A field producer and I made our way to Spain on Tuesday to do a 1-on-1 interview with Ronaldhino.  EA Sports is launching their newest footie title - Fifa Street 3 - and as part of the launch, Ronaldhino had agreed to do interviews with seven media outlets from around the world at the Camp Nou on Thursday February 14th.

Myself and my producer were the only people invited from North America - and with an opportunity to interview one of the world's biggest footie stars, we couldn't say no.  So, we figured if we're going THAT far to interview Ronnie, we might as well line-up a couple other interviews and do some feature work.  We managed to secure interviews with Lionel Messi, Frank Rijkaard and Thierry Henry - all of whom were gracious and quite excited to get some North American face time.  And Messi will be seen back in Argentina through Fox Sports en Espanol.

We attended morning training next to the Camp Nou and this was quite the experience.  Where everything is so open in North America, it is NOT in Spain.  The players basically train in a cage with no cameras allowed into the training pitch - except for Barca TV.  They actually have areas of the wire fence cut out where you can shoot 'clean' video (without the fencing muddying up your shot) and media arrive early to get a good spot along the fence.  Then right as the players start to come out, they let fans into an area on the far side of the training pitch where they run up and jockey for position behind a barricade to watch training.  Do they not have school at 10am on a Thursday??  Needless to say the girls were relentlessly screaming at various players throughout the next two hours whenever a player approached that side of the training pitch.

Watching the players warm up and play their little 'keep away' games really gave me an appreciation of just how much fun these guys have on a day to day basis.  They laugh and cheer one another, they run into each other and they give each other plenty of stick!  Even Frank Rijkaard gets fully involved - and the guy has still got the goods!  They look like a 'team' who enjoy one another - and are nothing like how they are portrayed in MARCA or other Spanish papers.  Just reading MARCA gives you an idea of why some of the players (Ronaldhino especially) refuse to do interviews anymore.  They simply go at the players constantly and with such limited access to the players, you can see why.  Their appetite is never fully fed and when they need a story, sometimes they have to sink to the lowest depths.  I'm thankful the North America system is the way it is - we have so much access to athletes that there is no real need to sink low - though that doesn't stop some people does it?

Oh and a great moment at training.  Samuel Eto'o came back from Africa and showed up at training just to see the guys.  It was pretty cool.  he comes in, they give him a hand and then they all come over and hug/congratulate him and welcome him back.  We find out later Eto'o is not hurt but he will not feature this weekend versus Real Zaragoza but should return versus Celtic next week in the Champions League.

Following training, it's off to the Press Conference room where Thierry Henry and Rijkaard talk to the reporters who've stuck around (pretty much everyone).  They answer the questions they've had thousands of times before and Henry in particular seems annoyed at times.  There have been plenty of articles in the past few days about Ronaldhino, Rijkaard and the fact Barca are having problems scoring goals.  As Rijkaard later told us - to lose in Barcelona is akin to the world ending.  They are a huge club and losing - even once - causes major problems.

In our conversation with Rijkaard and Henry - both say the team is getting the chances they need and they are confident it will turn for them.  Both are confident they are in a good position to catch Real Madrid - but I didn't expect them to say much else.  Henry was particularly engaging and despite being told he only had time for a couple questions, he stayed and talked to us for a good ten minutes.  We'll have a story about our conversation with him next week but I'll reveal here he DOES have plans to head to MLS and he follows his old team (Arsenal) religiously.  No comment about stories linking Arsene Wenger with a move to Camp Nou - but he did say that Rijkaard is a great coach.

As for Ronaldhino - he was an excellent interview as well.  He's rather shy so that has the effect of closing him down when he meets new people for interviews but my Argentine producer put him at ease right away and he opened up to us.  It was nice to meet him and simply put - people who say he doesn't care about his team or the game have no idea of who he truly is.  Football is his life - he lives to play but he also knows it is just a game and there is more to life.  Again - more on Ronnie when we return next week.

