascherano costing 18 million of the 45 allocated for transfers new buys will be very few and far between. If Rafa has a summer sale he might be able to bolster with some new buys but the key will be, can he actually improve upon what he has got given the tight purse strings? He has had a very mixed success so far.
Speaking of interesting young players, there are three very interesting ‘kids’ in the city of Milan who could be future superstars. Milan’s Paloschi, who seems to have the goal sense of his mentor Inzaghi (and Schillaci, Paolo Rossi, etc) may get some playing time this month, but has a long way yet to go. Inter’s Balotelli (17 years old) scored twice against Juve in the Coppa Italia this season (4 goals in 3 games), and by many accounts is better than Pato, but will be protected by Inter this season. Pato (the oldest of the three) will get the opportunity to showcase his talents on the big stage this season. Pato will be fit to play next week against Arsenal. He is about the same age Michael Owen was at the ’98 WC.
What are the pit falls of playing these kids on the big stage? Could it hinder their development in any way, or is it worth the gamble for the club?
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on February 12th at 7:03 PM.
LGB: "The transfer fees is what I was alluding to with the missing profits. No club has to report how much they buy or sell a player for, even in the final financial report to my understanding."
I do not know what the disclosure rules are for individual transfers- it might be worth checking, or perhaps Bobby knows?- but on an aggregate annual basis LFC most certainly did have to reveal the totals as part of its regular financial reporting: see the LFC financial statements for the year ended 31 July 2006 that Bobby and I both linked to for you (p.24).
You will see a column labelled "Player amortisation and trading" showing a net LOSS of GBP 23.670m, alongside a column labelled "Operations excluding player ... [etc]"- that is, everything else. This shows a PROFIT of GBP 20.136m, for a combined EBIT (loss) of GBP 3.534m. Add in interest and taxes, and you get the bottom line for 2006- a LOSS of GBP 4.257m.
In other words, LGB, the transfer fees ARE fully included, based on generally applicable UK accounting practice (according to the notes, the "costs associated with the acquisition of players’ registrations are capitalised [and then] fully amortised in equal instalments over the period of players’ initial contracts.") This creates an ongoing non-cash expense- but the initial (capitalised) cash outflow is very real, and THAT is the worry for the future as the new interest payments start to bite, since these also require immediate cash outlay to service ...
Note: I said "DID have to reveal", because at that time LFC was a public company. Since the Duo have taken
Note: I said "DID have to reveal", because at that time LFC was a public company. Since the Duo have taken LFC private, I do not know what the financial reporting requirements in the UK might be. The Results for the 2007 year (ended 31 July) are due in March- we (and many other very interested LFC supporters) will see then.
LGB: "there is no way ursus that the Habs have been mediocre. When you play in the best division in hockey, this is what happens. Especially when you suffer injuries, like last year."
The top reaches of the EPL are also a very rough neighbourhood, LGB. If you are excusing the substandard results of the Habs since Gillett bought the team- 2 missed playoffs (in the NHL???) and 3 playoff exits in early rounds is clearly substandard for a team with high expectations- as due to the high calibre of the competition, what does that forebode for the future of LFC facing United, Arsenal, Chelsea, ever-competitive Everton, a resurgent Spurs, etc? Since the calibre of that competition is high, substandard LFC results are just "what happens"?
The point is, LGB- does Gillett have that winning drive that a top club needs from its ownership, to authorize and fund whatever is necessary to stay on top? Based on the evidence of the Habs, after 6+ years, I would say not ... so good luck LFC- you'll need it. Once again, though, I really hope that I am woefully wrong ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on February 12th at 7:36 PM.
Ursus, at least Gillett turns up the Habs games and that in itself bodes ill because if he can be there and not invest then what will happen to his interests 4K miles away? Like I said it will be an interesting 6 months.
I do so favour the fans buy out as I have said on the 'speaker's corner'. No other option will satisfy die-hard reds. Quite a few so called supporters have already been ranting at David Moores for selling in the first place. Fickle or what?
Now I was asleep last night so let me redo this:
Liverpool under Moores was never ever a public company listed on the London stock exchange. The company was a private limited company registered at Companies House, whose shares, such as were issued, were sold off privately with-in the rules laid down for operating private businesses at Companies House. In Liverpool's case soley to raise capital. Liverpool FC shares were never ever listed or traded on the stock exchange.
