The Observer looks back to some Premiership predictions from August of last year. Next Monday I will repost the predictions article that was posted nine months ago. This gives you a week to finetune your excuses and for some of you to complete the hole that you should be hiding in.
The latest on Marvin Andrews the Trinidad and Tobago defender who stunned doctors two years by playing on when the professionals felt it was impossible.
Twenty-five years on Tom English looks back on Sir Alex Ferguson’s first European trophy.
The other half of Avram Grant (so to speak) and a bit more.
Simon Kuper on the terrorism threat that hangs over this summer’s European Championships.
A small piece on Manchester United’s financial situation that I have not seen (up to Saturday evening) any place else.
LGB – 1. Any chance you are going to be able to leave NA and go see some Euro matches? 2. Have you been to any Cup Finals? Worked any? 3. You see what’s going on with Liverpool how often do you think this happens in boardrooms(in the background that is)? 4. If you could do your own short list for PFA player of the year, who would be on that list? 5. You said last week that United's system of attacking is a variation of the Dutch system using fewer players. Has Ferguson reinvented himself with this approach? I don't remember the high-flying United teams earlier in this decade using this type of attack. 6. Speaking of the Ferguson's, I read the article on Darren. Have you seen any of Peterborough's games? Is he worth all the press? 7. Finally...has anyone offered you a bribe to pump up their team on the FSR?
Bobby – 1. No chance whatsoever.
2. I’m assuming you mean FA Cup Finals? – No.
3. I think you would find this sort of thing at lower levels but not at the top flight. You are dealing with multi million pound budgets and usually that brings with it some sober second thought. You don’t call for the CEO’s resignation knowing that you don’t have the votes to achieve it without it being part of a longer term objective. What’s his longer term objective? I can only guess the purpose it to continue to poison the atmosphere to the extent that Gillett bales or the other directors will pay a healthy premium to get rid of Hicks.
4. Ronaldo, Torres and four others.
5. United has help true to attacking football right from the Busby era. It is part of the culture to go out and entertain – that was why I questioned the fielding of two defensive midfield players at the start of the season. Ferguson from his days at St. Mirren (perhaps even East Stiringshire!) and Aberdeen has been a manager who likes to go forward and take the play to the opposition. I think the only thing that is different this season is how fluid their play is and that comes down to the players he has.
6. Really don’t know anything about Posh (the team not the “singer”) apart from the owner Barry Fry. The press are taking an interest because of the family but also at this time you will see a few articles about younger managers pushing for promotion spots in the lower leagues. Paul Ince got some attention after MK Dons won at Wembley and Swansea’s Spanish manger Roberto Martinez has also received some coverage.
7. Yes it happens on a fairly regular basis and I have even been threatened.
Matt_Johnston - I know this is a common question, but in light of the attention paid to the Champions League has the domestic cup challenges become something of an after thought for the top clubs in any league, whether it is the EPL, SPL, La Liga, Serie A, League 1, etc? As you mention Cardiff and Queen of the South (what a story there) getting to their respective finals, but it goes even deeper than that. In Scotland, Rangers, Celtic, et al and in the FA Cup, every one of the big four teams was gone by the semi-finals if not before.
Bobby – First of all I think you have to consider that some countries don’t have a deep Cup tradition – Italy is good example of that. What I find strange is that it was my sense that more teams took the FA Cup “seriously” this season than in previous years and we got the wackiest results in a couple of lifetimes.
The format of single game cup ties lend themselves to surprises so maybe what we are seeing is that trend being reestablished and making up for some predictable finalists over the last decade or so.
Ranges and Celtic have dominated Scottish football to a large extent for over one hundred years but they have contested 14 finals out of a total of 122. You would need to do a bit more analysis to find out how many times one of the Old Firm has knocked the other out before the final but even so it shows that there is a good chance that at least one finalist in Scotland will not come from the Old Firm.
footie_fan - Bummed you won't be on tonight. Could you give us your views on the two games you watched? Thanks.
Bobby – United and Arsenal game was cracking match. Arsenal had the chances to win the game in the first half but allowed United back into it and United did not pass up the opportunity. United went for the throat – Arsenal didn’t.
TFC and Galaxy was a horrible game but three needed points for Toronto. Like Arsenal, the Galaxy failed to take their chances (Landon Donovan take a bow) and paid the price. I don’t know it was just me but the playing surface at the Home Depot looked to be playing very poorly. The ball seemed to bump along rather than rolling with any consistency.
Dasayev - And speaking of wacky coaching transitions, what about Klinsmann's impending takeover of Bayern? Of course he did a great job at the world Cup but he has no managerial experience at club level and will take over a Bundesliga champion team headed for the CL. And on Bayern, did you catch that finish with Getafe? Between that and Liverpool-Arsenal, it was two of the great finishes in a matter of days...
Bobby – If you get a chance there is a very good article about the Klinsmann appointment in the March issue of World Soccer by Nick Bidwell.
Albertagooner - I caught Inter-Fiorentina and was hugely impressed by Mario Balotelli, a 17-year-old who showed a lot more composure in front of the net than either Adebayor or Wayne Rooney for that matter. Apparently he's hopped ahead of Hernan Crespo in the pecking order, which is why the former Chelsea man will move to Juventus this summer.
Bobby – One of the regular posters was talking Balotelli up earlier this season.