Before I go - funny little story from Thursday/Friday.  MARCA were the last crew to interview Ronaldhino on Thursday - and he hasn't talked to them in months.  They were warned ahead of time that if they started to go at Ronaldhino because of this, they would have their interview cut off - and they did and it was cut-off.  In Friday's edition of MARCA they chronicled their interview in a two-page spread word for word.  And they made mention of the fact that an AMERICAN TV crew (us - but we're Canadian) got to interview him first AND got the most time with him (15-minutes) while they (the only Spanish media invited) were cut off after seven minutes.  Miguel and I laughed sitting in a cafe at Sagrada Familia after reading that.  We made the papers in Spain!!

See you next week!

Let's be honest here - more honest than the Premier League anyways - the move to take games overseas in 2010-2011 is ALL about money.  Premier League Chief Executive David Scudamore may be trumpeting that it's all about 'staying ahead of the competition', but anytime you're telling people that cities will have to 'bid' to host games, how is it about anything BUT money?

We all know how the Olympic bidding process is all about money, as is the World Cup bidding process.  Is this not along the same lines?  Or by 'bidding for games' does Scudamore mean to imply that the culture and infrastructure of a city will be taken into account ahead of how much money they will be able to generate for the Premier League?  Ya - I chuckled at that one too. 

This whole thing makes me think of a popular band announcing it is going on tour - but not revealing what cities they will tour to.  Instead, it's upto the cities how much money they can come up with to attract the band.  Kind of like U2 coming here to Winnipeg for example.  We have a shiny new arena here and get some great concerts rolling in (Tom Petty in August kids!!) but we could never attract the likes of U2, Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, Bruce Springsteen, etc.  We just can't generate the money they would demand.

This is what the Premier League now is.  They are a football 'rock band' who has realised they can go global and make piles and piles of more money doing it.

Would I pay to go and see Manchester United play Wigan in Toronto -  if I lived there sure!  Would I shed any tears about the fans of Manchester & Wigan who are missing out on the game?  Not bloody likely (the game would likely be carried by Sky Sports back there anyways right?).  But outside of my own self-serving attitude, the question I have is does this REALLY help the Premier League?

I say that because looking at the fixture list from January, it was packed between league games, FA Cup games & Carling Cup games.  Not to mention Africa Nations Cup (January 2012).  How (and where) do you fit an overseas game in?  Travel and the game itself would likely take say - what - four days of the week depending on where you go?  Where in January were there four days without some kind of Prem team in action?  And four days is the MINIMUM you'd likely need depending on where you go.  So say you do it - where do you now put Carling and FA Cup ties?  February?  What about Champions League and UEFA Cup that get back underway?  Do you extend the FA & Carling Cup competitions?

With more and more player injuries, do you risk adding another game in a quest to make money if it could end up costing you a star player?  How many players came back from International duty hurt last week?  That was just a single game.  Worth the risk?

And sure United and Wigan in Toronto would fill Rogers Centre - but are you growing the league or are you catering to already existing fans?  I know if I wasn't a fan of the game (or the team), I wouldn't pay what they will charge for one of those matches.  The National Football League is the most successful sports league in the world in terms of making money.  They announced they will be heading to Toronto via the Buffalo Bills for some exhibition and regular season games in coming seasons - just to test the market.  Want to know what the reported 'average' ticket price will be? 

$285. 

If you're not a fan of the NFL, would you pay that just to go check it out?  I wouldn't pay it and I AM an NFL fan - a HUGE one (go Niners!).

I don't imagine the Premier League would be that pricey but you get my point.  To grow the game as Scudamore suggests is the motive, ticket prices should be about $10 so as to attract everyone.

