BobbyMcMahon's Blog
by: BobbyMcMahon
Weekend Preview - a mini-version
May 15, 2008 | 8:02PM | report this
An abbreviated weekend preview this time around.

Cardiff’s Aaron Ramsey might be the story of Saturday’s FA Cup Final.

Another angle? The Cardiff squad has a significant Scottish presence. If you are looking for an omen it was a Scot, Hughie Ferguson, who scored the winner eighty-one years ago to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup Final.

Nwankwo Kanu is setting up a foundation to offer help to African players.

And more on Philanthropic Athletes – and Craig Bellamy is one of them.

What I learned during World Cup 2006. Anything written about Marco Materazzi is almost guaranteed to set off comments!

An interview with Portsmouth’s owner Alexandre ####damak. For those of with the censor turned on that is G...A... Y... D A M A K - jeez!

The passing of Celtic player, manager and coach Tommy Burns.

Ruud Gullit believes that Chelsea will get the better of Manchester United next Wednesday in Moscow.

57 Comments | Add a comment   categories: Cardiff City, Portsmouth, Aaron Ramsey, Nwankwo Kanu, Craig Bellamy, Marco Materazzi, Aleaxandre ####damak, Tommy Burns, Celtic, Ruud Gullit, Manchester United, Chelsea
 
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wiscoleeds
May 15, 2008
9:26 PM
Bobby...the white phoenix is rising.

We're the famous Leeds United and we're off to Wemberlee...Wemberlee, Wemberlee!!!!

Marching on together!
Cheers
Wiscoleeds
PS Go Moscow police!

Thierry_Henry
May 15, 2008
10:52 PM
I've searched all over the city, I can't find a CARDIFF CITY jersey. Someone please help me!!!!

leche010
May 15, 2008
10:59 PM
TH- Why Cardiff? Other than that they're a Championship side, I wanna see Pompey in the UEFA Cup, they might actually be able to survive the group stage next season...

craigy_f
May 16, 2008
6:51 AM
LIVERPOOL STUFF (THE CITY, NOT THE FC)

The Daily Post Mersey XI is: Pepe Reina; Jamie Carragher, Joseph Yobo, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott; Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Leon Osman; Fernando Torres, Yakubu

Dunno how it was created; phone in or just some journo with a pen and some team sheets; it's actually quite a good representation of both clubs.
Kuyt and Osman haven't had stellar seasons but when they have been on the ball they've been difference makers.

Obviously the list isn't for everybody but wot shores?

BOBBY
Love to see your Liverpool XI
Love to see some of your top 3's
Pretty please.

So even the ever revered and fawned upon MacMahon runs up against the FOX WORD FAS_CIST N_A_Z_I GESTAPO OBERGRUPPENFUHRERs!



THAT has just brightened up a warm and rainy day tremendously.

travel_coach
May 16, 2008
8:19 AM
Well, I'm not sure how it happened. All the numbers I saw suggested Fulham had it. Maybe the powers that be didn't want a team that barely escaped relegation to play in Europe?

City got the fair-play UEFA spot. Go figure. Go City!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foo
tball/teams/m/man_city/7392552.stm

verbal97
May 16, 2008
8:51 AM
Seems arbitrary. But there's no way that Fulham would have been able to compete in Europe and the league anyway, so maybe it's a good thing (for Fulham).

I'm also confused about England's 3rd "normal" UEFA spot. Obviously, if Portsmouth wins they're in. But what happens if Cardiff wins. I know UEFA is giving them a spot under special circumstances, but I also think England gets to keep their 3rd spot. Does it go to Portsmouth for being FA Cup runners up (as it would if they were playing someone in the top 5), or does it go to Villa for finishing 6th? Personally, I'd rather see Portsmouth than Villa get it. But I also want Cardiff to win (Fowler).

ZUCO2
May 16, 2008
8:58 AM
Some interesting news :

Spain's coach Luis Aragones has left Raul out off his squad for EURO 2008. The veteran hasn't played for Spain since September 2006.

leche010
May 16, 2008
9:46 AM
Verbal- I thought the FA came to an agreement, and Cardiff gets the last English Spot...

verbal97
May 16, 2008
10:13 AM
thanks leche...didn't see that.

henry14
May 16, 2008
10:19 AM
Lazy Journalists. Everton were linked with Canadian full back Kurt Angle

Thierry_Henry
May 16, 2008
11:17 AM
GO CARDIFF GO!

