Tricky Left Winger

Are Wolves going "Back, To The Future?"

2010-02-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

Mick McCarthy shows his shock at finding out Wolves have been fined for fielding an understrength team.

Luckily he, just jumped into the delorean, sped the flux capictor up to 88mph and jumped back and changed his team selection.

Well done Doc, erm I mean Mick.

Soccer Savvy- Rob McCourt

2010-02-18T14:42:00.001-05:00

We are proud and delighted to welcome Monmouth Men's Head Coach to TrickyLeftWinger for our second Soccer Savvy Interview.

Coach McCourt took the time out after his most successful season with his Monmouth program to answer some questions.

TLW-Now that your season has ended, how pleased are you with the season, what was your personal highlight, and what next for Monmouth?

Finally getting to look back I have to be proud. Proud, yet disappointed. Losing to Harvard was tough. Having played 4 games in 8 days compared to their 2 was always going to be difficult. When you look back though...National ranked for 11 straight weeks, conference regular season for 5th straight time, and conference tourney.... wow. Truly amazing. When I got the job people always asked if we were D3. Final regular season ranked #5. Makes you keep it in perspective.

Personally the atmosphere at the NEC final and the UConn game were particularly gratifying moments for me and the program. It is scary to think the crowds we could get if we had lights. Next for MU is hopefully more championships and an extended run in NCAA's.

TLW-Which seniors this year will be the one to look for in the pros? Or which young Americans oversees do you see becoming the next stars of the U.S national team?

There is no real marquee name player in college soccer this year. Personally I'd like to see Big Boz (Monmouth Captain Dan Bostock) get a shot. Young players overseas...Michael Bradley is young and playing regularly. It is important that players get games when they sign for overseas clubs. He is performing well on a regular basis in the Bundesliga.

TLW-Do you think college coaches have to be 'smarter' than pro coaches (pro coaches pick a team, you guys have to deal with all of the rules of NCAA, eligibility, clearinghouse, academics), and do you think that as an extension of this, this is why foreign coaches fail in the MLS, they just don't know how to work with all the rules?

Smarter is a tough adjective. Most successful MLS coaches from USA have been college coaches. The amount of paperwork we do as college coaches is ridiculous. In general understanding the psyche of the American player is the most important part of the job at both levels. MLS like college has some awkward rules. Like the rest of the world.... recognizing talent is not so difficult. It’s the managing of that talent and the psychological aspect of the game that makes coaches successful.

TLW-What do you think could improve collegiate soccer, if you had the ability to bring in 3 rules tomorrow, what would they be?

Going to Fifa rules on substitutions or closer to FIFA rules. Too many college coaches take short cuts and manipulate the game due to the substitution rules. The number of games needs to be spread out. Every game can make or break your season. Success or failure often at times depends upon the mentality of a 17-22 year old and their ability to give 100 percent in 18 cup finals in 2 months. More points for away wins. Bigger conference teams rarely play away in non-conference matches. Incentives need to be put in place for teams to travel and win games on the road.

TLW-I know you have coached all over the world with select and National teams and the US compete with the best of the best at youth level, what is the problem that hinders the players from taking 'the next step'? Is it college? Is it a lack of Professional exposure at a young age? Is it the MLS?

College for some hinders progression, but can help late bloomers. I feel that there are not enough quality games that have ramifications. Meaning there are too many games that equal playing time happens because kids pay to play. There are also too many games that do not matter. Each loss can be met with.... Ah well I have another game tomorrow or next week. No matter what age kids need high level games that matter.... if you lose there are ramifications.

TLS-What has been your proudest moment in soccer, as a player and as a coach?

As a player......hmm hard to say. Last year I slipped some guy a meg in a over 30 league and hit a bomb upper 90 from 30. Being 20 lbs overweight...cant think of a better moment.

As a coach...any time you win a trophy it’s a big moment. I have been fortunate enough to win quite a few...no one seems more important than the other.

TLW-I know you admire Alex Ferguson, any other managers or teams that you try to emulate?

Sir Alex, Jose, Guus all come to mind. Jock Stein from older days. I have a particular place in my heart for David Moyes as he always seems to do more with less...I feel like at my level I have a lot of the same obstacles and experiences.

TLW-Messi or Ronaldo? Gimme your top 5 All Time

Maradona, Pele, Ronaldo of Brazil Ronaldinho (before night clubs ruined him) and CR7

TLW-Best player you have coached? Best player you have played with?

I played with Paul Mariner...he was a madman. Harksey (Former U.S Captain and close friend of McCourt, John Harkes) was tireless 18 to 18. Tab Ramos may have been most gifted though. In coaching I have coaches Freddy Adu, Eddie Gavin and a bunch others in the league. They were all young at the time.

*Since this interview took place Coach McCourt has turned down job offers from several programs in order to complete the project he started at Monmouth.

Best Player of the Naughties

2010-02-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

From 2000-2010 who has been your favorite player?

For me it is a tough call, Giggs for consistency, Ronaldhino for flair, Henry for trophies won (Henry has won at international level unlike Giggs)? The list goes on and on. I want to know who you think has been the stand out player of the previous decade. Let me know and let me know your reasons for thinking that. It may be a goal, a turn, he may have fixed your flat tire at 2am, who knows? If you want to, include a clip.

Look forward to seeing your results.

Weekend Review (ish)

2010-02-08T11:40:00.000-05:00

Liverpool v Everton

I set my alarm for 7:30 am on Saturday to get up to watch the Merseyside derby. I wish I hadn't. It was a very poor derby game settled by Kuyt's flick from Gerrard's well-whipped corner. People may blame Howard but to defend a cross like that is almost impossible. I think that most people's gripe would be that Howard should be throwing his weight around more in the 6 yard box and not letting Kuyt get his feet planted in front of him.

Derby games are not known for their flowing football, more blood and snotters, than tricks and nutmegs. The tone was set for this by Carragher's thumping tackle on Pienaar, which rocked not only the South African but got the stadium cranked up another notch. And that was as good as the game got. Rash tackles and no composure.

If Phil Neville hit one more diagonal ball from the right back position I'm sure Roy Castle and Magnus Magnusson, would have stopped the game to present him with a 'Record Breakers' award from beyond the grave. It was shocking.

Landon Donovan again showed that question will always remain about his appetite for physical encounters; he was a non-factor in the game. Another disappointing performer was Steven Gerrard, who must be having his worse season in recent memory. Yes, his quality showed at the corner, but his tackle on Pienaar showed that ugly side of him. Again.

Felliani was lucky to stay on, as were a host of players, Mascherano, Gerrard, Pienaar (before he walked) and Anichebe. It was just a throw back to times when people kicked lumps out of each other, and got up and got on with it. Which in all honesty, I'm not too sure how I feel about that. It was refreshing to see full-blooded tackles, but it took away from the creative aspect of the game.

I think that Moyes hit the nail on the head when he stated that he didn't think Everton deserved to lose the game, but they also didn't deserve to win it either.

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Chelsea vArsenal

OK here goes, Chelsea win comfortably probably ending Arsenal's chance at the title. Real story. Wait I need to clear my throat for this.

*Switching 1000 megaphone on

"WILL SOMEONE AT ARSENAL PLEASE TAKE A FUCKING SHOT AT GOAL"

We know you can play cute little one-twos, we know that if the Premiership title was handed out for best 5 v 2 team, you would win every time. BUT IT IS NOT. Arsene, please for the love of god, take you players this week and make them train on a pitch that is 500 yards long and 250 wide. And make the kick the ball, hard. Very, very hard. Perhaps very, very, very hard in the direction of the goal. Anyone who passes it less than 25 yards, or does not shoot on sight of goal gets electrocuted, or worse shoved into a closet with Susan Boyle.

I don't care for either team, but Nasri yesterday had me screaming "FUCKING SHOOOOOOOOT" I can only imagine the pain that Arsenal fans must be feeling. Two TOOTHLESS displays against their most bitter of rivals (Spurs excluded) have seen them limp out of the title race with their tale between their legs. Unless a miracle resurgence or Man Utd and Chelsea do a 'no after you, no no no, after you" job, that allows Arsenal to mount a late challenge.

Drogba looks fantastic, he is everything that Arsenal desire, pace, composure, brute strength, and most importantly clinical. I was never the biggest of Drogba fans but on form like that; he is clearly the best line leader out there. Which brings me to another point, while watching the game yesterday, I was struck with a thought that had I thought a few years ago, I would have been locked up in a loony bin. That of how happy and unselfish Nicholas Anelka looked. He seems to have found himself and most importantly seems to enjoy football, his run for Drogba's second goal was class, without it Drogba doesn't score, and the pattern of the game changes. On such little details titles are won.

Catch Up

2010-02-04T12:58:00.000-05:00

So as you may or may not have noticed, there has been little or no activity over the past few months on Tricky Left Winger. The reasons? Moving to a new city, new apartment, new school, new computer, blah blah, basically a whole lot of adjusting and life 'housekeeping' had to be done.

But now we are back, so, relax, read, please comment, and enjoy.

The hot topic at the moment seems to be the John Terry sleeping with Wayne Bridge's girl. I am probably in the minority here but for me it does not take away from what he does on the field. Men and women will always cheat, it is human nature, monogomy is a task that humans have always had some difficulties with, for or against it, that unfortunately is the case.

The thing that annoys me is the polarizing affect that this has on people, especially the media. The media pack are often whipped up into a frenzy at the first smell of blood, so I can only imagine that the wolves of fleet street were dizzy with euphoria when the Terry story broke. Yes he is the England captain, yes he is seen as a role model for children, a family man, the leader of Chelsea, but he is a man. And I have yet to hear of a man who is flawless, even Jesus turned water in to wine much to the chagrin of the people at the wedding who were choking for a pint of Stella.

The media will give him the space he needs, as long as that involves having paparazzi with massive lenses follow him and his wife and kids around for the next few years until they have had their feed of human suffering. He will not be allowed to move on from this. Just ask John Harkes, the former USA captain, because of the Terry scandal Harkes been forced to answer questions about his alleged involvement with the wife of former team mate Eric Wynalda. An allegation that Harkes has long denied. But it was not enough to save his spot in the World Cup, and cause massive trauma for him and his family. But the press do not care for the feeling of the people in the public spotlight. I think that they believe that if you earn x amount of dollars per year then you automatically become infallible. A claim that is so absurd, it beggars belief.

What Terry did was wrong, but I recall the British Prime Minister admitting to a four year affair, and the wailing and gnashing of teeth was less than the Terry affair. Well after all he was a British politician, maybe we should be more surprised that he was not not found with a bag over his head and a pair of stockings on. That unfortunately may be a horrible reflection of how elevated sports starts have become in our society, and how far they people we trust to run our countries have fallen.

