Thierry_Henry - From your point of view, do you think Setanta Sport which charges $15/m in Canada will have any success? I think the Premier League might be squeezing its loyal subscribers out. I don't think there are many people in Canada who are soccer crazy enough to pay that kind of money.
If it was hockey, yes. but soccer... I doubt. It's only the die hard or professional analysts like you who will pay for it. I had a few friends from Africa who used to wake up every morning to watch the EPL, but now they don't really bother...btw 300,000 subscribers in china on pay tv. wow. that is not even enough. how much do they pay per month? $15?
Bobby – It is interesting question especially given the news this week that Setantamay be sold. First of all I have been surprised how many people that I come across who I would have expected to subscribe to Setanta but have not.
Their reasons are diverse but price is an obvious issue and a lot are quite happy with a couple of game each weekend on Sportsnet and The Score. The market for seven or eight games a weekend is very limited. I don’t know the Setanta subscription numbers in Canada but I would be very surprised if it was in excess of 30,000.
Admittedly at $15 a month that is a fair chunk of revenue but that is not what the company would pocket. It is probably more like $8 or $9 a month after paying money to the cable and satellite delivery systems. The bad news for fans is that I would reckon that $15 a month is the thin edge of the wedge.
Whoever buys Setanta (and they will certainly be sold) will be faced with actually having to make a profit. The only way to do that is either cut costs, increase prices or increase audience. Guess which is the easiest?
Setanta has been happy to rack up losses while acquiring programming assets and offering discounted subscription fees particularly in the UK. The company line is that Setanta will break even this year or next but there are some legitimate doubts that this might actually happen.
The larger problem is that Setanta has forced programming costs up in the markets where they compete and have in turn fueled the expectation that these markets will generate ever higher rights fees.
If they are not sold and turned profitable in a year or so, a loss making Setanta will be back at the table and having to pay even more for the Premiership.
From the weekly viewing figures I have seen Setanta Canada has not served to increase the viewing figures for the Premiership in Canada.
Last season audiences of 90,000 plus were very normal for Sportsnet Saturday morning games. Just two weekends ago the audience for the Saturday and Sunday games did not exceed 65,000. Sportsnet garnered 104,000 for that horrible Everton-Reading game on Saturday which was a very decent number but Chelsea vs. Liverpool only attracted 77,000.
The news last week that the Score was cutting back on their soccer coverage that had only been beefed up in August to support their one game each week is probably another sign that the Premiership although popular is still a niche market. .
Ringo - Do you know of any viewing figures for FSC/FSWC?
Bobby – Neither channel subscribe to ratings and so I don’t know if there are any reliable numbers out there. I’m guessing that FSWC is probably around 750,000 subscribers in Canada while I believe that FSC in the US is around 30m.
However, there is always going to be a large discrepancy between subscribers and regular viewership.
Craigy_f - Did you watch the Udinese V Juventus game? Did it live up to your billing? Did any other game surpass it?
Bobby – I did not watch it . It wasn’t televised in Canada. I watched Inter-Catania, Roma-Reggina and a good portion of Milan-Siena. None of them very inspiring.
Redfan2000 - What's your opinion on Inter Milan? Can Rafa's redmen overcome the blue of Milan do you think? Who is your favourite for this year's Champions League and UEFA Cups?
If you were Rafa where would you strengthen?
Bobby – I picked Inter to win the CL at the start of the season but it was not a choice made with any great confidence. I think the glass jaw might come into it. Certainly Liverpool can beat Inter but if I had to pick this one I would stick with Inter.
Out of the last 32 I don’t think I could name 20 of the teams left in the UEFA Cup without checking uefa.com. I will have a look when it gets down to the last 8.
As for strengthening Liverpool? Definitely on the flanks – both fullbacks and two wide players. I know a lot of fans want Babel through the middle and it is probably his best spot. His crossing is not good enough. Harry Kewell – I think it is time to cut bait. Jermaine Pennant – not good enough. Yossi Benayoun – gets a pass mark but looks more comfortable coming infield rather than staying wide.
