An early posting this week as I am off to Baltimore to participate in the FSC show live on Thursday evening from the NSCAA annual convention. Steve McClaren and Gerard Houllier will in attendance although I am not sure when they are scheduled to arrive. I will be back on a plane early Friday in order to get back to do the Friday show.

Because of this the weekend preview normally posted on Thursday evening will be sketchy at best this week.

Djnima - What are your thoughts on the Brazilian trio of Ronaldo, Pato and Kaka? It was a joy to see Pato's tears when his contribution brought Milan their first home win. Can you see Milan going on a run and making fourth in Serie A? Do you see Rafa getting the axe in the summer or before? I think he should be given the remainder of the season.  Terminating him sooner would be a mistake. Could you see Mourinho popping up in the Prem next season? Maybe United or Liverpool?

Bobby – I would not be getting too carried away with the Brazilian trio at this time. Kaka is the only one at this point that can be relied upon as a consistent threat. The chances of Ronaldo playing from now until season’s end has to be considered remote while Pato has not played thirty professional games.

Every team in Italy on the top teams in Europe are going through the game against Napoli looking for Pato’s strengths and weaknesses and his habits good and bad. One thing is guaranteed and that is that Pato good sides will not grant him the freedom that Napoli did. He obviously has a ton of natural talent but I think the expectations being placed on plus the reaction to Napoli win have been ridiculous.

Fourth place is a realistic aim for Milan even though they are currently 12th. After 15 games they have the same number of points as last year and they finished with 61 points. However, it might take a couple more points this time. The 4th place finishers in Serie A since 2002 have finished with 61 points, 67, 66, 62, 54 and 61 (2002-2004 were 34 game seasons so I have pro-rated the points). Udinese are currently tracking at a rate that would give them 68 points.

Milan plays Udinese this weekend so that is an important match for both clubs. A concern for Milan might be the number of games they might be facing because of the three games in hand in Serie A.

In terms of your Rafa and Mourinho questions the answers can be yes, no or a mix. There are far too many twists, turns and downright weirdness in the game to pontificate on the future based on what is in place today. It’s fine saying that terminating would be a mistake but would you say the same thing if they get knocked out of the FA Cup, loss their next three league games and get stuffed by Inter Milan? Mourinho will resurface in the Premiership but who knows when. Circumstances will dictate that.  

MasMaz - Wenger should sign Beckham on loan. He sure could have used him on Saturday. The game was calling for some good balls into the box with Ade, Bendtner, Gallas and Eduardo. Some of those corners were atrocious by Fabregas. Becks doesn't play any less defense than Walcott anyway.

Bobby – Even if Wenger was interested it’s more than a case of the Galaxy not allowing it. As I understand it FIFA regulations don’t allow players to flit between federations on loan deals. There are proscribed periods which would mean if he did go out on loan he would miss part of Galaxy season.  Over the years Beckham has always shown great positional sense and has defended well – he’s never been a great tackler but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t defend.

CIAO - I'm interested to know what you think of Klinsmann's move to Bayern. It appears he as already attracted Borowski to make the move in the summer on a free transfer. I'm curious to see how the Kahn and Sepp Maier, the goal keeping Coach who Jurgen fired while coaching the NT because he publicly backed Kahn over Lehmann. Do you think Kahn will retire this summer or move to another club? Also are there are players you would like to see move to Bayern? And are there any other players you see that need to move on?

With all in mind, is Kevin Keegan the best choice for Newcastle right now? As some of the media reports they could appoint Alan as his assistant so he gains experience. Whoever gets the job will need a lot of patience from the owner and fans.

Bobby – Bayern would not have signed Klinsmann without discussing these kinds of issues so no matter what course of action he takes it should come as no surprise to the club executive. I would be surprised if Kahn moves to another club in order to delay his retirement.

The question of picking players  I would like to see moving to Bayern seems to be predicated on me caring who Bayern Munich signs – which I don’t. Bayern started their housecleaning last summer – two seasons to late – so I am sure that there are some who still have to be shipped out. I have only seen Bayern play sporadically this season so I’m probably not a reliable source for who should be punted. 

Keegan might be the romantics choice but times have changed and I don't think he would be able to replaicate the great performances of the 90s. Whta's more with Kevin Keegan it always seems to end in tears. If Alan Shearer wants to be a manager then he should go out and work at it and learn the trade.