Football and sports fans in general are so forgiving that it borders on lunacy. A well executed press conference of forgiveness, full of PR gold, perhaps some tears normally does the trick. The fans will forgive as long as Terry is doing the business on the field, the press I feel will not.

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Why I love football...sublime from Guti.

Why I love football...a beautiful little video.

Again apologies for being posted missing, but deal with it ;)

The Curse of Speed

2010-01-05T19:49:00.000-05:00

Firstly read this before you proceed, READ ME

OK now we can carry on.

Every footballer on earth wishes that they were quicker. Trust me. Even Ronaldo. Having speed is the one thing that can not (when used correctly) be defended against. Speed is so important in the modern game that it is almost the first thing that coaches look for. If a coach sees a fast kid, I'm pretty sure they will feel that he is worth taking a chance on rather than the 10 year old Jan Molby who sits and sprays it. You can coach, the basics, but you can't coach speed.

Or can you? I have played with and coached numerous guys who were faster than Usain Bolt with diarrhea, but at the end of the day they just couldn't play. You see, speed is the number one talent in football, no not physical speed, but speed of thought!

Players who play the game (think Xavi) will always be the heart beat, the conductor, the lynchpin. The speed merchants (Shaun Wright-Phillips, Babel, Walcott?) will be cast outside to the flanks no matter the level. The quick athletes use their speed to get them out of difficult situations, they are often running in their head before they have control of the ball. They ignore the basics of control and awareness because they can always blast the thrusters. The players (Scholes, Fabregas,) use their superior brain speed to almost never allow these difficult situations to arise.

Sometimes speed and touch combine, and this is the Holy Grail of coaches all over. Messi and Ronaldo are the two obvious picks. But they are the exception to the rule. Normal rule is: Fast = No Brain. Meaning yes, they are athletic but when it comes to knowledge of space, team mates movement, a little tactical nounce, then they are sadly lacking. Good touch, simplicity and guile in the correct area, these traits will always, always trump brute speed.

I hope that the marriage of athleticism and soccer knowledge continue to combine and produce more Ronaldo's of this world, if not I won't worry, I'll be the guy paying to watch the Robert Prosinecki's of the game.

Liverpool- The Truth

2009-12-26T22:12:00.000-05:00

Rafa must go. 5 wins in 18 matches is not good. For a club like Liverpool it is horrifically bad. Man Utd aside, Wolves, Wigan, Everton and Debrecen are not exactly difficult opponents. These are who the 5 wins have came against. Not inspiring to say the least.

Rafa is clutching at straws, "our season starts..." has been thrown around lately. I can understand his thinking, 12 points behind in the league is not an insurmountable gap. With no Champions League, Rafa is thinking he can sneak points when the others are involved in big midweek encounters. But to do that you need a good enough squad, and well, he doesn't have it. Today against Wolves they looked devoid of ideas until the sending off. This led to a swell in confidence, coupled with a rash dive in from Wolves' right back and some typical Gerrard bravery/desire brought the opener.

"Is this the springboard for Liverpools season" I have heard this time and again from media pundits, springboard to what exactly? 7th at Christmas, out of the Champions League, 5 wins in 18. They are where they are for a reason. Which is 2 points infront of Birmingham. Face it, Liverpool are poor.

Also, Alonso is becoming a better player with every game he does not play for Liverpool, I think he may be in the running for player of the year in England.

Alonso apart, Rafa has shopped pathetically, years of poor buys and a stubborn refusal to admit that, now weigh him down with the poor squad that will be the end of him. Gerrard and Torres deserve to have a better supporting cast, especially in this, the most open of recent Premier League chases. Rafa's massive contract is the only thing keeping him in a job, I believe he would have been sacked a few games ago, if they could have afforded to do it. He is living on borrowed time, or maybe until Jose gets kicked out of Italy.

I think it will be very interesting to see who is offered the job when Rafa goes. Any thoughts?

Hughes Sacked, Mancini In

2009-12-20T00:02:00.001-05:00

No hanging about for the owners of Man City. No time for tabloids to link, Sven with a Sun-sational return, or Fergie Crosses the City for Cash, or Mourinho...blah blah. No, they clearly were unhappy with Hughes, so what did they do? Well they smiled and reassured him "No Sparky your jobs safe" while they went and found his successor. All very Machiavellian, but well, can you really blame them, I can't.

I think Hughes did an OK job, but with the cash he spent he was always cutting down his time. It's a cruel irony, 'the more you spend the quicker the axe falls'... if your stumbling. I believe that Hughes was always going to struggle because he is just not 'Sexy' enough. You know that the owners want style and panache, they want Mourinho and Ronaldo in speedos oiled up, doing bicycle kicks in slow motion. Not some hard nosed Welsh bastid who's stare eats peoples souls.

The writing was on the wall when they failed to sign any of the big names they chased. Kaka, Terry et al all saying "erm thanks but no thanks, we'll just use your interest to get more cash from our clubs or new employers, but thanks again.". City might tell you Robinho is a superstar, but then again so was Juan Veron before he landed in Manchester. City could only attract second tier stars. That is the problem. Manchester City are trying to do a Chelsea, good luck to them, but they needed to re-evaluate their plan of action. And they did so, swiftly. They had a second tier manager, and he took them to where he knew, the second tier. Not even a victory could save him, the choice had already been made.

Mancini, all suave scarf and Marty Feldman love child looking, is for me a fantastic appointment. 3 Coppa Italia's with 3 different teams, throw in 3 Scuddetto's with Inter and 2 Italian Super Cups, Inter's most successful manager for 30 years. Well it's not a poor CV is it? The reason he left Inter was the failure in the Champions League, that is not a worry for City. His job will be to get them there. He is a top tier manager, who may just be able to attract the caliber of player that ultimately Hughes could not. I'm excited about the Mancini era, yet I'm sad Hughes has gone, I loved him as a player and I like him as a manager. I think it will be interesting what his next move will be, I could see him moving abroad if the right offer came up, Liverpool could do with a new man at the helm. But that's a post for another day.

*In other news

I'm delighted ESPN have finally realized that the commentators they were using were...how to put this...erm, Shite. Martin Tyler has been brought in for the World Cup, I hope they keep former US Captain John Harkes with him, and feed Tommy Smyth to a pack of feral children.

World Cup Draw

2009-12-05T10:45:00.000-05:00

FIFA did everything they could to hype up the draw, and for once I agree with them. THIS IS THE WORLD CUP. Nothing on Earth unites people like the World Cup. NOTHING. 3 Billion people are estimated to have watched the last one. No language, no religion, nothing comes close to unifying people like the World Cup.

As for the draw itself, well some of us have to work so there was no tense viewing for me. I looked afterward and received my barrage of information, my eyes and my mind going crazy like a kid who got and Xbox 360, PS3, Scalectrix, AND a new ball for Christmas...where do you start?

I'll give a quick rundown and throw in a few predictions.

Group A

I think that South Africa will go through, swept up in the biggest moment of the players careers, I think it is a draw that suits them. I think France will top the group, if they decide to get their fingers out of their arses and stop being so... erm...French. Mexico will be waiting to pounce should France slip up. I believe Uruguay are weak, although they will be confident after winning the play off.

Group B

My adopted team NIGERIA (the wifey is a Naija girl) to go through with Diego's Argentina. Greece and Korean Republic to pack their bags early.

Group C

En-gur-land (sorry lads) to top this group with my other adopted team USA to take second. I think that the US could get a draw from the first game. England are coming in with all the pressure and the first game is often difficult to adjust to. I think this is the best chance the US have. Should England pump the US, then US moral could be shot for good and Slovenia may be the biggest benefactors of this (and English Landlords)

Group D

Aptly named D. D for DEATH (dun dun dun) There is always one group that from the outset looks harder than quantum physics with a wine hangover, while taking jabs from Manny Pacquiao. I'm going for Germany and Serbia to go through. But it will be tighter than a tight thing.

Group E

Holland and Cameroon. Holland to win the group and then I like Cameroon's chances just because I Samuel Eto'o is not Nicklas Bendtner

Group F

Italy may not need to try very hard to get out of this group. The other teams are poor with Slovakia taking runner up.

Group G

Another intriguing group. Brazil to win it, but not as easily as some think. I think if Ronaldo is in top form, not fannying about then Portugal have the chance of doing very well. Ivory Coast will be many people's dark horses. They have a wealth of talent with players playing all over Europe and when it boils down to who wants it most between Portugal and Ivory Coast? I'm taking Drogba and Co.

Group H

Spain at a canter, and then for runner up Chile, although I really really want Honduras to get it, for the simple reason that my mother adopted them in 1978 and has never stopped talking about them!

Me watching a game on TV

"Ma who do you want to win?"

"Honduras"

"Ma it's the fecking Scottish Cup!!"

So those are my initial thoughts on the World Cup, ONLY 187 days to go. I am buzzing.

Super Barca

2009-11-25T08:58:00.000-05:00

It was a build up fraught with nerves. Possible elimination from the competition for the current holders at this stage would have been highly embarrassing, just a few day before 'el clasico' it would have been a disaster. And, with their two mega stars out with injuries, and Barca losing top spot in La Liga, let's just say some Barca fans may have been having a wee 'squeaky bum' moment.

Fast forward two hours, Barca dished out a COMPLETE LESSON in how to play the game, cemented there position as best team in the world, and switched the pressure on to Real for the clasico. All without Messi and Zlatan. Not a bad days work.

Let us not underestimate this performance, they were fantastic, high pressing, sharp crisp passing, creative around the box, movement to die for...the list goes on and on. This was a coach's dream. The team who have arguably the best manager in the world and currently sit 5 points clear in Seria A were outclassed.

Mourinho, king of spin that he is pointed out that his team did well to keep it at 2-0. Well I'm sure Moratti will be delighted with that. "We got to half-time and Barcelona were playing brilliantly but we did not lose control. Some teams would lose three or four because there's such psychological pressure when you are in that position." I bet he thinks they won the second half 0-0.

The Barca fans had a dig at Mourinho by chanting "go to the theatre' but trust me, as a football fan Mourinho couldn't have been more entertained if he had gone to the theatre and, John Cleese was playing Alex Ferguson in a one man play called "Angry Whiskey Nose."

Barca were SUPER, roll on el clasico.

Football In Crisis (*dum dum duuuuuuum)

2009-11-20T17:00:00.000-05:00

*That was dramatic drums for those of you not initiated in the world of dramatic drums.

So, Henry is a bigger villain than Darth Vader, Roy Keane comes across as, well, Roy Keane and oh, there is the small matter of the game's biggest match fixing scandal. Interesting times.