There were about 4 principle shareholders of which Moores held 51% and Granada the media company (ITV) owned 10%. Jersey based builder Steve Morgan had a smaller tranche but with out looking at an annual report I do not recall the full list.
Accounts were published at each AGM and registered annually as required with Companies House and publically accessible there.
Even today I suspect that not all specific transfer dealings show up there - there is a strong suggestion that Moores paid the fee for Kuyt out of his own pocket. Can you disprove that with a line in the accounts Ursus, b/c I have not spotted that entry?
Anyways sorry for winding
Last edited by redfan2000 on February 13th at 7:55 AM.
VVV
I read an article - the new Italian at QPR - he said that in Italy young players are much more likley to be chucked into the limelight than young players are over here.
If you are good enough you are old enough.
Rooney was
Vaughn was
Ferguson's 'kids' were.
DM and Wenger and Ancelott and Mancini won;t be looking to play their young stars every week. They'll be integrated over time some take longer than others.
Good article in last months 442 about youngster whose promise never quite materialized.
BOBBY
Ta for responding. Studies have shown that when players use which ever foot is avaialbe to shoot they score more times than if they take the extra touch or step to get it onto their favoured foot.
I'll try and clarify. If I'm doing a game summary I'm looking for 'points worth talking/writing about' or how the tactics are utilized or what particular players are doing.
When I'm watching 'just for fun' I won't focus on anyone thing in particular I'll enjoy or not enjoy the game as it's whole.
Kind of analyst v fan pov.
It was a terrible game on Saturday, Vaughn made us better and a few times we actually played it on the floor we cut through Reading.
Three points when you play that poorly is precious though, just as important as the three points we got for hammering Sunderland.
How do you decide which games you'll watch over the weekend - do the US and Canada get the same games?
ATLETI
Thanks - no arteta but we have a yak!
Our odds have dropped (and fiorentina's have risen)
Yours remain the same.
GOALS...WITH LOVE FROM FORLAN AND AGUERO!
VALENTINE'S DAY
Don't forget, he's that poor bloke who was crucified.
Me thinks Jeremy didn't like the weather in Winterpeg and drew the short straw for a beach far away ha ha. Bad luck Bobby to you and your colleagues who missed it!
"Liverpool under Moores was never ever a PLC nor listed on the London stock exhange. There were about 4 principle shareholders of which Moores held 51% and Granada the media company owned 10%. Accounts were published at each AGM and done so largely to accommodate fans who wanted investment. It was a defensive measure that the board did not have to do."
That is not correct. The full name of the organisation was "The Liverpool Football Club And Athletic Grounds Plc". The "PLC" designation under the UK Companies Act indicates a "public limited company"- that is, one that may offer its shares for sale to the public (as Liverpool ... PLC in fact did). There is no requirement that a public company be listed to trade on the London Stock Exchange- some do, but many do not and instead trade on the OTC ("over the counter") market- as was the case with Liverpool ... PLC.
As of the proposed buyout by the Duo, the shareholders who gave irrevocable undertakings to sell (and were thus identified in the offer documents) were as follows, out of the total of 34,823 issued and outstanding shares for Liverpool ... PLC:
- David Moores = 17,923 (51.47%)
- Terence Smith = 264 (0.76%)
- ITV Productions Limited = 3,482 (10.00%)
Continued ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on February 12th at 9:35 PM.
As I noted earlier, The UK Companies Act requires public limited companies that offer their shares for sale to the public (as Liverpool ... PLC did) to provide annual audited financial statements meeting certain requirements as to form and content. These are available, as Bobby pointed out, for the 2006 and 2005 year-ends (and for 2004 as a prior year comparison with 2005) on the LFC website. The 2007 statements are due out in March.
You can see a great deal of interesting data concerning the buyout and the announced intention of the Duo "to seek to re-register Liverpool as a private limited company" at the "Market news" section of the London Stock Exchange website:
If you do a search for "Kop Football" over the past 2 years there, you will find the Duo's official "Recommended Cash Offer" (dated 6 Feb 2007) and the "Closing of Offer" (27 March 2007), among other goodies, which contain much of the above information.
Last edited by Ursusarctos on February 12th at 9:32 PM.
Zuco2 - You had a question that it looks like I missed about Miralem Pjanic and what I thought about him. Sorry I haven't seen him nor heard anything about him. Can anyone fill Zuco2 in on this player?
