An excerpt from a massive – and massively expensive – Arsenal book soon to be published.
How long will Steve Staunton remain in charge of the Republic of Ireland?
Last week just before an old-timers game one of my team mates posed the question - when is a volley actually a volley? His point was that commentators have taken to calling just about every shot a volley when clearly it is not. (Another mate jumped in on the subject of penalty kicks and how he is fed up hearing about the dot, going to the spot etc. when commentators only have to save the words penalty kick!) As chance would have it the Times ran an article about the volley subject two days later.
That got me thinking about my pet-peeves – it didn’t take much. I have a top four:
1. References to “footy” – it’s football, soccer or if you are, Italian, Calcio. The only two groups that are entitled to call it footy are kids under the age of 5 or Rugby playing public school boys who don’t know any better.
2. References to “mid” as in I play mid– what the hell is mid – midshipman, midriff! Apparently it’s a reference to midfield. Try saying midfield it doesn’t take that much longer.
3. Man Yoo – cringe!!! It is Manchester United or United – there is no such team as Man Yoo unless you are talking about the University of Manchester.
4. Right or left defense – no such position. An obvious indication that the person you are talking to or reading hasn't a clue.
Now that I have that off my chest are there any that drive you up the wall?
A new feature - Down Video Lane. Seeing that the Champions League proper gets going this week a European theme seems apprpriate. Here are the four goals scored by Ferenc Puskas in Real Madrid's 7-3 1960 European Cup Final win against Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park, Glasgow in front of 130,000 odd fans.
Latruth - Ask Jeremy about meeting Charlie Cooke at the convention. I introduced them and I'm sure Charlie would gladly be interviewed for the show (particularly by a countryman). He is a regular viewer.
Bobby - It is funny that you should mention that. Just before the broadcast of “Centre Circle”, I took a quick wander around the trade show hoping that I might bump into Charlie. I only had about 15 minutes and the trade show was so large that I doubt I covered even one quarter of the booths. Not that he would have recognized me anyway.
After all, I was just one of a bunch of kids who used to play football on the street outside his house when he lived in Dundee. Two of my best friends while at primary school (elementary in North America) lived close to him-one next door and one across the road. His home became a natural magnet for any budding player who harboured the typical dream that somehow he would be discovered. I remember that when Charlie received a cap for Scotland (under-23 against Wales, I think) he gave his Scotland top to my friend of course who brought it to school to show everyone.
Charlie was signed from Aberdeen to replace Alan Gilzean when Gilzean moved to the Spurs. He didn't stay at Dundee too long-under two years, I think-and moved to Chelsea. He was an incredible player - the type of player who could destroy any defense in the world and still have the opposition's supporters applaud him.
After he had left Dundee I remember going to Hampden Park in 1968 to see Scotland versus England. The game finished 1-1 though Scotland was the better team -or more to the point Charlie dominated the game with an magical performance that few could have replicated.
I managed to get a copy of his recent autobiography from the UK but have not had a chance to read it yet as I passed it onto my father first.
Hopefully, I can make it to Baltimore next year for the 2008 NSCAA Convention and get to meet him and have him sign the book.
Henry14 - l will have to disagree with you about the Beckham, issue, people forget that Madrid wanted him to stay and he refused, so l feel Capello had to start to prepare for life without Beckham, and l feel that as much as Wenger did with Cole before the move to Chelsea l feel Capello should do the same way, due to the commitment reasons.
Venti_Vidi_ Vici – How can you say Capello's reaction appears petty? First of all it wasn't Capello's sole decision, but that of the technical committee, and I'm sure the decision was made carefully. Beckham announced this deal publicly before even informing Real Madrid, who had already tabled a two year extension offer. I think Capello and Mijatovic have displayed considerable restraint given the circumstances. How do you think Sir Alex or Jose would've reacted?
Bobby - It seems that Real Madrid wanted Beckham to stay so much that it took them over a year to offer a contract and then we find out from President Calderon that Real Madrid did not want him anyway - “our technical staff were right not to extend his contract.”
We also have to consider that Real Madrid leaked the story to the press before Beckham signed for LA that three players were dispensable-Beckham, Ronaldo and Cassano. From my perspective Real Madrid has nothing to complain about. Essentially the technical committee is blaming Real Madrid's recent performances on three players who have hardly spent any time on the park this season. You are right it is not petty - it is much worse it is downright dishonest.
In a ruthless business everyone has to take care of themselves - something that Real Madrid has never hesitated to do. Real Madrid's self preening is nauseating at times. And to cap it off this is the same Fabio Capello who signed a contract with Milan while he was with Real Madrid in the 90s.
Numerous other coaches have had to deal with the same situation-players agreeing to move to other clubs after the conclusion of the season-and have managed the situation quite nicely. But of course Real Madrid is different.
As for how Sir Alex or Jose would react I expect that they would look at what was best for team performance and not get involved with rubbish about insulting the institution.
The last word to Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard - "you always have to look to the interests of the team – everyone wants to win things, and if a player has a contract he can still keep on working."
AlexMorph - Given that Arsenal and Man U turn over their youth talents quickly--bringing in new ones, selling others, developing a bunch--are there any players who it surprises you do not get shipped off?
Bobby - Not particularly. On the other side of the equation I was surprised when Arsenal sold Matthew Upson a couple years ago.