Firstly, Hand-ry, Tehandry Henry, Cheating French Arrogant Bastard, whatever you want to call him, he is being treated as if he just ate the baby Jesus live on T.V, while sodomizing an Alter Boy. People need to put things in perspective. And, Oh God I thought I'd never say this, (or the last sentence for that matter) but if your looking for perspective listen to Roy Keane. Keane should have been like every other Irishman, unhappy that his country were cheated out of the chance of going to the World Cup (everyone assumes that Ireland would have got there had the ball gone out of play) Yet Keane as only Keane can, basically told Ireland to stop crying and get on with it. And I agree wholeheartedly with him. Ireland had their chances, not only over the course of the two games but over the ENTIRE qualifying campaign. So as Keane stated they should be looking at their own mistakes and not those of the officials. Harsh but fair, which is how I believe Keane sees himself. but we all know that that view is a little askew.

The match fixing scandal (and probably the answer to Henry's prayers) worries me a great deal more than anything I have read about in football in a long time. I hope that people are caught and prosecuted, and the focus can go back to on field happenings. The negative light surounding football this week has been terrible, the Henry saga, match fixing and now topped off by the Egypt and Algeria saga. (Another post will follow)

Football has always had and always will have certain dubious charecteristics, but correctly at the core of the game, and the majority of fans hearts is the idea of fair play. Yet those who are clambering for justice, or retribution, should understand that football has never, and will never be a game where justice is meted out. Injustice is the fuel that our game runs on.

Light Relief

2009-11-19T10:22:00.001-05:00

If you are already sick of the fall out from Henry's handball, here is something to warm your heart. Think of this as the 'happy' story at the end of the news. You know where the budgie dialed 999 and saved the old lady...

...well this maybe the greatest thing I have seen in a long time. Watch it once. Watch it again. Then go back and dissect it. It has the lot, spandex mousers, high kicks...it's like Miami Vice for Aerobics/soft core gay porn.

All I want to know is how do you pitch that idea "Guys, I have an idea, it will involve, leg warmers, spray tan, and possibly the gayest move ever seen on national T.V...who's in?"

WOW

The Main Problem

2009-11-18T23:10:00.000-05:00

Henry's next visit to Dublin

I just seen the goal that sent France to South Africa. And I can honestly say

I hope they get pumped
Thierry, Thierry, Thierry (shakes head) tsk tsk tsk, I thought you were better than that
I would have done the exact same thing

You see, that's the beautiful thing about sport, one man's hero is another man's villain. So as much as Henry is being pencilled in as next target man at rubber bullet testing night at the local I.R.A bar, he with that little instinctive flick of the wrist, has earned himself more free wine for the rest of his life than Dionysus had left overs.

As hard as it is to swallow, it is what makes the game special. Think Diego.

Reaping what you sow.

2009-11-17T14:31:00.001-05:00

Scotland, the gorgeous land of my birth, with its mountains, glens, kilted men and pale skinned women, and now the shittiest football team representing it that I can ever recall. EVER.

Scotland losing to Japan and then a complete humiliation in Cardiff to an understrength Welsh team was enough for the head honchos at the S.F.A to call time on George Burley's tenure. And no, SFA does not stand for Sweet Fuck All, although you might be surprised because that has often been their M.O.

Of the names being touted around to succeed Burley I think that John Collins would be my pick, and of those not beng touted I would say Stevie Nichol but more of that later. Because if Jim Jeffries gets it then it shows that Scotland have chucked it, also Walter Smith is the man the bookmakers believe will take it. Yes, the same Walter Smith who left Scotland in the lurch to go to manage Rangers a few years ago. It seems some have a short memory, or should that be selective memory.

So Scotland are back to where we were 8 years ago, looking for a coach who can get us to a major championship. The major difference is the coach coming in then had some good players to pick. Well maybe not good but better than now. Darren Fletcher apart I do not think we have one other World Class player. and here is the point of my rambling "Why is that?" Why do Scotland not have any good players?

The answer I believe is a complex one that begins with Celtic and Rangers and carries on to the S.F.A, and other scottish clubs.

When Rangers changed the face of Scottish football in the 80's with Murray's millions little did we know that we would see the boom and bust in a matter of 20 years. Rangers (a club now toiling so badly in debt they can't find a buyer) can be credited for starting the demise of the Scottish national team. But they are not alone. Celtic obviously followed suit with spending money and so a period followed when both clubs spent lots of money. But the thing is, I do not blame them. Celtic and Rangers could afford to spend. My problem lies with the smaller clubs who tried to emulate them.

As a player in the lower leagues, I saw first hand the 'foreign is better' mentality that swept Scotland in the late 90's and early 00's. Managers all across the leagues were dying for that foreign flair. Why invest in youth, when it takes time to produce, when you can go get a 'complete' player. Now I happened to play with a huge amount of foreign guys and I can safely say the majority of them were average, one stands out because he was fantastic, Cedric Anselin but he played for Bordeaux with Zidane, so I expect him to be decent!! But the rest, well the rest all came from countries where they had their youth systems in order. So by the time these guys were failing in France or Spain, they could come to Scotland and look better in the lower leagues, and get payed good money for it too. Thus taking up the spots that would be filled with Scottish talent, the lower leagues should be a breeding ground of talent, where kids are given a chance to express themselves, and learn their trade.

Now this may sound like sour grapes, but believe me it is not. I ultimately was not good enough to succeed at the highest level but I had fun trying. My concern here is not for myself, but in trying to show where Scotland went wrong and how they can get it right. The current Scotland squad has no leaders. Players who are age 30+ the players who in any other international squad are the experienced ones, the calm heads, the lead by example men. Beckham and Ferdinand for England, Gallas and Henry for France, Buffon and Cannavarro for Italy. Scotland's best player of this generation was Barry Ferguson, and he told every one to Fuck Off, the other player in the squad of this age group is Barry Robson. I played against both and they were good players but the drop off after them is incredible. Yes we have a little talent-ish Riordan, Maloney, McFadden but they all share the distardly 'potential' tag, I'm sorry but by 25 you should be consistent with your 'potential'.

My point is Scotland is currently reaping what was sown well over 10 years ago. We have a dearth of talent in the country because the smaller teams tried to cheat the system and buy success. There was no emphasis on youth, our leagues were full of teams playing average foreign players instead of Scottish talent. This filtered down from the top two at times outrageously so. Hearts were paying some players $20,000 a week in 2000!

I think the penny dropped and now Scotland, again starting with Rangers and the completion of Murray Park (the fantastic training facility) Celtic followed with Lennoxtown (another superb facility) teams are trying to do the correct thing and focus on youth. It just saddens me that I can not see Scotland qualify for a major tournament.The days of Dalglish, Souness, Hansen etc when England's best teams were littered with the cream of the Scottish crop seems like a far too distant memory, I think it will be even more distant until it happens again. And these fans deserve better than that.

P.S Stevie Nichol won't get the job because Scotland is too xenophobic for him to get a chance because he is coaching in an' inferior' league...newsflash Scotland, the MLS is every bit as good as the SPL. Beckham, Ljungberg, Donovan, Blanco...that is far more talent than plays in Scotland.

Soccer Savvy- Michael McBride

2009-10-20T11:08:00.004-04:00

It brings me great pleasure to provide the first installment of Soccer Savvy, our series of interviews with people inside the world of soccer. I caught up with my old friend, Michael McBride, the physiotherapist for Coventry City FC and Scotland's national team, as he flew back from a recent friendly against Japan. He answered a few questions I had asked him, and I'm glad to have him here on the blog.

1. Obviously apart from me ;) who is the most famous player you have put your magic hands on?

The most famous is relative, really- I suppose as what I think famous and what my dad does is different and I suppose also where you follow football. But I would probably say Darren Fletcher presently, Steve Staunton and Gary McAllister in my earlier days at Coventry. I also did a medical on Fabrizio Ravenilli but it didn’t go through.

2. What is the worst injury you have seen?

I've been kinda fortunate that I've not seen too many bad injuries, Broto (the goalkeeper at Livingston who then signed for Celtic) had a fracture dislocation of his ankle, which wasn’t great!!

3. If you had to choose an injury that you didn't want to try to come back from what would it be?

Ruptured Achilles and anterior cruciates aren’t nice either, not ones that I would want to recover from.

4. What's the most gutted you have been in football?

I was devastated when Scotland never qualified for the Euros after having such great games against France at home and away, then losing out with the early Luca Toni goal, then the last minute Panucci header at the back post when it wasn’t even a foul on Alan Hutton. I was convinced that we would go through, nightmare.

(Ed note: Cunt...)

5. Most happy?

At club level it's been good, there was obvious success at Livingston with the league promotions and European appearance in the UEFA cup. Coventry haven’t been near success to be disappointed with the failure. We have had reasonable cup runs last year- beating Blackburn then playing Chelsea at home. The year before, we went to Old Trafford and won 2-0.

6. What do you like most about your job?

It's being on trips like this that I realize just how lucky I am, to experience the extensive travel and see the cultures, people, and places really is a privilege and pleasure.

7. What's the best stadium you worked at?

San Siro

There've been loads of different stadiums I've liked for different reasons, whether it be the history, the result at the time, the atmosphere or indeed the facilities. I loved being at the San Siro when we played Italy. I grew up always hearing about it and seeing it on telly. The inside is unbelievably basic- the dressing rooms are very poor. The two Japanese stadiums were fantastic- the one last night was where the 2002 World Cup final was held, it's a huge place, absolutely vast. We trained there the night before the game and I was just messing about in the dressing room (each player has like a wee cubicle/booth type changing area). There was a white panel there that I pulled off to reveal a signed picture of Ronaldo- it was only the bloody place where he changed before scoring the two goals!!!! I tell you, Marky, what a buzz.

Nissan Stadium, Yokohama

8. Most intimidating atmosphere?

Hampden and Celtic Park are still excellent places for the atmosphere and I think I will find that hard to beat. The old Russian states are very intimidating. Moldova, Belarus and Georgia were not particularly pleasant visits but obviously great to experience.

9. Since you started in football, sport science has transformed attitudes, bodies and performance. What do you believe are the biggest changes and what do you see the future bringing to footballers?

Sports science has had a big influence in football definitely, we urine test the boys everyday for hydration levels, they wear heart rate monitors and we have ProZone which gives us every stat on a player you can imagine. We go a lot on distance covered, high intensity sprints passes completed, it is a fascinating area. I use it quite a bit for injury prevention and diagnosis. So for instance, I checked to see how many times in 5 games our goalkeeper kicked the ball: from ground, hand and pass backs. I then used this info to influence the coach to inform them about over-training and too much repeated kicking. This then reduced hip flexor and hamstring injuries in the goalkeepers. We review every injury that happens and look at the mechanism to help with the diagnosis and prognosis.