Craigy_F - I see what you mean about mindset. I would say that I now watch every game as an analyst as I tend to store stuff in the memory bank for possible future use should it be needed. I would say that 90% of the games in Canada are also seen in the USA although not necessarily at the same times. The biggest difference in the leagues is MLS. No Thursday night or Saturday game on ESPN or FSC. However, almost every TFC game was available last season on one of four stations plus I watched a lot of the Revolution on a Boston channel. When HD Net and MLS TV was added it added up to great coverage.
As to setting a viewing schedule some of takes care of itself when a game is on with no conflicts. In the event of a conflict then generally Premiership and Serie A trumps La Liga, Bundesliga or Ligue Une. However, if I have two games that both look good then one or two tape machines get called into action. Then it comes down to some creative time shifting.
Re: Miralem Pjanic. I saw a short highlight on Italian TV - they had a special on teenage stars. He is yet another youngster who is, or has been, linked with a move to every major club in Europe including Milan, Inter, Arsenal, etc. He plays for a very, very bad Metz side in France, so I guess he'll be on the move this summer after they go back down - it'll be interesting to see him on a good team.
Something which a few months ago looked unlikely, Milan today will field the youngest attacking partnership in their history, with an average age of 21y 10m, breaking a club record which has stood for over 40 years. That’s also about 10 years less than the duo on the field on Sunday!! Arsenal is starting to look old!!!
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on February 13th at 5:14 AM.
Aberdeen vs Bayern tomorrow has to bring back some memories of their last meeting in the 1983 CWC. Aberdeen got past them on that occasion, and then beat Real Madrid in the final. Can Aberdeen come away with anything in the first leg to make the return anything but a formality?
Some interesting 1st legs today as well, but the Bolton – Atleti matchup tomorrow is probably the highest profile tie, I think.
Actually, Pjanic is considered to be one of the best young strikers in Europe. He has been linked with many big clubs in Europe such as : Inter, Real Madrid, PSV Eindhoven, Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Chelsea.
He is Bosnian and he plays for Metz in the French Leagua as well as Bosnia U-21 national team.
Where do they get these guys? Scudamore is still insistent that the 39th game can work even after the Aussie FA joined in saying no and the Americans said they were interested but would not defy FIFA. Then he goes on to say.
"Scudamore told Sky Sports News: 'We're confident that we had the support of the 20 clubs and we still have the support of the 20 clubs."
what kinda of delusion is this? You either did have their support or you didn't.
"Whelan told the Daily Express: 'I am sitting on the fence, I am not condemning it but neither am I condoning it and I know quite a few chairmen feel the same way."
That doesn't sound like they have the full backing of the clubs to me. What a farce.
Kind of funny the EPL is looking for even more money when today the list of top 20 richest clubs was released and for the first time 3 clubs in the top 5 were from the same league.
1. Real 2. Manu 3. Barca 4. Chelsea 5. Arsenal
"'With the new Premier League television deals now online for the 2007/08 season, Manchester United have the opportunity to significantly close the gap on Real,' Jones said. 'A successful Champions League run may even see them challenge again for the number one position.'"
"'Clubs such as Aston Villa, Everton, Manchester City and West Ham United are already just outside the top 20 and with the revenue uplift from the new broadcast deals now benefiting the clubs, we expect to see the bottom half of next year's Money League dominated by English teams,' said Paul Rawnsley, Director in the Sports Business Group said."
Last edited by JayAlves on February 13th at 8:56 AM.
I am really irritated with people still counting on Van Persie. I do not understand why. Eduardo is a better natural finisher than Van Persie and playing so well at the moment. Unfortunately, I think Wenger is probably going to start Van Persie when he is back to 100% which makes no sense. I hope Wenger does not see Eduardo as just a replacement for an injured player. It would be a waste of world class talent. His goal against Man City was absolute class, the best goal of the year.
I also think that Eduardo is the main reason Adebayor is doing so well. He is creating space and setting him up for goals. Another thing I find interesting is that aside from the City goal (he had no choice but to head to Eduardo), Adebayor would rather miss than pass to the wide open Eduardo. Just watch the Blackburn game. Eduardo was wide open and kept waving to Adebayor who ended up shooting and not scoring.
Last edited by Sleeper000 on February 13th at 9:05 AM.
