Best performances…..

Liverpool survived an awkward opening spell against their nemesis Manchester United before putting on their most impressive display of the season so far. Once Alonso and Mascherano came to grips with the task the centre of the United struggled badly and United’s substitutions made little difference.

This one could be categorized as a best forgotten display followed by an outstanding performance for Borussia Dortmund and vice-versa for Schalke 04. Schalke 04 were two up by half time and lead 3-0 before the hour mark. But in front of Europe’s last crowd this weekend of 80,000 Dortmund bounced back with three goals in the space of twenty-one minutes to secure a heart-stopping point.


Best forgotten…..

It was another miserable weekend for the fans of Newcastle United. A 2-1 home loss to newly-promoted Hull City, Danny Guthrie sent off for a petulant kick at Craig ####an, Alan Shearer’s dismissal as a club ambassador, a ludicrous attempt to replace Kevin Keegan with ….Kevin Keegan and finally confirmation that owner Mike Ashley is willing to sell the club.

Barcelona struggled to a home draw with Racing Santander. Two games and two draws is not a good enough start at it leaves new Coach Pep Guardiola waiting for his first league win. It will not have helped matters that Santander’s goal came from a deflected Ezequiel Garay free kick – Garay is on loan from Real Madrid.

The last time Milan lost their two opening games of the season was in 1986/87. A home loss to Bologna (2-1) on opening day was followed by a 2-0 away loss to Genoa on Sunday. Most worrying for Milan supporters was how relatively easily Genoa handled Milan. Milan looked slow, ponderous and played little or no imagination. Kaka will take a couple of weeks to regain his match fitness but he should not to carry the rest of the side.


Best goals….

Arsenal’s 2nd goal against Blackburn came just before half-time, took seventy seconds and consisted of an uninterrupted string of 28 passes. Finally Denilson floated a cross to the back post and Adebayor scored with a well paced header.

Fabrizio Miccoli first goal of two against Roma was a classic Miccoli goal. He used his quick feet to create a chance just outside the Roma penalty box and then he ripped the ball past goalkeeper Doni. He added a second goal in the second half.

Davy Arnaud’s blast for Kansas City Wizards from 30+ yards killed off Los Angeles Galaxy. Arnaud’s goal came only two minutes after he helped set the opening goal with around a quarter of the match remaining.

Alexander Frei’s left footed long range rocket pulled Dortmund back to within a goal of Schalke 04 in the Ruhr derby. A soft penalty allowed Frei to tie the game.


Best Players….

As someone once remarked “Dirk Kuyt’s second touch is usually a tackle” but you can never question the Dutchman’s drive and desire. No matter how badly he may be playing he never stops and never hides. Asked to start up front on Saturday against Manchester United he harried and chased and then moved out to the right side of midfield as Benitez moved players around. Either way he was outstanding for Liverpool.

Manchester City and their newly acquired financial depth were found sadly wanting against the team previously #1 on the financial charts Chelsea. City even got off to a great start with a Robinho free kick giving them a 1-0 lead. But from then on City were given a swift and decisive lesson on how far they have to go if they hope to compete with the best in England and in Europe. Frank Lampard was central to all that was good about Chelsea’s performance at the Eastlands and he chipped in with the go-ahead goal – his 150th goal of his professional career.

The Brazilian midfielder Fabio Simplicio ran the show in Palermo’s 3-1 win over Roma on Saturday. The former Parma midfielder was not selected in the opening round loss against Udinese but was recalled for Saturday’s clash.

Genoa started Andrea Gasbarroni of the left side of an attacking front three against Milan. However, it did not stop him cutting inside at will and popping up to cause Milan in all sorts of problems in other positions. He started the move that led to Genoa’s opening goal and generally led the Milan defense a merry dance for the eighty minutes he was on the park.

 
Goal feast……

Two matches in Spain finished 4-3 in favour of the home sides and both involved valiant but ultimately unsuccessful efforts from two newly promoted sides. Sporting Gijon (Croatian striker Mate Bilic had a first half hat trick) and Sevilla shared six first half goals before Freddie Kanoute scored a second half winner. In the capital Real Madrid led Numancia 4-2 at half time and survived a fright as Numancia pulled to within one courtesy of a free kick just before the hour mark.


North Americans in Europe….

Canadian striker Olivier Occean saw a minimal amount of time in the recent World Cup qualifying games. However, he did score his tenth goal of the season at the weekend for his Norwegian club Lillestrom in a 1-1 draw against Molde. The draw leaves Lillestrom sitting third from the bottom of the league and in the last relegation spot with six games left. Molde are a spot above Lillestrom but only on goal difference.


Biggest Howlers……

Adebayor had a hat trick on Saturday but Stephen Warnock had a hat trick of errors. Poor marking allowed Adebayor goal side on the second goal; he then tripped Eboue and conceded a penalty; and completed his day by playing Adebayor onside.

