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.
Andrew Jennings on Peter Hargitay, a "strategic adviser" to England's 2018 World Cup bid.
Simon Kuper sits down to chat with Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard.
An excellent Monday morning column from Martin Samuel.
Gabriele Marcotti says that 442 is so yesterday and he is not discussing the magazine.
Here is a listing of the January 2008 transfer moves. Hard to find one player who could be regarded as a instant success.
Nigel Reed says that Laurent Robert “has to recapture the desire, the passion and the hunger that distinguishes great players from good players.” Recapture? Great player? Laurent Robert? We will see.
This is the same Laurent Robert who Sir Bobby Robson described as "the most difficult player I have ever worked with in my career". Although Robert apparently saw things differently - “I had four years with Newcastle, one in the Champions League, the others in the Uefa Cup as we finished in the top five,” the 32-year-old said. “Some people may speak bad about me, but I am no troublemaker. If you speak with Bobby Robson, I never had a problem with him.” That from the Times in January.
At best we might get a short glimpse of some of his better past performances - a few decent free kicks, a couple of blistering goals – then the problems will surface.
A while ago I put a link up to a website created by Bill Turianski. Bill’s specialty is sports maps with a lot of them focused on soccer. There is some wonderful stuff here.
David James on making it to Wembley for another FA Cup Final.
With the exception of West Ham and Portsmouth who play on Tuesday, the other Premiership sides have five games left. Five teams have already gained more points than they finished last season with.
The most improved at the moment is Manchester City with 49 points to last season's 42. On the other side of the ledger three teams have already guaranteed that even with 15 points still to be played for they will finish with less points than last season.
The worst of the worst - Bolton. Last season they finished with 56 points and so far they have only garnered 26. Down an incredible 30 points so far.
It will be interesting to see what sort of coverage and viewing figures the FA Cup semi-finals get when they go head-to-head with the Premiership this weekend. Portsmouth and Cardiff start as favourites but that is hardly an enviable position given the number of upsets in this season’s competition.
Portsmouth will probably bide their time looking for West Brom to push forward. Certainly there is no doubt about the Albion’s ability to score in the Championship (78 so far) but their defence does leak with 51 goals against in 40 games.
If you are a Barnsley supporter it must really be a case of nearly the best of times and nearly the worst of times – Barnsley have such a long history they have seen better and also worst. Even so their fantastic Cup wins over Liverpool and Chelsea have not earned them any easy points as they try to avoid the drop to League One.
One win in nine league games means that goal difference is the only thing keeping the Yorkshire team from the relegation zone. Cardiff harbours no such threat from relegation and have been able to maintain some decent league form during their Cup run to the point that they still retain a faint hope of securing a promotion play-off spot.
Prediction – West Brom vs. Cardiff in the Final.
The bookending of the Premiership match between Arsenal and Liverpool by the quarter final of the Champions League takes a bit of the sheen of this weekend’s game. Will the managers choose to rest some players or will it be a case of the same again. Wenger says he has not given up on the title and so if that is true then we should see little change. After creating a five point gap with Everton Liverpool will not want to risk that number shrinking.
With Boro and Manchester City having little to play for – City may look to have an outside chance of a UEFA Cup spot but not based on recent form – Manchester United and Chelsea will be hoping to increase the gap on Arsenal and Liverpool.
At the relegation end of the table Wigan vs. Birmingham, Fulham vs. Sunderland are six pointers while Newcastle (a much happier Newcastle) would like to keep Reading below them and Villa needs to stop a run of three straight losses (and shut outs) against Bolton.
Sevilla versus Villarreal has the makings of a top class game as does Mallorca against Real Madrid. Villarreal are the form team at the moment although there is a train of thought that when Villarreal gets into a position to really challenge for some silverware that is when it starts to go all wobbly for them.
Mallorca have only one loss in their last their last twelve although seven finished as draws. What’s more David Guiza is cracking goals in at the moment for Mallorca and they have been known to give Real Madrid problems – Real came a cropper in the Copa del Rey this season.
Ursusarctos - Since the '80s, I believe only First Division/ PL teams have won the FA Cup, even though several finals in that time featured one lower division team. In the '70s (most recently), several teams from the old Second Division won it by beating First Division opposition.
But I have no idea whether two lower division sides have ever met in the final. When were the last FA Cup finals featuring two lower division teams (if ever)? And (to pull a craigy!) what FA Cup finals do you remember as the most exciting, and why? What was the worst (by any measure)? What two teams would you like to see meet in a "dream" Cup final (from any division)?
Bobby – Some assorted FA Cup trivia and facts. Since the advent of the League in1888/89 there has never been a final with two teams from the lower flights. The last time there were three lower flight teams in the semis was back in 1908 - Newcastle out of Fulham, Southampton and Wolves. Wolves beat Newcastle 3-1 in the Final.
This season's semi finalists have all won the Cup but with exception of WBA their successes all came before WW11. 1912 Barnsley beat WBA 1-0 in a replay: 1927 Cardiff beat Arsenal 1-0; 1939 Portsmouth beat Wolves 4-1. And in 1931 WBA beat Birmingham 2-1 and became the last team to win promotion and the FA Cup in the same season.
It has been thirty-three years since the last time we had a Final without Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham or Everton. (West Ham vs. Fulham 1975)
Best final in my memory was Chelsea vs. Leeds in 1970 that went to replay. In 1990 Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United 3-3 was memorable as were the two Liverpool – Everton finals of the 80s.
Three stinkers – last season’s Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United, 2005 Arsenal 0-0 Manchester United; 1996 Manchester United 1-0 Liverpool. As for dream finals I don’t think you can preordain a great final. You just have to take what happens and hope for a great game.
Ringo - Dundee are no Queen of the South.
Bobby – Apparently there was a mix up and Dundee thought they were supposed to play like Queens rather than playing Queens.
Neophyte - Barcelona loses to Villarreal. Barca has looked weak and less than the invincible side lately. How much of a hangover do clubs suffer from Champions league play (deep play like winning it all), Domestic cups, League cup, International friendlies, FIFA club cups that seem to follow when a club has success in interclub play? Barca seems to have the skilled players they could possibly want but lack the destroying presence in midfield or on the backline. Your thoughts?