As for the centre of midfield I would say the question (as long as Rafa is around) has changed from who plays with Gerrard to who plays with Mascherano. I thought that Mascherano on Sunday against Chelsea was the only player worth watching.
Neophyte -Did you see the Barcelona v. Sevilla match? La Liga still captures my respect. I love the style and pace I see there. Did you happen to see Capel? I believe he is only 19 yrs. old. He looked incredible. I have seen quite a youth movement in Spain more so than any other league (except maybe Holland). Am I correct or are there just as many U-20's in the Premiership that I'm just not aware of?
Bobby – I did see that game. Capel played well for Spain at the under-20s last summer and I am pretty confident in saying that he played at Emirates against Arsenal earlier this season in the Champions League. T
here are not too many under-20 players in the Premiership. If you take a look at the England under-21 and under-19 squads you will see very few names that are recognizable.
Djnima - Do you think Schuster deserves the credit for Real Madrid's success?
Bobby – Did I miss something? I didn’t realize that Real Madrid had won a trophy this season under Bernd Schuster. I didn’t realize that success for Real Madrid was now defined by leading the league, getting to the knock out round of the Champions League and getting knock out of the Copa del Rey.
A bit too early for assigning credit I think.
Davard - Last week you posted an interesting article by a journalist regarding playing into his late 30's in a recreational capacity, and the subsequent physical toll.
Since I have seen you post about still playing the game today, I am curious what your experience has been relating to your overall fitness and football abilities, and overall knowledge/instincts as you transitioned from 20's, to 30's, 40's and onward.
Being in my 30's, and still loving playing the game, just curious to see what I have to look forward to. :)
Bobby – I guess I would sum it up with “I wish I knew then what I know now.” I was taught that running – and particularly up and down sand dunes during pre season – got you fit and maintained it.
Looking back on it that sort of training may have worked when you were 17-22 but at a certain point it makes you very one paced – especially if you did not have a lot of quickness to begin with.
I have learned over the last couple of seasons how important the core of your body is and how it contributes to fitness and balance. Working with weights has made a ton of difference to me as well as working on flexibility - although I still have Scottish hamstrings!!
There was point around four years ago that I would pull a hamstring bending over to tie a shoe lace. Fifty year old+ hamstrings are always going to be problematic but I have experienced a significant improvement since changing my fitness approach.
Overall I think I am in better physical shape than I was a decade ago and it comes down to having a better understanding of what helps you stay in shape and what doesn’t really work. There is no way I can turn up in April without preparing for it and expect not to get injured.
Back in the more serious playing days I could take October to December off but I came to the conclusion that I could not take any months off and I have to keep at it throughout the year. Over time your body will deteriorate but you definitely have a choice about how quickly it will happen. The good news is that you never stop learning and experience helps.
Craigy-F1. Would you attend a Premier League game in the US or Canada?
2. Do you always watch football with the same mindset?
3. Anyone in football you would refuse to interview?
4. Are you a left footer or a right footer?
5. What's the most trouble you've gone through to see a game?
Bobby –1. I doubt it very much. A choice between Birmingham and Wigan and DC United and Toronto FC – I would give my money to MLS.
2. I’m not sure what you mean by mindset. I watch a game hoping that I will be entertained and in some cases astonished at the ability of some players. However, my expectations do change depending on who is playing.
3. Never really thought about it.
4. Where I come from that is a religious question but I am assuming that is not what you mean. Right footed…very right footed although I have always been comfortable playing on the left side.
5. Three memories. Trying to find a game that was on during a cold snap in Scotland. Each game we decided to go to got postponed with two of them while we were on the road or actually outside the park.
The fifth choice was a junior game that we finally got to with half an hour played.