MasMaz - I hope this isn't a trend, all the shows besides Monday and Friday can get a little slow.
Bobby – I try to keep Mondays and Fridays but sometimes it just doesn’t work out.
Craigy_f -1. Isn’t it normal protocol for the referee to flip the coin at the beginning of the match? 2. What three things stand out for you in all the football you’ve seen this weekend? 3. To what do you attribute the MLS’s inability to get its best teams into the final of the CONCACAF Champions League. Two wins and one final appearance from ‘97 through 2000 and then nothing? The MLS Cup holders were stifled at home and outplayed comprehensively by a team from Costa Rica and the Supporters’ Shield Holders had a dreadful away leg and didn’t take the opportunities to make the home leg their own. 4. Peter Couch has been rated at 10M GBP and 6M GBP this week, which valuation do you think is closer to the fee he would actually be sold for? 5. Why do we not see ‘three at the back’ formations in the PL? 6. Can you see any of the three promoted Championship teams not going straight back down? 7. Next Jan/Feb there will be no ACoN. Do you see this having any effect on the transfer targets of PL managers (or other big euro league managers) this off season. (Of course it’ll be on in 2010 – football does have a short memory though doesn’t it) 8. Do you think the title race is over?
Bobby – 1. From what I know there is not a rule about who flips the coin. All the rule states is that a coin is tossed and the winner chooses the way to play. The loser gets kick off. I experienced referee’s flipping the coin, and have also seen referees ask one of the two captain’s to flip and the other to call.
2. Hargreaves’ free kick and a great example to a poster of sometime ago of what happens when a wall doesn’t jump. Evra and Clichy putting on a fantastic display of how to play full back. Some great sot blocking from Greg Sutton for Toronto.
3. Not good enough at that stage in the season.
4. Based on transfer inflation at least 10M – is he worth it? I’ll let you decide.
5. Three at the back especially when played at a high temp allows forwards too much space to make runs into. It puts the defenders under lots of pressure and in turn it takes away the option of building through wide positions. It also creates a bit of space for midfielders to attack if the forwards pull the markers wide. Dominant teams can get away with it but a lot of coaches believe that the formation lacks balance.
6. It will be very tough on them. I would hope that West Brom might give it a real shot given Tony Mowbray’s commitment to attack and trying to play from back to front. I’ve mentioned it a number of times that there are a lot of poor teams in the Premiership this season and it is likely that there will be a good number next season as well.
7. It’s been shown that the human brain is more likely to discount the long term in exchange for short term gratification. I can only assume that managers’ brains are wired in a similar way.
8. Two wins and a draw wins the title for United – one win and a draw if the win comes against Chelsea. It is now a Willie Waddell.
Thierry_Henry - Just a personal question if you don’t mind. If you were to compare yourself at FSC with managerial job, which one would mostly be the closest:
-Benitez at Liverpool -Wenger at Arsenal -Mancini at Inter -SAF at UTD -Rijkaard at Barcelona -Ancelotti at Milan - Ramos at Tottenham
Bobby – Alex Rae at Dundee.
Jahmikes - With Ronaldhino pretty much on his way to Milan, what do you think of my Gunners acquiring the services of Seedorf? , He seems to be unhappy with his new role, since the introduction of Pato, I think the price would be right, we would have an experienced player who has won on all levels, and he would provide good leadership for at least three yrs.
Bobby – Not going to happen.
Seanhipworth - How many of Cristiano Ronaldo's goals (in the Premiership) are from the penalty spot? I cannot seem to find this statistic anywhere, (even on ESPN's stats-loaded website). Are these things only Americans care about? Secondly, I assume it's not illegal but it should be: why are players allowed to pause their approach run when taking a penalty? It's hard enough for a keeper to stop it, why does the kicker get to try and fake him out in such a way? I think it's a tasteless way to take a penalty, results aside.
Bobby – From what I gather Ronaldo has scored three goals from the penalty spot in the Premiership. Louis Saha has a couple. In terms of the penalty kick you have to consider that not so many years ago the goalkeeper was not allowed to move at all until the ball was struck. There is nothing within the Rules of the Game but the following appears as part of “Additional Instructions and Guidelines to Referees”.
"Feinting to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted as part of football. However, if in the opinion of the referee the feinting is considered an act of unsporting behaviour, the player shall be cautioned."
Neophyte - Where would you put the signing of Luca Toni on the scale of successful signings? Is it just the proximity of the stands to the pitch or are the fields smaller in Germany (dimension wise) than you see in England? (It could be my TV...they just look more compact)
Bobby – Toni - very much a success. I doubt very much that fields on average are that much smaller in Germany than England. It is more likely caused by camera angles…..or your set.
Neophyte - I just read a comment on FSC site from Cruyff about Man Utd. being an "English" side that plays the long ball. It seems that stereotypes can blind even some of the most respected soccer minds (talents). It is a good thing that Frank R. is not being advised by Mr. Cruyff....he would have Frank preparing for a different team. What's your prediction for the CL's semis? (any comment on Cruyff's statements?)
Bobby – I’m guessing that Cruyff comments may not have been accurately reported for no other reason than if true it provides greater motivation to United. United to beat Barcelona and I have yet to decide on the other tie.
Aldoray - Which do u think is the lesser of two evils Hicks or Gillete. And why? And have u known of any previous examples in the Prem where 2 people have equal ownership in a club and run it successfully?