Bobby – There should not be any hangover for great teams – nothing out of the normal anyway. Barcelona was in a fantastic position after beating Arsenal a couple of seasons ago but since then it looks to me as if they lost the hunger for more silverware. I don’t agree that a ball winner in the midfield is their problem – from the games I have seen not having the ball is hardly their problem.
Atleti - I think I'll go mad if Atleti don't secure a Champions spot.
Bobby – Have you ever thought that you might also go mad if they do?
Atleti - Racing Santander are this season's Cinderella story. They're #5 with 44 points...equal to my beloved, underachieving hijos de p-uta. Oh, and tell the boys on the FSR, it's not pronounced Racing...it's 'RAH-Sing'.
Bobby – You are spot on, Santander has flown under everyone’s radar this season. Only a handful of teams have scored less goals but only the top two have conceded more. In terms of pronunciation I seem to remember that they were advised some time ago that in Argentina 'RAH-Sing' but for Spain “Racing” but I could be wrong. The solution, I guess, is to refer to Santander.
Gunner4 - I've been watching and listening to you over the years and you seems not to have any faith in Arsenal. Two years ago when they were up against the might of Real Madrid your comment on the show was "Real is gonna blew them away" and what happen, it was Real that got blown away.
Last week against the might Milan you were kinds 50/50 but based on your comments you were leaning on the side of a Milan victory and we all know what happened. I think Arsenal's bad patch is behind them now, yesterday they played a very good game but Wigan's strategy was to at least get a point. I think if the pitch was better the results would have been different.
Oh, I should tell you that all of North America's media houses prefer Man U, but I think Arsenal is surprising somebody this year. I'll look forward to your comments from the might cold Winnipeg.
Bobby – Gunner, are you taking lessons from Henry14? I picked Arsenal to knock Real Madrid out that season just like I picked Juventus the season before, Bayern Munich the season after and Roma this season. Four for four with picks going against Real Madrid. (I keep all my notes).
What’s more there is a name for what you did in placing quotes around "Real is gonna blew them away" – it is called making things up.
The phrase is one that I rarely if ever use and I would certainly not use it while commenting on the Champions League knock out stage – I have too much respect for the game and the teams to deal with it in such an off-handed way.
I picked Milan to beat Arsenal before the first leg was played but acknowledged that 0-0 was a good result and if Arsenal scored it could make it very interesting. What Arsenal vs. Real Madrid, Milan and Wigan has to do with Manchester United is beyond me.
Maoze_Reading - The article on the ACL injuries is quite interesting but I am still not very clear on what is being referred to as a "portable grass system". What I am assuming is that the fields were basically re-sodded?
I know there are some other options such as giant trays with grass growing in them that can be placed over an existing surface, over field turf for example, but this doesn't seem to be what they are referring to. I know in the NFL it is not uncommon for a field to be resurfaced during the course of a season, even multiple times. Is resurfacing a pitch during the season a common practice in Europe?
Bobby – I am almost certain that the article refers to the natural grass systems that are rolled in and out. They are used on top of artificial surfaces when the original surface is considered unacceptable or in situations when a field has not taken. Years ago re-sodding during a season would have been a non-starter but the technology and science is at the point where it is not uncommon. However, from time to time things don’t work out and you get a situation like the one at Stamford Bridge two or three seasons ago when the players played a game on what amounted to sand and soil.
Thierry_Henry – 1. Do you see the MLS dropping the salary cap in a few years to come? I think the talent is eroding now, especially some players going to Scandinavia and Fulham.
2. What do you think about EPL teams loaning players to other EPL teams. When Liverpool played Bolton, one player was prevented from facing Liverpool, because of a clause in his contract. Unfortunately I don't recall his name. Now, this is unfair to Everton, who will have to face a full strength Bolton. Could this practice result in abuse by big teams lending so many players out?
3. Scottish commentator, Roddy Forsyth, from BBC said that may be the reason Scotland have a hard time qualifying for major tournaments recently is because of the weather that is too cold, and many Scottish kids do not feel like going out to practice. What's your opinion on this?
Bobby –1. The salary cap will not be dropped although the cap will be increased. They have to be.
2. It is Premiership rule now that you cannot play a loaned player against the team that owns the registration. In this case it was Danny Guthrie. The loan system has operated in many continental leagues for years without an issue so I don’t think it should become one in England.
3. Mr. Forsyth’s comments may make sense if Scotland’s climate had suddenly changed and the issue of kids leisure activities was unique to Scotland. All developed countries are facing the same situation of kids spending more time with video games and computers than actually playing sport and getting exercise. My understanding is that more indoor facilities are being planned and built in Scotland but that will not necessarily motivate kids to get out and play.
4Everton - When will more Americans start playing in Spain, Italy, or France?? Hopefully, Michael Bradley does not sign on for Fulham (joking...sort of). I think England has been hurt by the majority of its squad playing in one league. The Americans seem to be falling into the same pattern.
Bobby – A simplistic but true answer - when Spanish, French and Italian clubs believe that the players being produced can help their teams. If England has been hurt by the majority of its squad playing in one league why is Italy the world champions?
Ursusarctos - To summarize verbal's question: Should all three of Carra, Skrtel and Agger be healthy and available, how do you see the LFC CB situation taking shape next year (and if re-signed, how would Hyypiä fit in)?
Bobby – I think you have to give Skrtel a little bit more time to see if he maintains his form. Hyypia is a back up next season at best – as he is this season. Carragher is a fine defender and is solid at full back and in central defense. However, he is brutal coming forward from full back and gives Liverpool nothing when they attack. Good teams need width from their full backs and Carragher does not offer that. If everyone’s fit I go for Carragher and Agger and sign a new right back ……and a left back while they are at it.
MasMaz - What do you think Arsenal's weakness is? I believe it is their lack of width and crossing ability. On Sunday they played with two towering strikers and I can't recall more than 2 or 3 crosses into the box. On a torn up rugby pitch and with 2 strikers over 6'3" Arsenal should have peppered the box with crosses. Truly ridiculous strategy, I love Wenger but come on it was so obvious.
