Jonathan Wilson and the "Death Match"

Curbishley and the Charlton syndrome.

The ISL trial is underway in Switzerland.

Johnny Giles thinks that the Italian game is in terminal decline.

FIFA.com takes a gander at teams that remain unbeaten in league play this season.

This BBC article explains how next year’s European places will be divvied out in England.

Gretna hanging on but the end seems to be near.


The chance to focus on the Scottish game doesn’t come around too often but hard on the heels of Rangers making it to the last eight of the UEFA comes the first major final of the season. Rangers has a chance to lift a cup for the first time in three years while in the case of Dundee United it has been closer to fourteen seasons since they had something to celebrate.

The Ibrox turnaround engineered by Walter Smith since his return to the club last January has been incredible. Inheriting a team from French Coach Paul LeGuen that had lost six of twenty-three league games and been knocked out of the Scottish Cup at the first hurdle, Smith went about restoring some much needed confidence and lost only two leagues (the last two and Celtic had already secured the title) the rest of the season.

A place in this season’s Champions League last sixteen proved to be too much but after dropping to the UEFA Cup Rangers have beaten both Panathinaikos and Werder Bremen and await their fate when the draw is made tomorrow (Friday).

Rangers also lead the SPL by three points and have a game in hand over Celtic. However, of the eleven league games still to play Rangers and Celtic have to face each other three times. Both clubs are still alive in the Scottish Cup and have been kept apart in the semi-final round. But first Rangers must see off Partick Thistle in next Wednesday’s rearranged quarter final match.

Rangers may retain an interest in four competitions but Walter Smith is well aware that the Rangers faithful are unforgiving if success is not delivered in regular doses and Sunday provides an opportunity to make it one down and three to go.

It is somewhat ironic that Rangers opponents are Dundee United – the first team Smith faced on his return (a 5-0 win) and a team where he got his coaching start under the legendary Jim McLean. Smith was on United’s coaching staff when they won their first major trophy in 1980 beating Alex Ferguson’s Aberdeen in the League Cup Final.

It was the first visible crack in the Old Firm’s domination of Scottish football and by season’s end Aberdeen had won the first of three league titles under Fergie and over the next six seasons Aberdeen and United became known as the “New Firm”.

The next eleven seasons would see United make it to nine domestic finals, the UEFA Cup final, as well as winning the Scottish League and coming within a whisker of a place in the 1984 European Cup Final.

But making it to the final of a competition is one thing, winning is something else and over the ten finals United won only two – the aforementioned League Cup win in 1980 and they repeated the year after.

After McLean’s “retirement” from the dugout after 22-years United went through a cavalcade of managers with a Scottish Cup win over Rangers in 1994 the only highlight. After a televised run-in with a BBC reporter in 2000 the McLean-era began to grind to a conclusion although it would take another couple of years before he sold his shareholding to local businessman and United fanatic Eddie Thompson.

Thompson soon showed himself to be a match for McLean in firing managers as he axed five managers in his first six seasons as owner. It has only been since the arrival of Craig Levein in late 2006 that a level of stability and success has returned to Tannadice.

Levein has United third in the league at the moment and they played Celtic to a scoreless draw at Parkhead on Wednesday night. There is a real sense of optimism around the club that United can at again be a force in Scottish football although the halcyon days enjoyed under McLean are unlikely to return.

But even though some level of success may be in the future for United this might be the last chance that their owner Eddie Thompson will have to see his beloved side lift a Cup. For the man who put his money where his mouth was to the tune of many millions of pounds is battling what looks to be an unwinnable battle with cancer.

Thompson has already put his financial affairs in order with members of his family being appointed to various positions within the club and Levein was appointed to a position on the board of directors a few weeks ago.

United will be taking close to 17,000 to Sunday’s final at Hampden and many will be wearing special tangerine t-shirts to show support for Thompson with proceeds going to fund cancer research.

North American connection - When I first saw Dundee United play in the early sixties they played in various combinations of black and white. So where did their present distinctive tangerine kit come from?

The year after the 1966 World Cup the United Soccer Association (a forerunner to the North American Soccer League) decided to import twelve teams to play during the summer in North America. Each team played under the moniker of their adopted North American city and Dundee United became the Dallas Tornado.

The Tornado colours were tangerine and the idea to change kit was planted back then. The switch was made in 1969 with the first British showing against Everton in pre-season friendly.(check half way down to see a United as Dallas team photo).

United’s centre half Doug Smith – a player who many considered one of the best players never to be capped by Scotland – made the Second All Star team along with some other memorable names.

Footie fan - Do you think Tevez and Rooney combo will work upfront?