Ursusarctos
May 16, 2008
11:24 AM
craigy:

"The Daily Post Mersey XI is: Pepe Reina; Jamie Carragher, Joseph Yobo, Phil Jagielka, Joleon Lescott; Dirk Kuyt, Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano, Leon Osman; Fernando Torres, Yakubu"


Saw that craigy. And the Merseyside team bench is: Tim Howard, Martin Skrtel, Lee Carsley, Steven Pienaar and Ryan Babel.

Wouldn't make a bad PL side, would it? Might actually bring home some silverware ... Although Carra at permanent RB is a bit funny ...

Here is the Daily Post link to the story

Ursusarctos
May 16, 2008
11:26 AM
verbal97:

"But I also want Cardiff to win [the FA Cup] (Fowler)."


Robbo's Column about the FA Cup on Auntie's site had a good line about a Fowler goal sealing a win for Cardiff:

"I'm going for 3-2 to Cardiff with a Fowler winner two minutes from time and a celebration that's so ecstatic they have to stop play while the groundsman re-does the lines around the penalty area."

I know you get the reference, verbal, but for those who don't, here is a link to the video of the original event from the 1999 Merseyside derby.

Bad boy, Robbie-- but what's a little chalk snorting between friends ...?!

Ursusarctos
May 16, 2008
11:58 AM
Saw another story-- third time in so many weeks-- about LFC transfer interest in Udinese LB Andreas Dossena.

Probably yet another false transfer rumour, of course ... but just in case, what do those who regularly follow Serie A think about Dossena?

Bobby, VVV, craigy: could Dossena fit within a Rafa LFC set-up? How might he adapt to the PL? What would his price likely be?

Last edited by Ursusarctos on May 16th at 11:59 AM.

albertagooner
May 16, 2008
12:37 PM
griz,

Fowler's using the touch line to mock the rumours about his alleged sinus problems was one of the funniest and best answers to his critics anywhere. I became a Fowler fan that day. Top striker and a apparently a very shrewd businessman (he apparently is one of the richest footballers in the world thanks to some timely real estate investments).

Ursusarctos
May 16, 2008
12:45 PM
AG:

"Fowler's using the touch line to mock the rumours about his alleged sinus problems was one of the funniest and best answers to his critics anywhere."

Agreed-- but the FA wasn't quite so amused, as I recall ...!


"[Fowler] apparently is one of the richest footballers in the world thanks to some timely real estate investments"

The Kop has a song entitled "We all live in a Robbie Fowler house", sung to the tune of "Yellow Submarine", in honour of his extensive holdings.

verbal97
May 16, 2008
1:01 PM
Ha! Loved the celebration. He's had some good ones, like sticking up five fingers at the United crowd after scoring in the Manchester derby.

Also, I thought it was the Man City fans that came up with the Yellow Submarine chant. Could be wrong though.

BobbyMcMahon
May 16, 2008
2:57 PM
Craigy_f - Did we not do a Liverpool IX not so long ago?

What's the three thing? You will need to explain what you are after?

Thierry_Henry
May 16, 2008
3:17 PM
Bobby, they are asking your top 3 players of all time for Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, UTD and any other team you care to name. I guess that's what cragy is after, if can speak for him :)

Last edited by Thierry_Henry on May 16th at 3:18 PM.

redfan4ever
May 16, 2008
4:38 PM
Sammy Lee is back at Anfield as Rafa's new assistant manager. They know each other and got on well before Sammy left for Bolton, so I sincerely hope that their relationship will grow with the tensions of a premiership campaign. Maybe Rafa will chill out a little now he has some help?

I hope Portsmouth win the FA cup tomorrow and the other blues win on Weds. I also hope Bristol City beat Hull and Leeds get up against Doncaster.

Have a nice weekend peeps!

ReggaeGunner
May 16, 2008
6:57 PM
Ooooh the suspense. Who will Wenger bring to the club?

Nasri
Ben Arfa
Yaya Toure
Diego
Mertesacker
Kameni
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar


I guess bringing Appiah to the club is out of the question. So many great options out there to pick from. Is it the right time to phase Gallas out of the team or just keep him as a back up?