Bobby – Under Wenger Arsenal have never had width from midfield and have always relied on their full backs coming forward. So on that basis every side since 1996 has had the same problem. There is no such thing as a perfect team – every team has some weakness. I think you are taking one game and drawing very broad conclusions from it.
Aldoray - Quick question If a team qualifies for Europe through a domestic cup competition and get relegated do they still get to play in Europe the following season although they are no longer in the top flight?
Bobby – Yes.
Redfan2000 - What's your take on the likely top 4 and the final bottom three in the BPL at this stage in proceedings?
Bobby – My pre-season picks were 1. Chelsea, 2. Manchester United and 3. Arsenal. Relegated Derby County, Fulham and Wigan. I’m not changing my picks but I will say that Wigan and United are giving me cause for concern.
Jahmikes - I’m an Arsenal fan but I’ve noticed the partnership between midfield Gerrard and striker Torres, is this the Premiereship Ronaldhino and Eto’o before the CL Cup?
And your opinion on Robinho being nothing special. I don’t agree because wouldn’t you say he played an integral role in the Copa America title, Madrid's title last yr, he terrorized defenders going down the left and slipping balls to players in and around the box.
Also this year Madrid started dropping points when he wasn’t on the field, I think because he doesn’t play up to starship celebrity status he becomes overlooked.
Bobby – Interesting that you would pick Ronaldinho and Eto’o when Henry and Pires was more effective over a longer period of time. I think it is a bit early to start celebrating Gerrard and Torres as a great partnership – a hot streak yes, a long term partnership - we will have to wait and see.
Real Madrid won last season’s title on the back of Casillas and Van Nistelrooy. My recollection is that we hardly saw Robinho until the second half of the season so I don’t know how much terrorizing he actually did. Fun to watch but he’s soft defensively and if I understood what “doesn’t play up to starship celebrity status” actually means I would probably disagree with that as well.
Frenchking2012 - Do you rate Senderos? I’ve always been a fan and thought that he always was unfairly criticized. He sadly is a player that needs confidence, but if he plays well in one or two games he seems then raise up his game.
I’m thinking of the run of games that led to the FA Cup Final where he was chosen ahead of Campbell or same thing in the Champions league run of 2006. If he only he didn’t have to face Drogba twice a year, he would be a great defender. Plus he is a young kid, a central defender can go up to play until his mid thirties, so I think that in a few years he will be a great player. Plus do you see a player like Fabregas, not 21 yet, beating O’Leary’s record of games?
Bobby – I think he will come good eventually but I don’t know if Arsenal can live through his maturation process. There are just some players that when they make mistakes they make really costly ones and I think Senderos falls into that category. Will Fabregas beat O’Leary’s record of games played ? – perhaps? probably, maybe? but does it matter. The point is to win games and trophies not to play the most games.
Zuco2 - Will you have some predictions for the upcoming international friendlies on March 26th? France vs. England ; Spain vs. Italy; Scotland vs. Croatia.
Bobby – I guess if I told you that I knew there were international friendlies but had no idea who is scheduled to play each other that would tell you how important I think these games are. When they start awarding trophies and medals based on friendly results is the day that I will pay real attention to the scores. The individual performances and how a team plays together is important – the score means nothing.
Foxcube - This would be a huge task to ask of you if you wouldn't mind. Could you please summarize and contrast the tactics/playing styles of the remaining 8 CL teams? Three or four lines for each team perhaps, if that is possible in your opinion. I'll have my notebook ready. Thanks.
Bobby – You are correct – it would be a huge task.
Venti_vidi-vici - Enjoyed reading the article in the Telegraph about the Teves contract and his link to Kia Joorabchian. Man Utd showed their creativity in the transfer market last season, asking Everton to bench Tim Howard as part of the agreement transferring him permanently to Goodison Park.
Moyes admitted it, then realized it was illegal, retracted his admission, Man Utd won the match partly due to the reserve keepers errors after being down 0-2, but the FA found nothing wrong because a team is allowed to bench their in-form starting keeper in favor of a kid who has never played an EPL match in his life for no apparent reason. Is it conceivable that Man Utd agreed to hand the Hammers three priceless points at Old Trafford and possibly keep them in the EPL and the associated financial windfall, as part of the Teves transfer deal?
A slick way to pay for Teves, without having to include Joorabchian. Coincidentally the winning goal was obviously scored by Teves. (I admit I see conspiracies everywhere).
Bobby – Conceivable yes but likely – no. Back to your grassy knoll.
Henry14 - On the report you made a really ridiculous statement that the pitch at Wigan is okay be real man. Clubs play 60+ game on pitches that are nice and you expect them to adjust to a pub of a pitch.
l watched the game thrice and on the Adebayor , Van Persie and Bedter strikes the ball took bubbles. That the problem with pundits as soon as a big club looses to a small club you jump to lick the small club's BLEEP thereby negating that things like a pitch where you cannot play one touch football, and that the referee did not call fouls in the Man Utd game, be rationale for God's sake.
Bobby – Oh Henry14 you give me so much to work with and I thank you for that. The referee is responsible for deciding whether a pitch is playable and so who would you like to give the decision to?
Or how do you intend to define “nice” pitches from “not nice pitches,” “pub” pitches and ultimately "pitches that are deemed unacceptable to Henry14" .
I know it is ridiculous to expect players who are considered professionals at the top of their game to play on anything but the most pristine and perfect surfaces – my expectations are excessive.
During your three viewings of the game did the ball really bubble – it looked muddy but I didn’t see any standing water. And did any other players have a problem or did it just happen to Adebayor, Van Persie and Bedter?
Perhaps we should have groundskeepers who run alongside each player and become responsible for replacing the divots and that way we will always have a perfect surface.
Your last sentence is contradictory unless Manchester United is considered a small team. What’s more the last time I checked the rules you are actually allowed to take more than one touch each time you receive a ball – it’s not cheating to touch the ball a number of times – or should teams taking less touches receive additional points?
