It seemed pretty straightforward at the time. A day after the transfer window closed write a column on some of the bigger moves and some that didn’t come to pass. Then yesterday came and we were hit with the equivalent of a category five hurricane.
Who could have possibly thought on Sunday evening that within 24 hours Manchester City would be turned into a financial powerhouse and that the new owners (Abu Dhabi United Group) would mark their arrival by signing Robinho?
After all, a week ago the general consensus was that City was in financial and organizational disarray and that the best route for manager Mark Hughes was the door marked exit. Now, he has a board of directors talking instant success, and all funded by a budget that even Roman Abramovich might hesitate to sanction. (Some may argue that the best route for Hughes remains the same.)
The remarkable events of yesterday has left writers, bloggers and fans stunned and grasping to try and understand the full implications of the audacious takeover for the Premiership, as well as European and World football. It has also not stopped many resorting to received wisdom cloaked as insightful comment.
Most would argue under more sober circumstances that joining the dots between unlimited funds, success and world domination is a tad simplistic but it hasn’t stopped some jumping on board the hyperbole bandwagon as it heads to the north-west of England. Lots of cash + best players in world = World Domination.
If that is the case then examples should readily come to mind. Chelsea under Abramovich – not even domestic domination let alone global. Real Madrid and the Galacticos era – yeah that worked. Check out how much Inter Milan spent trying achieve success during the 90s – in terms of major trophies it was ####-all squared. Barcelona have spent many fortunes over the years and have won the European Cup just twice in over half a century.
That is not to say that the availability of money doesn’t matter. Money has always being part of the game and identifying and buying the right talent at the right price has always been a key skill set of any successful manager. In terms of British managers from Herbert Chapman and the Bank of England Arsenal side of the 30s to Sir Matt Busby, Bill Shankly, Jock Stein and Brian Clough, all were astute buyers of talent.
For Manchester City the requirement to buy at the right price appears to no longer apply but building a team is much more than just signing “world class” players. Quite simply I would refer to a basic definition - “a team is a group of people with complementary skills committed to a common purpose and a set of goals.”
It is not a group of high priced mercenaries unwilling to sacrifice self for the common guide. Separating players with character from the imposters takes skill, experience and insight – it takes smarts.
Until Manchester City show that they have the smarts I would suggest that a Global Domination Tour 2010 (or 2015 for that matter) might be premature.
Transfers
For the last three months we have been inundated with news of transfers that were sure to be consummated, deals that only needed a signature and daring multi-million dollar raids being planned in bunkers deep below Premiership grounds.
With a lot of last minute wheeling and dealing we are told that a new Premiership spending record of around $1B has been set during the just completed transfer-window. But what of the transfers that didn’t come to pass?
Here is a list of my top 25 non-transfers.
1. Samuel Eto’o – Barcelona to assorted clubs. My biggest surprise when you consider that Barcelona was happy to see the back of the former African Player of the Year. A clear indication that the top clubs believe Eto’o to be more trouble than he is worth.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United to Hartlepool United. Forgiven but not forgotten and with cash from the Robinho in-hand we are sure to hear more in ten months time.
3. Gareth Barry – Aston Villa to Liverpool. Wasn’t about the money? Right.
4. Andrei Arshavin – Zenit St. Petersburg to Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur. You have to feel that Arshavin’s magical European Championship semi-final appearance against Spain cost him dear. Magical? He disappeared.
5. Emmanuel Adebayor – Arsenal to Barcelona or Milan. So much press but just a reincarnation of numerous Patrick Vieira summers on a smaller scale.
6. Xabi Alonso – Liverpool to Arsenal, Aston Villa, Juventus. Poor Rafa Benitez. Has to make do with one of the best passers of the ball in the Premiership – with both feet.
7. David Villa – Valencia to Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Real Madrid. Real Madrid was going to be his destination if it was to move but Valencia decided to continue their flirt with insolvency. Here’s betting that he will have to be sold at a much lower price than Valencia might have demanded coming off the Euros.
8. David Silva – Valencia to Liverpool, Manchester United. Similar scenario to his teammate Villa.
9. Frank Lampard – Chelsea to Inter. Frank demanded a five-year deal and Chelsea with a back bone of jello gave it to him.
10. Kaka – Milan to Chelsea. Good headlines but little chance that it was actually going to happen.
11. Gennaro Gattuso – Milan to Bayern Munich. The German club seemed genuinely interested at the start of the summer but it faded quickly. The January transfer window might find Gattuso moving but not to Bayern Munich.
12. Klaas-Jan Huntelaar – Ajax to assorted clubs. Every year Huntelaar is rumoured to be a target for the big clubs of Europe. And every year nothing happens. I think the message is loud and clear.
13. Adrian Mutu – Fiorentina to Roma. Mutu opted to keep faith with the side that resurrected his playing career but with a hefty invoice arriving soon from Chelsea Mutu might have to find funds quickly.
14. Roque Santa Cruz - Blackburn Rovers to Manchester City, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United. Another player showing some loyalty to a club that offered an opportunity when many would not.
15. Thierry Henry – Barcelona to Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bulls, Manchester United. The most unbelievable rumours of the summer.
16. Diego Forlan – Atletico Madrid to Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur. Forlan may have struck gold in Spain but he will never live down his spell at Manchester United. It would take a gutsy Premiership team to offer Forlan a second chance.
17. Joao Moutinho – Sporting Lisbon to Everton. An on-going frustration for Everton but I can’t help but feel that Moutinho would not have filled Everton’s needs.
18. Javier Saviola – Real Madrid to Newcastle. A summer has gone by and Saviola did not change clubs.
19. Ruben de la Red – Real Madrid to Arsenal. Real Madrid is not so deep in great midfield players that they can afford to let de la Red slip away.
20. Gokhan Inler – Udinese to Arsenal. Inler enjoyed an excellent European Championship for Switzerland and just signed a long-term deal with Udinese of Serie A.
21. Branislav Ivanovic – Chelsea to Milan. Signed with a great deal of fanfare last January Ivanovic is on course to challenge Winston Bogarde as Chelsea’s worst signings of all-time. He has been described as a versatile defender who is able to play any position on the bench if given a chance.
22. Vagner Love – CSKA Moscow to Everton. This one enjoyed some prominence for a week or so in the form of a loan deal or a transfer.