Bobby – Gillett has been given – and taken – the better PR advice. They are both experienced and largely successful businessmen but as we have seen on many occasions that does not bring with it a guarantee when owning a football team in Europe. I don’t think either got into this understanding the culture of Liverpool FC and their fans. What’s more it would appear that the previous shareholders were seduced by the money on offer and did not represent the true nature of the purchase offer to the fans.
After stating that they were not offering a Glazer-type leverage buy-out deal it is clear that is exactly what they were intending to do. In that circumstance you cannot separate the two. I think the remark was attributed to Roman Abramovich but I am sure it was not an original – “a hamster is just a rat with with better PR.” That probably sums it up.
It you consider success in the Premiership as winning the League title then you are limited to Manchester United, Arsenal, Blackburn and Chelsea and none of these clubs had a 50/50 shared ownership.
Finally perhaps I should I clarify my answer to LGB way back at the beginning of the responses. The bribes and threats come from the Old Timers team who offer to waive the price of a post match bru or if that doesn’t work to post slanderous remarks on the blog about my on field performances!
Some months ago there were some who questioned why the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish FAs would not participate in a UK Olympic team given that Blatter had given assurances that it would impact on their current status. Here is the reason that the Celts were right.
The decision to dump the goal line technology initiative seems premature but buried in this story is the go-ahead for national associations to decide whether or not to use video evidence to suspend players that set out to deceive officials. Let’s see which associations make use of this power. On the subject of penalty box/goal line judges - that is one exciting job.
In stadia with artificial surfaces the option of bring in temporary grass is
often put forward as an easy solution. A friend has forwarded this research article that looks at the link between "temporary' grass and ACL
injuries.
Dundee United owner Eddie Thompson has cancer right through his body but his commitment to the team and the game will leave a legacy for years to come.
If there is one Lyon player that stands between Manchester United and a place in the last eight then it is Karim Benzema.
The Times is asking readers to dig up the worst club merchandising idea that they have ever come across.
James Lawton assesses the progress of David Moyes and also finds time to recount an old Bill Shankly-Chris Lawlor story.
A trivia question for Monday morning. There is one club in MLS that is unique amongst all the other teams in MLS, NBA, NFL , MLB and the NHL. What’s the team and why are they unique?
I understand that The Gaffer over at EPL Talk is not enjoying the best of health at the moment. From all the regulars at this blog all the best for a speedy recovery.
And Sepp Blatter has made his views known. Don’t be surprised if the Premier League tries to turn these comments into a press release that talks of positive steps.
John Ley of the Daily Telegraph predicts how the top three in the Premiership will make out over the last 12 rounds.
And a reminder to Canadian fans that a group called the Canadian Soccer Federation
has recently issued a plan that proposes to significantly change the
way the game operates in Canada. Your input is not only accepted but encouraged which is more than can be said for the Canadian Soccer Association.
FA CUP The last sixteen of the FA Cup would seem to be a good starting point for this weekend’s preview. I have read a couple of pieces this week from pundits writing that games such as Manchester United vs. Arsenal rarely life up to expectations.
With the exception of the 2005 FA Cup snore-fest I can think of very few United – Arsenal games that have not been entertaining and in many cases outstanding.
Although both teams no doubt have the Premiership as a greater priority both clubs have a great cup tradition that pre-dates the arrival of Wenger and Ferguson and I can’t see either team rolling over – although the loser may claim otherwise.
The sidebar to this match is the impact it may have on the race for the league title.
A United win will boost confidence and five points to make up with twelve games left will suddenly look not so daunting.
Vice versa for the Gunners – a win at Old Trafford and the rest of the season will hold no fears.
If the visits of Barnsley and Huddersfield to Anfield and Stamford Bridge result in anything but conclusive home wins it will constitute a major surprise. Former Chelsea defender Frank Sinclair is on Huddersfield’s books along with former Everton player Danny Cadamarteri.
If things had gone according to planned Wayne Rooney would have been the next Danny Cadamarteri but it all went pear shaped. The FA Cup has already proven to be special for a Huddersfield club that is celebrating a centenary this year.
Birmingham City were victims in the third round and Oldham were dispatched last round.
Huddersfield may now be a mid-table League One side but there was a time when they dominated English football to an extent rarely seen.
They won the FA Cup win in 1922 and were runners up in 1920, 1928, 1930 and 1938. They also won three straight English First Division Championships (1924, 25 and 26) and runners up in 1927, 28 and 34.
One of England’s legendary managers Herbert Chapman was in charge from 1921-25 before leaving to take the Arsenal job. And as part of their 100th year celebrations Huddersfield is set to play Arsenal sometime in the summer.
Fifteen months ago Barnsley looked set to drop back to League One after securing a surprise promotion by way of the play-offs the season before. Out went manager Andy Ritchie (to surface a short while later at Huddersfield) and he was replaced by Coach Simon Davey.
Davey rallied the troops and secured one more year in the second tier of English football. In the process Barnsley extended their record as the team that has spent more time in English football’s second tier than any other.
Recognizable names on the Barnsley roster - Rohan Ricketts (former Spurs), Tony Warner (former Liverpool back up and on loan from Fulham) and Jon Mackem who had spells with both Manchester clubs. Mackem however is cup tied and not available.