Craigy_f – 1. Do you own any replica shirts - if so which ones?
2. Who, if anyone, did you swap your shirt with?
3. Your take on Pato's debut, Ronaldo's (and Ronaldo's Hair) return and Arsenal's task in the CL.
4. Seems like the SFA is whittling things down, has your former view changed?
5. Scudamore refutes Blatter - who do you tend to side with.
6. Boys and their toys - some that stand out are Gibson and Walker, Briatore, Ashley, Abramovic. There is a new breed of owner who seems to have 'done it all on Championship Manager' and now wants to do it for real. Do you have any opinions thoughts concerning that?
7. No Couch at The Riverside (apart from the possibility of him acting as a security guard) why do you think he didn't even travel with the team?

Bobby –1. There might be some more tucked away in storage in the basement but the only one that I see regularly is one I was sent from Scotland when Tayport played Linlithgow Rose in the Scottish Junior Cup Final a few years ago.
2. I once offered to exchange shirts with a member of the Canadian national senior team but was turned down. I should probably add it was the women’s team and we were an over 35 (I think) men’s team that was asked to play them as part of a training camp that they held locally.
3. Good but excessive exuberance.
4. Sentiment seems to be moving towards Mark McGhee. In all honesty I don’t think I would have a problem with McGhee, Davies or Burley. Burns leaves me cold and Souness worries me.
5. It reminds me of the remark attributed to Fergie – You have Posh ####e and Wenger in a room, you have a gun and one bullet. What do you do? Fergie – ask for another bullet.

Both are spinning frantically with the truth of it somewhere in the middle. Blatter wants to turn the clock back not because it will improve the game but because he fears the power of the clubs and the possibility that it might affect the cash cow that it is the World Cup.

Meanwhile Scudamore conveniently  forgets that one of the major reasons put forward in support of the formation of the Premiership was how it would help the national team by – amongst other things – cutting the top flight to sixteen teams.

The truth is that a pittance of what the Premiership genertes is making is making its way to the grassroots. What is more there appears to be a wealth of evidence that the Premiership has alienated an entire generation of fans who can no longer afford to attend Premiership games. The Premiership is a boomers league or pretty dam close.

6. If you’re goals is the pursuit of wealth and status (as a league) then you should not be surprised when big (and often ruthless money) is attracted as well. Without a proper process to vet owners then you get what you deserve.

As fans we can enjoy the spectacle each week but Premiership teams have in many cases become playthings as you correctly point out . Or worse, vehicles for financial speculation. If the Arabs (I was surprised Dundee United have that kind of money!) do buy Liverpool and Hicks and Gillett make off with a substantial profit then it will only lead to more speculative investment. We also see it trickling down to Championship team who are available for relatively little money.

7. I think Crouch’s situation – whatever the reason – has been overshadowed by the draw followed by the Klinsmann revelation. 

Bonmot -- Any recent news on Americans moving to the Premiership this month?

Bobby – I doubt anything that you have no read elsewhere. Johnson still talking to Fulham and a move for Benny Feilhaber from Derby to Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Redfan2000 - If you were gaffer against Villa which Liverpool 11 would you play?

Bobby – Call me a traditionalist but I would go for the best eleven. One thing about playing against Villa you know what to expect.

You need to shut down the supply to Young and match Carew physically. Agbonlahor’s pace is a concern and giveaway as few set pieces as possible. I looks to me that Villa’s primary weakness is at full back especially if they can be coaxed forward and leaving space behind them. But I think the same is true for Liverpool.

Finnan and Riise especially give the ball away far too cheaply and their crossing as been generally poor this season. Either way the game might be won or lost (or drawn) in the wide positions.

Henry14 – Q 1 Last week you dogged my question on the somewhat rascist statements that they pour at foreigners as if they are illegal immigrants. In any line of work other than football you are reprimanded or fired for such comments.
Q 2 What your view on Walcott, and do you think Wenger is satisfied with his progress?
Q 3 Who do you think will win the African Cup of Nations?
Q 4 - If you had a club with a managerial vacancy, who would you have, Klinsmann or Benitez?

Bobby – Q 1 - First of all I think – I hope – you meant dodged rather than dogged. Dogged is what Stan Collymore got up to wasn't it? And I am not going to answer your question because it wasn’t a question it was a statement with a question mark on the end of it.

Q2 – Walcott is 18 - give the kid a break.  At times he plays as if his body is out of sync with his brain but that will sort itself out with experience. He has fantastic pace and is able to turn defenders. Give him time and he will be a very good player. You really need to ask Wenger but the fact that he plays him or has him coming into games regularly of the bench is probably an indication that he has confidence in him.

Q 3 – I don’t know about picking a winner but I will be watching South Africa with interest.