Second memory – having to go to bed very early on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights in order to be allowed to go with my Dad to see Dundee in the European Cup on Wednesdays. For a seven year old that is tough bargain especially because no one at school believed me about getting to go the matches.
The last one involved an incredible amount of weaseling, trading and logistics in order to get to Athens, Georgia to see the 1996 Olympic Final between Nigeria and Argentina. I was working at the Olympics in Atlanta and needed to rearrange a work schedule, get a ticket and arrange a ride to and from Athens.
The only way to get to Athens was with someone who wanted to see the Gymnastics final (?) and had to be in Athens at something like 8:00 a.m. in the morning. He game was not until 3:45 p.m.
It all worked out in the end but there are people who still think I was crazy for passing up on the Mens 4X100 metre final the same day.
But Nigeria won 3-2, the game was a classic and it turned out to be a fantastic day.
Oranjespur 1- What I'm getting at is no team seriously wanting to contend for titles and cups can afford to accommodate a CB that can only play once every 3 games. I'm sure you could give examples but I just don't understand why Tottenham took so long on this issue to find a solid (um er Woodgates health record solid? hmmm) replacement for King.
2- What do you make of Hoddle's Academy setting base in Spain? It seems to me that the FA should try something similar and base it in England. I think Hoddle is on to something here and although the EPL may not see direct benefits from it but the Championship and SPL could.
3- What do you make of Sir Alex finding time to flyout right after the game to South Africa this weekend especially after all the noise he was making about EPL not respecting the 50th anniversary of the crash?
Bobby –1. I guess they thought they had got a temp replacement when they signed Rocha and then again when Kaboul last summer.
2. The FA has had trouble getting an academy for great young players going so I would not hold out hope that they could plan two. I’m guessing that the idea of going to Spain is mostly due to a better climate for outdoor practice.
3. Astounded that something like that would be planned mid season. Another sign that money now trumps game preparation at Old Trafford perhaps?
Henry14 -Q1 Was the impact of the African Cup of nations as adverse as pundits anticipated in terms of points lost or gained during the period in the Prem?
Q 2 What do you think caused Man Utd to lose 5 points during last two games?
Q 3 What is your reaction to the theory that Ronaldo has a Henry disease, that is bottles in big pressure fixtures?
Q 4 What have you seen as a football expert to be Adebayor's improvement this season?
Bobby –1. I am sure that fans of specific teams will be able to points lost because of players that took part in the tournament but I am not sure that many others will be much attention to them.
2. Facing teams that were motivated, brave, well prepared and organized. The statistics would also show that United without Rooney this season are susceptible – missing for all four United league losses I believe.
3. I never bought into the Henry conventional wisdom. However, if Ronaldo hopes to be recognized as the best in the world then he is going to have to turn in performances that make the difference between winning major trophies and finishing second. Kaka has done it, now Ronaldo has to match it.
4. Not an expert, just a guy with a good memory and a few opinions. He looks like a player who enjoys pressure and the limelight without being overbearing or a diva. He is very willing to use his physique to a far greater extent than before and Wenger has shown great confidence in him.
Jeremy St Louis off on assignment to Barcelona and will hopefully be blogging while in Spain. He left this blog before he left.
And finally a group called the Canadian Soccer Federation has recently issued a plan that proposes to significantly change the way the game operates in Canada. After years of the Canadian Soccer Association issuing documents and promises but with little or nothing in the way of delivering on their good intentions the CSF overs up an alternative vision for a professionally run organization.
As well as an outline of their vision for the game the CSF has also gained access to a document prepared by Deloitte & Touche in 2005 that laid out an alternative form of governance for the CSA. The CSA never released this document to the soccer public. You can find and read the document at CSF website.
Phils92001 - The point that I want to make is that of Newcastle. I think that If Big Sam cannot find the goal from Owen, he needs to drop him to the bench and play the one that give the club 17 goals last season.
