An article on Jimmy Gabriel – formerly of Dundee North End, Dundee, Everton, Southampton…….and Seattle Sounders. When Gabriel moved from Dundee to Everton nearly half a century ago he was at that time Scotland’s most expensive ever export to England. It is an indication of the quality of “half-backs” (anyone under 35 can look it up) available to Scotland around that time that Gabriel only received two Scottish caps.
When Saturday Comes has improved the website and this blog is on Rangers.
Jonathan Wilson profiles and compares Spurs’ new signing Luka Modric.
Spotlight on West Bromwich Albion’s manager Tony Mowbray.
And finally a piece from Norman Hunter. A fine player but one that sometimes had a difficult time differentiating between a tackle and Grievous Bodily Harm. The famous Lee- Hunter bout from youtube.
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?
This is an article from last Sunday that I did not come upon until later on Monday. Rod Little on what appears to be an escalating financial crisis that has the potential to decimate clubs in the Football League.
It’s not only the Premiership that is a magnet for wealthy owners. The same thing has been happening in the Israeli league for the last few years and here is another takeover.
National team coach linked with Scottish coaching position. It's not Bruce Arena and it's not the national team job either. The Arena story detailing his supposed interest in the Scotland job must go down as one of the stupidest soccer stories of the year.
Is it just me or does this declaration of success not seem a bit premature given that there have been no contentious calls?
The Canadian Soccer Association said that would have a new staff person in place before the end of the year. With a job posting just up this week the only way that they can hit their self-imposed deadline is if a fix is in. It is not the first that they have failed to come though on a promise – talk about not getting it.
A look at the worst British transfers of all time. You do not get a prize for guessing the top two. Any that you care to add.?
Early this week on The Times podcast Bill Edgar pointed out that excluding games between each other Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United had only lost four games at home over the last two and a bit seasons.
That got me thinking and I thought it might be interesting to go back to the 2003/04 season (the start of the Abramovich era) and look at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United’s performances over four and a bit seasons.
During that time they have played 336 Premiership matches at home. They have collectively won 236 games (70%) drawn 76 (23%) and lost 24 (7%). But of the 24 losses, 14 have come from games between one and other leaving the other Premiership sides with only 10 away wins in the remaining 284 games – 4%. Only eight clubs have won at Highbury/Emirates, Stamford Bridge, Anfield or Old Trafford.
The list comprises of West Ham at Arsenal 05/06 and 06/07, Bolton at Chelsea 03/04, Boro and Fulham at United 03/04, Blackburn Rovers 05/06, West Ham 06/07, and at Liverpool, Southampton and Charlton 03/04, Birmingham 04/05.
Sharpening the focus to head2head clashes brought forward the following information. There have been 52 games involving these teams and each team has played 26 games. Chelsea have the best performance.
Team Home points Away points Total
Chelsea 24 20 44 Man Utd 24 17 41 Arsenal 23 13 36 Liverpool 15 6 21
With Grand Slam Sunday only hours away the statistic that sticks out is Liverpool’s performance. The maximum points Liverpool have taken in a season against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United have been six – 2003/04 and last season.
What’s more – confirmed with the help of the blog’s trusty Liverpool fans – is that Liverpool have failed to take a single point in the last nine away games against Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. Their best home performance over the same period was six picked up courtesy of two home wins against Chelsea and Arsenal.
After Sunday’s game against Manchester United, Liverpool have to travel to the grounds of their three closest rivals during the remainder of the season.
If Liverpool are to mount a challenge for the Premiership title this season then it would appear almost impossible to do so without improving their record against the other three and in particular away from the friendly confines of Anfield. In the 26 head to head matches since 03/04 Liverpool has 6 wins, 3 draws and 17 losses.
Other head2head stats – the most points picked up in the four-team series in a season since 03/04 was 15 by Chelsea in 2005/06. A clean of away fixtures has not been achieved in that time but two teams managed the feat at home – Chelsea and Manchester United both did it in the 2005/06 season and neither conceded a goal.