Did anybody see the lunge Dede had made on Rakitic during the Schalke - Borussia Dortmund game? Fox Soccer did not show it. The foul was attrocious. I hope the gifted youngster who has become a key player for Schalke at the mere age of 19 will not miss too many games. It would be severely detrimental for the young player's confidence. As for Dede, I hope he gets suspended for the rest of the season. What was he thinking? Horrible.
Best goal of the year? Why Ade is performing so well? Sleeper just marry Eduardo already as I doubt he will ever find anyone more dedicated to him that he would be a fool to refuse you.
I think Ade is doing so well because hes an amazing player who's full of confidence because of a supportive manager, team mates and friends. He was quoted recently mentioning that him and Henry still speak regularly and that Henry is only full of praise and encouragement that he can keep improving his game. I think its hugely underrated what a player with an attitude like Henry can do for your youth players. Barca are lucky to have whatever wisdom he is able to give to the likes of Messi, Dos Santos and Bojan.
As for best goal of the year... It was nice but there have been equally amazing goals. Sebastian Larsson's goal is dear to me considering it was for a win in the final minutes vs Spurs. Thats a goal that could keep them up as its worth 2 points alone. http://www.truveo.com/Sebastian-Lar sson-Goal/id/1549007062
As for RvP I wouldn't be worried as his timetable for return is still ambiguous. There was no mention if he would even be ready for the bench this Saturday so maybe he would be ready for a bench role on Wed vs AC considering your allowed 7 bench spots. Even then I doubt Wenger is so diehard loyal to throw in a player who would need fitness especially considering last time he came back he re-aggravated his injury. Also to be clear his injury was described as minor on Jan 10th.... thats now over a month out with what was first reported as minor. Its becoming apparent the man is made of glass.
FIFA rankings released today... And yet again they prove that FIFA should just stop trying, and not even bother, if they're going to make them this #### poor...
Ghana jumps 29 spots after finishing 3rd at their own hosted African Cup of Nations... While jumping 15 spots in front of the team that just won that tournament for the second straight time (and only jumped 6 spots, mind you)...
How anyone can think that the top of CAF goes:
1. Ghana
2. Cameroon
3. Ivory Coast
4. Egypt
5. Senegal
6. Nigeria
Is simply FUBAR... There is no logic involved in that... That's just dumb...
I can't figure it out... But there are a lot of people who for some reason want to believe this team (Ghana) is really good... Even in the last World Cup just after losing to Brazil 3-0, Eric Wynalda said that they were the better team on the day... I mean, I'll be the first to admit that ESPN should have no involvment at all in broadcasting the game... EVER...
But seriously, someone explain to me why FIFA even bothers with this, if they can't get it anywhere near right?
Jay, I frankly have given up on RVP. I love him when he's fit but we just can't rely on him. This is the 3rd time in which he's been out for half or almost half the season. So I just ignore any talk of RVP from fans or Wenger or Pravda (Arsenal official website). Far as I'm concerned, he's not a regular squad member, he's just a good player who pops up for a little while and is paid to recover from long injuries.
On a different matter...
Here are the Continuing Misadventures of the Schizophrenic Offside Rule, latest edition:
Bolton-Portsmouth: Bolton outplay Portsmouth for nearly 90 mins. but Portsmouth go on to win 1-0 due to the linesman allowing a blatantly offside goal. Bolton are cruelly denied a vital point.
Villareal-Murcia: Relegation fodder Murcia bravely fend off Villareal for a goalless draw for 90 mins., looking to earn a vital point that could help them get out of the relegation zone, when a blatantly offside goal is allowed by the linesman in the game's dying minutes.
Bayern-Bremen: Bayern are denied a winning goal (final score is 1-1) when Luca Toni scores a spectacular goal that is wrongly called offside. Toni is visibly furious.
These were not questionable or close calls -- they were very clear plays all badly decided by the officials.
leche, Ghana WERE better in their game v. Brazil at the wc in Germany. And I say that as a Brazilian.
I am no defender of the FIFA rankings but you should know that their new system is actually better than the one they had for years until they were changed right after the 2006 wc.
My understanding is that they work like this: every result of an int'l game (friendlies included) are added. Just because Egypt won the ACN doesn't matter. What matters is their accumulated results in all their int'l games. Ghana has moved up (and are in a better position than Egypt) because they have had better results in their recent int'l games (friendlies, competitions, qualifiers) than Egypt have.
In Ghana's next int'l game (of any sort), if they lose, they might drop. This is why Italy, Brazil, Argentina keep going up and down in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place spots. Every time one of them wins or lose a game, it affects their ranking.