23. Karim Benzema – Lyon to assorted clubs. The young man has showed a great deal of common sense by realizing that he is going to become a better player playing each game for Lyon rather than being rotated at another club. His time will come and it will be big money. (I wonder if he supported Manchester City as a boy?)
24. Sergio Aguero – Atletico Madrid to assorted clubs. Sit back and wait for the English media to discover a player that by the time the World Cup comes around in 2010 will be regarded as one of the top five talents in the world.
25. Luis Figo – Inter to UAE, MLS. Remember that back in January Figo was reported to have signed a contract to play in the Middle East? On Saturday there was Figo at 35 starting for Inter.
Newcastle Whether Kevin Keegan has been fired or has resigned or will be taking training tomorrow doesn’t really matter. Newcastle continues to operate in a shambolic manner with owner Mike Ashley showing he would have trouble finding the ground if he fell out a tree – beer or no beer.
Ashley is another example of the misplaced faith that fans put in businessmen that have a “passion” for their club. It is the “passion” that causes the problem. Better to look for an owner who has a solid long-term plan rather than one who has a desire to kow-tow to the supporters.
I said in the pre-season preview that Ashley had “bit off more than he could chew” and “despite stories of how much money Keegan was to be given to bring new players to St. James’ there has been little indication these past months”.
Less than a month in and Ashley has admitted that he did not undertake any due diligence when buying the club and has been shocked at how much transfer money was owed in deferred payments. (Must have glass doors at St. James’).
Furthermore, it has become clear over the last week that the Newcastle board is willing to sanction the sale of players no matter what the manager thinks.
This BBC article explains how next year’s European places will be divvied out in England. Gretna hanging onbut the end seems to be near.
The chance to focus on the Scottish game doesn’t come around too often but hard on the heels of Rangers making it to the last eight of the UEFA comes the first major final of the season. Rangers has a chance to lift a cup for the first time in three years while in the case of Dundee United it has been closer to fourteen seasons since they had something to celebrate.
The Ibrox turnaround engineered by Walter Smith since his return to the club last January has been incredible. Inheriting a team from French Coach Paul LeGuen that had lost six of twenty-three league games and been knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle, Smith went about restoring some much needed confidence and lost only two leagues (the last two and Celtic had already secured the title) the rest of the season.
A place in this season’s Champions League last sixteen proved to be too much but after dropping to the UEFA Cup Rangers have beaten both Panathinaikos and Werder Bremen and await their fate when the draw is made tomorrow (Friday).
Rangers also lead the SPL by three points and have a game in hand over Celtic. However, of the eleven league games still to play Rangers and Celtic have to face each other three times. Both clubs are still alive in the Scottish Cup and have been kept apart in the semi-final round. But first Rangers must see off Partick Thistle in next Wednesday’s rearranged quarter final match.
Rangers may retain an interest in four competitions but Walter Smith is well aware that the Rangers faithful are unforgiving if success is not delivered in regular doses and Sunday provides an opportunity to make it one down and three to go.
It is somewhat ironic that Rangers opponents are Dundee United – the first team Smith faced on his return (a 5-0 win) and a team where he got his coaching start under the legendary Jim McLean. Smith was on United’s coaching staff when they won their first major trophy in 1980 beating Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in the League Cup Final.
It was the first visible crack in the Old Firm’s domination of Scottish football and by season’s end Aberdeen had won the first of three league titles under Fergie and over the next six seasons Aberdeen and United became known as the “New Firm”.
The next eleven seasons would see United make it to nine domestic finals, the UEFA Cup final, as well as winning the Scottish League and coming within a whisker of a place in the 1984 European Cup Final.
But making it to the final of a competition is one thing, winning is something else and over the ten finals United won only two – the aforementioned League Cup win in 1980 and they repeated the year after.
After McLean’s “retirement” from the dugout after 22-years United went through a cavalcade of managers with a Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 1994 the only highlight. After a televised run-in with a BBC reporter in 2000 the McLean-era began to grind to a conclusion although it would take another couple of years before he sold his shareholding to local businessman and United fanatic Eddie Thompson.
Thompson soon showed himself to be a match for McLean in firing managers as he axed five managers in his first six seasons as owner. It has only been since the arrival of Craig Levein in late 2006 that a level of stability and success has returned to Tannadice.
Levein has United third in the league at the moment and they played Celtic to a scoreless draw at Parkhead on Wednesday night.
There is a real sense of optimism around the club that United can at again be a force in Scottish football although the halcyon days enjoyed under McLean are unlikely to return.
But even though some level of success may be in the future for United this might be the last chance that their owner Eddie Thompson will have to see his beloved side lift a Cup. For the man who put his money where his mouth was to the tune of many millions of pounds is battling what looks to be an unwinnable battle with cancer.
Thompson has already put his financial affairs in order with members of his family being appointed to various positions within the club and Levein was appointed to a position on the board of directors a few weeks ago.
United will be taking close to 17,000 to Sunday’s final at Hampden and many will be wearing special tangerine t-shirts to show support for Thompson with proceeds going to fund cancer research.
North American connection - When I first saw Dundee United play in the early sixties they played in various combinations of black and white. So where did their present distinctive tangerine kit come from?
The year after the 1966 World Cup the United Soccer Association (a forerunner to the North American Soccer League) decided to import twelve teams to play during the summer in North America.
Each team played under the moniker of their adopted North American city and Dundee United became the Dallas Tornado.
The Tornado colours were tangerine and the idea to change kit was planted back then. The switch was made in 1969 with the first British showing against Everton in pre-season friendly.(check half way down to see a United as Dallas team photo).
United’s centre half Doug Smith – a player who many considered one of the best players never to be capped by Scotland – made the Second All Star team along with some other memorable names.
Dundee United owner Eddie Thompson has cancer right through his body but his commitment to the team and the game will leave a legacy for years to come.
If there is one Lyon player that stands between Manchester United and a place in the last eight then it is Karim Benzema.
The Times is asking readers to dig up the worst club merchandising idea that they have ever come across.
James Lawton assesses the progress of David Moyes and also finds time to recount an old Bill Shankly-Chris Lawlor story.
A trivia question for Monday morning. There is one club in MLS that is unique amongst all the other teams in MLS, NBA, NFL , MLB and the NHL. What’s the team and why are they unique?