Q 4 – Depends on the club, the country, the financial situation, the expectations, the history, the culture. Otherwise you are running the risk of fitting a square peg in a round hole. Appointing a manager in football is the same as in any other business. If you don’t understand your needs and the environment then you are more likely to make an expensive mistake.

Ringo - I never did understand that whole Clydebank/Airdrie situation a few years ago.
Could you explain what happened, how could one team go bust buy another team and replace them? And any idea what happened to the Clydebank supporters?

Bobby – You’re testing my memory on this one. I think you have to go to the mid 60s. There was some sort of agreement between East Stirlingshire (a team in the Scottish League at that time) and Clydebank who were a Junior club with ambition.

It did not work out but shortly after Clydebank were elected to the Scottish League (2nd division at that time). It may have been to replace Third Lanark. Airdrieonians (great name) were also part of the Scottish League and had been for a very longtime.

I think the Steadman brothers were the movers and shakers behind Clydebank and by the mid 70s they had a Clydebank team (Davie Cooper prominent) good enough to gain promotion to the first incarnation of the Scottish Premier League which was formed in 1974 (?).

Fast forward to the early part of this decade and Airdrie went bankrupt only to be reformed under the name Airdrie United. But they had no place to play as they lost their place in the league when they declared bankruptcy.

They applied for a place under their new name but were refused. At the same time Clydebank were experiencing financial and attendance problems. The owners of Airdrie United stepped forward offered to buy Clydebank and had it approved by the SFL.

They then applied to rename the team Airdrie United and move the team to Airdrie. From what I understand a reconstituted Clydebank is now back in the Junior ranks.

As for the Clydebank supporter – I think he is still around.

(Ok I admit it I went for the cheap laugh!).

I’ll start off with a couple of questions that made it on to other blogs but were never answered.

Nnogomes21 - I was wondering if you know/ have any idea's why Portugal's S.L. Benfica is struggling so far in the Liga Portuguesa and in the UEFA champions league, they have a lot of great players like...Nuno Gomes [C], Rui Costa, Silva ####, Fabio Coentrao, Oscar Cardozo... they have more but, they have a lot of great players, is it their chemistry that’s hurting them or is it a technical problem.. Explain please.

Bobby – I haven’t seen Benfica play this season so I may not be the best source of information. However, there are unbeaten in the league although the problem is that they’ve drawn four of their seven games. Probably the biggest disappointment has been the two defeats in the Champions League – away to Milan and at home to Shakhtar.

The goals have not been flowing freely – only 10 in 9 games and they’ve been shut out four times. Gomes is in his thirties and Rui Costa is well into his 30’s so there may be an issue - although I have read that he is playing well. In terms of player turnover fom last season Fabrizio Miccoli has returned to Italy and he seemed to have been a very important player from Benfica over the last two seasons.

The thing that stands out for me is the managerial turnover – nine in the last seven years. Jose Antonio Camacho is back for his second spell at the club after stepping in again this summer. Benfica needs to beat Celtic tomorrow in order to get back into contention in the Champions League. That might be easier done than trying to catch Porto.

Benfica is already 8 points behind Porto (100% record) after seven games and it is only a 30-game season in Portugal. Benfica plays third place Maritimo this weekend. In the meantime here is an article from Ben Lyttleton on the Wednesday’s Champions League game.

Jaredlampard - I'm a huge Celtic fan. 1. I really want to know on what you think of their poor performances away from home and if they really are one of Europe's top clubs. Two years ago, I drove 195 miles to a game to see them get thrashed 4-0 by D.C. United. This year, I went to two of their games which were against the MLS all-star team which they lost 2-0 and a game against Chicago which they drew 1-1. 2. I also want to know based on these results if you think that American clubs could perform well against Europe's best or it's just that the Uefa clubs are just in pre-season from.

Bobby – You have to define what constitutes a top club in Europe. If it is based on fan support, then Celtic are one of Europe’s top clubs. Based on performances in Europe over the last thirty years and the answer is no. I would not read too much in pre-season results in terms of the relative strength of European sides version the MLS. Here is an
article by Andrew Smith on Celtic’s away performances.

There was also a very good article in the October/November issue of Champions magazine that dealt with home advantage – it had Celtic top in terms of home performances over the last three or four seasons. 

Dasayev - I've been puzzled by the team selections and tactics of Sven Goran Eriksson and Mini-Sven, Steve McLaren. In terms of selection, they both seem desperate to curry the favor of "star" players and are reluctant to withdraw them whether they are in-form or not. So...we get the Gerrard/Lampard combination when it clearly doesn't work and the strange devotion to Paul Robinson when the likes of Robert Green and David James are clearly in better form. Wouldn't everyone be better served if Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Bentley, etc. were fighting for these spots? Pushing each other to greater heights?