Players to watch out for are apparently the midfield duo of Brian Howard and Anderson Da Silva on loan from Everton.
Quick free kicks
Both Sheffield United (home to Boro) and Coventry (home to West Brom) fired managers Bryan Robson and Ian Dowie this week. Under Robson Bolton and Manchester City were beaten in the FA Cup and Dowie’s Coventry side knocked Manchester United out of the Carling Cup and Blackburn from the FA Cup.
Preston have made it to the 5th round for the third straight year but are still struggling to gain traction in the Championship under former Everton assistant Alan Irvine. Preston sits one point above the last relegation spot but the two clubs below both have a game in hand.
Serie A
The Juventus vs. Roma match this weekend may decide whether or not Roma will retain a passing interest at least in top spot (Inter leads by eight points) or become involved in a fight for second with Juventus and possibly Fiorentina and Milan.
Inter continues to charge with only one Serie A loss in their last sixty-two matches and faces Livorno on Saturday. Juventus and Roma appear to be very evenly matched with Juventus unbeaten in their last 13 (seven draws) while Roma’s only loss in their last sixteen games was a shock 3-0 loss to Siena a fortnight ago.
While Juve can look to only one home loss this season Roma’s loss to Siena was their single set back away from the Olympico. The first game between these two this season finished with them sharing four goals – a draw is on the cards again.
The Genoa derby finds both clubs enjoying a good run of form with only two losses in their last ten combine games. Recent form however masks Sampdoria’s exceptionally poor performances away from home. T
heir seven points is by far the worst of teams currently in the top ten and a push for a European spot is going to require an improvement over the last eight away matches.
Mario Borriello was called up to the full Italy squad for the game against Portugal on account of his goal scoring for Genoa this season.
The hard grafting Borriello has scored 12 of Genoa’s 23 goals this season and without his goals Genoa would not be sitting comfortably in ninth spot. Ten of his 12 goals have come in the second half this season and in total his goals have been worth 15 points to Genoa.
No comment from the club on the incident which would lead a cynic to believe that a member of the United staff is involved. We will see.
Craigy_f – 1) The professionalization of referees – your thoughts? 2) Mathematically it’s still wide open but psychologically the title chase seems to have become a two horse race – the bookmakers certainly think so. Wenger may not think so but he’s just playing head games. Neither Manchester nor Arsenal is likely to do what Newcastle did. Your thoughts – not on the results or matches – but the psychological effect of the results on Sunday. 3) Goals, results or refereeing decisions that stand out (good or bad) for you this weekend. 4) The Tunisian side substituted its goalkeeper in the 90th minute then lost the penalty shootout 4-2 – your thoughts on this odd move which went awry. 5) The ‘root and branch’ review promised by the FA seems to have been put on the back burner with the search for and arrival of Capello. Will it be resurrected or conveniently shelved.
Bobby – 1. Something that has to continue and grow. There is no going back to the previous system.
2. United slight boost; Liverpool depressing result; Chelsea just slightly negative with some positives; Arsenal probably happy and a bit relieved that they have finally beaten Chelsea and put some doubt in their minds.
3. I thought Milan were just about at their best – apart from the first goal that they conceded. Liverpool and Manchester United game was a massive disappointment. Hargreaves and Ferdinand are getting praised for their performances – it’s difficult to play badly if you are one of four central defenders. My sense is that Ferguson is giving Europe one more go and he thinks the system that he used against Liverpool is the answer. I also have a feeling that this may turn out to be his last season at United – just a hunch.
4. It has happened before – although I cannot quote the games – and it is something that sounds good in theory but comes with a lot of negatives. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to me – sounds like something an inexperienced coach would do.
5. If Capello gets off to a good start then the review will not see the light of day.
Neophyte - Did you see the Barcelona/Valencia match? Eto'o was incredible. Does he get the start this weekend over Henry? As much as I respect the Frenchman's game I just don't think Eto'o should be sitting behind anyone when he is healthy. Your thoughts?
Bobby – I saw the goals but not the game. I don’t think it is a case of playing one or the other and I don’t think Barcelona is looking at either them as a back up to the other.
Atayaagun - I don't see any article mentioning the way Fabio Capello has managed Beckham at Real Madrid. It proved that Capello has badly ignored a very talented played that he had in his squad. It was thanks to Beckham's great form that Real Madrid managed to clinch the La Liga title. Business wise, Capello's treatment to Beckham made Real Madrid miss out huge money by the way Beckham left Madrid to LA Galaxy. Are these things minor elements in the selection process of a new manager to England? Especially because Steve McClaren has made the same mistake by initially dropping the same player, David Beckham.
Bobby – Capello was responsible for the team at Real Madrid not the business side of it. I would be very surprised if the issue came up at all in the decision to hire Capello. McClaren made the decision to drop Beckham because he thought it would give him the aura of being the man in charge. It was also because most England supporters at the time wanted Lennon to replace Beckham – something that has been conveniently forgotten.
CIAO - Is there any possibility for Larsson to end up at Arsenal? I think his inclusion in the squad would bolster the line up without taking away from it. It would help Wenger keep his forwards fresh leading into the second half of the season.
Bobby – None whatsoever. Wenger has Adebayor, Van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo as front line strikers with Hleb and Walcott who can play just off the main striker. Wenger’s bigger problem is keeping his players happy – not bringing in more players.
