Even though the Champions League Final on Wednesday is commonly regarded as the conclusion to the European season there are still games of some importance this weekend. The French and Scottish Cup Finals are scheduled and final promotion spots will be decided in England.
The league play offs go off in rapid succession Saturday, Sunday and Monday with the the last promotion spot to the Premiership being decided first.
Hull City and Bristol City will play the biggest game in their club histories for the right to be showered with vast amounts of money, and to be installed as next season’s Premiership relegation favourites.
No matter the outcome history in one form or another will be made.
Should Bristol win out then the father and son combo of Gary and Lee Johnson will have won promotion from all four divisions. Manager Gary will match Neil Warnock’s having initially helped Yeovil gain promotion from the Conference and then the former Division 3. Last season it was Bristol stepping up from League One and now a very real possibility of the biggest step of all.
If Bristol do win then son Lee will actually go one better than his Dad. He will be the first player ever to gain promotion through the four divisions all the way to the top.
On the other hand Hull City have been around for over a century but have never made it to the top flight. What’s more on Saturday this will be the team’s first ever appearance at Wembley – old or new.
On Sunday either Doncaster Rovers or Leeds United will join Swansea and Nottingham Forest in next season’s Championship. Both games this season finished in 1-0 wins for the away side so goals may be in short supply.
Doncaster may have been formed nearly 130 years ago but there has not been a lot to celebrate in that time. A few lower league titles and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy two years ago has been about it. When relegated a decade ago they did set a high water mark for league losses – 34.
Just after the relegation chairman Ken Richardson decided that there was a way out of the club’s financial difficulties. It involved an attempt to set fire to the club’s ground and to collect the insurance money. Just like the club Richardson went down – to prison rather than to the Conference.
Pubs all over America will finally see the return of famous Leeds United...moving up to where we belong. Rumor has it is that half the Doncaster ticket allocation got purchased by Leeds fans.
Marching on Together!
Cheers
Wiscoleeds
PS Come on Bristol City
I think that breaking ties by penalty shootouts is not good for the game anymore. Four of the last five World Cup winners had to win a penalty shootout, and the UCL isn’t much better. I’m sure there are more creative solutions than penalty shootouts, but that’s not the real problem.
I think the problem isn’t so much figuring out how to break ties, but rather how to avoid having so many ties. Players are stronger and fitter than ever, and if teams are allowed to play defensively it is practically impossible to score. In their seven knockout stage matches Man Utd had 11 players behind the ball most of the time, and conceded 2 goals. That’s a goal every 5 ½ hours, and Van der Sar was not particularly impressive. They scored an average o####oal a match, which is not exactly spectacular, as were all of their matches. I use them as an example because they are the champions and, most agree, the best team in the world. They have the players to play attacking football, but understandably chose to play defensively, because it is far more effective, and that is what has to change. Same thing with Italy in the WC. In seven matches they conceded a freak own goal and a dubious penalty.
Other team sports have addressed this issue by restricting teams’ defensive positions and tactics. Zone defense was disallowed in basketball, now the rule is limited to the paint area. The offside rule is good because is doesn’t allow the game to get too spread out and open, but now something is needed to limit teams’ ability to defend.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on May 23rd at 7:00 AM.
In seriousness, Robbie Fowler was pretty good at them (though he missed a big one that would have put Man City in the UEFA Cup a few years back). I would bet that the best statistically (I'm too lazy to look) is a German, but I always thought Zidane was good at them. The cheeky one in the WC2006 final stands out.
What about best penalty stoppers of all time? Currently, it has to be Pepe Reina or Ricardo, right?
Believe it or not Baggio was one of the best PK takers. Along with Maradona, Cantona, Lineker, Van Basten.
Goalies? Zoff, Kahn, Schumacher, Schmeicel and I agree with Verbal Ricardo has been incredible.
Zidane? they have been showing Classic games in the run up to the Euro and the PK's he took against Portugal 2000 and England in 2004 were just perfect and more importantly super high pressure kicks of you score you win there was no shooters before you or after you.
Watching for Bristol City this weekend as Exeter City just won promotion from the conf to league 2 from a 4th place finish, through the playoffs. With Plymouth riding high and Bristol Rovers good cup run it looks like west country sides are on the up this season. How long it will last remains to be seen as there is little money in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth to run football clubs. Could be a case of one step up two down. After all we all know that what goes up usally comes down lol.
Roma to win the Italian thing then bye bye Roberto.
Fowler was good at penalties with 20 from 26 taken, but as far as Liverpool is concerned Jan Molby was far and away the best ever with 42 scored from 48 taken. Next best was Phil Neal with 38 from 51 taken.
Molby's strike rate is phenomenal so I would be interested to know if anyone has stats on the other top players to make a few comparisons?
