And Sepp Blatter has made his views known. Don’t be surprised if the Premier League tries to turn these comments into a press release that talks of positive steps.
John Ley of the Daily Telegraph predicts how the top three in the Premiership will make out over the last 12 rounds.
And a reminder to Canadian fans that a group called the Canadian Soccer Federation
has recently issued a plan that proposes to significantly change the
way the game operates in Canada. Your input is not only accepted but encouraged which is more than can be said for the Canadian Soccer Association.
FA CUP The last sixteen of the FA Cup would seem to be a good starting point for this weekend’s preview. I have read a couple of pieces this week from pundits writing that games such as Manchester United vs. Arsenal rarely life up to expectations.
With the exception of the 2005 FA Cup snore-fest I can think of very few United – Arsenal games that have not been entertaining and in many cases outstanding.
Although both teams no doubt have the Premiership as a greater priority both clubs have a great cup tradition that pre-dates the arrival of Wenger and Ferguson and I can’t see either team rolling over – although the loser may claim otherwise.
The sidebar to this match is the impact it may have on the race for the league title.
A United win will boost confidence and five points to make up with twelve games left will suddenly look not so daunting.
Vice versa for the Gunners – a win at Old Trafford and the rest of the season will hold no fears.
If the visits of Barnsley and Huddersfield to Anfield and Stamford Bridge result in anything but conclusive home wins it will constitute a major surprise. Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair is on Huddersfield’s books along with former Everton player Danny Cadamarteri.
If things had gone according to planned Wayne Rooney would have been the next Danny Cadamarteri but it all went pear shaped. The FA Cup has already proven to be special for a Huddersfield club that is celebrating a centenary this year.
Birmingham City were victims in the third round and Oldham were dispatched last round.
Huddersfield may now be a mid-table League One side but there was a time when they dominated English football to an extent rarely seen.
They won the FA Cup win in 1922 and were runners up in 1920, 1928, 1930 and 1938. They also won three straight English First Division Championships (1924, 25 and 26) and runners up in 1927, 28 and 34.
One of England’s legendary managers Herbert Chapman was in charge from 1921-25 before leaving to take the Arsenal job. And as part of their 100th year celebrations Huddersfield is set to play Arsenal sometime in the summer.
Fifteen months ago Barnsley looked set to drop back to League One after securing a surprise promotion by way of the play-offs the season before. Out went manager Andy Ritchie (to surface a short while later at Huddersfield) and he was replaced by Coach Simon Davey.
Davey rallied the troops and secured one more year in the second tier of English football. In the process Barnsley extended their record as the team that has spent more time in English football’s second tier than any other.
Recognizable names on the Barnsley roster - Rohan Ricketts (former Spurs), Tony Warner (former Liverpool back up and on loan from Fulham) and Jon Mackem who had spells with both Manchester clubs. Mackem however is cup tied and not available.
Players to watch out for are apparently the midfield duo of Brian Howard and Anderson Da Silva on loan from Everton.
Quick free kicks
Both Sheffield United (home to Boro) and Coventry (home to West Brom) fired managers Bryan Robson and Ian Dowie this week. Under Robson Bolton and Manchester City were beaten in the FA Cup and Dowie’s Coventry side knocked Manchester United out of the Carling Cup and Blackburn from the FA Cup.
Preston have made it to the 5th round for the third straight year but are still struggling to gain traction in the Championship under former Everton assistant Alan Irvine. Preston sits one point above the last relegation spot but the two clubs below both have a game in hand.
Serie A
The Juventus vs. Roma match this weekend may decide whether or not Roma will retain a passing interest at least in top spot (Inter leads by eight points) or become involved in a fight for second with Juventus and possibly Fiorentina and Milan.
Inter continues to charge with only one Serie A loss in their last sixty-two matches and faces Livorno on Saturday. Juventus and Roma appear to be very evenly matched with Juventus unbeaten in their last 13 (seven draws) while Roma’s only loss in their last sixteen games was a shock 3-0 loss to Siena a fortnight ago.
While Juve can look to only one home loss this season Roma’s loss to Siena was their single set back away from the Olympico. The first game between these two this season finished with them sharing four goals – a draw is on the cards again.
The Genoa derby finds both clubs enjoying a good run of form with only two losses in their last ten combine games. Recent form however masks Sampdoria’s exceptionally poor performances away from home. T
heir seven points is by far the worst of teams currently in the top ten and a push for a European spot is going to require an improvement over the last eight away matches.
Mario Borriello was called up to the full Italy squad for the game against Portugal on account of his goal scoring for Genoa this season.
The hard grafting Borriello has scored 12 of Genoa’s 23 goals this season and without his goals Genoa would not be sitting comfortably in ninth spot. Ten of his 12 goals have come in the second half this season and in total his goals have been worth 15 points to Genoa.