I understand that The Gaffer over at EPL Talk is not enjoying the best of health at the moment. From all the regulars at this blog all the best for a speedy recovery.
Robert Philip manages to name check Mary Queen of Scots, Scotty from Star Trek, ####es, Bill Shankly and Sean Connery before getting to the point of his football article. You really just need to read his introduction.
Another idea of how to generate stadium revenue. Sounds a bit bizarre but....
A Soccer America interview with USA national team boss Bob Bradley.
The Financial Times and Guardian articles on Manchester United record revenue and profits are the best I have read in terms of giving good information about the interest payments.
From the top to the near bottom - the reverse of Sir Alex Ferguson's journey. The Times with a positive story about East Stirlingshire - the team that offerred Ferguson his first job in hairdressing nearly thirty four years ago.
With Newcastle United pulling the plug on another manager it is worth looking at the performance of the not-so-magnificent seven (although in relation to Keegan and Robson that remark should be tempered) during the Premiership years. Newcastle was not a charter member of the Premiership but after missing out on the first season Keegan secured promotion in his first full season.
Here are the managers, the position the club was in when they “left”, games in charge, average points gained and the approximate net outlay in transfer fees – it is a lot.
The list is in chronological order:
o Kevin Keegan – 4th, 143 games, 1.85 points, $80M
o Kenny Dalglish – 13th*, 56 games, 1.34 points, $27M
o Ruud Gullit – 19th, 41 games, 1.65 points, $13.6M
o Sir Bobby Robson – 17th, 188 games, 1.60 points, $58M
o Graeme Souness – 16th, 56 games, 1.16 points, $66M
o Glen Roeder – 13th, 52 games, 1.42 points, $19M
o Sam Allardyce – 11th, 21 games, 1.24 points, $28M
(Dalglish carries an asterisk as he was fired only two games into a season and 13th was the previous season’s finishing position.)
From Gullit on the managers are getting fired with the team sitting in ever higher positions. Maybe it is all part of some cunning plan to literally fire Newcastle to the top?
Looking back the failure to use the relatively successful spell under Bobby Robson to groom a successor was a faux pas of immense proportions. Who in their right mind would operate with one of their most important employees past the age 70 and with no succession plan in place?
As for Allardyce I don’t think any fair minded person would accept that half a season is enough time to turn a team that has failed to win a major domestic trophy in over half a century around.
A significant number of Newcastle fans are apparently upset at the type of football Allardyce had the team playing. But again if you are trying to change a culture of mediocrity then there is going to be protracted spell of rubbish dished up – that should not be a surprise. And in terms of a new manager it is likely to be more of the same.
I often wonder if a new manger might not get better results and reduce short term expectations if instead of asking for the cheque book he told players that they had half a season to prove themselves.
Immediately moving to sign new players and dumping the ones signed by the predecessor just leads to a belief that improvement will be immediate. Then if the new signings fail to impress – as they did in the Allardyce/Newcastle situation – the pressure mounts and the revolving door starts to rotate once more.
As for a successor, the names are beginning to appear in the press and on websites. Harry Rednapp, Mark Hughes, Steve McClaren (surely not!!) are all getting some play in the media. The odds are a Keegan return have also been slashed.
But as Simon Barnes said in The Times last weekend will a new manager be given a fair crack while Alan Shearer continues in the role of the best manager never to have managed Newcastle?
It would seem that Mike Ashley has done the easy bit in firing Big Sam, the hard bit is convincing someone of quality to pick up the poisoned chalice.
Quick free kicks
A number of teams are looking to cure some sporadic bouts of Premiership travel sickness this weekend. Spurs travels to Stamford Bridge in what could be a preview of the Carling Cup Final. But travelling to Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford, Anfield and wherever Arsenal were playing at the time, has not brought much joy to Spurs. In sixty-three Premiership trips to these grounds Spurs have won just twice - a win at Arsenal and a win at Liverpool.
Manchester City are the visitors to Goodison but they have only one once in ten Premiership visits to Goodison – and that was way back in October 1992.
Middlesbrough may not have scored against Liverpool in their last four Premiership encounters but Liverpool are without a win at the Riverside in their last five visits - two losses and three draws for the Reds. Despite Boro’s spotted form over the last couple of years the Riverside is still a place where bigger teams often come a cropper. United, Chelsea and Arsenal have all lost at the Riverside in the last two and a bit seasons
Oh and let us not forget that no matter who has been in charge of Newcastle a trip to Old Trafford as never ended in three points for the Magpies – it has however often finished with a loss (nine times) and sometimes a draw - five of them.
This weekend offers Reading, Wigan, and Fulham another opportunity to pick up three points away from home for the first time. This time against Aston Villa, Derby County and West Ham respectively. Also without an away win are Bolton, Sunderland, and Derby County but they will have to wait for another day.
Craigy_f – 1. Ian Bell - did he see the Spitting Image Mourinho interview on Setanta this weekend? Brilliant! As only Spitting Image can be. Has that show ever made it across the Atlantic?
2. What are your opinions on Mourinho for England? Whom would you hire or England? How's the search going in Scotland?
3. Best and worst refereeing decisions for you this weekend.
4. Any games or results stand out for you?
5. How important is a club's history, particularly with the explosion of global fan support?
6. Arsenal - a wobble or something more?
7. My Carling Cup game will be hotly contested but what about the other three? 8. Has Goughie got his badges? 9. The ACoN - little more than a storm in a teacup for everybody but Pompey? Will you be covering the competition in any depth?
Bobby – 1. Spitting Image was broadcast in Canada for a while – I don’t know about the USA.
2. The question now has an answer …..but from Mourinho not me. I said on the show that I felt Mourinho was not serious about the position and was only using it to stir up interest and a media frenzy. It now looks to be down to Capello.
And although I said last night that I was still not sure who I would pick, the more I think about it, the more I cannot come up with a reason why not Capello. If he isn’t the most successful manager in the world he is dam close (I think his record carries more weight than Fergie’s). But I still have a nagging feeling that it won’t happen.
The campaign to hire Mark McGhee as Scotland’s new boss seems to have generated a lot of momentum. Meanwhile “my choice” Jim Jeffries is no place. McGhee is experienced although I would suggest that he is as likely to bolt to a better club opportunity should an offer come as was McLeish. John Collins of Hibs has also been mentioned but I think he is short on experience.