In the 52 games since 03/04 there have been five scoreless draws. That’s higher than we see over a season but considering the tension and what is usually at stake it gives hope that Sunday will not only brings thrills and controversy but goals as well.
Of course Sunday’s action will be preceded by the FIFA Club World Cup in Yokohama, Japan. Not unexpectedly the tournament has failed again to garner worldwide interest - my understanding is that in the UK the game is not being broadcast – but surely no self respecting fan can pass up the chance to watch the world’s most successful clubs?
According to Champions magazine Milan and Boca Juniors will go into Sunday’s match having won 17 international titles each – the world’s most successful club sides. Neither side hit full stride in winning their semi final match by one goal but there is no doubt that both teams want to be acclaimed World Champions.
Oh what a weird and wonderful game football is. While Poland made the headlines with the opening game win over Brazil in the FIFA under-20 World Cup, the USA was lucky to escape with a point from a match against South Korea. Three days on and Poland was on the wrong end of a 6-1 thrashing from a rampant American side.
What’s more it was the Poles that took the early lead from Dawid Janczyk. But rather than providing the foundation for a second win it was, apart from a shot in the second half that struck the USA post, the last thing of any consequence generated by Poland. Less than five minutes after the Poles took the lead Danny Szetela arrived in the Polish penalty box and finessed a header past Bialkowski of Southampton.
Ten minutes after that and Freddy Adu provided a glimpse of the talent that is so often hidden when he curled a beautiful left shot past the Polish keeper. Zizzo was the creator and just on the stroke of half time the same two teamed up for a killer goal.
While most players would be looking to run down the clock until half time Zizzo picked the ball up in is own half and drove past numerous Polish players and into the penalty box before laying the ball back to Adu. Adu curled another left footed shot past a helpless keeper.
If the Poles were to recover they needed to strike early in the second half. Instead it was Svetela taking advantage of terrible marking by the Polish central defenders to slip through and drill home the fourth goal for the USA. After good work down the left side Altidore scored his first of the tournament with twenty minutes to go. The scoring was completed when Adu was fed in by Rogers and despite an attempt to “Beasley” it the USA captain completed his hat trick and a famous route.
So why the turnaround? To start with Poland gave the USA much more room than they had given the Brazilians. The Americans were able to find space behind and in front of the Poles back four. The Poles never gave up that space to the Brazilians. The same was true of space on the wings. Against South Korea Rogers and Zizzo were forced inside to help out a central midfield that was under threat of being overrun was much of the game.
The Poles were never allowed to put Svetela and Bradley under the same pressure and the pair were able to play balls into Adu up front or wide to Zizzo and Rogers. With four points in the bag and a plus five goal difference it would need some exceptional circumstances for the USA not to move on to the last sixteen.
Freddy Adu will garner the headlines but there were a number of excellent performances throughout the USA team. The back four was caught square on the Poles goal but apart from that the defense was rarely troubled. Szetela made it three goals in two games and Zizzo put in a terrific shift on the right side of midfield.
You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.
You can also use this blog to contribute your thoughts on the South Korea vs. Brazil game tonight. I have an Old-Timers game tonight so I will be taping the game and watching it later.
If any of you have ever watched “Survivor” you will know that near the end, once the competition has been reduced to the finalists, they reminisce over the other contestants have been backstabbed and lied out of the game.
The FA Cup this season may be low on the backstabbing and lying quotient – better left to the Premiership – but a lot of teams have fallen by the way since the Extra Preliminary Round was held last August.
A little under 700 clubs entered the competition and now it is down to the top two teams in England to battle it out for the FA Cup. But rather than focusing on Chelsea and Manchester United, now is the chance to look back at some of the teams that took part in the competition.
The majority of the extra preliminary round games got underway on August 18 of last year. I randomly chose the game between Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association and Billingham Synthonia and to follow the winner until they were knocked out and then continue with their conqueror.
Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association made it through to the First Qualifying Round beating Billingham Synthonia 5-2 and Thackley F.C. 5-4. According to the FA Cup website the first round win by Jarrow was the upset of the round.