Imagine and picture this:

Kameni

Sagna Toure(C) Mertesacker Clichy

Walcott Fabregas Yaya Toure Nasri

Adebayor Huntelaar

Bench
Fabianski
Rosicky
Van Persie
Senderos
Eboue
Vela

I don't know what to think about the Eduardo situation, it's not like the common english curse (broken metatarsal bone). All the best Dudu to a healthy recovery.

Last edited by ReggaeGunner on May 16th at 7:12 PM.

craigy_f
May 16, 2008
7:09 PM
THREE / BOBBY
A few people selected three players from a particular club; as favourite players they'd actually seen.

LIVERPOOL XI
We did didn't we. Always worth another look though.

SERIE A / BOBBY

What are your thoughts on the upcoming games this weekend?

Here's mine.
Two tough away trips for Inter and Roma to decide the Scudetto.
Juventus are safely in the CL although they could scupper Sampdoria's European aspirations
Milan and Udinese battle it out for some kind of European Football and Fiorentina have CL in their own hands with a tough trip Torino

Down the sharp end

Parma and Empoli must win and hope other results go their way
Catania need not to lose to be safe
So Cagliari Reggina is a moot game along with Siena v Palermo and Lazio V Napoli and Atalanta V Genoa.
One wonders wether on Monday Luciano Spaletti will be moaning about Inter's wonderful 'luck' with refereeing decisions.

It would be nice for Roma to make that step up to the top spot and grab a fourth.

Sleeper000
May 16, 2008
7:37 PM
Is it just me, or does Foxsoccer want Cardiff to win the FA? Just watch the Soccer Report. Portsmouth barely get any credit for being in the finals.
Unlike some, I think Portsmouth deserve to be in the finals. They have lost 4 straight but I think they are a strong team and they will be focused for the finals. I have a feeling their best player, Niko Kranjcar will decide the outcome of the game tomorrow.
Is it his last game for Portsmouth?
I am dissapointed Foxsoccer USA will not show the match tomorrow.

Last edited by Sleeper000 on May 16th at 9:19 PM.

Ron_W
May 16, 2008
8:47 PM
They used to show the final on ESPN in the late 80s but I guess its on PPV now.

In the Semi Final, Cardiff a Welsh team with an English manager beat Barnsley an English team with a Welsh manager.

TH, if you can't get a blue Cardiff shirt you could get a blue Everton shirt ... Dave Jones the Cardiff manager used to play for Everton

Ursusarctos
May 16, 2008
9:46 PM
verbal97:

"I thought it was the Man City fans that came up with the Yellow Submarine chant."

You're probably right-- I can't remember where I first heard of it.

curtinho
May 16, 2008
11:12 PM
Cheers for the mention of Tommy Burns.

Tommy was a man who dedicated 27 years of his life to Celtic, as a player, manager, first team coach, head of youth development and before and during all of those 27 years, as a fan. The way he played was inspirational, but Tommy was a man who was quite simply universally loved by anyone who knew him or cared about Scottish football. My first ever visit over to Celtic Park I met Tommy passing through one of the back room areas the day before a Champions League match, and though it was only a moment he was genuine in the way he stopped doing his job to say hello to the fans while everyone else continued about busily. The man crossed the Old Firm divide like few ever could, Rangers fans even loved him, and there's not a man in the world who would say anything bad about him.

I feel so sorry for his family. He was my favourite ever Celtic man and he'll never be forgotten, and it would be fitting for them to rename the new training facility after him.

On a brighter note my mate's from Cardiff and even though he's a Tim like me he's been telling me the celebrations leading up to this game in the city are fantastic, and he says this Ramsay boy has a real touch of class about him. This is the most exciting FA Cup final in some time simply because we don't have to deal with the big 4. Thank you God (and Cardiff).

LetsGoBuffalo
May 17, 2008
5:56 AM
Prediction time:

Portsmouth 3 0 Cardiff. I'm hoping it won't be but I see a repeat of Man U-Millwal:(

ReggaeGunner
May 17, 2008
6:13 AM
Portsmouth 2 Cardiff 0

Goals from Diarra and Muntari

ReggaeGunner
May 17, 2008
6:48 AM
Cafu and Serginho will leave AC Milan at the end of the season.

roseboy64
May 17, 2008
11:36 AM
Well Portsmouth 1-0 Cardiff so no need to worry about a Welsh team getting an English spot.

Thierry_Henry
May 17, 2008
1:47 PM
End of season Ligue 1:

1. PSG Player will NOT be "shot" by their fans who promised to kill them if they go down. Kudos to the players, they saved their own life.