Lots of fitness work is now position specific and done to reproduce the stats from the ProZone stuff. Upper body weights and Olympic squats and lifts are a big thing at the moment. Technology is improving rapidly and football preparation is definitely a science. Some of the bigger clubs will start doing saliva tests to predict infection, illness and overtraining. It's exciting times.

10. What is your dream job?

To work at this level is a dream job, but I would love to go further and work at a finals, either the World Cup or Euros- even just for those 3 group games. I think I would like to work in the premiership if the opportunity arose, but it is so difficult trying to get that opening.

11. I recall that your favourite time of the week is 2.30 till 3.00 on a Saturday, because all the week's work is coming to a head, the nervous energy is abundant and everyone is buzzing. Is this still the same?

I cant believe you remembered that 2.30 was my favourite time!!! Yes, it still is and funnily enough, I was talking to George Burley at it just prior to the Macedonia game.

*******************************

Hope you enjoyed the interview, there will be more such as these in the future so look out for those.

Rafa-- Time to go?

2009-10-09T16:14:00.000-04:00

"In the last 18 months, we have invested £128million on top of what has come in. That means it should be getting better. Now if it's not getting better, it's not Gillett and Hicks, it's the manager, it's the scouting. You have to make sure you balance out your analysis." - Quotes attributed to Liverpool co-owner George Gillett do not exactly increase the American's reputation at Anfield. (Sky Sports)

OK they may not make the American popular at Anfield but that does not make him incorrect. I feel that this is a sound statement, and were it applied to any other business everyone would agree. Rafa has spent a shit load, over £150m.The man who is writing the cheques is clearly stating that he would like to see some return for his investment. What is wrong with that?

Liverpool were my pick to win the league this year, and they may still do, but they are 2 injuries (Torres and Gerrard) away from being a mid table team. Take those two out, and perhaps Glen Johnson and I'm not sure you have many outstanding players left, and I include Mascherano in that. Rafa has bought poorly. That is they key, he can moan and fiddle with the stats but that is the bottom line. N'gog, Babbel, Voronin etc etc these guys won't win you championships. The pressure for Aquilani to perform is now immense, the hole left by Alonso is far deeper than first thought, and only now is his worth truly revealed.

I think that Rafa has a whole lot to thank Torres and Gerrard for, although the Captain has been posted M.I.A for the last few weeks, and if Liverpool are to still be in with a shout at Christmas Stevie la, needs to shake off the court case and get his finger out. But it will be interesting to see what Rafa can blame his lack of success on next, it certainly isn't lack of money, or behind the scenes politics, perhaps a long hard look in the mirror is required to finally reveal just why Liverpool are underachieving.

Refreshing

2009-10-07T09:01:00.000-04:00

It was great to see the human side of the robot-refs this weekend in Scotland. The referee from the Rangers v Celtic derby came out and openly admitted he made a mistake. Whatever next? The SFA gathers its senses and moves the kick off back to a normal time? I won't be holding my breath.

The Dark Side of Barca

2009-10-06T12:30:00.000-04:00

Football is the biggest sport in the world, no questions asked. Football World Cups are as important, if not more important than any other event. People care about their teams and players as if they were part of their families. Every day we hear news about such and such a player, we know their personal lives, what food they like, what music they listen to, or what car they drive. That is the impact that football has in our lives, and some people take advantage of it.

    During the last couple of years F.C Barcelona has been on the news, both for issues related to sports and matters which have nothing to do with any sport. Two years ago most of the sections (football, basketball, handball, etc) were not doing very well; and that was concerning many people. Last year the football team achieved the wonderful ``TRIPLETE´´ and the basketball team obtained the double (league, and cup). Some other teams are doing better and working in the right direction. This is a natural thing. Teams go through ups and downs. You cannot win every year and that is part of this business.

    What has been constant is the quantity of trouble generated inside the club from its own directors and of course its president. Let´s go back a few years to understand the whole situation. When president Laporta was elected in 2003 he came with a new crew of vice presidents and other executives. According to him they were all very loyal and very important in his project. Two men had more importance than the rest : Sandro Rosell, and Ferran Soriano. Rosell was the sports vice president and he played a key role in signing Ronaldinho and Deco. His contacts and his knowledge of the South American market were very important for the club. Soriano was the economics vice president. He managed to put the club back in a profitable position, generating great profits; and all obtained thanks to some of his innovative marketing strategies. Surprisingly, these two characters and many other important executives are no longer part of the current board. Apparently the liberal and consensual Joan Laporta changed into a bit more dictatorial president, whowith the fame obtained after winning two leagues and one Champions League (including a double) twisted his habits. Many members of the board disagreed with his new policies and most of the initial crew is no longer there. Maybe an accidental casualty? But the reality is the club started to fall apart. Internal problems, difficulties dealing with the players, all kind of things started to happen.

    Laporta started very well in 2003. He was an interesting character who proposed new ways to bring the club back where it belonged. Sometimes he showed his ``catalanism´´, but not to a big extent. He started getting rid of the radical supporters. His zero tolerance worked very well and the whole country admired him for that. But after a couple of years, when he was feeling powerful, he started to involve himself in areas where the president of a big club such as Barcelona should not get involved. He continuously declared his political views (independency for Cataluña as another country), and constantly important members of the board were leaving their charges. Half of the country did not like him, and half of the Catalunians did not either. But the worst moment for him was in Summer 2008 when the stockholders tried to get rid of him even out of an electoral process. There is a legal way to do that if more than 66% of the club affiliates vote for it. People vote and a very impressive 60.60% voted against the current president. It was not enough but the message was out there. People do not like him anymore.

Since then, F.C Barcelona seems more like the White House than a football club. Next summer there are elections for a new president. Laporta cannot present himself again but he is preparing a few candidates who will follow his tendency and obviously will provide him a good spot in the highest circles of the club. The last scandal was raised when some Spanish media found out that the club was actually spying on 4 of the current vice presidents (some of them could present themselves as candidates in the summer). Laporta said that he had nothing to do with that, and executive vice president Oliver claimed that it was necessary for the club to obtain information of potential club presidents. He keeps using his position as the president of one of the biggest clubs in the world to expand his political views. He is making strides in politics at the club´s expenses. Some people are starting to identify the whole structure as Laporta´s stepping stone. That is not true. Barça supporters only want the club to do well, mostly concern with the football team. Laporta is very lucky that Guardiola is there (by the way Laporta wanted Mourinho for that position). Hopefully all this will be over in the summer and everyone will talk just about Messi, Xavi, or Ricky Rubio (basketball star). The next president, hopefully Rosell, must be focused in sports and the club´s good image.

Posted by Nando

Rangers v Celtic

2009-10-03T14:59:00.000-04:00

Hatred will commence at Ibrox Park 7:30am EST Sunday Oct 4th.

Outcome?

Average level of football, lots of running around like madmen, bigotry, minor violence, the Queen and the Pope will be F***ed to heaven or hell, 1000's of hangovers, 55,000 incorrect historians, blood, sweat snotters and tears.

Bonnie Scotland

Made Me Smile

2009-10-03T14:49:00.000-04:00

Just to see a centre half get a bit of a shoeing today. The less physical the Prem and football in general becomes the better, well if you are Fifa and Uefa that is, but I am more of an old school type. So to see Kenwyne Jones and Nemanja Vidic go at it today was refreshing. What made it better was that Jones dominated Vidic, I loved this because as a 5ft 8 striker, centre halfs have had their way with me many a time (insert own Carry On joke here)

And props to the ref who let it go.

Between Two

2009-09-29T22:42:00.000-04:00

It has been only 5 games, but everyone’s shared fear seems to be becoming true. La Liga is going to be a race between Real Madrid and F.C Barcelona. Both teams have a perfect record so far, and they have not suffered too much to win their games. Sevilla are almost keeping up the pace, but who knows if they can handle the intensity all year. Hopefully they can. There are different ways to analyze this differences. The first one which claims that these two clubs are too good, have spent much more money than the rest and they are almost impossible to catch. The other view reasons that the Spanish league is losing its level and the middle class is not good enough to compete with the big ones. In my opinion, it has to do more with the first explanation. Money talks. Either way this is not good for the league.

Madrid started the league the same way they finished last year. It does not matter how they play, it is the result that is important. They have been very effective and the newcomers are solving the hard situations. However, the team is not playing very well, and it has caused some disappointment in Spain. After the big spending, people are expecting so see a magnificent football team. It is still very early, but it is true that Pellegrini should get more out of that much talent. Critics believe that it is interesting that teams like Xerez, Tenerife, or Deportivo challenged Madrid so much on the field. Results showed big differences, but the performance on the field proved that the team is having problems keeping the ball and creating good chances. But at the end of the day they have so much power going forward that the goals end up coming. One day Ronaldo scores a free kick, the next one Kaka brings out some magic, or if not; the 7 is always there to be the smartest of the class once more. It has been very important Guti and Granero´s contribution to the team. These two ``underdogs´´ have taken responsibility in those moments when the big names could not solve the problems.

Barça in the other hand seems to be getting back to their good habits. After a sloppy start, Guardiola´s pupils seem to keep using the same methods. The ball is not moving as fast as it used to, but the concept is there and game after game they look a bit better. Nonetheless in some occasions they found themselves with tougher opposition than expected. Some people believe that the team prepared the season to be at their best fitness around November and then April. Some others think that teams already know what Barcelona do and they try to stop them by slowing them down with fouls and ultra-defensive strategies. This is part of the game and Messi and company must find the solutions to overcome these difficulties. So far the Argentinean and Zlatan are putting the goals on the table, but again it is Xavi who is directing the orchestra. Soon Iniesta will be back and probably he will send Henry to the bench. The Frenchman is not going through a good time and he needs to step up if he does not want to see his last days in Barcelona from the bench.

The other duel within the duel is Ronaldo vs Messi. The Portuguese star is not playing at his best level but his ability to score and decide games is out of question. He is an athlete and he has all the physical conditions to be the football icon in the next years. Messi is more of a team player. He understands better his role as member of a group. He helps the midfielders to create chances and his quick transitions allow the team to move the ball quickly. He always finds a partner (Alves, Iniesta, Xavi, and now Ibraimovich), and he has improved his scoring numbers.

I would like to mention another character: David Villa. ``El Guaje´´ is always there. Even though Valencia are not doing that well, he keeps scoring goals. So far he is the top scorer of the league and his ambition to succeed will never stop. He knows that next summer he will have the chance to shine like no one else has done before for Spain in South Africa, and that motivation will keep him on scoring track.