Of course, it would be benefit club and country for these places--and all others--to be up for grabs, so to speak. If you are doing the business for your club then you'll see time on the pitch. If England would have a stable pool of 30 or so players, all of whom were in contention and knew that their form would be a key to squad selection it would also give the team stability as you wouldn't have people constantly coming and going.

England has so many potential performers that I would think keeping an England "B" squad would be a great way for the manager to see players under pressure. For example, I can only think Lescott would have benefitted from such an experience while the more accomplished left-backs Shorey and Bridge deputized for Ashley Cole.

Bobby – An interesting theory but I would wager that the most successful countries have been the ones that have kept the most stable sides. It’s difficult enough to get players used to playing with each other let alone magnifying the problem by constantly changing based on club form. You often hear international managers talk of the need to generate a club spirit at the international level.

Although it is a different generation England’s most successful manager Sir Alf Ramsey was exceptional loyal to his players and was known on occasion to field a player in an international game who was struggling to get a game for his club.

As for having a stable pool of 30 international players to choose from – is that not an oxymoron? There just isn’t 30 English players capable of playing at the highest international level and if there was how could the team by stable?

Craigy_f – Q1. Do you have any impressions of Warner you’d share Bobby?
Q2. Will FSC be showing any ACN games?
Q3. Will Yallop stay or go?
Q4. Which games tickle your fancy in the play offs?
Q5. Who is a team you think would slip up or be surprised in this weeks, UEFA Champions League or UEFA Cup?

Bobby – 1. I met Warner in 1999 during the Pan American Games in Winnipeg and he was pleasant enough. However, his track record shows him to be anything but. 2. I have no idea – that’s a question for the FSC programmers. 3. I would bet on him leaving. 4. In the first round Houston vs. Dallas because of the rivalry.
5. Slavia Prague – I think Arsenal may score 7.

LParker - How long do you think it's going to take for Mourinho to surface at AC Milan? They looked awful this weekend against Empoli, haven't won a home fixture, and are now in the bottom half of the table. It's like they're moving in slow motion. If they lose or draw to Shakhtar on Wednesday, will Ancelotti be sent packing? Also, what does AC need in January (player/position wise) to find resurgence in Serie A and the Champions League?

Bobby – After 7 games last season they had twelve points – this season 10. Without the points deduction last season they would have finished on 69 points. Take Kaka (and Gattuso) out of the team and it is a very different side.

Even so I don’t think you will see Milan making too many moves in January – their hoping Ronaldo is back soon, and Pato will be available in the New Year. There has been a discussion on the blog about the importance of domestic league vs. Champions League. Milan may just think the scudetto is a route to the Champions League. As for Ancelotti I have predicted his demise for the last three seasons so I’m probably not a good judge in this case.  

Henry14 - q1 What is the deal with Gerrard clear the air, do you mean he cannot be subbed, if Fergie or Wenger sub a Rooney or Ronaldo or Cesc there will not be any clear the air talks what’s your take?
q2 l think Wenger is probably more ruthless than Fergie but less confrontational do you agree?
q3 How do you rate Keane' signing this season, the likes of Halford, Cole.

Bobby – Q1. I think I answered that question both on the blog and on Monday’s FSR. Benitez made a gutsy call and a correct call.

Q2 I would try telling that to Beckham, Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Ince, Kancheskis to name only a few.

Q3 – Keane has made some signings that I think will work out very well – Kenwyne Jones may not be everyone’s idea of a silky striker but he will cause defenses a lot of trouble in years to come. Craig Gordon will repay his transfer fee many times over. I only saw Halford play once for Reading this season and I think once this season so I can’t really comment.

Cole was signed for cover and to contribute as a late substitute. You have to take into consideration that Keane made around 10 signings last season and they were more geared to getting them out of the Championship. Now he is finding out who can play in the Premiership. 

Bayareasoccerfan - It seems like West Ham and Sunderland have spent comparable sums of money to Man City, but have been less successful. Do you think it is because British managers make poor signings? I do not see a playmaker (like Elano) in these sides. Are they trying to build a high-tempo English long ball squad which does not require a playmaker?

Bobby – If success is judged after 10 games then you are correct. But there are another 28 games to go. I’m not sure that the comparison is necessarily a fair one. You have to consider the number of players signed and to an extent their age.