Aldo, Roy Hodgson just let 8 go not Just Bocanegra. First of a few summer clearouts I reckon.
Off the BBC rumour web:
Udinese coach Pasquale Marino expects Liverpool to conclude a deal for the Serie A club's £8m-rated full-back Andrea Dossena. (Radio Kiss Kiss, 1738)
Last edited by redfan4ever on May 23rd at 4:19 PM.
There's a funny article in the Mirror with videos of the 10 worst penalties ever taken.
My all time favorite is the one from Tunisia-Serbia at the 2004 Olympics when the ref made them re-take it 5 times. The sequence is hilarious. C.Ronaldo deservedly made the list for the one vs Barca. the one in the final deserves a mention too.
Last edited by Venti_vidi_vici on May 23rd at 5:14 PM.
Tevez uses "gamesmanship" & Drogba was "treated harshly", but Masch is a headcase?
Re: Red Nose Demento & his 'class', from the Guardian: #1: "They think they can ride roughshod over everyone but they won't do it with us. Real Madrid have no moral issues at all. In terms of great clubs, Barcelona have far better morality than Real Madrid will ever have." [Ferg insulting the intelligence of anyone who noticed him tapping up Stam, Van Nistelrooy and Oldham's kit man]
#2: "I read on Teletext last night; Calderon is talking, Schuster is talking. Calderon makes that great statement 'Slavery was abolished many years ago'. Did they tell Franco that? Give me a break." [Answer: Ferg is insulting the entire population of Spain by invoking the name of a dictator who played a key part in a civil war that killed 500,000 people, in order to settle an argument about a midfielder with a suspect temperament during penalty shoot-outs]
VVV:
You do your team a great disservice. I thought AC Milan did the best transfer business in the last 3-4 years (& mebbe ever) in getting £30m for Sheva
l just read an article about hleb agent saying he is leaving and for all intense and purposes l do not believe inter will pay him 100k a week for a player who had 6 assist and 2 goals all season.l just think its the agent wanting money.if he scored more goals fare enough.l do understand that he need a pay rise from 50k a week but but 80k a week is just about good.overally l can not see him leaving.
I have not posted in a while, but I am an avid reader of this blog.
I just want to congratulate Bobby on a superb year for this blog. This is one of the best soccer blogs. Of course the contribution of Craigy, LG Bufallo, Henry 14, Mas Maz, Alberta Gooner, Rico, Verbal, venti vidi vici and all the others help a lot to keep this entertaining and civilized.
Couple of questions:
Any special posting or tv scheduling for you during Euro 08??
I know you don't follow that much South American soccer. But I wanted to know your opinion on this. I watched the knock out stages of both the Copa Lib and the CL. Obviously the quality of soccer is superior for the CL but in all honestly the excitement level have been higher for the Copa Lib. In my opinion the entertainment value for the Copa Lib trumps the CL this year. My question is why do you think this is???
With exception of Liverpool vs Chelsea, Sevilla vs Fener and the final, the CL wasn't as exiting as other years.
I wonder if Grant leaves the club altogether or goes back upstairs?
If he leaves, then maybe that is the sign that Jose is coming back?
Jose however, is a one man show and does not like interference so I doubt he will come back even if RA, Buck and Kenyon clear the decks and offer him a free reign.
I doubt Sven too as he is too defensively minded for Chelsea's owner, so Frank Rijkaard might be the next one and ought to be the front runner imho.
Shame about Bristol but maybe another year in the Championship will prove, or not, their worth. Hull go up with the likes of Windass and Barmby who are all getting on and hardly likely to set the premiership alight next season when they could not do so ten years ago.
Hull have to be favourites to do a Derby unless they can strengthen their spine in the summer, so as to give as good as they get among the bottom half of the premiership.
Next up Leeds vs Doncaster.
Hey Ringo how are you keeping?
Last edited by redfan4ever on May 24th at 12:17 PM.
Farewell Avram ,we hardly knew you.
Oh ,and take Anelka with ya.
Do feel sorry for him though ,he's a good and decent man ,he was just the wrong man for the job ,and if Terry's penalty had been six inches to the left it wouldn't have made any difference.
Compare his last game to that of McLaren's though ,you could tell how much it meant to him ,and not a brolly in sight.
Hull might have won the game and promotion today ,but it could be argued Bristol City are the winners.
I'm sticking with Donny tomorrow ,and Rochdale Monday.
redfan - Matt le Tissier scored 48 out of 49 penalties.
And what's that funny looking trophy in your avatar ,I don't recognise that one.
LACF is back?! Nice to see one of the originals return...If Chelsea is looking for more entertaining football then Rijkaard seems to be the only name that matches that kind of description. I'm not sure the personnel at Stamford Bridge would make a replica of Barcelona type entertainment though. If Chelsea were to get better/natural wide players up front on that 4-3-3 it would make a big difference on the entertainment value.