But perhaps the biggest question is - how do you determine who plays whom?  THAT could be the issue that is the biggest problem because it means you now have an unbalanced schedule.  Two teams are going to see each other three times - and if you're Derby County facing Manchester United three times, is that really fair when Fulham only see them twice?  Birmingham Chairman David Gold said one game doesn't decide a season - and while I agree David one game doesn't decide a season - it CAN.  And that is the issue I have.  So what do you do?  Do you use the NFL's scheduling formula?  As far as I know bending space and time might be easier.  And when do you do decide the matchups?  At season's end or at the beginning of the season?

My idea (as dumb as it might be) is that you would do it at the end of the season.  Once you know who is coming up from the Championship, you put five balls each into four pots.  The top-5 in one bowl (A), teams 6-10th place in another (B), 11-15 in another (C) and 16-17 along with the three promoted teams in another (D).  You then draw one from A against one from C, one from B against one from D, etc, etc.  That way the top five play a team finishing 11-15th and the 6-9's play a promoted side or 16/17th place.  That's fair isn't it?

It's a safe assumption that unless FIFA puts the kibosh on the plan, the Premier League will steam-roll ahead with it - like it or not.  I think the only way you get the fans to go along with it is if you make it attractive to them.  Fans in England have always seemed bonded to their teams in a way we may not fully understand over here.  In Europe a team is like a friend.  Here, it is a franchise, a business - and we cut ties all the time (Winnipeg Jets anyone?).  So the thought of the rest of the world getting a piece of what UK fans get week in and week out drives them nuts. 

"It's mine, you don't get to experience what I do.  Watch it on TV sure.  Come over here and spend money on our economy great - but us come to you?  Forget it!!" 

But what if the money made off such trips helped to reduce the costs to you Mr. UK fan?  What if the $150 I pay to see Wigan play helps to reduce your season ticket price by say - 25-pound?  Then would you be for it?  The thought of saving money at the expense of us over here could likely bring a lot of positive reaction.   But how many owners besides David Gold at Birmingham will go for that?  They may not have a choice at the end of the day though if they want it to go through.

It may not be the one deciding factor, but it could be the clincher. 

Just my random thoughts.....

We're looking for your thoughts on the issue in this week's TOPIC question.  Head to the front page at Fox Soccer and check it out.  We'd love to hear what YOU think!

While you're hanging around - also be sure to check out Layni's take on all things Chelsea and England and of course, the guru himself - Bobby McMahon.

Cheers!

As the season starts to wind down in England, the battle for European spots heats up.  All the focus lately has been on who will claim that 4th and final Champions League spot.  Liverpool are always the favorites for European play but if their form doesn't pick up - there are a host of other teams set to swoop in.  Of course, someone has to miss out so I've decided to take a statistical look at who COULD finish in that 4th position.  Not who will - but who could.

Lets begin with some historical data.  Over the past four seasons Arsenal, Liverpool & Everton have claimed 4th spot (Arsenal the past two seasons).  Last season the Gunners finished with 68pts, the season before that they had 67pts.  In 2004/2005, Everton secured a Champions League spot (very briefly) on 61pts.  Prior to that it was Liverpool in 2003/2004 finishing on 60pts.  Averaging it out, over the past four seasons the point total needed to secure the final spot is 64pts.

Now lets look at the run out for the final ten games for each team from places 4th through 10th - all of whom have a shot at 4th spot.  Everton were sitting 4th heading into the current round on 44pts and are averaging 1.76pts per game.  If we use that number, the Toffees should be on about 49pts with ten games left (1.76 X 28 games).  Over the past four years they've averaged 11.5pts over that last ten games giving them a total of 61pts (11.5 + 49) at the close.  If you take their average (1.76 X 38) you get 67pts - so they are looking at a potential 6pts (61pts - 67pts = -6) difference between the pace of this season and their historical average over the past four years. 

In their final ten games, Everton play 4th spot rivals West Ham, Liverpool & Aston Villa - with two of those at home.  They also play the bottom five teams - but they also play Arsenal & Chelsea.  Those two games could be the difference between 4th spot and 5th spot.