3. Worst referring decision – allowing Pascal Chimbonda’s goal. Best decision – either of Sonko’s two tackles on Torres.
4. Tayport beat Carnoustie Panmure 5-2 in a Scottish Junior Cup 3rd round replay. Dundee are now tied with Hamilton at the top of the Scottish First Division.
5. A club’s history has always been massively important and it is probably even more important as the game goes global. The marketing people would probably talk about it in terms of branding but that makes it sound far too corporate.
Personally I don’t think you can be considered a fan unless you are intimately aware of your club’s history. History and former heroes help you through the bad times; it gives perspective and reminds you that good times will return. History and past triumphs (even though others may not see some results as triumphs!) keep pulling us back for more.
A Liverpool fan who doesn’t know about Shanks, Yeats, St. John, Keegan or Albert Stubbins isn’t, in my opinion, a fan - they are someone with a passing interest. Dixie Dean and the midfield of the late 60s/early 70s for Everton. Arsenal and Herbert Chapman, Charlie George even Sir Henry Norris. Sir Matt, the Babes, the holy trinity of United. Bell, Lee and Summerbee for City. Chelsea’s first FA Cup win, Hudson, Osgood and Cooke, the 1955 League winning team.
Every team has their own version – just some are more famous than others, but they all have the same hold on fans, no matter the team.
6. Arsenal is 11 points up on their position after 16 games last year so in the larger context a few drop points still puts them way ahead of last season and they still finished in the top four with relative ease. It is tough stretch of games but I expect them to still be up in the top three come the first week of the New Year.
7. All four games are potential crackers. Everton has a pretty solid record playing West Ham 12 wins and 6 draws in the last 23 matches – Everton could win this one.
Blackburn knocked Arsenal out of the Cup last season and normally plays well against them at Ewood. Wenger will play the youngsters and although Blackburn has only one win in their last six Premiership games I think Blackburn will go through.
Manchester City at home to Spurs? City with an unbelievable home record playing against a side that has only lost once at City in their last 13 visits – 9 wins and 3 draws.
I fancy Spurs to pull off what might be considered an upset. Then we are left with Chelsea vs. Liverpool. In the past I have regularly called for a Liverpool win in cup games between these two but I am going to flip and pick Chelsea.
8. Richard Gough was in charge of Livingstone a while back so I am confident that he has passed his exams.
9. I think the African Cup of Nations impact extends beyond Portsmouth. Chelsea (Essien. Drogba, Kalou), Newcastle (Martins, Abdoulaye Faye, Habib Beye and Geremi), and Arsenal (Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue) for starters.
I read somewhere that United, Manchester City and Aston Villa are the only teams that do not have players who might be picked to play.
I don’t know at this time what sort of level of coverage I will be able to provide.
Neophyte - How would you rate Steve Coppell's performance as manager? Do you see him getting offers to a bigger club maybe a national team staff spot?(I thought playing Hunt more in the middle with Convey back on the left really opened up the pitch for Reading...your thoughts on the Royal's performance).
Bobby - He certainly is not a man that gets overly excited which can be refreshing some weeks. I can’t see him being offered the top job with Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal or Chelsea or even for that matter whether he would even want a job like that.
Once you eliminate these four there is not much left that could be considered to be a significant step up from Reading. I have thought for a while that Coppell would make a good international manager but in the present climate he doesn’t stand a chance with England.
In terms of Reading’s performance against Liverpool it was well overdue and much more like the stuff we saw last season. Doyle and Kitson have to get goals and they have to get them earlier. I would be surprised if Reading gets sucked into the relegation zone come New Year. Twelve or thirteenth seems like a reasonable position for them.
CIAO - It appears the two front runners O'Neill and the "Special One" have both opted out of running to be the next England Manager. From what I know, Klinsmann, Lippi and Capello are all still available. However, as the article you provided for one reason or another indicated that they are not the ideal candidates.
I agree with you on that Ranieri would be an interesting choice but he still is at Juve probably at least until next summer. Martin Jol is also available, but I have not heard his name mentioned for the position. What do you think of him as the next England manager?
Does the FA have to rush to assign a manager? Considering the current limited selection would probably drastically expand in options after the EURO 08, would it not be better for both Scotland and England to wait to select their next managers until after the tournament? Who knows by then Hiddink might be looking for a job. If the England manager were going to be assigned to either Lippi or Capello, who would you prefer to take the position?
Bobby - I’m beginning to think that Martin Jol the martyr is getting a lot more credit for his time at Spurs than his record indicates that he deserves. Yes, the signing of players appears to have been more than a bit dysfunctional but the bottom line is that the Spurs team he left was pretty much in the same position as the Spurs he inherited from Santini.
Spurs were exceptionally entertaining last season and at their best they played some outstanding football. However, they finished in the same position (5th) as the previous season and with fewer points. They had good FA Cup and UEFA Cup runs but there was nothing to show that Jol was up to the England position.
The FA is rushing because of media pressure – no other reason. Without a manger the speculation will grow exponentially until the organization grinds to a standstill.
As for Scotland there is nothing to indicate that waiting for Euro 2008 would make any impact on their choice. Scotland is not short of suitable homegrown candidates.
Given a choice I would go for Capello because he seems to me to be tougher and would not put up with the tabloids’ shenanigans.
Henry14 - q1 Do you think it devalues Scottish football when every time they play a game of any significance they postpone league matches you look at Rangers postpone their match in the weekend when Arsenal has played 4 games in a space of 12days and still need to win their group and their euro qualifying matches. q2 Your prediction Chelsea vs. Arsenal, Man Utd. Vs. Reds q3 One word next England coach q4 Best goalie Casillas, Cech, Buffon, on league stats and form q5 Top midfielder Pirlo, Gerrard, Xavi
Bobby - 1. Henry14, “every time they play a game of any significance they postpone league matches”. I’ve told you a million times – don’t exaggerate! No it doesn’t devalue the league, absolute nonsense. League games are rescheduled continually in other countries to fit in with European games. A postponement is only another form of rescheduling. Why do Arsenal need to win their group – is qualification not good enough?
2. Why would I predict games five days before they take place? Lots can happen in five days. Even then you know I don’t spend a lot of time on predictions. I pick and choose normally based on what I think might be a surprise or a bit counter-intuitive.