I'm hoping Wengerman will rest Adebayooo and have him on the bench. Start with Bendnter and Eduardo, bring Ade in the 2nd half. Apart from that I don't see how we can rest anyone else coz everyone else is injured, Cesc can't be rested coz there is no Denilson, or Song I have no clue why he is not back. No Theo, Diaby, RVP, Rosisky, Sendorous, Sanga, Clichy. The last 2 will really be missed what they give us no one else can.
Bobby where do you rank Ronaldo the Brazilian in terms of greatest striker and player of the 90's to present time?
redfan2000: Earlier you asked about clues that Moores had paid for the transfer of Kuyt's registration out of his own pocket. There is something that might (or not) be of interest.
In the 2006 financials (at the LFC website): on p. 21 ("Directors' Report"), under "Post balance sheet events", there is reference to Kuyt's registration being acquired for £10 million after the financial year end (31 July 2006)- AND to LFC receiving "two loans totalling £10 million" from Moores, also after the year end. The two events are not formally linked, though, so make of it what you will ...
I agree that this LFC legal structure debate has exceeded its natural life. Since you correctly mentioned Companies House, go to their website "Company Information" search page and enter the LFC Company Number- 00035668- into the lower search box:
http://www.companieshouse.gov.uk/We bCHeck/findinfopage/
You will see - LFC ... Limited, Date of Incorporation: 26/01/1892 and Company Type: Private Limited Company
BUT ... under "Previous Names and Date of change": LFC ... PUBLIC LIMITED COMPANY- 21/06/2007
In other words, on 21 June 2007 the Duo re-registered the existing LFC PUBLIC limited company as a private one, as they stated they would in the Offer Closing I linked previously.
The distinction between a quoted public limited company (trades on the exchange) and an unquoted public limited company (NOT private) whose shares trade privately often leads to confusion. And "PLC" always means a public company in the UK- private companies are designated by "Limited". The End.
I read the League Prediction and I think he has a decent look at it but I think, injuries and suspensions will play a big part in this games. Van P. return and staying healthy for the last 10 games would really boost Arsenal. ManUre need Rooney to stay healthy and clear of injuries and Chelsea need Peter Cech to stay healthy.
For Arsenal the only games I would change is the Aston Villa game been at home I think Arsenal will win, They can beat Bolton coz they seem to have learnt how to win against such teams, and the Man U game will be a draw if the current players are healthy.
Gunner:
I hope there isn't a curse for players who transfer from Milan to Inter. Seedorf and Pirlo are both former Inter players. Inter didn't think Pirlo was very good and basically released him!!!
"Wenger said he was doubtful about the fitness of defenders Gael Clichy and Philippe Senderos, striker Emmanuel Adebayor and midfielder Matthieu Flamini with various 'joint and muscle' problems."
"Wenger said he is definitely without midfielder Tomas Rosicky, forwards Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie, midfielders Bacary Sagna and Denilson."
Its not looking so good right now if those claims are accurate and hes not trying to play tricks with Ferguson.
Ursus: Suggest you delve into the changes in business laws and terminolgy in the nineties, when the term limited (Ltd) was done away with as a single suffix.
PLC was introduced to try and help determine company status but failed, b/c the suffix PLC DOES mean EITHER Private or Public. What I wrote was cut and pasted straight of the CH site. Check British business definitions.
If you found the registration of the club in 1892 and can see the selling of the club in 2007, where is the listing for the change in incorporated status? Ie change from Private to Public?
It never happened as said, because the buyers could indeed would have bought the company through the stock exchange. The second listing is a typo plain and simple.
When you have deciphered the UK definitons, you will realise the selling listing can only be an error. Heavens sakes a public offical making an error? Have a nice day lol.
Bobby, I love the idea that (plans for) Rooney have gone pear shaped. Hilarious thought.
Redstuff:
Tomorrow we might see the first of Mikel San Jose in the centre of defence with Jamie Carragher.
Be interesting to see what changes Rafa makes for the game with Inter on the horizon. Strong start or strong finish? I hope for the former as it will take the pressure off.
Last edited by redfan2000 on February 15th at 9:30 AM.
Ringo, have you borrowed the Telegraph's crystal ball?
I do not believe, which means it will probably happen lol, that Chelsea will reach the final. I live in hope of a cup double!
Looks like Sepp has 'Blattered' Scudamore's plans. I am not sure what Scudamore is on but delusions of grandeur seem to be surfacing amid much world wide consternation. Where does he think such imperialistic ideas are going to be welcomed? He has lost the plot it seems to me.
Last edited by redfan2000 on February 15th at 10:18 AM.