JayAlves - What do you think of Ameobi like? Also what’s the chance the title and relegation isn't locked up before the last day and we are watching a situation where Man Utd plays Wigan, Chelsea plays Bolton and Arsenal plays Sunderland. So three teams playing for the title and three teams playing not to get relegated? Too much to ask?
Bobby – When he is fit his lack of consistency is a problem although his various managers at Newcastle have not shown a lot of confidence in him. Three vs. three, title and relegation would a dream finish but I think there is still too far to go to really judge whether there is anything more than a smidgen of a chance of happening.
Craigy_f – 1. Have you ever been interested in football management?
2. Has your corrective surgery helped you when you try for a header?
3. Any thoughts on Bardsley “tackling” Pienaar? And it’s failure to make any noise in the media, particularly given Taylor-Eduardo.
4. Claudio Lopez – a bit more than an Angel? – is this signing a statement of where the MLS is right now?
5. In such a small League (MLS) does the early season suffer (in terms of generating interest) because the Supporters’ Shield isn’t seen as big and a poor first half of the season can still see a team make the play-offs?
6. Do you have any thoughts as to what PL referee you’d want to see more or less of as the PL enters the final stretch?
7. No matter how many replays or different angles of view one employs some decisions come down to opinion – thus any video evidence panel will be subject to harsh criticism and even (perhaps) legal challenges – no matter how it rules on a particular ‘incident’. Thoughts about this?
8. Of course Wembley PLC wants the money and so the FA Cup Semi's are at Wembley - being a tad traditional I'd like to see the SFs elsewhere and keep WEM-BER-LEE! for finals and the NFL - your thoughts (how does this work in the Scottish FA Cup?)
9. Is Bradley performing well enough in Holland to warrant a move to a more high profile league?
Bobby – 1. No.
2. I have not played since the eye surgery but I will let you know once the snow clears. I’m also hoping that my left foot has improved.
3. Didn’t see the tackle.
4. Lopez is older than Angel and much of his effectiveness came from his pace and playing right up on the last defender and timing his run. When he played with Crespo for Argentina they could be terrifying for any defense not concentrating for ninety minutes. If he still has some of his explosive pace he is going to give MLS defenses (and assistant referees) fits.
5. I think that is good point – it seems to take a while for real interest to take hold. Or I might be due to the European leagues overshadowing MLS during the early going.
6. Never pay any attention to who the referee is going to be unless there is some history with the appointment.
7. Absolutely spot on and the point I have been making throughout the video replay debate in respect to fouls. The proponents come at the issue on the basis that video replays will provide clear evidence on which to rule. In reality all it will do is to allow us to disagree in slow motion.
8. I don’t have a particular problem with Wembley for the semis although I do see your point. As corrected by Ringo the vast majority of the Scottish semi finals over the last number of years have taken place at Hampden.
9. I was impressed with him last summer at the under 20s (his play and leadership) and his scoring record is sure to attract interest. I have not seen him play for Heerenveen this season.
LGB - Kind of like the tree falling in the forest and if no one is around, does the tree make a sound?) If Cardiff plays West Brom in the FA Cup final, will there be anyone who cares? Also if Liverpool does secure passage through, is it still subjective to say the PL is the best league in the world?
Bobby – Maybe you won’t care but millions of other fans will. Define “best”. As I have said before – arguing about what constitutes the “best” league in the world is a waste of time and effort. It is all down to marketing and individual taste.
OranjeSpur - I've been out of the loop for the past few weeks so sorry if you addressed this already.
I think the IFAB is on the right track with the video review and retrospective punishments for diving and such. For a few years I've been debating with friends that FIFA, UEFA, and FA's need to set up review panels of 8-12 people comprised of former players, refs and manager types.
Each week 3 are randomly selected and they can review claims from the previous week. Aussie Rules Football holds Tribunal's for players to contest punishments and the like. What I'm looking for is something that has real consequence for players who cheat the game we love.
I would propose that all card challenges go through the review panel as well as 2 submitals, per team - per game, and any submitals made by the 4th official that may have been missed during the run of play.
Players can be punished for diving, improper conduct, or a missed harsh fouls. Teams make their case to the panel and the panel decides within 48 hours. I believe such a panel would cause a quick drop in simulations when players start missing games due to a retrospective review along with the increasingly high level of poor sportmanship and conduct. I don't want to see a 5th "video" official as I feel leave it to the teams to start policing themselves.
I believe the fans will make enough noise on the teams that don't take the opportunity to submit diving or improper conduct actions for review. Your, or anyone else's, thoughts on this would be appreciated.
Bobby – You don’t want a 5th official but you want to create a monstrosity of a review system? You are having a laugh aren’t you?
Neophyte - What a difference a game makes, especially in the case of Reading. They go from, "2nd year jinx." To..."Steve Coppell is a great manager." I am a Coppell fan. I don't know how he does it. They don't score goals...Hanhemann faces more shots on goal and has more saves (and I think allowed more goals) than any other keeper. If Reading finish in the top ten should he get the Manager of the Year award? How does a club like Reading start with roster changes?
Bobby – Top ten next year but not this one. As for roster changes Reading probably starts where all other teams start – trying to fix problem areas.
Tiberius0070 - Who do you think will be the new manager for Chelsea in the summer?
Bobby – As I said a number of times before it depends who is available. As every week goes by and the number of clubs who can legitimately hope to win something becomes smaller and smaller and you begin to see who might be fired or cut loose.
Mancini after the Liverpool loss creates an opening at Inter, Barcelona and Real Madrid spots might become available and Milan might decide it is time for a change. Ranieri might not get another year at Juventus. I feel that this summer is going to see a big managerial turnover.
MasMaz - Wenger should have signed Beckham. Arsenal NEED him badly. I am sure there is some clause in his contract that says if a major Prem team want him he can sign on loan.
Bobby – And how did you come to decide what is and what is not in Beckham’s contract? Why would you sign someone then loan him out and not be able to use until four months into your season? If Wenger wanted to sign him he would have got there before the Galaxy.