Liverpool also face three 4th place rival sides down the stretch - Everton, Blackburn & Manchester City.  The thing helping Liverpool most though is the fact they play each of those games at Anfield.  Granted, their home form hasn't been that great this season but you'd have to think that gives them a slight edge in each of those games.  From 24-rounds of play, Liverpool are at 43pts (1.79 average) and they have the game at hand on everyone they are fighting with.  They should have about 50pts with ten to go and when you factor in their four year average in those last ten games, another 18.75pts puts them in front in that 4th place race (69pts).  In fact, they are 1pt better than the average points predicts (1.79 X 38 = 68).  Having said that, the Reds form as of late has been far from previous seasons and with their propensity to draw, one has to think that last stretch could yield as little as 10-11pts.  Especially with two away games at Manchester United and Arsenal.  But like Everton, they also play the bottom five teams which SHOULD yield 12-15pts.

Aston Villa are 6th heading into the weekend but Martin O'Neill's team are beginning to show signs of a surge.  They face Portsmouth, Everton and West Ham in the last ten games - all away - and that could be the difference for them (4-6-2 upto now on road).  They play 6 of their last ten against bottom-half sides including games against the bottom two.

Over the past four seasons, Villa have averaged 13.25pts in their last ten games.  When you take their average so far (1.64pts/game), they should be at 46pts (or better) with ten to go.  Factor in that 13.25 and they stand to finish at 60pts.  That's two worse than their average indicates (1.64 X38 = 62).  That puts them out of 4th.  They DO have an easier schedule than the two teams currently above them and only face on top-3 side in Manchester United.

Next up is Manchester City and this one could be the real wild card.  Sven Goran Eriksson's side started brilliantly, fell off for a bit and now go to Old Trafford and take the champions for three on a day when they had no business winning (a great performance though on an emotional day!).  City also face just one of the top three teams in their last ten (Chelsea) and like Villa, have six bottom half teams to look forward to - including games against two of the current last three.  Their 41pt total gives them an average haul of 1.64pts per game so far and averaged out over the 38-matches - they should finish with about 62pts.  With ten to go, they should be sitting at about 46pts.  Over the past four seasons, City have managed a meagre 11pts in that last ten and that point-per-game ending has them 5pts in arrears of the average (46 + 11 = 57pts).  Here's where we'll see if the signings during the transfer window pay dividends - especially Benjani.

In terms of outsiders looking in - we have Blackburn in 8th spot, Portsmouth in 9th and West Ham in 10th.

Rovers will play the bottom five in half of their last ten but face tough trips to West Ham, Liverpool and Portsmouth.  They could also be in tough versus Manchester United at home.  After 28 games they should be hovering around 44pts (1.56pts/game X 28).  When you add their average ten game finish (16.25pts) - they end on 60pts.  That's one point better than the 59 that comes out in the average over 38-games (1.56 X 38).  I would be surprised if they do much better than that - the away form certainly has to improve!

Portsmouth are the team I like the most to surge up and grab 4th spot.  Some astute signings by Harry Redknapp means this team should blow their average away - especially considering they have 6 of their last ten games at home and are the ONLY team in the fight that DON'T play the top four.  They have 5-games versus bottom half teams which should yield a good bounty but they also face four of the teams they are battling with - Villa and Rovers at home, West Ham and City away.  Any slips could be costly at this point - and the numbers back that up.  Pompey are averaging 1.52pts/gm and over 38 games that will give them 58pts.  Their average points haul over the last ten is 15.75pts.  When they hit 10-games to go they should be at 43pts (1.52 X 28) and when you add that average - they end on 58pts.  That would be out of Europe.  But given their schedule and the additions - I think you'll be able to add at least another 6-9pts to that putting them right in the thick of it.