Milan4ever - In the Champions League, why are some away teams allowed to leave their sponsor's name and logo on their jerseys while some are not?
Bobby – Another poster has mentioned advertising laws in some countries affecting alcohol products. There is also another possibility. In cases where team sponsors are in conflict with any of the Champions League sponsors. I don’t know for sure but I would expect that teams would not be allowed to “ambush” UEFA sponsors.
Oldcoach - Sports psychology and England. Do I detect a humorous jab on your part? The "dramedy" that is England's pursuit of international hardware has to be the longest running and most amusing soap opera in world history, fuelled in large part by a delusion and hyper active press corps. Is there even the slightest chance that the media will back off some with a hard man like Capello in charge?
Bobby – No jab. I am surprised that we don’t read more about sports psych and football as I know that it a rapidly growing field in relation to other sports. Capello will have an extended honeymoon period but if there is any sign of blood in the water after a couple of games the sharks will start to feed.
Neophyte - Crazy question. I once heard a rumor that Capello was looked at for a "Technical Director" for the USMNT. Then the rumor was gone as fast as it occurred. Do you think that England hiring a non-Englishman for their National Team will bring more precedent for the same thing happening in the US?
Bobby – Crazy rumour. I very much doubt that Capello applied for such a job or was interested in any way. Your question seems to be predicated on Capello being the first foreign manager of England which he is not. If it was to make a difference we would have seen it after Eriksson was hired – and it didn’t change anything.
Atayaagun - I am always astonished by the number of goals scored on free kicks. Several of these goals are due to a bad wall. For example, small players should never be part of a wall, but you still see them in the world highest level matches. But the worst, is to see a wall open up, leaving the goal keeper powerless when the ball "goes through" the wall. That's how Gerrard easily scored against Arsenal this season. And there are many goals like this one because of such a fundamental mistake. If a player is part of a wall, why move? The wall is expected to stay compact, even if the free kick is taken indirectly. The players should have faith in the keeper, and they should stick to their task. For instance, during yesterday’s match between Arsenal and Chelsea, Shevchenko’s powerful free kick that was directed to the part that the wall was not covering, was brilliantly saved by Almunia. My question is why such basic things do not seem to be addressed by the best teams in the world, since every aspect of the game is expected to be analyzed and taken care of? I am so puzzled that I believe someone should gather all these goals and put them in a DVD and title it: "The evidence that top football players don't understand some rudiments of the game." Even thought, the free kick takers do understand very well this specific flaw. That's the reason why some free kicks are directed towards the wall, in case it cracks!
Bobby – In theory you have a point – from a practical point of view I am not so sure. You don’t want small players in the wall – then where are you going to put them? Do you really want a small player up against a centre back? A big player on the end of the wall - yes. Banishing all smal players from the wall - the little buggers will just let you down someplace else!
Your thoughts are based on a direct shot on goal being the only option but that is rarely the case. A shot, a cross, a lay off, a trick are all possibilities.
The dynamics of a free kick are going to change significantly based on the position of free kick, the taker (left foot, right foot, a bender, a rocket), the weather conditions (surface, wind direction) , opposition in the wall or the vicinity, and other factors.
There is also another thing you need to consider. How many goals are averted by the wall breaking and the shot being blocked? It is like saying that goalkeepers should just stand in the middle of the goal and not move on penalty kicks because so many go down the middle. They would save some but would they save more than by diving to one side or the other?
Shevchenko’s shot was saved because he did what Almunia thought – unfortunately not all players cooperate. Ronaldinho in the same circumstance would have put the ball in the keepers top right hand corner with Almunia frozen to the spot.
WeneedmoreFriedel - I'm interested to hear your current thoughts about Shevchenko. How do you see his future at Chelsea, or his playing career for that matter? Is there a possibility he would ever consider going to MLS to end his career?
Bobby – I just can’t see it turning round for Shevchenko at Chelsea. I thought a loan deal might be best for him but with Drogba out I think he will be sticking around. His wife is American so MLS at some point is an option. However, some point is not now.
Neophyte – Ringo, we all know you were a Beatle in the 60's, a Sex Pistol in the 70's. In the 80's were you known as Ranking Ringo...dressed in a pink suit, loafers and shades following your favorite Ska band from pub to pub? Can you see Bobby with a Flock of Seagulls hair doo? Or was he more of the Rod Stewart type during the 80's? Which was it Bobby?
Bobby – None of the above. By the 80s it was Captain Sensible for me.
Ringo - Which blogs do you read? How many World Cups and Euros will England win under Capello? And what was on your football wish list to Father Christmas?
Djnima - 1. With Hleb and Van Persie back in the mix and Eboue now sidelined, do you see Wenger using Van Persie and Adebayor up front w/ Hleb slotted on the right? 2. Did u catch the Arsenal Blackburn match? Eduardo looks deadly. I think he is going to be huge for Arsenal down the road. 3. Do you think Utd will be on top in the New Year? They seem to have an easier schedule than the rest of the big four, but I think Arsenal is looking fierce as well.
Bobby – 1. It is an option that you will likely see but will he use these three in these positions every game with no changes?– no I don’t think so. Walcott and a number of other players come into the equation as well. So does the oposition and state of the game.