Ringo - Don't you think Gretna where done for even before a ball was kicked? The league forcing them to travel almost a hundred miles to Motherwell for home games meant they were playing with one foot tied behind their backs right from the start. I'm sure they could have handled the non Old Firm games at their 2,500 capacity stadium with no problems , instead of having to play a whole season of away games, and in front of nonexistent crowds lately at Fir Park ,when the pitch is even playable that is. The owner's illness hasn't helped, but at least they might have stood a chance.
Bobby – It was always going to be tough on Gretna – home field or not. But they knew the rules. Inverness CT suffered through longer trips to Aberdeen for part of a season when they were promoted.
Henry14 - Do you think BLEEP is using the media to put pressure on Hicks although l feel a billionaire will need more than a demonstration and a news paper article to leave a $200m investment and do you think he is being treated fairly by the media and the reds fans?
Bobby –How is the media putting pressure on Hicks to any greater extent than the fans have for the last few months? Fairness has nothing to do with it – it is, what it is. He’s a big boy who took over Liverpool hoping to make a bundle of money. If you are talking about fairness how about the fans who are footing the bill for his greed?
ReggaeGunner - Who would you consider on their day the best free kick taker out of the lot? Zidane, Henry, Beckham, Pirlo, Juninho, C.Ronaldo, Lampard, Gerrard, Mihajlovic, Ronaldinho, Riquelme, Nakamura, Totti.
Bobby – Good question. Lampard and Gerrard should not be on that list – not in the same class. You are going to have to place the free kick for me before I make a choice…..and the positioning of the wall….and the height of the players…..and did the referee march off a full ten yards?
The Swamp World Cup is being played in Scotland. With a bit of forward planning the old Baseball Ground in Derby could have been a permanent venue.
David Bond on the death - or is it just stunned - of the 39th game.
Slaven Bilic comments on the Taylor/Eduardo clash.
The Fink Tank says that the stats show that Liverpool areclosing the gap at the top.
With eleven games to go it is worth looking at the points totals that have taken the Premiership title and secured the fourth Champions League spot over the last number of seasons.
Currently Arsenal have sixty-four points and are in track for a 90 point season. Such a total would match their unbeaten season of 2004 but fall below what Chelsea bagged in both 2005 (95) and 2006 (91). Manchester United book-ends the five year spell with 89 points last season and 83 points in 2003.
It use to be pretty much accepted that a Championship winning team could afford to lose six games and still take the title. That theory was blown apart in 04 and 05 when Arsenal went unbeaten and Chelsea only lost once. Otherwise the other three seasons from 2003 to 2007 saw the Premiership winners each lose five games.
However, something did happen in terms of games lost last season that had never happened in a 38-game Premiership. It was the first time that the winners had not finished with the fewest losses.
Chelsea only lost three times but finished in second place to Manchester United who lost five games. Some might point to the fact that United won the league with games in hand but that is hardly unique in itself. So far Arsenal has one loss, second place United four while Chelsea and Liverpool have only tasted the bitter pill three times.
However, any interest Liverpool may have had in the title has largely evaporated on account of eleven draws from 26 matches. It’s even possible for Liverpool to finish out of the top four but finish the season with fewer losses than the eventual Champion.
Looking at the valuable fourth spot it seems that a points total of around seventy is going to be needed this season – it may even need more than the 71 points Newcastle finished with in 2002.
The lowest total for a fourth place team in a 38-team Premiership came in 2004 when Liverpool finished with sixty points and Gerard Houllier was sacked. The average over twelve seasons has been 66 points but with the present incumbents Everton sitting on 50 points with eleven games to play it is difficult to see how the average would be enough this season.
So it only seems right to focus some attention on Sunday’s game at Goodison between Everton and another side that has sights set on a top four finish Portsmouth. Even though both these sides have struck for seven in a game this season this one is all likelihood will be a tight hard fought give-no-quarter tussle.
One player who may prove pivotal is former Portsmouth striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni. Yakubu has hit double figures in scoring each of his five seasons in the Premiership with 16 in his first season followed by 12, 13, 12 and 10 already this campaign.
Based on goals for and against Everton enjoys a slight edge in both categories with four more goals scored and three less conceded this season. However, Portsmouth’s goals tend to arrive in bunches with twenty goals coming in five games while the other twenty-matches have generated only seventeen goals.
Everton are six points ahead and should the gap become nine with ten games to go it would be extremely difficult for Portsmouth to bounce back.
A draw however might be a good result given that their schedule down the straight idoes not look that difficult.
How important is the first goal in this game? Everton have only gained two points from a losing position this season – draws with Chelsea and Blackburn. Portsmouth have only lost two points from winning positions – the first game of the season against Derby County.
Simon Kuper on the pleasure of playing just for the sake of playing.
Moritz Volz talks of player platitudes and interviews.
John Giles’ thoughts on the arrival of Dennis Wise at Newcastle.
I received an e mail over the weekend that said I was full of you-know-what when I claimed that Guinea was ranked third by FIFA in Africa. Sorry but here is the FIFA ranking for Africa.
An excerpt from an interview Robert Pires gave to Champions magazine.
Bobby – Dundee lost to Fraserbough in the 50s in the Scottish Cup so they should not be counting their sheep just because they are playing a Highland League side.
Craigy_f - Best and worst of the FA Cup 3rd Round for you? Which is your favourite CUP? Did you check out Mario Kempes' Perfect XI? Read something about EFC working with some soccer organization in Canada - Is this still going on? What will be your next live football match? Any ties that leap out at you for the fourth round?
Bobby – Best game was the Stoke vs. Newcastle match. Worst display was probably Sunderland going down 3-0 at home to Wigan. Favourite Cup – probably the World Cup, mainly due to the build-up even though it normally disappoints.
Kempes XI – yes I saw it in Four Four Two, it was close to the Dirty Dozen. I know the Argentina victory in 1978 is tainted somewhat but I thought they were a fantastic team. I remember watching Ardiles run the midfield and just being blowing away with how intelligent he was with the ball. Passarella was a rock at the back and good going forward. Tarantini (never worked out at Birmingham) bombing forward as well. Up front Kempes and Luque and then a year after came Maradona. Menotti was intriguing as well.