4. Cech but it has nothing to do with form (he’s injured) or league stats (not a valid form of comparison).
5. Three very different players – are you looking for a continuity type player, a bustling and rampaging midfielder or a deep lying playmaker?
DuncanEdwards - 1) Assuming he loses some of his pace on the wing later in his career, I was wondering what you thought of Cristiano Ronaldo moving to center forward...he's big, strong, has quick feet, passes and lays the ball off well, has an eye for goal and is a good header of the ball...seems like it would work
and 2)Keeping with the Portuguese theme, why is Carlos Queiroz's name not mentioned in connection with the England National team job?...He knows the league, the culture, the language, the players and would surely have the support and assistance of his present boss, Sir Alex...he has also coached at the National level before...don't you think he should at least be considered?
Bobby - If he loses his pace he will likely lose his sharpness at the same time which would certainly affect his effectiveness as a centre forward. Behind the striker – a position he has played – is a position he could excel in .
Queiroz’s record as a number one is poor and is the reason that I think that the only way he will get a sniff at Old Trafford once Fergie goes is as a sacrificial lamb. Some people are just better 2ICs – yes Mr. McClaren.
Flashman - As for greatest soccer books of all time, Bobby you particularly will know that one book will never be matched in this day and age when media access to players and managers is heavily restricted. That's Hunter Davies' The Glory Game. Re-read it this past summer. Remarkable. No team nowadays would ever grant an independent journalist the sort of access Davies was given by Spurs. And the players today are just too media savvy, or even cynical, to honestly provide the sort of information he gathered back then.
And Bobby, do you think that the ref overlooked the fact that Pascal Chimbonda was offside and handled the ball as he scored the first goal against Manchester City was a way of making up for some of the brutal calls that have gone against Spurs this season?
Bobby - I read the book again a couple of years ago and you are right there is no way that book could be written today. Another book that focused on the same era was Eamon Dunphy’s “Only a Game?” – also excellent.
If your Chimbonda explanation helps you sleep better then we will go with it!
Tuoc - Should Arsenal start Jens in goal again? I thought Manuel is an average goalie.
Bobby - On the upside I have to admit that Almunia has surprised me this season. However, I am still not convinced that he is up to the job. Arsenal’s defensive stats are not just down to the goalkeeper but the defense is giving up too many goals compared to Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool. If Lehmann can dump the prima donna (not as I saw written in another blog pre-madonna) then he can still help Arsenal.
Vidic15 - I would put Yugoslavia/Serbia just under Spain as chronic underachievers on the national level (I leave out Croatia because they have been better recently). Yugoslavia has always produced great players but they could never come together when it counted.
They had the talent but seemed to lack the mental quality and mental toughness to win, and I think that same reason is why Serbia didn't qualify for Euro 2008. They got too many draws from teams they should've beaten.
Bobby - I think if you look at the numbers Serbia and England are neck and neck for the biggest fall from grace from pre-World Cup 2006 to Euro 2008.
Gers4Lyfe - Rangers will miss the pace of Beasley and Darcheville for tomorrow's clash with Lyon. It appears your considerations of Celtic and Rangers might be spot on. Who do you see most likely to replace Beasley's spot in the European matches? I'm certain WS will go with the 4-1-4-1 although for this game at Ibrox I would love to see a departure to a 4-4-2 with Boyd and Cousin up front. What are your thoughts?
Bobby - I hate to say it but I am not sure that Rangers have any players left who can provide the pace that Beasley and Darcheville give the team. Beasley, especially, is a player who excels on the counter attack and is very valuable in Europe.
Novo would have been an important player as well but I understand that he is injured. Naismith got good reports from the Stuttgart game so he will probably come into the reckoning. I cannot see Walter Smith starting two up front. Cousin to start most likely with Boyd held in reserve in case a goal is needed perhaps?
Truebluecfc – I have enjoyed the blog for quite awhile and the fantastic articles you put up each week. What are your favorite football books?
Bobby - If you click on this link it will take you to a blog from this time last year that includes some books that I enjoyed in 2006.
To that list I would the following that have either been read or will be in the next few weeks.
“If you’re second you are nothing” by Oliver Holt. A contrast of Bill Shankly and Sir Alex Ferguson.
“Legends of United” by David Meek. A look at United players from the Busby era.
“Arsene Wenger – The Biography” by Xavier Rivoire.
“Jose Mourinho” by Luis Lourenco.
“England Managers – The Toughest Job in Football” by Brian Glanville.
“Love and Blood at the World Cup” by Jamie Trecker.
My favourite book in the past year is an updated reissue. “A Strange Kind of Glory – Sir Matt Busby and Manchester United” by Eamon Dunphy. I read the book about a dozen years ago when it was lent to me. I noticed the reissue and I thought it was even better than I remembered.
I have so far been unable to get my hands on "The Damned United" but I hope to soon.
A speech delivered by investigative journalist Andrew Jennings at an international conference in Iceland. Is there a day of reckoning in Sepp Blatter’s future and will it involve a court date?
Read this article from Simon Kuper and you will have to shower.
I expect peace and love to break out for this game. Chile will be on their absolute best behaviour while I'm sure that Austria haas also been told to go easy.
Chile has made three enforced changes with Medel, Currimilla and Grondona all suspended. The first two for the red cards they received during the game against Argentina while Jamie Grondona has been suspended "as a result of the physical incidents with match officials he was involved in on the pitch during the Chile-Argentina semi-final match on July 19."
Coming in for Chile is Sepulveda (missed the Argentina game through suspension), Mauricio Isla (started on the bench against Argentina after scoring in the quarter final vs. Nigeria) and Michael Silva who has so far logged one minute in the tournament.
Austrian coach Paul Gludovatz has rung the changes with five starters against the Czech Republic replaced. Out goes defender Daniel Gramann, midfielders Martin Harnik and Tomas Sinkovic, striker Erwin Hoffer and goalkeeper Michael Zaglmair.
The referee will be Martin Hansson from Sweden.
The referee for the final later today is 33-year-old Spaniard Alberto Undiano Mallenco. He has officiated the following games in this tournament - Canada v. Chile, Czech Republic v. Korea DPR, Brazil v. USA and Argentina v. Mexico. Snr. Mallenco was also in charge of the second leg of Champions League semi final in May between Liverpool and Chelsea.