Again, I'm not defending the system, just explaining it.
people need to calm down with RVP, before he got injured this year he was phenomenal, yes he gets injured a lot but we still need him. Eduardo is a great player but i would still fancy RVP becuase of teh way he plays fits more arsenal, he can drift wide or cut in, something eduardo is good at, plus his left foot is greatly need on free kicks, now that we have starting scoring on set pices especially. give him time and he will be great.
Also bobby what do you think of the seven subs rule which will come into effect next year. i think its great, but people havent talked about it much due to the 39th game. Some think it is bad because managers just want to put players like fletcher in the squad so their feelings arent hurt, others think its gerat so young players can come into the squad and play if the team is like 3-0 up?
Daniel:
Don't forget Inter beat Catania on Sunday, and the all important first goal was clearly an offside, to which even the ref later admitted. Nothing confusing about the rule on that one, just a bad call by the linesman.
Same thing with the Toni 'goal'. Nothing confusing about the rule, just a bad job by the linesman.
The offside rule is always very controversial because:
** it most often involves a goal scoring opportunity, and therefore every decision can be game changing - similar to penalty decisions yet more frequent.
** the passive offside rule is great in theory, but subjective and very difficult to apply consistently.
** it is the groundrule of how the game is played, and changing it would change how the game is played.
It is not a bad rule, it's just the core rule of the game of football, it defines how the game is played.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on February 13th at 12:47 PM.
Daniel- BS Ghana were the better team... Brazil went into halftime up 2-0...
Yeah, Ghana ended up taking 7 more shots than Brazil... But shooting for the sake of shooting isn't gonna get anyone anywhere... Brazil had 11 shots, 10 of which were on target, and scored 3 goals... Ghana 18, 7, and 0... Ghana also fouled the #### out of Brazil, ended up with 6 yellow cards and a red card because Asamoah Gyan is a ####...
But then again, you look at the way their whole team plays, it's the same way Michael Essien does... He's the "big, tough, enforcer" who anytime he comes out on the losing end of a challenge starts crying like a little ####, and then turns around and does something stupid...
People wanna talk about how good they were in the tournament... But half the goals they did score were on cheap #### PK calls... And I'm gonna stop there before I even get started on Markus Merk's PK call against the US, which still goes down as the worst call in the history of organized sports...
But I'll stop there about Ghana... And continue with FIFA's entire ranking system is just dumb... Why rank teams with how they did so long ago in the past, instead of looking more closely (and subjectively) at how they are doing now... I mean let's not kid ourselves, rankings are subjective in nature, why try to objectify the subjectivity?
veni, I don't propose that we get rid of the offside rule, but it just seems to me that there have been so many recent crazy decisions, esp. the whole murky "passive" issue that's been so hotly debated in England lately. Maybe just my impression.
leche, we'll agree to disagree about Ghana v. Brazil.
"Why rank teams with how they did so long ago in the past, instead of looking more closely (and subjectively) at how they are doing now..."
You still don't get it. Did you read my explanation? The new system DOESN'T rank teams according to long ago, it ranks teams PRECISELY according to each result AS THEY HAPPEN. Each time a team wins or loses, their ranking is affected, right then and there. That's the entire point. Their ranking immediately changes as a result of their latest performance.
They will need RVP at some point because they will not be able to compete on three fronts and do well with just two strikers. Quck, no peeking, but does anybody remember who was on the bench during their match against Rovers? There wasn't a lot of attacking options if either Eduardo or Adebayor got hurt or sent off.
Adebayor, for me, is more than a great athlete. His work rate is fantastic and I respectfully disagree with sleeper because he does show great vision and does a fantastic job of linking up with midfielders to create scoring chances. He's really Drogba 2.0, only younger. He occasionally suffers from a poor first touch, but is very good on the ball. He'd be my runner up to Ronaldo for Premiership player of the year. And he only cost five million pounds!!!!
As for Eduardo, I agree with sleeper that he's struck up a good partnership with Adebayor, although I think he's benefited more than his partner in terms of what Adebayor's muscle and movement have given him in terms of space and time on the ball because defenders tend to follow around the big fellow a little more. Wenger won't break up this partnership when Van Persie gets healthy but one or both of them will need to be rested in order for Arsenal to compete realistically for the Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup. That's why Wenger didn't sell Gilberto and probably has plans for Song now that Diarra has moved on.