Everton are/were doing some stuff with the Ontario Soccer Association and GolTV.
Next live match – don’t know. It looks as if I will be busy through the spring and so maybe a trip to Toronto for an early MLS game might have to do.
Fourth round ties – nothing that others have not pointed out. The only thing I might add is that there will be a maximum of nine Premiership sides in the last 16 so it opens up a descent chance again for a “minnow” to sneak into the final..
The RealRico - As the conversation of commentators and brown nosing Bobby continues, I have to ask Bobby, how come you don't do any commentating on FSC? I know you have been asked this before, but I couldn't remember the answer.
Bobby – I have never been asked. I did some Canadian Soccer League stuff twenty years ago and that was what set the ball rolling and that led to radio, magazines, newspaper, FSR and the blog. To be honest I am quite happy doing what I am doing. It all fits nicely together with my other stuff and maybe sometime in the future the opportunity might arise but there again maybe not.
As an aside I have found myself watching games more as a colour commentator over the last few years. When we started off in 2001 I think I watched the games with the perspective of telling viewers what happened. It then dawned on me that the viewers knew what happened - what was needed was comments on why it happened – the job of a colour commentator.
I’m not sure that too many colour commentators in North America actually get that. Even though I might be accused of bias I think Christopher Sullivan does an outstanding job of telling the viewers why it happened not what happened.
I hear far too many colour guys in North America (particularly in Canada) acting as ancillary play-by-play guys. I think the other issue is that the more you hear from some of them the more you realize that there is very little depth e.g. no names but the guy that constantly second guesses the referees decision after viewing slow motion replays and then tells us if the official was right or wrong.
As far as the UK colour men are concerned I really enjoy listening to Robbie Earle and Paul Walsh.
In Canada as far as analysts are concerned Paul James gets a check mark from me – solid comments.
AlbertaGooner - Does anybody else remember Danny Blanchflower? He was a wonderful analyst back in the 1970s.
Bobby – He made the News of the World a worthwhile read beyond the stories of dirty vicars in sex scandals. Blanchflower was certainly one of the more intelligent players and analysts – and a wit as well. Unfortunately I think he suffered from Alzheimers for years before his death.
MrMoore - Blackburn are now in a poor run of form, but surely you can now mea culpa on your "dissing" of Roque Santa Cruz? The man is toward the top of the premier league goal scorers and in all competitions looks a pretty decent goal scorer.
Bobby – One season – or part of a season – does not a successful career make. Let’s see him do it for a couple of seasons and that way he can prove Bayern Munich and me wrong. You are in good company so far – Mitch Peacock passed on a message from Steve Nicol telling me I would rue my opinion of Santa Cruz.
Medpanton - Bibby, U have bin tlking abt the gud and sweet football arsenal are playing. do u see them as a team to win the title this season? I wil b listening ur program tonight.
Bibby – I think I get the question. I think Arsenal’s defense may cost them the league. Am I close?
Verbal97 - Anyway, I actually have a question this week. Aside from Arsenal, it seems that no players come up from youth levels in "the big 4", and even then its players Wenger bought from another club at a young age. Where's the next Robbie Fowler or David Beckham?
Someone from a Liverpool message board made a good point about Benitez in particular, in that if he were in charge at the time he would have NEVER given Fowler, Owen or Gerrard a chance. My questions are 1) is the pressure to get results at the top prevent the managers from giving youth players a try, 2) is the issue the managers or that the players aren't as good as before and 3) what effects, if any, is this having on the national team.
Bobby –1. There has always been pressure on managers – that is not new. And frankly managers at the top are so well paid that it is not as if they face ruin if they get fired. I just can’t believe that any manager cannot find a place for a promising player if they want to.
2. I would suggest a third option which is that with the money that they have available many of the top Premiership teams find it easier to sign what they consider to be a ready-made answer rather than living through the growing pains of a younger player.
3. Marginal – the national team is the supposed to be the cream of the crop so I don’t think that a potential national team player is going to be missed.
A more general comment on Premiership youth development - Paul Hart who developed some good talent at Leeds and Nottingham Forest is now in charge of youth players at Portsmouth. It might take a few years but if Portsmouth sticks with Hart then it should produce great dividends.
Getz76 - I know EU trade laws would forbid it as written now, but do you think there will ever be a salary cap in European soccer (ala NFL, NBA)? Do you think it would be beneficial? It seems to have done something in those leagues; while the NFL doesn't have relegation and some teams are insanely mismanaged (Cardinals, Bengals); in general every 4 or 5 years there are new teams that dominate or do well.
Bobby – You are right, as it currently stands EU laws will not permit salary caps. Under the just approved Treaty of Lisbon there is – in theory - always a chance that might change. But I would not hold my breath.
It may work in North America (and in Rugby League in England) but that is not a like for like comparison. Would it still work in North America if there was15 NBAs, 15 NFLs and 15 MLBs? A nightmare is what it would be.
What’s more you have to look at who would be the winners and losers if salary caps where imposed. Prices would not go down, salaries would as well, and so who makes a killing – the owners. Owners then make more money which leads to clubs being sold for ever higher prices.
The owners are the only winners, not the fans and not the players. It is interesting that players are criticized for their salaries but how many people questioned the $100M + made by Martin Edwards when he sold his United shares?
TijuanaTim - I sit back and smile about your regular opinions. However tonight you have excelled yourself. Running down Peter Crouch, where do I start? Firstly you would give your left testicle not only to have him playing for one of low level Dundee jokes let alone Scotland.
His goal scoring rate at international level exceeds both of your heroes...Kenny Dalglish (twice as good) and Dennis Law also. Both of whom scored some of their goals against poorer, less accomplished, less fit and amateur oppositions.
Crouch is loved by top coaches (with more 'soccer' knowledge than you could ever dream of having) and fans globally, especially at major clubs like Liverpool, Southampton and Portsmouth.