The evening started at supper time with Mexico vs. Chile in the Copa America. The scoreless draw guaranteed that Chile moves on. In turn, that means that Brazil needs only needs one point from their game against Ecuador to move into the last eight.
Ecuador needs to win 2-0 to stand any chance of qualifying for the last eight while the USA’s remote chance of making past the group stage is even more unlikely than it was before this evening. (Warning - if you are taping the Brazil – Ecuador game don’t read to the end of the blog!)
I switched games with around half an hour left in the Mexico game and moved to Japan against Costa Rica in the FIFA under-20 World Cup. With five games also going on in MLS tonight there is no shortage of games to keep up with.
The Japan – Costa Rica match was largely disappointing with Japan unable to show the same jump that was on show against Canada on Sunday. Japan still had the better of the first half but failed to create many clear cut chances. It was Costa Rica’s Steven Perez missed the best chance of the first half when he turned the Japanese defender but shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
The only game of the game came with around a quarter of the game left. Japan was able to work Umesaki clear on the left side of the penalty box and he delivered a perfect feed to Tanaka who had to only redirect the ball into the net from four yards out.
As fulltime beckoned the Ticos’ attacks grew more desperate and only a fine save from Japanese keeper Hayashi with a minute or so left ensured that his side moved into the last sixteen with two straight wins.
Just as he did in the game against Scotland full back Michihiro Yasuda caught the eye with his runs forward and raking cross field passes. We have yet to see how strong he is defensively because after two games he has not been tested.
Then it was over to Brazil vs. Ecuador. Put it this way – the half time highlights could have been dumped and nothing much missed. When a goal finally came early in the second half it was probably fitting that it came from a penalty kick which was awarded after Robinho went looking for an Ecuadorian leg to follow in the box.
The game played out with little else in terms of goal scoring chances and Brazil turned in another stuttering performance. The USA can no longer qualify for the last eight and has only pride to play for tomorrow against Colombia.
Scotland and Nigeria is next.
Tournament Notes
From FIFA.com, “Argentina's 4 goals in 7 minutes against Panama is a record in any FIFA U-20 competition. In previous matches Brazil have managed twice, in 1997, to score 4 goals in 9 minutes. Firstly in their 10-3 win against Korea Republic. Adailton took the score to 2:0 in the 30th minute and to 5:0 by the 39th. The second time, in the same tournament, was in their 10-0 win against Belgium. Roni scored in the 78th minute, Adailton in the 82nd, Alex in the 85th, and Junior in the 87th. Mexico also scored four goals in ten minutes in 1977 against Tunisia (6:0) as did Chile against Honduras in 2005 (7:0).”
“With three goals against Poland, USAs Freddy Adu is the only player to have scored a hattrick in both FIFA youth tournaments. Adu also scored 3 goals on 14 August 2003 in their 6-1 win against Korea Republic in the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Coincidentally both matches ended with the same result”.
You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.
Another bumper week for blog participation - thanks again to everyone who participates by reading or posting.
Mr. Red Devil - Now that Man Utd have won the EPL (with 2 matches to go) and will play in the FA Cup Final, do you see Carrick's transfer fee as being justified?
His play throughout the season was consistently very good and he was a valuable part of the 1st team, so I believe he was well worth the 14m-18m pounds. I know you were wary of that amount at the time of the transfer, so I just wanted to get your current views.
Bobby – He had some good games but he rarely looked like a £18 million footballer. Spurs paid £10.9 million Berbatov, different positions but who go better value? I noted that SAF was complaining that Chelsea had inflated the market by paying £27 million Michael Essien. From what I’ve seen Chelsea got a better deal paying what they did for Essien than United did for Carrick. And now we have Owen “£20 million” to look forward to.
Bmax14 - I went to my first USL game yesterday and I was actually kind of impressed with the atmosphere and reasonable quality of play. In your opinion, where would USL 1st division compare in quality to England's leagues? Would it be League 2? And MLS, my impression is that a good MLS team would be comparable to a mid-table Championship team. What would you say? I'm trying to get more into US football this year to accommodate my summer fix since there is no WC or Euro to watch. I know I can't expect the EPL but I don't think MLS (or even USL) is the absolute worst football in the world either.
Bobby – I gave up comparing leagues and came to the conclusion that it was a pointless exercise. We know that some MLS players can make it the Premiership while others would struggle to hold a starting spot in League 2 or even the conference. I think what that tells us is that the MLS has some very good players but it is lacking in depth. Because Europe has more leagues and teams playing at the professional level, players are more liable to find their natural level with teams that match their skills and abilities. This is how I look at it numerically with 10 being fantastic and 1 being poor it might line up something like this over a starting eleven. MLS – 3 nines, 2 sevens, 3 fives, 2 threes and 1 one. Championship – 1 nine, 1 seven, 3 sixes, 2 fives, 3 fours and 1 two. MLS has a wider range of skills on the team while the Championship would be much more tightly grouped.
RINGO - This week’s trivia. Which team used to play home games at Annfield? And which team plays home games at St.James Park?
Bobby – Trick question you ####. Stirling Albion and Exeter City. Did you ever post the answers to last week’s questions?
Neophyte - Why is Mark Hughes always associated with being the heir apparent to the ManU. throne? With Keane showing promise why is everyone so hot on Hughes? If SAF were to retire today I can think of a couple of others I would rather see as Gaffer than Hughes. I like Steve Coppell if I had to choose right now. How about you?
Bobby – It is standard practice to link former players with managerial and coaching jobs at their old clubs. History has proven that there is a better chance that someone will be hired who has a connection with a club than otherwise. So it makes some sense. What Mark Hughes has over the other names that pop up is European and International experience as a manager.
Rwonfootball - What is the point of the EPL suing YouTube? YouTube gives the league free publicity, so they really shouldn't be complaining.
Bobby – Simple, why would you allow someone to give away for free, something that someone else would pay for. The EPL doesn’t need free publicity nor does it want it. It wants money.