Both Jarrow and Billingham Synthonia played in the Arngrove Northern League Division 1 and although Jarrow won the FA Cup game, Synthonia finished well above them in the league. The teams finished 7th and 15th respectively out of 21 teams. Thackley F.C. finished third from bottom of the Northern Counties East Football League Premier Division and only avoided relegation by one point.
Fleetwood Town dispatched Jarrow 3-0 and made it through the next three rounds beating Goole AFC 4-2, Warrington Town 2-0 and Wisbech Town by the same score. Fleetwood finished 8th in the Unibond League while Goole AFC were 7th in the league below. Playing in the same division as Goole AFC, Warrington Town were fifteen spots lower at 22nd.
Wisbech Town of the Ridgeons Premier League (Eastern Counties) settled in a mid-table position. Salisbury City of the Nationwide Conference South took care of Fleetwood Town in the First Round 3-0 and earned a second round tie against former European Cup holders Nottingham Forest. After a 1-1 tie, Forest won the replay 2-0.
However, it has turned out to be another successful season for Salisbury under the management of former Southampton FA Cup winner Nick Holmes. They gained their second straight promotion. Last season they moved up from the Southern League Premier Division and next season they will be in the Conference National after winning the play-off final.
Forest went on to pull off one of the shocks of the third round when they comfortably beat Charlton Athletic 2-0. It was traumatic season for Charlton that finished with relegation to the Championship.
Forest then drew Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and from that point on it was all Chelsea. They beat Forest 3-0, Norwich City 4-0, Tottenham 2-1 in a replay after a fantastic 3-3 draw, and finally saw Blackburn Rovers off 2-1 in extra time in the semi final.
Forest are currently embroiled in the League One play offs – they beat Yeovil 2-0 in the first leg of the semi and the second leg is May 18. Norwich City could do no better than 16th in the Championship while Tottenham had to again settle for 5th in the Premiership. Blackburn saw their form slip late in the season and eventually finished 10th.
So there you are five degrees of separation between the multi millionaires of Chelsea and Billingham Synthonia who lost the extra preliminary round game nine months ago in front of a crowd of 67 paying spectators. On Saturday we will find out if the FA Cup conforms to 6 degrees of separation when the Cup Final is played out in front of 90,000 spectators and a TV audience in the tens of millions.
What was the best game you saw this season in the FA Cup and what individual performance stands out in your mind?
David Conn on the success enjoyed by FC United. Stuart James looks at the Premiership play-offs. A debate between Graham Taylor and Joe Royle on the merits of the loan system. The Guardian’s list of strikers who may be in demand this summer. Tony Cascarino on the 2006/07 season’s best buy Dimitar Berbatov. Bill Edgar also sorts out the various permutations for the UEFA Cup spots.
And now to the preview.
The Bundesliga takes top spot this weekend as we reach the penultimate round and three teams are still in contention for the title. Schalke leads with 65 points, followed by Stuttgart on 64 and Werder Bremen are third on 63. By the looks of it Schalke and Stuttgart have the more difficult games although circumstances could conspire to give Schalke their first ever Bundesliga title this weekend.
Borussia Dortmund and 80,000 fans await Schalke who have not lost in Dortmund since 1998. However, three consecutive wins have seen Dortmund move out of relegation trouble and now sit in the top half of the table. Schalke’s final game next weekend is at home toArminia Bielefeld.
Stuttgart can still complete the domestic double and plays Nuremberg in the German Cup Final on May 26. Stuttgart are on a six-match winning run and are away to Bochum another side that has been enjoying a fine run of form. Bochum were Bundesliga 2 champions last season and have won their last three in a row and six of their last 8. Greek striker Theofanis Gkekas is the man that Stuttgart must watch. He has scored thirteen goals in the last 11 games and it looks like he will be playing for Bayer Leverkusen next season. Energie Cottbus will be Stuttgart’s final opponent next weekend.