Bobby – We discussed this topic on Monday’s show and I don’t see how these two can’t play together. Both attract multiple defenders when they get the ball so I can see lots of opportunities being created. More importantly I can’t see how any coach worth his salt would turn down having two players like that on your team.

Ulsterson - Heinze (or his agent) seems to badly want the move to Liverpool and first team football, but I'm not sure Heinze would start in that back four. Would he move to the middle? Riise?

Bobby – I think Heinze’s versatility as well as his aggressiveness is what Benitez likes about him. Riise has often pushed forward into the midfield as well so overall it gives Benitez a lot more options to pick from.

CIAO - I'm not sure if you read Atleti's blog, but we from her blog, were wondering if you would participate in a fantasy footie league with some of us? That I know of Atleti, gabemar, Verbal, LGB, VVV, ulsterson and last but not least, the crowd favorite, Ringo were also interested in the idea.

Bobby – You can forward details to fsr@mts.net and the e mail should reach me. No promises.

LetsGoBuffalo - Why doesn't Liverpool build the new stadium to full capacity? After seeing United draws in 3 million pounds per match, what are Hicks and Gillette thinking?

In the same article it talked a little about Man U's transfer activity. First, are most deals between clubs now performance based with escalators? Secondly, seeing as two of United's signings have a hard time with injuries(Anderson and Hargreaves) Who do you see as doing the best with their money out of England's top five?

Bobby – Sorry can’t help you on the stadium issue. In terms of transfer deals there are certainly a lot more incentive based deals than you would have found even five years ago. Re best with their money – it would be Chelsea. They needed more depth in certain positions and they have achieved it.

CIAO - will you also have a review of the upcoming Serie A season?

Bobby – A Serie A preview will be up the week of August 20.

CIAO - Since you will not review the Bundesliga can you please give us your opinion on how Bayern, Stuttgart and Werder Bremen prepared for the new season? I know that Stuttgart added Basturk (a big +), but lost Hildebrand and replaced him with a goalkeeper named Schafer. Do you know anything about him? Bremen lost a defender to Real and Klose to their main rivals. Speaking of, Bayern hit the jack pot with all the talent coming to Munich. What do you make of these three teams in their domestic vs UEFA/CL cups?

Bobby – I haven’t had time to look at the Bundesliga yet so I don’t think I can be of much help. Here’s what I know. Stuttgart was the youngest side to win the Bundesliga for 30 odd years so I’m not surprised that they have not made many moves. Schafer was with Nurnberg and played in the side that beat Stuttgart in the German Cup Final in May. Werder Bremen is one of these teams not somehow find a way to replace players when they move on – almost seamlessly. They have signed Carlos Alberto who played and scored when Jose Mourinho’s Porto side won the Champions League in 2003.
Bayern has splashed some serious dollars this summer and none to early. They should have done this a couple of summers ago instead of allowing the team to grow stale.

Neophyte - What do you think of DeMarcus Beasley at Glasgow Rangers? This seems to be in complete contradiction to his slight frame and easily bumped off the ball style. Do you see this working out? Ally McCoist has been complimentary of him so far. Your thoughts....

Bobby – It was DaMarcus Beasley’s performance for the US against Scotland in November 2005 that set the move to Ibrox off. Walter Smith was managing Scotland that day and in the press conference he was very complimentary about Beasley’s performance and remarked that he was the type of player Scotland use to produce but no longer. Beasley needs a shot of confidence and if he gets it you won’t find him being bumped off the ball so much. I don’t think it has anything to do with his “slight frame.”

Henry14 - 1 What happened to Nakamura, he looked like a guy who had a big club waiting to take him?
2 Who do you think are favourite to win the champions league?
3 Do you understand the ac milan transfer policy because they have money and are linked with everyone but are not buying

Bobby–1. He plays in front of 60,000 every second week, how much bigger can it get? I doubt that there are another ten clubs in the word that attract crowds like that.  2. The bookies say Barcelona. 3. They are linked with everyone because that is how it is with big clubs. There is still over three weeks left before the transfer window closes so it is a bit early to draw the conclusion that because they haven’t spent money they won’t spend money. 

Craigyf - So Bobby, love to see if you have any opinions you can publish or share on the coverage of the MLS, how it's packaged, what it could learn from the more established football broadcasters (if anything) and do you have broadcasters/commentators you like.

Also we have had the Beckham stuff play out a little - what is your take on the whole pulava so far?

Bobby – Because there are multiple MLS broadcasters there is no standard presentation. I have seen good and I have seen awful this year. However, the MLS site is excellent and MLSTV is great. To be able to sit down and watch a game on the laptop or to grab the highlights is fantastic. In terms of broadcasters/commentators in general there are a lot more bad ones than good ones unfortunately - particularly in the area of colour commentators. There are far too many that seem to think that their job is to (a) second guess the officials courtesy of replays or (b) act as back-up play-by-play announcers. The colour guy’s job is to tell us why something happened not to repeat what we can see for ourselves.

