The North American disease strikes again. The hockey play-offs are on and the great North American tradition of rioting when you win gets underway. Surely this must lead to a European ban for all NHL clubs? If you ask me this is why hockey/baseball/basketball/gridiron football will never catch on in the rest of the world. If you can’t even get your reason for wanton destruction right, how can you ever expect normal thugs and hooligans to relate?
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are a smidgen away from securing their respective league titles. Lyon are being made to work a bit harder to win their seventh consecutive French title although with four games to go and a four point lead on Bordeaux harder it might be but it looks like pretty inevitable anyway.
It’s possible for Inter to win another scudetto if they win (home to Cagliari) and Roma shockingly lose at home to struggling Torino. Not probable, and even so I’m sure Inter fans would rather wait until the Milan derby to sow another title up. That opportunity comes next weekend.
Which brings us to the Premiership and a match that will see Manchester win another Premiership title (I know Chelsea would still be able to catch United on goal difference but a goal difference of at least 20 makes the task and impossibility) or make the race interesting for at least one more week.
The fact that both teams hold a slight edge in their respective Champions League semi finals and this could be the first of two meeting over the next few weeks only adds more flavour to the pot.
No matter the outcome of this game Manchester United will finish the season atop of the mini league that also includes Saturday’s opponents, Arsenal and Chelsea. Going into the game United have 13 points, Chelsea 7, Arsenal 6 and Liverpool with four draws and no wins. Chelsea also enjoy a very good record over Manchester United in the Premiership and have taken more points off of them than any other side.
The defensive records of both teams this season have been outstanding (United 19 against and Chelsea 24 against) and when you add in the fact that the goals for either team have not been coming as freely in the last few weeks an avalanche of goals seems unlikely.
The Everton vs. Aston Villa match holds a lot of promise with Villa three points a flagging fifth place Everton. Only Manchester United have scored more goals in the Premiership this season than Villa (who would have picked that?) and they have recovered from a truly terrible march to score 15 goals in the last three matches – albeit against three of the cellar dwellers.
Birmingham were Villa’s victims last Sunday and find themselves in the last relegation spot. Birmingham desperately need at least a point this weekend against Liverpool and hope that Spurs do them a favour against Bolton and Reading come a cropper at Wigan. That would leave the Brummies ahead of the other two on goal difference and a run-in that has them face Fulham and Blackburn Rovers.
As chance would have it Birmingham are a bit of a bogey side for Liverpool with the Reds only winning twice in 9 Premiership games. A few years back a Championship Birmingham took Liverpool to penalty kicks before losing in the Carling Cup Final of 2001.
In Italy Fiorentina needs to see off sixth place Sampdoria to maintain at least a four point gap on fifth place Milan and to essentially kill off any reasonable hope that Samp might have of securing the fourth and final Champions League spot. Fiorentina have won their last six at home are playing a side that has a on the face of it a relatively poor away record this season. However, three of Sampdoria’s away wins have come in their last four games and only a surprising 1-0 loss against Reggina a couple of weeks ago brought a solid run to an end.
If Fiorentina can win this one then they will be very much in the driving seat with their remaining fixtures against Cagliari, Parma and Torino. On the other hand Sampdoria need the win to cut into Fiorentina’s lead but then have games against Roma, Palermo and Juventus in prospect.
Finally MLS has the first Los Angeles derby of the season and who is betting that this one will finish with eleven-a-side?
Bobby, I believe you said on your show that Man Utd may have peaked too early and I think you could be right. Lackluster performances against Arsenal and Blackburn (except for last 15 minutes) etc.