2. I did. The way he rolls the ball into the net reminds me of Jimmy Greaves and Romario.
3. The fixtures for the top six from now to and including the first game in the New Year are: Manchester United – Everton (h), Sunderland (a), West Ham (a) and Birmingham (h). Arsenal – Spurs (h), Portsmouth (a), Everton (a), West Ham (h). Chelsea – Blackburn (a), Aston Villa (h), Newcastle (h), Fulham (a). Liverpool – Portsmouth (h), Derby (a), Manchester City (a), Wigan (h). Everton – Manchester United (a), Bolton (h), Arsenal (h), Middlesbrough (a). Manchester City – Aston Villa (a), Blackburn (a), Liverpool (h), Newcastle (a).
I went back over the last four seasons and looked at how Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have done over the last four seasons. Not surprisingly they have done pretty well. Each team played four games over the holiday season – 03/04 first with the total in ().
Manchester United – 12, 10, 8 and 10 (40). Arsenal – 8, 10, 8 and 9 (35). Chelsea – 6, 12, 12 and 6 (36). Liverpool 7, 9, 10 and 9 (35).
I would be surprised if Arsenal is leading the Premiership when the 3rd round of the FA Cup comes around in January.
Atletifan - Can Atleti really break into the top 2 of La Liga?
Bobby – I would echo Atleti’s comments. The one thing I would add is that of the major leagues in Europe Spain over the last decade has been the hardest the pick and the league title has rotated through a few teams with others coming close. Deportivo, Valencia have both won titles while Villarreal and Sevilla have given it a good shot.
Tony Cascarino on players who have played for Sir Alex Ferguson and gone on to management.
Wednesday marked the 150th anniversary of the founding in Sheffield of the world’s first football team. Three years later another team was formed and likely 30 seconds later there was the first disagreement over a referee’s decision.
The new Canadian Soccer Association President hopes to turn the situation around in few months. He may hope that but his first public statement makes it sound like the CSA has another leader who believes that rearranging the deck chairs will save the ship. A few years is a more realistic estimate and that is only with a charismatic leader who can speak to a grander vision. The new President apparently has a medical background; next step a priest?
Two contrasting performances in Europe in midweek provide the backdrop to Arsenal’s visit to Anfield. No matter how poor the opposition may or may not have been on Tuesday, the bottom line was that Arsenal put on a classic display of speed and precision passing that is rarely seen.
Theo Walcott has attracted a lot of attention on account of his display against Slavia Prague (and as substitute last week versus Bolton) and Cesc Fabregas has been rightfully singled out for the start he has made to the season. But Alexandre Hleb also deserves mention. Wenger initially played him on the right side of midfield but from time to time he has been used in what might be considered the “Bergkamp” role – playing just behind the striker. On song he is a marvelous player to watch.
Arsenal’s record at Anfield in the Premiership has been poor with Liverpool picking up 9 wins and 3 draws in 15 matches. Both teams are unbeaten in the Premiership this season but Liverpool’s four draws against Arsenal’s one has them trailing the league leaders by six points after nine games.
A home loss would not be the end of Liverpool’s title hopes but it would certainly heap more pressure on the shoulders of Rafa Benitez - the bookies cut the odds on him being fired from 33-1 to 14-1 on the back of the loss to Besiktas this week. The fact that Liverpool needs the win and Arsenal are bound to hit a back game sooner or later makes me think that the gap between the two will be down to three points after this one is finished.
Manchester City leaves the friendly confines of the City of Manchester Stadium and travels south to play Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. City currently sits third in the Premiership with 18 of 22 points coming at home. A 100% home record contrasts starkly with four points from four away games. On top of that recent history is heavily in Chelsea’s favour.
City has only scored once in the last ten Premiership meetings (an Anelka penalty winner was only defeat suffered by Chelsea in the 2004/05 season) while on the last five league visits to Stamford Bridge City have lost four games and conceded 11 goals.
But, there again, City have not had too many players of the quality of Elano available to them over that time. Much has been made of Chelsea’s mini-revival under Avram Grant and if it is to continue then Elano will have to be controlled. The Brazilian has been involved in 9 of City’s 15 goals this season.
Short Corners – Middlesbrough are unbeaten in their last four league visits to Old Trafford – 3 draws and a win. Last week’s win for Portsmouth over Wigan meant four straight Premiership wins – a first for Pompey. Martin Jol was in charge at WHL for a week short of 3 years. His Premiership record in that time was 113 games, 47 wins, 30 draws and 36 losses with estimated net spending of around $70M. Newcastle visits Reading hoping that the home team’s defense is still in a giving mood. Newcastle are currently sitting 8th but in nine games the only team they have played that is currently above them is Manchester City. Can someone please explain to me why Bolton has hired Gary Megson? If you’re drowning surely the last thing you need is a concrete block.
MLS play-offs started on Thursday night and continue this weekend. The New England Revolution faces the New York Red Bulls with neither team having finished the season in grand style. Between the two teams they combined for only three wins in their last 12 matches. Both teams have struggled away from home this season with the Revolution without a win since August 19 while the Red Bulls only won three away games and they all came before mid-July.