Wenger has 14 players to choose from, and several of those are not altogether fit either, incl. Ade and Flamini. No Clichy to control C. Ronaldo. Sagna has, according to Wenger, "a very big family problem" - he's out for personal reasons.
If we lose to MU, we lose - let's just give a good account of ourselves and concentrate on the league and CL. But the league above all else.
Looks like Mr Usmanov has found some more Arsenal shares to buy and now holds 24%, seemingly despite the agreement of shareholders not to sell except to each other.
Danniel, I reckon you are good enough for the tie with Man utd to still go to a replay.
I wonder if Bobby is going to be right and a club from outside the Premiership will get to the final?
Ringo, we have not unless Hicks has made some more behind the scenes moves.
You're dicing with death with Athleti. If we lose tomorrow I shall know what she feels like. El Hadji Aguero lol
Bill Shankly joined Liverpool from Huddersfield a few years back. If we win nothing this year I vote we strap Rafa down and make him watch all the Shankly interviews and read him the written stuff, until he finally gets it.
Belated happy Valentines to any ladies here chatting!
Only the first leg so far athleti but you should do Bolton in the second!
Me, I like two legged matches but the key is to maintain one's focus between them!
RF
I think you might wan't to reconsider your last comment, particularly the effect it may have on those who play Amputee Football.
:) That's the spirit la. Chin up and chest out in adversity.
Always a good tradition when son follows father into football.
You'll have to ask Bobby about the 'pallid' thing - I think it's something to do with Scottish genetics.
The smile is one I can answer - only team to win all games since group stage started. 4th spot. Progress.
I won't be watching the Germans or the Greeks and I haven't decided which Italian I'll check out.
A lot depends on Serie A results this weekend.
I fancy the Roma RM tie could throw up a stunner. 3-1 or maybe 2-3.
All is fair in football and war eh...certainly not, especially when there are more of them than you.
How are you going to tackle the Tykes (if this is the game your son is predicting he may well be right (or has he just seen Lawro's stuff?))
BOBBY
Two good choices for Serie A. It's kind of wierd that the weekend prior to a CL midweek isn't a League week in england. In that respect Chelsea get a peachy draw whilst the other three teams get toughies.
Rafa Wenger & Schuster will be paying attention to Milan ese and Roman Football this weekend.
I don't know whether any other club websites have this - Milan have been tracking Arsenal results since they got drawn together.
I've got a little Serie A week 23 preview on my blog in about an hour - check it out.
Tough to call either the Genoa Derby or the 2v3 game as the best of the week.
Will you watch both games or
Baa-rmy Sunderland players had to pretend to be sheep, while a fellow Black Cat took the role of shepherd in a penning exercise in the Lake District aimed at building trust. (The Sun)
A different take on what most of just call SHEEP SHAGGING!
Barça have signed 14 year old striker, Mauro Icardi. Argentine-born, but has been living in Spain for some time now with his family. He has an Italian passport (does anyone in Argentina NOT have Italian ancestry in them? very few!), which is convenient, of course.
Capel to Tottenham for £8.5million (clause) this summer...?
Paolo Maldini will play his 1000th professional match today, just over 23 years after he made his debut. That run has included an 80-match unbeaten stretch, has never lost more than 4 in a row, and once had 13 straight wins. His most frequent result has been the 1-0 victory, followed by 1-1 and 0-0. He has also scored 43 goals, including the fastest goal ever in a UCL final. He says he could've scored many more but was never good in front of goal!
l can not believe liverpool and chelsea are playing this poorly.l can see shocks in the champions leauge at stamford bridge if events of the last three weeks are to go by.liverpool are a bad side.l remember verbal saying benyayoun was a beteer player than hleb that is as bad a gaffe as kevin davies being wanted by baryen muchen
people who believe crouch is a goal scorer are on cocain.imagine how many times people have said start crouch.he is not good andagainst mlan liverpool will be toasted
Wow, well cue the scousers waxing vitriolic on the boards today. Whose the villian du jour?
There are a few candidates.
The manager. Rafa's decision to yank off Babel was befuddling. Perhaps he wanted to save him for the Inter match, but he probably should have waited until they put away Barnsley.
The back line. Hyypia nearly shipped a goal in the first half by dwandling on the ball. Carragher played awful and just stood there allowing Howard to walk into the shot for the winner. Anyone who thinks they don't miss Agger is out of their mind.
The strikers. Peter Crouch -- a very dirty player who threw an arm across an opponent's face in the first half -- and Kuyt should have put away easy opportunities to salt away the game. Ironclad evidence that they are not good enough for a putative Big Four club. Somebody oh these boards, I forget who, suggested Crouch was better than Yakubu. Care to revise that opinion?
The owners. I suppose the Yanks should take the blame for creating the loss of morale in their expensively assembled squad that caused them to lose to a Championship side.