According the numbers (they are imprecise as transfer fees tend to be nowadays) Keane has spent around 37m pounds, Sven 29M pounds and Curbishley 23M – all net numbers. Keane has signed 12 players at an average net cost of 3M pounds and the players are almost all exclusively young and with room to improve. Sven has signed five players (he has some on loan or on a Bosman) at an average cost of a little under 6M pounds.

Curbishley seems to average around $3M with a greater emphasis on “proven” players.  I would not go along with the argument that because a manager is British that he makes bad signings anymore than I would offer up Gerard Houllier as proof of  the opposite.

Yohann - What do you think is the source of England's problems on the international stage? England hasn't won anything even when Eriksson was there. It’s the whole program that should be analyzed. But I do think McClaren should be sacked... especially because he tried to make the players fit in a mold, instead of shaping the formation to suit the type of players he had.

Some players are overrated... like (I know you guys won’t like it..haha) Lampard and Joe Cole, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole. Some players are injury prone like M. Owen, O.Hargreaves, Lennon and J.Terry. Some players are underrated and should get a bigger share of playing time... Carragher, Sidwell and even Pennant come to mind.

Bobby – I have tried to find a way to answer your question but I can’t. You mention McClaren fitting players into a mold – what mold was that? When McClaren moved to a 3-5-2 from a 4-4-2 it failed so where was the mold in that case.

Just because players are “overrated” it doesn’t mean that “underrated” players are better. Sidwell is an effective  journeyman and Pennant is generally a very poor crosser of the ball. I just can’t see myself dropping Joe Cole in favour of either of them. Maybe you can give us your England starting line-up and the formation and then we might have something more meaty to discuss.

Chinaski - Berbatov looks ecstatic, anyone think he'll ask to move in January? If so where?

Bobby – A lot can happen between now and January.

Gregz - Do you see Wenger letting Gilberto move on in the January transfer window, especially with Flamini playing so well and Diarra and Denilson bidding for a spot?

Bobby – I would be very surprised if he did. For a start there is no benefit to letting him go. He can play at centre back at a push and I think you will find him getting more game time once the next round of WC qualifiers are passed in November. Flamini is laying well but it is a long season. Diarra is largely untested at the top level at that position and Denilson is more of a cover for Fabregas than as a defensive midfielder.

MasMaz - Is there any mention of intent in the rule book when the last defender prevents a goal scoring opportunity? I believe there is an intent clause for handballs, but is there one for honest but mistaken defending so that only a yellow and a penalty is given?

If there isn't there should be, I just can't see how Hibbert tried to intentionally prevent a goal scoring opportunity, I still don't think it was a foul. Anyone could stop running any time to create contact with the defender.

Bobby – As others have pointed out there is no mention of intent. The wording on hand ball is “handles the ball deliberately”. In terms of yellow or red card the wording is “denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.”

I know there has been discussion on goalkeepers getting yellows as opposed to red cards. It would suggest that the difference is based on the referee’s judgment of “moving towards” the goal. I would add that I don’t think moving towards the goal is necessarily meant to be limited to a straight line to the goal. As for the theory of a player stopping running to create contact – that would then be obstruction on the attacking player. I think it would be a bit obvious. 

Henry 14 - l thought your defense of Gerrard was ridiculous, every time we talk of poor officiating there are people who feel it is a good or a bad decision and one of them will be correct. If players go and tell referees and then seen to change their mind then we have a problem. We are not saying Hibbert should not be sent off but the precedence of a player going to the ref and then appears to change his mind is wrong.

Bobby – I have come to the conclusion that you watch and hear a completely different show than I appear on every  Monday and Friday. How the hell do you come up with “defense of Gerrard?”  You and I do not know what was in the referee’s mind nor what Gerrard said – the bottom line is that Clattenburg got the call right. It seems that you would prefer he got it wrong.

Victoriakevin - I emailed this to the MLS: What is the point of the season, it ends and nobody wins anything and then some of the teams play on in "the playoffs"?? Why have a season? Why not just play the playoffs? I don't get this. What do you think about the farce of the MLS season?

Bobby – As others have pointed out it is a North American thing. But given your thoughts, are you intending to e mail the Football League and the Dutch League as well? Most people in England love the play offs and hockey seems to have a good following in Canada with a format that involves 80 meaningless games before the play offs.
What’s your solution? 

LetsGoBuffalo - In today's football, do you think European clubs would rather win the Champions League or the home league? Or do you think its a club-by-club basis?

Bobby – Obviously club by club. It would be hard to convince me that winning a 7th straight Ligue Une title would mean more to Lyon than winning the Champions League. Question though – how many teams rest players before a league game by putting out a weaker side in the Champions league? It does happen but the opposite is more often the case is it not?