2. CISSE sends marseille into the UCL. who said he wasn't a great striker. I would take him off the bench at arsenal.

3. Lyon wins the title again. snooozzzze... 7 titles... BORING...

LetsGoBuffalo
May 18, 2008
6:04 AM
Serie A up next...

I say Inter win the championship.

ZUCO2
May 18, 2008
7:19 AM
I don't know. I'm watching Parma-Inter right now and it's still 0-0.

ZUCO2
May 18, 2008
7:43 AM
Inter leads 2-0. Two goals from the bosnian master Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Thierry_Henry
May 18, 2008
7:53 AM
In his last game before he moves to Emirates Stadium, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores twice for inter to give them the Seria a title.

Venti_vidi_vici
May 18, 2008
8:10 AM
All kinds of emotions throughout the day for many Serie A teams today. Inter did barely enough to claim the title, Roma were a great story but no fairytale ending. Milan paid the price for an awful first half of the season, and far too many bad results.

atleti
May 18, 2008
9:28 AM
Congrats to NUMANCIA...they return to top flight football in Spain.

Here's hoping SPORTING GIJON are promoted!!!

atleti
May 18, 2008
9:34 AM
Did I ever mention how happy I am that Atleti have signed HEITINGA and UJFALUSI...?!

atleti
May 18, 2008
9:37 AM
Here's hoping ZARAGOZA are relegated after a horrendous season!!!

If they are, there will be an Albiceleste flight with Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar, & Diego Milito leaving this summer.

Last edited by atleti on May 18th at 9:38 AM.

atleti
May 18, 2008
10:43 AM
MALLORCA 1 ZARAGOZA 0

As it stands, Saragossa are going down! :)

leche010
May 18, 2008
11:09 AM
Anyone else try to comprehend why the French are so dumb? (Other than the fact that they're French...)

Seriously, they leave of####uy who finished 2nd in scoring in Serie A, for a guy who didn't have as good of a year in a lesser league. That and he's someone nobody who doesn't follow the French League all the time has ever heard of.

Am I missing something here? Bafetimbi Gomis (yeah, this guy) over David Trezeguet?

Oh, and CHEERS to AC Milan missing out on the Champions League this year...

LetsGoBuffalo
May 18, 2008
11:13 AM
Zaragoza knot it up...good goal!

Leche-I'm sure they will find some way to put Milan into the Champions League...

Thierry_Henry
May 18, 2008
11:18 AM
leche010

It's time for France to rebuild. I would have preferred if makelele, TH and thuram were left out too. It's time to inject some young and hungry players. These other guys have won all kind of stuff, including the WORLD CUP, EURO, etc... they are not that motivated.

Gomis is a very powerful player. You can compare him to Drogba or Adebayor. You will not be surprised if he is wearing arsenal shirt next year. Better than the static Trezeguet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bafet
imbi_Gomis

LetsGoBuffalo
May 18, 2008
11:21 AM
Poor defending...good goal taken by Webo!

leche010
May 18, 2008
11:25 AM
TH- Not much of a French fan at all... I'm actually all for them failing. And I have no problems with rebuilding, and bringing in younger guys.

Then why keep Govou and not Trezeguet?

atleti
May 18, 2008
11:32 AM
2-1

HAHAHA

They're going down!!!

Venti_vidi_vici
May 18, 2008
11:33 AM
I guess Milan will get another go at winning the only trophy missing from their collection. They lost in the semis in 2002, then went on to reach 3 of the next 5 UCL finals. Also congratulations to Fiorentina who qualified for the UCL in 2006 but were denied by the calciopoli scandal.

TH:
Time for rebuilding? I thought it was time to try win Euro 2008.

leche010
May 18, 2008
11:50 AM
VVV- IMO if the French are to win Euro 2008... Trezeguet is a player they're going to want on their squad.

atleti
May 18, 2008
11:50 AM
3-1

HAHAHA!!! :)

Thierry_Henry
May 18, 2008
12:06 PM
Time for rebuilding? I thought it was time to try win Euro 2008.

No, it's time to rebuild. France reached the WC in 2006 b/c of Zidane. right now, they need another maestro. and the maestro must bring the team together for another sold world cup run. Just like they did in Euro 96, it was a throw away, experimental tournament to get the young people experience, and come back to win WC 98

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ABOUT ME


BobbyMcMahon
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.
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