Gorn, WTF Riise? Man that sucks. I'm glad no Everton player scored an own goal in the last minute of a Semi Final 1st Leg against Chelsea... ooops Lescott in the Carling Cup
Bobby, re: the Canadian Ownership in the EPL story ... I thought Spurs already have a wealthy Ownership group? The similarity between Everton and Spurs is that they both have lifetime fans as chairmen of the team and the difference is that Levy et al are wealthy whereas Kenwright was "lovey" on the soap opera Coronation Street
Ron_W:
Thanks. Either I didn't know that happened to EFC, or I forgot, tho I will say that that also happened to LFC in the 2005 League Cup and this one hurts much, much worse. Nevermind the fact that JAR has been pants all year while Lescott is a monster. There's also the added irony that JAR has been a great servant for years and looks to be on his way out. If LFC doesn't pull it out, helluva way to be remembered
I'm feeling better aboot it as time goes by b/c: a) if Chav$ki scores it changes nothing, & b) if LFC scores, it should be no worse than extra time/pks. Because, despite all the crowing aboot how LFC doesn't score @ Stamford, neither does CFC (c:
--
In other news, I find it instructive that:
- LFC must be the most boring 100+ goal team in recent history
- when LFC is outpossessed 2-1, they're 'conservative' but ManUre is 'professional'
- when Scholes goes in 2-legged against Eto'o, there's not a peep aboot it anywhere
Bobby- you are off your rocker saying American sports will never catch on in Europe. The European Sports scene is excruciatingly boring. Take an ESPN analyst and put him in europe. He could learn all the teams and all the players that MATTER in about two weeks. Lets see, there's soccer and well, cricket...and they are a-chirping, Bobby.
Let's do the reverse, lets take Europe's best sports broadcaster and plop him down in middle america and see how well he swims.
green7delta - Don't you think that all NHL teams (at least Canadian teams) should now be banned from Europe after hooliganism like that? What a disgrace.
However you might be on to a good idea about taking an ESPN analyst and putting one in Europe. What about if North America did a sort of Sports version of the Marshall Plan and send all the ESPN Analysts over to Europe to help resurrect their boring sports scene. I don't think it would even take two weeks - a couple of hours should be enough.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on April 25th at 4:12 AM.
DUMB AS DOG ####
Wembley Stadium lost £22m during its first year of operation, according to accounts set to be published next month. (Various)
WHAT THE F...
An unnamed football club have approached a leading sports scientist to apply genetic research to their players. (The Guardian)
HORSE PLAY
THIS HORSE WILL BE IN BLACK AND RED NOT BLUE NEXT SEASON
SERIE A
Fiorentina V Sampdoria
A Romanian God OF Goals and an ex-pie eating lunatic - what a game in prospect.
BOBBY
Yeah, if you'd experienced any of the footy hooliganism as it was in the UK then it wasn't pleasant. You had to travel to the away games in groups otherwise you'd be an easy and hasty beaten target.
Not particulalry for the friendly derby but for other derbies and other locales - although most of the fighting was outside the ground.
Any comments on Leeds getting 15 points back and then getting automatic promotion? The "big four" better wake up as their main rival is slowly stalking back up the league tables.
Cheers
Wiscoleeds
The articles on Grant and Man U were interesting Bobby. I think that writer has a taste of what we Jamaicans call "badmind" he seems bitter because Grant recieved a coveted job because of friendship, I bet if he had a friend in a high position at a better organization he would take the job if it was offered. Man U being defensive I think will be their downfall on Tuesday, they tried the same thing on Roma, but the difference in the return leg Barca has more than enough scoring options, and Man U have to win the game to go through and cant sit back and absorb. I also have a blog Bobby and I invite you to view it, I see we share similar opinions on Sat's game....http://allaboutfootballjshm ikes81.blogspot.com/
Hockey Hooligans? Nah #### cats! Just party goers by comparison to the folks who used to go down to Chelsea, QPR and Millwall in the 70's. Levis were the uniform and a hatchet or similar inside the denim jacket (in that big ol' pouch pocket) was the norm. Scarves were hidden in sleaves and only came out when inside which ever ground you were attending.
We know it was true b/c those clubs had a lot of attention during the crackdown on organised hooliganism int he 80's.
On the whole I do not watch or support hockey other than to follow the Canadian teams in the playoffs. I do not have a team but have watched a few Habs games this season b/c of the link to GG.
Playoff hockey is ok and the game vs fliers last night was quite good to watch but I missed the O/T b/c I was watching Jamie Oliver.....yep I love cooking.
Birmingham are not the same with out Steve Bruce. I think McLeish will quite possibly relying on Bolton to shoot themselves in the foot.