Where next, oh yeah 'Richard Cresswell was causing Newcastle problems', Bobby no he was not - he was completely ineffective.
Next 'Kevin Phillips was no threat in the Prem', he was his club's top scorer on repeated occasions and was the last player to hit an amazing 30 Prem goals in one season.
Then James Beattie (same comment as Phillips)...er Bob, he scored almost 100 Prem goals less than 300 games. He joined Southampton as a raw young forward and by the time he had played the same amount of games as Alan Shearer (who also started as a raw young forward at Saints) he had netted over twice as many goals - same league - same level of opponent etc
Bobby, try and be a little more professional and a shade less ill-informed and opinionated without an ounce of analytical back-up.
A bit about me so that you just don't blow me off. I am in my 30th competitive season of coaching, I have coached/managed at all levels. One of my former players won six full England caps and played for your countries greatest club, another was involved in million pound transfers and scored winning goals at Wembley....I am not sure whether this was before or during the time you have been an 'expert' or have been an author of a 'blog'.
Otherwise keep up the good work, it would be cool if you could interview or meet some football people 'in the know', it would add to your insights. BTW, your team Carlos - Jeremy etc are awesome. Happy New Year
Bobby – Oh I am so embarrassed. How could I ever have got it so wrong? Tim, you are of course right on all counts. Please accept my humblest apologies and feel free to correct me in the future.
Verbal97 - "Crouch is not horrible, but he is nowhere near world class" Getz gets it. Can't the haters at least concede that (yes, you too Bobby)?
Bobby – Verbal 97 after an ill-advised comment about Crouch during the World Cup (I think I used the word flop or something close) I retracted soon after. However, his numerous limitations are there for all to see.
Redfan2000 – This whole Crouch debate is nonsensical. Bobby raised it yet again because he failed to impress in the Luton game, in Bobby's estimation. Liverpool have four of five strike options and Crouch is by no means the least able of those available, period.
What failed to come out of the FSR was that Crouch got no little or no service or support. The much vaunted Kuyt and Babel did not get close to providing the kind of support Crouch thrives on. Torres would have fared no better.
If you are left alone up front which is what happened on Sunday, you have little to play with, boxed in by two backs and the CBs. The FSR analysis was more or less just a plain old character assassination, much as some of the comments on here.
A tactical analysis of why Liverpool failed to play well or create many scoring chances would have been far more worthy of the FSR. Luton played ok, but they were allowed to. At least Crouchy poached the goal that saved us a fate, with blushes, as bad as Everton's. It is not like he squandered fifteen attempts because he did not.
Peter Crouch has a role to play at Liverpool which is to score goals, but unless Rafa plays players who will give Crouch (or Torres for that matter) better supply he will not score goals. The focus of Liverpool's woes needs to be on the tactics and team performance, rather than on one striker or any single player.
Bobby – Just one comment, well ok two. If you really believe that Fernando Torres would not have fared better against Luton Town why the hell did Liverpool pay over $50M for him?
Torres can turn a defense and exploit the space behind the back four something which Crouch is largely incapable of doing. Character assassination? Come on.
Wiegs9 -Simon Barnes' opinion on Alan Shearer as manager seems at least partially based on Shearer having no managerial experience. I'm fine if this is pure opinion from Barnes, but I'm curious if there is any factual basis. In other words, are players (esp. star players) who don't apprentice at a top division club/nation or start managing at lower-level club/smaller nation before becoming a top division manager generally failures?
Bobby – I stand to be corrected but I cannot think on one manager in the modern era that has moved directly from the role of player to that of a successful manager and succeeded over an extended period of time. Dave MacKay did it for a season or two at Derby post-Clough.
We have had the likes of Gullit and Vialli but they flamed out. The nearest might be Kenny Dalglish and I think it fair to say that Heysel and Hillsborough took away any chance that there might have been to succeed in the long run ala Ferguson and Wenger.
I don’t think you can compare international to club managers given that there is a very different dynamic at play. When you look at the last two decades a major trend has been towards managers who have learned the trade as opposed to the old fashioned view that if you were a player then you could manage.
I think there is a much broader acceptance that teaching and coaching are skills much different than playing while man-management skills and leadership are probably more important than anything else. As Arrigo Sacchi said "you don't have to be a horse to be a jockey."
Djnima -1. What is your opinion of Karim Benzema? He looks to be the hottest property in European football. Do you think he is over hyped due to the fact that he plays in Ligue 1 (a step down for BPL, Serie A, and La Liga I’m sure you would concur)? 2. Do you see Alan Hutton signing for United in the summer? Would you rate him as a long term replacement for Gary Neville? 3. Have you heard of this Skrtel fellow?
Bobby –1. He looks to be the real deal to me. 2. I would not discount Spurs as a final destination yet. 3. No.
And finally…….
TijuanaTim I was only kidding I just wanted to keep you to last. Where do I start?
“Bobby, try and be a little more professional and a shade less ill-informed and opinionated without an ounce of analytical back-up.” TT practice what you preach perhaps. Or does the comment “you would give your left testicle not only to have him playing for one of low level Dundee jokes let alone Scotland” pass as striking insight and wisdom from 30 years of experience at all levels? If it came to watching Peter Crouch week in and week out I wouldn’t give your left and right ones for that privilege.
“His goal scoring rate at international level exceeds both of your heroes...Kenny Dalglish (twice as good) and Dennis Law also”. Your comparison of Peter Crouch to Kenny Dalglish and Denis Law? I’ll let that one stand without comment. Liverpool and Manchester United fans please feel free to chip in. (Crouch’s scoring rate at the international level is better than Fernando Torres as well so I can only assume that you also rate Crouch higher than Torres).
“Crouch is loved by top coaches….. and fans globally, especially at major clubs like Liverpool, Southampton and Portsmouth.”
Pity he isn’t loved by the Liverpool manager. Once again if you are going to call me on lack of analytical back-up then I expect more than grandiose statements from you.
How about some insightful comment about Crouch’s skills and how he compares to the likes of Adebayor, Drogba, Torres or Berbatov? How many times in his career has Crouch actually turned a defender and created a chance let alone scored?