I try to give officials the benefit of the doubt by Mark Halsey’s decision to send John Terry off was a mistake of Graham “Three Card Trick” Poll proportions. Carvalho was clearly behind Terry and Jo was well within his range. A case could be made that Terry’s action was cynical and deserving of a card. That may well be, but under the current rules and instructions it should have been a yellow card.


Stat facts....

Emmanuel Adebayor’s hat trick against Blackburn on Saturday brought his personal goal tally against Paul Robinson in Premiership play to 8 goals in six games. Adebayor has only been blanked once by Robinson and even then the Arsenal striker assisted on a goal from Thierry Henry in a 1-1 tie.

Paul Robinson has now conceded 37 goals in 13 Premiership starts against Arsenal. Saturday’s 4-0 loss was the seventh time that the former England number keeper has let in three or more goals when facing the Gunners.

Catania’s 2-1 away loss to Inter means that they have now gone 22 away games since their last away win in Serie A. During the run they have lost 15 of these games.

Rangers 2-1 win against Kilmarnock means that they have now won their last 16 SPL games played at Ibrox. The last time Rangers dropped points at home in the SPL was October 6, 2007 when they lost 1-0 to Hibernian. 


What was said….

Bill Edgar proposes ten rule changes that he believes would improve the game. This article should generate a few posts I think.


Simon Kuper interviews Nicolas Anelka.


Andy Hunter on the two demonstrations held by fans on Saturday.


Stewart Fisher catches up with former New England Revolution midfielder Andy Dorman who is one of the first names on the St. Mirren team sheet each week.

Aidan Smith looks at how some players are growing larger.


Coming up this week…..

The group stage of the Champions League starts as does the first round of the UEFA Cup. There is also a full Championship schedule midweek in England. Columbus Crew is at home to New York Red Bulls in Thursday night’s MLS game.

The inaugural CONCACAF Champions League group stage also starts on Tuesday with DC United at home to Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica). The following day Houston Dynamo entertain CD Luis Angel Firpo (El Salvador) and Montreal Impact hosts Joe Public (Trinidad and Tobago) the conquerors of New England Revolution.

 

Therealrico - Do you think maybe Rossi will leave for Italy? He has already made it apparent that he wants to play for Italy over the US, and maybe his style is more at home in Italy. What do you think?

Bobby – Given his goal scoring record since he arrived at Parma I can see him being in demand if he becomes available. But I cannot see SAF allowing him to leave without giving an extended run in the United team at the start of next season.

 

 

BlueBlades - Redondo ex RM and ACM, and Paulo Sousa ex Juventus. These were two excellent players who just seemed to vanish, where are they now, are they still playing or retired?

Bobby – Both excellent players and now retired. The fact that Passarella wouldn’t have him in the Argentina squad in 1998 because of the length of his hair robbed us of seeing him at his peak. It was around the same time that he went to Old Trafford with Real Madrid and was magnificent in the Champions League. I’m certain Sousa has also retired. I know that he had some injury problems but I can’t say for certain whether or not that resulted in his retirement or if he just thought it was time to pack it in. Sousa was part of Ottmar Hitzfeld’s Borussia Dortmund side that won the Champions League a decade ago.

 

 

Shaunmc - Scott Carson the Goalkeeper for Charlton, (on loan from Liverpool) came from a team called Cleator Moor Celtic. Do you have any info on this club?

Bobby – A quick internet search threw up Cleator Moor Celtic website. I have to admit that before you mentioned the team it is one that had flown under my radar. Before Liverpool Carson was with Leeds United and was part of the Peter Risdale “everything must go” sale.

 

 

RINGO  - OK, Back by popular demand...my mate Verbal, anyway! Name the 2nd oldest knock-out cup competition.the oldest international competition, and the worlds oldest football club.The answers will be provided by Bobby on the next blog...if he knows them!

Bobby – OK - I'll bite! I would agree with verbal97’s answer to 1) Scottish FA Cup and 2) Copa America. The oldest surviving team is I believe Notts. County. It’s good being the first team but it must have made for a lot of squad pick up games until another team came along.

 

 

Henry14 - Do you feel United are favoured by referees? l think so because it is scandalous how they have escaped with penalties yet you see the ones they get. l understand that they are bound to get more because they attack more most of the time but some the penalties were as soft as it gets.

Bobby – All big teams get calls that smaller teams don’t get – it is not that they are consciously favoured by referees - it is human nature. It is easy to be critical of the referee for the decision on Saturday to wave off the O’Shea foul on Lee but we are benefiting from a perfect camera angle – something that the referee didn’t have, and not something I think he could be faulted for. When you look at the incident from the camera behind the Boro goal there is no way that you could say for sure that O’Shea played the man first.

 

 

Gunner44 - Why are they forming a U.K. team for the Olympics? Can't every country just rep. itself?
RINGO - There will NEVER be a combined GB team, other than for the 2012 Olympics. And you will not find anyone from England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales who wants one, right, Bobby?