As for David Beckham – I have a self imposed Beckham embargo in place until he kicks a ball in anger. Until then I don’t care.

 

 

 A lively blog again this week as far as comments and opinions are concerened.

Henry14-1. Who do you think will win the title given that both teams are in Europe and FA Cup & also looking at the runs left for them?
2. l personally fancy Sheffield to stay up because of their matches at home left who do you think will drop?
3. How do you assess Klose this season?
4. It pains me to say this but l really see that Spurs have made big strides in the last two years do you know when they can ever win the title?
5. Lastly l disagree with what you said on the show that Benitez's rotation is paying dividends, l think it is because they were knocked out of domestic cups, so they were no replays because Arsenal played 7 domestic cup games after Liverpool, Man Utd. had 5 and Chelsea had 6 so l think that’s the main reason up to now. 
6 Do you think Fergie regret letting Larsson go?

Bobby–1. I picked Chelsea at the start of the season and I am not jumping ship even though United have the lead and an easier stretch-run.
2. With Rob Hulse out Sheffield United will struggle to score goals and that is their biggest challenge going into the last 6 games.
3. I haven’t seen enough of Klose this season to really comment. He seems to be off his usual goal scoring pace although he is still Bremen’s top scorer.
4. They will some day but I can’t see it in the near future.
5. Fair point but if Liverpool had won the cup games Benitez would have still rotated his squad.
6. Not after today’s display!

LosAngelesChelseaFan - Chelsea are certainly capable of dumping Valencia on Tuesday, since I suspect that stamina rather than skill will dominate the outcome of all competitions. We shall see.
What’s your considered opinion of all this?
What do think is more important for all these teams right now,
(a) heart and will to win?
(b) stamina?
(c) quality and skill?
(d) most recent result?
... and which one has it?

Bobby – All of the above plus momentum and some well-timed slices of luck ?

Flashman - Toronto FC looked competitive in their MLS debut at Chivas. Obviously, any MLS squad has flaws, but TFC didn't look like an expansion team to me. Greg Sutton looks solid in net and they generated some excellent scoring opportunities early on. Still some work to do in defense.
Do you see this team rewarding the Hogtown Massive - sold out at 20,000 for every game this year - by diving in and snagging a big name player? If so, at what position?
Also, as the streets of London's toney Islington district yet again run brown with fear, do you think Arsenal can hang on to a UEFA Cup qualifying position as they free fall this spring down the Prem standings? Who do you see them losing due to their inability to compete financially with bigger clubs in Yorkshi - er, umm, Europe?

Bobby – I would be surprised if Toronto go the “big name” player route this year. I think Mo Johnston has already said that he is not interested and with a sell out almost guaranteed there isn’t a financial incentive to make a move like that. I think they would be better off spreading the wealth around a bit in an attempt to improve the overall quality of the team. I think Sutton is a keeper – in more ways than the positional sense – but I didn’t see anything else that gave me much encouragement. But, there again it is early days, so maybe a fairer assessment can be made after 10 games. The games against Bolton and Spurs will be important over the next two weeks but I think Arsenal will hold on to 4th place.

jeffers77 - Any thoughts on Tottenham and Sevilla? I think Tottenham has a good chance on Thursday, that penalty against Robinson was ridiculous; a 1-1 score would have been a fair result. Do you feel they have a chance at WHL and if they do go on, what do you think their chances are of winning the whole thing?

Bobby – The penalty was an atrocious decision. If Spurs are to go through then I think scoring first is almost mandatory. Perhaps the bigger question is can the Spurs back four keep Sevilla from scoring. 

Henry14 - l wanted to know the requirements of entering the Intertoto cup and if the Gunners qualify.

Bobby – Here is a link to who is eligible. This link gives the reason for the competition – I think it might surprise you.

Ringo - Can someone explain how Portsmouth can beat Man U and then lose to Watford? Unless the Asian betting syndicates were involved!

Bobby – The only logical conclusion is that if Watford were in Serie A then they would be a serious challenge to Inter this season!

Henry14 - Who is a better winger Quaresma or Ribery or rather player because l thought Quaresma had the edge.

Bobby – I woud take Ribery. He seems a bit more robust to me.

Realmadridcffan - 1. Out of all the soccer magazines that are published, which is your favourite and your least favourite? 2. How would you rate the performances of DC United and the Houston Dynamo in the recent CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final? What do you think it will take for an MLS side to actually win the CONCACAF Champions Cup? 3. Besides the Houston Dynamo and DC United, who do you see as a dark horse(s) for the MLS Championship this year?