Strength, mobility, movement, power in the air, finishing on the deck (the only thing I would give him close to a pass mark for), pace, touch, creativity?
No let’s just dismiss all that stuff because Crouch supposedly has a good touch for a big man - as if big players should not be able to control a ball. Crouch is a starter at a mid-table Premiership side – nothing more. He is, as I have said repeatedly, a very limited player and certainly not one that should be playing for a side like Liverpool.
“Where next, oh yeah 'Richard Cresswell was causing Newcastle problems', Bobby no he was not - he was completely ineffective” Stoke had Newcastle on the rack for most of the second half and Cresswell was part of it stretching the Newcastle defence on their right side and forcing saving tackles and saves. He was so ineffective Tony Pulis kept him on for the full game. Maybe it had something to do with the two great last ditch saves he forced.
“Next 'Kevin Phillips was no threat in the Prem', he was his club's top scorer on repeated occasions and was the last player to hit an amazing 30 Prem goals in one season” If you going to quote me please quote me correctly and in context. Phillips scored 30 goals in the Premiership…………over 8 seasons ago. His last scoring season in the Premiership was 2005/06 and he scored 4 goals in 23 appearances. (As an aside Phillips was not the last player to score 30 goals in the Premiership.)
The question related to the Coventry striker Michael Mifsud and whether or not he could step up to the Premiership. The point I was making was that there is a large gap between the two leagues and you only have to look at the top scorers in the Championship (Beattie and Phillips) and compare how they were doing in the Premiership before dropping down a division. Phillips last scoring season in the Premiership I have noted above; Beattie has scored 13 goals in 20 plus Championship matches this season. He took him 76 games in the Premiership to score his last 13 Premiership goals.
“He (Beattie) scored almost 100 Prem goals less than 300 games. He joined Southampton as a raw young forward and by the time he had played the same amount of games as Alan Shearer (who also started as a raw young forward at Saints) he had netted over twice as many goals - same league - same level of opponent etc” If 81 goals are almost 100 then you are correct. I wasn’t aware that Alan Shearer had ever played for Southampton in the Premiership. I thought he joined Blackburn from Southampton just before the Premiership kicked-off. There was almost a decade between Beattie starting for Southampton after his move from Blackburn and Shearer but if you are going to compare Crouch with Dalglish and Law then why not compare Beattie with Alan Shearer?
If you consider me an “expert” then that is your word but it is not something I have ever called myself and it is not something I would be comfortable with. I learn something new about the game every week and only wish that when I was younger I had been more observant and would have had more access to how other countries played the game.
There are a lot more people with far greater insight than me but there is also a lot of rubbish and clichés that comes out of the mouths of ex players and coaches. To put forward the notion that only people “in the know” can intelligently comment on the game is elitist and wrong.
I find that intelligent comment and analysis comes largely from what you would probably consider outside of the game rather from within it. Or maybe you can provide a list of sources of intelligent comment on the game that you approve of?
There was a lengthy post on Crouch on November 6 2007.
Mark Lawrenson says that Newcastle Chairman Mike Ashley reminds him of David Brent.
And given that there is a shortage of good articles this week here is some stuff from Rick Gervais.
The first piece is with celebrity-Chef and former player Gordon Ramsey. The second bit I am sure most of you have seen but it is well worth revisiting. It's from the 2006 World Cup.
After a week of international drama it is back to domestic action – well at least until the draw for the qualifying rounds of the 2010 World Cup takes place on Sunday. Seeding has been worked out but requires ratification on Saturday.
The World Cup draw calls for a blog special come Sunday so the weekend preview will be abbreviated. And to be honest it is just as well because there appears to be precious few games that have anything close to a “don’t miss’’ attached to them.
The bottom three teams in the Premiership will have a tough time ensuring that the hole that they are in doesn’t get any deeper. Derby are at home to Chelsea who are unbeaten in their last six games and have only conceded one goal in the process. Derby on the other hand have let in 30 more goals than that in 13 games and have only scored five goals. Projected over an entire season Derby would not even hit the 20 point mark.
Bolton with three draws in their last three Premiership games would be positively giddy if they found a way to extend the run to four against Manchester United. However, the form book and history both indicate anything but a United win to be an unlikely outcome.
Bolton have only led in two of their 13 games at half time while United have only trailed in a match for a total of 83 minutes out of the 1,170 Premiership minutes they have played this season. Bolton have never beaten United at home in the Premiership (3 draws and 5 losses) while they have conceded 40 goals to United in sixteen Premiership games.
That’s seven more than Chelsea have scored against Bolton and with a game more played. Cap it all off with the fact that Bolton have conceded more first half goals (13) than any other team in Premiership then the signs are that if Bolton are not careful the game could be over almost before it has started.
It looks as if Arsenal will be missing Cesc Fabregas through suspension as well as Flamini and Hleb who both picked up injuries on international duty. The appointment of Steve Bruce as Wigan manager is on again and the deal could be closed before the weekend.
Wigan’s two and a bit seasons in the Premiership has still to produce a win over Liverpool, Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal. This season the problem is magnified with a single draw against West Ham United the only point gained against a top ten team.
The most promising Premiership match of the weekend appears to be set for Tyneside where Newcastle faces Liverpool. Anytime these two go head-to-head there is bound to be mention of the two classic games in 1996 and 1997. Both matches finished in 4-3 wins for Liverpool. Both games saw leads seesaw back and forward in both cases Liverpool scored a winner in the dying seconds.
Newcastle holds an edge in Premiership games at St. James’ against Liverpool (6 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws) and with 13 points from 6 home games only Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal & Aston Villa have better home records this season.
This will be the first time this season that Newcastle have faced one of the “big four”. Newcastle also have a make-up game at home to Arsenal on December 5. Next week brings Blackburn so the Magpies are in for a testing time over the next few weeks.
Liverpool have only scored 7 goals in 6 away games but with 4 wins and 2 draws they have gained more away points (14) than any other side. What’s more they have kept the opposition off the score sheet four times in the six games.