Finally, thank you to everyone who visits the blog and especially to those who participate.

Tamerlin - How does the financing of the Champions League and UEFA Cup work? I've heard that the CL pays each club for everything (hotel, travel, etc.), whereas UEFA Cup requires the clubs to pay. Therefore a club needs to get to the Semi-finals in the UEFA Cup to actually make any money.

- Where do you place the ref's call that ejected Shanon Boxx among the worst World Cup calls? The Brazilian fouled her!

Bobby – UEFA controls both competitions and generally owns the media (TV etc) and sponsorship rights. I say generally because my understanding is that the clubs are able to sell the rights to qualifying round games in the Champions League but all rights revert to UEFA once the group stage starts.

The home team gets to keep their gate money but I have no idea who pays for hotel, travel etc. I would be surprised if UEFA paid for hotel, travel etc as it would be easily abused. The prize money is allocated based on qualification for the group stage, points collected in the group stage plus how far the club progresses in the knock out rounds. The prize money is a combination of money from a general rights pool (sponsorship and TV) and money allocated based on the TV money generated domestically and paid out based on how all clubs from that country do. That’s why we get situations where Champions League runner up (or even beaten semi finalist) can be awarded more prize money than the actual winner.

There are also payments made to teams that are knocked out in the three rounds of qualifying. Here is a UEFA article that outlines the process with pay out amounts for 2006/07 for both competitions.

I stand to be corrected but I believe UEFA only sells TV rights from the last eight of the UEFA Cup on and before that the home club owns the rights. Sponsorship is limited compared to the Champions League. Clubs also keep the home gate so I think the stories of having to reach the semis to make money are far-fetched – after all if that was the case why would teams bother competing?

I didn’t watch the WWC so I can’t comment on the referee’s decision.   

Yohann - Are you confident about Chelsea (in Champions League)? I feel like the Blues will have trouble finding the net, especially if Drogba isn't on fire like last year... They tied Rosenborg and are in a group that includes Schalke and Valencia, a team that has an extra motivation against Chelsea.

Bobby – I stand by my prediction. There are six games and a home draw against Rosenborg is not the end of the world. Schalke is average at best. Valencia are a good team with solid European credentials.  

Ringo - Either Duncan Castles is now part of the inner workings at the Bridge, or he`s auditioning for a job with the Sun.

Bobby – I was a bit cautious on some stuff he wrote earlier as I was thinking the same as you. But based on the stuff he has generated lately and after listening to him on the GU podcast I would say that someone (or a couple of people) are feeding him a lot of inside stuff. Or someone who has now left was feeding him information!

MDMcAuley - Maybe you've been asked this before; but as the wise seer of all things Scottish and most things soccer, do you think Celtic and Rangers would consistently compete and stay clear of relegation if they were in the English Premier League? If so, roughly where would you put them in the table? Is there any serious interest in their managements in joining the EPL for financial reasons?

Bobby – Without a doubt over an extended period they would compete and would both be strong teams. Celtic and Rangers enjoy massive global support and with the money generated from playing in the Premiership they would both comfortably be in top ten after they settled in. The most difficult period would be the first year. Both clubs would jump at the chance to join the Premiership but it will not happen. Not because of UEFA or FIFA but because they would be taking the place of two English teams and you don’t find turkeys voting for Christmas too often.

Just a general comment about a UK side. Anyone who suggests such a possibility has no idea of history, culture and pride. There are more important things than winning. As for the Republic of Ireland taking part as well – a history lesson is badly needed. 

Henry14 - q1 What do you make of the Flamster's impact at Arsenal, what have you made of him? l have to say l am changing my opinion
q2 You predicted Chelsea as the champs at the end of the season are you ready to throw the towel that they will not retain?
q3 Do you see Kaka staying at Milan if they keep not taking anything serious other than with a Champions League athem (sic)?
q4 Spurs or Man City who is your pick now for fifth?

Bobby–1. Flamini has played very well and looks to have come of age.
2. No. I don't normally change predictions.  
3. I must have missed the press release that said Milan was only taking the Champions League seriously.
4. I picked City to finish 12th and Spurs 5th. Two seasons ago after 7 games City had 11 points and Stuart Pearce was the saviour. They finished 15th. Two seasons on they have two more points and this time SGE is the saviour. The problem with a team having an unexpected good or bad start to the season is that we tend to project the trend as upwards and onwards.

However, there is not a lot of evidence to support that view and over time things average out. Yes, City have recruited some players who have made an initial impact but the rest of the Premiership isn’t sitting around in awe. They are looking at City matches and they are looking at ways to blunt their strengths and to take advantage of their weaknesses.