Lastly is Hammers and they have home games against Rovers, Portsmouth & Villa along with away trips to Everton and Manchester United.  Given the fact they were in the League Championship two fo the last four seasons, I've done some funky math with their average finish.  In their past two Prem seasons, they've finished strongest of the lot picking up 18.5pts.  Over their last two Championship seasons they averaged 18pts - but I've multiplied the two totals by 0.65 to give us 14pts and 9pts.  So, when you do the new math there (24+13+14+9=60 divided by four = 15pts) West Ham should end at about 55pts - right on their 1.44pts per game average.  Don't ask me why I used a factor of 0.65 - it just seemed like a good number.

So - to conclude - here's how it could end statistically speaking (Total w/10g left + 4yr average):
4) Liverpool  69pts
5) Everton  61pts
6) Aston Villa  60pts
7) Blackburn  60pts
8) Portsmouth  59pts
9) Manchester City 57pts
10) West Ham  55pts

Here's how it could end based on pts per game average X 38 games:
4) Liverpool  68pts
5) Everton  67pts
6) Aston Villa  62pts
7) Manchester City 62pts
8) Blackburn  59pts
9) Portsmouth  58pts
10) West Ham  55pts

Here's how I think it will finish based on form and factoring in non-numerical elements:
4) Portsmouth
5) Everton
6) Manchester City
7) Liverpool (and yes Benitez is fired)
8) Aston Villa
9) Blackburn
10) West Ham

Thanks for reading - this was a long one - so feel free to pick it apart.

I'm off to Spain this week to do a 1-on-1 with Ronaldhino and some other Barcelona players - but I'll try to blog a bit over the course of the week to give you a view of things from Spain.

Until then - have a great week!

IS AVRAM GRANT *GULP* BETTER SUITED TO CHELSEA THAN JOSE MOURINHO?
I've come across a lot of articles lately that feature a football pundit of some sort eating their words in regards to Chelsea and manager Avram Grant.  I guess it is now my turn....Sort of.  While I still believe Chelsea have done nothing to prove they are just as dangerous under Grant as they were under former manager Jose Mourinho, I do have to give the guy some props for holding the ship together - because that's what he's done.  In fact, he's even improved upon the Blues record from a year ago!

Last week I decided to take a look at the stats and compare just how Grant has done since he took over versus what Mourinho did a season ago over the same span.

Since September 20th, 2007 when Mourinho left via 'mutual consent', here's what the Blues have done:
In all competitions:    
23 wins      
2 losses     
5 draws      
30 games total

In the Premier League
13 wins X 3pts = 39pts
2 losses
3 draws X 1pt = 3pts
TOTAL: 42pts     

Here's what Mourinho's record was last season over the same span:
In all competitions:    
21 wins      
3 losses     
7 draws      
31 games total     

In the Premier League
12 wins X 3pts = 36pts
2 losses
6 draws X 1pt = 6pts
TOTAL: 42pts

So having played one more game under Mourinho, Chelsea still had the same points total over the same time span.  If you include this weekend's draw with Portsmouth to level out the number of games, Grant's Chelsea are just one point better than Mourinho's.

Having said all that though, Grant has had it a little bit tougher in terms of injuries and absences than Jose did.  He's had to contend with the losses of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, John Terry, Michael Essien,  John Obi Mikel, Salomon Kalou & Ricardo Carvalho - and he's managed to take them on a club record unbeaten run while keeping their home run also intact.  BUT - he also has a deeper squad than Mourinho had.  Last season when they lost GK Petr Cech and DF/Capt  John Terry, it was difficult to fill the void - especially in DF after they'd let William Gallas and Robert Huth go over the summer previous.  But this season, Grant has both Alex and Tal Ben Haim to fill the void and the team hasn't missed a beat. 

Both those players were acquired under Mourinho's watch.