Conversely both teams have relied on solid home records with the Red Bulls averaging 2 points a game with New England just a shade below that mark. In terms of goals NYRBs look to Angel and Altidore. They finished the regular season as the leagues top scoring duo with 28 goals between them (19 and 9). However, Taylor Twellman (15 goals) and Pat Noonan (7 goals) of New England are no slouches. If New England has a concern then it might be down to a scoring drought from the supporting cast. Andy Dorman’s last goal was in mid-July (the only goal of the game against Red Bulls) while Sharlie Joseph and Adam Cristman are not far behind having gone 13 and 11 games without a goal.
In Italy the game of the weekend is Milan at home against Roma. Both teams won in midweek in the Champions League and will be looking to build on that success. Roma have three draws and a loss in their last five Serie A matches and trail league leaders Inter by five points.
It’s doubtful that the schedulers could have come up with a more difficult fixture list for Roma if they had tried. Roma started with Juventus on the second last weekend of September and since then have played Fiorentina, Inter, Parma and Napoli. After Milan the Rome derby against Lazio beckons on October 31.
But for any neutral fan it has been a treat. Over the five games there have been 24 goals with scoring split evenly 12 for Roma and 12 for the opposition. Roma started the season with three clean sheets but are now in the position that only three teams in Serie A have conceded more goals.
Milan have had their own struggles with only two wins in eight games and a general malaise in their league performances. Last season they could look to an eight points deduction that left them adrift but there is no such excuse this season.The results between these two sides have gone back and forward over the last few seasons. But, with the exception of one match, the encounters have been close with eight of the last nine Serie A games being decided by no more than a goal.
Redfan2000 - Impartiality among commentators both sides of the Atlantic, when commenting on teams, players and managers. Particular examples of this are: Peter Crouch phobia (Webster and McMahon at Fox).
Bobby – “A phobia is an irrational, persistent fear of certain situations, objects, activities, or persons. The main symptom of this disorder is the excessive, unreasonable desire to avoid the feared subject.” I think you are mistaking a phobia for a player that I don’t rate very highly due to his very limited abilities. Given the faith that Rafa Benitez has placed in Crouch in the past you might want to add Rafa to your list as well. As for impartiality it seems you are mixing that up with people not holding the same obviously impartial views that you do.
Henry 14 -q1. l would want to know l believe l read somewhere that you coached and now, the question is how much does a pre season play in an early season or bearing on a season, bearing that Man Utd., Chelsea, and Barca had sort of like Hollywood preseason tours had have not had the best of starts, the Barca players were complaining do you think it has an effect on the season? q2 What would be your prediction for the Chelsea and Man Utd. game given that they are more solid at defending than scoring? q3. l read a passage were Henry was talking about learning to be a winger again and he does not look anywhere near his best for the past 18 months, can he be a Sheva and flop? q4.l have read question that questions Arsenal's depth l remember Chelsea used 18 player to win their first title and l would want know how many players did Jose use in his 2nd championship and how many were used by United last season and at least if you think the stats reflect what really happens?
Bobby – A1, I took my coaching badges a couple of years after arriving in Canada and coached from kids and youth teams to womens and mens teams off and on from 1982 to 1998. I kept playing during most of that time. Work then got in the way and I haven’t done any coaching since. Almost all teams tour so the issue is how much travel and how many games. But even then it is not as straight forward as that. Who went on tour, who stayed home, who played in other competitions last summer, who is carrying injuries, how old is the core of the side? If teams start slowly then a tour will likely be blamed; if they win it will because they are playing well and worked hard in the pre-season. There are so many variables that it is almost totally subjective. A 2 – A draw, there is too much at stake. A 3 – Henry has not looked his best for the last 18 months because he has spent a lot of it injured. I’m not aware of any intention he has to become a winger again. Could he be a disappointment at Barcelona? There is always that chance. A 4 – According to my reading of the statistics Chelsea used 30 players when they won the Premiership in 2005 and 25 when they retained the title a year later. Manchester United used 26 players last season in winning the title.
CIAO - What do you make of Roma's current form? Do you think the new additions to the team might have completed the team? I'm also curious to know how you rate Aquilani?
Bobby – Obviously off to a very good start but to be honest I have not seen very much of them so far. Hopefully that will change this weekend when they play Juventus. The squad is still very thin and I think that will be hard to overcome. Aquilani looks set to be Totti’s heir.
RonnieDocherty - You are in danger of losing a viewer. You previewed Liverpool, Chelski, at length, and a number of other games for this week's CL games. However, where was the Celtic Shaktar Donetsk preview? Surely you have a bigger Scottish football constituency between Canada and USA than German ones? I have long given up on decent coverage of SPL games, mainly due to the intransigence and short sidedness of the amateur administrators of the SPL. Surely you could at least give us a couple of minutes before a big CL game and cut back on some of the other stuff of no import to the large majority of your audience. Now if I get extensive coverage of the Rangers Stuttgart game then I think I will be turning you off for a week or two, maybe even for the month of Ramadan.
Bobby - Much as I would like a soccer station of my own that isn’t going to happen. I really don’t control what gets on the air so the best idea is to e mail FSR or FSC. PS – I thought from reading the first few lines that you are a Celtic supporter but from the last sentence it seems that you are actually a Dundee United fan. Joking aside my understanding is that SPL highlights arrive sporadically.
Gunner44 - Do you think CAshley Cole will return to his best? Coz I was talking to a Man Ure and Chelski fan and we all came to the conclusion that CAshley has just not been the same player he was for Arsenal.