Anyone who bemoans JAR needs to take a look at the minute before the own goal. With a minute to go the defenders to a man are dilly-dallying in front of the 18 yd box! The goal was the fault of the defence as a whole not just JAR, period.
He is a better full back than Aurelio period. We would not have conceded that goal if Aurelio had been on the pitch because he would have been in the opposing half. He gets forward well but causes us too many times to have no cover at left back. Something Anelka was charged with exploiting.
JAR is simply not match fit. He IS a casualty of the changes to the back line this season.
RF-JAR has been #### this season and its the reason Aurelio has totally outplayed him and this is why he's on the pitch.
Nothing more, nothing less.
That own goal was just as bad what Traore did against Burnley. You don't try to take an extra touch in the box, especially towards your own goal, and you don't basically lie down on the ground to head the ball. You use you're right foot, you're a FOOTballer.
To all reds-Are you confident ahead of leg 2? I know I am. All we need is a goal and its back in our hands.
As for ESPN and sports analysis? Almost a contradiction in terms! Tommy Smyth retrainable? Can you really teach an old dog new tricks?
Bobby if you go work with Derek Rae we will have a good commentary team for the CL, athough I would still like to EPSN send their commentators further than an editting studio on the east coast! What a joke!
Wemberley is a bottomless money pit. A couple of bankruptcies should see it ok for the future though.
Once all the financing is paid and the debts paid off by the government, it will probably turn out to have cost double the disclosed figures. That's what happens when politics and sport come together.
Delta: Don't belittle Cricket! Americans turned it into a glorified rounders game by creating baseball. Then there is Rugby which not even Canada plays very well, but the Canucks are better than the Americans at it.
LGB: we will agree to disagree. Every player has times when they are down/off form or injured. We have leaked goals this season because the stability we had last season was broken. One mistake does not a bad player make. Mascherano got sent off and it cost us. JAR should never have had to be clearing that ball in the first place. Watch it note the position of the two CBS.
JAR, Finnan (same comments as for JAR apply), Sami and Carra were that solid back line which leaked so few goals. You don't just suddenly become a bad player.
I sincerely hope Aurelio goes this summer along with Arbeloa, Pennant, Kewell, Leto and Veronin.
As I said it is a matter of opinion, but having watched this team evolve since the mid-70s I do see a huge difference in character between those who have the club at heart and those who were hired. I also know that I would not even dream of comparing Traore with JAR.
RF-I agree you don't suddenly become a bad player. It still doesn't stop you from playing like #### though and thats what Riise(and Finnan) has been been for us this season.
Why? It could be a number of things like getting complacent or not working as hard in training(although those two could go hand in hand) but whatever the reason we've been exploited at the fullback spot alot when those two have been playing. It also doesn't help that he's a one footed player.
I know Rafa is going to be bringing in full backs next year, I just hope they are young and fast.
LGB
Finnan has been crocked all season and is scarcely match fit. We had Barragan and Kromkamp for right back and sold both b/c neither were anywhere near as good as an on form Finnan. I hope we get a full season out of Stevie Finnan next year as, when he is in form all we need is cover.
I am glad you mentioned Hyppia as he had an up and down season last year and every one was calling time on him, but just look at the way he has played this season.....a star for us indeed! He has lost some speed, but his positional sense and the wisdom he has gained over the years makes him well worth the contract he has just signed.
When Agger is fit and match fit, I hope he is back with Carragher in the CB slot. Then I will have no problem with JAR On the left and Finnan on the right.
We do have first refusal on Barragan if he is ever sold on.
I wonder if Insua will come up next season? His only flaw is his height but he is excellent.
Did anybody see the bayern munich game yesterday. bayern r a absolutely fantastic team. u can tell this is a team that has discipline and structure. They hardly make mistakes and are very efficient with their passing and ribery on the flanks is absolutely incredible. I never took Bayern seriously but now i cant wait to see them in champs league next season u can tell they r a level above the rest in the uefa cup. They were really unlucky last night to score that own goal but they will finish the job in russia then knock out fiorentina in the final. But when they play in the super cup later in the year my boys liverpool will have the edge.