Werder Bremen’s opponents Eintracht Frankfurt sit just above the relegation zone in 14th position and are not yet guaranteed Bundesliga football next season. Bremen’s last match is against another side haunted by the threat of relegation - Wolfsburg .
There are a raft of games in Spain that impact on both the top and bottom of La Liga. Fresh from a Copa del Rey thrashing from Getafe Barcelona are up against strugglers Real Betis. Betis have gone eight games without a win and travel to the Nou Camp where Barcelona have yet to lose a league game this season.
Good fortune is with Real Madrid at the moment and this weekend they face mid-table Espanyol in a game that looks tricky. However, Espanyol has a UEFA Cup Final next Wednesday in Glasgow and are likely to rest and number of their players.
Real Madrid have now won six of their last seven and are within two points of the leaders. Van Nistelrooy is now the leading scorer in La Liga with 20 goals. David Beckham and Robinho are both suspended for this game. Espanyol are without a win at the Bernabeu since 1996 and in the last two visits they lost by four goals each time.
Espanyol stand between Sevilla and a repeat UEFA Cup win. Although by losing to Real Madrid last weekend Sevilla slipped back to third in the table, they still have a chance to do a treble. They also have Sevilla just two points behind. This weekend Sevilla plays Recreativo de Huleva the oldest club in Spain. Recreativo are having a terrific season and are pushing for a spot in next season’s UEFA Cup.
At the other end of the table it is 18th vs. 16th with Celta Vigo playing Levante. Celta have lost their last 3 and have only one win in their last 10. The arrival of Hristo Stoitchkov as coach has done little to stem the bleeding. Levante have only two away wins and Celta have with only 2 home wins so a draw would not be a surprise. In fact Celta Vigo would probably prefer to play away from home given that they have taken 18 of their 30 points on the road.
The bottom two teams Gimnastic and Real Sociedad face each other. A loss for Gimnastic would mean almost certain relegation as it would leave them at least nine points from safety with only 12 points still to play for. Real Sociedad’s position is not much better and are only three points better off than Gimnastic. Sociedad gained their only win on the road in their last away game against Real Betis.
All eyes on the Premiership will be on the games at Old Trafford and Bramall Lane. These matches will decide the final relegation spot. A draw or better for West Ham away to nine time Premiership Champions Manchester United will secure Premiership football next season – as long as the civil legal system does not become involved. Wigan know that anything less than a win against fellow strugglers Sheffield United will drop them back to the Championship after two seasons of Premiership football.
A draw is good enough for Sheffield although they could survive even if they and West Ham both lose. Three teams would then be tied on 38 points but Wigan would have a better goal difference than Sheffield. The last spot would then depend on how many goals Sheffield and West Ham lose by on Sunday.
While two teams will be happy come Sunday night the Premiership play offs get underway on Saturday.
If West Bromwich Albion manages to win the play-offs and join Birmingham and Sunderland in net season’s Premiership it will be the first time since 1914-15 that all the teams relegated from the top flight will bounced straight back. Back then it was Preston North End and Derby County achieved the feat. Southampton needed to win their last three games of the regular season to make it into the play offs for the first time. But for manager George Burley it is his seventh play off series and so far he has only experienced one success. Derby manager Billy Davies has had a team (Preston North End) in the play offs the last two years and has gone out at the semi and final stages. Derby won regular season series with a win and a draw. The strikers to watch out for are Steve Howard (Derby) with 16 goals and Grzegorz Rasiak of Southampton – a former Derby player before a move to Spurs – with 18 goals.
The other semi final is the Black Country derby between Wolves and West Brom. At the midway point Wolves were down in 14th spot but worked there way up to a 5th place finish. Goals were a problem for Wolves – 59 was the lowest total of teams finishing in the top ten – but they did get into a good habit of winning tight games. Wolves had seven 1-0 wins away from home. On the other hand West Brom scored more goals at home (51) than any other side. The season series was split with a win each.
Play off predictions anyone?
Jeremy St. Louis and I will be in Toronto this weekend to augment the FSC crew as they broadcast the Toronto FC vs. Chicago Fire match. We are both looking forward to seeing BMO Field for the first and enjoying the atmosphere generated by another full house of almost 20,000 fans.