I'm glad Chelsea got rid of Grant, as a United fan, I thought he was actually a really good manager.
My money's on Mancini leaving Inter to take over for Chelsea, and he's going to end up walking the same path as Mourinho. But the best players he can, build a team completely around talent without chemistry, and watch them underachieve.
Seriously, Abromovich needs to learn that you can't win on talent alone. I mean sure, talent alone might be good enough to beat Wigan and Bolton (then again... Maybe not) But it's just not good enough to get it done against the best TEAMS in the world. Most of what makes a great team a great team is the team element, the chemistry, the teamwork... And you don't always need the most talented guys in the world to make the best team.
Prime Example: Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal were the most talented teams at the 2006 World Cup... Italy, Germany, and France were the best teams at the 2006 World Cup... Which sides were more successful? You tell me
been watching copa italia final, the suprising thing is that the stadium is empty. when I switch to stade de france french cup, there is not seat to spare. same thing for the FA cup between portsmouth v. cardiff, wembley was full...
italian football authority must look for ways to kick violence and racism out of their game, and find ways to bring families back into the stadium, otherwise this country's football will be extinct soon.
Rijkaard as the new Chelsea - I would be very surprised. A relative failure at Euro 2000 when co hosting then he got Rotterdam relegated I believe. Started off very slowly at Barcelona and if he had not had Cruyff's support he might not have made it past the first season. Barca then had a very good run by all that promise shown in 2006 vaperized pretty quickly.
My money would be on Guus Hiddink.
Last edited by BobbyMcMahon on May 24th at 1:59 PM.
Bobby, I don't know if you had a chance to watch the FRENCH CUP, If you did, please take a look at the goal that was refused for PSG, and say if think it was offside or not. I seem not to get this offside rule thing.
Hiddink is already on Abramovich's payroll so that's a possibility. If they want to play attractive football like United and Arsenal (especially with Henry) as opposed to grinding out victories I think they they'll go for someone like Rijkaard.
Bobby I think you were a little harsh on Frank Rijkaard. According to Wikipedia: he was able to guide his national side to the Euro 2000 semi-finals. The Netherlands played some of the best football of the tournament but lost their semi-final match to Italy on penaltiesFrank Rijkaard
The silverware is bigears and alas you did not win it, I am very sorry to say! Stevei G wants the Premier League for a full set just as John T wants big ears for his, although JT does not have a UEFA.
Gus Hoodwink for Chelsea Bobby? We'll see if RA can buy him out of the other job with out getting creamed by the Russian tax man and sent to jail. There will be a lot of politics in that move for sure, with the Euros coming up.
In times of need and trouble 'tis often better the devil ya know than any other. Time will tell.
Thanks Atleti, Neo, Ringo. I haven't really been away. Bobby has been paying me to log in as him and give his opinions for him while he's been on vacation for the last few months. :) OK I'm hooked again (especially as there's nothing to watch till August.) Actually, I've been getting my daily fix on WSD. What am I going to do at 4.30am on a Saturday morning?
So I guess the other interesting statement today was Bruce Bucke saying Chelsea would reduce their squad from 28 down to 22 + 3 goalkeepers. Interesting in itself given that there are only 27 in the first team squad including signing Jose Boswingwa. Maybe there's a couple out on loan he's included.
To be honest I didn't care much about the Coppa Italia final today. It's sad that most domestic cup competitions, if not all, are considered superfluous, especially by the top clubs. It's not feasible for a club to be committed to three or four competitions in a single season, in addition to national team duties.
RonW - What wikipedia failed to mention was that Rijkaard inherited an excellent squad from Hiddink that had reached the last four of the 1998 World
Cup. The Dutch did not play well in the first group game against the Czechs and were very lucky to win on a late controversial penalty. The high spot was a 6-1 thrashing of Yugoslavia. The loss on penalties to Italy in semi final came despite the fact that Italy played for nearly 90 minutes with 10-men after Zambrotta (?) was sent off.
For those not familiar with Hull, it's pronounced by the locals as "ull" rhyming will "full" Previously it has been spoken with a sort of resigned, desperate, descending tone, but until December 23rd (when they will be mathematically relegated), who knows?
I think Bobby is right, Hiddink has to be in first place for the Chelsea position. If not him, I guess that it will be Mancini on the short list of managers RA will consider... Mancini has been linked with Chelsea for a long time now.
I actually hope RA can't bring in Hiddink so he does get Mancini away from Inter.
Arrivederci Roberto. I beleive Inter will bring in Mourinho, Deco and a few other new faces. I doubt Hleb is an actual target of Inter. I hope Materazzi moves on and that his replacement is Barzagli.
Congrats to Hull City for getting promoted to the EPL. Is Okocha still playing for them? The Zenith vs Manchester United game should be quite interesting.
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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