Henry14 - Q1 What is the problem with Tyneside club, do you think it’s the board, or the club in my opinion is not as big as it claims to be? Q2 If $60m we put for Berbatov do you see Tottenham selling him Q3 What do you think of Lori Cana, I am of the information that he is definitely be one of Wenger's signings. Again Bobby, Amy Lawrence on a talk show said that Wenger has been given $100m pounds as part of 80m pound transfer budget they agreed on with the creditors up to 2009 and she sees certain that Eto’o is on the cards. Personally l feel Eto’o and Henry are mutually exclusive in the same team, even if Wenger has this amount of money do you see him coming to Arsenal
Bobby – 1. In business terms Newcastle United is an underperforming asset and has been for decades. When you see that sort of situation there is only one person to blame – the Chairman and in-turn the directors. 2. If Spurs sell Berbatov the fans will be livid and rightfully so. With the new TV deal kicking and as long as the player is happy there would not appear to be any reason why Spurs would have to sell. 3. To be perfectly honest I don’t think I have ever watched him play – I certainly wasn’t aware of him. Apparently he is a defensive midfield player and so I can’t see why Arsenal would go after him. 4. I just can’t understand why Barcelona would choose to sell Eto’o. So until someone comes up with a good reason I am expecting him to stay at the Nou Camp.
BigWave - I know this is a minor thing but now that Man United has won the Premiership title can the new guy on the Fox Soccer Report stop referring to the Reds as "Man U?" All football fans know that is not a proper term.
Bobby – We have that in common. Referring to Man. Utd. as Man U has driven me crazy for years. In fact if my wife wants to bug me she will ask “is that Man U on television?” However, the reference has become so commonly used that I have accepted that nothing is going to change.
Henry14 - How you rate Torres among forwards, do you think he is the Darren Bent group of players. Is Hunterlaar for real, is he not like Kezman?
Bobby – He is far better player than Darren Bent. The problem with comparing Hunterlaar with Kezman is that for every Kezman there is a Van Nistelrooy and Roy Makaay. Who knows how differently it might have turned out for Kezman if he had joined a team that gave him a regular spot in the starting eleven.
Rob's Rabble - I wonder did you see Jorge Valdano's comments on the Liverpool Chelsea Champions League game. If not, check out The Guardian's website. Basically he compared it to watching #### on a stick. As an Arsenal fan, I have to agree somewhat that Benitez and Mourinho are strangling a lot of the skill level out of the game. The sad thing is that you could say that Arsenal actually made it to the CL final last year playing the same way. Hard to see what the solution is, but I have to say I would rather watch ties like Milan Man U over the Liverpool Chelsea ones every time.
Bobby – It was a terrible game of football but it had me on the edge of my seat.
Foxcube - Q1, given his failure to defend the title, how likely do you think now is JM to be asked to quit in the summer, if Abramovich would risk losing a couple of key players? What's your reckoning on what the owner wants the club to be like? Playing beautifully? Or a team to win at all cost, the more trophies the merrier? Q2, Can you name the three transfer targets Sir Alex alluded to? Or to rephrase it, if you were ManU manager, who'd be your top three recruits? Q3, Could you also name the three most needed positions/candidates for Liverpool and Arsenal? Q4, Is Tottenham faring better than you expected at the beginning of the season? If they can keep Berbatov, will they be among the top 4 challengers next season, including, imo, Arsenal, Everton, and Aston Villa?
Bobby – 1. I think Mourinho will be gone before the new season starts. As for what Abramovich wants – my guess is wonderful flowing football. 2. There are a number of targets that have been mentioned already – Hargreaves, Berbatov, Bales, Nani (Sporting Lisbon). I think he will be on the look out for a couple of midfielders – it would be a dangerous game to bank on Giggs and Scholes producing a repeat of this season’s form next year. United also need a striker. 3. Liverpool – a reliable and mobile 20 a season goal scorer, a first class left sided midfielder and cover at centre back although Benitez might have a couple of youngsters who can step up. Arsenal – another option on the right side of midfield, a dominating centre – both Toure and Gallas lack the couple of inches that Sol Campbell gave Arsenal – and a new goalkeeper. Lehmann’s antics wore thin a long time ago. 4. Tottenham exceeded my expectations as far as entertainment value was concerned but I think they will finish close to where I picked back in August. The FSR and the blog will be pulling out the predictions in the next week or so. Even with Berbatov I can’t see any team cracking the top four.
LosAngelesChelseaFan - Bobby, are league teams still contractually obligated to enter it (the Carling Cup)?
Bobby – I believe so.
RINGO - Having seen the way Chelsea’s season has ground to a halt, I do not think it is possible to win all four trophies.....Which makes the achievements of the "Lisbon Lions" all the more remarkable! And with the 40th anniversary of their great triumph approaching.....good topic for a blog?!
Bobby – They say records are made to be broken but Celtic’s haul in ’67 will take some beating. A couple of days ago I was thinking of the spring of 1967. Scotland beat World Champions England at Wembley, Celtic became the first northern European side to win the European Cup, Rangers were beaten by Bayern Munich in the final of the Cup Winners Cup in extra time and Kilmarnock reached the semi final of the Fairs Cities Cup before going out to Leeds United. We will never see the likes again!
Venti_vidi_vici -Now that the fourth season of the Abramovich era at Chelsea is coming to a close, is it safe to say that one still cannot buy happiness or success?
If Mourinho’s last two seasons at Porto are to be defined as successful because of the trophies he collected, how successful, would you say, were his first (and maybe only) three seasons at Chelsea?
It looks like Gary Neville, Michael Carrick and Steven Gerrard are all getting married on June 16 next month, and John Terry’s big day is the day before. That must have something to do with fixture congestion, right!? Did you receive an invitation to any of them?
In your personal opinion, why did Tim Howard not feature in the match versus his former employer, Man Utd, last week?
Congratulations are in order for Man Utd for accomplishing what, a year ago, appeared to be mission impossible and dethroning Chelsea. At the beginning of the season did anyone predict the EPL trophy going back to Old Trafford?
Bobby – The reality is that is next to impossible to have success in football without money. The thing that Abramovich brought to Chelsea was an almost unlimited supply of money – something we have never seen before. I don’t believe that two Premiership titles and assorted other hardware can be looked upon as failure. June 16 – I think there is a Gold Cup game that day. Tim Howard – I have no idea but was there not an arrangement made with one of Scott Parker’s moves? As for predicting Manchester United as the premiership champions at the start of the season – out of over 70 predictions that were received on the blog I believe only four selected United as the winners. I will have the full details next week.
atleti_female - I've been thinking about going to the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada this summer. The thought of seeing some of the sport's upcoming stars would definitely make it worth the trek up from NYC. I imagine that U-20 version will be less crowded than the regular World Cup-- is this a correct assumption? (Mind you, I don't see this as a negative, but as a possibility of getting good seats in the games.)