So probably La Liga is going to be a duopoly. Hopefully Sevilla can get there, and teams like Valencia, Atletico, or Villareal get back on their feet. This Sunday the ``Merengues´´ are visiting Luis Fabiano and his mates. After that game we could see if there is any hope for the rest or we will have to wait for the Clasico to see who goes on top.

Posted by Nando

Soapbox

2009-09-28T23:04:00.002-04:00

OK, lots of little things to get off my chest, so bear with me. First and let me be clear about this. EL HADJ DIOUF YOU ARE A WANK.

Ah that is better, I just had to say it, as annoying a footballer as I have ever come across. Like a bad mix of Gary Neville and Joey Barton, with a touch of Craig Bellamy. Speaking of Bellamy I truly believe he gets a real raw deal in the media, is it because he is Welsh? I really think it is, because if an English player was performing like Bellamy all of their indiscretions would be smoothed over (think Rooney) I hope that people get off his back and judge him on the football, because his work rate, finishing and desire outshine his temper.

Anyway Diouf's "F**K off white boy" has opened up a huge can of worms, and the racism card has been spouted from all sides. Diouf claimed that bananas were thrown at him from the Goodison crowd, which when investigated proved to be false. But it has led to so called experts giving us their opinion on what racism is. Sadly people with far reaching readership have been spouting absolute SHITE. Gabrielle Marcotti, a journalist who I admired and respected has clearly lost his mind. I was appalled on reading this, Marcotti if you read this (ha-ha) racism is racism and for you to suggest otherwise is disgraceful. I could go on and on and spout my views but I can't be arsed, if Marcotti and others believe that then God help us all.

Things that piss me off. Managers who think that it all about them, remember Phil-facial hair experiment- Brown talking to his players on the pitch at half time, well Mickey Adams has now joined him by putting his entire squad on the transfer list. What a Muppet, that is a great way to win over your dressing room by singling players out for not performing in the reserves! The fact that in the same statement he talks of being told that the budget was spent when he arrived and now his reaction is this, get rid of everyone. Here is a revolutionary solution Mr. Adams instead of blaming the players, why don't you try and coach them to be better, is that not your job? You are a coach/manager, not a shopper, work with what you have and make them better, oh wait you can't because YOU are not good enough.

Still on managers pissing me off. Steve Bruce, apart from the fact that his nose looks like his two nostrils are playing Twister against each other, his rant about Darren Bent giving Kenwyne Jones the penalty. "That is something you do with your mates, not in the Premier League" OK fair enough I get his idea of professionalism etc but wait hang on this is coming from a guy who doesn't watch penalties because he is superstitious. I mean COME ON, what is it Steve, do you think the Penalty Pixies will come steal all your good luck if you happen to eyeball one? Muppet.

Some interesting tidbits from Spain, Barca spying on their own directors, could this be considered industrial espionage? Our Spanish man will be giving us the lowdown soon on all things Espana. I am loving the fact that Ibra is silencing the mainly English critics by having the best start EVER for any newcomer to Barca, better than Romario, Ronaldo and even Lineker ;) Also Ronaldo's strop where he ignored the hand of his manager has led to a slight backlash against Pelligrini's rotation system, so it will be interesting to watch the developments there. Having said that Messi, Ronaldo Ibra, and Villa are setting La Liga on fire, lets hope it continues.

New Look, Upcoming Events...and erm stuff.

2009-09-23T09:10:00.001-04:00

Ok, you may have noticed the severe inactivity of the past week. My deepest apologies, but a severe dose of house cleaning was required, and this is the result. New look and a new direction for the blog. Although it is not completely finished (we still have a few thing to iron out) I'm sure you will agree it looks better, is easier to use and is more up to date, kind of like a second wife.

We have been getting some things together behind the scenes here and I'm happy to tell you we have some amazing and unique interviews with some incredible football people. A former International captain who played in two World Cups - we have someone who is at the cutting edge of Sports Science and is a current International team physio- and we have a Top Ten ranked College Coach.

Those will all be with you soon, and we are working on an Ex S.P.L, ex Eredivisie, Ex MLS, and current Premiership player. (Not all the same person!)

Here at Tricky Left Winger, we don't just want to talk about the game, we want to take you inside, inside the heads of the guys who have done/do it at the highest level. So we hope you enjoy the new look and enjoy the blog. Remember to comment, anything goes as long as it is football.

Love and Peace
TLW

God versus the Devil

2009-09-15T20:57:00.002-04:00

It could be the final. Well if Inter aren't as they usually are, shit in Europe, it might still be. All of the build up will be overshadowed by Zlatan v Eto'o. But the mouth watering aspect of this tie for me, has to be Mourinho v Guardiola.

Mourinho epitomizes all that is evil in football. Perhaps on Earth. Maybe the Universe, who knows? His arrogance and utter contempt for established football figures is bad enough, but add to that his shocking style of football that he carries from team to team, like a poisoned chalice, makes him about as popular as a fresh turd on a honeymooners pillow. His ego puts Kanye West's in the shadow! Just overall Mourinho is, well, a not very likeable person. Yes, his record speaks for itself, and that is what ultimately counts, but doing it with class and dignity will always be beyond him.

Speaking of class and dignity Guardiola is Skywalker to Mourinho's Vader. He is the saviour of football. His swashbuckling Barca squad swept all before them last year, playing the game the 'proper way', beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, rampaging attacking football. Maybe stopping off mid counter attack to rescue some drowning orphans. You get the picture.

There is more than three points to fight for, there is a whole footballing philosophy at stake. The dark side has been on the rise for years, 1-o's, dire football, grinding results. Can Barca defeat them? Wouldn't it be great if Inter came out and played the 'beautiful way' and out Barca'd Barca? Can Pep out think the man who has a love hate relationship with his (Pep's) job? I could go on all night...lets just say I am excited...and if it's 0-0 then all is lost.

True Cost of Tevez to City $140m?

2009-09-12T13:32:00.003-04:00

If this is true then I for one am astonished. Man Utd must be pissing themselves laughing all the way to the bank, well until they get there and realize it is a mere drop in the ocean of the sums of money that they owe.

Man City, well, it really is more about a statement of intent rather than the actual player. This was an Arab flexing of muscle to the Glazier Family. We have money, we are willing to spend it, so how are you going to react? Everyone knows Tevez isn't worth that money, and as Fergie stated he is not worth the $41m that was originally thought to be the price. So for it to turn into $140m over 5 years is astounding.

The 'Super Agent" Kia Joorabchian is shadier than a comic book villian, I wonder just how much of this inflated tranfer fee is lining his pockets?

Prem Predictions #4

2009-09-11T16:06:00.002-04:00

OK here are this weeks predictions.

Blackburn v Wolverhampton, Draw
Liverpool v Burnley, Liverpool
Man City v Arsenal, Arsenal
Portsmouth v Bolton, Bolton
Stoke v Chelsea, Chelsea
Sunderland v Hull, Sunderland
Tottenham v Man Utd, Draw
Wigan v West Ham, West Ham

Birmingham v Aston Villa, 12:00 Draw
Fulham v Everton, 16:15 Everton

I'm not too confident this week, there are a few dodgy games that could go either way but my treble is Liverpool Chelsea and Sunderland

Anti-Football- The Nando View

2009-09-10T10:29:00.002-04:00

We all know what people mean when they use this phrase. It is beyond specific definitions, or dictionary standards. It is and idea or concept of bad football.

This sport is the best one in the world because of its attractiveness and the passions it arises. Nowadays football is more than a simple sport; it is a show and it is entertainment. The Premier League understood this concept, and that is why it is the best promoted and marketed league in the world. People around the globe like the way the game is played, its intensity, its fair play, and how most of the teams of the league have one thing in their minds, score goals from the very first minute of the game and get as many as you can. All this is producing huge revenues from TV and sponsors contracts, and stadiums are full game after game.

Goals and a good game is the soul of this game, its essence; basically the main point of this magnificent sport. There are many ways to win and to play the game, and each coach or team could pick the one they wanted. It is legitimate, and it is right.

ANTI-FOOTBALL is the way some teams approach the game in order to make sure the other team does not play at all, at any cost. If it is necessary to make 30 fouls a game, waste every second of the 90 minutes, and put the ball in the sky every time there is a chance; that is what is needed to be done. “Let’s make sure the other team does not create anything, and maybe if we are lucky we will find some way to create something”. ANTI-FOOTBALL tries to reduce the game to the aspects in which chance or luck count the most. “Maybe we score in a corner, or a free kick, or if we are lucky we will get an own goal or a deflection, that does not matter; most important thing is they do not play, do not move the ball and if they attempt: FOUL”.

Football is about looking for some way to win the game or find the opponents net. There are many ways to achieve that, you can play long, short, counter-attack, etc. But ANTI-FOOTBALL does not want to know about it. Just make sure the other team does not pursue its plan, and then who knows.

It is hard to believe that Sir Alex’ plan to beat Arsenal was that Diaby would score a great header on his own goal, and Almunia would make a stupid penalty when Rooney’s touch was going to the corner flag. I understand teams like Rangers, Siena, Stoke, or Mallorca playing like that. They do not have players to do much better, they do not have the money to build big teams. But it is embarrassing the way Inter Milan, Chelsea, or Real Madrid approached the game the last few seasons, considering the players they had and the money they spent. And it is more embarrassing that the great Manchester United play in front of their own crowd with one striker and ten guys behind the ball and their only idea is to chase 18 and 19 year old Arsenal players and put them on the ground. Is it not true? Is not Fergie able to present a better approach to the game with players like Carrick, Scholes, Giggs, Nani, Berbatov, Valencia, Rooney, or Fletcher?

Being tough defensively does not mean you have to give up on attacking. F.C Barcelona was an exhibition of offensive football during the last year, and they conceded the least amount of goals in the Spanish league and they were first or second in this category in the champions league. Not to mention the amount of titles all this provided. And they were physical, they had players like Keita, Puyol, Toure, Pique, Marquez, Dani Alves, or Sergio Busquets. They are all physical and they are tough players, but they also want the ball and they also want to use it properly. There are more examples of teams which combine being aggressive with playing well, they are no opposite concepts.

Fans go to the stadiums to enjoy and entertain themselves and if not they will stop going or ask for explanations. Why was Capello or Schuster fired after winning the Spanish League? Why was Mancini fired after winning two Scudettos? Why are Italian stadiums empty? Everyone knows why, because they all play boring football, actually ANTI-FOOTBALL.

*Once again thanks to Nando for posting.

Scotland...go f**K yerself!!