If I were a Liverpool supporter, I'd feel embarassed if some of my peers were still blaming the new owners.
From BBC text:
"If I was the Liverpool chairmen I'd do the intelligent thing and sack Rafa after that awful performance. What do Liverpool fans need to realise this? It's staring them in the face."
Jez in Worcester, via text"
Well Athleti, I know how ya feel! However, I am not getting drunk nor upset. It is the FA cup and this sort of thing happens to the best of us. I recall the crazy gang in 88, not to mention Burnley.
However, playing a European rhythm in England does not work. We will do well against Milan I feel sure, because the Spaniard knows and coaches European football. We talk about players making it in the Premiership, but in this case I think Rafa has not made the grade.
I think this might well be the end for Rafa sadly. I will not be at all surprised to see him leave this week and a certain portugeezer hired anytime soon. With Hicks' track record I would not be surprised to find out that he has already been hired.
Henry14, your turn later and there will only be one winner. Win or lose, it is the FA cup and the form book matters little.
Tongue was firmly in cheek on my comment on the owners. I feel for you and other Liverpool supporters. After a decent result and a promising result against Chelsea away,
Arsenal look badly off the pace and, drat, just shipped a goal. Gilberto looks like he's playing in quicksand.
Gilberto's performance is only one part and explains why re-signing Flamini is crucial now that Wenger has allowed Diarra to leave.
The back line looks horribly disorganized and we're playing with our first-choice centre halves. On the goals, Hoyte was in a poor position. On the second, Gallas fell asleep. Traore played Nani on for the third. Terrible, pub league stuff. Hopefully, Wenger peels the paint off the walls with his halftime talk. This is embarrassing for the club.
Oh, and this performance ought to explain to sleeper why Adebayor has become the crucial pivot of Arsenal's attack far more than Eduardo. Bendtner cannot hold up the ball and link play nearly as effectively.
Atleti: OK one more-a time for mama:
What's-a matter you, Hey
Gotta no respect, Hey
What-a you t'ink you, Hey do
Why you look-a so sad, Hey
It's-a not so bad, Hey
it's-a nice-a place,
Ah, shaddap-a you face
All:
Why no Ronaldo in the United lineup?
Is Almunia injured or has Lehman recovered the #1 goalie spot (when is Almunia due back)?
Liverpool had plenty of chances, but they seem to struggle to score. They needed Torrest today. Where was Reina? While Kewel had lots of shots, all of which missed the target, he did a great job of painting the outline of the goal in grand style. Blame the Yanks, though. They are, after all, Yanks. Plus, had Rafa had more money in the transfer window, they could have brought in the necessary talent to overcome Barnsley.
Really delightful result from Anfield today. Great winner. Have to say that was a horrifically watchable Liverpool today. Never able to put Barnsley awasy, always looking vulnerable on the counters, losing a lot of the physical battles and a number of cynical fouls that, had a Barnsley player performed the same act, would surely have produced yellow cards.
And now the pleasure of watching Ar5ena1 getting properly tonked wearing their hilarious Wizard of Oz Lollipop Guild socks. What depth, what character.
Think the humane thing will be done in the second half and Ferguson will ask the referee to forego time added on. And possibly the cameras will stop giving us those lingering shots of Wenger en soufrance.
Well, a bad day at the office in many a quarter eh? After so many opinions on our woes today and the past year it seems, I wonder how the Arsenal fans will explain this one away and will they fare any better against the Italians than us? Cup football is exciting it it not?
It was inevitable that Salieri would show up, wasn't it? And his comments certainly highlight his depth and character, don't they? Well, he may be witless, small-minded and petty but he is reliable. Well done!
Whatever helps you get through the day. We got rolled up at Old Trafford to the defending league champions. I wouldn't compare that to losing to a Championship side at home, but if that works for you, great.
There's nothing to explain -- we got tonked by a better side on this day and it will be interesting to see how the kids respond against Milan.
And so Scotland's recent dominance over France continues.
Hard to imagine a team that fancies itself as a contender letting itself be subject to yet ANOTHER four-goal hammering.
Even more troubling has to be the lack of class and character displayed by Farcenal. Filthy fouls, hilarious dive by Adebayor. Shocked that Lehmann managed to keep his nose clean. Too tired to cheat?
Nice to see ManU's kids and reserve squad step up. Great performance by Fletcher, Nani and Anderson made strong statements about their futures. Park got well stuck in, too. And Michael Carrick added some very artistic touches with great passes.
Sure Farcenal were missing some bodies and would have benefitted with Fabregas and Flamini in the lineup. But what does another tonking say about Wenger's ability to build a squad with depth? What does this disgraceful display of flagrant fouling say about the character of his management?
Oh well, maybe they can take one of the guided tours of Wembley and see what they'll be missing.
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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