VVV, Your right...Serie A has had some promising young talent highlighted lately.
Craigy, If "your good enough you play" is right then is England in trouble for future international play seeing that Brazil, Italy, Spain and Argentina continue to have young talent making headway in the big leagues?
Last edited by neophyte on February 13th at 4:07 PM.
Daniel:
The offside issue is sort of a catch-22. The rule in theory is excellent, but it is almost impossible to enforce consistently. Should the rule be changed to make it easier on officials, or change officiating procedures somehow to help getting these calls right.
Again today in the Milan game, Inzaghi (shocker!) was flagged for offside when through on goal, and it looked incorrect to me; and right or wrong that decided the result.
neo:
Bringing these youth players up, often is conditioned by injuries and/or lack of depth among the senior squad. Pato and Paloschi are being used by Milan out of necessity/desperation. Inter's Balotelli is extremely talented but is on a team with 4 other healthy world class strikers. When Michael Owen debuted with Liverpool at 17, was it a lack of options, or was he just that good? My first recollection of him is at the World Cup.
What do you make of the protracted Daniel Cousin transfer to Fulham? The deal was agreed on January 22 and FIFA still can't find time in their busy schedules to give a ruling?
Alberta I think the bench for the Blackburn game without checking was Bendtner, Hoyte, a youth player who hasn't started in a year, another youth player and Fabianski as the back up keeper?
Just checked damn I'm good ;)
As for RVP I hadn't given up so quickly as Mas was able to spot him apparently as I had very high hopes and expectations this season but in hindsight the writing was clearly on the wall. Of Arsenals 4 strikers their descriptions are: Experience at the Championship level, Injury Prone previous season, New to the EPL, and Complete full season of EPL experience. How any of us doubted that this would be a year where Ade would make his name seems silly now. His consistency and form last year really could only improve and it has. The scary part is he still does have room for improvement. We still see the bad touches and the chronic offsides (willing to bet the most offside player in the league, cant find the stats) and he still has 20 goals. For me because I was apparently blind previously he is the surprise of the season for Arsenal followed by Sagna, Flamini, Hleb and an injury free Gallas. As for EPL player of the year? In one week we might be talking FIFA player of the year depending how he plays in the 2 most important fixtures of Arsenals season so far. (0 goals in the CL isn't helping though).
Also thanks for the praise Bobby... Somebody has to try and offer some commentary besides the Liverpool bickering.
You're very good, mate! As I recall, it was Fabianski, Traore, Hoyte, Bendtner and I'm not sure. Not a surplus of attacking talent there. We'll need RVP, who is a class player, at some point.
Ade does have room for improvement with his first touch and awareness about offsides, although to be fair to the poor guy, he's been wrongly ruled offsides several times this year and even had a couple of perfectly legitimate goals chalked off by bad calls. Thank God none of them have cost Arsenal points.
danielgregg/atleti/leche010
My two cents was Ghana was horribly unlucky against the Selecao. First, they had Essien wrongly suspended for the match for a yellow card against the U.S. that even Bob Bradley said was overly harsh. Then they lost a goal to an offsides. Sorry, but I completely agree with Daniel's admirably objective opinion about that game.
Speaking of teenage superstars, Ronaldo joined PSV as a 17 year old and scored 42 goals in 2 Eredivisie seasons as a teenager and finished the year as the FIFA World Player of the Year. He moved to Barca at the age of 19, scored 39 goals in 44 matches that season and was voted FIFA player of the year again.
I mention Ronaldo because sadly (as you may know), today he completely tore the ACL in his left knee minutes after coming on as a sub. He will have immediate surgery in Paris on Thursday, but best case scenario it will take a year of rehab to make it back. If you don't remember just how good he was, look up some video on youtube or something, because there aren't any players around at the moment who are anywhere near as good as 'O Fenômeno'. Today is a sad day in football.
This will no doubt cause a great number of eyes to glaze over yet further, but for the sake of complete accuracy ...
redfan2000: "Liverpool under Moores was never ever a public company listed on the London stock exchange. The company was a private limited company registered at Companies House, whose shares, such as were issued, were sold off privately with-in the rules laid down for operating private businesses at Companies House. In Liverpool's case soley to raise capital. Liverpool FC shares were never ever listed or traded on the stock exchange."
As I said before, "The Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds plc" was- prior to its buyout and re-registration as a private company by the Dynamic Duo- a Public Limited Company under Moo