Atleti female – It’s a bit surprising to me that Villa hasn’t been involved in any major transfers so far. Someone told me that O'Neill was known for his last-minute transfers at Celtic, which unnerved many supporters. Is anyone familiar with Celtic to confirm this?
Bobby - Your information is correct, Martin O'Neill has always been a bit of a last-minute Charlie as far as the transfer market is concerned.
Djnima - A question regarding Ronaldo (el gordo) to Milan. It's clear they need goals but do you think he still has some phenom left in him?
Bobby - I think Ronaldo can still score goals. Perhaps the question really is does he want to anymore.
Finally, as for predictions, it is not really my thing. Let's face it, you have a one in three chance of being right.
I try to keep predictions to a minimum and generally only when I think there could be a real surprise or when I am lost for anything else to say!!
In Canada the Saturday EPL matches are broadcast on Sportsnet and they do weekly predictions. It is riveting stuff…… Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal to win - how unusual!!!
The focus was Euro qualifying this weekend and now we have another batch of game this Wednesday.
Group A I thought Serbia created the better chances and looked much brighter than a Belgian side that lacked pace – particularly in the midfield. A Wednesday tilt against Armenia who nicked a draw off of Finland should mean that Serbia will retain their top spot. Portugal travels to Poland and it is a must win for the Poles given that they have already dropped points at home to rivals Serbia and Finland.
Group B This group provided the shocker of the weekend, Scotland beating World Cup runners-up France. In my opinion the biggest result for Scotland since they went to Wembley and beat the reigning World Champions 3-2 in 1967. I would also say that this is the best result Scotland has ever achieved at Hampden Park.
As a footnote back in 1967 after Scotland beat England some Scottish supporters used the result to claim that it made Scotland World Champions. Some years later that spawned a website that takes a different view of who might be considered the World Champions using a boxing title holder and challenger format rather than the Sepp Blatter World Cup (Jack Warner and Sons. official ticketing agents).
You can check out past winners and I doubt you can guess who the current "alternative" World Champions actually are.
Thierry Henry believes that France will qualify and finish above Scotland – and the odds are very much in his favour. The win is of greater significance to Scotland than it is a blow to France. There is a long way to go but Walter Smith has achieved job 1 which is to make a small county like Scotland, one that can worry the big boys again.
Italy and France are poised to take advantage of Scotland’s very difficult trip to Kiev in two days time. Only two countries have ever beaten Ukraine in Kiev so even a split of the points would be considered a point gained.
Group C Excellent homes win for Greece over Norway and likewise for Turkey away to Hungary. The historic rivals have an opportunity to leapfrog Norway who is not scheduled to play this Wednesday. Turkey is “at home” to Moldova while Greece has a tricky fixture away to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Bosnians have stumbled badly and largely failed to take advantage of what should have been a relatively easy start against Malta, Hungary and Moldova. A four point return is less than they would have expected.
Group D The worst tip of the weekend – Wales to beat Slovakia. – Oouuch! Wales may not be dead and buried but let us just say that the body is laid out, the top is on and the hammer and nails have been called for. A 5-1 loss at home to Slovakia was their worst result since 1908. They now face a Cypriot side that has lost 6-1 and won 5-2 so who knows what Wednesday’s match might hold.
Talking of dead and buried – Steve Staunton is under heavy attack by the Irish press after a horrible result against a country they had beaten in their last six competitive matches. It is looking bleak for the Irish who now have the most successful all-time European Championship “country” the Czech Republic, arriving next.
Simply put, the Republic of Ireland must win or they will be looking at the monumental task of 24 points from the remaining nine matches to qualify and that, quite frankly, is just not on. Germany is back in business when they travel to play Slovakia. A German win and it will be a sign that the top two are going to runaway with this group.
Group E Here we go again. European Champions in waiting after beating the might of Andorra 5-0 and then winning 1-0 away to Macedonia, now wailing and moaning sounds are coming from England fans after drawing 0-0 at home against a Macedonia side that might even have nicked the three points.
You would have thought that the World Cup performance would have been a lesson – one in a long line of lessons – that a couple of results, particularly against weaker opposition do not a champion make. Can you imagine England’s response if they had beaten San Marino 13-0 as Germany did last month?
Viewing results in some sort of realistic context is not something that comes easily to the English media – or fans for that matter. But if England had returned from Macedonia with a draw and then won at Old Trafford would it have been a disaster? It would not have been the best set of results but it would not have been a disaster either.
The first acid test for Steve McClaren comes when they face a very tough Croatian side in Zagreb. If England does win no doubt the bandwagon will kick into gear again.
Meanwhile two home draws was not the sort of start that Guus Hiddink was looking for and three home points versus Estonia is now a must for Russia.
Group F Spain is another country that has made an inau####ious start with back-to-back away losses to Northern Ireland and Sweden. To compound the problem Spain sits out this time around while Sweden looks to extend their 100% record when they are away to Iceland and Denmark hopes to consolidate their present second place standing against little Liechtenstein. Northern Ireland and Latvia link up in Belfast in a pivotal game.
Group G In group G it looks like a case of perm any two from three with Romania and the Netherlands tied at the top (Romania leads on goal difference) with Bulgaria two points behind but still unbeaten. Romania can watch the others on television as the Netherlands (home to Albania) and Bulgaria (away to Luxembourg) should pocket three points each. Slovenia and Belarus both need a win if they hope to keep within striking distance of the “big three”.
Later in the week I will take a look at the next round of the FA Cup and look at the Premiership so far.
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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