According to 2 articles on soccernet.com Henry talks about how the only club in England he would play for is Arsenal, then Wenger on the 2nd article says "in our current situation you can never say never", when asked about Henry's return.
Is Henry Return Imminent??????
Personally I wouldn't mind him coming back for a cheap price, coz instead of buying a new player, he already knows the system and has passionate love for the club and his experience is valuable. He can become a 3rd choice striker after Van. P. and Ade.
Last edited by Gunner44 on April 25th at 11:30 AM.
G7D:
Cue the background music; Star Spungled Banner….
“European Sports scene is excruciatingly boring” …
Tell me how many years have you lived in Yurp (‘merikan pronunciation) and how many football matches have you attended?
If by “boring” you mean devoid of over the top hype, mind numbing, non-stop, cliché filled babble the spews out of a typical ESPN commentator on any ‘merikan sport coverage; then you are right. You are welcome to it.
One Tommy Smyth being the top of the Oirish/’merican blether box when it comes to football.
If you take Yurp’s best broadcaster and “plop him down in middle ‘merika” he would instantly be repelled by the same non-stop annoyingly loud action commentary, regardless of superior (LOL) ‘merikan sport, not to mention the myopic flag waving, lapel pin wearing, mossy oak clad grossly uninformed, attention deficit, citizen audience. He would catch the first flight home and be the better off for it.
If you think because ‘merika has twenty different televised sports (counting World Wrestling and College Bass Fishing; ..competitive fishing for God sake!) that it can lay claim to being the sports capital of the world; that would be consistent with centric ‘merikan thinking. More and bigger is better and ‘merika has it all!!
Your xenophobic view is all too typical of said uninformed and highly inflated ‘merika.
Last edited by thierry14 on April 25th at 12:37 PM.
Man I hate ESPN sportscasters. Their condescending gotcha attitude and lack of respect for anything of value makes me sick. I can count on one hand the sportscenters and/or anything similar I have watched in the last 2 years and my life is better for it. I do watch around the horn and PTI every now and then. I like Mike WIlbon, Mike Turico and 1 or 2 others.
Going to the LA derby in Carson tomorrow, I hope it is not hot and I hope Beckham and Landon roast the goats. I am an America supporter anyway having lived in Villa Coapa.
Response to T14:
Espn version: You're a ########, #### for brains, ####-face. Take your holier than thou #### attitude and stick it up your ####, you piece of ####
Sky Sports version: Your comments are over reaching and reveal a certain closed mindedness and hatered for those of a different culture.
Bobby, calling this a North American disease isn't accurate. Most Americans don't get all that excited about hockey and haven't for a long, long time now. This is just knuckleheads looking for an excuse to be distructive which, unfortunately, reflects directly on the sporting community. It is sad to see and even more saddening when you are mistakenly associated with such people (as a long-time Oakland Raider fan, I've taken more than my share of stick)...
The big match-up at Chelsea may actually be another snooze-fest, I'm afraid. With Man U only really needing a draw, they could do the same thing they've done with Barcelona and just sit back and only defend, resting their players for the Tuesday showdown at Old Trafford. Just a thought...
As much as I like Fulham, I just don't see a way back unless Birmingham completely falls apart and Fulham can win two of their last three. In watching them the last few weeks, I think that's just too much to ask. At the start of the season, I didn't expect for Bolton to be in the relegation zone, either but that's why the games are played...
I think I've watched as much Hockey in the last 2-3 weeks as I have watched Soccer since the start of 2008. The playoffs are great! by far the best playoffs of any American league.
Thierry_Henry:where are they? haven't won the league and chelsea might take it away, and on the brink of CL elimination. where is that?
Have still managed to gain valuable points in those games you listed. Luck favours the best at times.
verbal97:roseboy, nobody is saying Mascherano didn't necessarily deserve being sent off. It's the hypocrisy that I, and others, have a problem with.
Probably have a point there. Wouldn't have sent him off, mind.
Gunner44:I didn't say Evra was bad I said he was made to look average, which means he is a great player who was made to look average by a very great player.
Didn't look average at all.
Last edited by roseboy64 on April 26th at 12:53 PM.