The one thing Grant hasn't done as promised is make Chelsea a more entertaining team to watch.  When he came in, one of the points he made to the media and fans was that Chelsea should be playing a more open style of football with the skill players they possess.  But little has changed.....In fact:

In all competitions Under Grant:   
31 games    
55 goals     
Avg = 1.7 goals/gm    

In all competitions under Mourinho:
32 games
64goals
Avg = 2 goals/gm

So Grant hasn't really changed anything despite the fact he said he would when he came in.  After their game last weekend, Grant actually came out and told the media that his side should indeed be scoring more goals.  You see how they listened versus Portsmouth and were it not for some rust on Jermaine Defoe's shooting boots, Chelsea would have lost that game Saturday - by a few goals!

Looking at the numbers (and the way they play), all Grant has really done is make sure the club continue to play a winning brand of football.  They don't takes risks and on the road especially they are still a team that soaks up pressure and wears the opposition down before going in for the kill.  They are playing the EXACT same brand of football that they did under Mourinho.  And I'd even go so far as to say it's not as exciting based on what I've seen of Chelsea this season.

More numbers for you - lets take the month of January (with and without the Africa Cup of Nations):

Under Grant:     
4 wins      
12pts      
6 goals      

Under Mourinho:
4 wins
12pts
7 goals

So is Avram Grant a better fit at Chelsea than Mourinho?  I'm sure Roman Abramovich would say 'yes' because Grant has done everything that has been asked of him.  But until Grant does something in Europe and gets them farther than Mourinho did, he'll always be a guy who was able to hold the team together in my mind.  The REAL tests for Grant are coming over the rest of the season with Champions League play and the summer transfer window.  In a year we'll have a much better picture of how skilled Grant is as a manager - and I'll hold out on eating my piece of humble pie until then.

ODDS ON BENITEZ SACKING SHORTEN - YET AGAIN
After their shock 1-nil loss to West Ham midweek last week, I zipped over to William Hill to see what the odds were on Rafael Benitez getting sacked.  I'm no punter but I always love checking the odds on these things.  William Hill had shortened the odds to 4/7 that he's NOT at Anfield next season and put them at 5/4 to stay at Anfield.

This whole Liverpool thing is really starting to grate on me.  If you saw Friday's show, I asked Bobby for the umpteenth time if the circus show at Anfield is showing itself on the park.  He said it certainly shouldn't be given the quality of the players - and he's right.  And while it may or may not be affecting the team's play, my belief is it certainly is affecting Benitez and his ability to do his job to the best of his abilities.  He's a fantastic tactician and isn't rattled by ANY opposition - but start to talk about ownership issues, budget restraint and his job security and the guy loses his focus rather easily.  But how many managers wouldn't?  It's a tough situation for Benitez who has shown himself to be an astute manager. 

If he DOES leave Anfield, the question I have for Reds fans is - who do you bring in to replace him??  Graeme Souness is always out there....David O'Leary is sniffing for work (I'm chuckling at his chances of landing such a post as well I assure you)....Marcelo Lippi?  Ottmar Hitzfeld?  The 'always whoring myself out to the highest bidder' Guus Hiddink....Marco Van Basten (if he doesn't sign for Ajax)....Or would they be able to get *gulp* Jose?

One thing is for certain - unless something changes I think Benitez is a goner.  If they manage to finish 4th he may have a slight chance of staying aboard but if they miss out, he's gone.  And you know what Liverpool fans?  You're as much to blame for the team's terrible showing this season as anyone else.  You have helped contribute to the culture of instability by railing against the owners, booing the players and now forming this stupid group that seems to actually believe they have the slightest of chance of buying the team.  Puh-leese!  All you are doing is de-stabilizing your team.  You'll never walk alone?  Ya right.

I've got plenty more to talk about but I think this is enough for now.  I've taken up enough of your precious time with this 1,264 word article.  Feel free to respond to the postings or ask questions.  I'll do my best to respond as always.

I'll be back later this week with a new blog for you - something a little different so keep an eye out.

**This is an article done about FSWR in Winnipeg's biggest news paper this past weekend.  Randy Turner is the author's name.  I've been asked about it so here it is in it's entirety.

HOT SOCCER SHOW MADE RIGHT HERE IN RIVER CITY

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