I think Martins is being robbed the opportunity of not have the chance to play. The club might regret if Martin leaves and that he has lost confidence in the coach because he is playing limited minutes as he used to play last season. If I am correct, whenever Martins and Emre play, there is a different form of attack than what they have now for the pass two game and that Martin scores which is something different than what Owen pose now.
Owen is playing like he is afraid to going into tackles. Whether it is due to his past injury or he is trying to rediscover his form, it might be too late for Big Sam. please give your thoughts on these comments.
Bobby – I think you are looking at this from only one side. If you took the route your suggesting then Allardyce would play Martins and keep Owen on the bench. By doing that Allardyce has no chance that Owen will ever get back to match fitness.
A match fit Owen is a goal machine and as such is a better option than Martins. I’m certain that Owens Premiership record to minutes played at Newcastle is superior to Martins.
There is no doubt that Martins can be an explosive player but he is also very inconsistent and there are times he could not hit a barn door if it was three yards in front of him. There is a reason that Inter generally used him as a substitute.
Djnima – 1. You were right about McLaren not getting the Galaxy job, but do you think he was there to apply for the job? Do you think there was an interview? 2. How would you rate England and Scotland's chances of qualifying for the Euros? 3. Do you think Real Madrid have a chance of making the Champions league Final this season?
Bobby – No and no – a figment of someone's over stimulated imagination. I cannot imagine anyone being that stupid especially when the English press is watching every move. 2. Not all that good on either count. At least Scotland can affect their fate; England needs to hope and pray. However, if Russia stumbles against Israel I cannot see England passing up a second opportunity. 3. Based on their form so far I would be very surprised if they made it to the last four.
Ringo - Did you hear the rumours a couple of weeks back that if/when England and Scotland fail to qualify ,they might play each other in a pair of games at Wembley and Hampden instead?
Bobby – I know that Scotland, N. Ireland and Wales have been lobbying for a return of the Home Internationals but I have not heard about the possibility of an England / Scotland series.
Getz76 - Quick Arsenal question; who's their keeper after the January transfer window? I hear rumors of Green coming from WHU and I would love to believe it, as I think he has as much to do with WHU staying up last season as Tevez. Any other candidates. I know Wenger tends to grab players from Parts Unknown most of the time, but I do not think he will gamble as much on a keeper.
Bobby – If Arsene Wenger signs a keeper it is unlikely to be one presently playing in the UK. In the majority of cases he would have the option to sign one of them before this and obviously he passed on it. He went the English route with Richard Wright and it did not work out. I would suggest that Wenger would consider signing a UK keeper a bigger risk than signing one from your “Parts Unknown”. If Lehmann shut his mouth and was on his best behavior like he was during the season before the 2006 World Cup then he would be starting for Arsenal in goal. At the moment every time he opens his mouth it is to change feet – Wenger cannot recall him as long as he is spouting off.
CIAO - Marcotti's article this week is a bit strange. He really must not have anything to write about and is picking on Martin O'Neil. Isn't a bit early to call O'Neil's time at Villa disappointing? There are no signs that his position is in jeopardy. If the owner had more expectations, we would have seen highly rated players make their way to the club during the summer.
Bobby – O’Neill’s first season may not have been as good as others before him but I would say Villa has a more solid foundation on which to build than they have had for a long time.
They have a very good group of youngsters and if Carson signs permanently then they should have a solid keeper for seasons to come – I have never been a fan of Sorensen. A good shot blocker but brutal of crosses.
Although Marcotti is correct in terms of a consistent goal scoring threat. Agbonlahor will get goals but they need another to partner him. Carew has the tools to be a great striker………except for the part that scores goals.
Apad03 - 1. I read the post on Gullit but what I want to know that really wasn’t in the article is what type of football can we expect to see from his team? Does he have an attacking type of style or what? I am not familiar with his managerial style so I am curious to see what type of football he is going to instill on his new team.