Luka Modric goes to Tottenham for 20 mil. pounds. The saga finally ends. The player who was linked with clubs such as Barcelona, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool ans was reported to almost had a signed with Newcastle, has signed a lucrative deal that will keep him at White Hart Lane for 5 years.
This was Tottenham's record-breaking transfer fee, yet the news could only be found on Croatian sites, The Sun, and Tottenham's website. Whatever.....
I remember watching Modric take apart the Arsenal defense in the first half of a Champions League match at the mere age of 20. He's grown so much since then. Modric will make an immediate impact in the Premiership and other teams will regret for not willing to part with 20 mil. pounds.
Now, will this make Berbatov stay or is he gone for good?
Kranjcar to go to Arsenal. This will really depend on what happens with Hleb. Hleb's departure would not be felt if Kranjcar were to replace him. Kranjcar like Hleb is an excellent dribbler, has great vision but I feel that he is a more opportunistic shooter than Hleb. Then again who wouldn't be with the accuracy and firepower that Kranjcar possesses.
Bilic has agreed to remain with Croatia until the next World Cup. That's quite a relief as I wouldn't want us to begin the World Cup campaign with a new coach.
However, I still think that Bilic staying with Croatia will be heavily impacted by how Croatia perform at the Euros.
Bobby,
It's always distateful when a "####" such you, go on the air (Friday night) and make distainful comments about a player such as Ronaldinho.
Must be nice to be sitting in front of camera and say whatever you'd like without having anyone to argue your stupid points (specially sitting with two buffoons next to you, it's easy)
I really don't expect much of you "british" commentators when comes to the appreciation of talents (you never had any), but being territorialist as you are, is an absurd... and I say that because you idolize Cristiano Ronaldo (because he belongs to MU) who as a "real" player has left lots to be desired in his performances, specially in the games, he looks overwhelmed when playing outside of his realm.
Ronaldinho might not want to play anymore, and one the reasons (I'm sure) is Barcelona mistake of adding such a bunch of mediocre players such as your "demi-god" Henry and his Thuram.
So, next time you open your mouth to speak about a subject (unknown to you),watch out, you might hear from again.
Bobby- canada? I would rather watch truckers drive across frozen lakes on the History Channel, than watch NHL. I find it about as interesting as you with your tape malfunction and the toronto game last week, classic.
craigy:
"URUSUS
"How will players holding certain passports be treated on pre-season tours? What about female fans?"
Talking about Yossi Benayoun I take it."
Not only, although as an Isreali he would be one example.
Another one might be, for example, Agger in the wake of the Danish cartoon brouhaha, or the LFC Dutch contingent after the recent film controversy-- would D.I.C. promote and support the visit of those players in the face of public protests against their countries in the region?
What if LFC had an Iranian player someday? How would his inclusion in a visiting squad be seen?
What about the role of any female LFC staff, particularly those who work with players-- would they be able to carry out their jobs on tour?
Will local female fans be permitted equal access to LFC matches on those tours?
How D.I.C. treats situations like these will be the HR acid test for their ownership, I think. And to be clear, I'm only referring to events on the road-- in England and European competition, LFC will have to continue respecting UK and EU HR rules, D.I.C. or no, so no change there.
gorn:
"I just don't remember hearing of a buy-out agreement where either something less than a complete final offer is sufficient to trigger the clause, or a 1st refusal isn't actually an option to purchase."
It's weird, but that seems to be the result of trying to fit a hypothesis to the observable facts.
Maybe it's time for our friend Occam: the apparent contradiction may simply be the result of a vaguely drafted pre-emption clause in the Kop Holdings shareholder agreement (KH is the jointly owned company that actually holds all LFC shares). Vague (to avoid a negotiation sticking point caused by nascent differences between the Duo as early as March 2007?) in the interest of completing the LFC buyout ... and so allowing widely divergent interpretations: for GG, a countdown whose expiry allows him to complete the deal while bypassing TH; and for TH, upon completion of a deal by GG the right to step in and exercise his pre-emption rights.