2009-09-09T16:23:00.002-04:00

It is ALWAYS the same. ALWAYS! You give us that little glimmer of hope that this time it might be different. This time will be the magical time. This time you wont be like the drug addict, who promises that they have changed and wants to borrow $100 and swears it aint for drugs. Well Scotland I gave you my $100 of faith and you repaid me the only way you know how...you ripped my fucking heart out. You bought your drugs.

Plucky. Spirited. Bravehearts. You will read all the usual jingoistic bullshit tomorrow. And you will get that feeling that is all to common. Another big tournament that we will watch on the T.V.

Yes, we gave the Dutch a run for their money. The team ranked 3rd in the World. "We were unlucky" "If only Miller had scored" or "If Miller's shot that hit the bar went in" etc etc these all equate to one thing. NOT GOOD ENOUGH. YOU HEAR ME. N-O-T G-O-O-D E-N-O-U-G-H!!

All of the above "what if's" are equivalent of saying "well if we had Torres up front with Rooney just off..." basically it is the same excuses over and over. If my Granny had balls, well she would be my Grandpa. You get what I'm saying.

The damage was done away long before tonight. So for those out there that want to paint the picture of the Gallant Scots mull this over. Our qualifying record consists of 2 wins over Iceland, 1 win over Macedonia, and a draw with Norway. That is the kind of form that would have Kaka reaching for the toilet roll, I'm sure th shit was rolling down his legs worrying about facing a team that could pull of those astonishing feats. Or maybe he just shat himself laughing.

I do not know where we go from here. I honestly do not. We tried Bertie, Wattie fucked off, and Burley will get bombed. I have no clue as to what is next. I hoped that we would have been soundly beaten rather than being nearly men again. Even the goal, it was not the Total Football 52 pass monster we expected where, Van Persie riding a unicycle nutmegs 10 men and Marshall then slots it home before disappearing in a puff of orange smoke. It was, a hump up the park, an old 39 year old man couldn't move his legs fast enough, then falls over, but not before cushioning the ball into the Dutch Usain Bolt, who promptly made Marshall fall before slotting it in. It was a goal Scotland would score. If we didn't have the shite Kenny Miller up front, but hey ho he tries hard. Do one.

My misery is a seething rage combined with pure dejection. The first text I got after the game was from a fellow Scot "Devastation doesn't quite cover it somehow"

So very very true.

The ba's burst.

Predictions #3 reprise

2009-09-08T17:04:00.001-04:00

70% that is very good. Yes and I am saying that myself.

Also my treble came in.

will post weekends predictions on Friday.

Anti-Football the Truth

2009-09-08T15:20:00.004-04:00

Anti Football. Not the wife of your dad's brother. The much used buzz word since Arsene Wenger used it to describe Man Utd's physical approach to his team of pirouetting perfectionists. The phrase has of course has been around for some time now. Most famously when Lionel Messi accused Rangers of "Anti-futbol" at Ibrox after a 0-0 encounter.

As the great wise Wikipedia declares it "a robust style of play."

Now I know the co author of this blog, Nando disagrees with me completely on this subject but as he is not writing it you will have to deal with my thoughts, (hopefully he will write a peice in response)

Anti-Football doesn't exist. There I have said it. Simple.

Not simple I hear you cry, ok well let me explain. Nowhere in the rules of the game does it state that you to come out and win the game by playing attractive, free flowing, orgasm to the eyes football. We ALL would love to see the game played that way, where teams just come out and have a go at each other and someone wins 11-9. But that is like saying wouldn't it be nice if all guns were used as flower pots. Nice thought but nonsense.

Teams who are physical and who break the laws of the game are punished. That is what referees are for. The referee can not stop the game and say" Hey, you guys had 10 men behind the ball, how is Van Persie supposed to score if you pesky kids keep defending? Tsk Tsk Fre Kick to Arsenal"But he can book and send people off who break the rules of the game. You following?

"Anti-Football" is the complete opposite of what is the common perception of it . To look at it properly you need to think of it as "Total Football" not the Dutch affair but from a deconstructionalist point of view. It is a mere tactic of the game. Not popular, not entertaining, but it IS part of the game. For Wenger, Messi and co, there ideals will always be that of minimal contact, and attacking as the only option, as romantic as this is it is also ignorant. The imagination and guile that it takes to break down an "Anti Football" defence or the long ball bombardment, whatever it takes to overcome- this IS the game. How you and your players deal with different situations that are put infront of you. It has provided countless incredible memories like this (not exactly an Anti Football defence but you get the 'whatever it takes" mentality)

Physical football is still football. Defensive football is still football. It can not always be the poster boys having there way. As a pro I have waked off the field happier with a scrappy 0-0 where we had to defend with our lives for 90 mins, than times when we won 5-0. You play to your strengths. Rangers did it against Barca, Celtic have done it for years at Celtic Park in Champions League. Man Utd got stuck into Arsenal because they knew that they couldn't handle it. Fergie is not the manager he is without being acutely aware of his oppositions weaknesses. Arsenal have flair, panache, amazing skill, yet they lack a little grit. Why wouldn't an opposition manager test that. If he didn't then he would be going into battle not fully prepared and therefore doing his ream and fans a disservice.

So for me "Football" is Football, whether you use the prefix anti, defensive or eye poppingly stunning. It is ALL football.

Predictions #3

2009-08-28T15:27:00.006-04:00

So I'm just over 50% for my predictions so far, but a stonking (if I do say so myself) 3-1 correct score on Wednesday with Arsenal and Celtic gives me a little more confidence. so here are my Prem predictions.

I am adding my Treble to it also. My 3 team 'certs' hahaha

Also if anyone wants to give us their tips or certs feel free. Any league is welcome.

Saturday 29th August

Blackburn v West Ham, 15:00 Draw Draw
Bolton v Liverpool, 15:00 Liverpool Liverpool
Chelsea v Burnley, 12:45 Chelsea Chelsea
Man Utd v Arsenal, 17:15 Draw Man Utd
Stoke v Sunderland, 15:00 Sunderland Stoke
Tottenham v Birmingham, 15:00 Tottenham Tottenham
Wolverhampton v Hull, 15:00 Wolves Draw

Sunday 30th August

Aston Villa v Fulham, 16:00 Aston Villa Villa
Everton v Wigan, 15:00 Everton Everton
Portsmouth v Man City, 13:30 Man City City

My Treble = Liverpool, Chelsea, Everton

If you are having a punt good luck and let us know how you did.

The 'Fall'out of Eduardo's dive

2009-08-28T15:11:00.003-04:00

Eduardo dived. He knows that. Celtic know that. Wenger knows that. UEFA know that. Whether we like it or not it IS part of the game. Congratulations to UEFA for trying to make a statement, but I don't think Celtic fans will feel better about it. The goal was THE crucial goal of the tie. Him being banned will not make the board at Celtic park sleep any better thinking about the $20m that just slipped through their grasp.

Ask ANY manager in the world, last minute of World Cup final, Champions League final, league decider, any must win game, "would they condone their player doing what Eduardo did?"

Every single one would be out there putting the springboard in place so that Jonny Diver could catapult himself through the air and win his team the penalty.

Shit reality, but reality none the less.

Arsenal v Celtic- Luck of the...erm better team!

2009-08-26T16:38:00.003-04:00

Arsenal cruised past Celtic with less fuss than most imagined. Celtic were outclassed in every department. Arsenal were bigger, stronger, quicker, cuter, better on the ball, better off the ball. Sure Arsenal were lucky over both legs at certain times, both goals in Glasgow, and the penalty tonight. But the long qouted cliche "you make your own luck" is sometimes very true.

How to sum this tie up? Arsenal brought on Arshavin, Celtic brought on Willo Flood. 'Nuff said.

The reality is that an Arsenal side in full flight (they didn't get beyond 3rd gear in any of the legs in this tie) will always bring more to the Champions League than a plucky, fighting Celtic. Arsenal dealt with the huff and I'll puff attitude and just did what they are good at, playing football.

Europa League it is for the Hoops, but even then, they will have to improve dramatically if they are to have an extended run in Europe, even at the 2nd tier. As for Arsenal, the real test for them will be this weekend against Man Utd, who I can assure you will NOT be bringing on Willo Flood.

PS- Thanks to Donati's volley I am now gutted that I never bet the correct score I predicted!

Arsenal v Celtic

2009-08-26T08:51:00.003-04:00

Celtic have to score first. Mowbray has been saying that for a week now, but if Celtic come out all gung ho against one of the best counter attacking teams in the world then it will be tie over before you can say "Drunk Scottish men in London."

I think that will be the case, I think it will end up Arsenal 3 Celtic 1 on the night.

Fantastic Article from The Sweeper

2009-08-25T10:06:00.003-04:00

Over at Pitch Invasion I found this interesting article on Africa and the Premiership. Well worth a read.

Platini´s disaster

2009-08-22T23:43:00.003-04:00

UEFA´s new organizational system has received all kind of criticism since Michel Platini was elected president of the highest European football association. The Frenchman behaves more as a politician than a football man. His desire for obtaining votes and good relationships has blinded him from the most important: the welfare of European football.

It is well known that Platini started his campaign claiming the right for countries who have a lower level in football to have more participation in the continental competitions. The new president committed himself to give these countries the chance to be more relevant in the international competitions; both for national teams, and club teams.

When it comes to national team football, the first problem aroused when deciding that the Eurocup in 2012 would be organized by Ukraine and Poland, and these two nations will qualify directly to the tournament. Ukraine had not qualified in the two previous tournaments and Poland qualified for the last one, earning only one point.

Platini has tried to redeem himself and is considering creating a tournament with 24 teams instead of 16, which was not his idea. In this way all the top teams will most likely make it to the final tournament and some weak teams will have the chance to participate in this event. Thus making the qualifiers a bit pointless.

But the big mess appears when we look at the Champions League and European League qualification rounds. Big teams like Arsenal and Celtic or Atletico Madrid and Panathinaikos are matched in one side, and then there are games such as Levski Sofia vs Debreceni VSC, or FK Ventspils vs FC Zurich. I do not mean to disrespect these teams but they are not ready to participate in the best football competition in the world. Once they make it to the group stage they get killed by the rest of the teams and the sometimes do not even get a single point. I do not understand how historic teams like Celtic or Sporting Lisbon will probably not be in the Champions League, but we will see FC Kobenhavn or APOEL FC. Do you want to shell out your hard earned cash to see them or the better clubs? Hmmm tough one, do I want to watch Arsenal with Fabregas and friends or do I want to watch Hans the Lumberjack and his buddies?

The new European League has been created to be a secondary European competition where some clubs can test themselves out of their own countries and compare their level with other top teams. But again the differences will be tremendous in this competition. Clubs like Everton, Valencia or Werder Bremen are much better prepared than MFK Kosice or FK Qarabag to win the tournament.