2. What is the best duo, in your opinion, up front for Liverpool? I think they should be playing Voronin and Torres up front. Voronin has some sweet passing skills and I think that with Torres' speed and touch they would make the best partnership up front for Liverpool. I don’t remember seeing them play together yet but I know you'll correct me if I am wrong.
Bobby –1. In terms of Gullit and his arrival at the Galaxy you will soon see countless articles that talk of “Total Football.” Don’t believe a word of it. The concept of Total Football evolved through the work of a number of coaches until it became personified in the Ajax side of the early 70s and Dutch national team at the 1974 World Cup.
The concept requires incredibly skilled players both technically and tactically as well as exceptional speed and fitness. The essence of it is that the ten players (and some would point out that the goalkeeper is expected to do more tactically aware also) are expected to be able to play in any of the outfield positions through constant movement and changing of positions which creates space when attacking and takes it away when defending.
It also requires the team to play a high pressure pressing game a part that Milan perfected under Arrigo Sacchi – with Gullit, Rijkaard and Van Basten in the side. Gullit will not have players talented enough at the Galaxy to play “Total Football”.
However, you can expect Gullit to emphasize speed and width – maybe a standard 4-3-3 formation with two wide players up front. Passing and possession will be paramount. It should be entertaining although I would not be surprised if the start of next season is a struggle as the team copes with the change.
I think someone like Landon Donovan could really benefit from the new regime.
2. If Kuyt can recover any sort of form then the best pairing for me would be Torres and Kuyt.
Let’sGoBuffalo - Any chance we will see a ban on Italian Calcio, like the one UEFA bestowed upon England in the late 80's, early 90's?With all the corruption(inside the game) and violence from the fans it’s no wonder something like this happened.
Bobby – As long as the issue is domestic trouble in Italy there is no chance that UEFA or FIFA would step in. It would create a dangerous precedent that would have far reaching impact on other leagues should anything remotely similar happen. Just to cover old ground – The FA withdrew English teams from European competition after pressure was applied by Margaret Thatcher’s government. The UEFA ban came after that decision was made.
CIAO - Have you heard of Marat Izmailov? Supposedly City, Inter and Sampdoria are all in the race to sign him...
Bobby – I have heard of him but do not know very much about him. I believe he is playing in Portugal on loan from his Russian club side.
Craigy_f –1. What’s your take on the upcoming Scotland Italy game? 2. Do you see Hughes as a successor to Ferguson? 3. How would you rate Martin O’Neill’s tenure at Villa?
Bobby –1. I am not optimistic – I’ve just seen this movie too many times. I hope I am wrong but I see Italy getting the result that they need.
2. I could see Mark Hughes doing a good job at Old Trafford but what I can’t see is a set of circumstances that would position him to take over. Manchester United would not appoint him straight from Blackburn so I think he has to move to a bigger club either in England or abroad but I can’t see where the opportunity might come from.
3. See one of the previous responses.
Chelseabon - Recent news is the Seattle Sounders will be an MLS team in 2009, and it will follow a "club member/owner" style scheme which Barcelona uses where the fans get to vote managers out. Though it appears to work for Barca, I don't feel that this is the best idea for a brand new MLS side. What are your thoughts on this ownership style coming to the US?
Bobby – I was not aware that Barcelona can vote the manager out. They elect the President as they do at Real Madrid and other clubs but I can’t remember a situation where the members voted for a manager’s dismissal.
From what I have been able to discern to compare the Seattle idea with Barcelona’s model is like comparing Paris Hilton’s “work” with drunken elephants to Mother Teresa.
Barcelona is owned by the members – full stop. Seattle has owners who are putting substantial monies up and they are considering granting fans an opportunity to buy a “membership”. From the pieces I have read the Seattle model is little more than an enhanced supporters club and although it might be well intentioned it iappears to be no more than a gimmick.