Bobby – He hasn’t had a chance to settle into a partnership with whoever Mourinho plays on the left side of midfield. He and Robert Pires had a tremendous understanding that just hasn’t been replicated. Malouda might help the situation.
MerlinTX - I have been disappointed with the quality of your commentary to start the season. I am a Liverpool supporter, so let's just say I don't think you have an even handed coverage toward my side. But at the very least, you should get facts straight and make comments that reflect the truth. If you do not know Paul Tompkins, you should read his stuff. He wrote an article about a month ago for the Liverpool website concerning player rotation. The fact is that over the last 2 seasons, ManU, Chelsea and Arsenal have "rotated" their starting lineups exactly as much as Liverpool. There is no difference. Thompkins' rundown of these stats is impressive, so I'll leave it to you to do some research to see his point. So, trite comments like yours about Rafa having fewer players to rotate, not only miss the mark, but demonstrate your inability to evaluate the data on your own. Parroting the London party line is not considered competent reporting in my book. Second, when St. Whatever-his-name-is reads the Liverpool injury list as if they are missing so many key players, you didn't even challenge his assertion that this matters. The only injury at Liverpool that matters at this moment is Gerrard's toe. Riise, while capable of brilliant long range goals, has ample capable backup. Momo is likewise covered with the likes of Xabi Alonzo and Mascherano, unless these two international players for Spain and Argentina are considered unworthy cover in your book. I'm not expecting Liverpool homer coverage, just some semblance of responsible journalism. Now, go ahead. Let's see if.
Bobby – The comment I made was something like “it will give him fewer players to rotate.” That is a perfectly accurate statement - but according to you I "should get facts straight and make comments that reflect the truth." If you can tell what is untrutful or inaccurate about that statement thengo ahead.
He rotated his squad on Saturday and he did again on Tuesday against Porto. Your reference to Paul Tompkins piece is strange to say the least. He’s the one that goes on at great length about Benitez rotating the squad - not me. LGB in a previous post supports my position that I have previously stated on his radio show that the Benitez/rotation thing is overblown.
My comments were in the context of the game on Tuesday – comments that were completely accurate. If you expect me to get into a recital of how any comment I make compares to the other 19 Premiership teams then you are being a bit unrealistic.
As for Paul Tompkins “impressive run down of stats.” There are numerous pieces of comparative information that he glosses over that might call into question his conclusions. “…..he’d actually won a stunning percentage of those 99 games” – what was the stunning percentage and how did the stunning winning percentage stack up against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal? A rather important piece of information to overlook don’t you think?
In one season he compares Liverpool to United, the other season to Chelsea – why the limited selection? “Of course, the above figures don’t take into account rotation (his word not mine) that occurs in other competitions, in games played between Premiership matches. In that sense, it is indeed true that Benitez changes his team fractionally more than Mourinho and Ferguson, freshening up for the cups.”
Ah the old “fractionally more” – why not just give us the numbers rather than weasel words? As far the number of players used are concerned “Benitez used 26 players in total, Ferguson used 25.” PremierSoccerStats gives the numbers as Benitez 29, Ferguson 26.
And then the red herring of “Benitez only really rotated between three strikers” – what relevance does that have?
As for your comment that “I'm not expecting Liverpool homer coverage, just some semblance of responsible journalism,” I think others can draw their own conclusions.
Anyway to finish off this blog piece I won’t be putting pet peeves up again anytime soon. It must be a full moon. On the brighter side yesterday I attended the announcement of a $12.5M full field indoor soccer complex to be located at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. It is something that the local soccer community has been pushing for years and it will be open in October 2008 - overdue and desperately needed. I was able to chat to a group of young soccer players who were in attendance. They had recently returned from the Western Canada Games in Edmonton with a Gold Medal after upsetting the much more heavily favoured British Columbia and Alberta sides. I enjoyed talking to them and I promised that I would put a shout out on the blog.
The Times top 50 managers. Sure to generate some debate. I find some of the selections strange but I can’t disagree on the top two.
The always interesting Simon Kuper on Northern Ireland. This was written before Gillespie and McCartney started to scrap about who was getting the window seat.
The North London derby pits two managers "enjoying" vastly different degrees of job security. While Arsene Wenger has just signed a new contract that should keep him with Arsenal for four more seasons, his opposite number Martin Jol isn’t sure that he will be around for four more games. As far as this game is concerned history is not on Jol’s side. Spurs last win against Arsenal was at White Hart Lane in November 1999 under George Graham and since then David Pleat, Glenn Hoddle, Jacques Santini and the present incumbent have all failed to put one over on Wenger’s Arsenal.
However, draws and late equalizers have been par for the last seven North London derby games at White Hart Lane. Six of the last seven Premiership games between these two teams at White Hart Lane have finished as draws and four of the six have seen equalizing goals coming in the 89th minute or later. Spurs have pulled a rabbit out of the hat three times and Arsenal once.
If you are looking for likely scorers then Robbie Keane might be the man – four goals in 12 appearances against Arsenal. On the other hand Robin van Persie has yet to score against Spurs in five matches.
With a disappointing start and the prospect of Chelsea visiting Old Trafford next weekend three points is a priority for Manchester United when they play Everton at Goodison. Goals – or the lack of goals – have been the major problem for United but they face an Everton side that traditionally does poorly against them.
Everton has only recorded three wins in thirty Premiership matches against United and last seasons collapse