An incredible number of postings this week - thanks as always - particularly for keeping the tone civil. For the other semi final I will post a couple of stories and open it up for your thoughts pre and post game.
Meanwhile here are responses to some of this week's questions.
Realmadridccfan - 1. How do you interpret the Canadian Soccer Association's handling of trying to find a head coach for the Men's national team?
2. Do you think that Sunderland would not be going up to the Premiership for next season if Roy Keane was not the Manager? Would he be your Manager of the year in England if you had to pick a Manager of the year?
3. What is your assessment of the second leg of the CONCACAF Champions Cup final? I thought it was quite an exciting tie.
Bobby – 1. I have a couple of questions i have asked the CSA to answer and one i receive the answers I will post a response to your question.
2) I cannot say categorically but I can safely say that Niall Quinn made the right move when - as the Chairman of the club - he fired himself as manager. My pick for Manager of the Year in England would Geraint Williams of Colchester. He replaced Phil Parkinson who skipped to Hull City in the summer – then got fired – and given the resources that Williams has at his disposal Colchester’s record this season is amazing.
3) I didn’t enjoy the second leg as much as the first. The teams looked to be more nervous than in the first game. It was still a good game to watch and some well taken penalties.
Wickedzoot - So what's the deal with Big Sam? MeanSucka - What are you hearing about Big Sam? Is he headed to City or to Newcastle? Or will he replace McClaren?
Bobby – At the moment we have to take what has been said at face value and accept that he is leaving for his own reasons. A manager taking a break is becoming more common especially in situations where their team may have topped out. Gordon Strachan leaving Southampton and Alan Curbishley quitting Charlton are two examples that spring to mind. You can understand where they are coming from. Better to quit while you are ahead and with your reputation in tact rather than waiting around for the rot to set in. I cannot see Sam Allardyce ever getting the England job.
MeanSucka - I only hope Spain's race ends with such a flurry. It would be nice for Becks to bring a La Liga title with him to the HDC. How do you like his chances?
Who do you think would win in a match between Gretna and Toronto FC?
Bobby – It has not been the type of football that Real Madrid fans expect but they are still in the hunt for La Liga. The match with Sevilla this weekend will decide which of the two main challengers has the best shot of stopping Barcelona. I still believe Barcelona holds a significant each given the schedule they face but they have been quite unimpressive the last few weeks – particularly away from home.
Gretna would not lose at the moment unless it went to penalty kicks. In the long run Toronto FC will produce a better side than Gretna.
Spike24 - Your question about dogs and great games reminds me of a question I've been meaning to ask. When Americans say they don't like soccer because there isn't enough scoring, soccer fans basically look down their noses on the brute and chastise him for not appreciating other elements. Then, when a 0-0 draw occurs, those same soccer fans bemoan how boring the game was. You rarely hear people complaining about a boring 3-2 match, even if the quality of play is somewhat poor or equal to that of the 0-0 draw. So, if the soccer fans look down on Americans for focusing on goals too much, how come those same hardcore soccer fans then privately complain about a lack of goals amongst themselves?
Bobby – I think you will find that the majority of fans can differentiate between an enjoyable game that finishes 0-0 and a bad game that finishes 0-0. I would suggest that what upsets them is when a game that finishes 0-0 is automatically written off as a bad game by non-soccer loving sports fans when that is not necessarily the case.
RINGO - This week’s trivia. Who are the only EPL team that have had one name and one home? And who are the only team that where admitted to The Football League without ever having played a game?
Bobby – Chelsea and I don’t know.
digity - What do you think about Man U's Park Ji Sung? In my opinion he is a very under rated player, and I’m very disappointed that he has had such a difficult season with injuries. I think he brings a lot to the team whenever he plays - he might not be as good on the ball as some of his team mates but his exceptional movement and his willingness to support the team makes him stand out. I'll be really looking forward to seeing him play next season.
Bobby – A good player who relies heavily on his conditioning.