Henry14 – q1. Can you explain big Sam's lack of tactical nous, why he plays Smith as a defensive midfield, Martins is there to goal scorer but he is on the bench, here is a guy who scored 17 goals last season, more than Viduka and Owen. q 2 How does Barton escape punishment for a horror tackle when Dunn misses games for two not malicious tackles? q 3 Will Mac stay as England boss given a wide call for him to be not sacked? q 4 Are reds genuine title contenders?
Bobby –1. Martins may have scored 17 goals but Viduka scored more - 19. Owen was injured for most of the season so it is hardly a fair comparison. Never been convinced that Martins is a reliable starter saw it with Inter. Over the careers of Owen and Viduka their individual strike rates are far better than Martins.
2. I think the FA chickened out on this one.
3. You must be hearing voices “a wide call for him not to be sacked”?
4. Yes but they need to go on an extended winning streak and stop drawing games against teams that they should be beating. The mid-December meeting with Manchester United is crucial – a loss might leave them nine points behind with nearly half the season gone.
Henry14 - 1.What do you think of Parlemo, l saw them play during the past two weeks and l was impressed with their attacking flair and talent within their ranks, do you feel with high profile victories over Milan and Fiorentina they can push inter all the way?
2. As a Gunner l have to say this in the line of the poor draws at home and the boos directed to Henry do you feel one of Wenger's worst decisions in charge was to make Henry captain when you compare his level of commitment to a Terry or Gerrard do you feel he has enough to lead the young Gunners squad?
Bobby – Palermo has made a great start to the season but it is far too early to think about winning Serie A. Coach Francesco Guidolin made a surprising return in the summer and Palermo has made some good signings over the last year or so – even though they lost Luca Toni relatively cheaply. Mark Bresciano and Simplicio, David Di Michele, Giovanni Tedescoand Andrea Caracciolo are all good players. However, Corini is the player that has impressed me the most since Palermo was promoted. He’s 36 but is still a very important player. At the end of the season I can definitely see a top five spot, maybe top 3, but not a Scudetto.
If you were a player who would you want on your team Terry, Gerrard or Thierry Henry? From what I have seen this season commitment or any lack of it is hardly the problem at Arsenal. Are you suggesting that if they just try harder that they will score more goals from the chances that they create? Did they try harder against Reading – 4 goals – than they did against CSKA Moscow – shut out?
Bigdavedisaster - Other than from free kicks (which Naka does a fine job at already) and publicity what does Celtic gain from Beckham? I just don’t see how he fits into the side as it is today, so unless players are lost in transfers at the end of the year I see it as a bad move.
Bobby – Bigdave, I’m with you on this one. Strachan had to reduce the age of his squad and the cost and remain successful. So far it looks as if he is on the road to achieving all three. How signing Beckham would help achieve these three objectives beats me.
Neophyte -1.Your top U-21 footballers - If you had to field a squad, who do you take and where do you put them? 2. Provided the squads maintain current form, is there a more important match than Man. Utd vs. Chelsea?
Bobby – In the World, in Europe, in England, in the USA, in Winnipeg? Picking an U-21 world team is not something I would attempt without a fair bit of research. Just checking on dates of birth takes a ridiculous amount of effort.
As for Manchester United vs. Chelsea – it is likely to be a more important game for United than Chelsea. Despite the win at Old Trafford last season Chelsea still have the upper hand since Mourinho arrived – same goes for Chelsea's record against Liverpool and Arsenal. On the grander scale the game will be hyped beyond believe but rarely does the outcome of a league race come down to a single game.
Gregz - What is this I hear of Basile thinking about recalling Veron to the Argentine national team. This would seem to be a desperate move on the part of Basile. Veron is 31 for crying out loud. Surely it must be obvious that recalling him is a short term measure. By the time the 2010 WC comes around he would be looking to retire wouldn't he? What do you guys think?