Bobby – At the Olympics there is only a UK team. The Commonwealth Games is different – each of the four countries competes as separate teams – as does the likes of the Isle of Man and Guernsey!!
In 2012 it may be a combined soccer team in name but I would be very surprised if Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales players participated. I think the whole idea of a combined team is a crock and despite what FIFA might say I don’t trust them not to use it as a future precedent.
I have never understood the line that is trotted out about how every young athlete wants to compete at the Olympic Games. I never did and nobody I grew up with did either. We all wanted to play against England at Hampden or play in the Scottish Cup Final. The Olympic soccer tournament is a pretty worthless tournament – some good football is played but…- and just another competition on the calendar that is not needed. The 2012 Olympics will come right after Euro 2012 and I know which one I will be watching. On a political note, the issue of a combined team might be a mute point. Scotland has an election coming up next week and the SNP (the Scottish Independence party) looks set to win which could set up a referendum on full sovereignty in a couple of years.

 

 

spons46 - As we reach the end of this season, what would your EPL starting XI be. I hope it isn't as red devil heavy as the "Team of the year".
Gunner44 - I have always wondered why the hell does the team of the year have to be dominated by players of the team that is likely to win the title. I thought the team of the year is composed of players who have been the best at their positions, kind of like it is in the C.L. and W.C. team of the year?

Bobby – That is something I will get ready for an end of season blog. I promise mine will be current and not something I picked just after the New Year.

 

 

Neophyte -  I enjoyed the article by Brooking. It has been a source of debate at our local club as to the best approach in coaching the youngsters---position and passing (argued by a man from Winchester, England) or individual footskills and 1v1, 2v2, by the senior trainer--a former professional footballer and futsal player from Sao Paulo, Brazil. You sacrifice winning at the early ages as they develop their footskills. However we are seeing the Brazilian's determination pay off in the U-12 group. The problem is you lose a lot of would-be players due to the losses and the amount of practice it takes to develop quality footskills. Question: As the American game continues to develop do you see it taking on a more South American look or a European-English look? It seems that the Yanks overseas lean towards the Anglo-countries rather than the Latin ones. But MLS seems to have an easier time getting the Latin players to come over. Your views?

Bobby – I can see the MLS taking the South American route. The climate is in favour of that style rather than the hard non-stop running style of Northern Europe. In terms of development I think the knowledgeable consensus is that teaching kids formations and tactics and any age before 12 is a waste of time. However, I see the development of passing skills as apart of overall skill development and not something that is an either or. Overall we seem to have our kids playing far too many games and not practicing enough – both organized practices and pick up games they organize themselves.

 

 

foxcube - If you were an Arsenal fan, would you stand against the possible takeover by Stan? He is not rich yet he is said to have powerful financial clout and can inject funds into transfers albeit a larger debt. Is this the number one positive for a takeover? Do you think ManU have benefited and Liverpool will benefit from their American owners? How strong do think these three big clubs would be against possible decline in income from economic downturns and awful performances on the pitch? Will the Americans invest in the clubs out of their pockets like Abramovich?

Bobby – Abramovich is an exception and no other takeover can be compared to his buyout of Chelsea. As for the other purchasers, they all see an opportunity to make money. In terms of Liverpool you have two individuals with deep pockets who are in a position to make a new stadium a realty which the old board could not do. That has to be chalked up as positive for Liverpool in that they will have an asset that generates additional revenue.
It is essentially the same move that Arsenal made in building Ashburton Grove – except they were able to engineer a deal based on their financial situation at that time. In other words the financial institutions considered Arsenal to be a better financial risk than Liverpool.
To have someone like Kroenke come in and buy the club might provide some short term transfer funds but the more likely scenario is that he will simply put up as little money on the table as possible and then have the club assume the debt he has incurred in buying the club.
This is how the Glazers bought Manchester United. A commonly held view is businessmen – such as the Glazers – buy the club with their own money. They don’t - they buy the club with supporter’s money. The club carries the debt and it is paid off over a period of time as the club generates profits – profits generated by supporters.  

 

Chinaski - Considering that Everton still have to play Man U and Chelsea do you believe that they can hold onto a UEFA Cup spot?

Bobby – I think they can. Reading and Spurs have easier schedules but Bolton and Portsmouth both tough runs coming up. The Everton - Portsmouth game looks to be a crucial one. 

 

Foxcube - Milan looked flat today aside from Kaka and Gattuso to some extent. Most disappointing had to be Pirlo. (goalkeeper aside.) They were not on the same energy level. Age? Form? They wanted to keep possession but simply couldn't. What do you think of the second leg?

Bobby – I thought the turning point was when Gattuso went off injured. Gattuso’s “mini-me” Brocchi just isn’t at the same level. Gilardino was a passenger and not capable of holding the ball up when he got it. If Gattuso is fit then I think Milan can get a one-goal win. However, once again you have to admire Manchester United’s spirit. As far as both sides were considered it wasn’t exactly a defensive masterpiece today. Dida – or is it Geeda!! - looked awful on the first and third United goals while Carrick lost Kaka on the first goal. Then Evra and Heinze decided to recreate the Willie Miller-Hansen circa 1978 World Cup Scotland vs. Russia for Kaka’s second.