One or both parties may also be advancing an extreme interpretation of the provision as a negotiating tactic, of course-- although if GG and D.I.C. stick to the publicly announced timetable for closing their deal in May (and unless D.I.C. indulges in the overpayment of the decade before then to tempt Hicks beyond resistance), it won't take long to find out who is bluffing! If the parties are still holding to their positions concerning the pre-emption at that point, though, the next step may (sadly) be for them to ask a court to decide the matter ...
Last edited by Ursusarctos on April 25th at 9:43 PM.
Thierry14, Next time you want to spew your small mindedness and use ridiculous stereotypes to paint a picture of a very diverse country and culture you might want to change the name,number and picture of the man you so obviouly worshiip. Mr. Henry has worked extreemly hard and honorably to draw attention to and show how ridiculous and dangerous that type of thinking is. I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate his image and name and number being associated with your post.
LGB:
"Not shying away...just not worth my time to go over where I've been right...."
I agree that you can be right on occasion-- but unfortunately, that wasn't the question. The issue was your assertion that you have proved me wrong, which is an entirely different matter.
Can you back up your assertion that you have proved me wrong with facts?
In particular, can you provide some reasons why you feel I was wrong about the existence of a pre-emption clause?
I'm prepared to read and carefully consider your facts and arguments-- do you have any? Are your opinions anything more than empty words? Is your credibility worth your time?
sleeper: Welcome back. I've read Modric's thrilled aboot a LFC approach, so I'm expecting him in Liverpool until I'm hit in the face w/contrary facts (c;
LGB:
As good as can be expected. CFC can score a goal & it changes nothing - for some reason, I'm finding comfort in that. I see no reason, given the 4 games we've played them this year, LFC can't score at least 1 down there - CFC should've lost 3 of those games
Ursus:
Have a crazy weekend, so I'll think on't & get back to you if anything remotely interesting occurs to me. At least it appears that the situation won't affect our transfers, which was my secondary concern. This summer is HUGE for LFC IMvhO....
Scores:
Chav$ki 2-1 ManUre
Brum 1-1 LFC
Citeh 1-2 Fulham
Keano 1-1 Boro
Tot'nam 2-1 Bolton
WHU 1-3 NU
Wigan 1-1 Reading
Pompey 2-1 Blackburn
EFC 1-2 Aston Villa
Derby 0-2 Arsenal
"My next step will be to launch the world's first football-oriented hedge fund ...!!!"
First up, the "LFC long/ short fund":
This fund takes a long position in LFC fortunes by actively cheering the team on to success. It simultaneously shorts LFC by placing a series of rolling bets on the club to lose.
In this way, no matter any particular match outcome, the fund will provide a relatively constant return hedged to LFC's long-term prospects.
For example: if LFC wins, the fund gains the sharp thrill of victory, while also losing the amount bet on the short side. This offsetting loss-- in effect the cost of the hedging "insurance"-- results in supporter investors experiencing a net gain equivalent to the mellow warmth felt at the conclusion o####ood season.
If LFC loses, the "agony of defeat" will be offset by the gains from the short side bet-- which can then be used to buy lots of beer, thereby approximating the same mellow warmth through its consumption.
In the end result, the return stays more or less the same no matter the outcome of any particular LFC match.
Warning: Past results are not indicative of future performance. Extreme events may cause the hedging program to become misaligned. For example, an LFC Treble may cause extreme happiness and great poverty, while relegation may lead to extreme depression and one heck of a bender ...
"At least it appears that the situation won't affect our transfers, which was my secondary concern. This summer is HUGE for LFC IMvhO...."
Agreed.
In a perverse way, the need for all the competing factions to get the support of the fanbase and of Rafa may just mean that they end up providing a good deal of support for transfers-- a desperate effort to buy some love, the uncharitable might label it. And like greedy kids in a messy divorce, we'll happily play one set of "parents" off against the other, and keep on collecting the loot ...
(and hope we don't end up with a large, indebted hangover ...)
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.
Thank you to all who take time to visit this blog and especially to those of you who post your comments and thoughts.
PS - If you have questions please post them on the regular Monday blog. I am unable to answer e mails posted to the inbox on this site.
And one more thing. If you have questions or complaints or compliments about programming please contact Fox Soccer Channel or Fox Sports World Canada directly. I have no control over what the stations televise.