Bobby – If it is true it doesn’t seem to be a move for the future. However, all managers know that if they can get off to a winning start then it lifts the pressure they are under from fans and media and buys sometime to make the changes they think they need to make. That might be Basile’s thinking. Veron was never the same player after he moved from Italy. I thought the season at Parma in particular he was fterrific.
Henry14 - Is it me but the closest team Chelsea seem to resemble is Bolton, they are showing no skill but brushing and bumping into opposition, l thought that as they was so much talent on the horizon l would see a much open match but it was boring to be honest.
Bobby – I was disappointed in the Chelsea – Barcelona game as a footballing spectacle. It was a poor display by both teams. If they both keep this up we might see the equivalent of Portugal vs. Netherlands sometime soon.
Gunnersfan1 - I just don't get Arsenal, they play very well and still can't score a goal or even win at home. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Bobby – Adebayor seems to be the most “ruthless” finisher in the squad and that doesn’t say very much. The Rosicky, Fabregas and van Persie misses were quite something – although Helguera howler against Steauamatched them. If the chances were not being created then there would definetly be more to worry about. Wenger has never found his “fox in the box”. However, I think someone is going to get a real clobbering sometime soon.
Djnima - Examining the schedule Liverpool faces after playing Arsenal (Boro, City, Pompey, Wigan, Fulham, Charlton, Watford) and their recent performance against the Villains, do you think Gerrard is finally hitting form and could go on a scoring tear? How about Rooney? Some of his goals were grave defensive errors. Do you think United will slip with all the goals they have been scoring? Must have been a big snowstorm! Sad to not see you appearing on tonight's show . . . was looking forward to it!
Bobby – Liverpool needs to go on a run – first of all they need to get back into contention for a top 4 spot and then go from there. Things balance out so Gerrard’s goal against Bordeaux might be a sign of things to come in the Premiership.
Bolton made defensive mistakes against United that they rarely make. But as with Gerrard, things balance out and Rooney was due a goal or two or three – he took all his goals very well. As for United’s overall goal production – if the squad stays fit there is no reason why they shouldn’t keep scoring a lot of goals but perhaps not quite at the same rate. The best United has ever done was back in 1999/00 season when they avearged 2.55 goals per game – the poorest rate of return was 2004/05 with only 1.53 goals per game. At present their strike rate is 2.3 goals per game which – if they maintained – would be their second best performance ever in the Premiership. Over the last 14 and a bit seasons Manchester United has averaged 1.95 goals per game.
As for Monday night the snow storm was not the reason for missing the show. Sometimes life gets in the way of football and Monday was one of these nights. I had a long standing commitment that could not be moved.
Thanks for the contriuitions this week - there were real crackers.
On a closing note I managed to catch “Once in a Lifetime” this week. I thought it was a great movie. The story telling was fantastic and the soundtrack hit all the right notes – so to speak – with Steely Dan’s “Dirty Work” providing a fitting end.
Daniel Finkelstein “The Fink Tank” on the Cole – Gallas swap and statistically which club got the best deal.
Mihir Bose on the West Ham Argentine transfer “coup” in last Thursday's Daily Telegraph. Bose wrote the definitive book on the aborted Sky takeover of Manchester United - "Manchester Unlimited".
Some more details on the upcoming “Panorama” program to be broadcast in the UK concerning corruption.
Neil Clark has a story in The Independent about Argentine clubs selling the rights to players to businesses.
Meanwhile Nick Townsend takes a bit of a different view.
Is Crouch one of the world’s great strikers as 11 goals in 14 England games would seem to indicate? Or is it a case of an awkward forward riding an international hot streak and that his ratio of slightly better than 2 goals in every 7 Premiership is a fairer reflection of his true worth?
Here is a list of the top 100 Premiership goalscorers to the end of August 2006. Crouch’s stats have inserted at the relevant level even though he has yet to break-in to the top 100 club. (The number attached to each player is their position in the all-time goals list as opposed to their goals to games ratio).