Bobby – 1. Favourite(s) – When Saturday Comes, Champions (the UEFA mag) and World Soccer. The least favourite – there are a number of them. The magazines that I have the most trouble with are the ones that just lift pieces and drop them into the magazine – Soccer Italia a prime example – and they are often contradictory stories. Page 3 states Fabio Star Defender wants a transfer to Real Madrid; Page 7 Fabio Star Defender says “I will never leave.” 2. I thought both teams did very well. When Brian Ching scored with only minutes left I thought Houston were going to do it. As far as what is needed - experience obviously helps and I don't think a MLS side winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup again in the next three or four seasons is out of the question. 3. Dark horse - well with a 13 team league it pretty difficult to be a dark horse. However, i can see Chicago Fire challenging DC United in the east and I liked the look of Colorado Rapids on Saturday so they might be the team to watch in the west.

djnima19 – 1. Do you think losing Vidic will cost United the title? 2. Is Foster or Kuzscak a better keeper than Edwin for next season? 3. Who would you like to see coming from La Liga to the EPL next season?

Bobby – 1. Not necessarily although he does leave a large hole in the defense – a lot can happen in the next half a dozen games. 2. I don’t think you can consider Foster or Kuzscak better than van der Sar. Kuzscak, for the rather obvious reason that he is currently the back-up. In Foster’s case he has been playing with very little pressure on him so it is a very unfair comparison at the moment. It is not unusual for keepers to look better playing in a poorer team because they get more chances to shine. With better sides I think that keepers need to concentrate more because of the lack of action. Foster is still very young for a keeper and he certainly looks like he has the potential to be a very good goalie.  3. There is always a big gulf between who we would like to see and who is available. Even with Premiership riches you can’t have all the great players. Goalscorers are high on everyone’s list so the likes of David Villa, Fernando Torres and Diego Milito will probably be targets.

LosAngelesChelseaFan - I have a few questions:
1. Can you recommend a theBLEEP who specializes in Depressive Goonophrenia?
2. Do you think asking over and over again if Thierry Henry will leave Arsenal at the end of the season is a symptom of the above condition?
3. Do you think if Arsene Wenger wears the grey suit with the grey tie at next week’s game against Bolton, it will bring him more of the bad luck that caused them to lose the double against Whamo Utd for the first time since 1965?
4. Do you think hell is a place:
a) populated by Arsenal players who pass the ball for endlessly, but who never shoot at the goal or
b) a place where there’s a soccer game in which the referee is being chased by a complaining Wane Rooney for all eternity?

Bobby – 1. Dr. George Graham. 2. No it is a condition caused by the Vieiraitis virus that was limited to Highbury for a period of five years although it was thought to have been eradicated. 3. Only if he wears it with the standard Sam Allardyce earpiece. 4. Hell is what North America was to soccer fans 20 years ago.

Verbal97 – 1. Does Dumfermline stand a chance to a) stay up in the SPL and b) to make it to the Scottish Cup Final? If they make the finals and play Celtic, would they get a UEFA Cup spot like in the FA Cup? 1 c. Also, how do you rate Adam Hammill, if you've seen him?
2. Also, do you think Abramovich will fire Mourinho this week WHEN Chelsea lose to Valencia or will he wait for the end of the season?

Bobby – 1a. Stephen Kenny seems to have whipped the Pars into much better shape and they now have at least a fighting chance of survival – four points behind St. Mirren with five to play. 1b. They beat Hibs last weekend in the SPL and they face each other again this Sunday in the Scottish Cup semi final. If they do make it and finish up facing Celtic (who play St. Johnstone on Saturday) then a UEFA spot is guaranteed. 1 c. I haven’t seen him and to be honest no one that I correspond with in Scotland has mentioned him. 2. I guess that now changes to “WHEN Chelsea lose to Liverpool.”

Neophyte – 1. What do you think about Riquelme coming to the Prem? or another La Liga team? What ever happened between Villarreal and Riquelme? You can clearly see that without him they're just middle to bottom of the Liga.
2. What do you see SAF doing about the obvious aging midfield at Old Trafford? Does Scholes get the same treatment as Becks and Keane? Is Giggs' time up as well?

 Bobby – 1. I never thought there was much of a chance of Riquelme moving to the Premiership at the end of last season and so I think that there is almost no chance now.  Most likely destination – where he is now, at Boca Juniors. Next – a return to Villarreal. Then – who can guess? It seems that Miguel Pellegrino and Riquelme just fell out – it can’t have been anything that important or we would have already heard all the lurid details. 2. Manchester United have clearly benefited from the incredible seasons that Scholes and Giggs have had. Unless they “misbehave” – and there is no reason to believe that will be the case – Ferguson will be dumping either of them out. Well deserved testimonials for these two – someday.