Platini´s idea of making football more equal and more competitive is not working at all. To me it is going in the opposite direction and some clubs are realizing just how far away they are from clubs like Manchester United, FC Barcelona, or Inter Milan. It is sad to see Champions League games played on artificial grass in which the home team loses 4-0, this is supposed to be the hardest competition on planet Earth, so lets make it that and keep the ‘pub’ teams out.

Posted by Nando

Predictions #2

2009-08-21T15:17:00.004-04:00

I'm going to try and do this every week, the midweek games sometimes catch me out, so bear with me.

Arsenal v Portsmouth Arsenal Arsenal
Birmingham v Stoke Draw Draw
Hull v Bolton Draw Hull
Man City v Wolverhampton Man City Man City
Sunderland v Blackburn Draw Sunderland
Wigan v Man Utd Man Utd Man Utd

Sunday
Burnley v Everton Everton Burnley
Fulham v Chelsea Chelsea Chelsea
West Ham v Tottenham Tottenham Tottenham

The Beckham Experiment

2009-08-19T22:31:00.003-04:00

Just finished reading this. I recommend it thoroughly, it is a fascinating book that gives a rare insight into the Machiavellian feats that were used to make this move possible. It is a fantastic football book. Especially insightful in its look at the MLS as a whole. Players on $12,900 a year. Now that is dedication.

Buy it or borrow it. Or steal it from someone you don't like

Round Up

2009-08-19T22:01:00.004-04:00

A great opening weekend in the Prem, great goals (Denilson,Rodallega,Noble and Drogba) Some stunning performances (Arsenal) and some poor (Liverpool.) Things really got interesting tonight with Burnley beating Man Utd. I for one am delighted about this result, not because I hate Man Utd (I don't I love watching them) but the reason is that, Owen Coyle is genuinely one of the nicest men in football. And as an ex team mate I'll always want to see him do well.

On Sunday Glenn Hoddle claimed Spurs have a better squad than Liverpool. I'm not sure if he is correct, they may have numerous forwards but as an overall squad I'm not sure. What was clearly apparent on Sunday was Liverpool missing Alonso. As a replacement they could do worse than sign Tom Huddlestone who I believe could be a present day Jan Molby. His range of passing is exquisite, if he had some "water carriers' along side him (Mascherano) I feel he could be the ideal candidate to play the killer balls to Torres and Gerrard. Speaking of Gerrard I loved the Spurs fans chorus' of "You're supposed to be inside" and "Self Defence your having a laugh" those cheeky cockney chappies ya gotta love em.

One plus I felt for Liverpool was Glen Johnson, who I said at the time Chelsea fecked up big time by letting him go. Also the astonishing fact that Martin Tyler gushed out "Torres ratio is better than Rush and Fowler's 50 games-36 goals" Now that would be like telling A Catholic that Pope Benedict has more miracles than Jesus and spent an extra few days on the cross before coming back a day earlier. Do red scousers feel Torres is better than both KOP Gods?

It was good to see that humility and football have not become too estranged. Fabregas' tribute to the late Dani Jarque of Espanyol was a nice touch.

Liverpool bounced back with 4 at home tonight but Aquilani will be needed sooner rather than later.

oh and I believe I hit 50% for my predictions...more will follow.

Prem Predictions

2009-08-14T15:37:00.003-04:00

Thought I'd have a laugh and try and post my prediction for the weekends results.

Barclays Premier League
Saturday
My Predictions

Aston Villa v Wigan, 15:00 Villa
Blackburn v Man City, 15:00 Man City
Bolton v Sunderland, 15:00 Sunderland
Chelsea v Hull, 12:45 Chelsea
Everton v Arsenal, 17:30 Draw
Portsmouth v Fulham, 15:00 Draw
Stoke v Burnley, 15:00 Draw
Wolverhampton v West Ham, 15:00 West Ham

Sunday
Man Utd v Birmingham, 13:30 Man Utd
Tottenham v Liverpool, 16:00 Draw

Can They Handle the Pressure?

2009-08-14T15:25:00.002-04:00

Football does not have a kind memory. No matter what was done yesterday, today and the present are all that matters. In less than a month everyone will have forgotten about Barcelona´s glorious year. After achieving the ``triplete´´ and displaying the best football seen in decades; all that is left is confusion, questions and doubts.

Before Pep Guardiola showed up after a month of vacation everything was a mess in ``Can Barça´´. Laporta and his group of directors were paying more attention to Florentino and his money instead of taking care of their own business. Such is the case that they had trouble to renew the contracts of several players like Valdes, Toure, Messi, Marquez, and Puyol. These last two have not signed yet a new contract. It is unbelievable that the captain and one of the most representative players for the club is still concerned about his future.

Also, Laporta and his crew forgot about bringing new faces to the squad. Guardiola let them know a long time ago that he wanted a number nine, a left back, a midfielder, a stopper and a left winger. The young coach knew that money was short and he asked at least for three of those positions. So far only two have come: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Maxwell. Many names have risen as possible newcomers like Fabregas, Mata, Eboue, etc; but most of the money is gone and the market is very rough. The ``Cule´´ fans are still hoping for a new recruit to come in.

Another aspect is that Txiki Beguiristain and the managers failed to get rid of some of the players that did not fit in the squad. Martin Caceres, Hleb, and Gudjohnsen were the main three candidates to leave the club and bring some coin to the Camp Nou. So far Caceres and Hleb have left but both of them on loans, which did not produce any cash to the Catalunyans.

The final piece of this disaster was the situation with Samuel Etoo. The coach warned Txiki and Laporta that he did not want ``Samu´´ under his orders this year, and he did it right after the final in Rome. The whole story became a soap opera in which eventually Etoo was part of the deal to bring Zlatan to the club.

Luckily Guardiola showed up and he brought some common sense with him. The team started to work and he took 8 players from ``La Masia´´ to the first tour in England and 4 for the tour in the U.S. His demands are still the same, but if those new players do not arrive; he will not hesitate in playing with Pedrito, Jeffren, Fontas, Muniesa, Dos Santos, or many others. All eyes are on his back and everyone keeps asking if the ``Tricampeones´´ will be able to compete with the ``NeoGalacticos´´.

The squad looks a bit short and the first competition of the season starts on Sunday in San Mames. Messi, Henry, Marquez, Ibra, and Iniesta might not be playing so this could be a great test for Guardiola and his pupils. Once all these players are back with the team, we will probably see the same magic as last year. The only doubt is if Zlatan will improve on what Samuel Etoo did in the past. The Swede is more skillful and offers a more all round package as a #9, adding his powerful game in the air. But and this is crucial; he probably does not sacrifice himself in defense as much as the African lion used to. This was one of the keys for Barcelona´s success last year. Etoo started pressing the other teams´ defenders very high and the team used to get the ball back in good positions for quick attacks and transitions. Ibrahimovic will improve the flow of the ball and its distribution, but we do not know how the team will perform without it.

A new season begins this weekend with the ``Supercopa´´ and there are still many things up in the air about this team. It sounds funny after all they achieved last season, but that does not count any more. It is time to see if they are able to keep the level and the magic which the whole world admired no more than 3 months ago.

*Again thanks to Nando our Spanish Mole ;)

Community Shield

2009-08-09T12:21:00.003-04:00

I just got connected to the Internet in my new apartment 10 mins before kick off in today's Man Utd v Chelsea fixture. To say I was delighted may be the biggest understatement since The Black Knight declared he "only has a flesh wound".

The happiness that this game brings to me is fantastic. It signals the beginning of a new season, new kits, new signings and new boots all are on show. And what a season ahead. There is always a special buzz about seasons that finish in a World Cup, they take on a more magical air.

After turning the volume back on after the English National Anthem had finished, I was delighted to see and hear the ovation that Sir Bobby Robson received. I haven't commented on his passing due to connection problems as mentioned earlier. But it was great to see that the football community payed a fitting tribute to a great man.

The game itself was bright and lively, Nani's goal had all the marking of a recently departed Portugese winger. The sublime control, the shimmy to engage the over-lap, and then a fierce shot. Well, fierce in the same way that a kitten with a ball of wool is fierce (although Evra would steal the mantle of the Puffest of Powderpuff shots ever seen at Wembley with his penalty- we may call it the "kick of the glass slipper".) Cech should have saved the shot, no doubt about that, but he more than made up for it with 4 world class saves before half time.

O'Shea provided the best moment of the game for me, his jink and shimmy past the invisible man- when he tripped over the turf. Classic. Lampard then had his obligatory 'lets blast a free- kick against the wall' moment. Now I don't think anything pisses me off more in today's game than a free kick being hammered at a wall. And Lampard LOVES it. For a $250,000 a week I would like to think that you could show a little more ingenuity, some guile perhaps, try and manipulate the ball up and over the wall. Not send it to the wall hoping that some nancy boy has bottled it and turned their back. It smacks of "look at me and how hard I can kick it" eh fuck off Frank and use your brains.

Lampard had been kept quiet by Fletcher, a player who I really like but still cant fathom him out. Is he Keane with more flair, Scholes with better defensive attributes, or a Gattuso-type run around like a madman and then give the ball to the superstars? It was great to see that he was first to a have a whack at Ballack after ze German measured Evra's through with his forearm.

Ballack's little piece of naughtiness actually put some spark into the game, it was funny seeing everyone trying to line him up to melt him. But then Karma worked quickly and Evra sent him flying with a great tackle which was wrongly ruled a foul. Evra used up his anger and emotion to fuel an impressive last 20 mins and was instrumental in the equalizing goal. He anticipated and robbed the Chelsea midfield before slipping in Shrek who slotted it past the onrushing Cech. And then Evra filled his boot with Merangue and fluffed his penalty into Cech's arms. And ze German must have nearly burst from laughter.

Speaking of laughter, Berbatov! He is quickly heading down the Seba Veron road of "Good player elsewhere- pish at Utd". I am utterly unconvinced with him. It could be worse, he could be Ben Foster, who had a SHOCKER. Happiest man in Wembley today must have been Kuszczak.

Fergie must have been pissed with Ballack because he flexed his muscles by bring on Giggs, Scholes, Owen and Rafael. Owen showed glimpses of what he is about. Just a subtle little drift past Carvalho (who I love as a defender) and then some Van Nistelrooy type positioning from a free kick (when they start offside) that Cech did well to clear. Valencia tried too hard, and will need time to settle, but I think Rafael will do well with his constant energy.

Chelsea won on penalties, by being, well Chelsea. Nothing particularly good, or flamboyant, lots of players who you think "wow I forgot he was playing" but as a team they get the job done.