Also, at this stage of the competition, are there any youngsters that have caught your eye-- or, that have been talked about by other analysts?
Bobby - I think that the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Canada this summer is going to be a terrific tournament. The last announced ticket sales for the six host cities was around 300,000, but many of the sales so far have been cut-price deals to youth players and the soccer fraternity. The 24 team tournament will be held in Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal, (east) and Edmonton, Vancouver, and Victoria (west) in July. The final will be in Toronto.
The draw for the tournament will be made in Toronto, on March 3 and is being televised live in Canada, on CBC television (the rights holder in Canada). The teams to watch - no great insight here - will be Brazil, Argentina, and Spain. As for other teams to look out for I would pick Mexico (they won the under 17 World Cup two years ago), and the Czech Republic (they have produced some very good age-group teams in the last decade). Nigeria has done well at age-group level as well and they are joined by three other African countries Congo, Gambia and Zambia who would be regarded as more unknowns, but potentially very entertaining and exciting.
I don't see the European teams being particularly strong given that they have a “competing” format for the under 21’s. Germany, France, Italy, none of these countries have qualified which I think will be a shock to some people who might be interested in buying tickets but do not necessarily follow the game closely.
The USA should be competitive as it normally is at this level and Canada should definitely make it into the last 16 with a top eight spot a realistic expectation. It is difficult to say who the players are to watch out for because there is no guarantee that they will be “available”.
He can only hope that the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Vela (Mexico and Arsenal) Giovanni Dos Santos (Mexico and Barcelona) make appearances. There is also a kid Bojan Krkic (still only 16) who may make the Spanish squad - another Barcelona player.
Just as an aside, North Korea and South Korea have both qualified and will be separated at the group stage. But what are the odds that North Korea will be drawn together with the USA?
Henry14 – I have to say l do not see Mascherano taking Sissoko's place he will be used as a squad player and the size of his contract appears to me to be more of Benitez accepting that he has taken a gamble. l have to make a brief comment on Tottenham. Martin Jol spend $82m in the transfer window on Zokora, Berbatov, Ghaly, Mido, Ekkoto, and Malbranque and it teams like this that make me appreciate Mourinho, because clearly they are underperforming. Martin Jol seems not to know his first choice midfield paring.
Managers are usually fined when they bad mouth referees do you know what happens to referees when they make bad calls like the Ronaldo and Yakubu tumbles, because l just feel the referees are inconsistent, the next minute they follow the book the other they are trying to use their head, like the Viduka case. And lastly what did you make of the La Liga round this week; in my opinion l just feel La Liga is not cutting it this year.
Bobby - A fully fit and fully functioning Javier Mascherano is a far better player than Mohamed Sisokko, in my opinion. Did Martin Jol spend the money or was it Damien Comolli (Arsenal’s former European scout) the Spurs Sporting Director?
I can't question Berbatov's performances this year, as I think he's been outstanding. I would agree that Spurs have not got their midfield figured out and they still lack balance and need somebody who is naturally left footed. Lennon and Malbranque played far too wide against Manchester United and left Huddleston and Zokora exposed. It didn't help either that the Spurs defense played very deep. The defense really misses Ledley King.
As for referees making bad calls - we can expect the perfect referee about the same time that the perfect player is created. Referees are held accountable for their performances probably to a greater extent than players are. It is interesting that you are criticizing the referee for the Ronaldo incident, but make no mention of Ronaldo's contribution. How can you criticize referees when some players go out with the full intention of cheating?
As for the comment about La Liga - I do not understand what you mean by “not cutting it”. There are 5 or 6 teams in contention for the league title, apart from the bottom two it looks like its going be a real fight for the last relegation spot and they have three teams in the last 16 of the champions league. What in your opinion would constitute cutting it?
Djnima - My first question for you is about Real Madrid. What do you think is their problem this year? They have the talent, they have a good coach. Do they just need time to gel together and hit form?
Also, would you see Wenger cashing in on Henry? I'm sure he could command a huge chunk of change. Isn't that was Wenger likes to do . . . (buy low sell high)
And my final question is about Scolari this week coming out and recommending that Ronaldo leave united for Barca. Do you consider that an irresponsible comment for a national coach to make about the player's current club? It is sure to sour relations between the national team and the club team.
Bobby – I think that Real Madrid is still suffering from the chaos of previous years and the culture shock of being managed by Fabio Capello. Capello is not an adventurous coach, and that's clearly seen by the lack of goals from Real Madrid. Not only is a team losing, but they are losing ugly! The problem is if they get rid of Capello who do they replace him with and if they do the chaos just continues.
Arsene Wenger is not going to be selling Thierry Henry in the near future.
Sometimes in newspapers we see the answer, but we never see the question. I am guessing that that's the case with Scolari.
Gunner44 - I'm also going to ask about Ronaldo on whether you think he should leave Man U? I don't see why he should move because he is been amazing this season and the Man U team has kind of revolved around him this season and he is having a fantastic season. The only reason that he might want to leave is because of social and environmental reasons like the weather just like Reyes did. It's really going to be a big loss for the EPL because as much as I hate Ronaldo, I do think he has been the most entertaining player this season.
Bobby – The Premiership cannot afford to lose players like Ronaldo even though gravity often gets the better of him. To substantiate the television rights fees, not just in England, but around the world the premiership has to be seen as the league that stars come to, rather than the league that they leave.
Foxcube – Man Utd this season have suffered very few injuries whereas other teams such as Arsenal, Newcastle had a team in the medic room at certain points. Could you shed some light on this issue? Another question regards Lippi's interview a short while ago about his possible move the Chelsea. Do you still think Mourinho is on the way despite their recent "revival"? Thanks!
Bobby – There have been seasons when Manchester United has had injuries piling up as well. Teams do need a bit of luck; it isn't just down to having the best players. Injuries tend to come and go in cycles but Newcastle seem to be in a perpetual state of injury crisis. There was some discussion about the quality of their training field a while back but I have no idea whether that was rectified or not. When you consider the amount of money that the top teams spend on players and pay them, you would think that they would be making sure that they train only on the best surfaces. Making sure that players cool down properly and prepare themselves properly is also key.