Shoot-all-divers - When you think about the relative success Man U have had this season (regardless of how many trophies they may or may not lift), does it make you wonder if Sir Alex held on to Roy Keane a bit too long?
They won the treble in 1999 only after being forced to rebuild after losing Eric Cantona -- around whom the world supposedly revolved. We were similarly told that Keano was the heart and soul of the squad, without whom Man U would never progress past other elite clubs. Funny how Man U doesn’t seem to miss old Roy that much (at all?) and in fact seem to be prospering in his absence.
Being a DC United fan has sharpened my awareness to the issue of heroes overstaying their usefulness. We had to dump a local legend (Marco Etchevery) to win our 4th MLS title a few years ago. Now it's the same deal with Jamie Moreno. We adore the guy, but I wonder if he's holding us back.
Your thoughts?
Bobby – Eric Cantona retired in 1997 and the treble was won two seasons later. However, I don’t remember Fergie rebuilding the team after Cantona retired. Sheringham may have been signed but who else? Same goes for Keane – a rebuilt team – I wouldn’t say so. Teams mature and change constantly and as such the point you make is mute. You could easily argue that if Rooney and Ronaldo had been showing their current form 16 months ago that United would have been in contention for another treble last season with Keane in the side. Players and managers are part of a continuum – it is like claiming that Bill Shankly held Liverpool back and the proof is that Liverpool only won the European Cup after he quit.
Some might claim that United held on to Denis law to long but they were relegated the year after they let him go. Does that prove that they should have held on to him?
MasMaz - I don't know about your commitments but you should do the report on Wednesdays also, especially during Champs league weeks.
Bobby – It is a nice thought but I have other things I have to do during the week and so a regular Wednesday spot isn’t really possible.
RINGO - I notice an English team won the Scottish Third Division this year!
Bobby – The Spirit of Jock Wallace lives on!
Ulsterson - I saw that FA classic game the other night on FSC: Scotland vs. England in '79. Heart-breaker for the Tartan Army but fun to watch Dalglish, Souness, Keegan, Brooking, and the rest. I haven't seen such a rough game since I watched my Shore Road Hatchet Men (also known as The Shore Road Brazilians/Crusaders!!) in the Irish league. It was brutal at times. The ref called for an indirect kick in the box (a call option mentioned by Bobby last night...) for dangerous play/high leg, when penalty would be the call today. The old matches make it easy to see how today's rules have been adjusted to improve goal production by protecting players, which is a wise idea, but seeing how it was then, arouses contempt for the theatrics and log-rolling seen now, whenever a player is brushed with so much as the wind (and before this starts Man U bashing: they all almost to a man feign agony, foul or not)
On the lighter side, the drunken Scot who ran onto the field in the first half did look a bit like our favorite pundit. The quick little #### avoided the peelers for a bit too!! Nothing you want to come clean about Bobby???
Bobby – Sorry to disappoint but I had just moved to Canada and wasn't at the game. However, Scotland’s loss to England that day (3-1 I believe) happened to be the same day that I met my first wife. In retrospect invading Wembley would have been a better option!
Digity - Please enlighten us on the art of the assist...it is one area I feel is constantly overshadowed by the goal itself. Course, nothing's greater than a great goal, but sometimes watching that sublime inch perfect long ball or inspired through pass can make my knees weak. Scholes lob for Rooney's first against AC Milan was one of those - just mind-bogglingly (?) awesome.
Bobby – Over the last few seasons we have seen assists being recorded by more results services. I agree that it is well overdue and provides those of us who follow statistics closely with another bellweather.
Neophyte - I think you may have touched on this before...Is Van der Sar looking rather shaky of late. My confidence in him has faltered a bit. With the defense in front of him being ravaged with injury, I am not so sure of a stellar performance against the goal hungry group of Milan. Tim Howard was ushered out of Manchester and made the goat for their loss in Europe. Will Van der Sar meet the same fate as Tim if he has a less than brilliant game? At this point would you rather have Howard or VdS between the posts if you're SAF? I believe Howard has out played VdS this year...your thoughts?