So for me the winner of today's game was...LIVERPOOL.

I think that Rafa Benitez would be rubbing his hands with glee after viewing that. He has seen both old enemies spar and none of them look particularly different than last year. An interesting season lies ahead.

Celtic v Arsenal

2009-08-07T15:36:00.005-04:00

Having just seen that Celtic will play Arsenal to see who will qualify for the 'Real' Champions League, I have to admit I am very intruiged. Celtic have had a decent record against English clubs when drawn together in Europe. Recent victories over Man Utd, and a few years ago Liverpool at Anfield will give them and their supporters a little bit of confidence.

Arsenal are the team I believe that Tony Mowbray is trying to emulate at Celtic Park. The attractive passing football is very much in the essence of 'the Celtic Way' and although early in his Celtic managerial career, there have been signs of a more flowing Celtic than in recent seasons. With more emphasis on short passing and better possesion of the ball, a couple of obscure French/African signings and you could say Mr. Mowbray is treading the path so brilliantly beaten by Mr. Wenger many moons ago.

The irony is that if Celtic are to progress then it will be their brawn rather than their brains that get them through. They will have to get physical with a far superior technical team, Fabregas and Van Persie are as good as they come in the modern game, and giving them room will certainly spell the end of Celtic's qualification chances.

As for Wenger, he is probably my favourite manager around. His footballing philosophy, and intelligence are to me, what the game is all about. People say his teams over pass. Bollocks!! Because his teams keep the ball better than anyone in England (Man Utd included) English media are just unaccustomed to ball retention of that calibre. Sure they may add an extra pass here or there, but they are footballers, artists trying to express themselves, if they go for the 'perfect' goal then so be it, I for one want to be there when they score it.

That being said, if Celtic were to triumph, I'm sure that some would be calling for Wenger's head. The implications of losing are perversly bigger for Arsenal than Celtic. A long shadow would be cast over Arsenal's season if they lose, whereas if Celtic to go through it would be the ultimate bonus.

This tie screams Arsenal on paper, but luckily for Celtic football is played on grass not paper.

High Expectations

2009-08-06T10:50:00.003-04:00

Note- It is with great delight I bring you our first post from our 'inside man' in La Liga. Nando is an ex pro from Spain who will be giving us the news, gossip, and all things La Liga.

It has been a very busy summer in Spain. Florentino Perez has activated the market again. The reality is that Real Madrid has been the center of the market because of its transfers, rumors, and of course the new faces. So far Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Albiol, Arbeloa, Granero, Negredo, and Xabi Alonso are the new members of the squad. On the other hand, there are those who have already left, or the many candidates who may be leaving before August 31st . Raul Garcia and Saviola changed Spain for Portugal and now play together with Pablo Aimar for Benfica F.C. Michel Salgado got to an agreement in order to finish his contract with the ``merengues´´, his destination is still up in the air, possibly Zaragoza. Cannavaro and Heinze, important figures of the back line, left the team to play for Juventus and Marseille respectively. The list of those who are still trying to keep their spot in Bernabeu´s locker room is very deep. Most of the Dutch crew are possible transfers, even Robben who last year was an idol for the Madrid supporters. He and Wesley Sneijder have several options but none of them seem to satisfy their needs mainly- playing the Champions League is something very important for those who want to play in the next World Cup in South Africa next summer. Latest news assure that Huntelaar is very close to find an agreement with A.C Milan. Diarra Ialso has some offers but his belief is that he can succeed in this team and he is not willing to leave the club easily. Many other players in the squad have an uncertain future.
But the big question is : is all this enough to compete with Barça and be successful in Europe? It is still pre-season, but it seems that Pellegrini has not found the key to make all these great players to find the style or connection desired. It is true that Xabi Alonso is going to bring a lot to the table. He will give the team the balance that it needs, and also more creativity in the middle of the park. Alvaro Negredo will score many goals if he receives the opportunity he deserves, but his future is still unknown. Another important player will be Esteban Granero. This young player is not afraid of a challenge and he is ready to compete for a spot with the big names like Kaka or Ronaldo. There are no doubts about these last two players, who I am sure will perform very well giving their quality and experience. There are more doubts about the new number 9 : Karim Benzema. This player has the potential to be top scorer in any league but his last season was not what had been expected of him.
Pellegrini will have to put all these pieces together and create a winning team. After all the money spent, results are demanded in a short-term period. He will also have the duty to deal with many egos and strong personalities. It is well known that Casillas, Raul, and Ramos have already some hierarchy in the current squad, but will CR9 and the rest understand that role in the locker room? Very soon will find out.

Self Defence?

2009-07-24T09:59:00.003-04:00

Self-Defense

(n) Self defense is the action by which a person protects himself from any bodily harm arising out of an encounters or attacks from other person either by protecting him or by blocking the opponents advancement by a counter attack. Self defense is not a crime so accused may be tempted to show their action as self defense to escape punishment

my italics

Now I am no lawyer, but the Steven Gerrard case troubles me. If he had been Joe Scouser from Sefton Park and whipped in three uppercuts to someone in a bar in Concert Square do you think he would have got off? No chance, this seemed to me like a case that even Lionel Hutz the dodgy Simpson's lawyer could have tied up. But no, it just goes to show that when justice is required, if you are a celebrity you are more 'equal' than others.

When will people realise that money, fame, and celebrity does not, and NEVER should put you above the law.

Owen's Cunning Move

2009-07-24T06:35:00.004-04:00

The transfer that I have the most interest in this year is not the mega money moving of Messrs Ronaldo and Kaka, but the intriguing situation of Michael Owen. I admit from the start that Owen is a player that I rate very highly, for several reasons, some not so obvious as others.

Owen is two years younger than me, and when he burst onto the scene it may have been a shock to the general public but as a player of similar age and one who devoured all type of football news and gossip. I had heard of him. Mainly because an ex team mate of mine played against him when Owen scored what he still believes to be his best ever goal. A mazy run from kick off dribbling around every Scottish player he could find,taking their lunch money from them, and pulling down there shorts then slotting it home. It was a complete piss take. It looked like an edition of Billy Whizz when he tied the ball to his boots, or used superglue. This was at U15 level.

With some players you can just tell. Simple as that you look at them and they do one thing and you think "You can't coach that" with his goal against Argentina it was not his dribble, or finish that stood out. It was his first touch, that outside of the boot caress that took him into full stride and on his way to super stardom. ONE TOUCH. And that is why I find his move to Man Utd so interesting.

Owen WILL score goals. FACT. Look at his C.V it shows around a goal every two games. For the best teams in the world (Newcastle excluded obviously) and I believe he will score plenty at Man Utd. His fitness is the key, as is well documented, but for me it seems a very sensible gamble, risk paying the wages of a proven goalscorer, or splash the cash and end up with a Seba Veron (or dare I say it a Berbatov?)

Owen started playing in the tail end of the Spice Boys era, Armani Suits and inflated egos. He played with John Barnes at a time when football was about to go BOOM. He played when the average punter could still relate (if only a little) to the men on the pitch. Those days are gone. Owen inspired people because you thought "Look at him, he is a normal lad" not some pampered pussy.

I think Fergie has pulled a shrewd move, I look forward to watching this develop over the season.And nothing would make me smile more than if he banged one in at the KOP!

2009-07-20T12:36:00.003-04:00

New Kit

Loved this time of year because of the new kit

My favorites so far. Both bring back memories for me, the Everton one makes me think of Jagger and Bowie dancing in the street, (I still piss myself at that video) Transformers packed lunch boxes filled with triangular sannies, and buying Refresher bars at the school tucky. Sideshedtastic

The Celtic kit reminds me of endles games of World Cuppy on a dusty hockey park, Oasis ruling my life, and trying like fuck to win because a few birds were watching you.

Magic

Excitement

2009-07-20T11:58:00.003-04:00

Ok I'm not gonna lie, I'm very excited about the forthcoming season. The transfers have been big and bold (Ronaldo, Kaka etc) interesting in a scratchy beardy way (Adebayor, Owen) and downright mental (Ibra- Eto plus Hleb and $64,000,000 if it goes through)

So here are my predictions for who will be Champions in each Country

England- Liverpool
Spain- Real Madrid
Italy- Inter
France- Marseille
Germany- Bayern Munich
Scotland- Celtic

Remember these are not the teams I want to win, just who I think will win. What do you think?

Aaaaaaaaaaaand stretch.

2009-07-20T10:50:00.004-04:00

The summer is a strange time. For most it brings the long awaited vacations and the occasional bar-b-q, Wimbledon and the Open with a cold beer, perhaps? Yet for the professional footballer, it is the chance to unwind for a few weeks before 9 months of hard labor commence.

As a pro, I always had a split personality over pre-season. Yes, you join in with the rest of the lads in cursing the man with the whistle and the stop watch "Your watch made of fucking chocolate?" "I'd love to see him run 10- 100m at 15 secs pace...CUNT!!" and you absolutely despise every second of running. Waking up, you think "I cannot walk, never mind run", yet 2 hours later you're flying around a track feeling like Roger Bannister on speed. And that's where the dichotomy becomes clear. You hate it, but you know it's doing you good, you think the goalie might lap you (the ultimate embarrasment) when you wake up, only to find yourself cruising past the teams fittest man (you know every team has a guy who could easily step in and run for the Kenyans at the next Olympics). Granted you might just pass him for one run, but that one run proves that you are THE man, fitter than last year and ready to be better than you ever have been.

It's a beautifuly optimistic time of year, you meet new friends, click on and off the field with guys, get exited about who is signing who and generally focus more on becoming a better Pro...

...and then the balls come out. And that is a different kettle of fish altogether.

Because, at the end of the day it's about the ball. You can get yourself in the greatest of shape, be a fantastic athlete, but if you have the touch of a blind rapist then you're fucked. Well, that's not completely true...I know guys who have played at the highest level who you would rather play a man down with at 5 asides than pick them. TT they're called- Touch Tackle. When they try to control the ball, inevitably the next thing they have to do is tackle!! But for them it is the physical preparation that is vital. They know deep down that they're not blessed in the touch department (me? I had the touch of an anorexic butterfly landing on a silk rose petal). So basically what I'm saying is, it takes all sorts. On my first day of walking into the training ground with Ross County, I walked in and the fans' favorite player was sitting with a coffee and a cigarette (more of him later) fully in kit, with boots on ready to go!

The game has evolved since then (thankfully) although I would give me left leg to see Ronaldo and Kaka sitting in the dressing room tonight with a Nescafe and a Woodbine asking "Sergio, Serge, you got a light?"

But after 12 years of pre season, last year was my first not doing one, it felt wierd, it still does.

Intro

2009-07-20T09:44:00.000-04:00

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