Craigyf - How long has it been since the top two in Scotland were both managed by Scots?

Bobby – Not very long given that both Smith and Strachan are Scots and with the exception of a brief French interlude it was McLeish and Strachan.

Craigyf - Marcotti on Super Pippo! – Really Gabrielle, how many games of Pippo have you actually watched? Saying that Pippo doesn’t fit in with Milan is akin to saying that Antipasti doesn’t fit in with an Italian meal. The article is basically tosh; Marcotti really doesn’t know what he is talking about. He scores goals for a living and does it with immense passion, obviously a dullard such as Marcotti doesn’t get football.
Interesting choice of articles this week, some good and some are just awful, how do you pick them?

Bobby – Did you read the article? How anyone could interpret the article as anything but complimentary to Inzaghi beats me. The articles are chosen based on what I think readers might find interesting, or perhaps a contrary view that is worth considering. Based on your interpretation of Marcotti’s article on Inzaghi I can’t even attempt to guess which ones you think are good and which are awful.

popculturejon - This is a bit off topic Bobby, but stay with me. Would it be possible for a company like Nike to buy a small EPL club (Like Derby for example) before a WC (so 2009). Then sign a lot of American players and an American coach to try to get a squad together that plays every week and trains as a unit over a season? Granted, not all players would have to come from this project team, but it would give the US an advantage as far as team chemistry and EPL experience.

Bobby – Well Spons46 makes a very good and valid point – there are work permit restrictions to overcome. But beyond that you may (or may not) be surprised that such a notion has actually been put into practice a couple of times.

In the late 70s (?), Dynamo Kiev became the defacto Soviet Union national team. The experiment was abandoned after a couple of seasons. The same could be said for a large number of eastern-bloc countries before the Berlin wall came down. The sports ministries often used their power to allocate large numbers of national caliber team players to one or maybe two club teams. The great Hungarian national team of the 50s had a significant number of players from Honved.

However, the most relevant example is much closer to home. A Team America was fielded in the NASL around 1982 or 83 with the same logic as you sugested. I believe they played as Washington (maybe a NASL fan can confirm) and it was a disaster. Canada was ready to undertake the same experiment in Montreal but baulked after the USA plan bombed.

Ulsterson - Last night you talked about Kasper Schmeichel’s youth and experience affecting his performance on crosses and I think you mentioned his height (at 6'0", a good 4 inches shorter than his old man) on Friday. I agree, and there is, in my view, another issue of his game where his stature is also detrimental. This one more directly related to his father. The young Dane mimics a distinctive technique his father was famous for called the "starfish". Just as it sounds, the arms and legs splay out like an open jumping jack to try to make as big a target as possible. Peter used the maneuver if the ball was off the ground and he was too close to the anticipated shot to react, jumping before he had any real idea where the ball would go. It was quite successful for Sr., in part, because of his massive size, but because it required the size of Peter’s XXXL frame and of the risk involved in leaving the feet before the shot I don’t think it is often taught. From what I have seen, Kasper seems to rely on the "starfish" more than he should (it almost seems to be his default save, even when he is too far away from the shot for it to be prudent or even when the ball is on the ground) and his smaller stature leaves too much room for balls to get by. Watch the goals scored on him by Fulham and tell me what you think.

Bobby – Good point. If I remember correctly Schmeichel senior borrowed the move from playing in goal at handball or at least watching the sport. Before I heard that I was in Atlanta for the 1996 Olympics and took in a handball game one day. I was surprised to see (what I thought to be) the goalkeepers pulling off Peter Schmeichel style saves! I guess I got it the wrong way round.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - Is your take on Peter Kenyon that Abramovich has lost the interest to create the best team in the world, or do you think they may be playing games with the market?

Bobby – I don’t think I would read too much into anything Peter Kenyon says.

Henry14 - Q1 read an interesting quote fro the mirror that Foster will be first next season at Old Trafford, your thought. l feel it the English media campaign
Q2.Do you feel Becks has done enough to get a recall albeit one or two games
Q3.Can you say Kanoute is for real, has he developed into one of Europe’s top strikers or it a season show like Forlan?
Q 4 What do you make of Jose’s statement do you want to enjoy the game or after the game, even if he wins the quad next season, do you see him at Chelsea beyond 2010 with that style of play?