....all Australia (well the non-Italian part) must be absolutely stunned. I can't ever remember a game at a World Cup Final being decided with what was literally the last kick o####ame and a penalty kick at that.
What was Lucas Neill thinking about? That was just bad defending at that stage in the game, or at any stage in a game I suppose.
No disrespect to the Swiss or the Ukraine but Italy is eyeing a semi final and has yet to play well.
Italy is having the better of this one although they are far from dominating.
Zambrotta is back in Italy's line-up at right back but we haven't not seen him push forward to often. Maybe he is playing himself into this one - more adventurous in the second half perhaps.
Cannavaro and "the Matrix" are handling Viduka who is badly in need of support.
Del Piero has been quite up to now and Italy has been dangerous with longer balls fed into Toni from midfield rather than from any link play.
It is always facinating to try and work out what system Guus Hiddink is playing. It looks like three at the back but sometimes four. Three in central midfield with a couple of wide midfielders but sometimes only three with the wide players droping back depending on the Italian attack. What is clear is Viduka is the lone striker. He needs to either hold the ball longer for support to arrive or to have someone up there to support him.
No doubt Hiddink will make adjustments as he always does. If Italy do not get a goal in the first 20 minutes of the second half I can see Hiddink pushing on and trying to win this one.
Australia is struggling to create clear cut chances - in fact they are not creating any chances.
Not so quick. Chance for the Aussies as big Kennedy is fouled right on the edge of the penalty box. Viduka strikes it well with his right foot but the keeper saves well. I thought Kewell's left foot might have been a better option.
The Japanese defense is outnumbering the Aussies when they get close to the box.
Hiddink plays his last sub with Wilksire off and another strilker - Aloisi - on. Japan might catch Australia on the break.
Aloisi receives a welcome-to-the-game yellow card within two minutes - silly boy. Japan is getting the ball into wide positions when they break but the chances are being wasted.
Australia is pumping balls into the Japanese penalty box but the crosses are very poor.
Seven minutes and another free kick for Australia. Aliosi hits it ever so well but the keeper makes a great save.
Sam Allardyce would be proud. A long throw in drops to my boy Tim Cahill who slides it home. A massively important goal. Can Australia become the first team to come from a goal back to take a point?
They've just done better than that - Cahill does it again. He is such a cracking wee player!!!
The Japanese are stunned, shell-shocked and anything else you can think of.
And there is more - Aloisi runs through the Japanses defense to score and to cap the most sensational 10 minutes of this World Cup.
Just minutes ago the Aussie fans in the crowd looked like they had just been told that all the breweries had burned down and now they are set to drink K-town dry.
I've watched the replay again and it doesn't look like Takahara was pushed into Schwarzer's path. However, I still looks to me as if the keeper made a mess of it.
This game looks to have a lot more goals in it though.
You can check out the first half stats at the Fox Soccer site.
Four years on and Roy Keane "quits" again - this time for good.
Viduka shows how brilliant he can be by playing in Bresciano with a cute back heel but the Parma player doesn't make good contact.
Japan go into the lead and it was a soft goal. Nakamura floats one in and Schwarzer makes a real bollocks of it. There was contact with Takahara but the referee - I'm assuming - judged that the Japanese player was pushed into the Aussie keeper.
I thought Schwarzer mistimed coming off his line and should have been able to take the ball in the air and to clean Takahara's clock at the same time.
This one has started very brightly - almost has a Premiership feel to it. It sounds as if there is a great atmosphere in the stadium.
I've avoided picking on the ESPN announcers but I can't let this one go - "Alex on the ball for Japan, certainly looks Brazilian." Maybe the name might have provided a clue that the Japanese player isn't born and bred.
Fifteen minutes gone and the game is still going from end-to-end. Viduka and Emerton are playing with fire in their bellies - Boro and Blackburn fans must be rubbing their eyes.
Australia need to get Bresciano and Kewell the ball.