Bobby – I have suggested on a few occasions that VdS’s weakness is long shots. I don’t have the stats to prove it but my observation goes back to his Juve days. However, I don’t think you can transfer Howard’s performance with Everton with how he would play with Manchester United. Tim Howard has still to prove that the can play at highest level season and season out.
Henry14 - Q1 l am a fan of Adebayor and feel he is still young because Eto’o was not a 20 goal man at 23 but do you see 25 goals in him? Q2 - Do you feel Gerrard deserves a place in the PFA team ahead of Gilberto or Essien? Q3 - Would Madrid sack Capello if he won the title?
Rwonfootball - What happens to Fabio Capello if Real Madrid does win the title?
Bobby – 1. I can’t see Adebayor notching 25 goals a season but 15 to 20 is definitely a possibility. Even without 25 goals Adebayor gives Arsenal a different look when he plays and on that account alone he his worth his place in the squad. 2. If you are trying to pick a balanced team then it is not a choice of Gerrard or Gilberto as they play very different roles. If you are picking the four most exciting midfield players then Gerrard would get the nod over Gilberto. Either way I could not leave Essien out. 3. Capello is gone no mater what?
Venti_vidi_vici - What did you think of the first semi final, and what are you forward to in the second semi final and what do you expect to see?
Bobby – There was some very nervous football being played today. I would hope the play is better tomorrow but with the same tension in the air. I commented on the FSR last night that Fergie might decide to go at Milan given that the United back four might be problematic. I picked a Liverpool – Milan final and will stick with it but I also accept, that just like the game today, the difference between the teams is miniscule.
The Premiership and Championship teams do not enter the FA Cup for another round but cup fever is already gripping fans of Salisbury City. Salisbury has never made it to the third round of the Cup and if they are to do so for the first time, then they will have to beat former European Cup winners Nottingham Forest .
It is not surprising that all 3,100 tickets (up from the normal capacity of 2,700) have already been sold for Sunday’s game at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium and Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports World Canada viewers can catch the game on same-day tape delay (1:00 p.m. EST on both channels).
Salisbury has won all their four games in the cup so far and as yet to concede a goal. In the last round they took care of Fleetwood United 3-0. Fleetwood moved through four rounds of the competition after dispatching Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A, the club chosen at random by the blog when the extra preliminary round of the Cup was drawn.
Salisbury has slipped to third in the Football Conference South and is five points behind current leaders Histon but with two games in hand. However, they have only lost three games out of the total of 22 this year and manager Nick Holmes, who played for Southampton when they beat Manchester United in the FA Cup Final of 1976, is looking to pull off another shock.
In Nottingham Forest they face a team that has fallen further than any European team has ever done. No winner of the European Cup had ever sunk to the third tier of domestic action until Forest was relegated at the end of last season. But for Forest fans this season has provided a ray of hope. Former Scottish international and Spurs’ defender Colin Calderwood took over after a spell at Northampton and the indications are that he has stopped the rot and the club his finally heading up once more.
Currently Forest sit at the top of League One with a six-point lead having won five of their last six league games and drawn the other. However, in midweek Bristol City did defeat Forest on penalties in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy after the teams shared four goals. Forest knocked off Yeading 5-0 in the first round of the FA Cup while Salisbury beat the same team 3-1 back in September in Conference South play.
The bookies are offering odds of 6-1against an upset with Forest 2/5 and 9/4 that a replay will be needed. The second round winners will pocket around $44,000 each plus a place in the draw for the third round with the big boys. The full second round draw can be found here and this is a link to the latest news from the official FA Cup website.
Featured Games to date. Extra Preliminary Round Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. 5-2 Billingham Synthonia. Preliminary Round Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A 5-4 Thackley F.C First Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 3-0 Jarrow Roofing Boldon C.A. Second Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 4-2 Goole AFC Third Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 2-0 Warrington Town Fourth Qualifying Round Fleetwood Town 2-0 Wisbech Town First Round Salisbury City 3-0 Fleetwood Town