Bobby – Q1 Unless van der Sar and Kuszczak both get injured I don’t see Foster starting on a regular basis. Q2 – He should not have been dropped in the first place. It was case of McClaren trying to position himself as a new brush. If McClaren recalls him I will be surprised as it would mean a massive loss of face. Q3 – I don’t think Kanoute has done enough to be considered one of Europe’s strikers. Even then he is still a far better player than Forlan. Q4 – I don’t understand the first part of the question. How many current managers do you see still being around in three years time.

RINGO - Who are the only team to reach the champions league final, without ever being champions of their own country?
And who where the first English team to play in the European Cup?

Bobby – Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United?

Simba9 - With respect to Chelsea - A lot has been said about their lack of entertaining football, and this has been duly blamed on Mourinho. How exactly does a manager make a team play "exciting football"? Doesn't it really depend on the players and their individual strengths and skills? What is the definition of "entertaining/exciting football" and how much of that is as a direct result of the manager? And with that said-- honestly tell me why you think Mourinho "will be gone before the start of the new season.”? Who will be his ideal replacement that will deliver this "exciting football" and why? (This is a genuine question I have asked before, which has not been answered; I seriously would like to know your opinion... so please engage me.

Bobby – Exciting football comes from committing a team to attack and taking the game to the opposition rather than sitting back and looking to counter or even worse just waiting for the one chance that always comes along. It is a direct result of the manager. I think Mourinho will be gone before the start of the season because I don’t think he will regain control of who Chelsea signs. Mourinho dictated who was signed during his first two summers at Stamford Bridge but that was not the case last summer. Ideal replacement – Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, Roberto Mancini, Carlo Ancelotti, Frank Rijkaard to name five. You said ideal not possible.  

rwonfootball - Q1 - Even if Real Madrid wins the title, they have to retool for next year. What do they need to do? Q2- What is the key one-on-one to watch in the UCL final? Or key tactical element?

Bobby – Q1 Real Madrid are probably further on than you might think. They have a solid core of younger players that they can build from. Capello started the change with his winter signings. Q 2 – Whether or not Kaka can run free.

davard - Rafa Benitez has taken a lot of heat for obviously focusing on the Champions League once he realized this season's Premiership title was beyond his grasp. My question is - Is it worth more to do what United did - win the Prem, get knocked out of the Champions League at the Semis - or do what Liverpool did - finish 3rd, and (not yet, but for the sake of argument) win the Champions League final?

Bobby – It will likely be close. We will have to pay until the final pay outs are announced. 

Henry 14 - What do you make of Wenger's comments that arsenal will win the league, my head say we will be fourth or third, but my heart wants to say first, l just can not see us winning the league, l fancy Chelsea.

Bobby – The bookies have made Chelsea the favourites to lift next season’s Premiership. IMO there are too many things that will happen over the next three months to start picking winners and losers. 

Gongatore – Q1 - What do you see Barca doing in the off season to strengthen the side? Q2 - In your eyes what will be the most significant signing in the EPL, La Liga, Serie A and Bundesliga this summer? Q3 - The hype surrounding David "####e" is already nauseating and I live in SF. Do you think he will make an impact on the pitch for the MLS? I think his signing is a good marketing strategy.

Bobby – Q1 Firing Frank Rijkaard. Q 2 – Sorry I’m not a psychic, you have to ask after the signings are made. Q3 – yes and yes.

It turns out as a very comfortable win for Brazil. The early goal for Ronaldo settled it down and Adriano’s goal just on half time was killer blow especially after Mensah’s header.

ESPN seems certain it was offside but I thought it was so tight that you had to give the benefit to the attacker – especially when the decision is based on when Cafu crossed the ball not when it rebounded from the defender.

Ghana showed great spirit in the second half but lacked that edge that Essien might have provided. So Brazil move on – they’ve scored 10 goals, conceded 1 and have yet to be fully convincing.

 Ronaldinho has yet to show up, Kaka is carrying the midfield load at the moment. 

One final note – has Gyan accumulated the most petty hat trick of stupid yellow cards at a World Cup or what. After a yellow card for a lunge against Italy he received another three for; taking a penalty to early; kicking the ball away; diving.

Brazil could not have asked for a better start. They get an early lead and Ronaldo removed a potential-#### off his back as he becomes the most prolific scorer in the history of the World Cup Finals.

It was a great transition from Emerson and Lucio - knocking the ball around at the back - to Kaka to Ronaldo who beats a poor attempt at an offside trap.

The best stuff from Brazil has come from Kaka. Although 2-0 up, Brazil has not convinced me that they are the best team at this tournament - yet.

Ghana finished the half strongly and the second Brazilian goal (and Brazil's 200th WCF goal) came against the run of play. Mensah did everything right with his header from a late corner except putting it wide of Dida.